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diff --git a/19993-8.txt b/19993-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 87fb675..0000000 --- a/19993-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,24238 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories - The Young Folks Treasury, Volume 1 - -Author: Various - -Editor: Hamilton Wright Mabie, Edward Everett Hale, and William Byron Forbush - -Release Date: December 2, 2006 [EBook #19993] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDHOOD'S FAVORITES *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Lesley Halamek and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -CHILDHOOD'S FAVORITES - -AND FAIRY STORIES - - -HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE - -EDWARD EVERETT HALE - -WILLIAM BYRON FORBUSH - -_Editors_ - - -JENNIE ELLIS BURDICK - -_Assistant Editor_ - - -Volume One [Illustration: The Young Folks Treasury] - - -NEW YORK - -THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY - -INCORPORATED - -1927 - -COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY -THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY INC. - -COPYRIGHT, 1909, 1917, BY -THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY INC. - - -EDITORS - -HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, L.H.D., LL.D. -EDWARD EVERETT HALE, D.D., LL.D. -WILLIAM BYRON FORBUSH, Ph.D., Litt.D. - - -ASSISTANT EDITOR - -JENNIE ELLIS BURDICK - - -_Partial List of Authors and Editors Represented in The Young Folks -Treasury by Selections from Their Writings:_ - -WOODROW WILSON, Twenty-eighth President of the United States. -THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Twenty-sixth President of the United States. -HENRY VAN DYKE, poet, essayist, and diplomatist. -LYMAN ABBOTT, editor of "The Outlook." -RUDYARD KIPLING, poet and story-teller. -GENERAL SIR R. S. BADEN-POWELL, founder of the Boy Scouts. -BECKLES WILLSON, author of "The Romance of Canada." -IDA PRENTICE WHITCOMB, author of "Young People's Story of Art." -ELLEN VELVIN, writer of animal stories. -MARY MACGREGOR, author of "King Arthur's Knights," etc. -RALPH HENRY BARBOUR, author of boys' stories. -T. GILBERT PEARSON, executive secretary, National Association - of Audubon Societies. -JOSEPH JACOBS, authority upon folklore. -THEODORE WOOD, writer on natural history. -ERNEST THOMPSON SETON, writer of stories about natural - history and founder of the Woodcraft League. -AMY STEEDMAN, writer on biography. -EVERETT T. TOMLINSON, author of boys' stories. -RALPH D. PAINE, author of boys' stories. -A. FREDERICK COLLINS, author of boys' books. -DON C. BLISS, educator. -BLISS CARMAN, poet and essayist. -SIR JAMES MATTHEW BARRIE, novelist. -WILLIAM CANTON, story-teller. -HERMANN HAGEDORN, poet. -ELBRIDGE S. BROOKS, writer of boys' stories. -ALFRED G. GARDINER, editor of "The London News." -FRANKLIN K. LANE, United States Secretary of the Interior. -JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, creator of "Uncle Remus." -ERNEST INGERSOLL, naturalist. -WILLIAM L. FINLEY, State biologist, Oregon. -CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS, writer of animal stories. -E. NESBIT, novelist and poet. -ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS, author of "How It Is Done," etc. -IRA REMSEN, former president of Johns Hopkins University. -GIFFORD PINCHOT, professor of forestry, Yale University. -GUSTAVE KOBBÉ, writer of biographies. -JACOB A. RIIS, philanthropist and author. -EMILY HUNTINGTON MILLER, story-writer and poet. -JOHN LANG, writer of children's books. -JEANIE LANG, writer of children's books. -JOHN H. CLIFFORD, editor and writer. -HERBERT T. WADE, editor and writer on physics. -CHARLES R. GIBSON, writer on electricity. -LILIAN CASK, writer on natural history. -BLANCHE MARCHESI, opera singer and teacher. -JOHN FINNEMORE, traveler and writer of boys' stories. -ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, inventor of the telephone. -JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY, poet. -CHARLES H. CAFFIN, author of "A Guide to Pictures." -JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS. -ANDREW F. CURRIER, M.D., popular medical writer. -HELEN KELLER, the blind and deaf writer. -OLIVER HERFORD, humorist and illustrator. - - - - -GENERAL INTRODUCTION - - * * * * * - -Books are as much a part of the furnishing of a house as tables and -chairs, and in the making of a home they belong, not with the luxuries -but with the necessities. A bookless house is not a home; for a home -affords food and shelter for the mind as well as for the body. It is -as great an offence against a child to starve his mind as to starve -his body, and there is as much danger of reducing his vitality and -putting him at a disadvantage in his lifework in the one as in the -other form of deprivation. There was a time when it was felt that -shelter, clothing, food and physical oversight comprised the whole -duty of a charitable institution to dependent children; to-day no -community would permit such an institution to exist unless it provided -school privileges. An acute sense of responsibility toward children -is one of the prime characteristics of American society, shown in the -vast expenditures for public education in all forms, in the increasing -attention paid to light, ventilation, and safety in school buildings, -in the opening of play grounds in large cities, in physical -supervision of children in schools, and the agitation against the -employment of children in factories, and in other and less obvious -ways. - -Children are helpless to protect themselves and secure what they need -for health of body and mind; they are exceedingly impressionable; and -the future is always in their hands. The first and most imperative -duty of parents is to give their children the best attainable -preparation for life, no matter at what sacrifice to themselves. There -are hosts of fathers and mothers who recognize this obligation but do -not know how to discharge it; who are eager to give their children the -most wholesome conditions, but do not know how to secure them; who are -especially anxious that their children should start early and start -right on that highway of education which is the open road to honorable -success. There are many homes in which books would find abundant room -if the heads of the families knew what books to buy, or had the means -to put into the hands of the growing child the reading matter it needs -in the successive periods of its growth. - -This condition of eagerness to give the best, and of ignorance of how -or where to find the best is the justification for the publication -of this set of books. The attempt has been made in a series of twelve -volumes to bring together in convenient form the fairy stories, myths, -and legends which have fed the children of many generations in the -years when the imagination is awakening and craving stimulus and -material to work upon;--that age of myth-making which is a prelude to -the more scientific uses of the mind and of immense importance in an -intensely practical age;--a group of tales of standard quality and -an interest and value which have placed them among the permanent -possessions of English literature; a careful selection of stories -of animal life; a natural history, familiar in style and thoroughly -trustworthy in fact; an account of those travels and adventures which -have opened up the earth and made its resources available, and which -constitute one of the most heroic chapters in the history of the -long struggle of men to possess the earth and make it a home for -the highest kind of civilization; a record of heroism taken from the -annals of the patriots and of those brave men who, in all ages, ranks -of society and occupations, have dared to face great dangers in the -path of duty and science, with special attention to that everyday -heroism in which the age is specially rich and of which so many good -people are grossly ignorant; a survey of scientific achievement, with -reports of recent discoveries in knowledge and adaptation of knowledge -to human need; a group of biographies of the men and women--mostly -Americans--who are the most stimulating companions for boys and girls; -a volume on the Fine Arts dealing with music, painting, sculpture, -architecture, in a way to instruct young readers and making accessible -a large number of those songs which appeal in the best way to children -in schools and homes; a collection of the best poetry for the youngest -and oldest readers, chosen not only for excellence from the standpoint -of art, but deep and abiding human interest; and a volume devoted to -the occupations and resources of the home, addressed to parents no -less than to children, with practical suggestions about books and -reading, games and amusements, exercise and health, and those kindred -topics which have to do with making the home wholesome and attractive. - -These twelve volumes aim, in brief, to make the home the most -inspiring school and the most attractive place for pleasure, and -to bring the best the world has to offer of adventure, heroism, -achievement and beauty within its four walls. - -Special attention has been given to the youngest children whose -interests are often neglected because they are thought to be too -immature to receive serious impressions from what is read to them. -Psychology is beginning to make us understand that no greater -mistake can be made in the education of children than underrating the -importance of the years when the soil receives the seed most quickly. -For education of the deepest sort--the planting of those formative -ideas which give final direction and quality to the intellectual -life--there is no period so important as the years between three and -six, and none so fruitful. To put in the seed at that time is, as a -rule, to decide the kind of harvest the child will reap later; whether -he shall be a shrewd, keen, clever, ambitious man, with a hard, -mechanical mind, bent on getting the best of the world; or a generous, -fruitful, open-minded man, intent on living the fullest life in mind -and heart. No apology is offered for giving large space to myths, -legends, fairy stories, tales of all sorts, and to poetry; for in -these expressions of the creative mind is to be found the material on -which the imagination has fed in every age and which is, for the most -part, conspicuously absent from our educational programmes. - -America has at present greater facility in producing "smart" men than -in producing able men; the alert, quick-witted, money-maker abounds, -but the men who live with ideas, who care for the principles -of things, and who make life rich in resource and interest are -comparatively few. America needs poetry more than it needs industrial -training; though the two ought never to be separated. The time to -awaken the imagination, which is the creative faculty, is early -childhood; and the most accessible material for this education is the -literature which the race created in its childhood. The creative man, -whether in the arts or in practical affairs, in poetry, in engineering -or in business, is always the man of imagination. - -In this library for young people the attempt has been made not only -to give the child what it needs but in the form which is most easily -understood. For this reason some well-known stories have been -retold in simpler English than their classic forms present. This is -especially true of many tales for any young children reprinted by -special arrangement from recent English sources. In some cases, where -the substance has seemed of more importance to the child than the -form, simpler words and forms of expression have been substituted for -more complex or abstract phrases, and passages of minor importance -have been condensed or omitted. - -The aim in making the selections in this set of books has been to -interest the child and give it what it needs for normal growth; the -material has been taken from many sources old and new; much of the -reading matter presented has been familiar in one form or another, to -generations of children; much has appeared for the first time within -the last ten years; a considerable part has been prepared especially -for the Treasury and a large part has been selected from the best -writing in the various fields. - -It is the hope of the Editor that this "Treasury" or "Library" will -justify its title by its real and fundamental service to children and -parents alike. - -HAMILTON W. MABIE - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -Since this series of books is intended for all young people from one -to one hundred, it opens with about eighty of the old MOTHER GOOSE -RHYMES. Nothing better was ever invented to tell to little folks who -are young enough for lullabies. Their rhythm, their humor, and their -pith will always cause us to prize them as the Babies' Classics. - -Next come a score of the most famous NURSERY TALES, the kind that -children cry for and love to hear fifty times over. And since, just -as soon as little folks like stories they love to hear them in rhyme, -here are forty CHILDREN'S FAVORITE POEMS. - -What would young life be without "Puss in Boots" and "Little Red -Riding Hood" and "The Sleeping Beauty"? Our TREASURY would indeed be -poor without them, so these FAVORITE STORIES come next, yoked -with some OLD-FASHIONED POEMS in story-form, as "The Night before -Christmas," "The Wonderful World," and "Little Orphant Annie." All who -love pets and animals have always liked FABLES, so here are the noted -parables of Æsop, and the lesser-known but even more jolly tales from -East Indian sources. - -The fairy-tale age is supposed to come from four to nine, but the -editors are sure it lasts much longer than that. However this may be, -the better half of our first volume is given up to FAIRY TALES AND -LAUGHTER STORIES from all over the world. - -It ends with TALES FOR TINY TOTS, the kind that mother reads beside -the fire at bedtime, some of them old, like the "Little Red Hen" and -"Peter Rabbit," and some of them newer, like "The Greedy Brownie" and -"The Birthday Honors of the Fairy Queen." - -WILLIAM BYRON FORBUSH. - - - - -CONTENTS - -General Introduction to Young Folks' Treasury vii -Introduction xi - -NURSERY RHYMES - -Hush-a-bye, Baby, on the Tree-top; Rock-a-bye, Baby - thy Cradle is Green; Bye, Baby Bunting; Hush - Thee, my Babby; Sleep, Baby, Sleep; This Little - Pig Went to Market; etc., etc. 1-31 - -NURSERY TALES - -The Three Bears 32 -Cinderella 35 -The Three Brothers 41 -The Wren and the Bear 42 -Chicken-Licken 45 -The Fox and the Cat 47 -The Rats and their Son-in-Law 48 -The Mouse and the Sausage 50 -Johnny and the Golden Goose 51 -Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse 56 -Teeny Tiny 58 -The Spider and the Flea 60 -The Little Shepherd Boy 61 -The Three Spinners 62 -The Cat and the Mouse in Partnership 65 -The Sweet Soup 68 -The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean 68 -Why the Bear Has a Stumpy Tail 70 -The Three Little Pigs 71 - -CHILDREN'S FAVORITE POEMS - -The Three Children 75 -The Owl and the Pussy-Cat--_Edward Lear_ 75 -Kindness to Animals 77 -How Doth the Little Busy Bee--_Isaac Watts_ 77 -Suppose--_Phoebe Cary_ 78 -Twinkle, Twinkle 79 -Pretty Cow--_Jane Taylor_ 80 -The Three Little Kittens--_Eliza Lee Follen_ 80 -The Land of Counterpane--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 82 -There was a Little Girl--_Henry Wadsworth Longfellow_ 82 -The Boy who never Told a Lie 83 -Foreign Children--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 84 -The Unseen Playmate--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 84 -I saw Three Ships 85 -A Was an Ant--_Edward Lear_ 86 -The Table and the Chair--_Edward Lear_ 91 -Precocious Piggy--_Thomas Hood_ 93 -A Boy's Song--_James Hogg_ 94 -Buttercups and Daisies--_Mary Howitt_ 95 -The Violet--_Jane Taylor_ 96 -If ever I See--_Lydia Maria Child_ 97 -The Little Land--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 97 -A Lobster Quadrille--_Lewis Carroll_ 99 -Where Go the Boats--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 100 -The Wind and the Moon--_George Macdonald_ 101 -Where are you Going my Pretty Maid 103 -The Lost Doll--_Charles Kingsley_ 104 -Foreign Lands--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 104 -Bed in Summer--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 105 -Try Again 106 -A Good Play--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 106 -Good Night and Good Morning--_Richard Monckton Milnes_ 107 -The Wind--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 108 -The Spider and the Fly--_Mary Howitt_ 109 -Let Dogs Delight to Bark and Bite--_Isaac Watts_ 110 -Child's Evening Hymn--_Sabine Baring-Gould_ 111 - - -CHILDREN'S FAVORITE STORIES - -Hansel and Gretel 113 -The Fair Catherine and Pif-Paf Poltrie 120 -The Wolf and the Fox 122 -Descreet Hans 123 -Puss in Boots 126 -The Elves and the Shoemaker 131 -Hans in Luck 133 -Master of All Masters 138 -Belling the Cat 139 -Little Red Riding-Hood 140 -The Nail 144 -Jack and the Beanstalk 145 -How to Tell a True Princess 149 -The Sleeping Beauty 150 - - -OLD FASHIONED POEMS - -The Man in the Moon--_James Whitcombe Riley_ 158 -Sage Counsel--_Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch_ 160 -Limericks--_Edward Lear_ 161 -More Limericks--_Rudyard Kipling_ and _Anonymous_ 162 -The Dead Doll--_Margaret Vandergrift_ 163 -Little Things--_Ascribed to Julia A. F. Carney_ 165 -The Golden Rule--_Unknown_ 165 -Do the Best You Can--_Unknown_ 165 -The Voice of Spring 166 -The Lark and the Rook--_Unknown_ 166 -Thanksgiving Day--_Lydia Maria Child_ 168 -The Magpie's Nest--_Unknown_ 169 -The Fairies of Caldon Low--_Mary Howitt_ 169 -The Land of Story Books--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 172 -A Visit From St. Nicholas--_Clement Clarke Moore_ 173 -Little Orphant Annie--_James Whitcombe Riley_ 175 -The Chatterbox--_Ann Taylor_ 177 -The Voice of Spring--_Felicia Dorothea Hemans_ 178 -The History Lesson--_Anonymous_ 179 -Song of Life--_Charles Mackay_ 180 -The Good Time Coming--_Charles Mackay_ 181 -Windy Nights--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 183 -The Wonderful World--_William Brighty Rands_ 184 -Hark! Hark! The Lark--_William Shakespeare_ 185 -Jog On, Jog On--_William Shakespeare_ 185 -Sweet Story of Old--_Jemima Luke_ 186 -My Shadow--_Robert Louis Stevenson_ 186 -By Cool Siloam's Shady Rill--_Reginald Heber_ 187 -The Wind in a Frolic--_William Howitt_ 188 -The Graves of a Household--_Felicia Dorothea Hemans_ 189 -We Are Seven--_William Wordsworth_ 190 -The Better Land--_Felicia Dorothea Hemans_ 193 -The Juvenile Orator--_David Everett_ 194 -The Fox and the Crow--_Little B. (Taylor?)_ 195 -The Use of Flowers--_Mary Howitt_ 196 -Contented John--_Jane Taylor_ 197 -The Old Man's Comforts, and How He Gained Them--_Robert Southey_ 198 -The Frost--_Hannah Flagg Gould_ 199 -The Battle of Blenheim--_Robert Southey_ 200 -The Chameleon--_James Merrick_ (_from M. de Lamotte_) 202 -The Blackberry Girl--_Unknown_ 205 -Mabel on Midsummer Day--_Mary Howitt_ 207 -Llewellyn and his Dog--_Willim Robert Spencer_ 214 -The Snowbird's Song--_Francis C. Woodworth_ 217 -For A' That and A' That--_Robert Burns_ 218 - - - -FABLES - - -FABLES FROM ÆSOP - -The Goose that Laid Golden Eggs 220 -The Boys and the Frogs 220 -The Lion and the Mouse 220 -The Fox and the Grapes 221 -The Frog and the Ox 221 -The Cat, the Monkey, and the Chestnuts 221 -The Country Maid and Her Milkpail 222 -The Ass in the Lion's Skin 222 -The Tortoise and the Hare 223 -The Vain Jackdaw 223 -The Fox Without a Tail 224 -The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 224 -The Crow and the Pitcher 225 -The Man, his Son, and his Ass 225 - -FABLES OF INDIA - -_Adapted by P. V. Ramaswami Raju_ - -The Camel and the Pig 226 -The Man and his Piece of Cloth 227 -The Sea, the Fox, and the Wolf 227 -The Birds and the Lime 228 -The Raven and the Cattle 228 -Tinsel and Lightning 229 -The Ass and the Watchdog 229 -The Lark and its Young Ones 230 -The Two Gems 230 - -FAIRY TALES AND LAUGHTER STORIES - -SCANDINAVIAN STORIES - -The Hardy Tin Soldier--_Hans Christian Andersen_ 232 -The Fir Tree--_Hans Christian Andersen_ 236 -The Darning-Needle--_Hans Christian Andersen_ 245 -Thumbelina--_Hans Christian Andersen_ 248 -The Tinder-Box--_Hans Christian Andersen_ 258 -Boots and his Brothers--_George Webbe Dasent_ 268 -The Husband who was to Mind the House - _George Webbe Dasent_ 273 -Buttercup--_George Webbe Dasent_ 275 - -GERMAN STORIES - -Seven at One Blow--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 279 -One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 286 -The Musicians of Bremen--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 293 -The Fisherman and his Wife--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 296 -Little Snow-White--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 304 -The Goose Girl--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 313 -The Golden Bird--_Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm_ 318 - - -FRENCH STORIES - -Beauty and the Beast--_Adapted by E. Nesbit_ 326 -The White Cat--_The Comtesse d'Aulnoy_ 335 -The Story of Pretty Goldilocks 341 -Toads and Diamonds 346 - - -ENGLISH STORIES - -The History of Tom-Thumb--_Adapted by Ernest Rhys_ 349 -Jack the Giant Killer--_Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 356 -The Three Sillies--_Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 366 - - -CELTIC STORIES - -King O'Toole and his Goose--_Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 370 -The Haughty Princess--_Adapted by Patrick Kennedy_ 373 -Jack and his Master--_Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 376 -Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary - _Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 383 -Connla of the Golden Hair and the Fairy Maiden - _Adapted by Patrick Weston Joyce_ 389 - - -ITALIAN STORIES - -Pinocchio's Adventures in Wonderland--_Carlo Lorenzini_ 394 - - -JAPANESE STORIES - -The Story of the Man who did not wish to Die - _Adapted by Yei Theodora Ozaki_ 420 -The Accomplished and Lucky Teakettle - _Adapted by A. B. Mitford_ 427 -The Tongue-cut Sparrow 428 -Battle of the Monkey and the Crab 429 -Momotaro, or Little Peachling 431 -Uraschina Taro and the Turtle 432 - - -EAST INDIAN STORIES - -The Son of Seven Queens--_Adapted by Joseph Jacobs_ 436 -Who Killed the Otter's Babies--_Adapted by Walter Skeat_ 444 -The Alligator and the Jackal--_Adapted by M. Frere_ 446 -The Farmer and the Money Lender 450 -Tit for Tat--_Adapted by M. Frere_ 452 -Singh Rajah and the Cunning Little Jackals - _Adapted by M. Frere_ 454 - - -AMERICAN INDIAN STORIES - -The White Stone Canoe--_Adapted by H. R. Schoolcraft_ 456 -The Maiden who Loved a Fish 459 -The Star Wife 462 - - -ARABIAN STORIES - -The Story of Caliph Stork 468 -Persevere and Prosper--_Adapted by A. R. Montalba_ 473 - - -CHINESE STORIES - -The Most Frugal of Men 476 -The Moon-Cake 477 -The Ladle that Fell from the Moon 478 -The Young Head of the Family 480 -A Dreadful Boar 484 - - -RUSSIAN STORIES - -King Kojata 487 -The Story of King Frost 492 - - -TALES FOR TINY TOTS - -Tell Us a Tale--_Edward Shirley_ 496 -Little Red Hen 497 -In Search of a Baby--_F. Tapsell_ 498 -Jock and I and the Others 500 -Dolly Dimple--_F. Tapsell_ 502 -The Tale of Peter Rabbit--_Beatrix Potter_ 503 -The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass 506 -The Visit to Santa Claus Land 507 -The Greedy Brownie 511 -The Fairies' Passage--_James Clarence Mangan_ 513 -The World 515 - - -FANCIFUL STORIES - -White Magic 516 -The Brownies--_Juliana Horatia Ewing_ 517 -The Story of Peter Pan 522 -Sir Lark and King Sun--_George MacDonald_ 525 -The Imps in the Heavenly Meadow--_Kate E. Bunce_ 526 -The Birthday Honors of the Fairy Queen--_Hapgood Moore_ 531 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - -Thumbelina Came to Live with the Field-Mouse (_color_) Frontispiece -Simple Simon Went a-Fishing Facing Page 6 -There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe 8 -Little Miss Muffet 8 -Old Mother Hubbard 18 -The Death of Cock-Robin 26 -"Who Has Been Tasting My Soup?" 34 -It Was Her Fairy Godmother! 38 -I Was the Giant Great and Still, that Sits Upon the Pillow Hill 82 -I Found My Poor Little Doll 104 -A Fair Little Girl Sat Under a Tree 108 -Hansel and Gretel 118 -Do Not Grieve, Dear Master 126 -Little Red Riding-Hood 140 -Red Riding-Hood and the Wolf 142 -Prince Florimond Finds the Sleeping Beauty 150 -The Tortoise and the Hare 222 -The Fox without a Tail 222 -A Voice Said Aloud, "The Tin Soldier!" 234 -Two-Eyes, the Goat, and the 'Magic Table 286 -Little Snow-White and the Peddler-Woman 306 -The Prince Starts Homeward with His Treasure 322 -The Castle of the White Cat 336 -She Was Happy All Day Long in Fairyland 340 -This is the Valiant Cornishman Who Slew the Giant Cormoran 358 -Connla and the Fairy Maiden 390 -A Pheasant Also Came Flying and Said: "Give Me a Dumpling" 434 - -_(Many of the illustrations in this volume are reproduced by special -permission of E. P. Dutton & Company, owners of the American rights.)_ - - - - - - -CHILDHOOD'S FAVORITES - -AND - -FAIRY STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -NURSERY RHYMES - - - Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree-top, - When the wind blows the cradle will rock; - When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, - Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all. - - * * * * * - - Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green; - Father's a nobleman, mother's a Queen; - Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring; - And Johnny's a drummer, and drums for the King. - - * * * * * - - Bye, baby bunting, - Daddy's gone a-hunting, - To get a little rabbit-skin, - To wrap his baby bunting in. - - * * * * * - - Hush thee, my babby, - Lie still with thy daddy, - Thy mammy has gone to the mill, - To grind thee some wheat - To make thee some meat, - And so, my dear babby, lie still. - - * * * * * - - Sleep, baby, sleep! - Thy father watches the sheep; - Thy mother is shaking the dream-land tree, - And down falls a little dream on thee: - Sleep, baby, sleep! - - Sleep, baby, sleep. - The large stars are the sheep, - The wee stars are the lambs, I guess, - The fair moon is the shepherdess: - Sleep, baby, sleep! - - * * * * * - - This little pig went to market; - This little pig stayed at home; - This little pig had roast beef; - This little pig had none; - This little pig said, "Wee, wee! - I can't find my way home." - - * * * * * - - Brow bender, - Eye peeper, - Nose smeller, - Mouth eater, - Chin chopper. - Knock at the door--peep in - Lift up the latch--walk in - - Eye winker, - Tom Tinker, - Nose smeller, - Mouth eater, - Chin chopper. - Chin chopper. - - * * * * * - - Here sits the Lord Mayor, - Here sit his two men, - Here sits the cock, - And here sits the hen; - Here sit the chickens, - And here they go in, - Chippety, chippety, chippety chin. - - * * * * * - - Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man! - So I do, master, as fast as I can: - Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T, - Put it in the oven for Tommy and me. - - * * * * * - - Pat it, kiss it, - Stroke it, bless it; - Three days' sunshine, three days' rain, - Little hand all well again. - - * * * * * - - Baa, baa, black sheep, - Have you any wool? - Yes, marry, have I, - Three bags full: - - One for my master, - One for my dame, - And one for the little boy - Who lives in the lane. - - * * * * * - - Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, - Where have you been? - I've been to London - To look at the Queen - - Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, - What did you there? - I frightened a little mouse - Under her chair. - - * * * * * - - Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, - To see an old lady upon a white horse, - Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, - She shall have music wherever she goes. - - * * * * * - - Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, - Silver buckles on his knee; - He'll come back and marry me, - Pretty Bobby Shaftoe. - - Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair, - Combing down his yellow hair; - He's my love for evermair, - Pretty Bobby Shaftoe. - - * * * * * - - Tom, he was a piper's son, - He learned to play when he was young, - And all the tune that he could play - Was, "Over the hills and far away," - Over the hills, and a great way off, - The wind will blow my top-knot off. - - Now, Tom with his pipe made such a noise - That he well pleased both the girls and boys, - And they always stopped to hear him play - "Over the hills and far away." - - * * * * * - - Lady-bird, lady-bird, fly away home, - Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone: - All but one whose name is Ann, - And she crept under the pudding-pan. - - * * * * * - - The north wind doth blow, - And we shall have snow, - And what will the robin do then, - Poor thing? - - He'll sit in a barn, - And keep himself warm, - And hide his head under his wing, - Poor thing! - - * * * * * - - I had a little pony, - His name was Dapple-gray, - I lent him to a lady, - To ride a mile away; - She whipped him, she lashed him, - She rode him through the mire; - I would not lend my pony now - For all the lady's hire. - - * * * * * - - I had a little doggy that used to sit and beg; - But Doggy tumbled down the stairs and broke his little leg. - Oh! Doggy, I will nurse you, and try to make you well, - And you shall have a collar with a little silver bell. - - * * * * * - - Simple Simon met a pieman, - Going to the fair; - Says Simple Simon to the pieman, - "Let me taste your ware." - - Says the pieman to Simple Simon, - "Show me first your penny." - Says Simple Simon to the pieman, - "Indeed I have not any." - - Simple Simon went a-fishing - For to catch a whale; - But all the water he could find - Was in his mother's pail! - - * * * * * - - Jack and Jill went up the hill, - To fetch a pail of water; - Jack fell down, and broke his crown - And Jill came tumbling after. - - Up Jack got and home did trot - As fast as he could caper; - Went to bed to mend his head - With vinegar and brown paper. - - Jill came in and she did grin, - To see his paper plaster, - Mother, vexed, did whip her next, - For causing Jack's disaster. - - * * * * * - - Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn, - The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn, - Where's the boy that looks after the sheep? - He's under the haycock, fast asleep. - - * * * * * - - Old Mother Goose, when - She wanted to wander, - Would ride through the air - On a very fine gander. - - Mother Goose had a house, - 'T was built in a wood, - Where an owl at the door - For sentinel stood. - - She had a son Jack, - A plain-looking lad; - He was not very good, - Nor yet very bad. - - She sent him to market, - A live goose he bought: - "Here! mother," says he, - "It will not go for nought." - - Jack's goose and her gander - Grew very fond; - They'd both eat together, - Or swim in one pond. - - Jack found one morning, - As I have been told, - His goose had laid him - An egg of pure gold. - - Jack rode to his mother, - The news for to tell. - She called him a good boy, - And said it was well. - - * * * * * - - Goosey, goosey, gander, - Where shall I wander? - Upstairs, downstairs, - And in my lady's chamber. - There I met an old man - Who would not say his prayers; - I took him by the left leg, - And threw him downstairs. - - * * * * * - - I'll tell you a story - About Mary Morey, - And now my story's begun, - I'll tell you another - About her brother, - And now my story's done. - - * * * * * - - Three wise men of Gotham, - Went to sea in a bowl; - If the bowl had been stronger, - My song had been longer. - - * * * * * - - There was a crooked man, - And he went a crooked mile, - He found a crooked sixpence - Upon a crooked stile: - He bought a crooked cat, - That caught a crooked mouse-- - And they all lived together - In a little crooked house. - - * * * * * - - There was a man in our town, - And he was wondrous wise, - He jumped into a bramble bush, - And scratched out both his eyes; - But when he saw his eyes were out, - With all his might and main, - He jumped into another bush, - And scratched 'em in again. - - * * * * * - - Hey! diddle diddle, - The cat and the fiddle, - The cow jumped over the moon; - The little dog laughed - To see such sport, - While the dish ran away with the spoon. - - * * * * * - - Hickory, dickory, dock, - The mouse ran up the clock; - The clock struck one, - The mouse ran down, - Hickory, dickory, dock. - - * * * * * - - There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, - She had so many children she didn't know what to do; - She gave them some broth without any bread, - She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed. - - * * * * * - - Little Miss Muffet - Sat on a tuffet, - Eating her curds and whey; - There came a great spider, - And sat down beside her, - And frightened Miss Muffet away. - - * * * * * - - If all the seas were one sea, - What a _great_ sea that would be! - And if all the trees were one tree, - What a _great_ tree that would be! - And if all the axes were one axe, - What a _great_ axe that would be! - And if all the men were one man, - What a _great_ man he would be! - And if the _great_ man took the _great_ axe, - And cut down the _great_ tree, - And let it fall into the _great_ sea, - What a splish splash _that_ would be! - - * * * * * - - There was an old man, - And he had a calf, - And that's half; - - He took him out of the stall, - And tied him to the wall, - And that's all. - - * * * * * - - The man in the wilderness asked me, - How many strawberries grew in the sea? - I answered him as I thought good, - As many as red herrings grew in the wood - - * * * * * - - If all the world were apple-pie, - And all the sea were ink, - And all the trees were bread and cheese, - What should we have for drink? - - * * * * * - - I saw a ship a-sailing, - A-sailing on the sea; - And it was full of pretty things - For baby and for me. - - There were sweetmeats in the cabin, - And apples in the hold; - The sails were made of silk, - And the masts were made of gold. - - The four-and-twenty sailors - That stood between the decks, - Were four-and-twenty white mice. - With chains about their necks. - - The captain was a duck, - With a packet on his back; - And when the ship began to move, - The captain cried, "Quack, quack!" - - * * * * * - - My dear, do you know, - How a long time ago, - Two poor little children, - Whose names I don't know, - Were stolen away on a fine summer's day, - And left in a wood, as I've heard people say. - - And when it was night, - So sad was their plight! - The sun it went down, - And the moon gave no light! - They sobbed and they sighed, and they bitterly cried - And the poor little things, they lay down and died. - - And when they were dead, - The robins so red, - Brought strawberry-leaves - And over them spread; - And all the day long, - They sung them this song: - "Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! - Oh don't you remember the babes in the wood?" - - * * * * * - - The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts - All on a summer's day; - The Knave of Hearts, he stole the tarts, - And took them clean away. - - The King of Hearts called for the tarts, - And beat the Knave full sore; - The Knave of Hearts brought back the tarts, - And vowed he'd steal no more. - - * * * * * - - I had a little husband, - No bigger than my thumb; - I put him in a pint-pot, - And there I bade him drum. - - I bought a little horse, - That galloped up and down; - I bridled him, and saddled - And sent him out of town. - - I gave him little garters, - To garter up his hose, - And a little handkerchief, - To wipe his little nose. - - * * * * * - - Sing a song of sixpence, - A pocket full of rye; - Four-and-twenty blackbirds - Baked in a pie; - - When the pie was opened - The birds began to sing; - Was not that a dainty dish - To set before the King? - - The King was in his counting-house, - Counting out his money; - The Queen was in the parlor, - Eating bread and honey; - - The maid was in the garden - Hanging out the clothes; - When up came a blackbird, - And nipped off her nose. - - * * * * * - - Little Bo-peep, she lost her sheep, - And can't tell where to find them; - Leave them alone, and they'll come home, - And bring their tails behind them. - - Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep, - And dreamed she heard them bleating; - When she awoke she found it a joke, - For they still were all fleeting. - - Then up she took her little crook, - Determined for to find them; - She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed, - For they'd left their tails behind them! - - It happened one day, as Bo-peep did stray, - Unto a meadow hard by-- - There she espied their tails side by side, - All hung on a tree to dry. - - She heaved a sigh, and wiped her eye, - And over the hillocks she raced; - And tried what she could, as a shepherdess should, - That each tail should be properly placed. - - * * * * * - - What are little boys made of, made of? - What are little boys made of? - Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails; - And that's what little boys are made of, made of. - - What are little girls made of, made of? - What are little girls made of? - Sugar and spice, and all that's nice; - And that's what little girls are made of, made of. - - * * * * * - - A farmer went trotting - Upon his gray mare; - Bumpety, bumpety, bump! - With his daughter behind him, - So rosy and fair; - Lumpety, lumpety, lump! - - A raven cried "Croak"; - And they all tumbled down; - Bumpety, bumpety, bump! - The mare broke her knees, - And the farmer his crown; - Lumpety, lumpety, lump. - - The mischievous raven - Flew laughing away; - Bumpety, bumpety, bump! - And vowed he would serve them - The same the next day; - Bumpety, bumpety, bump! - - * * * * * - - This is the way the ladies ride-- - Saddle-a-side, saddle-a-side! - - This is the way the gentlemen ride-- - Sitting astride, sitting astride! - - This is the way the grandmothers ride-- - Bundled and tied, bundled and tied! - - This is the way the babykins ride-- - Snuggled inside, snuggled inside! - - * * * * * - - -WHAT DOES LITTLE BIRDIE SAY? - - What does little birdie say, - In her nest at peep of day? - "Let me fly," says little birdie, - "Mother, let me fly away." - - Birdie, rest a little longer, - Till the little wings are stronger. - So she rests a little longer, - Then she flies away. - - What does little baby say, - In her bed at peep of day? - Baby says, like little birdie, - "Let me rise and fly away." - - Baby, sleep a little longer, - Till the little limbs are stronger. - If she sleeps a little longer, - Baby, too, shall fly away. - -ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON - - * * * * * - - -GOOD NIGHT - - Little baby, lay your head - On your pretty cradle-bed; - Shut your eye-peeps, now the day - And the light are gone away; - All the clothes are tucked in tight; - Little baby dear, good night. - - Yes, my darling, well I know - How the bitter wind doth blow; - And the winter's snow and rain - Patter on the window-pane: - But they cannot come in here, - To my little baby dear; - - For the window shutteth fast, - Till the stormy night is past; - And the curtains warm are spread - Round about her cradle-bed: - So till morning shineth bright, - Little baby dear, good night. - -JANE TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - -SWEET AND LOW - - Sweet and low, sweet and low, - Wind of the western sea, - Low, low, breathe and blow, - Wind of the western sea! - Over the rolling waters go, - Come from the dying moon, and blow, - Blow him again to me: - While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps. - - Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, - Father will come to thee soon; - Rest, rest, on mother's breast, - Father will come to thee soon; - Father will come to his babe in the nest, - Silver sails all out of the west - Under the silver moon: - Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. - -ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON - - * * * * * - - -BABY-LAND - - Which is the way to Baby-Land? - Any one can tell; - Up one flight, - To your right; - Please to ring the bell. - - What can you see in Baby-Land? - Little folks in white, - Downy heads, - Cradle-beds, - Faces pure and bright. - - What do they do in Baby-Land? - Dream and wake and play, - Laugh and crow, - Shout and grow, - Jolly times have they. - - What do they say in Baby-Land? - Why, the oddest things; - Might as well - Try to tell - What a birdie sings. - - Who is the Queen of Baby-Land? - Mother kind and sweet; - And her love, - Born above, - Guides the little feet. - -GEORGE COOPER - - * * * * * - - Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard, - To get her poor dog a bone. - When she got there, the cupboard was bare, - And so the poor dog had none. - - She went to the baker's to buy him some bread, - But when she came back the poor dog was dead. - - She went to the undertaker's to buy him a coffin, - And when she came back the dog was laughing. - - She went to the draper's to buy him some linen, - And when she came back the good dog was spinning. - - She went to the hosier's to buy him some hose, - And when she came back he was dressed in his clothes. - - The dame made a curtsy, the dog made a bow, - The dame said "your servant," the dog said "Bow-wow." - - She went to the hatter's to buy him a hat, - And when she came back he was feeding the cat. - - She went to the tailor's to buy him a coat, - And when she came back he was riding the goat. - - She went to the barber's to buy him a wig, - And when she came back he was dancing a jig. - - She went to the butcher's to get him some tripe, - And when she came back he was smoking a pipe. - - She went to the fish-shop to buy him some fish, - And when she came back he was washing the dish. - - She went to the tavern for white wine and red, - And when she came back the dog stood on his head. - - * * * * * - - As I was going to St. Ives - I met a man with seven wives; - Every wife had seven sacks, - Every sack had seven cats, - Every cat had seven kits. - Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, - How many were going to St. Ives? - - * * * * * - - -POLLY - - Brown eyes, straight nose; - Dirt pies, rumpled clothes. - - Torn books, spoilt toys: - Arch looks, unlike a boy's; - - Little rages, obvious arts; - (Three her age is), cakes, tarts; - - Falling down off chairs; - Breaking crown down stairs; - - Catching flies on the pane; - Deep sighs--cause not plain; - - Bribing you with kisses - For a few farthing blisses. - - Wide-a-wake; as you hear, - "Mercy's sake, quiet, dear!" - - New shoes, new frock; - Vague views of what's o'clock - - When it's time to go to bed, - And scorn sublime for what is said - - Folded hands, saying prayers, - Understands not nor cares-- - - Thinks it odd, smiles away; - Yet may God hear her pray! - - Bed gown white, kiss Dolly; - Good night!--that's Polly, - - Fast asleep, as you see, - Heaven keep my girl for me! - -WILLIAM BRIGHTY RANDS - - * * * * * - - -CRADLE HYMN - - Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber; - Holy angels guard thy bed; - Heavenly blessings without number - Gently falling on thy head. - - Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, - House and home, thy friends provide; - All without thy care, or payment, - All thy wants are well supplied. - - How much better thou'rt attended - Than the Son of God could be, - When from heaven He descended, - And became a child like thee! - - Soft and easy is thy cradle; - Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, - When His birthplace was a stable, - And His softest bed was hay. - - See the kindly shepherds round him, - Telling wonders from the sky! - When they sought Him, there they found Him, - With his Virgin-Mother by. - - See the lovely babe a-dressing; - Lovely infant, how He smiled! - When He wept, the mother's blessing - Soothed and hushed the holy child. - - Lo, He slumbers in His manger, - Where the honest oxen fed; - --Peace, my darling! here's no danger! - Here's no ox a-near thy bed! - - Mayst thou live to know and fear Him, - Trust and love Him all thy days; - Then go dwell forever near Him, - See His face, and sing His praise! - - I could give thee thousand kisses, - Hoping what I most desire; - Not a mother's fondest wishes - Can to greater joys aspire. - -ISAAC WATTS - - * * * * * - - -I LIKE LITTLE PUSSY - - I like little Pussy, - Her coat is so warm; - And if I don't hurt her - She'll do me no harm. - So I'll not pull her tail, - Nor drive her away, - But Pussy and I - Very gently will play; - She shall sit by my side, - And I'll give her some food; - And she'll love me because - I am gentle and good. - - I'll pat little Pussy, - And then she will purr, - And thus show her thanks - For my kindness to her; - I'll not pinch her ears, - Nor tread on her paw, - Lest I should provoke her - To use her sharp claw; - I never will vex her, - Nor make her displeased, - For Pussy can't bear - To be worried or teased. - -JANE TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - -THE GRAVEL PATH - - Baby mustn't frown, - When she tumbles down; - If the wind should change--Ah me, - What a face her face would be! - - Rub away the dirt, - Say she wasn't hurt; - What a world 'twould be--O my, - If all who fell began to cry! - -LAURENCE ALMA TADEMA - - * * * * * - - Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree, - Up went pussy-cat, and down went he; - Down came pussy-cat, and away Robin ran; - Said little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can." - - Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall, - Pussy-cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall; - Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say? - Pussy-cat said naught but "Mew," and Robin flew away. - - * * * * * - - -SLEEP, MY TREASURE - - Sleep, sleep, my treasure, - The long day's pleasure - Has tired the birds, to their nests they creep; - The garden still is - Alight with lilies, - But all the daisies are fast asleep. - - Sleep, sleep, my darling, - Dawn wakes the starling, - The sparrow stirs when he sees day break; - But all the meadow - Is wrapped in shadow, - And you must sleep till the daisies wake! - -E. NESBIT - - * * * * * - - -LULLABY OF AN INFANT CHIEF - - Oh, hush thee, my babie, thy sire was a knight, - Thy mother a lady, both lovely and bright; - The woods and the glens from the tower which we see, - They all are belonging, dear babie, to thee. - - Oh, fear not the bugle, though loudly it blows, - It calls but the warders that guard thy repose; - Their bows would be bended, their blades would be red, - Ere the step of a foeman draws near to thy bed. - - Oh, hush thee, my babie, the time will soon come, - When thy sleep shall be broken by trumpet and drum; - Then hush thee, my darling, take rest while you may, - For strife comes with manhood, and waking with day. - -SIR WALTER SCOTT - - * * * * * - - -THE ORPHAN'S SONG - - I had a little bird, - I took it from the nest; - I prest it and blest it, - And nurst it in my breast. - - I set it on the ground, - Danced round and round, - And sang about it so cheerly, - With "Hey, my little bird, - And ho! my little bird, - And oh! but I love thee dearly!" - - I make a little feast - Of food soft and sweet, - I hold it in my breast, - And coax it to eat; - - I pit, and I pat, - I call this and that, - And I sing about so cheerly, - With "Hey, my little bird, - And ho! my little bird, - And oh! but I love thee dearly!" - -SYDNEY DOBELL - - * * * * * - - -THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF COCK ROBIN - - Who killed Cock Robin? - "I," said the Sparrow, - "With my bow and arrow, - I killed Cock Robin." - - Who saw him die? - "I," said the Fly, - "With my little eye, - I saw him die." - - Who caught his blood? - "I," said the Fish, - "With my little dish, - I caught his blood." - - Who'll make his shroud? - "I," said the Beetle, - "With my thread and needle, - I'll make his shroud." - - Who'll bear the torch? - "I," said the Linnet, - "I'll come in a minute, - I'll bear the torch." - - Who'll be the clerk? - "I," said the Lark, - "I'll say Amen in the dark; - I'll be the clerk." - - Who'll dig his grave? - "I," said the Owl, - "With my spade and trowel, - I'll dig his grave." - - Who'll be the parson? - "I," said the Rook, - "With my little book, - I'll be the parson." - - Who'll be chief mourner? - "I," said the Dove, - "I mourn for my love; - I'll be chief mourner." - - Who'll sing his dirge? - "I," said the Thrush, - "As I sing in a bush, - I'll sing his dirge." - - * * * * * - - -DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STARS? - - Do you know how many stars - There are shining in the skies? - Do you know how many clouds - Ev'ry day go floating by? - God in heaven has counted all, - He would miss one should it fall. - - Do you know how many children - Go to little beds at night, - And without a care or sorrow, - Wake up in the morning light? - God in heaven each name can tell, - Loves you, too, and loves you well. - - * * * * * - - -WHERE DO ALL THE DAISIES GO? - - Where do all the daisies go? - I know, I know! - Underneath the snow they creep, - Nod their little heads and sleep, - In the springtime out they peep; - That is where they go! - - Where do all the birdies go? - I know, I know! - Far away from winter snow - To the fair, warm South they go; - There they stay till daisies blow, - That is where they go! - - Where do all the babies go? - I know, I know! - In the glancing firelight warm, - Safely sheltered from all harm, - Soft they lie on mother's arm, - That is where they go! - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - Cock crows in the morn, - To tell us to rise, - And he who lies late - Will never be wise. - For early to bed, - And early to rise, - Is the way to be healthy - And wealthy and wise. - - * * * * * - - -THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT - - This is the house that Jack built. - - This is the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the rat - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the cow with the crumpled horn - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the maiden all forlorn, - That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the man all tattered and torn, - That kissed the maiden all forlorn, - That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the priest all shaven and shorn, - That married the man all tattered and torn, - That kissed the maiden all forlorn, - That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the cock that crowed in the morn, - That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, - That married the man all tattered and torn, - That kissed the maiden all forlorn, - That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - This is the farmer sowing his corn, - That kept the cock that crowed in the morn, - That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, - That married the man all tattered and torn, - That kissed the maiden all forlorn, - That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, - That tossed the dog, - That worried the cat, - That killed the rat, - That ate the malt - That lay in the house that Jack built. - - * * * * * - - -TREE ON THE HILL - - On yonder hill there stands a tree; - Tree on the hill, and the hill stood still. - - And on the tree there was a branch; - Branch on the tree, tree on the hill, and the hill - stood still. - - And on the branch there was a nest; - Nest on the branch, branch on the tree, tree on - the hill, and the hill stood still. - - And in the nest there was an egg; - Egg in the nest, nest on the branch, branch on - the tree, tree on the hill, and the hill stood - still. - - And in the egg there was a bird; - Bird in the egg, egg in the nest, nest on the - branch, branch on the tree, tree on the hill, - and the hill stood still. - - And on the bird there was a feather; - Feather on the bird, bird in the egg, egg in the - nest, nest on the branch, branch on the tree, - tree on the hill, and the hill stood still. - - * * * * * - - -A LITTLE BOY'S POCKET - - Do you know what's in my pottet? - Such a lot of treasures in it! - Listen now while I bedin it: - Such a lot of sings it holds, - And everysin dats in my pottet, - And when, and where, and how I dot it. - First of all, here's in my pottet - A beauty shell, I pit'd it up: - And here's the handle of a tup - That somebody has broked at tea; - The shell's a hole in it, you see: - Nobody knows dat I dot it, - I teep it safe here in my pottet. - And here's my ball too in my pottet, - And here's my pennies, one, two, free, - That Aunty Mary dave to me, - To-morrow day I'll buy a spade, - When I'm out walking with the maid; - I tant put that in here my pottet! - But I can use it when I've dot it. - Here's some more sings in my pottet, - Here's my lead, and here's my string; - And once I had an iron ring, - But through a hole it lost one day, - And this is what I always say-- - A hole's the worst sing in a pottet, - Be sure and mend it when you've dot it. - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -NURSERY TALES - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE BEARS - - -Little Goldilocks was a pretty girl who lived once upon a time in a -far-off country. - -One day she was sitting on the hearthrug playing with her two kittens, -and you would have thought she was as happy as a queen, and quite -contented to stay where she was instead of wanting to run about the -world meddling with other people's property. But it happened that she -was rather a mischievous little maid, and could not resist teasing her -pets, so one of them scratched her, and then she would play with them -no longer. - -She got up and trotted away into the wood behind her mother's house, -and it was such a warm, pleasant day that she wandered on and on until -she came into a part of the wood where she had never been before. - -Now, in this wood there lived a family of three Bears. The first was -a GREAT BIG BEAR, the second was a MIDDLING-SIZED BEAR, and the third -was a LITTLE TEENY TINY BEAR, and they all lived together in a funny -little house, and very happy they were. - -Goldilocks stopped when she came to the Bears' house, and began to -wonder who lived there. - -"I'll just look in and see," she said, and so she did; but there -was no one there, for the Bears had all gone out for a morning walk, -whilst the soup they were going to have for dinner cooled upon the -table. - -Goldilocks was rather hungry after her walk, and the soup smelt so -good that she began to wish the people of the house would come home -and invite her to have some. But although she looked everywhere, under -the table and into the cupboards, she could find no one, and at last -she could resist no longer, but made up her mind to take just a little -sip to see how the soup tasted. The soup had been put into three -bowls--a Great Big Bowl for the Great Big Bear, a Middling-sized Bowl -for the Middling-sized Bear, and a Teeny Tiny Bowl for the Teeny Tiny -Bear; beside each bowl lay a spoon, and Goldilocks took one and helped -herself to a spoonful of soup from the Great Big Bowl. - -Ugh! how it burnt her mouth; it was so hot with pepper that she did -not like it at all; still, she was very hungry, so she thought she -would try again. - -This time she took a sip of the Middling-sized Bear's soup, but she -liked that no better, for it was too salt. But when she tasted the -Teeny Tiny Bear's soup it was just as she liked it; so she ate it up -every drop, without thinking twice about it. - -When she had finished her dinner she noticed three chairs standing by -the wall. One was a Great Big Chair, and she climbed upon that and sat -down. Oh, dear! how hard it was! She was sure she could not sit -there for long, so she climbed up on the next, which was only a -Middling-sized Chair, but that was too soft for her taste; so she went -on to the last, which was a Teeny Tiny Chair and suited her exactly. - -It was so comfortable that she sat on and on until, if you'll -believe it, she actually sat the bottom out. Then, of course, she -was comfortable no longer, so she got up and began to wonder what she -should do next. - -There was a staircase in the Bears' house, and Goldilocks thought she -would go up it and see where it led to. So up she went, and when she -reached the top she laughed outright, for the Bears' bedroom was the -funniest she had ever seen. In the middle of the room stood a Great -Big Bed, on one side of it there was a Middling-sized Bed, and on the -other side there was a Teeny Tiny Bed. - -Goldilocks was sleepy, so she thought she would lie down and have a -little nap. First she got upon the Great Big Bed, but it was just as -hard as the Great Big Chair had been; so she jumped off and tried the -Middling-sized Bed, but it was so soft that she sank right down into -the feather cushions and was nearly smothered. - -"I will try the Teeny Tiny Bed," she said, and so she did, and it was -so comfortable that she soon fell fast asleep. - -Whilst she lay there, dreaming of all sorts of pleasant things, the -three Bears came home from their walk very hungry and quite ready for -their dinners. - -But, oh! dear me! how cross the Great Big Bear looked when he saw his -spoon had been used and thrown under the table. - -"WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MY SOUP?" he cried, in a Great Big Voice. - -"AND WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MINE?" cried the Middling-sized Bear, in a -Middling-sized Voice. - -"BUT WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MINE AND TASTED IT ALL UP?" cried the poor -little Teeny Tiny Bear in a Teeny Tiny Voice, with the tears running -down his Teeny Tiny Face. - -When the Great Big Bear went to sit down in his Great Big Chair, he -cried out in his Great Big Voice: - -"WHO HAS BEEN SITTING ON MY CHAIR?" - -And the Middling-sized Bear cried, in a Middling-sized Voice: - -"WHO HAS BEEN SITTING ON MY CHAIR?" - -But the Teeny Tiny Bear cried out in a Teeny Tiny Voice of anger: - -"WHO HAS BEEN SITTING ON MY CHAIR, AND SAT THE BOTTOM OUT?" - -By this time the Bears were sure that someone had been in their house -quite lately; so they looked about to see if someone were not there -still. - -There was certainly no one downstairs, so they went up the staircase -to their bedroom. - -As soon as the Great Big Bear looked at his bed, he cried out, in his -Great Big Voice: - -"WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED?" - -And the Middling-sized Bear, seeing that the coverlet was all rumpled, -cried out, in a Middling-sized Voice: - -"WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED?" - -But the Teeny Tiny Bear cried out, in a Teeny Tiny Voice of -astonishment: - -"WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED AND LIES THERE STILL?" - -Now, when the Great Big Bear began to speak, Goldilocks dreamt that -there was a bee buzzing in the room, and when the Middling-sized Bear -began to speak, she dreamt that it was flying out of the window; but -when the Teeny Tiny Bear began to speak, she dreamt that the bee -had come back and stung her on the ear, and up she jumped. Oh! how -frightened she was when she saw the three Bears standing beside her. - -She hopped out of bed and in a second was out through the open window. -Never stopping to wonder if the fall had hurt her, she got up and ran -and ran and ran until she could go no farther, always thinking that -the Bears were close behind her. And when at length she fell down in a -heap on the ground, because she was too tired to run any more, it was -her own mother who picked her up, because in her fright she had run -straight home without knowing it. - - * * * * * - - - - -CINDERELLA - - -Once upon a time there lived a noble gentleman who had one dear little -daughter. Poor child! her own kind mother was dead, and her father, -who loved her very dearly, was afraid that his little girl was -sometimes lonely. So he married a grand lady who had two daughters -of her own, and who, he thought, would be kind and good to his little -one. But no sooner did the stepmother enter her new home than she -began to show her true character. Her stepdaughter was so much -prettier and sweeter than her own children, that she was jealous of -her, and gave her all the hard work of the house to do, whilst the two -proud sisters spent their time at pleasant parties and entertainments. - -The only pleasure the poor child had was to spend her evenings sitting -in the chimney-corner, resting her weary limbs, and for this reason -her sisters mockingly nicknamed her "Cinderella." The sisters' fine -clothes made Cinderella feel very shabby; but, in her little torn -frock and ragged shoes, she was a thousand times more lovely than -they. - -Now, it chanced that the King's son gave a grand ball, to which he -invited all the lords and ladies in the country, and, amongst the -rest, Cinderella's two sisters were asked. How pleased and excited -they were when the invitation arrived! For days they could talk of -nothing but the clothes they should wear and the grand folk they hoped -to meet. - -When at last the great day arrived, Cinderella was kept running about -from early till late, decking the sisters, and dressing their hair. - -"Don't you wish you were going to the ball?" said one of them. - -"Indeed I do," sighed the poor little maid. The sisters burst out -laughing. "A pretty spectacle _you_ would be," they said rudely. "Go -back to your cinders--they are fit company for rags." Then, stepping -carefully into their carriage so that they might not crush their fine -clothes, they drove away to the ball. - -Cinderella went back to her chimney-corner, and tried not to feel -envious, but the tears _would_ gather in the pretty eyes, and trickle -down the sorrowful little face. - -"What are you crying for, child?" cried a silvery voice. - -Cinderella started, and raised her eyes. Who could it be? Then in a -moment she knew--it was her fairy Godmother! - -"I do so want----" began Cinderella; then her sobs stopped her. - -"To go to the ball," finished the Godmother. Cinderella nodded. "Well, -leave off crying--be a good girl, and you shall go. Run quickly into -the garden, and bring the largest pumpkin you can find." - -Cinderella could not imagine how a pumpkin could help her to go to the -ball, but her only thought was to obey her Godmother. In a few moments -she was back again, with a splendid pumpkin. Her Godmother scooped out -the inside--one touch of the wand, and the pumpkin was a golden coach, -lined with white satin. - -"Now, godchild, quick--the mouse-trap from the pantry!" - -"Here it is, Godmother," said Cinderella breathlessly. - -One by one six fat sleek mice passed through the trap door. As each -appeared, a touch of the wand transformed it into a cream-colored -horse, fit for a queen. - -"Now, Cinderella, can you find a coachman?" - -"There is a large gray rat in the rat-trap--would he do, Godmother?" - -"Run and fetch him, child, and then I can judge," So Cinderella ran to -fetch the rat, and her Godmother said he was just made for a coachman; -and I think you would have agreed with her had you seen him a moment -later, with his powdered wig and silk stockings. - -Six lizards from behind the pumpkin-frame became six footmen in -splendid liveries--you would have thought they had been footmen all -their lives. Cinderella was so excited that she could scarcely speak. - -"Oh! Godmother," she cried, "it is all so lovely!" Then suddenly she -thought of her shabby frock. "There is my white muslin," she said -wistfully, "if--do you think----" - -But before Cinderella could realize what was happening, her -Godmother's wand tapped her lightly on the shoulder, and in place of -the shabby frock, there was a gleam of satin, silver, and pearls. - -Ah! who can describe a robe made by the fairies? It was white as snow, -and as dazzling; round the hem hung a fringe of diamonds, sparkling -like dew-drops in the sunshine. The lace about the throat and arms -could only have been spun by fairy spiders. Surely it was a dream! -Cinderella put her daintily-gloved hand to her throat, and softly -touched the pearls that encircled her neck. - -"Come, child," said the Godmother, "or you will be late." - -As Cinderella moved, the firelight shone upon her dainty shoes. - -"They are of diamonds," she said. - -"No," answered her Godmother, smiling; "they are better than -that--they are of glass, made by the fairies. And now, child, go, and -enjoy yourself to your heart's content. Only remember, if you stay at -the palace one instant after midnight, your coach and servants will -vanish, and you will be the little gray Cinderella once more!" - -A few moments later, the coach dashed into the royal courtyard, the -door was flung open, and Cinderella alighted. As she walked slowly up -the richly-carpeted staircase, there was a murmur of admiration, and -the King's son hastened to meet her. "Never," said he to himself, -"have I seen anyone so lovely!" He led her into the ball-room, where -the King, who was much taken with her sweet face and pretty, modest -manners, whispered to the Queen that she must surely be a foreign -Princess. - -The evening passed away in a dream of delight, Cinderella dancing with -no one but the handsome young Prince, and being waited on by his own -hands at supper-time. The two sisters could not recognize their ragged -little sister in the beautiful and graceful lady to whom the Prince -paid so much attention, and felt quite pleased and flattered when she -addressed a few words to them. - -Presently a clock chimed the three quarters past eleven, and, -remembering her Godmother's warning, Cinderella at once took leave of -the Prince, and, jumping into her coach, was driven rapidly home. Here -she found her Godmother waiting to hear all about the ball. "It was -_lovely_," said Cinderella; "and oh! Godmother, there is to be another -to-morrow night, and I _should_ so much like to go to it!" - -"Then you shall," replied the kind fairy, and, kissing her godchild -tenderly, she vanished. When the sisters returned from the ball, they -found a sleepy little maiden sitting in the chimney-corner, waiting -for them. - -"How late you are!" cried Cinderella, yawning. "Are you not very -tired?" - -"Not in the least," they answered, and then they told her what a -delightful ball it had been, and how the loveliest Princess in the -world had been there, and had spoken to them, and admired their pretty -dresses. - -"Who was she?" asked Cinderella slyly. - -"That we cannot say," answered the sisters. "She would not tell her -name, though the Prince begged her to do so on bended knee." - -"Dear sister," said Cinderella, "I, too, should like to see the -beautiful Princess. Will you not lend me your old yellow gown, that I -may go to the ball to-morrow with you?" - -"What!" cried her sister angrily; "lend one of my dresses to a little -cinder-maid? Don't talk nonsense, child!" - -The next night, the sisters were more particular than ever about their -attire, but at last they were dressed, and as soon as their carriage -had driven away, the Godmother appeared. Once more she touched her -godchild with her wand, and in a moment she was arrayed in a beautiful -dress that seemed as though it had been woven of moon-beams and -sunshine, so radiantly did it gleam and shimmer. She put her arms -round her Godmother's neck and kissed and thanked her. "Goodbye, -childie; enjoy yourself, but whatever you do, remember to leave -the ball before the clock strikes twelve," the Godmother said, and -Cinderella promised. - -But the hours flew by so happily and so swiftly that Cinderella forgot -her promise, until she happened to look at a clock and saw that it was -on the stroke of twelve. With a cry of alarm she fled from the room, -dropping, in her haste, one of the little glass slippers; but, with -the sound of the clock strokes in her ears, she dared not wait to pick -it up. The Prince hurried after her in alarm, but when he reached the -entrance hall, the beautiful Princess had vanished, and there was no -one to be seen but a forlorn little beggar-maid creeping away into the -darkness. - -Poor little Cinderella!--she hurried home through the dark streets, -weary, and overwhelmed with shame. - -The fire was out when she reached her home, and there was no Godmother -waiting to receive her; but she sat down in the chimney-corner to wait -her sisters' return. When they came in they could speak of nothing but -the wonderful things that had happened at the ball. - -The beautiful Princess had been there again, they said, but had -disappeared just as the clock struck twelve, and though the Prince had -searched everywhere for her, he had been unable to find her. "He was -quite beside himself with grief," said the elder sister, "for there is -no doubt he hoped to make her his bride." - -Cinderella listened in silence to all they had to say, and, slipping -her hand into her pocket, felt that the one remaining glass slipper -was safe, for it was the only thing of all her grand apparel that -remained to her. - -On the following morning there was a great noise of trumpets and -drums, and a procession passed through the town, at the head of -which rode the King's son. Behind him came a herald, bearing a velvet -cushion, upon which rested a little glass slipper. The herald blew a -blast upon the trumpet, and then read a proclamation saying that the -King's son would wed any lady in the land who could fit the slipper -upon her foot, if she could produce another to match it. - -Of course, the sisters tried to squeeze their feet into the slipper, -but it was of no use--they were much too large. Then Cinderella shyly -begged that she might try. How the sisters laughed with scorn when the -Prince knelt to fit the slipper on the cinder-maid's foot; but what -was their surprise when it slipped on with the greatest ease, and the -next moment Cinderella produced the other from her pocket. Once more -she stood in the slippers, and once more the sisters saw before them -the lovely Princess who was to be the Prince's bride. For at the touch -of the magic shoes, the little gray frock disappeared for ever, and in -place of it she wore the beautiful robe the fairy Godmother had given -to her. - -The sisters hung their heads with sorrow and vexation; but kind little -Cinderella put her arms round their necks, kissed them, and forgave -them for all their unkindness, so that they could not help but love -her. - -The Prince could not bear to part from his little love again, so -he carried her back to the palace in his grand coach, and they were -married that very day. Cinderella's stepsisters were present at the -feast, but in the place of honor sat the fairy Godmother. - -So the poor little cinder-maid married the Prince, and in time they -came to be King and Queen, and lived happily ever after. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE BROTHERS - - -There was once a man who had three sons, but no fortune except the -house he lived in. Now, each of them wanted to have the house after -his death; but their father was just as fond of one as of the other, -and did not know how to treat them all fairly. He did not want to sell -the house, because it had belonged to his forefathers, or he might -have divided the money between them. - -At last an idea came into his head, and he said to his sons: "Go out -into the world, and each learn a trade, and when you come home, the -one who makes best use of his handicraft shall have the house." - -The sons were quite content with this plan, and the eldest decided -to be a farrier, the second a barber, and the third a fencing master. -They fixed a time when they would all meet at home again, and then -they set off. - -It so happened that they each found a clever master with whom they -learned their business thoroughly. The farrier shod the King's horses, -and he thought, "I shall certainly be the one to have the house." - -The barber shaved nobody but grand gentlemen, so he thought it would -fall to him. - -The fencing master got many blows, but he set his teeth, and would not -let himself be put out, because he thought, "If I am afraid of a blow, -I shall never get the house." - -Now, when the given time had passed, they all went home together to -their father; but they did not know how to get a good opportunity of -showing off their powers, and sat down to discuss the matter. - -Suddenly a hare came running over the field. - -"Ah!" cried the barber, "she comes just in the nick of time." - -He took up his bowl and his soap, and got his lather by the time the -hare came quite close, then he soaped her and shaved her as she raced -along, without giving her a cut or missing a single hair. His father, -astonished, said: "If the others don't look out, the house will be -yours." - -Before long a gentleman came along in his carriage at full gallop. - -"Now, father, you shall see what I can do," said the farrier and he -ran after the carriage and tore the four shoes off the horse as he -galloped along, then, without stopping a second, shod him with new -ones. - -"You are a fine fellow, indeed," said his father. "You know your -business as well as your brother. I don't know which I shall give the -house to at this rate." - -Then the third one said: "Let me have a chance, too, father." - -As it was beginning to rain, he drew his sword and swirled it round -and round his head, so that not a drop fell on him. Even when the rain -grew heavier, so heavy that it seemed as if it were being poured from -the sky out of buckets, he swung the sword faster and faster, and -remained as dry as if he had been under a roof. - -His father was amazed, and said: "You have done the best; the house is -yours." - -Both the other brothers were quite satisfied with this decision, and -as they were all so devoted to one another, they lived together in -the house, and carried on their trades, by which they made plenty of -money, since they were so perfect in them. - -They lived happily together to a good old age, and when one fell ill -and died, the others grieved so much over him that they pined away and -soon after departed this life. - -Then, as they had been so fond of one another, they were all buried in -one grave. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WREN AND THE BEAR - - -One summer's day the bear and the wolf were walking in the forest, and -the bear heard a bird singing very sweetly, and said: "Brother Wolf, -what kind of bird is that which is singing so delightfully?" - -"That is the King of the birds, before whom we must do reverence," -replied the wolf; but it was only the wren. - -"If that be so," said the bear, "I should like to see his royal -palace; come, lead me to it." "That cannot be as you like," replied -the wolf. "You must wait till the Queen returns." Soon afterward the -Queen arrived with some food in her bill, and the King, too, to feed -their young ones, and the bear would have gone off to see them, but -the wolf, pulling his ear, said: "No, you must wait till the Queen and -the King are both off again." - -So, after observing well the situation of the nest, the two tramped -off, but the bear had no rest, for he wished still to see the royal -palace, and after a short delay he set off to it again. He found the -King and Queen absent, and, peeping into the nest, he saw five or six -young birds lying in it. "Is this the royal palace?" exclaimed the -bear; "this miserable place! You are no King's children, but wretched -young vagabonds." "No, no, that we are not!" burst out the little -wrens together in a great passion, for to them this speech was -addressed. "No, no, we are born of honorable parents, and you, Mr. -Bear, shall make your words good!" At this speech the bear and the -wolf were much frightened, and ran back to their holes; but the little -wrens kept up an unceasing, clamor till their parents' return. As soon -as they came back with food in their mouths the little birds began, -"We will none of us touch a fly's leg, but will starve rather, until -you decide whether we are fine and handsome children or not, for the -bear has been here and insulted us!" - -"Be quiet," replied the King, "and that shall soon be settled." And -thereupon he flew with his Queen to the residence of the bear, and -called to him from the entrance, "Old grumbler, why have you insulted -my children? That shall cost you dear, for we will decide the matter -by a pitched battle." - -War having thus been declared against the bear, all the four-footed -beasts were summoned: the ox, the ass, the cow, the goat, the stag, -and every animal on the face of the earth. The wren, on the other -hand, summoned every flying thing; not only the birds, great and -small, but also the gnat, the hornet, the bee, and the flies. - -When the time arrived for the commencement of the war, the wren King -sent out spies to see who was appointed commander-in-chief of -the enemy. The gnat was the most cunning of all the army, and he, -therefore, buzzed away into the forest where the enemy was encamped, -and alighted on a leaf of the tree beneath which the watchword was -given out. There stood the bear and called the fox to him, and said: -"You are the most crafty of animals, so you must be general, and lead -us on." "Well," said the fox, "but what sign shall we appoint?" Nobody -answered. Then the fox said: "I have a fine long bushy tail, which -looks like a red feather at a distance; if I hold this tail straight -up, all is going well and you must march after me; but if I suffer it -to hang down, run away as fast as you can." As soon as the gnat heard -all this she flew home and told the wren King everything to a hair. - -When the day arrived for the battle to begin, the four-footed beasts -all came running along to the field, shaking the earth with their -roaring and bellowing. The wren King also came with his army, whirring -and buzzing and humming enough to terrify any one out of his senses. -Then the wren King sent the hornet forward to settle upon the fox's -tail and sting it with all his power. As soon as the fox felt the -first sting he drew up his hind leg with the pain, still carrying, -however, his tail as high in the air as before; at the second sting -he was obliged to drop it a little bit; but at the third he could -no longer bear the pain, but was forced to drop his tail between his -legs. As soon as the other beasts saw this, they thought all was lost, -and began to run each one to his own hole; so the birds won the battle -without difficulty. - -When all was over the wren King and his Queen flew home to their -children, and cried out: "Rejoice! rejoice! we have won the battle; -now eat and drink as much as you please." - -The young wrens, however, said: "Still we will not eat till the bear -has come to our nest and begged pardon, and admitted that we are fine -and handsome children." - -So the wren King flew back to the cave of the bear, and called out, -"Old grumbler, you must come to the nest and beg pardon of my children -for calling them wretched young brats, else your ribs shall be crushed -in your body!" - -In great terror the bear crept out and begged pardon; and afterward -the young wrens, being now made happy in their minds, settled down to -eating and drinking, and I am afraid they were over-excited and kept -up their merriment far too late. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHICKEN-LICKEN - - -As Chicken-licken was going one day to the wood, whack! an acorn fell -from a tree on to his head. - -"Gracious goodness me!" said Chicken-licken, "the sky must have -fallen; I must go and tell the King." - -So Chicken-licken turned back, and met Hen-len. - -"Well, Hen-len, where are you going?" said he. - -"I'm going to the wood," said she. - -"Oh, Hen-len, don't go!" said he, "for as I was going the sky fell on -to my head, and I'm going to tell the King." - -So Hen-len turned back with Chicken-licken, and met Cock-lock. - -"I'm going to the wood," said he. - -Then Hen-len said: "Oh Cock-lock, don't go, for I was going, and I met -Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky -had fallen on to his head, and we are going to tell the King." - -So Cock-lock turned back, and they met Duck-luck. - -"Well, Duck-luck, where are you going?" - -And Duck-luck said: "I'm going to the wood." - -Then Cock-lock said: "Oh! Duck-luck, don't go, for I was going, and -I met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had -been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on to his head, and we are -going to tell the King." - -So Duck-luck turned back, and met Drake-lake. - -"Well, Drake-lake, where are you going?" - -And Drake-lake said: "I'm going to the wood." - -Then Duck-luck said: "Oh! Drake-lake, don't go, for I was going, and -I met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met Hen-len, and Hen-len met -Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky -had fallen on to his head, and we are going to tell the King." - -So Drake-lake turned back, and met Goose-loose. - -"Well, Goose-loose, where are you going?" - -And Goose-loose said: "I'm going to the wood." - -Then Drake-lake said: "Oh, Goose-loose, don't go, for I was going, -and I met Duck-luck, and Duck-luck met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met -Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been -at the wood, and the sky had fallen on to his head, and we are going -to tell the King." - -So Goose-loose turned back, and met Gander-lander. - -"Well, Gander-lander, where are you going?" - -And Gander-lander said: "I'm going to the wood." - -Then Goose-loose said: "Oh! Gander-lander, don't go, for I was going, -and I met Drake-lake, and Drake-lake met Duck-luck, and Duck-luck met -Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, -and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on to -his head, and we are going to tell the King." - -So Gander-lander turned back, and met Turkey-lurkey. - -"Well, Turkey-lurkey, where are you going?" - -And Turkey-lurkey said: "I'm going to the wood." - -Then Gander-lander said: "Oh! Turkey-lurkey, don't go, for I was -going, and I met Goose-loose, and Goose-loose met Drake-lake, and -Drake-lake met Duck-luck, and Duck-luck met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock -met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had -been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on to his head, and we are -going to tell the King." - -So Turkey-lurkey turned back, and walked with Gander-lander, -Goose-loose, Drake-lake, Duck-luck, Cock-lock, Hen-len, and -Chicken-licken. - -And as they were going along, they met Fox-lox. And Fox-lox said: - -"Where are you going?" - -And they said: "Chicken-licken went to the wood, and the sky fell on -to his head, and we are going to tell the King." - -And Fox-lox said: "Come along with me, and I will show you the way." - -But Fox-lox took them into the fox's hole, and he and his young -ones soon ate up poor Chicken-licken, Hen-len, Cock-lock, Duck-luck, -Drake-lake, Goose-loose, Gander-lander, and Turkey-lurkey; and they -never saw the King to tell him that the sky had fallen. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FOX AND THE CAT - - -It happened once that the cat met Mr. Fox in the wood, and because she -thought he was clever and experienced in all the ways of the world, -she addressed him in a friendly manner. - -"Good-morning, dear Mr. Fox! how are you, and how do you get along in -these hard times?" - -The fox, full of pride, looked at the cat from head to foot for some -time, hardly knowing whether he would deign to answer or not. At last -he said: - -"Oh, you poor whisker-wiper, you silly piebald, you starveling -mouse-hunter! what has come into your head? How dare you ask me how I -am getting on? What sort of education have you had? How many arts are -you master of?" - -"Only one," said the cat meekly. - -"And what might that one be?" asked the fox. - -"When the dogs run after me, I can jump into a tree and save myself." - -"Is that all?" said the fox. "I am master of a hundred arts, and I -have a sackful of cunning tricks in addition. But I pity you. Come -with me, and I will teach you how to escape from the dogs." - -Just then a huntsman came along with four hounds. The cat sprang -trembling into a tree, and crept stealthily up to the topmost branch, -where she was entirely hidden by twigs and leaves. - -"Open your sack, Mr. Fox! open your sack!" cried the cat, but the dogs -had gripped him, and held him fast. - -"Oh, Mr. Fox!" cried the cat, "you with your hundred arts, and your -sackful of tricks, are held fast, while I, with my one, am safe. Had -you been able to creep up here, you would not have lost you life." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE RATS AND THEIR SON-IN-LAW - - -There once lived in Japan a rat and his wife, folk of noble race, who -had one beautiful daughter. They were exceedingly proud of her charms, -and dreamed, as parents will, of the grand marriage she was sure -to make in time. Proud of his pure rodent blood, the father saw no -son-in-law more to be desired than a young rat of ancient lineage, -whose attentions to his daughter were very marked. This match, -however, brilliant as it was, seemed not to the mother's taste. Like -many people who think themselves made out of special clay, she had a -very poor opinion of her own kind, and was ambitious for an alliance -with the highest circles. To the stars! was her motto, she always -said, and really, when one has a daughter of incomparable beauty, one -may well hope for an equally incomparable son-in-law. - -"Address yourself to the sun at once, then," cried the impatient -father one day; "there is nothing above him, surely." - -"Quite so; I had already thought of it," she answered, "and since you, -too, are in sympathy with the idea, we will make our call to-morrow." - -So, on the following morning the proud father and the haughty -mother-rat went together to present their lovely daughter to the orb -of day. - -"Lord Sun," said the mother, "let me present our only daughter, who -is so beautiful that there is nothing like her in the whole world. -Naturally we desire a son-in-law as wonderful as she, and, as you see, -we have come to you first of all." - -"Really," said the sun, "I am extremely flattered by your proposal, -but you do me too much honor; there is some one greater than I; it is -the cloud. Look, if you do not believe."... And at that moment the -cloud arrived, and with one waft of his folds extinguished the sun -with all his golden rays. - -"Very well; let us speak to the cloud, then," said the mother-rat, not -in the least disconcerted. - -"Immensely honored, I am sure," replied the cloud in his turn, "but -you are again mistaken; there is some one greater than I; it is the -wind. You shall see." - -At the same moment along came the wind, and with one blow swept the -cloud out of sight, after which, overturning father, mother, and -daughter, he tumbled with them, pell-mell, at the foot of an old wall. - -"Quick, quick," cried the mother-rat, struggling to her feet, "and let -us repeat our compliments to the wind." - -"You'd better address yourself to the wall," growled the wind roughly. -"You see very well he is greater than I, for he stops me and makes me -draw back." - -No sooner had she heard these words than mother-rat faced about and -presented her daughter to the wall. Ah, but now the fair rat-maiden -imitated the wind; she drew back also. He whom she really adored in -her heart of hearts was the fascinating young rat who had paid his -court to her so well. However, to please her mother, she had consented -to wed the Sun, in spite of his blinding rays, or the cloud, in spite -of his sulky look, even the wind, in spite of his brusque manner; but -an old, broken wall!... No! death would be better a thousand times. - -Fortunately the wall excused himself, like all the rest. "Certainly," -he said, "I can stop the wind, who can sweep away the cloud, who can -cover up the Sun, but there is some one greater than I: it is the rat, -who can pass through my body, and can even, if he chooses, reduce -me to powder with his teeth. Believe me, you need seek no better -son-in-law; greater than the rat, there is nothing in the world." - -"Do you hear that, wife, do you hear it?" cried father-rat in triumph. -"Didn't I always say so?" - -"Quite true! you always did," returned the mother-rat in wonder, and -suddenly glowed with pride in her ancient name and lineage. - -So they all three went home, very happy and contented, and on the -morrow the lovely rat-maiden married her faithful rat-lover. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MOUSE AND THE SAUSAGE - - -Once upon a time a little mouse and a little sausage, who loved -each other like sisters, decided to live together, and made their -arrangements in such a way that every day one would go to walk in the -fields, or make purchases in town, while the other remained at home to -keep the house. - -One day, when the little sausage had prepared cabbage for dinner, -the little mouse, who had come back from town with a fine appetite, -enjoyed it so greatly that she exclaimed: "How delicious the cabbage -is to-day, my dear!" - -"Ah!" answered the little sausage, "that is because I popped myself -into the pot while it was cooking." - -On the next day, as it was her turn to prepare the meals, the little -mouse said to herself: "Now I will do as much for my friend as she did -for me; we will have lentils for dinner, and I will jump into the -pot while they are boiling," and she let the action follow the word, -without reflecting that a simple sausage can do some things which are -out of the reach of even the wisest mouse. - -When the sausage came home, she found the house lonely and silent. She -called again and again, "My little mouse! Mouse of my heart!" but no -one answered. Then she went to look at the lentils boiling on the -stove, and, alas! found within the pot her good little friend, who had -perished at the post of duty. - -Poor mousie, with the best intentions in the world, had stayed too -long at her cookery, and when she desired to climb out of the pot, had -no longer the strength to do so. - -And the poor sausage could never be consoled! That is why to-day, when -you put one in the pan or on the gridiron, you will hear her weep and -sigh, "M-my p-poor m-mouse! Ah, m-my p-poor m-mouse!" - - * * * * * - - - - -JOHNNY AND THE GOLDEN GOOSE - - -There was once a man who had three sons. Johnny, the youngest, was -always looked upon as the simpleton of the family, and had very little -consideration or kindness shown him. - -It happened one day that the eldest son was going out into the wood to -cut fuel; and before he started, his mother gave him a slice of rich -plum-cake and a flask of wine, so that he might not suffer from hunger -or thirst. - -Just as he reached the wood, he met a queer old man, dressed in gray, -who wished him "Good day," and begged for a piece of the young man's -cake and a drink of wine. - -But the greedy youth replied: "If I were to give you cake and wine, I -should not have enough left for myself; so be off with you, and leave -me in peace." - -Then he pushed the little man rudely on one side and went his way. He -soon came to a likely-looking tree, and began to hew it down, but he -made a false stroke, and instead of striking the tree he buried his -axe in his own arm, and was obliged to hurry home as fast as he could -to have the wound dressed. - -And this was what came of offending the little gray man! - -The following day the second son set out to the wood, and his mother -treated him just as she had done her eldest son--gave him a slice of -cake and a flask of wine, in case he should feel hungry. The little -gray man met him at the entrance to the wood, and begged for a share -of his food, but the young man answered: - -"The more I give to you, the less I have for myself. Be off with you." - -Then he left the little gray man standing in the road, and went on his -way. But it was not long before he, too, was punished; for the first -stroke he aimed at a tree glanced aside and wounded his leg, so that -he was obliged to be carried home. - -Then said the Simpleton: "Father, let me go to the wood for once. _I_ -will bring you home plenty of fuel." - -"Nonsense," answered the father. "Both your brothers have got into -trouble, and it is not likely that I am going to trust you." - -But Johnny would not give up the idea, and worried his father, till at -last he said: - -"Very well, my son, have your own way. You shall learn by experience -that I know better than you." - -There was no rich cake for the simpleton of the family. His mother -just gave him a little loaf of dough and a bottle of sour beer. - -No sooner did he reach the wood than the little gray man appeared. - -"Give me a piece of your cake and a drink of your wine?" said he. - -But the young man told him he had only a dough loaf and a bottle of -sour beer. - -"Still," said he, "you are welcome to a share of the food, such as it -is." - -So the two sat down together; but when Johnny took his humble fare -from his pocket, what was his surprise to find it changed into the -most delicious cake and wine. Then the young man and his guest made a -hearty meal, and when it was ended the little gray man said: - -"Because you have such a kind heart, and have willingly shared your -food with me, I am going to reward you. Yonder stands an old tree: hew -it down, and deep in the heart of the roots you will find something." - -The old man then nodded kindly, and disappeared in a moment. - -Johnny at once did as he had been told, and as soon as the tree fell -he saw, sitting in the midst of the roots, a goose with feathers of -purest gold. He lifted it carefully out, and carried it with him to -the inn, where he meant to spend the night. - -Now, the landlord had three daughters, and no sooner did they see the -goose than they wanted to know what curious kind of bird it might be, -for never before had they seen a fowl of any kind with feathers of -pure gold. The eldest made up her mind to wait for a good opportunity -and then pluck a feather for herself. So as soon as Johnny went out -of the room she put out her hand and seized the wing of the goose, -but what was her horror to find that she could not unclasp her fingers -again, nor even move her hand from the golden goose! - -Very soon the second sister came creeping into the room, meaning also -to steal a feather; but no sooner did she touch her sister than she, -too, was unable to draw her hand away. - -Lastly came the third, anxious to secure a feather before the goose's -master returned. - -"Go away! go away!" screamed her two sisters, but she could not -understand why she should not help herself as well as the others. - -So she paid no heed to their cries, but came toward them and stretched -out her hand to the goose. - -In doing so she touched her second sister, and then, alas! she too, -was held fast. - -They pulled and tugged with might and main, but it was all of no use; -they could not get away, and there they had to remain the whole night. - -The next morning Johnny tucked the goose under his arm, and went on -his way, never troubling himself about the three girls hanging on -behind. - -Then what a dance he led them: over hedges and ditches, highways and -byways! Wherever he led they were bound to follow. Half way across a -sunny meadow, they met the parson, who was terribly shocked to see the -three girls running after a young man. - -"For shame!" he cried angrily, and seized the youngest by the hand to -drag her away. - -But no sooner did he touch her than the poor parson was made fast too, -and had to run behind the girls, whether he would or no. - -They had scarcely gone half a dozen paces before they met the sexton, -who stared with astonishment to see his master running at the heels of -the three girls. - -"Hi! stop, your reverence," he cried. "You will be late for the -christening." - -He seized the parson's sleeve as he ran past him, but the poor sexton -had to join the procession too. - -So now there were five of them, and just as they turned a corner the -parson saw two peasants, and called to them to set him and his sexton -free. - -They threw down their spades at once and tried to do so, but they too, -stuck fast, and so Johnny had a fine string of seven folk hanging on -to the wing of his golden goose. - -On and on they ran, until at length they came into the country of a -powerful King. - -This King had an only daughter, who all her life had been so sad that -no one had ever been able to make her laugh. So the King made a decree -that the man who could bring a smile to his daughter's face should -have her for his bride. - -When Johnny heard what the King had promised, he at once made his way -into the Princess's presence, and when she saw the goose, with the -seven queer-looking companions hanging on behind, she burst into such -a hearty fit of laughter that it was thought she would never be able -to stop again. - -Of course, the Simpleton claimed her as his bride, but the King did -not fancy him for a son-in-law, so he made all sorts of excuses. - -"You shall have her," said he, "if you can first bring me a man who can -drink up a whole cellarful of wine." - -Johnny at once remembered the little gray man, and, feeling sure that -he would help him, he set out for the wood where he had first met him. - -When he reached the stump of the old tree which he had himself hewn -down, he noticed a man sitting beside it, with a face as gloomy as a -rainy day. - -Johnny asked politely what ailed him, and the man answered: - -"I suffer from a thirst I cannot quench. Cold water disagrees with -me, and though I have, it is true, emptied a barrel of wine, it was no -more to me than a single drop of water upon a hot stone." - -You can think how pleased Johnny was to hear these words. He took -the man to the King's cellar, where he seated himself before the huge -barrels, and drank and drank till, at the end of the day, not a drop -of wine was left. - -Then Johnny claimed his bride, but the King could not make up his mind -to give his daughter to "a ne'er-do-weel" who went by such a name as -"Simpleton." - -So he made fresh excuses, and said that he would not give her up until -the young man had found someone who could eat up a mountain of bread -in a single day. - -So the young man had no choice but to set out once more for the wood. - -And again he found a man sitting beside the stump of the tree. He was -very sad and hungry-looking, and sat tightening the belt round his -waist. - -"I have eaten a whole ovenful of bread," he said sadly, "but when one -is as hungry as I am, such a meal only serves to make one more hungry -still. I am so empty that if I did not tighten my belt I should die of -hunger." - -"You are the man for me!" said Johnny. "Follow me, and I will give you -a meal that will satisfy even your hunger." - -He led the man into the courtyard of the King's palace, where all -the meal in the kingdom had been collected together and mixed into an -enormous mountain of bread. - -The man from the wood placed himself in front of it and began to eat, -and before the day was over the mountain of bread had vanished. - -A third time the Simpleton demanded his bride, but again the King -found an excuse. - -"First bring me a ship that can sail both on land and sea, and then -you shall wed the Princess," he said. - -Johnny went straightway to the wood, where he met the little gray man -with whom he had once shared his food. - -"Good day," he said, nodding his wise little head. "So you've come to -visit me again, eh? It was I, you know, who drank the wine and ate the -bread for you, and now I will finish by giving you the wonderful ship -which is to sail on either land or sea. All this I do for you because -you were kind and good to me." - -Then he gave him the ship, and when the King saw it he could find no -further excuse. - -So he gave the young man his daughter, and the pair were married that -very day. - -When the old King died, the Simpleton became King in his stead, and he -and his wife lived happily ever after. - - * * * * * - - - - -TITTY MOUSE AND TATTY MOUSE - - - Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse both lived in a house, - Titty Mouse went a-leasing and Tatty Mouse went a-leasing, - So they both went a-leasing. - Titty Mouse leased an ear of corn, and Tatty Mouse leased an ear of corn, - So they both leased an ear of corn. - Titty Mouse made a pudding, and Tatty Mouse made a pudding, - So they both made a pudding. - And Tatty Mouse put her pudding into the pot to boil, - But, when Titty went to put hers in, the pot tumbled over, and - scalded her to death. - -Then Tatty sat down and wept, and a three-legged stool said: "Tatty, -why do you weep?" "Titty's dead," said Tatty, "and so I weep." "Then," -said the stool, "I'll hop." So the stool hopped. - -Then a broom in the corner of the room said: "Stool, why do you hop?" -"Oh!" said the stool, "Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and so I hop." -"Then," said the broom, "I'll sweep." So the broom began to sweep. - -"Then," said the door, "Broom, why do you sweep?" "Oh!" said the -broom, "Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and so I -sweep." "Then," said the door, "I'll jar." So the door jarred. - -"Then," said the window, "Door, why do you jar?" "Oh!" said the door, -"Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the broom -sweeps, and so I jar." - -"Then," said the window, "I'll creak." So the window creaked. Now -there was an old form outside the house, and when the window creaked, -the form said: "Window, why do you creak?" "Oh!" said the window, -"Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the broom -sweeps, the door jars, and so I creak." - -"Then," said the old form, "I'll run round the house." Then the old -form ran round the house. Now there was a fine large walnut-tree -growing by the cottage, and the tree said to the form: "Form, why -do you run round the house?" "Oh!" said the form, "Titty's dead, and -Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the broom sweeps, the door jars, -and the window creaks, and so I run round the house." - -"Then," said the walnut-tree, "I'll shed my leaves." So the -walnut-tree shed all its beautiful green leaves. Now there was a -little bird perched on one of the boughs of the tree, and when all -the leaves fell, it said: "Walnut-tree, why do you shed your leaves?" -"Oh!" said the tree, "Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, -and the broom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old -form runs round the house, and so I shed my leaves." - -"Then," said the little bird, "I'll moult all my feathers." So he -moulted all his pretty feathers. Now there was a little girl walking -below, carrying a jug of milk for her brothers' and sisters' supper, -and when she saw the poor little bird moult all its feathers, she -said: "Little bird, why do you moult all your feathers?" "Oh!" said -the little bird, "Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and -the broom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form -runs round the house, the walnut-tree sheds its leaves, and so I -moult all my feathers." - -"Then," said the little girl, "I'll spill the milk." So she dropped -the pitcher and spilt the milk. Now there was an old man just by on -the top of a ladder thatching a rick, and when he saw the little girl -spill the milk, he said: "Little girl, what do you mean by spilling -the milk? Your little brothers and sisters must go without their -supper." Then said the little girl: "Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, -the stool hops, and the broom sweeps, the door jars, and the window -creaks, the old form runs round the house, the walnut-tree sheds all -its leaves, the little bird moults all its feathers, and so I spill -the milk." - -"Oh!" said the old man, "then I'll tumble off the ladder and break my -neck." So he tumbled off the ladder and broke his neck; and when the -old man broke his neck, the great walnut-tree fell down with a crash, -and upset the old form and house, and the house falling knocked the -window out, and the window knocked the door down, and the door upset -the broom, and the broom upset the stool, and poor little Tatty Mouse -was buried beneath the ruins. - - * * * * * - - - - -TEENY TINY - - -There was once upon a time a teeny-tiny woman who lived in a -teeny-tiny house in a teeny-tiny village. Now, one day this teeny-tiny -woman put on her teeny-tiny bonnet, and went out of her teeny-tiny -house to take a teeny-tiny walk. And when this teeny-tiny woman -had gone a teeny-tiny way, she came to a teeny-tiny gate; so -the teeny-tiny woman opened the teeny-tiny gate, and went into a -teeny-tiny churchyard. And when this teeny-tiny woman had got into -the teeny-tiny churchyard, she saw a teeny-tiny bone on a teeny-tiny -grave, and the teeny-tiny woman said to her teeny-tiny self: "This -teeny-tiny bone will make me some teeny-tiny soup for my teeny-tiny -supper." So the teeny-tiny woman put the teeny-tiny bone into her -teeny-tiny pocket, and went home to her teeny-tiny house. - -Now, when the teeny-tiny woman got home to her teeny-tiny house, she -was a teeny-tiny tired; so she went up her teeny-tiny stairs to -her teeny-tiny bed, and put the teeny-tiny bone into a teeny-tiny -cupboard. And when this teeny-tiny woman had been to sleep a -teeny-tiny time, she was awakened by a teeny-tiny voice from the -teeny-tiny cupboard, which said-- - -"GIVE ME MY BONE!" - -And this teeny-tiny woman was a teeny-tiny frightened, so she hid her -teeny-tiny head under the teeny-tiny clothes, and went to sleep again. -And when she had been asleep again a teeny-tiny time, the teeny-tiny -voice cried out from the teeny-tiny cupboard a teeny-tiny louder-- - -"GIVE ME MY BONE!" - -This made the teeny-tiny woman a teeny-tiny more frightened, so she -hid her teeny-tiny head a teeny-tiny farther under the teeny-tiny -clothes. And when the teeny-tiny woman had been asleep again a -teeny-tiny time, the teeny-tiny voice from the teeny-tiny cupboard -said again a teeny-tiny louder-- - -"GIVE ME MY BONE!" - -At this the teeny-tiny woman was a teeny-tiny bit more frightened; but -she put her teeny-tiny head out of the teeny-tiny clothes, and said in -her loudest teeny-tiny voice-- - -"TAKE IT!!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SPIDER AND THE FLEA - - -A Spider and a Flea dwelt together in one house, and brewed their beer -in an egg-shell. One day, when the Spider was stirring it up, she fell -in and scalded herself. Thereupon the Flea began to scream. And then -the door asked: "Why are you screaming, Flea?" - -"Because little Spider has scalded herself in the beer-tub," replied -she. - -Thereupon the door began to creak as if it were in pain; and a broom, -which stood in the corner, asked, "What are you creaking for, door?" - -"May I not creak?" it replied: - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps." - -So the broom began to sweep industriously, and presently a little cart -came by, and asked the reason. "May I not sweep?" replied the broom: - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps; - The little door creaks with the pain,"-- - -Thereupon the little cart said: "So will I run," and began to run very -fast, past a heap of ashes, which cried out: "Why do you run, little -cart?" - -"Because," replied the cart: - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps; - The little door creaks with the pain, - And the broom sweeps." - -"Then," said the ashes, "I will burn furiously." Now, next the ashes -there grew a tree, which asked: "Little heap, why do you burn?" - -"Because," was the reply: - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps; - The little door creaks with the pain, - And the broom sweeps; - The little cart runs on so fast,"-- - -Thereupon the tree cried, "I will shake myself!" and went on shaking -till all its leaves fell off. - -A little girl passing by with a water-pitcher saw it shaking, and -asked: "Why do you shake yourself, little tree?" - -"Why may I not?" said the tree: - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps; - The little door creaks with the pain, - And the broom sweeps; - The little cart runs on so fast, - And the ashes burn." - -Then the maiden said: "If so, I will break my pitcher;" and she threw -it down and broke it. - -At this the streamlet, from which she drew the water, asked: - -"Why do you break your pitcher, my little girl?" - -"Why may I not?" she replied; for - - "The little Spider's scalt herself, - And the Flea weeps; - The little door creaks with the pain, - And the broom sweeps; - The little cart runs on so fast, - And the ashes burn; - The little tree shakes down its leaves-- - Now it is my turn!" - -"Ah, then," said the streamlet, "now must I begin to flow." And it -flowed and flowed along, in a great stream, which kept getting bigger -and bigger, until at last it swallowed up the little girl, the little -tree, the ashes, the cart, the broom, the door, the Flea, and, last of -all, the Spider, all together. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LITTLE SHEPHERD BOY - - -Once upon a time there was a little shepherd boy who was famed far and -wide for the wise answers which he gave to all questions. Now the King -of the country heard of this lad, but he would not believe what was -said about him, so the boy was ordered to come to court. When he -arrived the King said to him: "If you can give me answers to each of -the three questions which I will now put to you, I will bring you up -as my own child, and you shall live here with me in my palace." - -"What are these three questions?" asked the boy. - -"The first is: How many drops of water are there in the sea?" - -"My lord King," replied the shepherd boy, "let all the waters be -stopped up on the earth, so that not one drop shall run into the sea -before I count it, and then I will tell you how many drops there are -in the sea!" - -"The second question," said the King, "is: How many stars are there in -the sky?" - -"Give me a large sheet of paper," said the boy; and then he made in it -with a pin so many minute holes that they were far too numerous to see -or to count, and dazzled the eyes of whomsoever looked at them. This -done, he said: "So many stars are there in the sky as there are holes -in this paper; now count them." But nobody was able. Thereupon the King -said: "The third question is: How many seconds are there in eternity?" - -"In Lower Pomerania is situated the adamantine mountain, one mile in -height, one mile in breadth, and one mile deep; and thither comes -a bird once in every thousand years which rubs its beak against the -hill, and, when the whole shall be rubbed away, then will the first -second of eternity be gone by." - -"You have answered the three questions like a sage," said the King, -"and from henceforward you shall live with me in my palace, and I will -treat you as my own child." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE SPINNERS - - -Once upon a time there was a lazy maiden who would not spin, and, let -her mother say what she would, she could not make her do it. At last, -the mother, in a fit of impatience, gave her a blow which made the -girl cry out loudly. - -At that very instant, the Queen drove by, and, hearing the screams, -she stopped the carriage, came into the house, and asked the mother -why she beat her daughter in such a way that people in passing could -hear the cries. - -Then the mother felt ashamed that her daughter's laziness should be -known, so she said: "Oh, your Majesty, I cannot take her away from her -spinning: she spins from morning till night, and I am so poor that I -cannot afford to buy the flax." - -"There is nothing I like better than to hear the sound of spinning," -the Queen replied, "and nothing pleases me more than the whirl of -spinning-wheels. Let me take your daughter home with me to the castle; -I have flax enough, and she may spin there to her heart's content." - -The mother rejoiced greatly in her heart, and the Queen took the -maiden home with her. When they arrived in the castle, she led her up -into three rooms, which were piled from top to bottom with the finest -flax. - -"Now spin me this flax," said the Queen, "and when thou has spun it -all, thou shalt have my eldest son for a husband. Although thou art -poor, yet I do not despise thee on that account, for thy untiring -industry is dowry enough." - -The maiden was filled with inward terror, for she could not have spun -the flax had she sat there day and night until she was three hundred -years old! When she was left alone, she began to weep, and thus she -sat for three days without stirring a finger. - -On the third day the Queen came, and when she saw that nothing was -as yet spun, she wondered over it, but the maiden excused herself by -saying that she could not begin in consequence of the great sorrow she -felt in being separated from her mother. - -This satisfied the Queen, who, on leaving her, said: - -"Thou must begin to work for me to-morrow." - -But when the maiden was once more alone, she did not know what to do, -or how to help herself, and in her distress she went to the window and -looked out. She saw three women passing by, the first of whom had a -great broad foot, the second such a large under-lip that it hung down -to her chin, and the third an enormous thumb. - -They stopped under the window, and, looking up, asked the maiden what -was the matter. - -When she had told them of her trouble, they immediately offered her -their help, and said: - -"Wilt thou invite us to the wedding, and not be ashamed of us, but -call us thy aunts, and let us sit at thy table? If thou wilt, we will -spin all the flax, and do it in a very short time." - -"With all my heart," answered the girl, "only come in, and begin at -once." - -Then she admitted the three strange women, and, making a clear space -in the first room, they sat themselves down and began spinning. - -One drew the thread and trod the wheel, the other moistened the -thread, the third pressed it and beat it on the table, and every time -she did so, a pile of thread fell on the ground spun in the finest -way. - -The maiden concealed the three spinners from the Queen, but showed -her the heaps of spun yarn whenever she came, and received no end of -praise for it. - -When the first room was empty, the second was commenced, and when that -was finished, the third was begun, and very soon cleared. - -Then the three spinners took their leave, saying to the maiden: - -"Forget not what thou hast promised us; it will make thy fortune." - -When the girl showed the Queen the empty rooms and the great piles of -thread, the wedding was announced. The bridegroom rejoiced that he had -won so clever and industrious a wife, and he praised her exceedingly. - -"I have three aunts," said the maiden, "and as they have done me many -kindnesses, I could not forget them in my good fortune; permit me to -invite them to our wedding and allow them to sit with me at table." - -So the Queen and the bridegroom consented. - -When the feast commenced, the three old women entered, clothed in the -greatest splendor, and the bride said-- - -"Welcome, my dear aunts!" - -"Alas!" exclaimed the bridegroom, "how is it you have such ugly -relations?" and going up to the one with a broad foot, he asked: - -"Why have you such a broad foot?" - -"From threading, from threading," she answered. - -Then he went to the second, and asked: - -"Why have you such an overhanging lip?" - -"From moistening the thread," she replied, "from moistening the -thread." - -Then he asked the third: - -"Why have you such a big thumb?" - -"From pressing the thread," answered she. - -Then the Prince became frightened, and said: - -"Then shall my lovely bride never more turn a spinning-wheel, as long -as she lives!" - -Thus was the maiden freed from the hated flax-spinning. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP - - -A cat having made the acquaintance of a mouse, told her so much of the -great love and affection that he had for her, that the mouse at -last consented to live in the same house with him, and to have their -domestic affairs in common. "But we must provide for the winter," -said the cat, "or we shall be starved; you, little mouse, cannot go -everywhere looking for food, or you will meet with an accident." - -This advice was followed, and a pot was brought with some grease in -it. However, when they had got it, they could not imagine where it -should be put; but at last, after a long consideration, the cat said: -"I know no better place to put it than in the church, for there no -one dares to steal anything; we will set it beneath the organ, and not -touch it till we really want it." - -So the pot was put away in safety; but not long afterward the cat -began to wish for it again, so he spoke to the mouse and said: "I have -to tell you that I am asked by my aunt to stand godfather to a little -son, white with brown marks, whom she has just brought into the world, -and so I must go to the christening. Let me go out to-day, and do you -stop at home and keep house." - -"Certainly," answered the mouse; "pray, go; and if you eat anything -nice, think of me; I would also willingly drink a little of the sweet -red christening-wine." - -But, alas! it was all a story; for the cat had no aunt, and had not -been asked to stand godfather to any one. He went straight to the -church, crept up to the grease-pot, and licked it till he had eaten -off the top; then he took a walk on the roofs of the houses in the -town, thinking over his situation, and now and then stretching himself -in the sun and stroking his whiskers as often as he thought of his -meal. When it was evening he went home again, and the mouse said: "So -you have come at last; what a charming day you must have had!" - -"Yes," answered the cat; "it went off very well!" - -"What have you named the kitten?" asked the mouse. - -"_Top-off_," said the cat very quickly. - -"_Top-off!_" replied the mouse; "that is a curious and remarkable -name; is it common in your family?" - -"What does that matter?" said the cat; "it is not worse than -Crumb-stealer, as your children are called." - -Not long afterward the cat felt the same longing as before, and said -to the mouse: "You must oblige me by taking care of the house once -more by yourself; I am again asked to stand godfather, and, since -the youngster has a white ring round his neck, I cannot get off the -invitation." So the good little mouse consented, and the cat crept -away behind the wall to the church again, and ate half the contents -of the grease-pot. "Nothing tastes better than what one eats by one's -self," said he, quite contented with his day's work; and when he came -home the mouse asked how this child was named. - -"_Half-out_," answered the cat. - -"_Half-out!_ What do you mean? I never heard such a name before in -my life; I will wager anything it is not in the calendar," but the -cat replied nothing. - -Pussy's mouth soon began to water again at the recollection of the -feasting. "All good things come in threes," said he to the mouse. "I -am again required to be godfather; this child is quite black, and has -little white claws, but not a single white hair on his body; such a -thing only happens once in two years, so pray excuse me this time." - -"_Top-off! Half-out!_" answered the mouse; "those are such curious -names, they make me a bit suspicious." - -"Ah!" replied the cat, "there you sit in your gray coat and long tail, -thinking nonsense. That comes of never going out." - -The mouse busied herself during the cat's absence in putting the house -in order, but meanwhile greedy puss licked the grease-pot clean out. -"When it is all done one will rest in peace," thought he to himself, -and as soon as night came he went home fat and tired. The mouse, -however, again asked what name the third child had received. "It -will not please you any better," answered the cat, "for he is called -_All-out_." - -"_All-out!_" exclaimed the mouse; "well, that is certainly the most -curious name by far. I have never yet seen it in print. _All-out!_ -What can that mean?" and, shaking her head, she rolled herself up and -went to sleep. - -After that nobody else asked the cat to stand godfather; but the -winter had arrived, and nothing more was to be picked up out of doors; -so the mouse bethought herself of their store of provision, and said, -"Come, friend cat, we will go to our grease-pot which we laid by; it -will taste well now." - -"Yes, indeed," replied the cat; "it will taste as well as if you -stroked your tongue against the window." - -So they set out on their journey, and when they arrived at the church -the pot stood in its old place--but it was empty! "Ah," said the -mouse, "I see what has happened; now I know you are indeed a faithful -friend. You have eaten the whole as you stood godfather; first -_Top-off_, then _Half-out_, then--" - -"Will you be quiet?" cried the cat. "Not a word, or I'll eat you." But -the poor mouse had "_All-out"_ at her tongue's end, and had scarcely -uttered it when the cat made a spring, seized her in his mouth, and -swallowed her. - -This happens every day in the world. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SWEET SOUP - - -Once on a time there was a poor but very good little girl, who lived -alone with her mother, and when my story begins, they had nothing in -the house to eat. So the child went out into the forest, and there she -met an old woman, who already knew her distress, and who presented her -with a pot which had the following power. If one said to it, "Boil, -little pot!" it would cook sweet soup; and when one said: "Stop, -little pot!" it would immediately cease to boil. The little girl took -the pot home to her mother, and now their poverty and distresses were -at an end, for they could have sweet broth as often as they pleased. - -One day, however, the little girl went out, and in her absence the -mother said: "Boil, little pot!" So it began to cook, and she soon ate -all she wished; but when the poor woman wanted to have the pot stop, -she found she did not know the word. Away, therefore, the pot boiled, -and very quickly was over the edge; and as it boiled and boiled the -kitchen presently became full, then the house, and the next house, and -soon the whole street. It seemed likely to satisfy all the world, for, -though there was the greatest necessity to do so, nobody knew how to -stop it. At last, when only a very small cottage of all the village -was left unfilled with soup, the child returned and said at once: -"Stop, little pot!" - -Immediately it ceased to boil; but whoever wishes to enter the village -now must eat his way through the soup!!! - - * * * * * - - - - -THE STRAW THE COAL AND THE BEAN - - -All alone, in a quiet little village, lived a poor old woman. One day -she had a dish of beans which she wanted to cook for dinner, so she -made a fire on the hearth, and in order that it should burn up quickly -she lighted it with a handful of straw. - -She hung the pot over the fire, and poured in the beans; but one fell -on to the floor without her noticing it, and rolled away beside a -piece of straw. Soon afterwards a live coal flew out of the fire and -joined their company. Then the straw began to speak. - -"Dear friends," said he, "whence come you?" - -"I was fortunate enough to spring out of the fire," answered the -coal. "Had I not exerted myself to get out when I did, I should most -certainly have been burnt to ashes." - -"I have also just managed to save my skin," said the bean. "Had the -old woman succeeded in putting me into the pot, I should have been -stewed without mercy, just as my comrades are being served now." - -"My fate might have been no better," the straw told them. "The old -woman burnt sixty of my brothers at once, but fortunately I was able -to slip through her fingers." - -"What shall we do now?" said the coal. - -"Well," answered the bean, "my opinion is that, as we have all been -so fortunate as to escape death, we should leave this place before -any new misfortune overtakes us. Let us all three become traveling -companions and set out upon a journey to some unknown country." - -This suggestion pleased both the straw and the coal, so away they all -went at once. Before long they came to a brook, and as there was no -bridge across it they did not know how to get to the other side; but -the straw had a good idea: "I will lay myself over the water, and -you can walk across me as though I were a bridge," he said. So he -stretched himself from one bank to the other, and the coal, who was -of a hasty disposition, at once tripped gaily on to the newly-built -bridge. Half way across she hesitated, and began to feel afraid of the -rushing water beneath her. She dared go no farther, but neither would -she return; but she stood there so long that the straw caught fire, -broke in two, and fell into the stream. Of course, the coal was bound -to follow. No sooner did she touch the water than--hiss, zish! out she -went, and never glowed again. - -The bean, who was a careful fellow, had stayed on the bank, to watch -how the coal got across, before trusting himself to such a slender -bridge. But when he saw what very queer figures his friends cut, he -could not help laughing. He laughed and laughed till he could not -stop, and at length he split his side. - -It would have gone badly with him then, had not a tailor happened to -pass by. He was a kind-hearted fellow, and at once took out his needle -and thread and began to repair the mischief. - -The bean thanked him politely, for he knew that the tailor had saved -his life, but unfortunately he had used black thread, and from that -time till to-day every bean has a little black stitch in its side. - - * * * * * - - - - -WHY THE BEAR HAS A STUMPY TAIL - - -One winter's day the bear met the fox, who came slinking along with a -string of fish he had stolen. - -"Hi! stop a minute! Where did you get those from?" demanded the bear. - -"Oh, my Lord Bruin, I've been out fishing and caught them," said the -fox. - -So the bear had a mind to learn to fish, too, and bade the fox tell -him how he was to set about it. - -"Oh, it is quite easy," answered the fox, "and soon learned. You've -only got to go upon the ice, and cut a hole and stick your tail down -through it, and hold it there as long as you can. You're not to mind -if it smarts a little; that's when the fish bite. The longer you hold -it there, the more fish you'll get; and then all at once out with it, -with a cross pull side ways and a strong pull, too." - -Well, the bear did as the fox said, and though he felt very cold, and -his tail smarted very much, he kept it a long, long time down in the -hole, till at last it was frozen in, though of course he did not know -that. Then he pulled it out with a strong pull, and it snapped short -off, and that's why Bruin goes about with a stumpy tail to this day! - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE LITTLE PIGS - - -Once upon a time, when pigs could talk and no one had ever heard of -bacon, there lived an old piggy mother with her three little sons. - -They had a very pleasant home in the middle of an oak forest, and were -all just as happy as the day was long, until one sad year the acorn -crop failed; then, indeed, poor Mrs. Piggy-wiggy often had hard work -to make both ends meet. - -One day she called her sons to her, and, with tears in her eyes, told -them that she must send them out into the wide world to seek their -fortune. - -She kissed them all round, and the three little pigs set out upon -their travels, each taking a different road, and carrying a bundle -slung on a stick across his shoulder. - -The first little pig had not gone far before he met a man carrying a -bundle of straw; so he said to him: "Please, man, give me that straw -to build me a house?" The man was very good-natured, so he gave him -the bundle of straw, and the little pig built a pretty little house -with it. - -No sooner was it finished, and the little pig thinking of going to -bed, than a wolf came along, knocked at the door, and said: "Little -pig, little pig, let me come in." - -But the little pig laughed softly, and answered: "No, no, by the hair -of my chinny-chin-chin." - -Then said the wolf sternly: "I will _make_ you let me in; for I'll -huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" - -So he huffed and he puffed, and he blew his house in, because, you -see, it was only of straw and too light; and when he had blown the -house in, he ate up the little pig, and did not leave so much as the -tip of his tail. - -The second little pig also met a man, and _he_ was carrying a bundle -of furze; so piggy said politely: "Please, kind man, will you give me -that furze to build me a house?" - -The man agreed, and piggy set to work to build himself a snug little -house before the night came on. It was scarcely finished when the wolf -came along, and said: "Little pig, little pig, let me come in." - -"No, no, by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin," answered the second -little pig. - -"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" said the -wolf. So he huffed and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and at -last he blew the house in, and gobbled the little pig up in a trice. - -Now, the third little pig met a man with a load of bricks and mortar, -and he said: "Please, man, will you give me those bricks to build a -house with?" - -So the man gave him the bricks and mortar, and a little trowel as -well, and the little pig built himself a nice strong little house. As -soon as it was finished the wolf came to call, just as he had done to -the other little pigs, and said: "Little pig, little pig, let me in!" - -But the little pig answered: "No, no, by the hair of my -chinny-chin-chin." - -"Then," said the wolf, "I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your -house in." - -Well, he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and he -huffed, and he puffed; but he could _not_ get the house down. At last -he had no breath left to huff and puff with, so he sat down outside -the little pig's house and thought for awhile. - -Presently he called out: "Little pig, I know where there is a nice -field of turnips." - -"Where?" said the little pig. - -"Behind the farmer's house, three fields away, and if you will be -ready to-morrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together -and get some breakfast." - -"Very well," said the little pig; "I will be sure to be ready. What -time do you mean to start?" - -"At six o'clock," replied the wolf. - -Well, the wise little pig got up at five, scampered away to the field, -and brought home a fine load of turnips before the wolf came. At six -o'clock the wolf came to the little pig's house and said: "Little pig, -are you ready?" - -"Ready!" cried the little pig. "Why, I have been to the field and -come back long ago, and now I am busy boiling a potful of turnips for -breakfast." - -The wolf was very angry indeed; but he made up his mind to catch the -little pig somehow or other; so he told him that he knew where there -was a nice apple-tree. - -"Where?" said the little pig. - -"Round the hill in the squire's orchard," the wolf said. "So if -you will promise to play me no tricks, I will come for you tomorrow -morning at five o'clock, and we will go there together and get some -rosy-cheeked apples." - -The next morning piggy got up at four o'clock and was off and away -long before the wolf came. - -But the orchard was a long way off, and besides, he had the tree to -climb, which is a difficult matter for a little pig, so that before -the sack he had brought with him was quite filled he saw the wolf -coming towards him. - -He was dreadfully frightened, but he thought it better to put a good -face on the matter, so when the wolf said: "Little pig, why are you -here before me? Are they nice apples?" he replied at once: "Yes, very; -I will throw down one for you to taste." So he picked an apple and -threw it so far that whilst the wolf was running to fetch it he had -time to jump down and scamper away home. - -The next day the wolf came again, and told the little pig that there -was going to be a fair in the town that afternoon, and asked him if he -would go with him. - -"Oh! yes," said the pig, "I will go with pleasure. What time will you -be ready to start?" - -"At half-past three," said the wolf. - -Of course, the little pig started long before the time, went to the -fair, and bought a fine large butter-churn, and was trotting away with -it on his back when he saw the wolf coming. - -He did not know what to do, so he crept into the churn to hide, and by -so doing started it rolling. - -Down the hill it went, rolling over and over, with the little pig -squeaking inside. - -The wolf could not think what the strange thing rolling down the hill -could be; so he turned tail and ran away home in a fright without ever -going to the fair at all. He went to the little pig's house to tell -him how frightened he had been by a large round thing which came -rolling past him down the hill. - -"Ha! ha!" laughed the little pig; "so I frightened you, eh? I had been -to the fair and bought a butter-churn; when I saw you I got inside it -and rolled down the hill." - -This made the wolf so angry that he declared that he _would_ eat up -the little pig, and that nothing should save him, for he would jump -down the chimney. - -But the clever little pig hung a pot full of water over the hearth -and then made a blazing fire, and just as the wolf was coming down the -chimney he took off the cover and in fell the wolf. In a second the -little pig had popped the lid on again. - -Then he boiled the wolf, and ate him for supper, and after that he -lived quietly and comfortably all his days, and was never troubled by -a wolf again. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHILDREN'S FAVORITE POEMS - - - - -THE THREE CHILDREN - - Three children sliding on the ice - Upon a summer's day, - As it fell out they all fell in, - The rest they ran away. - - Now, had these children been at home, - Or sliding on dry ground, - Ten thousand pounds to one penny - They had not all been drowned. - - You parents all that children have, - And you too that have none, - If you would have them safe abroad - Pray keep them safe at home. - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT - - -I - - The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea - In a beautiful pea-green boat: - They took some honey, and plenty of money - Wrapped up in a five-pound note. - The Owl looked up to the stars above, - And sang to a small guitar, - "Oh lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love, - What a beautiful Pussy you are, - You are, - You are! - What a beautiful Pussy you are!" - - -II - - Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl, - How charmingly sweet you sing! - Oh! let us be married; too long we have tarried; - But what shall we do for a ring?" - They sailed away, for a year and a day, - To the land where the bong-tree grows; - And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood, - With a ring at the end of his nose, - His nose, - His nose, - With a ring at the end of his nose. - - -III - - "Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling - Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will." - So they took it away, and were married next day - By the turkey who lives on the hill. - They dined on mince and slices of quince, - Which they ate with a runcible spoon; - And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, - They danced by the light of the moon, - The moon, - The moon, - They danced by the light of the moon. - -EDWARD LEAR - - * * * * * - - - - -KINDNESS TO ANIMALS - - Little children, never give - Pain to things that feel and live: - Let the gentle robin come - For the crumbs you save at home,-- - As his meat you throw along - He'll repay you with a song; - Never hurt the timid hare - Peeping from her green grass lair, - Let her come and sport and play - On the lawn at close of day; - The little lark goes soaring high - To the bright windows of the sky, - Singing as if 'twere always spring, - And fluttering on an untired wing,-- - Oh! let him sing his happy song, - Nor do these gentle creatures wrong. - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE - - How doth the little busy bee - Improve each shining hour, - And gather honey all the day - From every opening flow'r! - - How skilfully she builds her cell! - How neat she spreads the wax! - And labors hard to store it well - With the sweet food she makes. - - In works of labor or of skill, - I would be busy too; - For Satan finds some mischief still - For idle hands to do. - - In books, or work, or healthful play, - Let my first years be past, - That I may give for ev'ry day - Some good account at last. - -ISAAC WATTS - - * * * * * - - - - -SUPPOSE! - - Suppose, my little lady, - Your doll should break her head, - Could you make it whole by crying - Till your eyes and nose are red? - And wouldn't it be pleasanter - To treat it as a joke, - And say you're glad 'twas Dolly's, - And not your head that broke? - - Suppose you're dressed for walking, - And the rain comes pouring down, - Will it clear off any sooner - Because you scold and frown? - And wouldn't it be nicer - For you to smile than pout, - And so make sunshine in the house - When there is none without? - - Suppose your task, my little man, - Is very hard to get, - Will it make it any easier - For you to sit and fret? - And wouldn't it be wiser - Than waiting, like a dunce, - To go to work in earnest - And learn the thing at once? - - Suppose that some boys have a horse, - And some a coach and pair, - Will it tire you less while walking - To say, "It is n't fair?" - And would n't it be nobler - To keep your temper sweet, - And in your heart be thankful - You can walk upon your feet? - - And suppose the world don't please you, - Nor the way some people do, - Do you think the whole creation - Will be altered just for you? - And isn't it, my boy or girl, - The wisest, bravest plan, - Whatever comes, or does n't come, - To do the best you can? - -PHOEBE CARY - - * * * * * - - - - -TWINKLE, TWINKLE - - Twinkle, twinkle, little star; - How I wonder what you are! - Up above the world so high, - Like a diamond in the sky. - - When the glorious sun is set, - When the grass with dew is wet, - Then you show your little light, - Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. - - When the blazing sun is gone, - When he nothing shines upon, - Then you show your little light, - Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. - - In the dark-blue sky you keep, - And often through my curtains peep; - For you never shut your eye - Till the sun is in the sky. - - As your bright and tiny spark - Lights the traveler in the dark, - Though I know not what you are, - Twinkle, twinkle, little star! - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -PRETTY COW - - Thank you, pretty cow, that made - Pleasant milk to soak my bread, - Every day and every night, - Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white - - Do not chew the hemlock rank, - Growing on the weedy bank; - But the yellow cowslips eat, - That will make it very sweet. - - Where the purple violet grows, - Where the bubbling water flows, - Where the grass is fresh and fine, - Pretty cow, go there and dine. - -JANE TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE LITTLE KITTENS - -(A CAT'S TALE, WITH ADDITIONS) - - Three little kittens lost their mittens; - And they began to cry, - O mother dear, - We very much fear - That we have lost our mittens. - - Lost your mittens! - You naughty kittens! - Then you shall have no pie. - Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow. - No, you shall have no pie. - Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow. - - The three little kittens found their mittens, - And they began to cry, - O mother dear, - See here, see here; - See, we have found our mittens. - - Put on your mittens, - You silly kittens, - And you may have some pie. - Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r, - O let us have the pie. - Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r. - - The three little kittens put on their mittens, - And soon ate up the pie; - O mother dear, - We greatly fear - That we have soiled our mittens. - - Soiled your mittens! - You naughty kittens! - Then they began to sigh, - Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, - Then they began to sigh. - Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow. - - The three little kittens washed their mittens, - And hung them out to dry; - O mother dear, - Do not you hear, - That we have washed our mittens? - - Washed your mittens! - O, you're good kittens. - But I smell a rat close by; - Hush! hush! mee-ow, mee-ow. - We smell a rat close by, - Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow. - -ELIZA LEE FOLLEN - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE - - When I was sick and lay a-bed, - I had two pillows at my head, - And all my toys beside me lay - To keep me happy all the day. - - And sometimes for an hour or so - I watched my leaden soldiers go, - With different uniforms and drills, - Among the bed-clothes, through the hills; - - And sometimes sent my ships in fleets - All up and down among the sheets; - Or brought my trees and houses out, - And planted cities all about. - - I was the giant great and still - That sits upon the pillow-hill, - And sees before him, dale and plain, - The pleasant land of counterpane. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL - - There was a little girl, - And she had a little curl - Right in the middle of her forehead. - When she was good - She was very, very good, - And when she was bad she was horrid. - - One day she went upstairs, - When her parents, unawares, - In the kitchen were occupied with meals, - And she stood upon her head - In her little trundle-bed, - And then began hooraying with her heels. - - Her mother heard the noise, - And she thought it was the boys - A-playing at a combat in the attic; - But when she climbed the stair, - And found Jemima there, - She took and she did spank her most emphatic. - -HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BOY WHO NEVER TOLD A LIE - - Once there was a little boy, - With curly hair and pleasant eye-- - A boy who always told the truth, - And never, never told a lie. - - And when he trotted off to school, - The children all about would cry, - "There goes the curly-headed boy-- - The boy that never tells a lie." - - And everybody loved him so, - Because he always told the truth, - That every day, as he grew up, - 'Twas said, "There goes the honest youth." - - And when the people that stood near - Would turn to ask the reason why, - The answer would be always this: - "Because he never tells a lie." - - * * * * * - - - - -FOREIGN CHILDREN - - Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, - Little frosty Eskimo, - Little Turk or Japanee, - O! don't you wish that you were me? - - You have seen the scarlet trees - And the lions over seas; - You have eaten ostrich eggs, - And turned the turtles off their legs. - - Such a life is very fine, - But it's not so nice as mine: - You must often, as you trod, - Have wearied _not_ to be abroad. - - You have curious things to eat, - I am fed on proper meat; - You must dwell beyond the foam, - But I am safe and live at home. - Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, - Little frosty Eskimo, - Little Turk or Japanee, - O! don't you wish that you were me? - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -THE UNSEEN PLAYMATE - - When children are playing alone on the green, - In comes the playmate that never was seen. - When children are happy and lonely and good, - The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood. - - Nobody heard him and nobody saw, - His is a picture you never could draw, - But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home, - When children are happy, and playing alone. - - He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass, - He sings when you tinkle the musical glass; - Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why, - The Friend of the Children is sure to be by! - - He loves to be little, he hates to be big, - 'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig; - 'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tin - That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win. - - 'Tis he when at night; you go off to your bed, - Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head; - For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf, - 'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself! - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -I SAW THREE SHIPS - - I saw three ships come sailing in, - On Christmas day, on Christmas day; - I saw three ships come sailing in, - On Christmas day in the morning. - - Pray whither sailed those ships all three - On Christmas day, on Christmas day? - Pray whither sailed those ships all three - On Christmas day in the morning? - - Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem - On Christmas day, on Christmas day; - Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem - On Christmas day in the morning. - - And all the bells on earth shall ring - On Christmas day, on Christmas day; - And all the bells on earth shall ring - On Christmas day in the morning. - - And all the angels in heaven shall sing - On Christmas day, on Christmas day; - And all the angels in heaven shall sing - On Christmas day in the morning. - - And all the souls on earth shall sing - On Christmas day, on Christmas day; - And all the souls on earth shall sing - On Christmas day in the morning. - -OLD CAROL - - * * * * * - - - - -A WAS AN ANT - - A was an ant - Who seldom stood still, - And who made a nice house - In the side of a hill. - a - Nice little ant! - - B was a book - With a binding of blue, - And pictures and stories - For me and for you. - b - Nice little book! - - C was a cat - Who ran after a rat; - But his courage did fail - When she seized on his tail. - c - Crafty old cat! - - D was a duck - With spots on his back, - Who lived in the water, - And always said "Quack!" - d - Dear little duck! - - E was an elephant, - Stately and wise: - He had tusks and a trunk, - And two queer little eyes, - e - Oh, what funny small eyes! - - F was a fish - Who was caught in a net; - But he got out again, - And is quite alive yet. - f - Lively young fish! - - G was a goat - Who was spotted with brown: - When he did not lie still - He walked up and down. - g - Good little goat! - - H was a hat - Which was all on one side; - Its crown was too high, - And its brim was too wide. - h - Oh, what a hat! - - I was some ice - So white and so nice, - But which nobody tasted; - And so it was wasted. - i - All that good ice! - - J was a jackdaw - Who hopped up and dowa - In the principal street - Of a neighboring town. - j - All through the town! - - K was a kite - Which flew out of sight, - Above houses so high, - Quite into the sky. - k - Fly away, kite! - - L was a light - Which burned all the night, - And lighted the gloom - Of a very dark room. - l - Useful nice light! - - M was a mill - Which stood on a hill, - And turned round and round - With a loud hummy sound. - m - Useful old mill! - - N was a net - Which was thrown in the sea - To catch fish for dinner - For you and for me. - n - Nice little net! - - O was an orange - So yellow and round: - When it fell off the tree, - It fell down to the ground; - o - Down to the ground! - - P was a pig, - Who was not very big; - But his tail was too curly, - And that made him surly. - p - Cross little pig! - - Q was a quail - With a very short tail; - And he fed upon corn - In the evening and morn. - q - Quaint little quail! - - R was a rabbit, - Who had a bad habit - Of eating the flowers - In gardens and bowers. - r - Naughty fat rabbit! - - S was the sugar-tongs, - Nippity-nee, - To take up the sugar - To put in our tea. - s - Nippity-nee! - - T was a tortoise, - All yellow and black: - He walked slowly away, - And he never came back. - t - Torty never came back! - - U was an urn - All polished and bright, - And full of hot water - At noon and at night. - u - Useful old urn! - - V was a villa - Which stood on a hill, - By the side of a river, - And close to a mill. - v - Nice little villa! - - W was a whale - With a very long tail, - Whose movements were frantic - Across the Atlantic. - w - Monstrous old whale! - - X was King Xerxes, - Who, more than all Turks is, - Renowned for his fashion - Of fury and passion. - x - Angry old Xerxes! - - Y was a yew, - Which flourished and grew - By a quiet abode - Near the side of a road. - y - Dark little yew! - - Z was some zinc, - So shiny and bright, - Which caused you to wink - In the sun's merry light. - z - Beautiful zinc! - -EDWARD LEAR - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR - -I - - Said the Table to the Chair, - "You can hardly be aware - How I suffer from the heat - And from chilblains on my feet. - - If we took a little walk, - We might have a little talk; - Pray let us take the air," - Said the Table to the Chair. - - -II - - Said the Chair unto the Table, - "Now, you _know_ we are not able: - How foolishly you talk, - When you know we _cannot_ walk!" - Said the Table with a sigh, - "It can do no harm to try. - I've as many legs as you: - Why can't we walk on two?" - - -III - - So they both went slowly down, - And walked about the town - With a cheerful bumpy sound - As they toddled round and round; - And everybody cried, - As they hastened to their side, - "See! the Table and the Chair - Have come out to take the air!" - - -IV - - But in going down an alley, - To a castle in a valley, - They completely lost their way, - And wandered all the day; - Till, to see them safely back, - They paid a Ducky-quack, - And a Beetle, and a Mouse, - Who took them to their house. - - -V - - Then they whispered to each other, - "O delightful little brother, - What a lovely walk we've taken! - Let us dine on beans and bacon." - So the Ducky and the leetle - Browny-Mousy and the Beetle - Dined, and danced upon their heads - Till they toddled to their beds. - -EDWARD LEAR - - * * * * * - - - - -PRECOCIOUS PIGGY - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "I'm leaving my Mother, I'm growing so big!" - So big, young pig, - So young, so big! - What, leaving your Mother, you foolish young pig? - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig!" - To dig, little pig! - A little pig dig! - Well, I never saw a pig with a spade that could dig! - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "Why, I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig!" - In a gig, little pig! - What, a pig in a gig! - Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig! - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "Well, I'm going to the Queen's Head to have a nice swig!" - A swig, little pig! - A pig have a swig! - What, a pig at the Queen's Head having a swig! - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "Why, I'm going to the Ball to dance a fine jig!" - A jig, little pig! - A pig dance a jig! - Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig! - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "I'm going to the fair to run a fine rig!" - A rig, little pig! - A pig run a rig! - Well, I never before saw a pig run a rig! - - Where are you going to, you little pig? - "I'm going to the Barber's to buy me a wig!" - A wig, little pig! - A pig in a wig! - Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig! - - . . . . . . . . . . - -THOMAS HOOD - - * * * * * - - - - -A BOY'S SONG - - Where the pools are bright and deep, - Where the gray trout lies asleep, - Up the river and o'er the lea, - That's the way for Billy and me. - - Where the blackbird sings the latest, - Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest, - Where the nestlings chirp and flee, - That's the way for Billy and me. - - Where the mowers mow the cleanest, - Where the hay lies thick and greenest, - There to trace the homeward bee, - That's the way for Billy and me. - - Where the hazel bank is steepest, - Where the shadow falls the deepest, - Where the clustering nuts fall free, - That's the way for Billy and me. - - Why the boys should drive away - Little sweet maidens from the play, - Or love to banter and fight so well, - That's the thing I never could tell. - - But this I know, I love to play, - Through the meadow, among the hay; - Up the water and o'er the lea, - That's the way for Billy and me. - -JAMES HOGG - - * * * * * - - - - -BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES - - Buttercups and daisies, - Oh, the pretty flowers; - Coming ere the spring time, - To tell of sunny hours. - While the trees are leafless, - While the fields are bare, - Buttercups and daisies - Spring up here and there. - - Ere the snowdrop peepeth, - Ere the crocus bold, - Ere the early primrose - Opes its paly gold, - Somewhere on the sunny bank - Buttercups are bright; - Somewhere 'mong the frozen grass - Peeps the daisy white. - - Little hardy flowers, - Like to children poor, - Playing in their sturdy health - By their mother's door, - Purple with the north wind, - Yet alert and bold; - Fearing not, and caring not, - Though they be a-cold! - - What to them is winter! - What are stormy showers! - Buttercups and daisies - Are these human flowers! - He who gave them hardships - And a life of care, - Gave them likewise hardy strength - And patient hearts to bear. - -MARY HOWITT - - * * * * * - - - - -THE VIOLET - - Down in a green and shady bed - A modest violet grew; - Its stalk was bent, it hung its head, - As if to hide from view. - - And yet it was a lovely flower, - Its color bright and fair; - It might have graced a rosy bower - Instead of hiding there. - - Yet there it was content to bloom, - In modest tints arrayed; - And there diffused its sweet perfume - Within the silent shade. - - Then let me to the valley go, - This pretty flower to see, - That I may also learn to grow - In sweet humility. - -JANE TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - - - -IF EVER I SEE - - If ever I see, - On bush or tree, - Young birds in their pretty nest, - I must not in play, - Steal the birds away, - To grieve their mother's breast. - - My mother, I know, - Would sorrow so, - Should I be stolen away; - So I'll speak to the birds - In my softest words, - Nor hurt them in my play. - - And when they can fly - In the bright blue sky, - They'll warble a song to me; - And then if I'm sad - It will make me glad - To think they are happy and free. - -LYDIA MARIA CHILD - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LITTLE LAND - - When at home alone I sit - And am very tired of it, - I have just to shut my eyes - To go sailing through the skies-- - - To go sailing far away - To the pleasant Land of Play; - To the fairy land afar - Where the Little People are; - Where the clover-tops are trees, - And the rain-pools are the seas, - And the leaves like little ships - Sail about on tiny trips; - And above the daisy tree - Through the grasses, - High o'erhead the Bumble Bee - Hums and passes. - In that forest to and fro - I can wander, I can go; - See the spider and the fly, - And the ants go marching by - Carrying parcels with their feet - Down the green and grassy street - I can in the sorrel sit - Where the ladybird alit. - I can climb the jointed grass; - And on high - See the greater swallows pass - In the sky, - And the round sun rolling by - Heeding no such thing as I. - - Through the forest I can pass - Till, as in a looking-glass, - Humming fly and daisy tree - And my tiny self I see, - Painted very clear and neat - On the rain-pool at my feet. - Should a leaflet come to land - Drifting near to where I stand, - Straight I'll board that tiny boat - Round the rain-pool sea to float. - - Little thoughtful creatures sit - On the grassy coasts of it; - Little things with lovely eyes - See me sailing with surprise. - Some are clad in armor green-- - (These have sure to battle been!) - Some are pied with ev'ry hue, - Black and crimson, gold and blue; - Some have wings and swift are gone;-- - But they all look kindly on. - - When my eyes I once again - Open and see all things plain; - High bare walls, great bare floor; - Great big knobs on drawer and door; - Great big people perched on chairs, - Stitching tucks and mending tears, - Each a hill that I could climb, - And talking nonsense all the time-- - O dear me, - That I could be - A sailor on the rain-pool sea, - A climber in the clover-tree, - And just come back, a sleepy-head, - Late at night to go to bed. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -A LOBSTER QUADRILLE - - "Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail, - "There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. - See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! - They are waiting on the shingle--will you come and join the dance? - Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? - Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance? - - "You can really have no notion how delightful it will be - When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!" - But the snail replied, "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance-- - Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. - Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance, - Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance. - - "What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied, - "There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. - The further off from England the nearer is to France-- - Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance. - Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? - Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?" - -LEWIS CARROLL - - * * * * * - - - - -WHERE GO THE BOATS? - - Dark brown is the river, - Golden is the sand. - It flows along forever - With trees on either hand. - - Green leaves a-floating, - Castles of the foam, - Boats of mine a-boating-- - Where will all come home? - - On goes the river - And out past the mill, - Away down the valley, - Away down the hill. - - Away down the river, - A hundred miles or more, - Other little children - Shall bring my boats ashore. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WIND AND THE MOON - - Said the Wind to the Moon, "I will blow you out; - You stare - In the air - Like a ghost in a chair, - Always looking what I am about-- - I hate to be watched; I'll blow you out." - - The Wind blew hard, and out went the Moon. - So, deep - On a heap - Of clouds to sleep, - Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon, - Muttering low, "I've done for that Moon." - - He turned in his bed; she was there again! - On high - In the sky, - With her one ghost eye, - The Moon shone white and alive and plain. - Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again." - - The Wind blew hard, and the Moon grew dim. - "With my sledge, - And my wedge, - I have knocked off her edge! - If only I blow right fierce and grim, - The creature will soon be dimmer than dim." - - He blew and he blew, and she thinned to a thread, - "One puff - More's enough - To blow her to snuff! - One good puff more where the last was bred, - And glimmer, glimmer, glum will go the thread." - - He blew a great blast, and the thread was gone. - In the air - Nowhere - Was a moonbeam bare; - Far off and harmless the shy stars shone-- - Sure and certain the Moon was gone! - - The Wind he took to his revels once more; - On down, - In town, - Like a merry-mad clown, - He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar-- - "What's that?" The glimmering thread once more! - - He flew in a rage--he danced and blew; - But in vain - Was the pain - Of his bursting brain; - For still the broader the Moon-scrap grew, - The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew. - - Slowly she grew--till she filled the night, - And shone - On her throne - In the sky alone, - A matchless, wonderful silvery light, - Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night. - - Said the Wind: "What a marvel of power am I! - With my breath, - Good faith! - I blew her to death-- - First blew her away right out of the sky-- - Then blew her in; what strength have I!" - - But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair; - For high - In the sky, - With her one white eye, - Motionless, miles above the air, - She had never heard the great Wind blare. - -GEORGE MACDONALD - - * * * * * - - - - -WHERE ARE YOU GOING, MY PRETTY MAID? - - "Where are you going, my pretty maid?" - "I am going a-milking, sir," she said. - "May I go with you, my pretty maid?" - "You're kindly welcome, sir," she said. - "What is your father, my pretty maid?" - "My father's a farmer, sir," she said. - "What is your fortune, my pretty maid?" - "My face is my fortune, sir," she said. - "Then I won't marry your my pretty maid." - "Nobody asked you, sir," she said. - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LOST DOLL - - I once had a sweet little doll, dears, - The prettiest doll in the world; - Her cheeks were so red and white, dears, - And her hair was so charmingly curled. - But I lost my poor little doll, dears, - As I played on the heath one day; - And I cried for her more than a week, dears, - But I never could find where she lay. - - I found my poor little doll, dears, - As I played on the heath one day; - Folks say she is terribly changed, dears, - For her paint is all washed away, - And her arms trodden off by the cows, dears, - And her hair not the least bit curled; - Yet for old sake's sake, she is still, dears, - The prettiest doll in the world. - -CHARLES KINGSLEY - - * * * * * - - - - -FOREIGN LANDS - - Up into the cherry tree - Who should climb but little me? - I held the trunk with both my hands - And looked abroad on foreign lands. - - I saw the next-door garden lie, - Adorned with flowers, before my eye, - And many pleasant faces more - That I had never seen before. - - I saw the dimpling river pass - And be the sky's blue looking-glass; - The dusty roads go up and down - With people tramping in to town. - - If I could find a higher tree - Farther and farther I should see, - To where the grown-up river slips - Into the sea among the ships, - - To where the roads on either hand - Lead onward into fairy land, - Where all the children dine at five, - And all the playthings come alive. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -BED IN SUMMER - - In winter I get up at night - And dress by yellow candle-light. - In summer, quite the other way, - I have to go to bed by day. - - I have to go to bed and see - The birds still hopping on the tree, - Or hear the grown-up people's feet - Still going past me in the street. - - And does it not seem hard to you, - When all the sky is clear and blue, - And I should like so much to play, - To have to go to bed by day? - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -TRY AGAIN - - 'Tis a lesson you should heed, - Try, try, try again; - If at first you don't succeed, - Try, try, try again. - - Once or twice though you should fail - Try again; - If you would at last prevail, - Try again. - If we strive, 'tis no disgrace - Though we may not win the race; - What should you do in that case? - Try again. - - If you find your task is hard, - Try again; - Time will bring you your reward, - Try again. - All that other folks can do, - With your patience should not you? - Only keep this rule in view-- - Try again. - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -A GOOD PLAY - - We built a ship upon the stairs - All made of the back-bedroom chairs, - And filled it full of sofa pillows - To go a-sailing on the billows. - - We took a saw and several nails, - And water in the nursery pails; - And Tom said, "Let us also take - An apple and a slice of cake;"-- - Which was enough for Tom and me - To go a-sailing on, till tea. - - We sailed along for days and days, - And had the very best of plays; - But Tom fell out and hurt his knee, - So there was no one left but me. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING - - A fair little girl sat under a tree - Sewing as long as her eyes could see; - Then smoothed her work and folded it right, - And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!" - - Such a number of rooks came over her head, - Crying, "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed, - She said, as she watched their curious flight, - "Little black things, good night, good night!" - - The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed, - The sheep's "Bleat! bleat!" came over the road; - All seeming to say, with a quiet delight, - "Good little girl, good night, good night!" - - She did not say to the sun, "Good night!" - Though she saw him there like a ball of light; - For she knew he had God's time to keep - All over the world and never could sleep. - - The tall pink foxglove bowed his head; - The violets courtesied, and went to bed; - And good little Lucy tied up her hair, - And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer. - - And, while on her pillow she softly lay, - She knew nothing more till again it was day; - And all things said to the beautiful sun, - "Good morning, good morning! our work is begun." - -RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES -(LORD HOUGHTON) - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WIND - - I saw you toss the kites on high - And blow the birds about the sky; - And all around I heard you pass, - Like ladies' skirts across the grass-- - O wind, a-blowing all day long, - O wind, that sings so loud a song! - - I saw the different things you did, - But always you yourself you hid. - I felt you push, I heard you call, - I could not see yourself at all-- - O wind, a-blowing all day long, - O wind, that sings so loud a song! - - O you that are so strong and cold, - O blower, are you young or old? - Are you a beast of field and tree, - Or just a stronger child than me? - O wind, a-blowing all day long, - O wind, that sings so loud a song! - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SPIDER AND THE FLY - - "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly; - "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. - The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, - And I have many curious things to show when you are there." - "Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain, - For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again." - - "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high. - Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly. - "There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, - And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!" - "Oh no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said, - They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!" - - Said the cunning spider to the fly: "Dear friend, what can I do - To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you? - I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice; - I'm sure you're very welcome--will you please to take a slice?" - "Oh no, no," said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be: - I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!" - - "Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise; - How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes! - I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf; - If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself." - "I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say, - And, bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day." - - The spider turned him round about, and went into his den, - For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again: - So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly, - And set his table ready to dine upon the fly; - Then came out to his door again, and merrily did sing: - "Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing; - Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head; - Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!" - - Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly, - Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by; - With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, - Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue, - Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last - Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast; - He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den-- - Within his little parlor--but she ne'er came out again! - - And now, dear little children, who may this story read, - To idle, silly, flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed; - Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye, - And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly. - -MARY HOWITT - - * * * * * - - - - -LET DOGS DELIGHT TO BARK AND BITE - - Let dogs delight to bark and bite, - For God hath made them so; - Let bears and lions growl and fight, - For 'tis their nature to; - - But, children, you should never let - Your angry passions rise: - Your little hands were never made - To tear each other's eyes. - - Let love through all your actions run, - And all your words be mild; - Live like the blessèd Virgin's Son,-- - That sweet and lovely child. - - His soul was gentle as a lamb; - And as his stature grew, - He grew in favor both with man - And God his father, too. - - Now, Lord of all, he reigns above; - And from his heavenly throne, - He sees what children dwell in love, - And marks them for his own. - -ISAAC WATTS - - * * * * * - - - - -CHILD'S EVENING HYMN - - Now the day is over, - Night is drawing nigh, - Shadows of the evening - Steal across the sky. - - Now the darkness gathers, - Stars begin to peep, - Birds and beasts and flowers - Soon will be asleep. - - Jesu, give the weary - Calm and sweet repose; - With thy tenderest blessing - May our eyelids close. - - Grant to little children - Visions bright of thee; - Guard the sailors tossing - On the deep blue sea. - - Comfort every sufferer - Watching late in pain; - Those who plan some evil - From their sin restrain. - - Through the long night-watches - May thine angels spread - Their white wings above me, - Watching round my bed. - - When the morning wakens, - Then may I arise - Pure and fresh and sinless - In thy holy eyes. - - Glory to the Father, - Glory to the Son, - And to thee, blessed Spirit, - Whilst all ages run. AMEN. - -SABINE BARING-GOULD - - * * * * * - - - - -CHILDREN'S FAVORITE STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -HANSEL AND GRETEL - - -Many years ago, a woodcutter and his wife, with their two children, -Hansel and Gretel, lived upon the outskirts of a dense wood. They were -very poor, so that when a famine fell upon the land, and bread became -dear, they could no longer afford to buy sufficient food for the whole -family. - -One night, as the poor man lay tossing on his hard bed, he cried aloud -in his grief and anguish: - -"Alas! what will become of us? How can I feed my hungry little ones -when we have no food for ourselves?" - -"Listen to me, good-man," answered his wife, who was stepmother to the -children. "As it is no longer possible for us to keep our children, we -will take them into the wood with us tomorrow, light a fire for them, -and give each a piece of bread and leave them. They will not easily -find their way back, and so we shall be rid of the burden of them." - -But the father said: "No, no! I could not find it in my heart to -leave my darlings to perish. The wild beasts would tear them limb from -limb." - -"Then," answered the wife, "we must all four die of hunger." She gave -her husband no peace until he promised to do as she wished, and at -last, very unwillingly, he consented. - -Now, the two children had been too hungry to go to sleep that night, -and so it happened that they overheard all that their parents were -saying. Gretel wept bitterly, but brave little Hansel did his best to -comfort her. "Don't be afraid," he said; "I will take care of you." - -As soon as his father and stepmother were asleep, he slipped on his -coat, and-opening the door softly, went out into the garden. The moon -was shining brightly, and by its light he could see the little white -pebbles that lay scattered in front of the house, shining like little -pieces of silver. He stooped and filled his pockets as full as he -could, and then went back to Gretel, and once more bidding her be -comforted, for God would be sure to watch over them, he jumped into -bed, and they both fell fast asleep. - -Early in the morning, before the sun had risen, the stepmother came -and wakened the children. "Rise, little lie-a-beds," she said, "and -come with us into the wood to gather fuel." - -She gave them each a piece of bread for their dinner, and told them to -be sure not to eat it too soon, for they would get nothing more. - -Gretel carried the bread in her pinafore, because Hansel had his -pockets full, and then they all set out upon their way to the wood. - -As they trudged along, the father noticed that his little son kept -turning back to look at the house. "Take care, my boy," he said, "or -you will slip. What are you looking at so earnestly?" - -"I am watching my kitten, father: she is sitting on the roof to bid me -good-by." - -"Silly little lad, that is not your cat," said the stepmother; "it is -only the morning sun shining on the chimney." - -But Hansel had not been watching his cat at all; he had stayed behind -to drop the pebbles upon the path. - -When they reached the thickest part of the forest, the father bade the -children gather wood, that he might kindle a fire for them, so that -they might rest beside it and warm themselves whilst he and his wife -were cutting the fuel. So they gathered a pile of brushwood and twigs, -and as soon as it was well alight, the parents left them, promising to -return as soon as they had finished their work. - -Hansel and Gretel sat down by the fire, and when midday came they ate -their bread and sat listening to the strokes of their father's axe, -thinking all the time that he was near to them. But what they heard -was only a dry branch which the man had bound to a tree, so that the -wind swung it hither and thither, and the noise it made deceived the -children. At last the poor, tired, little eyelids closed, and, side by -side, brother and sister fell asleep. - -When they awoke, the night was very dark, and Gretel was frightened, -and began to cry. Hansel put his arms around her and whispered. "Wait, -dearie, till the moon rises; we shall soon find our way home then." - -As soon as the bright moon rose, Hansel took his little sister by the -hand, and all night long they followed the track of the little white -pebbles, until at daybreak they came to their father's house. - -They knocked at the door, and no sooner did the stepmother open it -than she began to scold them for having stayed out so long in the -wood; but the father greeted them kindly, for he had grieved sorely -for his little ones. - -In a short time they were as badly off as ever, and one night they -again heard their mother trying to persuade her husband to take them -out into the wood and lose them. "There is nothing left in the house -but half a loaf of bread," she said; "for our own sakes it is better -to get rid of the children; but this time we will lead them farther -away, so that they will not be able to find their way home." - -But the man would not agree. "Better to divide our last morsel with -them," he said, "and then die together." - -His wife would not listen to what he said, but scolded him for his -want of thought for her; and at last the poor man gave way a second -time, just as he had done at first. - -But the children had overheard all that was said, and as soon as the -mother and father were asleep, Hansel stole down to the door, meaning -to go and collect pebbles as he had done before; but the door was -locked and bolted, and he could not get out. "Never mind, Gretel," he -said consolingly, "the good God will surely help us." - -Early in the morning the woman wakened the children, and, giving them -a small piece of bread, bade them follow her and their father into the -wood. As they went, Hansel crumbled his morsel of bread in his pocket -and strewed the crumbs upon the path. - -"Come, Hansel," said the father, "don't loiter so, sonny. What can you -see to stare at so often?" - -"My little dove, father. It is sitting on the housetop, bidding me -good-by." - -"Nonsense," said the woman, "it is not your dove; it is only the -rising sun shining upon the chimney." - -Hansel did not answer, but he went on strewing his crumbs carefully -until the last morsel of bread was gone. - -Deeper and deeper into the wood they went, where the children had -never been before. There a great fire was kindled, and the mother -said: "Stay here, children, whilst your father and I go to cut wood. -If you are tired you may sleep a while, and we will fetch you when it -is time to go home." - -When dinner-time came, Gretel divided her piece of bread with Hansel, -because he had scattered all his share upon the road; and then they -went to sleep. The evening shadows fell, but still no one came to -fetch the poor children, and it was not until midnight that they -awakened. - -Hansel put his arms round his sister and told her not to fear, for -when the moon rose they would easily be able to see the crumbs, and so -find their way home again. - -So when the moon rose they set out upon their way; but alas! there -were no crumbs to be seen, for the little birds that lived in the -green wood were as hungry as the children, and had eaten them all up. - -"We will find the way somehow," cried cheerful little Hansel; but -though they traveled all night long, and the next day too, they could -not find it. Poor little mites, how tired and hungry they were, for -they had nothing to eat but the berries that grew by the roadside! - -When at length the weary little feet could go no farther, the children -lay down beneath a tree and slept. - -On the third day they were still as far away as ever, and it seemed -to them that the longer they walked the deeper they got into the wood, -and they began to be afraid that they would die of cold and hunger. - -But presently, when the midday sun was shining brightly, they noticed -a little snow-white bird singing so sweetly that they could not help -but stay to listen. When the birdie's song was ended, he spread his -wings and flew away. - -The children followed him until they reached a little house, on the -roof of which he perched. Then the children saw with surprise that the -strange little house was built entirely of bread, roofed with cakes, -and with windows of barley sugar. - -"See, Gretel," cried Hansel joyfully, "there is food for us in -plenty. I will take a piece of the roof, and you shall have one of the -windows." - -He stretched out his hand to help himself, and Gretel had already -begun to nibble one of the window-panes, when suddenly they heard a -voice call from within:-- - - "Nibbly, nibbly, mouse! - Who's nibbling at my house?" - -The children answered quickly:-- - - "'Tis my Lady Wind that blows, - As round about the house she goes." - -And then they went on eating as though nothing had happened for the -cake of which the roof was made just suited Hansel's taste, whilst the -barley-sugar window-panes were better than any sweetmeat Gretel had -ever tasted before. - -All at once the door of the cottage flew wide open, and out came an -old, old woman, leaning upon a crutch. The children were so frightened -that they dropped their food and clung to each other. - -The old woman nodded her head to them, and said: "Who brought you -here, my pets? Come inside, come inside; no one will hurt you." - -She took their hands and led them into the house, and set before them -all kinds of delicious foods, milk, sugared pancakes, apples, and -nuts. When they had finished their meal she showed them two cosy -little white beds, and as Hansel and Gretel lay snugly tucked up in -them, they thought to themselves that surely they had now found the -most delightful place in the whole wide world. - -But the old woman had only pretended to be friendly and kind, for she -was really a wicked old witch, who was always lying in wait to catch -little children, indeed, she had built the little house of bread and -cakes especially to entice them in. Whenever anyone came into her -power, she cooked and ate him, and thought what a fine feast she had -had. - -Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have keen scent, -like animals, and can tell at once when a human being is near to them. - -As soon as Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood she laughed to -herself and said mockingly: "Ha, ha! they are mine already; they will -not easily escape me." - -Early in the morning, before the children were awake, she stood beside -them and admired their rosy cheeks and soft round limbs. - -"What nice tit-bits for me," murmured she. Then, seizing Hansel by the -hand, she led him to a little stable, and, in spite of his cries and -screams, shut him up and left him. Then she shook Gretel until she -was awake, and bade her get up at once and carry food and drink to her -brother, and it must be of the best too, for she wished to fatten him. - -"When he is nice and plump, I shall eat him," said the cruel old -witch. Gretel wept bitterly, but it was quite in vain, for she was -obliged to do the witch's bidding; and every day she cooked the -choicest food for her brother, while she herself lived upon nothing -but oyster-shells. - -Day by day the old woman visited the stable and called to Hansel to -put his finger through the window bars, that she might see if he were -getting fat; but the little fellow held out a bone instead, and as her -eyes were dim with age, she mistook the bone for the boy's finger, -and thought how thin and lean he was. When a whole month had passed -without Hansel becoming the least bit fatter, the old witch lost -patience and declared she would wait no longer. "Hurry, Gretel," she -said to the little girl, "fill the pot with water, for to-morrow, be -he lean or fat, Hansel shall be cooked for my dinner." - -The tears chased each other down Gretel's cheeks as she carried in the -water, and she sobbed aloud in her grief. "Dear God," she cried, "we -have no one to help us but Thou. Alas! if only the wild beasts in the -wood had devoured us, at least we should have died together." - -"Cease your chattering," cried the old witch angrily. "It will not -help you, so you may as well be still." - -The next morning poor Gretel was forced to light the fire and hang the -great pot of water over it, and then the witch said: "First we will -bake. I have kneaded the dough, and heated the oven; you shall creep -inside it to see if it is hot enough to bake the bread." - -But Gretel guessed that the old witch meant to shut the door upon her -and roast her, so she pretended that she did not know how to get in. - -"Silly goose," said the witch. "The door is wide enough, to be sure. -Why, even I could get inside it." As she spoke, she popped her head -into the oven. In a moment Gretel sprang towards her, pushed her -inside, shut the iron door, and shot the bolt. Oh! how she squealed -and shrieked, but Gretel ran off as fast as she could, and so there -was an end of the cruel old witch. - -Quick as thought, Gretel ran to her brother. "We are saved, Hansel," -she cried, opening the door of the stable, "the wicked old witch is -dead." - -Hansel flew from his prison as a bird from its cage, and the two happy -little children kissed each other and jumped for joy. No longer afraid -of the old witch, they entered the house, hand in hand, and then -they saw that in every corner of the room were boxes of pearls and -diamonds, and all kinds of precious gems. - -"Ah!" said Hansel merrily, "these are better than pebbles, Gretel," -and he stuffed his pockets with the jewels, whilst Gretel filled her -pinafore. "Now," said Hansel, "we will leave the witch's wood behind -us as fast as we can." - -So off they ran, and never stopped until they came to a lake, upon -which swam a large white duck. - -"How can we cross," said Hansel, "for there is no bridge anywhere?" - -"And no ship either," Gretel answered; "but we will ask the pretty -white duck to carry us over." So they cried aloud:-- - - "Little duck, little duck, - With wings so white, - Carry us over - The waters bright." - -The duck came at once, and, taking Hansel upon her back, carried him -over to the other side, and then did the same for Gretel. They went -merrily on their way, and very soon they found themselves in a part of -the wood they knew quite well. - -When they saw the roof of their father's house in the distance they -began to run, and, breathless with haste, half laughing and half -crying, they rushed into the cottage and flung themselves into their -father's arms. - -Oh! how pleased he was to see them once again, for he had not known a -happy hour since he had left them alone in the wood. Gretel shook out -her pinafore, and Hansel emptied his pockets, and the floor of the -little room was quite covered with glittering precious stones. - -So now their troubles were at an end, for the cruel stepmother was -dead, and Hansel and Gretel and their father lived together happily -ever after. - -My story is ended, and see, there runs a little mouse, and the first -who catches him shall have a fur cap made from his skin. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FAIR CATHERINE AND PIF-PAF POLTRIE - - -"Good day, Father Hollenthe. How do you do?" "Very well, I thank you, -Pif-paf Poltrie." "May I marry your daughter?" "Oh, yes! if the mother -Malcho (_Milk-Cow_), the brother Hohenstolz (_High and Mighty_), the -sister Kâsetraut (_Cheese-maker_), and the fair Catherine are willing, -it may be so." - -"Where is, then, the mother Malcho?" - -"In the stable, milking the cow." - -"Good day, mother Malcho. How do you do?" "Very well, I thank you, -Pif-paf Poltrie." "May I marry your daughter?" "Oh, yes! if the father -Hollenthe, the brother Hohenstolz, the sister Kâsetraut, and the fair -Catherine are willing, it may be so." - -"Where is, then, the brother Hohenstolz?" - -"In the yard, chopping up the wood." - -"Good day, brother Hohenstolz. How are you?" "Very well, I thank you, -Pif-paf Poltrie." "May I marry your sister?" "Oh, yes! if the father -Hollenthe, the mother Malcho, the sister Kâsetraut, and the fair -Catherine are willing, it may be so. - -"Where is, then, the sister Kâsetraut?" - -"In the garden, cutting the cabbages." - -"Good day, sister Kâsetraut. How do you do?" "Very well, I thank you, -Pif-paf Poltrie." "May I marry your sister?" "Oh, yes! if the father -Hollenthe, the mother Malcho, the brother Hohenstolz, and the fair -Catherine are willing, it may be so." - -"Where is, then, the fair Catherine?" - -"In her chamber, counting out her pennies." - -"Good day, fair Catherine. How do you do?" "Very well, I thank you, -Pif-paf Poltrie." "Will you be my bride?" "Oh, yes! if the father -Hollenthe, the mother Malcho, the brother Hohenstolz, and the sister -Kâsetraut are willing, so am I." - -"How much money have you, fair Catherine?" - -"Fourteen pennies in bare money, two and a half farthings owing to me, -half a pound of dried apples, a handful of prunes, and a handful of -roots; and don't you call that a capital dowry? Pif-paf Poltrie, what -trade are you? Are you a tailor?" - -"Better than that." - -"A shoemaker?" - -"Better still!" - -"A plowman?" - -"Better still!" - -"A joiner?" - -"Better still!" - -"A smith?" - -"Better still!" - -"A miller?" - -"Better still!" - -"Perhaps a broom-binder?" - -"Yes, so I am; now, is not that a pretty trade?" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WOLF AND THE FOX - - -A wolf, once upon a time, caught a fox. It happened one day that -they were both going through the forest, and the wolf said to his -companion: "Get me some food, or I will eat you up." - -The fox replied: "I know a farmyard where there are a couple of young -lambs, which, if you wish, we will fetch." - -This proposal pleased the wolf, so they went, and the fox, stealing -first one of the lambs, brought it to the wolf, and then ran away. The -wolf devoured it quickly, but was not contented, and went to fetch the -other lamb by himself, but he did it so awkwardly that he aroused the -attention of the mother, who began to cry and bleat loudly, so that -the peasants ran up. There they found the wolf, and beat him so -unmercifully that he ran, howling and limping, to the fox, and said: -"You have led me to a nice place, for, when I went to fetch the other -lamb, the peasants came and beat me terribly!" - -"Why are you such a glutton, then?" asked the fox. - -The next day they went again into the fields, and the covetous wolf -said to the fox: "Get me something to eat now, or I will devour you!" - -The fox said he knew a country house where the cook was going that -evening to make some pancakes, and thither they went. When they -arrived, the fox sneaked and crept around round the house, until he at -last discovered where the dish was standing, out of which he stole six -pancakes, and took them to the wolf, saying, "There is something for -you to eat!" and then ran away. The wolf dispatched these in a minute -or two, and, wishing to taste some more, he went and seized the dish, -but took it away so hurriedly that it broke in pieces. The noise of -its fall brought out the woman, who, as soon as she saw the wolf, -called her people, who, hastening up, beat him with such a good will -that he ran home to the fox, howling, with two lame legs! "What a -horrid place you have drawn me into now," cried he; "the peasants have -caught me, and dressed my skin finely!" - -"Why, then, are you such a glutton?" said the fox. - -When they went out again the third day, the wolf limping along with -weariness, he said to the fox: "Get me something to eat now, or I will -devour you!" - -The fox said he knew a man who had just killed a pig, and salted the -meat down in a cask in his cellar, and that they could get at it. The -wolf replied that he would go with him on condition that he helped him -if he could not escape. "Oh, of course I will, on mine own account!" -said the fox, and showed him the tricks and ways by which they could -get into the cellar. When they went in there was meat in abundance, -and the wolf was enraptured at the sight. The fox, too, had a taste, -but kept looking round while eating, and ran frequently to the hole -by which they had entered, to see if his body would slip through it -easily. Presently the wolf asked: "Why are you running about so, -you fox, jumping in and out?" "I want to see if any one is coming," -replied the fox cunningly; "but mind you do not eat too much!" - -The wolf said he would not leave till the cask was quite empty; -and meanwhile the peasant, who had heard the noise made by the fox, -entered the cellar. The fox, as soon as he saw him, made a spring, -and was through the hole in a jiffy; and the wolf tried to follow his -example, but he had eaten so much that his body was too big for the -opening, and he stuck fast. Then came the peasant with a cudgel, and -beat him sorely; but the fox leaped away into the forest, very glad to -get rid of the old glutton. - - * * * * * - - - - -DISCREET HANS - - -Hans's mother asked: "Whither are you going, Hans?" "To Grethel's," -replied he. "Behave well, Hans." "I will take care; good-by, mother." -"Good-by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day," said he. "Good day," replied -Grethel, "what treasure do you bring to-day?" "I bring nothing. -Have you anything to give?" Grethel presented Hans with a needle. -"Good-by," said he. "Good-by, Hans." Hans took the needle, stuck it in -a load of hay, and walked home behind the wagon. - -"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" "To -Grethel's." "And what have you given her?" "Nothing; she has given me -something." "What has Grethel given you?" "A needle," said Hans. "And -where have you put it?" "In the load of hay." "Then you have behaved -stupidly, Hans; you should put needles on your coat-sleeve." "To -behave better, do nothing at all," thought Hans. - -"Whither are you going, Hans?" "To Grethel's, mother." "Behave well, -Hans." "I will take care; good-by, mother." "Good-by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day," said he. "Good day, Hans. What -treasure do you bring?" "I bring nothing. Have you anything to give?" -Grethel gave Hans a knife. "Good-by, Grethel." "Good-by, Hans." Hans -took the knife, put it in his sleeve, and went home. - -"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" "To -Grethel's." "And what did you take to her?" "I took nothing; she has -given to me." "And what did she give you?" "A knife," said Hans. -"And where have you put it?" "In my sleeve." "Then you have behaved -foolishly again, Hans; you should put knives in your pocket." "To -behave better, do nothing at all," thought Hans. - -"Whither are you going, Hans?" "To Grethel's, mother." "Behave well, -Hans." "I will take care; good-by, mother." "Good-by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What -treasure do you bring?" "I bring nothing. Have you anything to give?" -Grethel gave Hans a young goat. "Good-by, Grethel." "Good-by, Hans." -Hans took the goat, tied its legs, and put it in his pocket. - -Just as he reached home it was suffocated. "Good evening, mother." -"Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" "To Grethel's." "And what -did you take to her?" "I took nothing; she gave to me." "And what -did Grethel give you?" "A goat." "Where did you put it, Hans?" "In -my pocket." "There you acted stupidly, Hans; you should have tied the -goat with a rope." "To behave better, do nothing," thought Hans. - -"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel's, mother." "Behave well, Hans." -"I'll take care; good-by, mother." "Good-by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day," said he. "Good day, Hans. What -treasure do you bring?" "I bring nothing. Have you anything to give?" -Grethel gave Hans a piece of bacon. "Good-by, Grethel." "Good-by, -Hans." Hans took the bacon, tied it with a rope, and swung it to and -fro so that the dogs came and ate it up. When he reached home he held -the rope in his hand, but there was nothing on it. - -"Good evening, mother," said he. "Good evening, Hans. Where have you -been?" "To Grethel's, mother." "What did you take there?" "I took -nothing; she gave to me." "And what did Grethel give you?" "A piece -of bacon," said Hans. "And where have you put it?" "I tied it with -a rope, swung it about, and the dogs came and ate it up." "There you -acted stupidly, Hans; you should have carried the bacon on your head." -"To behave better, do nothing," thought Hans. - -"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel's, mother." "Behave well, Hans." -"I'll take care; good-by, mother." "Good-by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day," said he. "Good day, Hans. What -treasure do you bring?" "I bring nothing. Have you anything to give?" -Grethel gave Hans a calf. "Good-by," said Hans. "Good-by." Hans took -the calf, set it on his head, and the calf scratched his face. - -"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" "To -Grethel's." "What did you take her?" "I took nothing; she gave to me." -"And what did Grethel give you?" "A calf," said Hans. "And what did -you do with it?" "I set it on my head, and it kicked my face." "Then -you acted stupidly, Hans; you should have led the calf home, and put -it in the stall." "To behave better, do nothing," thought Hans. - -"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel's, mother." "Behave well, Hans." -"I'll take care; good-by, mother." "Good by, Hans." - -Hans came to Grethel. "Good day," said he. "Good day, Hans. What -treasure do you bring?" "I bring nothing. Have you anything to give?" -Grethel said: "I will go with you, Hans." Hans tied a rope round -Grethel, led her home, put her in the stall, and made the rope fast; -and then he went to his mother. - -"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" -"To Grethel's." "What did you take her?" "I took nothing." "What did -Grethel give you?" "She gave nothing; she came with me." "And where -have you left her, then?" "I tied her with a rope, put her in the -stall, and threw in some grass." "Then you acted stupidly, Hans; you -should have looked at her with friendly eyes." "To behave better, -do nothing," thought Hans; and then he went into the stall, and made -sheep's eyes at Grethel. - -And after that Grethel became Hans's wife. - - * * * * * - - - - -PUSS IN BOOTS - - -Once upon a time there was a miller, who was so poor that at his death -he had nothing to leave to his three children but his mill, his ass, -and his cat. The eldest son took the mill, and the second the ass, so -there was nothing left for poor Jack but to take Puss. - -Jack could not help thinking that he had been treated shabbily. "My -brothers will be able to earn an honest livelihood," he sighed, "but -as for me, though Puss may feed himself by catching mice, I shall -certainly die of hunger." - -The cat, who had overheard his young master, jumped upon his shoulder, -and, rubbing himself gently against his cheek, began to speak. "Dear -master," said he, "do not grieve. I am not as useless as you think me, -and will undertake to make your fortune for you, if only you will buy -me a pair of boots, and give me that old bag." - -Now, Jack had very little money to spare, but, knowing Puss to be a -faithful old friend, he made up his mind to trust him, and so spent -all he possessed upon a smart pair of boots made of buff-colored -leather. They fitted perfectly, so Puss put them on, took the old bag -which his master gave him, and trotted off to a neighboring warren in -which he knew there was a great number of rabbits. - -Having put some bran and fresh parsley into the bag, he laid it upon -the ground, hid himself, and waited. Presently two foolish little -rabbits, sniffing the food, ran straight into the bag, when the clever -cat drew the strings and caught them. - -Then, slinging the bag over his shoulder, he hastened off to the -palace, where he asked to speak to the King. Having been shown into -the royal presence, he bowed and said: - -"Sire, my Lord the Marquis of Carabas has commanded me to present -these rabbits to your Majesty, with his respects." - -The monarch having desired his thanks to be given to the Marquis (who, -as you will guess, was really our poor Jack), then ordered his head -cook to dress the rabbits for dinner, and he and his daughter partook -of them with great enjoyment. - -Day by day Puss brought home stores of good food, so that he and his -master lived in plenty, and besides that, he did not fail to keep the -King and his courtiers well supplied with game. - -Sometimes he would lay a brace of partridges at the royal feet, -sometimes a fine large hare, but whatever it was, it always came -with the same message: "From my Lord the Marquis of Carabas"; so that -everyone at Court was talking of this strange nobleman, whom no one -had ever seen, but who sent such generous presents to his Majesty. - -At length Puss decided that it was time for his master to be -introduced at Court. So one day he persuaded him to go and bathe in a -river near, having heard that the King would soon pass that way. - -Jack stood shivering up to his neck in water, wondering what was to -happen next, when suddenly the King's carriage appeared in sight. At -once Puss began to call out as loudly as he could: - -"Help, help! My Lord the Marquis of Carabas is drowning!" - -The King put his head out of the carriage window and, recognizing the -cat, ordered his attendants to go to the assistance of the Marquis. -While Jack was being taken out of the water, Puss ran to the King -and told him that some robbers had run off with his master's clothes -whilst he was bathing, the truth of the matter being that the cunning -cat had hidden them under a stone. - -On hearing this story the King instantly despatched one of his grooms -to fetch a handsome suit of purple and gold from the royal wardrobe, -and arrayed in this, Jack, who was a fine, handsome fellow, looked -so well that no one for a moment supposed but that he was some noble -foreign lord. - -The King and his daughter were so pleased with his appearance that -they invited him into their carriage. At first Jack hesitated, for he -felt a little shy about sitting next to a Princess, but she smiled at -him so sweetly, and was so kind and gentle, that he soon forgot his -fears and fell in love with her there and then. - -As soon as Puss had seen his master seated in the royal carriage, he -whispered directions to the coachman, and then ran on ahead as fast -as he could trot, until he came to a field of corn, where the reapers -were busy. - -"Reapers," said he fiercely, "the King will shortly pass this way. If -he should ask you to whom this field belongs, remember that you say, -'To the Marquis of Carabas.' If you dare to disobey me, I will have -you all chopped up as fine as mincemeat." The reapers were so afraid -the cat would keep his word that they promised to obey. Puss then -ran on and told all the other laborers whom he met to give the same -answer, threatening them with terrible punishments if they disobeyed. - -Now, the King was in a very good humor, for the day was fine, and he -found the Marquis a very pleasant companion, so he told the coachman -to drive slowly, in order that he might admire the beautiful country. -"What a fine field of wheat!" he said presently. "To whom does it -belong?" Then the men answered as they had been told: "To our Lord the -Marquis of Carabas." Next they met a herd of cattle, and again to the -King's question, "To whom do they belong?" they were told, "To the -Marquis of Carabas." And it was the same with everything they passed. - -The Marquis listened with the greatest astonishment, and thought what -a very wonderful cat his dear Puss was; and the King was delighted to -find that his new friend was as wealthy as he was charming. - -Meanwhile Puss, who was well in advance of the Royal party, had -arrived at a stately castle, which belonged to a cruel Ogre, the -richest ever known, for all the lands the King had admired so much -belonged to him. Puss knocked at the door and asked to see the Ogre, -who received him quite civilly, for he had never seen a cat in boots -before, and the sight amused him. - -So he and Puss were soon chatting away together. - -The Ogre, who was very conceited, began to boast of what clever tricks -he could play, and Puss sat and listened, with a smile on his face. - -"I once heard, great Ogre," he said at last, "that you possessed the -power of changing yourself into any kind of animal you chose--a lion -or an elephant, for instance." - -"Well, so I can," replied the Ogre. - -"Dear me! how much I should like to see you do it now," said Puss -sweetly. - -The Ogre was only too pleased to find a chance of showing how very -clever he was, so he promised to transform himself into any animal -Puss might mention. - -"Oh! I will leave the choice to you," said the cat politely. - -Immediately there appeared where the Ogre had been seated, an enormous -lion, roaring, and lashing with its tail, and looking as though it -meant to gobble the cat up in a trice. - -Puss was really very much frightened, and, jumping out of the window, -managed to scramble on to the roof, though he could scarcely hold on -to the tiles on account of his high-heeled boots. - -There he sat, refusing to come down, until the Ogre changed himself -into his natural form, and laughingly called to him that he would not -hurt him. - -Then Puss ventured back into the room, and began to compliment the -Ogre on his cleverness. - -"Of course, it was all very wonderful," he said, "but it would be more -wonderful still if you, who are so great and fierce, could transform -yourself into some timid little creature, such as a mouse. That, I -suppose, would be quite impossible?" - -"Not at all," said the vain Ogre; "one is quite as easy to me as the -other, as I will show you." And in a moment a little brown mouse was -frisking about all over the floor, whilst the Ogre had vanished. - -"Now or never," said Puss, and with a spring he seized the mouse and -gobbled it up as fast as he could. - -At the same moment all the gentlemen and ladies whom the wicked Ogre -had held in his castle under a spell, became disenchanted. They were -so grateful to their deliverer that they would have done anything -to please him, and readily agreed to enter into the service of the -Marquis of Carabas when Puss asked them to do so. - -So now the cat had a splendid castle, which he knew to be full of -heaped-up treasures, at his command, and ordering a magnificent feast -to be prepared, he took up his station at the castle gates to welcome -his master and the royal party. - -As soon as the castle appeared in sight, the King enquired whose it -was, "For," said he, "I have never seen a finer." - -Then Puss, bowing low, threw open the castle gates, and cried: - -"May it please your Majesty to alight and enter the home of the most -noble the Marquis of Carabas." - -Full of surprise, the King turned to the Marquis. "Is this splendid -castle indeed yours?" he asked. "Not even our own palace is more -beautiful, and doubtless it is as splendid within as without." - -Puss then helped his Majesty to alight, and conducted him into the -castle, where a group of noble gentlemen and fair ladies were waiting -to receive them. Jack, or the Marquis as he was now called, gave -his hand to the young Princess, and led her to the banquet. Long and -merrily they feasted, and when at length the guests rose to depart, -the King embraced the Marquis, and called him his dear son; and the -Princess blushed so charmingly and looked so shy and sweet, that Jack -ventured to lay his heart and fortune at her feet. - -And so the miller's son married the King's daughter, and there were -great rejoicings throughout the land. - -On the evening of the wedding-day a great ball was given, to which -princes and noblemen from far and near were invited. Puss opened the -ball, wearing for the occasion a pair of boots made of the finest -leather, with gold tassels and scarlet heels. I only wish you could -have seen him. - -When the old King died, the Princess and her husband reigned in his -stead, and their most honored and faithful friend at Court was Puss -himself, for his master never forgot to whom he owed all his good -fortune. He lived upon the daintiest meat and most delicious cream, -and was petted and made much of all the days of his life, and never -again ran after mice and rats, except for exercise and amusement. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER - - -There was once a shoemaker who, through no fault of his own, had -become so poor that at last he had only leather enough left for one -pair of shoes. At evening he cut out the shoes which he intended to -begin upon the next morning, and since he had a good conscience, he -lay down quietly, said his prayers, and fell asleep. - -In the morning when he had prayed, as usual, and was preparing to -sit down to work, he found the pair of shoes standing finished on his -table. He was amazed, and could not understand it in the least. - -He took the shoes in his hand to examine them more closely. They were -so neatly sewn that not a stitch was out of place, and were as good -as the work of a master-hand. - -Soon after a purchaser came in, and as he was much pleased with the -shoes, he paid more than the ordinary price for them, so that the -shoemaker was able to buy leather for two pairs with the money. - -He cut them out in the evening, and next day, with fresh courage was -about to go to work; but he had no need to, for when he got up, the -shoes were finished, and buyers were not lacking. These gave him so -much money that he was able to buy leather for four pairs of shoes. - -Early next morning he found the four pairs finished, and so it went -on; what he cut out at evening was finished in the morning, so that he -was soon again in comfortable circumstances, and became a well-to-do -man. - -Now it happened one evening, not long before Christmas, when he had -cut out shoes as usual, that he said to his wife: "How would it be -if we were to sit up to-night to see who it is that lends us such a -helping hand?" - -The wife agreed, lighted a candle, and they hid themselves in the -corner of the room behind the clothes which were hanging there. - -At midnight came two little naked men, who sat down at the shoemaker's -table, took up the cut-out work, and began with their tiny fingers -to stitch, sew, and hammer so neatly and quickly, that the shoemaker -could not believe his eyes. They did not stop till everything was -quite finished, and stood complete on the table; then they ran swiftly -away. - -The next day the wife said: "The little men have made us rich, and we -ought to show our gratitude. They run about with nothing on, and -must freeze with cold. Now I will make them little shirts, coats, -waistcoats, and hose, and will even knit them stout stockings, and you -shall make them each a pair of shoes." - -The husband agreed, and at evening, when they had everything ready, -they laid out the presents on the table, and hid themselves to see how -the little men would behave. - -At midnight they came skipping in, and were about to set to work; but, -instead of the leather ready cut out, they found the charming little -clothes. - -At first they were surprised, then excessively delighted. With the -greatest speed they put on and smoothed down the pretty clothes, -singing: - - "Now we're dressed so fine and neat, - Why cobble more for others' feet?" - -Then they hopped and danced about, and leaped over chairs and tables -and out at the door. Henceforward, they came back no more, but the -shoemaker fared well as long as he lived, and had good luck in all his -undertakings. - - * * * * * - - - - -HANS IN LUCK - - -Hans had served his master seven long years; so he said to him: -"Master, my time is out, and my wish is to return home to my mother: -give me, if you please, my reward." - -The master answered: "Thou hast truly and faithfully served me; as the -service was, so shall the reward be." And he gave Hans a piece of gold -as big as his head. - -Hans pulled out his handkerchief, wrapped up the lump of gold in it, -and, throwing it over his shoulder, made his way home. As he went -on his way, always putting one foot before the other, he met a man -galloping briskly along on a fine horse. - -"Ah!" said Hans, quite aloud, "what a capital thing it is to ride! -There you sit as comfortably as in a chair, kicking against no stones, -saving your shoe-leather, and getting to your journey's end almost -without knowing it!" - -The horseman, who heard this, pulled up and cried, "Hullo, Hans why do -you trudge on foot?" - -"Because I must," answered he; "for I have this big lump to carry -home. It is real gold, you know; but, all the same, I can scarcely -hold up my head, it weighs so terribly on my shoulders." - -"I'll tell you what," said the horseman: "we'll just exchange. I'll -give you my horse and you give me your lump of gold." - -"With all my heart!" said Hans. "But I warn you, you'll have a job to -carry it." - -The horseman dismounted, took the gold, and helped Hans up; and, -giving the bridle into his hand, said: "If you want him to go at full -speed, you must cluck with your tongue and cry 'C'ck! c'ck!'" - -Hans was heartily delighted, as he sat on his horse and rode gaily -along. - -After a while he fancied he would like to go faster, so he began to -cluck with his tongue and cry "C'ck! c'ck!" The horse broke into a -smart trot, and before Hans was aware he was thrown off--splash!--into -a ditch which divided the highway from the fields, and there he lay. -The horse, too, would have run away had it not been stopped by a -peasant, as he came along the road, driving his cow before him. - -Hans pulled himself together and got upon his legs again. He felt very -downcast, and said to the peasant: "It's a poor joke, that riding, -especially when one lights upon such a brute as this, which kicks -and throws one off so that one comes near to breaking one's neck. You -don't catch me on his back again. Now, there's more sense in a cow -like yours, behind which you can walk in peace and quietness, besides -having your butter, milk, and cheese every morning for certain. What -would I not give for such a cow!" - -"Well," said the peasant, "if it would give you so much pleasure, I -will exchange my cow for your horse." - -Hans gladly consented, and the peasant flung himself on the horse and -rode quickly off. - -Hans drove the cow peacefully along, thinking: "What a lucky fellow -I am! I have just to get a bit of bread (and that isn't a difficult -matter) and then, as often as I like, I can eat my butter and cheese -with it. If I am thirsty, I just milk my cow and drink. What more -could I desire?" - -When he came to an inn, he made a stop, and in his great joy ate all -the food he had with him right up, both dinner and supper. - -With his two last farthings, he bought himself half a glass of beer. -Then he drove his cow towards his mother's village. - -As the morning went on, the more oppressive the heat became, and Hans -found himself in a field some three miles long. - -Then he felt so hot that his tongue was parched with thirst. "This -is soon cured," thought Hans. "I have only to milk my cow, drink, and -refresh myself." - -He tied the cow to a withered tree, and as he had no pitcher he placed -his leathern cap underneath her; but in spite of all his trouble not a -drop of milk could be got. - -And he went to work so clumsily that the impatient brute gave him such -a kick with her hind leg that he was knocked over and quite dazed, and -for a long time did not know where he was. - -Luckily a butcher came by just then, wheeling a young pig in a barrow. - -"What kind of joke is this?" cried he, helping our friend Hans to -rise. - -Hans told him what had happened. The butcher passed him his bottle and -said: - -"There, drink and revive yourself. That cow will never give any milk; -she is an old animal and, at the best, is only fit for the plow or the -butcher." - -"Oho!" said Hans, running his fingers through his hair. "Who would -have thought it? It is all right indeed when you can slaughter such a -beast in your own house. But I don't think much of cow's flesh; it is -not tender enough. Now, if one had a young pig! That would taste far -different, to say nothing of the sausages!" - -"Listen, Hans," said the butcher. "For your sake, I will exchange, and -let you have my pig for your cow." - -"May Heaven reward your friendship!" said Hans, and at once gave him -the cow. - -The man untied the pig from the wheelbarrow, and gave the rope with -which it was bound into Hans's hand. - -Hans marched on, thinking: "What a lucky fellow I am. As soon as -anything goes wrong, something turns up and all's right again." - -Just then, up came a youth, carrying a fine white goose under his arm. -They were friends, and Hans began to talk about his luck and how -he always came off best in his exchanges. The youth told him he was -taking the goose to a christening feast. - -"Just hold it," he continued, seizing it by the wings, "and feel how -heavy it is: yet it was only fattened for eight weeks. It will be a -rich morsel when roasted." - -"Yes," said Hans, weighing it with his hand, "it is certainly heavy, -but my pig is by no means to be despised." - -Meanwhile the lad was looking thoughtfully around, shaking his head. -"Listen," he said, "I don't think it's all right about your pig. In -the village I have just come through, one has lately been stolen from -the magistrate's own sty. I fear it is the one you have. They have -sent people out, and it would be a bad business if they found you with -the pig. The least they would do would be to throw you into jail." - -Our friend Hans was downcast. "Alas," he cried, "help me in my need! -You know your way here better than I. Take my pig then, and give me -your goose." - -"I shall be running great risks," said the youth, "but at least I will -prevent your getting into trouble." - -He took the rope in his hand and drove the pig quickly away down a -by-path, and Hans went on relieved of his sorrow, towards home, with -the goose under his arm. - -"What a lucky fellow I am!" he said to himself. "First, I shall have a -good roast; then there is the quantity of dripping that will fall out, -which will keep me in bread-and-dripping for a quarter of a year; and -lastly, the splendid white feathers, with which I will have my pillow -stuffed; then I shall fall asleep without rocking. How glad my mother -will be!" - -When he was at length come to the village, there stood in the street -a scissors-grinder with his truck. His wheel hummed, and he sang the -while: - - "My wheel I turn, and the scissors I grind, - And my cloak hangs flowing free in the wind." - -Hans remained standing, and watched him; at length he spoke to him, -and said: - -"You must be doing well since you are so merry over your grinding." - -"Yes," said the scissors-grinder; "the work has gold at the bottom of -it. A proper scissors-grinder is the sort of man who, whenever he puts -his hand in his pocket, finds money there. But where have you bought -that fine goose?" - -"I did not buy it, but exchanged it for my pig." - -"And the pig?" - -"I obtained him for a cow." - -"And the cow?" - -"I had her for a horse." - -"And the horse?" - -"For him I gave a lump of gold as big as my head." - -"And the gold?" - -"Why, that was my reward for seven years of service." - -"You have certainly done well for yourself each time," said the -scissors-grinder. "If you could only hear money rattling in your -pocket every time you got up, your fortune would be made." - -"How shall I set about it?" said Hans. - -"You must become a grinder, like me. All you want is a grindstone: the -rest comes of itself. I have one which is a little damaged indeed, but -for which I would ask nothing more than your goose; would that suit -you?" - -"How can you ask me?" answered Hans. "I shall be the luckiest fellow -on earth. If I have money as often as I feel in my pocket, what else -shall I have to care about?" And he handed over the goose, and took -the grindstone in receipt. - -"Now," said the grinder, lifting up an ordinary heavy field-stone, -which lay beside him. "There you have a capital stone, which will be -just the thing to hammer your old nails straight upon. Take it and -lift it up carefully." - -Hans raised the stone and marched on with a joyful heart, his eyes -shining with pleasure. - -"I must have been born lucky," he cried out. "All that I desire comes -to me, as to a Sunday-child." - -Meanwhile, having been on his legs since daybreak, he began to feel -tired; besides which, he was tormented by hunger, for he had eaten up -all his provision in his joy over the exchange of the cow. - -At length he could only proceed with great trouble and must needs stop -every minute; the stones, too, crushed him terribly. Then he could -not conceal the thought: "How nice it would be now to have nothing to -carry!" - -Like a snail he crept up to a well, wishing to rest himself and enjoy -a refreshing drink. - -In order not to spoil the stones in setting them down, he laid them -carefully on the ground one beside the other, and bent himself down to -drink, but by an accident he gave them a little push, and both stones -went splashing down. - -Hans, when he saw them sinking in the depths of the well, jumped up -with joy, kneeled down and thanked God, with tears in his eyes, that -He had shown him this grace and, without troubling him to think what -to do with them, had relieved him of the heavy stones which would have -been such a hindrance to him. - -"There is no man under the sun," he cried out, "so lucky as I." - -With a bright heart and free from all care, he sprang upon his way, -until he was home at his mother's. - - * * * * * - - - - -MASTER OF ALL MASTERS - - -A girl once went to the fair to hire herself for a servant. At last -a funny-looking old gentleman engaged her, and took her home to his -house. When she got there, he told her that he had something to teach -her, for that in his house he had his own names for things. - -He said to her: "What will you call me?" - -"Master or mister, or whatever you please, sir," says she. - -He said: "You must call me 'Master of all Masters.' And what would you -call this?" pointing to his bed. - -"Bed or couch, or whatever you please, sir." - -"No, that's my 'barnacle.' And what do you call these?" said he, -pointing to his pantaloons. - -"Breeches or trousers, or whatever you please, sir." - -"You must call them 'squibs and crackers,' And what would you call -her?" pointing to the cat. - -"Cat or kit, or whatever you please, sir." - -"You must call her 'white-faced simminy.' And this, now," showing the -fire, "what would you call this?" - -"Fire or flame, or whatever you please, sir." - -"You must call it 'hot cockalorum.' And what, this?" he went on, -pointing to the water. - -"Water or wet, or whatever you please, sir." - -"No, 'pondalorum' is its name. And what do you call all this?" asked -he, as he pointed to the house. - -"House or cottage, or whatever you please, sir." - -"You must call it 'high topper mountain.'" - -That very night the servant woke her master up in a fright and said: -"Master of all Masters, get out of your barnacle and put on your -squibs and crackers. For white-faced simminy has got a spark of hot -cockalorum on its tail, and unless you get some pondalorum, high -topper mountain will be all on hot cockalorum."... That's all. - - * * * * * - - - - -BELLING THE CAT - - -Once upon a time the mice sat in council and talked of how they might -outwit their enemy, the Cat. But good advice was scarce, and in vain -the president called upon all the most experienced mice present to -find a way. - -At last a very young mouse held up two fingers and asked to be allowed -to speak, and as soon as he could get permission he said: - -"I've been thinking for a long time why the Cat is such a dangerous -enemy. Now, it's not so much because of her quickness, though people -make so much fuss about that. If we could only _notice_ her in time, -I've no doubt we're nimble enough to jump into our holes before she -could do us any harm. It's in her velvet paws, there's where she hides -her cruel claws till she gets us in her clutches--that's where her -power lies. With those paws she can tread so lightly that we can't -hear her coming. And so, while _we_ are still dancing heedlessly about -the place, she creeps close up, and before we know where we are she -pounces down on us and has us in her clutches. Well, then, it's my -opinion we ought to hang a bell round her neck to warn us of her -coming while there's yet time." - -Every one applauded this proposal, and the council decided that it -should be carried out. - -Now the question to be settled was, who should undertake to fasten the -bell round the Cat's neck? - -The president declared that no one could be better fitted for the task -than he who had given such excellent advice. - -But at that the young mouse became quite confused and stammered an -excuse. He was too young for the deed, he said. He didn't know the -Cat well enough. His grandfather, who knew her better, would be more -suited to the job. - -But the grandfather declared that just because he knew the Cat very -well he would take good care not to attempt such a task. - -And the long and the short of it was that no other mouse would -undertake the duty; and so this clever proposal was never carried out, -and the Cat remained mistress of the situation. - - * * * * * - - - - -LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD - - -In a great wide forest, full of beautiful trees, and green glades, -and thorny thickets, there lived a long time ago a wood-cutter and his -wife, who had only one child, a little girl. She was so pretty, and so -good, that the sun seemed to shine more brightly when its light fell -upon her rosy little face, and the birds would seem to sing more -sweetly when she was passing by. - -Her real name was Maisie; but the neighbors round about all called her -"Little Red Riding-Hood," because of a scarlet riding-hood and cloak -that her kind old grandmother had made for her, and which she nearly -always wore. - -She was a happy, merry little child, with a smile and a gentle word -for everybody, and so you may easily believe that everybody loved her, -and was glad to catch a glimpse of her golden curls and her scarlet -cloak as she tripped along, singing, under the green boughs. - -Now, this, let me tell you before I forget, was at the time when all -the birds and beasts, or very nearly all, could speak just as well as -you or I; and nobody was surprised to hear them talk, as I suppose one -would be nowadays. - -Well, as I was saying, Little Red Riding-Hood lived with her parents -in a little white cottage with a green door and a thatched roof, and -red and white roses climbing all over the walls, and even putting -their pretty heads in at the latticed windows, to peep at the child -who was so like them. - -It was on a bright spring morning early in May, when little Red -Riding-Hood had just finished putting away the breakfast-cups that her -mother came bustling in from the dairy. - -"Here's a to-do," she said. "Farmer Hodge has this very minute told -me that he hears your Grannie isn't quite well, and I can't leave the -cheese-making this morning for love or money! Do you go, my dear, -and find out how she is--and--stay--take her this little pot of sweet -fresh butter, and these two new-laid eggs, and these nice tasty little -pasties. Maybe they'll tempt her to eat a bit. Here's your basket, and -don't be too long away, honey." - -So little Red Riding-Hood pulled her hood over her curls, and set off -down the sunny green slope, with her basket in her hand, at a brisk -pace. But as she got deeper into the forest, she walked more slowly. -Everything was so beautiful; the great trees waved their huge arms -over her, the birds were calling to one another from the thorns all -white with blossom, and the child began singing as she went, she could -not have told why, but I think it was because the beautiful world made -her feel glad. - -The path wound along through the trees, and, as it grew wider after -turning a corner, Red Riding-saw that she was likely to have -company on her walk; for, where two cross-paths divided, there sat a -big gray wolf licking his long paws, and looking sharply about him. -And "Good morning, Red Riding-Hood," said he. - -"Good morning, Mr. Wolf," she answered. - -"And where may you be going, sweet lass?" said the Wolf, as he walked -beside her. - -"Oh, Grannie isn't very well, and mother cannot leave the -cheese-making this morning, and so I'm taking her some little dainties -in my basket, and I am to see how she is, and tell mother when I get -back," said the child with a smile. - -"And," said the wolf, "where does your good Grannie live, little -lady?" - -"Through the copse, and down the hollow, and over the bridge, and -three meadows after the mill." - -"Does she indeed?" cried he. "Why, then, I do believe she is a very -dear old friend of mine, whom I have not seen for years and years. -Now, I'll tell you what we'll do, you and I: I will go by this way, -and you shall take that, and whoever gets there first shall be the -winner of the game." - -So the Wolf trotted off one way, and Red Riding-Hood went the other; -and I am sorry to say that she lingered and loitered more than she -ought to have done on the road. - -Well, what with one thing and another, the sun was right up in the -very mid-most middle of the sky when she crossed the last meadow from -the mill and came in sight of her grandmother's cottage, and the big -lilac-bushes that grew by the garden gate. - -"Oh! dear, how I must have lingered!" said the child, when she saw -how high the sun had climbed since she set out on her journey; and, -pattering up the garden-path, she tapped at the cottage door. - -"Who's there?" said a very gruff kind of voice from inside. - -"It's only I, Grannie dear, your little Red Riding-Hood with some -goodies for you in my basket, answered the child. - -"Then pull the bobbin," cried the voice, "and the latch will go up." - -"What a dreadful cold poor Grannie must have, to be sure, to make her -so hoarse," thought the child. Then she pulled the bobbin, and the -latch went up, and Red Riding-Hood pushed open the door, and stepped -inside the cottage. - -It seemed very dark in there after the bright sunlight outside, and -all Red Riding-Hood could see was that the window-curtains and the -bed-curtains were still drawn, and her grandmother seemed to be lying -in bed with the bed-clothes pulled almost over her head, and her great -white-frilled nightcap nearly hiding her face. - -Now, you and I have guessed by this time, although poor Red -Riding-Hood never even thought of such a thing, that it was not her -Grannie at all, but the wicked Wolf, who had hurried to the cottage -and put on Grannie's nightcap and popped into her bed, to pretend that -he was Grannie herself. - -And where was Grannie all this time, you will say? Well, we shall see -presently. - -"Come and sit down beside my bed, dearie," wheezed the Wolf, "and let -us have a little chat." Then the Wolf stretched out his large hairy -paws and began to unfasten the basket. - -"Oh!" said Red Riding-Hood, "what great arms you have, Grannie!" - -"All the better to hug you with," said the Wolf. - -"And what great rough ears you have, Grannie!" - -"All the better to hear you with, my little dear." - -"And your eyes, Grannie; what great yellow eyes you have!" - -"All the better to see you with, my pet," grinned the Wolf. - -"And oh! oh! Grannie," cried the child, in a sad fright, "what great -sharp teeth you have!" - -"All the better to eat you with!" growled the Wolf, springing up -suddenly at Red Riding-Hood. But just at that very moment the door -flew open, and two tall wood-cutters rushed in with their heavy axes, -and killed the wicked Wolf in far less time than it takes me to tell -you about it. - -"But where is Grannie?" asked Little Red Riding-Hood, when she had -thanked the brave wood-cutters. "Oh! where can poor Grannie be? Can -the cruel Wolf have eaten her up?" - -And she began to cry and sob bitterly--when, who should walk in but -Grannie herself, as large as life, and as hearty as ever, with her -marketing-basket on her arm! For it was another old dame in the -village who was not very well, and Grannie had been down to visit her -and give her some of her own famous herb-tea. - -So everything turned out right in the end, and all lived happily -ever after; but I promise you that little Red Riding-Hood never made -friends with a Wolf again! - - * * * * * - - - - -THE NAIL - - -A tradesman had once transacted a good day's business at a fair, -disposed of all his goods, and filled his purse with gold and silver. -He prepared afterward to return, in order to reach home by the -evening, so he strapped his portmanteau, with the money in it, upon -his horse's back, and rode off. At noon he halted in a small town, and -as he was about to set out again, the stable-boy who brought his horse -said to him: "Sir, a nail is wanting in the shoe on the left hind foot -of your animal." - -"Let it be wanting," replied the tradesman; "I am in a hurry and the -iron will doubtless hold the six hours I have yet to travel." - -Late in the afternoon he had to dismount again, and feed his horse, -and at this place also the boy came and told him that a nail was -wanting in one of the shoes, and asked him whether he should take the -horse to a farrier. "No, no, let it be!" replied the master; "it -will last out the couple of hours that I have now to travel; I am in -haste." So saying he rode off; but his horse soon began to limp, and -from limping it came to stumbling, and presently the beast fell -down and broke its leg. Thereupon the tradesman had to leave his -unfortunate horse lying on the road, to unbuckle the portmanteau, and -to walk home with it upon his shoulder, where he arrived at last late -at night. - -"And all this misfortune," said he to himself, "is owing to the want -of a nail. More haste, the less speed!" - - * * * * * - - - - -JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - - -Once upon a time there lived a poor widow who had an only son named -Jack. She was very poor, for times had been hard, and Jack was too -young to work. Almost all the furniture of the little cottage had been -sold to buy bread, until at last there was nothing left worth selling. -Only the good cow, Milky White, remained, and she gave milk every -morning, which they took to market and sold. But one sad day Milky -White gave no milk, and then things looked bad indeed. - -"Never mind, mother," said Jack. "We must sell Milky White. Trust me -to make a good bargain," and away he went to the market. - -For some time he went along very sadly, but after a little he quite -recovered his spirits. "I may as well ride as walk," said he; so -instead of leading the cow by the halter, he jumped on her back, and -so he went whistling along until he met a butcher. - -"Good morning," said the butcher. - -"Good morning, sir," answered Jack. - -"Where are you going?" said the butcher. - -"I am going to market to sell the cow." - -"It's lucky I met you," said the butcher. "You may save yourself the -trouble of going so far." - -With this, he put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out five -curious-looking beans. "What do you call these?" he said. - -"Beans," said Jack. - -"Yes," said he, "beans, but they're the most wonderful beans that ever -were known. If you plant them overnight, by the next morning they'll -grow up and reach the sky. But to save you the trouble of going -all the way to market, I don't mind exchanging them for that cow of -yours." - -"Done!" cried Jack, who was so delighted with the bargain that he ran -all the way home to tell his mother how lucky he had been. - -But oh! how disappointed the poor widow was. - -"Off to bed with you!" she cried; and she was so angry that she threw -the beans out of the window into the garden. So poor Jack went to bed -without any supper, and cried himself to sleep. - -When he woke up the next morning, the room was almost dark; and Jack -jumped out of bed and ran to the window to see what was the matter. -The sun was shining brightly outside, but from the ground right up -beside his window there was growing a great beanstalk, which stretched -up and up as far as he could see, into the sky. - -"I'll just see where it leads to," thought Jack, and with that he -stepped out of the window on to the beanstalk, and began to climb -upwards. He climbed up and up, till after a time his mother's cottage -looked a mere speck below, but at last the stalk ended, and he found -himself in a new and beautiful country. A little way off there was a -great castle, with a broad road leading straight up to the front gate. -But what most surprised Jack was to find a beautiful maiden suddenly -standing beside him. - -"Good morning, ma'am," said he, very politely. - -"Good morning, Jack," said she; and Jack was more surprised than ever, -for he could not imagine how she had learned his name. But he soon -found that she knew a great deal more about him than his name; for she -told him how, when he was quite a little baby, his father, a gallant -knight, had been slain by the giant who lived in yonder castle, and -how his mother, in order to save Jack, had been obliged to promise -never to tell the secret. - -"All that the giant has is yours," she said, and then disappeared -quite as suddenly as she came. - -"She must be a fairy," thought Jack. - -As he drew near to the castle, he saw the giant's wife standing at the -door. - -"If you please, ma'am," said he, "would you kindly give me some -breakfast? I have had nothing to eat since yesterday." - -Now, the giant's wife, although very big and very ugly, had a kind -heart, so she said: "Very well, little man, come in; but you must be -quick about it, for if my husband, the giant, finds you here, he will -eat you up, bones and all." - -So in Jack went, and the giant's wife gave him a good breakfast, but -before he had half finished it there came a terrible knock at the -front door, which seemed to shake even the thick walls of the castle. - -"Dearie me, that is my husband!" said the giantess, in a terrible -fright; "we must hide you somehow," and she lifted Jack up and popped -him into the empty kettle. - -No sooner had the giant's wife opened the door than her husband roared -out: - - "Fee, fi, fo, fum, - I smell the blood of an Englishman; - Be he alive, or be he dead, - I'll grind his bones to make my bread!" - -"It's a boy, I'm sure it is," he continued. "Where is he? I'll have him -for my breakfast." - -"Nonsense!" said his wife; "you must be mistaken. It's the ox's hide -you smell." So he sat down, and ate up the greater part of the ox. -When he had finished he said: "Wife, bring me my money-bags." So his -wife brought him two full bags of gold, and the giant began to count -his money. But he was so sleepy that his head soon began to nod, and -then he began to snore, like the rumbling of thunder. Then Jack crept -out, snatched up the two bags, and though the giant's dog barked -loudly, he made his way down the beanstalk back to the cottage before -the giant awoke. - -Jack and his mother were now quite rich; but it occurred to him one -day that he would like to see how matters were going on at the giant's -castle. So while his mother was away at market, he climbed up, and up, -and up, and up, until he got to the top of the beanstalk again. - -The giantess was standing at the door, just as before, but she did not -know Jack, who, of course, was more finely dressed than on his -first visit. "If you please, ma'am," said he, "will you give me some -breakfast?" - -"Run away," said she, "or my husband the giant will eat you up, bones -and all. The last boy who came here stole two bags of gold--off with -you!" But the giantess had a kind heart, and after a time she allowed -Jack to come into the kitchen, where she set before him enough -breakfast to last him a week. Scarcely had he begun to eat than there -was a great rumbling like an earthquake, and the giantess had only -time to bundle Jack into the oven when in came the giant. No sooner -was he inside the room than he roared: - - "Fee, fi, fo, fum, - I smell the blood of an Englishman; - Be he alive, or be he dead, - I'll grind his bones to make my bread!" - -But his wife told him he was mistaken, and after breakfasting off -a roasted bullock, just as if it were a lark, he called out: "Wife, -bring the little brown hen!" The giantess went out and brought in a -little brown hen, which she placed on the table. - -"Lay!" said the giant; and the hen at once laid a golden egg. "Lay!" -said the giant a second time; and she laid another golden egg. "Lay!" -said the giant a third time; and she laid a third golden egg. - -"That will do for to-day," said he, and stretched himself out to go to -sleep. As soon as he began to snore, Jack crept out of the oven, went -on tiptoe to the table, and, snatching up the little brown hen, made -a dash for the door. Then the hen began to cackle, and the giant began -to wake up; but before he was quite awake, Jack had escaped from the -castle, and, climbing as fast as he could down the beanstalk, got safe -home to his mother's cottage. - -The little brown hen laid so many golden eggs that Jack and his mother -had now more money than they could spend. But Jack was always thinking -about the beanstalk; and one day he crept out of the window again, and -climbed up, and up, and up, and up, until he reached the top. - -This time, you may be sure, he was careful not to be seen; so he crept -round to the back of the castle, and when the giant's wife went out -he slipped into the kitchen and hid himself in the oven. In came the -giant, roaring louder than ever: - - "Fee, fi, fo, fum, - I smell the blood of an Englishman; - Be he alive; or be he dead, - I'll grind his bones to make my bread!" - -But the giantess was quite sure that she had seen no little boys -that morning; and after grumbling a great deal, the giant sat down -to breakfast. Even then he was not quite satisfied, for every now and -again he would say: - - "Fee, fi, fo, fum, - I smell the blood of an Englishman;" - -and once he got up and looked in the kettle. But, of course, Jack was -in the oven all the time! - -When the giant had finished, he called out: "Wife, bring me the golden -harp!" So she brought in the golden harp, and placed it on the table. -"Sing!" said the giant; and the harp at once began to sing the most -beautiful songs that ever were heard. It sang so sweetly that the -giant soon fell fast asleep; and then Jack crept quietly out of the -oven, and going on tiptoe to the table, seized hold of the golden -harp. But the harp at once called out: "Master! master!" and the -giant woke up just in time to catch sight of Jack running out of the -kitchen-door. - -With a fearful roar, he seized his oak-tree club, and dashed after -Jack, who held the harp tight, and ran faster than he had ever run -before. The giant, brandishing his club, and taking terribly long -strides, gained on Jack at every instant, and he would have been -caught if the giant hadn't slipped over a boulder. Before he could -pick himself up, Jack began to climb down the beanstalk, and when the -giant arrived at the edge he was nearly half-way to the cottage. The -giant began to climb down too; but as soon as Jack saw him coming, he -called out: "Mother, bring me an axe!" and the widow hurried out -with a chopper. Jack had no sooner reached the ground than he cut the -beanstalk right in two. Down came the giant with a terrible crash, and -that, you may be sure, was the end of him. What became of the giantess -and the castle nobody knows. But Jack and his mother grew very rich, -and lived happy ever after. - - * * * * * - - - - -HOW TO TELL A TRUE PRINCESS - - -There was once upon a time a Prince who wanted to marry a Princess, -but she must be a true Princess. So he traveled through the whole -world to find one, but there was always something against each. There -were plenty of Princesses, but he could not find out if they were true -Princesses. In every case there was some little defect, which showed -the genuine article was not yet found. So he came home again in very -low spirits, for he had wanted very much to have a true Princess. One -night there was a dreadful storm; it thundered and lightened and the -rain streamed down in torrents. It was fearful! There was a knocking -heard at the palace gate, and the old King went to open it. - -There stood a Princess outside the gate; but oh, in what a sad plight -she was from the rain and the storm! The water was running down from -her hair and her dress into the points of her shoes and out at the -heels again. And yet she said she was a true Princess! - -"Well, we shall soon find out!" thought the old Queen. But she said -nothing and went into the sleeping-room, took off all the bedclothes, -and laid a pea on the bottom of the bed. Then she put twenty -mattresses on top of the pea and twenty eider-down quilts on the top -of the mattresses. And this was the bed in which the princess was to -sleep. - -The next morning she was asked how she had slept. - -"Oh, very badly!" said the Princess. "I scarcely closed my eyes all -night! I am sure I don't know what was in the bed. I lay on something -so hard that my whole body is black and blue. It is dreadful!" - -Now they perceived that she was a true Princess, because she had -felt the pea through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down -quilts. - -No one but a true Princess could be so sensitive. - -So the Prince married her, for now he knew that at last he had got -hold of a true Princess. And the pea was put into the Royal Museum, -where it is still to be seen if no one has stolen it. Now, this is a -true story. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SLEEPING BEAUTY - - -Once upon a time long ago--so long, indeed, that even the very oldest -people now alive could not remember it--there lived a King and Queen -in a beautiful palace, a great white marble palace, with wide halls -and high towers, and a golden roof that flashed in the sun. - -And all round the palace, for miles and miles, there were lovely -gardens and pleasure-grounds, with terraces and green lawns, and -ancient trees where the birds would sit and sing all day and all night -long, and more flowers than you could ever think of if you were -to think a whole summer through. There were peacocks and birds of -paradise on the broad lawns, and pretty slender brown deer in the -shady glades, and gold and silver fishes in the ponds and fountains, -and great red and yellow fruits ripened in the orchards. - -There was everything there that heart could wish--except just one, -and that was the one thing in all the world that this King and Queen -wanted to make them perfectly happy. For there was no little child to -run and play about the sunny gardens and pick the flowers, and pet the -birds and beasts that wandered there. And this would often make them -very sad. - -But at last, after many years, they had their wish, and a little -baby daughter was born to them--a tiny child with a face like a blush -rosebud, eyes like violets, and a little red mouth like the pimpernel -flowers that grow in the cornfields and by the wayside in summer-time. - -Now, you can easily think how glad this King and Queen were, and what -great rejoicings were made over all the country. - -Bonfires as big as haystacks were kept burning all night, fat oxen -were roasted whole in the market-place of every town, the church-bells -were rung and rung again until the ringers were out of breath and -their arms were aching, and every little child in the kingdom was -given a beautiful present for the baby Princess's sake. - -In the palace, of course, all was bustle and hurry to make ready for -the christening-feast; the maids were busy putting flowers all -about the halls and chambers, and sprinkling the shining floors with -sweet-smelling leaves and petals. - -For the most important guests invited to this christening were seven -very powerful fairies, and you know, I am sure, how particular fairies -are about what they eat and drink. Not that they are greedy; but they -are used to such delicate food that even the very best of ours seems -strange to them. So the Queen was very anxious that they should -be pleased; for they had been asked to be godmothers to the baby -Princess, and she wanted them to be in a good humor so that they -should be kind to her little one. - -It was a beautiful summer afternoon, and the roses on the palace -terrace were nodding their heads sleepily in the warm breeze, when the -fairies' chariots came into sight, sailing through the blue sky like a -flight of bright-winged butterflies. - -They were all good fairies, and had known the King and Queen all their -lives long, and as they had not seen them for some time there was -a great deal to talk about and much news to tell. And, dear me! how -pleased they were with the baby! They all agreed that she was the -prettiest little darling they had ever seen--almost as pretty as a -real fairy baby--and _that_ was a compliment indeed, I can tell you. - -And when they went in to the great banqueting-hall and sat down to -table, they were even more delighted than at first. For each one of -them there was a set of six golden dinner things--knife, spoon, fork, -cup, dish, and plate--made on purpose as a present for each, and all -different. One was set with pearls, another with diamonds, the third -with rubies, the fourth with opals, the fifth with amethysts, the -sixth with emeralds, the seventh with sapphires; and nobody could tell -which was the most beautiful. - -They were just going to begin, and everybody was as happy as happy -could be, when, all of a sudden, there was a clashing of brazen claws -and a rushing of wings, and something like a black cloud seemed to -pass before the tall windows and darken all the room, so that the -guests could hardly see their plates. Then the great doors burst open -with a terrible bang, and an old fairy in a long trailing black gown, -with her face almost hidden in a black hood, jumped out of a black -chariot drawn by fierce griffins, and stalked up to the table. - -The King turned pale, and the Queen nearly fainted away, for this -was the spiteful fairy Tormentilla, who lived all alone, an immense -distance away from everywhere and everyone, in a dismal black stone -castle in the middle of a desert. The poor Queen had been so happy and -so busy that she had forgotten all about her, and never sent her an -invitation. - -However, they all tried to make the best of it, and another chair was -brought, and another place laid for Tormentilla; and both the King and -Queen told her over and over again how very, very sorry they were not -to have asked her. - -It was all in vain. Nothing could please her; she would eat and -drink nothing, and she sat, scowling and looking angrily at the other -fairies' jeweled cups and dishes, until the feast was over, and it was -time to give the presents. - -Then they all went into the great tapestried room where the tiny -Princess lay sleeping in her mother-o'-pearl cradle, and the seven -fairies began to say what they would each give her. - -The first stepped forward and said: "She shall always be as good as -gold"; the second: "She shall be the cleverest Princess in the world"; -the third: "She shall be the most beautiful"; the fourth: "She shall -be the happiest"; the fifth: "She shall have the sweetest voice that -was ever heard"; the sixth: "Everyone shall love her." And then the -wicked old cross fairy strode over to the cradle with long quick -steps, and said, shaking her black crooked stick at the King and -Queen: "_And I say that she shall prick her hand with a spindle and -die of the wound_!" - -At this the Queen fell on her knees and begged and prayed Tormentilla -to call back her cruel words; but suddenly the seventh fairy, the -youngest of all, who knew Tormentilla well, and had hidden herself -behind the curtains for fear that some such thing might happen, came -out and said: - -"Do not cry so, dear Queen; I cannot quite undo my cousin's wicked -enchantment, but I can promise you that your daughter shall not die, -but only fall asleep for a hundred years. And, when these are past and -gone, a Prince shall come and awaken her with a kiss." - -So the King and Queen dried their tears and thanked the kind fairy -Heartsease for her goodness; and all the fairies went back to their -homes, and things went on much as usual in the palace. But you can -imagine how careful the Queen was of her little girl; and the King -made a law that every spindle in the country must be destroyed, and -that no more should be made, and that anyone who had a spindle should -be heavily punished if not executed at once. - -Well, the years went by happily enough until the Princess Miranda was -almost eighteen years old, and all that the six fairies had promised -came true, for she was the best and the prettiest and the cleverest -Princess in all the world, and everybody loved her. And, indeed, by -this time Tormentilla's spiteful words were almost forgotten. - -"Poor old thing," the Queen would sometimes say, "she was so angry -at having been left out that she did not know what she was saying. Of -course, she did not really mean it." - -Now, the King and Queen had to go away for a few days to a great -entertainment that one of their richest nobles was giving at his -country house; and, as the Princess did not wish to go, they left her -behind with her ladies-in-waiting in the beautiful old palace. For -the first two days she amused herself very well, but on the third she -missed her father and mother so much that, to pass the time till -they came back, she began exploring all the old lumber-rooms and -out-of-the-way attics in the palace, and laughing at the dusty -furniture and queer curiosities she found there. - -At last she found herself at the top of a narrow winding stairway in -a tall turret that seemed even older than all the rest of the palace. -And when she lifted the latch of the door in front of her she saw -a little low chamber with curiously painted walls, and there sat a -little old, old woman in a high white cap, spinning at a wheel. - -For some time she stood at the door, watching the old woman curiously; -she could not imagine what she was doing, for the Princess had never -seen a spinning-wheel in her life before, because, as I told you, the -King had ordered them all to be destroyed. - -Now, it happened that the poor old woman who lived in this tower -had never heard the King's command, for she was so deaf that if -you shouted until you were hoarse she would never have been able to -understand you. - -"What pretty work you are doing there, Goody? And why does that wheel -go whirr, whirr, whirr?" said the Princess. The old woman neither -answered nor looked up, for, of course, she did not hear. - -So the Princess stepped into the room and laid her hand upon the old -woman's shoulder. - -Goody started then, looked up, and rubbed her eyes. - -"Deary, deary me!" cried she, in a high, cracked voice. "And who may -you be, my pretty darling?" - -"I'm the Princess Miranda," screamed the maiden in her ear, but the -old woman only shook her head--she could hear nothing. - -Then the Princess pointed to the spindle, and made the old woman -understand that she wanted to try if she could work it. - -So Goody nodded, and laughed, and got up from her seat, and the -Princess sat down and took the spindle in her hand. But no sooner did -she touch it than she pricked the palm of her hand with the point, and -sank down in a swoon. - -Immediately a deep silence fell on all around. The little bird that -only a moment before had been singing so sweetly upon the window-sill -hushed his song. The distant hum of voices from the courtyard beneath -ceased; even Goody stopped short in the directions she was giving -the Princess, and neither moved hand nor foot towards the poor little -maid, and all because she had fallen fast asleep as she stood. - -Below in the castle it was just the same. The King and Queen, who had -that moment returned from their journey and were enquiring for their -daughter, fell asleep before the lady-in-waiting could answer them, -and as to the lady herself she had begun to snore--in a ladylike -manner, of course--before you could have winked your eye. - -The soldiers and men-at-arms slumbered as they stood. The page-boy -fell asleep writh his mouth wide open, and a fly that had just been -going to settle on his nose fell asleep too in mid-air. - -Although the sun had been shining brightly when the Princess took the -spindle in her hand, no sooner did she prick herself with the point -than deep shadows darkened the sunny rooms and gardens. - -It was just as though night had overtaken them, but there was no one -in or near the palace to heed whether it were dark or light. - -This sudden darkness had been caused by a magic wood which had sprung -up all around the palace and its grounds. It was at least half a mile -thick, and was composed of thorns and prickly plants, through which -it seemed impossible for anyone to penetrate. It was so thick and high -that it hid even the topmost towers of the enchanted castle, and no -one outside could have dreamed that such a castle lay behind it. - -Well, and so the years went on, and on, and on, until a hundred years -had passed, and the palace and the story of it were all but forgotten. -And it happened that a King's son from a neighboring country came -hunting that way with his men, and horses, and dogs. And in the -excitement of the chase he rode on and on until he became separated -from his servants and attendants, and found himself in a part of the -country where he had never been before. In vain he tried to retrace -his steps; he only seemed to wander farther away in the wrong -direction. - -Presently he came to a woodcutter's cottage, and dismounted to ask his -way. An old, old man lived in this hut, and after he had directed the -Prince as to the best way back, the young man pointed to a thick wood -ahead, and asked what lay beyond it. Then the old man told him that -there was a legend that beyond the wood was an enchanted palace where -a beautiful Princess had lain sleeping for a hundred years, and whom a -Prince was to awaken with a kiss. - -Directly the Prince Florimond heard this, nothing would serve but he -must go there and see for himself if the tale were true. So he rode -and he rode until he came to the edge of the wood, and there he got -off his horse and began to push his way through the thorny thicket. It -was hard work indeed, for the briars were so strong and so sharp that -you would never believe that anyone could get past them, and they -closed up behind him as he went. - -But he was strong and brave, and after a time the way became easier, -until at last he came to the palace. - -There everyone was sleeping--the sentinels and soldiers in the -court-yard, the cooks in the kitchen, and pages and lords and -ladies-in-waiting in the corridors and chambers; and, in the great -throne-room the King and Queen on their golden and ivory thrones. - -Prince Florimond passed on, wondering more and more, till he came at -length to the narrow staircase which led to the little tower in which -the Princess had fallen asleep. He mounted this, and then came the -greatest wonder of all--the beautiful sleeping lady, in her glistening -white robes. She was so beautiful that to see her almost took away his -breath; and, falling on his knees, he bent to kiss her cheek. And as -he kissed her, she opened her lovely blue eyes and said, smiling: "Oh! -Prince, have you come at last? I have had such pleasant dreams." - -Then she sat up laughing and rubbing her eyes, and gave him her hand, -and they went hand in hand together down the stairs and along the -corridors, till they came to the throne-room. And there were the King -and Queen rubbing their eyes too, and they kissed their daughter and -welcomed the Prince most gladly. - -And, all at the same time, the whole palace was awake. Cocks crowed, -dogs barked, the cats began to mew, the spits to turn, the clocks to -strike, the soldiers presented arms, the heralds blew their trumpets, -the head cook boxed a little scullion's ears, the butler went on -drinking his half-finished tankard of wine, the first lady-in-waiting -finished winding her skein of silk. - -Everything, in short, went on exactly as though the spell had lasted -a hundred seconds instead of years. To be sure, Princess Miranda's -pretty white dress was just such a one as Prince Florimond's -great-grandmother might have worn. But that gave them something to -laugh at. - -And now my story is done, for I need hardly tell you that the Prince -and Princess were married amid great rejoicings, and lived happily -ever after; and that the seven fairy godmothers danced at the wedding. -So all ended well, and what more could anyone wish? - - * * * * * - - - - -OLD-FASHIONED POEMS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MAN IN THE MOON - - - Said the Raggedy Man on a hot afternoon, - "My! - Sakes! - What a lot o' mistakes - Some little folks makes on the Man in the Moon! - But people that's been up to see him like Me, - And calls on him frequent and intimutly, - Might drop a few hints that would interest you - Clean! - Through! - If you wanted 'em to-- - Some actual facts that might interest you! - - "O the Man in the Moon has a crick in his back; - Whee! - Whimm! - Ain't you sorry for him? - And a mole on his nose that is purple and black; - And his eyes are so weak that they water and run - If he dares to _dream_ even he looks at the sun,-- - So he jes' dreams of stars, as the doctors advise-- - My! - Eyes! - But isn't he wise-- - To jes' dream of stars, as the doctors advise? - - "And the Man in the Moon has a boil on his ear-- - Whee! - Whing! - What a singular thing! - I know! but these facts are authentic, my dear,-- - There's a boil on his ear; and a corn on his chin,-- - He calls it a dimple--but dimples stick in-- - Yet it might be a dimple turned over, you know! - Whang! - Ho! - Why certainly so!-- - It might be a dimple turned over, you know: - - "And the Man in the Moon has a rheumatic knee, - Gee! - Whizz! - What a pity that is! - And his toes have worked round where his heels ought to be. - So whenever he wants to go North he goes South, - And comes back with the porridge crumbs all round his mouth, - And he brushes them off with a Japanese fan, - Whing! - Whann! - What a marvelous man! - What a very remarkably marvelous man! - - "And the Man in the Moon," sighed the Raggedy Man, - "Gits! - So! - Sullonesome, you know! - Up there by himself since creation began!-- - That when I call on him and then come away, - He grabs me and holds me and begs me to stay,-- - Till--well, if it wasn't for _Jimmy-cum-Jim_, - Dadd! - Limb! - I'd go pardners with him! - Jes' jump my bob here and be pardners with him!" - -JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY - -(_From "The Raggedy Man," copyright 1907. Used by special permission -of the publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company._) - - * * * * * - - - - -SAGE COUNSEL - - The lion is the beast to fight, - He leaps along the plain, - And if you run with all your might, - He runs with all his mane. - I'm glad I'm not a Hottentot, - But if I were, with outward cal-lum - I'd either faint upon the spot - Or hie me up a leafy pal-lum. - - The chamois is the beast to hunt; - He's fleeter than the wind, - And when the chamois is in front, - The hunter is behind. - The Tyrolese make famous cheese - And hunt the chamois o'er the chaz-zums: - I'd choose the former if you please, - For precipices give me spaz-zums. - - The polar bear will make a rug - Almost as white as snow; - But if he gets you in his hug, - He rarely lets you go. - And Polar ice looks very nice, - With all the colors of a pris-sum; - But, if you'll follow my advice, - Stay home and learn your catechis-sum. - -ARTHUR THOMAS QUILLER-COUCH - - - * * * * * - - - - -LIMERICKS - - - - There was an Old Man in a tree, - Who was horribly bored by a Bee; - When they said, "Does it buzz?" he replied, - "Yes, it does! - It's a regular brute of a Bee." - - There was an Old Man on some rocks, - Who shut his Wife up in a box: - When she said, "Let me out," he exclaimed, - "Without doubt - You will pass all your life in that box." - - There was an Old Man who said "How - Shall I flee from this horrible Cow? - I will sit on this stile, and continue to smile, - Which may soften the heart of that Cow." - - There was an Old Man who said, "Hush! - I perceive a young bird in this bush!" - When they said, "Is it small?" he replied, "Not at all; - It is four times as big as the bush!" - - There was once an Old Man with a beard, - Who said, "It is just as I feared!-- - Two Owls and a Hen, - Four Larks and a Wren - Have all built their nests in my beard." - - There was an old person of Ware - Who rode on the back of a bear; - When they said, "Does it trot?" - He said, "Certainly not, - It's a Moppsikon Floppsikon bear." - - There was a young lady in blue, - Who said, "Is it you? Is it you?" - When they said, "Yes, it is," she replied only, - "Whizz!" - That ungracious young lady in blue. - -EDWARD LEAR - - * * * * * - - - - -MORE LIMERICKS - - - There was a small boy of Quebec, - Who was buried in snow to his neck; - When they said. "Are you friz?" - He replied, "Yes, I is-- - But we don't call this cold in Quebec." - -RUDYARD KIPLING - - * * * * * - - - There was a young lady of Niger - Who smiled as she rode on a Tiger; - They came back from the ride - With the lady inside, - And the smile on the face of the Tiger. - - There was a young maid who said, "Why - Can't I look in my ear with my eye? - If I give my mind to it, - I'm sure I can do it-- - You never can tell till you try." - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE DEAD DOLL - - - You needn't be trying to comfort me--I tell you my dolly is dead! - There's no use in saying she isn't, with a crack like that in her head. - It's just like you said it wouldn't hurt much to have my tooth out, - that day; - And then, when the man 'most pulled my head off, you hadn't a word - to say. - - And I guess you must think I'm a baby, when you say you can mend it - with glue: - As if I didn't know better than that! Why, just suppose it was you? - You might make her look all mended--but what do I care for looks? - Why, glue's for chairs and tables, and toys and the backs of books! - - My dolly! my own little daughter! Oh, but it's the awfullest crack! - It just makes me sick to think of the sound when her poor head went whack - Against that horrible brass thing that holds up the little shelf. - Now, Nursey, what makes you remind me? I know that I did it myself! - - I think you must be crazy--you'll get her another head! - What good would forty heads do her? I tell you my dolly is dead! - And to think I hadn't quite finished her elegant new spring hat! - And I took a sweet ribbon of hers last night to tie on that horrid cat! - - When my mamma gave me that ribbon--I was playing out in the yard-- - She said to me, most expressly, "Here's a ribbon for Hildegarde." - And I went and put it on Tabby, and Hildegarde saw me do it; - But I said to myself, "Oh, never mind, I don't believe she knew it!" - - But I know that she knew it now, and I just believe, I do, - That her poor little heart was broken, and so her head broke too. - Oh, my baby! my little baby! I wish my head had been hit! - For I've hit it over and over, and it hasn't cracked a bit. - - But since the darling is dead, she'll want to be buried, of course: - We will take my little wagon, Nurse, and you shall be the horse; - And I'll walk behind and cry, and we'll put her in this, you see-- - This dear little box--and we'll bury her there out under the maple-tree. - - And papa will make me a tombstone, like the one he made for my bird; - And he'll put what I tell him on it--yes, every single word! - I shall say: "Here lies Hildegarde, a beautiful doll, who is dead; - She died of a broken heart, and a dreadful crack in her head." - -MARGARET VANDERGRIFT - - * * * * * - - - - -LITTLE THINGS - - - Little drops of water - Little grains of sand, - Make the mighty ocean, - And the pleasant land. - - Thus the little moments, - Humble though they be, - Make the mighty ages - Of eternity. - - Thus our little errors - Lead the soul away - From the path of virtue, - Off in sin to stray. - - Little deeds of kindness, - Little words of love, - Make our earth an Eden, - Like the heaven above. - -Ascribed to JULIA A. F. CARNEY - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GOLDEN RULE - - - To do to others as I would - That they should do to me, - Will make me gentle, kind, and good, - As children ought to be. - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -DO THE BEST YOU CAN - - - If I was a cobbler it should be my pride - The best of all cobblers to be; - If I was a tinker, no tinker beside - Should mend an old kettle like me. - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -THE VOICE OF SPRING - - - I am coming, I am coming! - Hark! the little bee is humming; - See, the lark is soaring high - In the blue and sunny sky; - And the gnats are on the wing, - Wheeling round in airy ring. - - See, the yellow catkins cover - All the slender willows over! - And on the banks of mossy green - Star-like primroses are seen; - And, their clustering leaves below, - White and purple violets grow. - - Hark! the new-born lambs are bleating - And the cawing rooks are meeting - In the elms,--a noisy crowd; - All the birds are singing loud; - And the first white butterfly - In the sunshine dances by. - - Look around thee, look around! - Flowers in all the fields abound; - Every running stream is bright; - All the orchard trees are white; - And each small and waving shoot - Promises sweet flowers and fruit. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LARK AND THE ROOK - - - "Good night, Sir Rook!" said a little lark. - "The daylight fades; it will soon be dark; - I've bathed my wings in the sun's last ray; - I've sung my hymn to the parting day; - So now I haste to my quiet nook - In yon dewy meadow--good night, Sir Rook!" - - "Good night, poor Lark," said his titled friend - With a haughty toss and a distant bend; - "I also go to my rest profound, - But not to sleep on the cold, damp ground. - The fittest place for a bird like me - Is the topmost bough of yon tall pine-tree. - - "I opened my eyes at peep of day - And saw you taking your upward way, - Dreaming your fond romantic dreams, - An ugly speck in the sun's bright beams; - Soaring too high to be seen or heard; - And I said to myself: 'What a foolish bird!' - - "I trod the park with a princely air, - I filled my crop with the richest fare; - I cawed all day 'mid a lordly crew, - And I made more noise in the world than you! - The sun shone forth on my ebon wing; - I looked and wondered--good night, poor thing!" - - "Good night, once more," said the lark's sweet voice. - "I see no cause to repent my choice; - You build your nest in the lofty pine, - But is your slumber more sweet than mine? - You make more noise in the world than I, - But whose is the sweeter minstrelsy?" - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -THANKSGIVING DAY - - - Over the river and through the wood, - To grandfather's house we go; - The horse knows the way - To carry the sleigh - Through the white and drifted snow. - - Over the river and through the wood-- - Oh, how the wind does blow! - It stings the toes - And bites the nose, - As over the ground we go. - - Over the river and through the wood, - To have a first-rate play. - Hear the bells ring, - "Ting-a-ling-ding!" - Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day! - - Over the river and through the wood - Trot fast, my dapple-gray! - Spring over the ground, - Like a hunting-hound! - For this is Thanksgiving Day. - - Over the river and through the wood, - And straight through the barn-yard gate - We seem to go - Extremely slow,-- - It is so hard to wait! - - Over the river and through the wood-- - Now grandmother's cap I spy! - Hurrah for the fun! - Is the pudding done? - Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie? - -LYDIA MARIA CHILD - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MAGPIE'S NEST - - -A FABLE - - - When the Arts in their infancy were, - In a fable of old 'tis express'd - A wise magpie constructed that rare - Little house for young birds, call'd a nest. - - This was talk'd of the whole country round; - You might hear it on every bough sung, - "Now no longer upon the rough ground - Will fond mothers brood over their young:" - - "For the magpie with exquisite skill - Has invented a moss-cover'd cell - Within which a whole family will - In the utmost security dwell." - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FAIRIES OF THE CALDON LOW - - -A MIDSUMMER LEGEND - - - "And where have you been, my Mary, - And where have you been from me?" - "I've been to the top of the Caldon Low, - The midsummer-night to see." - - "And what did you see, my Mary, - All up on the Caldon Low?" - "I saw the glad sunshine come down, - And I saw the merry winds blow." - - "And what did you hear, my Mary, - All up on the Caldon hill?" - "I heard the drops of the water made. - And the ears of the green corn fill." - - "Oh! tell me all, my Mary-- - All, all that ever you know; - For you must have seen the fairies, - Last night on the Caldon Low." - - "Then take me on your knee, mother; - And listen, mother of mine: - A hundred fairies danced last night, - And the harpers they were nine;" - - "And their harp-strings rung so merrily - To their dancing feet so small; - But oh! the words of their talking - Were merrier far than all." - - "And what were the words, my Mary, - That then you heard them say?" - "I'll tell you all, my mother; - But let me have my way. - - "Some of them played with the water, - And rolled it down the hill; - 'And this,' they said, 'shall speedily turn - The poor old miller's mill; - - "'For there has been no water - Ever since the first of May; - And a busy man will the miller be - At dawning of the day. - - "'Oh! the miller, how he will laugh - When he sees the mill-dam rise! - The jolly old miller, how he will laugh - Till the tears fill both his eyes!' - - "And some they seized the little winds - That sounded over the hill; - And each put a horn unto his mouth, - And blew both loud and shrill; - - "'And there,' they said, 'the merry winds go - Away from every horn; - And they shall clear the mildew dank - From the blind old widow's corn. - - "'Oh! the poor, blind widow, - Though she has been blind so long, - She'll be blithe enough when the mildew's gone, - And the corn stands tall and strong.' - - "And some they brought the brown lint-seed, - And flung it down from the Low; - 'And this,' they said, 'by sunrise, - In the weaver's croft shall grow. - - "'Oh! the poor, lame weaver, - How will he laugh outright - When he sees his dwindling flax-field - All full of flowers by night!' - - "And then outspoke a brownie, - With a long beard on his chin; - 'I have spun up all the tow,' said he, - 'And I want some more to spin. - - "'I've spun a piece of hempen cloth, - And I want to spin another; - A little sheet for Mary's bed, - And an apron for her mother. - - "With that I could not help but laugh, - And I laughed out loud and free; - And then on the top of the Caldon Low - There was no one left but me. - - "And on the top of the Caldon Low - The mists were cold and gray, - And nothing I saw but the mossy stones - That round about me lay. - - "But, coming down from the hill-top, - I heard afar below, - How busy the jolly miller was, - And how the wheel did go. - - "And I peeped into the widow's field, - And, sure enough, were seen - The yellow ears of the mildewed corn, - All standing stout and green. - - "And down by the weaver's croft I stole, - To see if the flax were sprung; - And I met the weaver at his gate, - With the good news on his tongue. - - "Now this is all I heard, mother, - And all that I did see; - So, pr'ythee, make my bed, mother, - For I'm tired as I can be." - -MARY HOWITT - * * * * * - - - - -THE LAND OF STORY-BOOKS - - - At evening when the lamp is lit, - Around the fire my parents sit; - They sit at home and talk and sing. - And do not play at anything. - - Now, with my little gun, I crawl - All in the dark along the wall, - And follow round the forest track - Away behind the sofa back. - - There, in the night, where none can spy, - All in my hunter's camp I lie, - And play at books that I have read - Till it is time to go to bed. - - These are the hills, these are the woods, - These are my starry solitudes; - And there the river by whose brink - The roaring lions come to drink. - - I see the others far away - As if in firelit camp they lay, - And I, like to an Indian scout, - Around their party prowled about. - - So, when my nurse comes in for me, - Home I return across the sea, - And go to bed with backward looks - At my dear land of Story-books. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - * * * * * - - - - -A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS - - - 'T was the night before Christmas, when all through the house - Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; - The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, - In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; - The children were nestled all snug in their beds, - While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; - And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, - Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,-- - When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, - I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. - Away to the window I flew like a flash, - Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. - The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow - Gave a lustre of midday to objects below; - When what to my wondering eyes should appear, - But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, - With a little old driver, so lively and quick - I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. - More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, - And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name; - "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! - On, Comet! on, Cupid, on, Donder and Blitzen! - To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall! - Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!" - As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, - When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, - So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, - With the sleigh full of toys,--and St. Nicholas too. - And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof - The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. - As I drew in my head, and was turning around, - Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. - He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, - And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; - A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, - And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. - His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! - His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; - His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, - And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. - The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, - And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. - He had a broad face and a little round belly - That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. - He was chubby and plump--a right jolly old elf; - And I laughed, when I saw him, in spite of myself. - A wink of his eye and a twist of his head - Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. - He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, - And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, - And laying his finger aside of his nose, - And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. - He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, - And away they all flew like the down of a thistle; - But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, - "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!" - -CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE - - * * * * * - - - - -LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE - - - Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay, - An' wash the cups and saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away, - An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep, - An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep; - An' all us other children, when the supper things is done, - We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun - A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about. - An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you - Ef you - Don't - Watch - Out! - - Onc't they was a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,-- - So when he went to bed at night, away up stairs, - His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl, - An' when they turn't the kivers down, he wasn't there at all! - An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubbyhole, an press, - An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'wheres, I guess; - But all they ever found was thist his pants an' roundabout! - An' the Gobble-uns git you - Ef you - Don't - Watch - Out! - - An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin, - An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood an' kin; - An' onc't when they was "company," an' ole folks was there, - She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care! - An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide, - They was two great big black Things a-standin' by her side, - An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about! - An' the Gobble-uns'll git you - Ef you - Don't - Watch - Out! - - An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue, - An' the lampwick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo! - An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray, - An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,-- - You better mind yer parents, and yer teachers fond and dear, - An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear, - An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about, - Er the Gobble-uns'll git you - Ef you - Don't - Watch - Out! - -JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY - - -(_From "Riley Child Rhymes," copyright, 1899. Used by special permission -of the publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company._) - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CHATTERBOX - - - From morning to night 't was Lucy's delight - To chatter and talk without stopping; - There was not a day but she rattled away, - Like water forever a-dropping! - - As soon as she rose, while she put on her clothes, - 'Twas vain to endeavor to still her; - Nor once did she lack to continue her clack, - Till again she lay down on her pillow. - - You'll think now, perhaps, there would have been gaps, - If she hadn't been wonderful clever; - That her sense was so great, and so witty her pate - That it would be forthcoming forever. - - But that's quite absurd; for have you not heard, - Much tongue and few brains are connected, - That they are supposed to think least who talk most, - And their wisdom is always suspected? - - While Lucy was young, had she bridled her tongue - With a little good sense and exertion, - Who knows but she might have been our delight, - Instead of our jest and aversion? - -ANN TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - - - -THE VOICE OF SPRING - - - I come, I come! ye have called me long; - I come o'er the mountains, with light and song. - Ye may trace my step o'er the waking earth - By the winds which tell of the violet's birth, - By the primrose stars in the shadowy grass, - By the green leaves opening as I pass. - - I have breathed on the South, and the chestnut-flowers - By thousands have burst from the forest bowers, - And the ancient graves and the fallen fanes - Are veiled with wreathes on Italian plains; - But it is not for me, in my hour of bloom, - To speak of the ruin or the tomb! - - I have looked o'er the hills of the stormy North, - And the larch has hung all his tassels forth; - The fisher is out on the sunny sea, - And the reindeer bounds o'er the pastures free, - And the pine has a fringe of softer green, - And the moss looks bright, where my step has been. - - I have sent through the wood-paths a glowing sigh, - And called out each voice of the deep blue sky, - From the night-bird's lay through the starry time, - In the groves of the soft Hesperian clime, - To the swan's wild note by the Iceland lakes, - When the dark fir-branch into verdure breaks. - - From the streams and founts I have loosed the chain; - They are sweeping on to the silvery main. - They are flashing down from the mountain brows, - They are flinging spray o'er the forest boughs, - They are bursting fresh from their sparry caves, - And the earth resounds with the joy of waves. - -FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE HISTORY LESSON - - - There was a monkey climbed up a tree, - When he fell down, then down fell he. - - There was a crow sat on a stone, - When he was gone, then there was none. - - There was an old wife did eat an apple, - When she had eat two, she had eat a couple. - - There was a horse going to the mill, - When he went on, he stood not still. - - There was a butcher cut his thumb, - When it did bleed, then blood did come. - - There was a lackey ran a race, - When he ran fast, he ran apace. - - There was a cobbler clouting shoon, - When they were mended, they were done. - - There was a chandler making candle, - When he them strip, he did them handle. - - There was a navy went into Spain, - When it returned, it came again. - -ANONYMOUS - - * * * * * - - - - -SONG OF LIFE - - - A traveller on a dusty road - Strewed acorns on the lea; - And one took root and sprouted up, - And grew into a tree. - Love sought its shade at evening-time, - To breathe its early vows; - And Age was pleased, in heights of noon, - To bask beneath its boughs. - The dormouse loved its dangling twigs, - The birds sweet music bore-- - It stood a glory in its place, - A blessing evermore. - - A little spring had lost its way - Amid the grass and fern; - A passing stranger scooped a well - Where weary men might turn, - He walled it in, and hung with care - A ladle on the brink; - He thought not of the deed he did, - But judged that Toil might drink. - He passed again; and lo! the well, - By summer never dried, - Had cooled ten thousand parchéd tongues, - And saved a life beside. - - A nameless man, amid the crowd - That thronged the daily mart, - Let fall a word of hope and love, - Unstudied from the heart, - A whisper on the tumult thrown, - A transitory breath, - It raised a brother from the dust, - It saved a soul from death. - O germ! O fount! O word of love! - O thought at random cast! - Ye were but little at the first, - But mighty at the last. - -CHARLES MACKAY - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GOOD TIME COMING - - - There's a good time coming, boys. - A good time coming: - We may not live to see the day, - But earth shall glisten in the ray - Of the good time coming. - Cannon-balls may aid the truth, - But thought's a weapon stronger; - We'll win our battle by its aid;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - The pen shall supersede the sword, - And Right, not Might, shall be the lord - In the good time coming. - Worth, not Birth, shall rule mankind, - And be acknowledged stronger; - The proper impulse has been given;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys - A good time coming: - War in all men's eyes shall be - A monster of iniquity - In the good time coming. - Nations shall not quarrel then, - To prove which is the stronger; - Nor slaughter men for glory's sake;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - Hateful rivalries of creed - Shall not make their martyrs bleed - In the good time coming. - Religion shall be shorn of pride, - And flourish all the stronger; - And Charity shall trim her lamp;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - And a poor man's family - Shall not be his misery - In the good time coming. - Every child shall be a help - To make his right arm stronger; - The happier he, the more he has:-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - Little children shall not toil - Under, or above, the soil - In the good time coming; - But shall play in healthful fields, - Till limbs and mind grow stronger; - And every one shall read and write;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - The people shall be temperate, - And shall love instead of hate, - In the good time coming. - They shall use, and not abuse, - And make all virtue stronger; - The reformation has begun;-- - Wait a little longer. - - There's a good time coming, boys, - A good time coming: - Let us aid it all we can, - Every woman, every man, - The good time coming: - Smallest helps, if rightly given, - Make the impulse stronger; - 'T will be strong enough one day;-- - Wait a little longer. - -CHARLES MACKAY - - * * * * * - - - - -WINDY NIGHTS - - - Whenever the moon and stars are set, - Whenever the wind is high, - All night long in the dark and wet. - A man goes riding by, - Late at night when the fires are out, - Why does he gallop and gallop about? - - Whenever the trees are crying aloud, - And ships are tossed at sea, - By, on the highway, low and loud, - By at the gallop goes he. - By at the gallop he goes, and then - By he comes back at the gallop again. - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WONDERFUL WORLD - - - Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World, - With the wonderful water round you curled, - And the wonderful grass upon your breast, - World, you are beautifully drest. - - The wonderful air is over me, - And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree-- - It walks on the water, and whirls the mills, - And talks to itself on the top of the hills. - - You friendly Earth, how far do you go, - With the wheat-fields that nod and the rivers that flow, - With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles, - And people upon you for thousands of miles? - - Ah! you are so great, and I am so small, - I hardly can think of you, World, at all; - And yet, when I said my prayers to-day, - My mother kissed me, and said, quite gay, - - "If the wonderful World is great to you, - And great to father and mother, too, - You are more than the Earth, though you are such a dot! - You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!" - -WILLIAM BRIGHTY RANDS - - * * * * * - - - - -HARK! HARK! THE LARK - - - Hark! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, - And Phoebus 'gins arise, - His steeds to water at those springs - On chaliced flowers that lies; - - And winking Mary-buds begin - To ope their golden eyes; - With every thing that pretty bin, - My lady sweet, arise; - Arise, arise. - -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - - * * * * * - - -JOG ON, JOG ON - - - Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way, - And merrily hent the stile-a; - A merry heart goes all the day, - Your sad tires in a mile-a. - -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - - * * * * * - - - - -SWEET STORY OF OLD - - - I think when I read that sweet story of old, - When Jesus was here among men, - How He call'd little children as lambs to His fold, - I should like to have been with them then. - - I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, - That His arm had been thrown around me, - And that I might have seen His kind look when He said, - "Let the little ones come unto me." - - Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, - And ask for a share in His love; - And if I thus earnestly seek Him below, - I shall see Him and hear Him above; - - In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare - For all who are washed and forgiven; - And many dear children shall be with Him there, - For of such is the kingdom of heaven. - - But thousands and thousands who wander and fall, - Never heard of that heavenly home; - I wish they could know there is room for them all, - And that Jesus has bid them to come. - -JEMIMA LUKE - - * * * * * - - - - -MY SHADOW - - - I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, - And what can be the use of him is more than I can see, - He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; - And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. - - The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow-- - Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow; - For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball, - And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all. - - He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play, - And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way. - He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see; - I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me! - - One morning, very early, before the sun was up, - I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup; - But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head, - Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed! - -ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON - - * * * * * - - - - -BY COOL SILOAM'S SHADY RILL - - - By cool Siloam's shady rill - How sweet the lily grows! - How sweet the breath beneath the hill - Of Sharon's dewy rose! - - Lo, such the child whose early feet - The paths of peace have trod; - Whose secret heart, with influence sweet, - Is upward drawn to God. - - By cool Siloam's shady rill - The lily must decay; - The rose that blooms beneath the hill - Must shortly fade away. - - And soon, too soon, the wintry hour - Of man's maturer age - Will shake the soul with sorrow's power, - And stormy passion's rage. - - O Thou, whose infant feet were found - Within thy Father's shrine, - Whose years, with changeless virtue crowned, - Were all alike divine; - - Dependent on thy bounteous breath, - We seek thy grace alone, - In childhood, manhood, age, and death, - To keep us still thine own. - -REGINALD HEBER - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WIND IN A FROLIC - - - The wind one morning sprang up from sleep, - Saying, "Now for a frolic! now for a leap! - Now for a madcap galloping chase! - I'll make a commotion in every place!" - So it swept with a bustle right through a great town, - Creaking the signs, and scattering down - Shutters, and whisking, with merciless squalls, - Old women's bonnets and gingerbread stalls. - There never was heard a much lustier shout, - As the apples and oranges tumbled about; - And the urchins, that stand with their thievish eyes - Forever on watch, ran off each with a prize. - Then away to the fields it went blustering and humming, - And the cattle all wondered whatever was coming. - It plucked by their tails the grave, matronly cows, - And tossed the colts' manes all about their brows, - Till, offended at such a familiar salute, - They all turned their backs and stood silently mute. - So on it went, capering and playing its pranks; - Whistling with reeds on the broad river banks; - Puffing the birds, as they sat on the spray, - Or the traveler grave on the King's highway. - It was not too nice to bustle the bags - Of the beggar, and flutter his dirty rags, - 'T was so bold that it feared not to play its joke - With the doctor's wig, and the gentleman's cloak. - Through the forest it roared, and cried gayly, "Now, - You sturdy old oaks, I'll make you bow!" - And it made them bow without more ado, - Or it cracked their great branches through and through. - Then it rushed like a monster o'er cottage and farm, - Striking their inmates with sudden alarm; - And they ran out like bees in a midsummer swarm. - There were dames with their kerchiefs tied over their caps, - To see if their poultry were free from mishaps; - The turkeys, they gobbled, the geese screamed aloud, - And the hens crept to roost in a terrified crowd; - There was rearing of ladders, and logs laying on, - Where the thatch from the roof threatened soon to be gone. - But the wind had passed on, and had met in a lane - With a schoolboy, who panted and struggled in vain, - For it tossed him, and twirled him, then passed, and he stood - With his hat in a pool, and his shoe in the mud. - -WILLIAM HOWITT - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GRAVES OF A HOUSEHOLD - - - They grew in beauty, side by side, - They filled one home with glee; - Their graves are severed far and wide, - By mount, and stream, and sea. - - The same fond mother bent at night - O'er each fair, sleeping brow; - She had each folded flower in sight: - Where are those sleepers now? - - One, midst the forest of the West, - By a dark stream is laid; - The Indian knows his place of rest, - Far in the cedar shade. - - The sea, the blue, lone sea, hath one; - He lies where pearls lie deep; - He was the loved of all, yet none - O'er his low bed may weep. - - One sleeps where southern vines are dressed - Above the noble slain; - He wrapped the colors round his breast - On a blood-red field of Spain. - - And one--o'er her the myrtle showers - Its leaves by soft winds fanned; - She faded midst Italian flowers-- - The last of that fair band. - - And parted thus, they rest who played - Beneath the same green tree; - Whose voices mingled as they prayed - Around one parent knee. - - They that with smiles lit up the hall, - And cheered with song the hearth; - Alas for love! if thou wert all, - And naught beyond, O earth! - -FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS - - * * * * * - - - - -WE ARE SEVEN - - - ... A simple child - That lightly draws its breath, - And feels its life in every limb, - What should it know of death? - - - I met a little cottage-girl: - She was eight years old, she said; - Her hair was thick with many a curl - That clustered round her head. - - She had a rustic, woodland air, - And she was wildly clad; - Her eyes were bright, and very fair-- - Her beauty made me glad. - - "Sisters and brothers, little maid, - How many may you be?" - "How many? Seven in all," she said, - And wond'ring looked at me. - - "And where are they? I pray you tell." - She answered, "Seven are we; - And two of us at Conway dwell, - And two are gone to sea. - - "Two of us in the churchyard lie, - My sister and my brother; - And, in the churchyard cottage, I - Dwell near them with my mother." - - "You say that two at Conway dwell, - And two are gone to sea, - Yet ye are seven?--I pray you tell, - Sweet maid, how this may be?" - - Then did the little maid reply, - "Seven boys and girls are we; - Two of us in the churchyard lie, - Beneath the churchyard tree." - - "You run about, my little maid, - Your limbs they are alive: - If two are in the churchyard laid, - Then ye are only five." - - "Their graves are green, they may be seen," - The little maid replied; - "Twelve steps or more from my mother's door, - And they are side by side. - - "My stockings there I often knit, - My kerchief there I hem; - And there upon the ground I sit-- - I sit and sing to them. - - "And often after sunset, sir, - When it is light and fair, - I take my little porringer, - And eat my supper there. - - "The first that died was little Jane; - In bed she moaning lay, - Till God released her of her pain, - And then she went away. - - "So in the churchyard she was laid; - And when the grass was dry, - Together round her grave we played, - My brother John and I. - - "And when the ground was white with snow, - And I could run and slide, - My brother John was forced to go, - And he lies by her side." - - "How many are you, then," said I, - "If they two are in heaven?" - The little maiden did reply, - "O master! we are seven." - - "But they are dead; these two are dead! - Their spirits are in heaven!" - 'T was throwing words away; for still - The little maid would have her will, - And said, "Nay, we are seven!" - -WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BETTER LAND - - - "I hear thee speak of the better land; - Thou call'st its children a happy band; - Mother! oh, where is that radiant shore? - Shall we not seek it and weep no more? - Is it where the flower of the orange blows, - And the fireflies dance through the myrtle boughs?"-- - "Not there, not there my child!" - - "Is it where the feathery palm trees rise, - And the date grows ripe under sunny skies? - Or midst the green islands of glittering seas, - Where fragrant forests perfume the breeze, - And strange bright birds on their starry wings - Bear the rich hues of all glorious things?"-- - "Not there, not there, my child!" - - "Is it far away, in some region old, - Where the rivers wander o'er sands of gold? - Where the burning rays of the ruby shine, - And the diamond lights up the secret mine, - And the pearl gleams forth from the coral strand? - Is it there, sweet mother, that better land?"-- - "Not there, not there, my child!" - - "Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy; - Ear hath not heard its deep songs of joy; - Dreams cannot picture a world so fair,-- - Sorrow and death may not enter there; - Time doth not breathe on its fadeless bloom; - For beyond the clouds and beyond the tomb, - It is there, it is there, my child!" - -FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS - - * * * * * - - - - -THE JUVENILE ORATOR - - - You'd scarce expect one of my age - To speak in public, on the stage; - And if I chance to fall below - Demosthenes or Cicero, - Don't view me with a critic's eye, - But pass my imperfections by. - - Large streams from little fountains flow; - Tall oaks from little acorns grow; - And though I now am small and young, - Of judgment weak, and feeble tongue, - Yet all great learned men--like me-- - Once learned to read their A, B, C. - - And why may not Columbia's soil - Rear men as great as Britain's isle, - Exceed what Greece and Rome have done, - Or any land beneath the sun? - - May n't Massachusetts prove as great - As any other sister state? - Or, where's the town, go far or near, - That does not find a rival here? - Or, where 's the boy but three feet high - Who's made improvement more than I? - - Those thoughts inspire my youthful mind - To be the greatest of mankind; - Great, not like Cæsar, stained with blood; - But only great, as I am good. - -DAVID EVERETT - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FOX AND THE CROW - - -A FABLE - - - The fox and the crow, - In prose, I well know, - Many good little girls can rehearse: - Perhaps it will tell - Pretty nearly as well, - If we try the same fable in verse. - - In a dairy a crow, - Having ventured to go, - Some food for her young ones to seek, - Flew up in the trees, - With a fine piece of cheese, - Which she joyfully held in her beak. - - A fox, who lived by, - To the tree saw her fly, - And to share in the prize made a vow; - For having just dined, - He for cheese felt inclined, - So he went and sat under the bough. - - She was cunning, he knew, - But so was he too, - And with flattery adapted his plan; - For he knew if she'd speak, - It must fall from her beak, - So, bowing politely, began. - - "'T is a very fine day" - (Not a word did she say): - "The wind, I believe, ma'am, is south: - A fine harvest for peas:" - He then looked at the cheese, - But the crow did not open her mouth. - - Sly Reynard, not tired, - Her plumage admired, - "How charming! how brilliant its hue! - The voice must be fine, - Of a bird so divine, - Ah, let me just hear it, pray do. - - "Believe me, I long - To hear a sweet song!" - The silly crow foolishly tries: - She scarce gave one squall, - When the cheese she let fall, - And the fox ran away with the prize. - - -MORAL - - - Ye innocent fair, - Of coxcombs beware, - To flattery never give ear; - Try well each pretense, - And keep to plain sense, - And then you have little to fear. - -LITTLE B. (TAYLOR?) - - * * * * * - - - - -THE USE OF FLOWERS - - - God might have bade the earth bring forth - Enough for great and small, - The oak tree and the cedar tree, - Without a flower at all. - - We might have had enough, enough - For every want of ours, - For luxury, medicine, and toil, - And yet have had no flowers. - - The ore within the mountain mine - Requireth none to grow; - Nor doth it need the lotus flower - To make the river flow. - - The clouds might give abundant rain, - The nightly dews might fall, - And the herb that keepeth life in man - Might yet have drunk them all. - - Then wherefore, wherefore were they made, - All dyed with rainbow light, - All fashioned with supremest grace, - Upspringing day and night,-- - - Springing in valleys green and low, - And on the mountain high, - And in the silent wilderness, - Where no man passes by? - - Our outward life requires them not, - Then wherefore had they birth?-- - To minister delight to man, - To beautify the earth; - - To comfort man, to whisper hope - Whene'er his faith is dim; - For Whoso careth for the flowers - Will much more care for him. - -MARY HOWITT - - * * * * * - - - - -CONTENTED JOHN - - - One honest John Tomkins, a hedger and ditcher, - Although he was poor, did not want to be richer; - For all such vain wishes in him were prevented - By a fortunate habit of being contented. - - Though cold was the weather, or dear was the food, - John never was found in a murmuring mood; - For this he was constantly heard to declare,-- - What he could not prevent he would cheerfully bear. - - "For why should I grumble and murmur?" he said; - "If I cannot get meat, I can surely get bread; - And, though fretting may make my calamities deeper, - It can never cause bread and cheese to be cheaper." - - If John was afflicted with sickness or pain, - He wished himself better, but did not complain, - Nor lie down and fret in despondence and sorrow, - But said that he hoped to be better to-morrow. - - If any one wronged him or treated him ill, - Why, John was good-natured and sociable still; - For he said that revenging the injury done - Would be making two rogues when there need be but one, - - And thus honest John, though his station was humble, - Passed through this sad world without even a grumble; - And I wish that some folks, who are greater and richer, - Would copy John Tomkins, the hedger and ditcher. - -JANE TAYLOR - - * * * * * - - - - -THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS, AND -HOW HE GAINED THEM - - - "You are old, Father William," the young man cried; - "The few locks which are left you are gray; - You are hale, Father William--a hearty old man: - Now tell me the reason, I pray." - - "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, - "I remembered that youth would fly fast, - And abused not my health and my vigor at first, - That I never might need them at last." - - "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, - "And pleasures with youth pass away; - And yet you lament not the days that are gone: - Now tell me the reason, I pray." - - "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, - "I remembered that youth could not last; - I thought of the future, whatever I did, - That I never might grieve for the past." - - "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, - "And life must be hastening away; - You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death: - Now tell me the reason, I pray." - - "I am cheerful, young man," Father William replied; - "Let the cause thy attention engage: - In the days of my youth I remembered my God; - And he hath not forgotten my age." - -ROBERT SOUTHEY - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FROST - - - The frost looked forth on a still, clear night, - And whispered, "Now I shall be out of sight; - So through the valley and over the height - I'll silently take my way. - I will not go on like that blustering train, - The wind and the snow, the hail and the rain, - That make so much bustle and noise in vain, - But I'll be as busy as they!" - - He flew up, and powdered the mountain's crest; - He lit on the trees, and their boughs he dressed - With diamonds and pearls;--and over the breast - Of the quivering lake he spread - A bright coat of mail, that it need not fear - The glittering point of many a spear - That he hung on its margin, far and near, - Where a rock was rearing its head. - - He went to the windows of those who slept, - And over each pane, like a fairy crept; - Wherever he breathed--wherever he stepped-- - Most beautiful things were seen - By morning's first light! There were flowers and trees, - With bevies of birds and swarms of bright bees; - There were cities--temples, and towers; and these, - All pictured in silvery sheen! - - But one thing he did that was hardly fair-- - He peeped in the cupboard, and finding there - That none had remembered for him to prepare, - "Now, just to set them a-thinking, - I'll bite their rich basket of fruit," said he, - "This burly old pitcher--I'll burst it in three! - And the glass with the water they've left for me - Shall 'tchick!' to tell them I'm drinking!" - -HANNAH FLAGG GOULD - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM - - - It was a summer evening, - Old Kaspar's work was done, - And he before his cottage door - Was sitting in the sun, - And by him sported on the green - His little grandchild Wilhelmine. - - She saw her brother Peterkin - Roll something large and round, - Which he beside the rivulet - In playing there had found; - He came to ask what he had found, - That was so large and smooth and round. - - Old Kaspar took it from the boy, - Who stood expectant by; - And then the old man shook his head, - And with a natural sigh, - "'T is some poor fellow's skull," said he, - "Who fell in the great victory. - - "I find them in the garden, - For there's many hereabout; - And often, when I go to plow - The plowshare turns them out! - For many thousand men," said he, - "Were slain in that great victory." - - "Now tell us what 't was all about," - Young Peterkin he cries; - While little Wilhelmine looks up - With wonder-waiting eyes; - "Now tell us all about the war, - And what they killed each other for." - - "It was the English," Kaspar cried, - "Who put the French to rout; - But what they killed each other for - I could not well make out. - But everybody said," quoth he, - "That 't was a famous victory. - - "My father lived at Blenheim then, - Yon little stream hard by; - They burnt his dwelling to the ground, - And he was forced to fly: - So with his wife and child he fled, - Nor had he where to rest his head. - - "With fire and sword the country round - Was wasted far and wide, - And many a childing mother then - And new-born baby died: - But things like that, you know, must be - At every famous victory. - - "They say it was a shocking sight - After the field was won; - For many thousand bodies here - Lay rotting in the sun: - But things like that, you know, must be - After a famous victory. - - "Great praise the Duke of Marlbro' won, - And our good Prince Eugene." - "Why 't was a very wicked thing!" - Said little Wilhelmine. - "Nay--nay--my little girl," quoth he, - "It was a famous victory. - - "And everybody praised the Duke - Who this great fight did win." - "And what good came of it at last?" - Quoth little Peterkin. - "Why, that I cannot tell," said he, - "But 't was a famous victory." - -ROBERT SOUTHEY - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CHAMELEON - - -A FABLE - -FROM M. DE LAMOTTE - - - Oft has it been my lot to mark - A proud, conceited, talking spark, - With eyes, that hardly served at most - To guard their master 'gainst a post; - - Yet round the world the blade has been - To see whatever could be seen, - Returning from his finished tour, - Grown ten times perter than before; - Whatever word you chance to drop, - The traveled fool your mouth will stop: - "Sir, if my judgment you'll allow, - I've seen--and sure I ought to know," - So begs you'd pay a due submission, - And acquiesce in his decision. - - Two travelers of such a cast, - As o'er Arabia's wilds they passed - And on their way in friendly chat, - Now talked of this, and then of that, - Discoursed awhile, 'mongst other matter. - Of the chameleon's form and nature. - "A stranger animal," cries one, - "Sure never lived beneath the sun. - A lizard's body, lean and long, - A fish's head, a serpent's tongue, - Its foot with triple claw disjoined; - And what a length of tail behind! - How slow its pace; and then its hue-- - Who ever saw so fine a blue?" - - "Hold, there," the other quick replies, - "'T is _green_, I saw it with these eyes, - As late with open mouth it lay, - And warmed it in the sunny ray: - Stretched at its ease, the beast I viewed - And saw it eat the air for food." - "I've seen it, sir, as well as you, - And must again affirm it blue; - At leisure I the beast surveyed, - Extending in the cooling shade." - "'T is green, 't is green, sir I assure ye!" - "Green!" cries the other in a fury-- - - "Why, sir!--d'ye think I've lost my eyes?" - "'T were no great loss," the friend replies, - "For, if they always serve you thus, - You'll find them of but little use." - - So high at last the contest rose, - From words they almost came to blows; - When luckily came by a third-- - To him the question they referred, - And begged he'd tell 'em, if he knew, - Whether the thing was green or blue. - "Sirs," cries the umpire, "cease your pother! - The creature's neither one nor t' other. - I caught the animal last night, - And viewed it o'er by candlelight: - I marked it well--'t was black as jet-- - You stare--but sirs, I've got it yet, - And can produce it." "Pray, sir, do: - I'll lay my life the thing is blue." - "And I'll be sworn, that when you've seen - The reptile, you'll pronounce him green." - "Well, then, at once to ease the doubt," - Replies the man, "I'll turn him out: - And when before your eyes I've set him, - If you don't find him black, I'll eat him." - He said: then full before their sight - Produced the beast, and lo!--'t was white. - - - Both stared, the man looked wondrous wise-- - "My children," the chameleon cries, - (Then first the creature found a tongue,) - "You are all right, and all are wrong: - When next you talk of what you view, - Think others see as well as you; - Nor wonder, if you find that none - Prefers your eyesight to his own." - -JAMES MERRICK - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BLACKBERRY GIRL - - - "Why, Phebe, are you come so soon? - Where are your berries, child? - You cannot, sure, have sold them all, - You had a basket piled." - - "No, mother, as I climbed the fence, - The nearest way to town, - My apron caught upon the stake, - And so I tumbled down. - - "I scratched my arm and tore my hair, - But still did not complain; - And had my blackberries been safe, - Should not have cared a grain. - - "But when I saw them on the ground. - All scattered by my side, - I picked my empty basket up, - And down I sat and cried. - - "Just then a pretty little Miss - Chanced to be walking by; - She stopped, and looking pitiful, - She begged me not to cry. - - "'Poor little girl, you fell,' said she, - 'And must be sadly hurt;' - 'Oh, no,' I cried; 'but see my fruit, - All mixed with sand and dirt.' - - "'Well, do not grieve for that,' she said; - 'Go home, and get some more,' - 'Ah, no, for I have stripped the vines, - These were the last they bore. - - "'My father, Miss, is very poor, - And works in yonder stall; - He has so many little ones, - He cannot clothe us all. - - "'I always longed to go to church, - But never could I go; - For when I asked him for a gown, - He always answered, "No. - - "'"There's not a father in the world - That loves his children more; - I'd get you one with all my heart, - But, Phebe, I am poor." - - "'But when the blackberries were ripe, - He said to me one day, - "Phebe, if you will take the time - That's given you for play, - - "'"And gather blackberries enough, - And carry them to town, - To buy your bonnet and your shoes, - I'll try to get a gown." - - "'Oh, Miss, I fairly jumped for joy, - My spirits were so light; - And so, when I had leave to play, - I picked with all my might. - - "'I sold enough to get my shoes, - About a week ago; - And these, if they had not been spilt, - Would buy a bonnet, too. - - "'But now they're gone, they all are gone, - And I can get no more, - And Sundays I must stay at home, - Just as I did before.' - - "And, mother, then I cried again - As hard as I could cry; - And looking up, I saw a tear - Was standing in her eye. - - "She caught her bonnet from her head, - 'Here, here,' she cried, 'take this!' - 'Oh, no, indeed--I fear your ma - Would be offended, Miss.' - - "'My ma! no, never; she delights - All sorrow to beguile; - And 't is the sweetest joy she feels, - To make the wretched smile. - - "'She taught me when I had enough, - To share it with the poor; - And never let a needy child, - Go empty from the door. - - "'So take it, for you need not fear - Offending her, you see; - I have another, too, at home, - And one's enough for me,' - - "So then I took it--here it is-- - For pray what could I do? - And, mother, I shall love that Miss - As long as I love you." - -UNKNOWN - - * * * * * - - - - -MABEL ON MIDSUMMER DAY - - -A STORY OF THE OLDEN TIME - - -PART I - - - "Arise, my maiden, Mabel," - The mother said; "arise, - For the golden sun of midsummer - Is shining in the skies. - - "Arise, my little maiden, - For thou must speed away, - To wait upon thy grandmother - This livelong summer day. - - "And thou must carry with thee - This wheaten cake so fine, - This new-made pat of butter, - This little flask of wine; - - "And tell the dear old body, - This day I cannot come, - For the goodman went out yestermorn. - And he is not come home. - - "And more than this, poor Amy - Upon my knee doth lie; - I fear me, with this fever pain - The little child will die! - - "And thou canst help thy grandmother: - The table thou canst spread; - Canst feed the little dog and bird; - And thou canst make her bed. - - "And thou canst fetch the water - From the lady-well hard by; - And thou canst gather from the wood - The fagots brown and dry; - - "Canst go down to the lonesome glen, - To milk the mother ewe; - This is the work, my Mabel, - That thou wilt have to do. - - "But listen now, my Mabel, - This is midsummer day, - When all the fairy people - From elfland come away. - - "And when thou 'rt in the lonesome glen, - Keep by the running burn, - And do not pluck the strawberry flower, - Nor break the lady-fern. - - "But think not of the fairy folk, - Lest mischief should befall; - Think only of poor Amy, - And how thou lov'st us all. - - "Yet keep good heart, my Mabel, - If thou the fairies see, - And give them kindly answer - If they should speak to thee. - - "And when into the fir-wood - Thou goest for fagots brown, - Do not, like idle children, - Go wandering up and down. - - "But fill thy little apron, - My child, with earnest speed; - And that thou break no living bough - Within the wood take heed. - - "For they are spiteful brownies - Who in the wood abide; - So be thou careful of this thing, - Lest evil should betide. - - "But think not, little Mabel, - Whilst thou art in the wood, - Of dwarfish, willful brownies, - But of the Father good. - - "And when thou goest to the spring - To fetch the water thence, - Do not disturb the little stream, - Lest this should give offense. - - "For the queen of all the fairies, - She loves that water bright; - I've seen her drinking there myself - On many a summer night. - - "But she's a gracious lady, - And her thou need'st not fear; - Only disturb thou not the stream, - Nor spill the water clear." - - "Now all this I will heed, mother, - Will no word disobey, - And wait upon the grandmother - This livelong summer day." - - -PART II - - Away tripped little Mabel, - With the wheaten cake so fine, - With the new-made pat of butter, - And the little flask of wine. - - And long before the sun was hot, - And the summer mist had cleared, - Beside the good old grandmother - The willing child appeared. - - And all her mother's message - She told with right good-will, - How that the father was away, - And the little child was ill. - - And then she swept the hearth up clean, - And then the table spread; - And next she fed the dog and bird; - And then she made the bed. - - "And go now," said the grandmother, - "Ten paces down the dell, - And bring in water for the day,-- - Thou know'st the lady-well." - - The first time that good Mabel went, - Nothing at all saw she, - Except a bird, a sky-blue bird, - That sat upon a tree. - - The next time that good Mabel went, - There sat a lady bright - Beside the well,--a lady small, - All clothed in green and white. - - A courtesy low made Mabel, - And then she stooped to fill - Her pitcher at the sparkling spring, - But no drop did she spill. - - "Thou art a handy maiden," - The fairy lady said; - "Thou hast not spilt a drop, nor yet - The fairy spring troubled! - - "And for this thing which thou hast done, - Yet mayst not understand, - I give to thee a better gift - Than houses or than land. - - "Thou shalt do well whate'er thou dost, - As thou hast done this day; - Shalt have the will and power to please, - And shalt be loved alway." - - Thus having said, she passed from sight, - And naught could Mabel see, - But the little bird, the sky-blue bird, - Upon the leafy tree. - - "And now go," said the grandmother, - "And fetch in fagots dry; - All in the neighboring fir-wood - Beneath the trees they lie." - - Away went kind, good Mabel, - Into the fir-wood near, - Where all the ground was dry and brown. - And the grass grew thin and sear. - - She did not wander up and down, - Nor yet a live branch pull, - But steadily of the fallen boughs - She picked her apron full. - - And when the wildwood brownies - Came sliding to her mind, - She drove them thence, as she was told, - With home thoughts sweet and kind. - - But all that while the brownies - Within the fir-wood still, - They watched her how she picked the wood, - And strove to do no ill. - - "And, oh, but she is small and neat," - Said one; "'t were shame to spite - A creature so demure and meek, - A creature harmless quite!" - - "Look only," said another, - "At her little gown of blue; - At her kerchief pinned about her head, - And at her little shoe!" - - "Oh, but she is a comely child," - Said a third; "and we will lay - A good-luck penny in her path, - A boon for her this day,-- - Seeing she broke no living wood; - No live thing did affray!" - - With that the smallest penny, - Of the finest silver ore, - Upon the dry and slippery path, - Lay Mabel's feet before. - - With joy she picked the penny up, - The fairy penny good; - And with her fagots dry and brown - Went wandering from the wood. - - "Now she has that," said the brownies, - "Let flax be ever so dear, - 'T will buy her clothes of the very best, - For many and many a year!" - - "And go now," said the grandmother, - "Since falling is the dew, - Go down unto the lonesome glen, - And milk the mother ewe!" - - All down into the lonesome glen, - Through copses thick and wild, - Through moist rank grass, by trickling streams, - Went on the willing child. - - And when she came to the lonesome glen, - She kept beside the burn, - And neither plucked the strawberry flower - Nor broke the lady fern. - - And while she milked the mother ewe - Within this lonesome glen, - She wished that little Amy - Were strong and well again. - - And soon as she thought this thought, - She heard a coming sound, - As if a thousand fairy folk - Were gathering all around. - - And then she heard a little voice, - Shrill as the midge's wing, - That spake aloud,--"A human child - Is here; yet mark this thing,-- - - "The lady-fern is all unbroke, - The strawberry flower unta'en! - What shall be done for her who still - From mischief can refrain?" - - "Give her a fairy cake!" said one; - "Grant her a wish!" said three; - "The latest wish that she hath wished," - Said all, "whate'er it be!" - - Kind Mabel heard the words they spake, - And from the lonesome glen - Unto the good old grandmother - Went gladly back again. - - Thus happened it to Mabel - On that midsummer day, - And these three fairy blessings - She took with her away. - - 'T is good to make all duty sweet, - To be alert and kind; - 'T is good, like little Mabel, - To have a willing mind. - -MARY HOWITT - - * * * * * - - - - -LLEWELLYN AND HIS DOG - - - The spearmen heard the bugle sound, - And cheer'ly smiled the morn; - And many a brach, and many a hound, - Attend Llewellyn's horn. - - And still he blew a louder blast, - And gave a louder cheer; - "Come, Gelert! why art thou the last - Llewellyn's horn to hear? - - "Oh, where does faithful Gelert roam, - The flower of all his race? - So true, so brave--a lamb at home, - A lion in the chase." - - That day Llewellyn little loved - The chase of hart or hare, - And scant and small the booty proved, - For Gelert was not there. - - Unpleased, Llewellyn homeward hied, - When, near the portal seat, - His truant Gelert he espied, - Bounding his lord to greet. - - But when he gained the castle door, - Aghast the chieftain stood; - The hound was smeared with gouts of gore - His lips and fangs ran blood! - - Llewellyn gazed with wild surprise; - Unused such looks to meet, - His fav'rite checked his joyful guise, - And crouched, and licked his feet. - - Onward in haste Llewellyn passed - (And on went Gelert too), - And still, where'er his eyes were cast, - Fresh blood gouts shocked his view! - - O'erturned his infant's bed he found, - The blood-stained cover rent; - And all around the walls and ground - With recent blood besprent. - - He called his child--no voice replied; - He searched with terror wild; - Blood! blood! he found on every side, - But nowhere found his child! - - "Hell-hound! by thee my child's devoured!" - The frantic father cried; - And to the hilt his vengeful sword - He plunged in Gelert's side. - - His suppliant, as to earth he fell, - No pity could impart; - But still his Gelert's dying yell - Passed heavy o'er his heart. - - Aroused by Gelert's dying yell, - Some slumberer wakened nigh; - What words the parent's joy can tell, - To hear his infant cry! - - Concealed beneath a mangled heap, - His hurried search had missed, - All glowing from his rosy sleep, - His cherub boy he kissed! - - Nor scratch had he, nor harm, nor dread, - But the same couch beneath - Lay a great wolf, all torn and dead,-- - Tremendous still in death! - - Ah, what was then Llewellyn's pain! - For now the truth was clear; - The gallant hound the wolf had slain, - To save Llewellyn's heir. - - Vain, vain was all Llewellyn's woe; - "Best of thy kind, adieu! - The frantic deed which laid thee low - This heart shall ever rue!" - - And now a gallant tomb they raised, - With costly sculpture decked; - And marbles storied with his praise - Poor Gelert's bones protect. - - Here never could the spearmen pass, - Or forester, unmoved, - Here oft the tear-besprinkled grass - Llewellyn's sorrow proved. - - And here he hung his horn and spear, - And oft, as evening fell, - In fancy's piercing sounds would hear - Poor Gelert's dying yell. - -WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCER - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SNOWBIRD'S SONG - - - The ground was all covered with snow one day, - And two little sisters were busy at play, - When a snowbird was sitting close by on a tree, - And merrily singing his chick-a-de-dee, - Chick-a-de-dee, chick-a-de-dee, - And merrily singing his chick-a-de-dee. - - He had not been singing that tune very long, - Ere Emily heard him, so loud was his song: - "Oh, sister, look out of the window," said she; - "Here's a dear little bird singing chick-a-de-dee. - Chick-a-de-dee, etc. - - "Oh, mother, do get him some stockings and shoes, - And a nice little frock, and a hat if he choose; - I wish he'd come into the parlor and see - How warm we would make him, poor chick-a-de-dee." - Chick-a-de-dee, etc. - - "There is one, my dear child, though I cannot tell who, - Has clothed me already, and warm enough too. - Good morning! Oh, who are so happy as we?" - And away he went singing his chick-a-de-dee. - Chick-a-de-dee, etc. - -FRANCIS C. WOODWORTH - - * * * * * - - - - -FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT - - - Is there for honest poverty - Wha hangs his head, and a' that? - The coward slave, we pass him by; - We dare be poor for a' that. - For a' that, and a' that, - Our toils obscure, and a' that; - The rank is but the guinea's stamp,-- - The man's the gowd for a' that. - - What though on hamely fare we dine, - Wear hoddin gray, and a' that? - Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,-- - A man's a man for a' that. - For a' that, and a' that, - Their tinsel show, and a' that; - The honest man, though e'er sae poor, - Is king o' men for a' that. - - Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord, - Wha struts, and stares, and a' that-- - Though hundreds worship at his word, - He's but a coof for a' that; - For a' that, and a' that, - His riband, star, and a' that; - The man of independent mind, - He looks and laughs at a' that. - - A prince can mak a belted knight, - A marquis, duke, and a' that; - But an honest man's aboon his might,-- - Guid faith, he maunna fa' that! - For a' that, and a' that; - Their dignities, and a' that, - The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, - Are higher ranks than a' that. - - Then let us pray that come it may,-- - As come it will for a' that,-- - That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, - May bear the gree, and a' that. - For a' that, and a' that, - It's coming yet, for a' that,-- - When man to man, the warld o'er, - Shall brothers be for a' that! - -ROBERT BURNS - - * * * * * - - - - -FABLES - - * * * * * - -FABLES FROM ÆSOP - - * * * * * - - -THE GOOSE THAT LAID GOLDEN EGGS - - -There was a man who once had a very handsome goose, that always laid -golden eggs. Now, he thought there must be gold inside of her, so he -wrung her neck straightway, and found she was exactly like all other -geese. He thought to find riches, and lost the little he had. - -The fable teaches that one who has anything should be content with it, -and avoid covetousness, lest he lose what he has. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BOYS AND THE FROGS - -A company of idle boys were watching some frogs by the side of a pond, -and as fast as any of the frogs lifted their heads the boys would pelt -them down again with stones. - -"Boys," said one of the frogs, "you forget that, though this may be -fun for you, it is death to us." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LION AND THE MOUSE - -A mouse happened to run into the mouth of a sleeping lion, who roused -himself, caught him, and was just about eating him, when the little -fellow begged him to let him go, saying, "If I am saved, I shall be -everlastingly grateful." So, with a smile, the lion let him off. It -befell him not long after to be saved by the mouse's gratitude, for -when he was caught by some hunters and bound by ropes to a tree, the -mouse, hearing his roaring groans, came and gnawed the ropes, and set -him free, saying, "You laughed at me once, as if you could receive no -return from me, but now, you see, it is you who have to be grateful to -me." - -The story shows that there come sudden changes of affairs, when the -most powerful owe everything to the weakest. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FOX AND THE GRAPES - -A hungry fox discovered some bunches of grapes hanging from a vine -high up a tree, and, as he gazed, longed to get at them, and could -not; so he left them hanging there and went off muttering, "They're -sour grapes." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FROG AND THE OX - -An ox, grazing in a swampy meadow, chanced to set his foot among a -parcel of young frogs, and crushed nearly the whole brood to death. -One that escaped ran off to his mother with the dreadful news. "O -mother," said he, "it was a beast--such a big four-footed beast, that -did it!" "Big?" quoth the old frog, "How big? was it as big"--and she -puffed herself out--"as big as this?" "Oh, a great deal bigger than -that." "Well, was it so big?" and she swelled herself out yet more. -"Indeed, mother, but it was; and if you were to burst yourself, you -would never reach half its size." The old frog made one more trial, -determined to be as big as the ox, and burst herself, indeed. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CAT, THE MONKEY, AND THE CHESTNUTS - -A cat and a monkey were sitting one day in the chimney corner watching -some chestnuts which their master had laid down to roast in the ashes. -The chestnuts had begun to burst with the heat, and the monkey said to -the cat, "It is plain that your paws were made especially for pulling -out those chestnuts. Do you reach forth and draw them out. Your paws -are, indeed, exactly like our master's hands." The cat was greatly -flattered by this speech, and reached forward for the tempting -chestnuts, but scarcely had he touched the hot ashes than he drew back -with a cry, for he had burnt his paw; but he tried again, and managed -to pull one chestnut out; then he pulled another, and a third, though -each time he singed the hair on his paws. When he could pull no more -out he turned about and found that the monkey had taken the time to -crack the chestnuts and eat them. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE COUNTRY MAID AND HER MILKPAIL - -A country maid was walking slowly along with a pail of milk upon her -head, and thinking thus: - -"The money for which I shall sell this milk will buy me three hundred -eggs. These eggs, allowing for what may prove addled, will produce -at least two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to -carry to market about Christmas, when poultry always brings a good -price, so that by May-day I shall have money enough to buy a new gown. -Let me see--green suits me; yes, it shall be green. In this dress I -will go to the fair, where all the young fellows will want me for a -partner, but I shall refuse every one of them." By this time she was -so full of her fancy that she tossed her head proudly, when over -went the pail, which she had entirely forgotten, and all the milk was -spilled on the ground. - -Moral. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN - -The Ass once dressed himself in the Lion's skin and went about -frightening all the little beasts. Now he happened on the Fox, and -tried to frighten him too; but the Fox chanced to hear him speak, -and said: "Well, to be sure, I should have been frightened too, if I -hadn't heard you bray, and seen your ears sticking out." - -So there are some men who make themselves appear very fine outwardly, -but are betrayed as soon as they begin to talk. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE - - -"What a dull, heavy creature," says the Hare, "is this Tortoise!" "And -yet," says the Tortoise, "I'll run with you for a wager." "Done," says -the Hare, and then they asked the Fox to be the judge. They started -together, and the Tortoise kept jogging on still, till he came to the -end of the course. The Hare laid himself down midway and took a nap; -"for," says he, "I can catch up with the Tortoise when I please." But -it seems he overslept himself, for when he came to wake, though he -scudded away as fast as possible, the Tortoise had got to the post -before him and won the wager. - -Slow and steady wins the race. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE VAIN JACKDAW - - -A jackdaw picked up some beautiful feathers left by the peacocks on -the ground. He stuck them into his own tail, and, thinking himself -too fine to mix with the other daws, strutted off to the peacocks, -expecting to be welcomed as one of themselves. - -The peacocks at once saw through his disguise, and, despising him -for his foolishness and conceit, began to peck him, and soon he was -stripped of all his borrowed plumes. - -Very much ashamed, the jackdaw went sadly home, meaning to join his -old friends as if nothing had happened. But they, remembering how he -had scorned them before, chased him away and would have nothing to do -with him. - -"If you had been content," said one, "to remain as nature made you, -instead of trying to be what you are not, you would have neither been -punished by your betters nor despised by your equals." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL - -A fox lost his tail in escaping from a steel trap. When he began to -go about again, he found that every one looked down upon or laughed at -him. Not liking this, he thought to himself that if he could persuade -the other foxes to cut off their tails, his own loss would not be so -noticeable. - -Accordingly he called together the foxes and said: "How is it that you -still wear your tails? Of what use are they? They are in the way, they -often get caught in traps, they are heavy to carry and not pretty to -look upon. Believe me, we are far better without them. Cut off your -tails, my friends, and you will see how much more comfortable it is. -I for my part have never enjoyed myself so much nor found life so -pleasant as I have since I lost mine." - -Upon this, a sly old fox, seeing through the trick, cried, "It seems -to me, my friend, that you would not be so anxious for us to cut off -our tails, if you had not already lost yours." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - -A wolf put on the skin of a sheep, and getting in among the flock by -means of this disguise, killed many of the sheep. The shepherd, who -wondered why so many of his flock had disappeared, at last discovered -the deceit. He fastened a rope cunningly round the pretended sheep's -neck, led him to a tree, and there hanged him. - -Some other shepherds passing that way and seeing what they thought was -a sheep hanging from a tree, said, "What, brother! Surely you do not -hang sheep?" - -"No," answered the shepherd, "but I hang wolves when I catch them -dressed up in sheep's skins!" - -Then he showed them their mistake, and they praised the justice of the -deed he had done. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CROW AND THE PITCHER - - -A crow, whose throat was parched and dry with thirst, saw a pitcher in -the distance. In great joy he flew to it, but found that it held only -a little water, and even that was too near the bottom to be reached, -for all his stooping and straining. Next he tried to overturn the -pitcher, thinking that he would at least be able to catch some of the -water as it trickled out. But this he was not strong enough to do. In -the end he found some pebbles lying near, and by dropping them one by -one into the pitcher, he managed at last to raise the water up to the -very brim, and thus was able to quench his thirst. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MAN, HIS SON, AND HIS ASS - - -A man and his son were leading their ass to market. A girl, seeing -them, cried, "Why walk when you can ride?" On hearing this, the man -set his son upon the ass. - -Going further, they heard an old man say, "Shame for the young to ride -while old people walk!" Thereupon the man made his son get down and -rode himself. - -Presently they met some women who cried, "Look at the poor tired son -and lazy father!" Hearing this, the man took his son up beside him and -so they rode into the town. - -There a young man called to them, "Two men on one beast! It seems to -me you are more fit to carry the ass than he is to carry you." - -Then they got down, tied the beast's legs to a pole, and carried him -thus till they came to a bridge. As they went, the children shouted so -loudly that the ass took fright--kicked his legs free, and jumped over -the bridge into the river. - -Thus having lost his ass, the man went home, crying, "Try to please -everybody and you will please nobody, not even yourself!" - - * * * * * - - - - -FABLES OF INDIA - -ADAPTED BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU - - * * * * * - - -THE CAMEL AND THE PIG - - -A camel said, "Nothing like being tall! See how tall I am." A pig who -heard these words said, "Nothing like being short; see how short I -am!" - -The camel said, "Well, if I fail to prove the truth of what I said, I -will give you my hump." - -The pig said, "If I fail to prove the truth of what I have said, I -will give up my snout." - -"Agreed!" said the camel. - -"Just so!" said the pig. - -They came to a garden inclosed by a low wall without any opening. The -camel stood on this side the wall, and, reaching the plants within -by means of his long neck, made a breakfast on them. Then he turned -jeeringly to the pig, who had been standing at the bottom of the wall, -without even having a look at the good things in the garden, and said, -"Now, would you be tall or short?" - -Next they came to a garden inclosed by a high wall, with a wicket gate -at one end. The pig entered by the gate, and, after having eaten his -fill of the vegetables within, came out, laughing at the poor camel, -who had had to stay outside, because he was too tall to enter the -garden by the gate, and said, "Now, would you be tall or short?" - -Then they thought the matter over, and came to the conclusion that the -camel should keep his hump and the pig his snout, observing: - - "Tall is good, where tall would do; - Of short, again, 't is also true!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MAN AND HIS PIECE OF CLOTH - - -A man in the East, where they do not require as much clothing as in -colder climates, gave up all worldly concerns and retired to a wood, -where he built a hut and lived in it. - -His only clothing was a piece of cloth which he wore round his waist. -But, as ill-luck would have it, rats were plentiful in the wood, so he -had to keep a cat. The cat required milk to keep it, so a cow had to -be kept. The cow required tending, so a cow-boy was employed. The boy -required a house to live in, so a house was built for him. To look -after the house a maid had to be engaged. To provide company for the -maid a few more houses had to be built, and people invited to live in -them. In this manner a little township sprang up. - -The man said, "_The further we seek to go from the world and its -cares, the more they multiply_!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE SEA, THE FOX, AND THE WOLF - - -A fox that lived by the seashore once met a wolf that had never seen -the sea. The wolf said, "What is the sea?" - -"It is a great piece of water by my dwelling," said the fox. - -"Is it under your control?" asked the wolf. - -"Certainly," said the fox. - -"Will you show me the sea, then?" said the wolf. - -"With pleasure," said the fox. So the fox led the wolf to the sea, and -said to the waves, "Now go back,"--they went back. "Now come up,"--and -they came up! Then the fox said to the waves, "My friend, the wolf, -has come to see you, so you will come up and go back till I bid you -stop;" and the wolf saw, with wonder, the waves coming up and going -back. - -He said to the fox, "May I go into the sea?" - -"As far as you like. Don't be afraid, for, at a word, the sea would go -or come as I bid, and as you have already seen." - -The wolf believed the fox, and followed the waves rather far from the -shore. A great wave soon upset him, and threw up his carcass on the -shore. The fox made a hearty breakfast on it, saying, "_The fool's ear -was made for the knave's tongue_." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BIRDS AND THE LIME - - -A fowler in the East once went to a wood, scattered some grain on the -ground, spread a net over it with some lime in it, and was watching -from a distance to see what luck would attend his efforts. - -A great many birds assembled on the trees around the net, and said, -"What fine corn that is! We can seldom hope to get anything like it." - -An owl that was close by said, "How nice that white thing in the net -is!" - -"What is it?" said the birds. - -"Why, it is our best friend in the world; it is lime. When it holds us -in its embrace, we can never hope to get away." - -The birds left the place at once. Said the fowler, "_A clever bird -knows the lime_!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE RAVEN AND THE CATTLE - - -One evening, as some cattle were wending their way home, a raven rode -on the horns of a bull in the herd; and as he approached the cottage, -cried to the farmer, "Friend, my work for the day is over; you may now -take charge of your cattle." - -"What was your work?" asked the farmer. - -"Why," said the raven, "the arduous task of watching these cattle and -bringing them home." - -"Am I to understand you have been doing all the work for me?" said the -farmer. - -"Certainly," said the raven, and flew away with a laugh. - -Quoth the farmer with surprise, "_How many there are that take credit -for things which they have never done_!" - - * * * * * - - - - -TINSEL AND LIGHTNING - - -A piece of tinsel on a rock once said to a pebble, "You see how bright -I am! I am by birth related to the lightning." - -"Indeed!" said the pebble; "then accept my humble respects." - -Some time after, a flash of lightning struck the rock, and the tinsel -lost all its brilliancy by the scorching effects of the flash. - -"Where is your brilliancy now?" said the pebble. - -"Oh, it is gone to the skies," said the tinsel, "for I have lent it to -the lightning that came down a moment ago to borrow it of me." - -"Dear me!" said the pebble; "_how many fibs doth good bragging need_!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE ASS AND THE WATCH-DOG - - -A watch-dog in a village was barking all night to keep thieves off -from his master's house. An ass, who observed this, thought that the -dog amused himself by barking. So he brayed all night. When the -day dawned, the owner of the ass thought the poor animal had been -suffering from some disorder. Therefore he sent for the village -doctor, and laid the case before him. - -The doctor examined the animal closely, and said, "Friend, you must -brand this ass forthwith, else he will soon go into fits and die." - -The ass said, "I assure you nothing is wrong with me; I simply amused -myself last night." - -"Oh, no," said the inexorable leech; "I know what the wily brute -means. He would rather die, and make you the loser, than be branded -and recover his health." - -So they bound the ass with ropes, and branded him all over with -red-hot irons. Some time after the ass moved out to see how the -village had fared during his illness. The dog asked why he had been -branded. The ass narrated the story. Quoth the dog, "_He that -mistakes work for amusement must pay for his error_." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES - - -A child went up to a lark, and said, "Good lark, have you any young -ones?" - -"Yes, child, I have," said the lark; "and they are very pretty ones -indeed!" Then she pointed to them, and said, "This is Fair Wing, that -is Tiny Bill, and that other is Bright Eye." - -The child said, "Yes, at home, we are three--myself and my two -sisters, Jane and Alice; and mamma says we are pretty little children, -and that she is very fond of us." - -To this the little larks replied, "Oh yes, mamma is very fond of us -too." - -Then the child said, "Good lark, will you send home Tiny Bill to play -with me?" Before the lark could reply, Bright Eye said, "Yes, if you -will send little Alice to play with us in our nest." - -The child said, "Oh, Alice will be so sorry to leave home, and come -away from mamma!" - -Bright. Eye said, "Tiny Bill will be so sorry to leave our nest, and -go away from mamma!" - -The child was abashed, and went home, saying, "_Ah, every one is fond -of home_!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TWO GEMS - - -A despot in the East once said to his fawning courtiers, "He that goes -round my kingdom in the shortest possible time shall have one of these -two gems." - -A courtier went round the King, and said, "Sire, may I have the prize?" - -"How so?" said the King. - -"Why, you are the kingdom, are you not?" said the courtier. - -The despot was so well pleased with the courtier that he gave him both -the gems. - -The other courtiers said, in a whisper, "_Flatterers prey upon fools_." - - * * * * * - - - - -FAIRY TALES AND LAUGHTER STORIES - - * * * * * - -SCANDINAVIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - - -THE HARDY TIN SOLDIER - -BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN - - -There were once five-and-twenty tin soldiers; they were all brothers, -for they had all been born of one old tin spoon. They shouldered their -muskets, and looked straight before them; their uniform was red and -blue, and very splendid. The first thing they had heard in the -world, when the lid was taken off their box, had been the words "Tin -soldiers!" These words were uttered by a little boy, clapping his -hands: the soldiers had been given to him, for it was his birthday; -and now he put them upon the table. Each soldier was exactly like the -rest; but one of them had been cast last of all, and there had not -been enough tin to finish him; but he stood as firmly upon his one leg -as the others on their two; and it was just this Soldier who became -remarkable. - -On the table on which they had been placed stood many other -playthings, but the toy that attracted most attention was a neat -castle of cardboard. Through the little windows one could see straight -into the hall. Before the castle some little trees were placed round a -little looking-glass, which was to represent a clear lake. Waxen swans -swam on this lake, and were mirrored in it. This was all very pretty; -but the prettiest of all was a little lady, who stood at the open door -of the castle; she was also cut out in paper, but she had a dress -of the clearest gauze, and a little narrow blue ribbon over her -shoulders, that looked like a scarf; and in the middle of this ribbon -was a shining tinsel rose as big as her whole face. The little lady -stretched out both her arms, for she was a dancer; and then she lifted -one leg so high that the Tin Soldier could not see it at all, and -thought that, like himself, she had but one leg. - -"That would be the wife for me," thought he; "but she is very -grand. She lives in a castle, and I have only a box, and there are -five-and-twenty of us in that. It is no place for her. But I must try -to make acquaintance with her." - -And then he lay down at full length behind a snuff-box which was on -the table; there he could easily watch the little dainty lady, who -continued to stand upon one leg without losing her balance. - -When the evening came all the other tin soldiers were put into their -box, and the people in the house went to bed. Now the toys began to -play at "visiting," and at "war," and "giving balls." The tin soldiers -rattled in their box, for they wanted to join, but could not lift the -lid. The nutcracker threw somersaults, and the pencil amused itself on -the table: there was so much noise that the canary woke up, and began -to speak too, and even in verse. The only two who did not stir from -their places were the Tin Soldier and the Dancing Lady: she stood -straight up on the point of one of her toes, and stretched out both -her arms; and he was just as enduring on his one leg; and he never -turned his eyes away from her. - -Now the clock struck twelve--and, bounce! the lid flew off the -snuff-box; but there was no snuff in it, but a little black Goblin: -you see, it was a trick. - -"Tin Soldier!" said the Goblin, "don't stare at things that don't -concern you." - -But the Tin Soldier pretended not to hear him. - -"Just you wait till to-morrow!" said the Goblin. - -But when the morning came, and the children got up, the Tin Soldier -was placed in the window; and whether it was the Goblin or the draught -that did it, all at once the window flew open, and the Soldier fell -head over heels out of the third story. That was a terrible passage! -He put his leg straight up, and stuck with helmet downward and his -bayonet between the paving-stones. - -The servant-maid and the little boy came down directly to look for him, -but though they almost trod upon him, they could not see him. If the -Soldier had cried out "Here I am!" they would have found him; but he -did not think it fitting to call out loudly, because he was in uniform. - -Now it began to rain; the drops soon fell thicker, and at last it came -down into a complete stream. When the rain was past, two street boys -came by. - -"Just look!" said one of them: "there lies a Tin Soldier. He must come -out and ride in the boat." - -And they made a boat out of a newspaper, and put the Tin Soldier in -the middle of it, and so he sailed down the gutter, and the two boys -ran beside him and clapped their hands. Goodness preserve us! how the -waves rose in that gutter, and how fast the stream ran! But then -it had been a heavy rain. The paper boat rocked up and down, and -sometimes turned round so rapidly that the Tin Soldier trembled; but -he remained firm, and never changed countenance, and looked straight -before him, and shouldered his musket. - -All at once the boat went into a long drain, and it became as dark as -if he had been in his box. - -"Where am I going now?" he thought. "Yes, yes, that's the Goblin's -fault. Ah! if the little lady only sat here with me in the boat, it -might be twice as dark for what I should care." - -Suddenly there came a great Water Rat, which lived under the drain. - -"Have you a passport?" said the Rat. "Give me your passport." - -But the Tin Soldier kept silence, and held his musket tighter than -ever. The boat went on, but the Rat came after it. Hu! how he gnashed -his teeth, and called out to the bits of straw and wood. - -"Hold him! hold him! He hasn't paid toll--he hasn't shown his -passport!" - -But the stream became stronger and stronger. The Tin Soldier could -see the bright daylight where the arch ended; but he heard a roaring -noise, which might well frighten a bolder man. Only think--just where -the tunnel ended, the drain ran into a great canal; and for him that -would have been as dangerous as for us to be carried down a great -waterfall. - -Now he was already so near it that he could not stop. The boat was -carried out, the poor Tin Soldier stiffening himself as much as he -could, and no one could say that he moved an eyelid. The boat whirled -round three or four times, and was full of water to the very edge--it -must sink. The Tin Soldier stood up to his neck in water, and the boat -sank deeper and deeper, and the paper was loosened more and more; and -now the water closed over the soldier's head. Then he thought of the -pretty little Dancer, and how he should never see her again; and it -sounded in the Soldier's ears: - - "Farewell, farewell, thou warrior brave, - For this day thou must die!" - -And now the paper parted, and the Tin Soldier fell out; but at that -moment he was snapped up by a great fish. - -Oh, how dark it was in that fish's body! It was darker yet than in -the drain tunnel; and then it was very narrow too. But the Tin Soldier -remained unmoved, and lay at full length shouldering his musket. - -The fish swam to and fro; he made the most wonderful movements, and -then became quite still. At last something flashed through him like -lightning. The daylight shone quite clear, and a voice said aloud, -"The Tin Soldier!" The fish had been caught, carried to market, -bought, and taken into the kitchen, where the cook cut him open with a -large knife. She seized the Soldier round the body with both her -hands and carried him into the room, where all were anxious to see the -remarkable man who had traveled about in the inside of a fish; but the -Tin Soldier was not at all proud. They placed him on the table, -and there--no! What curious things may happen in the world. The Tin -Soldier was in the very room in which he had been before! he saw the -same children, and the same toys stood on the table; and there was the -pretty castle with the graceful little Dancer. She was still balancing -herself on one leg, and held the other extended in the air. She was -hardy too. That moved the Tin Soldier; he was very nearly weeping tin -tears, but that would not have been proper. He looked at her, but they -said nothing to each other. - -Then one of the little boys took the Tin Soldier and flung him into -the stove. He gave no reason for doing this. It must have been the -fault of the Goblin in the snuff-box. - -The Tin Soldier stood there quite illuminated, and felt a heat that -was terrible; but whether this heat proceeded from the real fire or -from love he did not know. The colors had quite gone off from him; but -whether that had happened on the journey, or had been caused by grief, -no one could say. He looked at the little lady, she looked at him, and -he felt that he was melting; but he still stood firm, shouldering -his musket. Then suddenly the door flew open, and the draught of air -caught the Dancer, and she flew like a sylph just into the stove to -the Tin Soldier, and flashed up in a flame, and she was gone. Then the -Tin Soldier melted down into a lump; and when the servant-maid took -the ashes out next day, she found him in the shape of a little tin -heart. But of the Dancer nothing remained but the tinsel rose, and -that was burned as black as a coal. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FIR TREE - -BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN - - -Out in the forest stood a pretty little Fir Tree. It had a good place; -it could have sunlight, air there was in plenty, and all around grew -many larger comrades--pines as well as firs. But the little Fir Tree -wished ardently to become greater. It did not care for the warm sun -and the fresh air; it took no notice of the peasant children, who -went about talking together, when they had come out to look for -strawberries and raspberries. Often they came with a whole pot-full, -or had strung berries on a straw; then they would sit down by the -little Fir Tree and say, "How pretty and small that one is!" and the -Fir Tree did not like to hear that at all. - -Next year he had grown a great joint, and the following year he was -longer still, for in fir trees one can always tell by the number of -rings they have how many years they have been growing. - -"Oh, if I were only as great a tree as the other!" sighed the little -Fir, "then I would spread my branches far around, and look out from -my crown into the wide world. The birds would then build nests in -my boughs, and when the wind blew I could nod just as grandly as the -others yonder." - -It took no pleasure in the sunshine, in the birds, and in the red -clouds that went sailing over him morning and evening. - -When it was winter, and the snow lay all around, white and sparkling, -a hare would often come jumping along, and spring right over the -little Fir Tree. Oh! this made him so angry. But two winters went by, -and when the third came the little Tree had grown so tall that the -hare was obliged to run round it. - -"Oh! to grow, to grow, and become old; that's the only fine thing in -the world," thought the Tree. - -In the autumn woodcutters always came and felled a few of the largest -trees; that was done this year too, and the little Fir Tree, that was -now quite well grown, shuddered with fear, for the great stately trees -fell to the ground with a crash, and their branches were cut off, -so that the trees looked quite naked, long, and slender--they could -hardly be recognized. But then they were laid upon wagons, and horses -dragged them away out of the wood. Where were they going? What destiny -awaited them? - -In the spring, when the Swallows and the Stork came, the Tree asked -them, "Do you know where they were taken? Did you not meet them?" - -The Swallows knew nothing about it, but the Stork looked thoughtful, -nodded his head, and said: - -"Yes, I think so. I met many new ships when I flew out of Egypt; on -the ships were stately masts; I fancy these were the trees. They smelt -like fir. I can assure you they're stately--very stately." - -"Oh that I were only big enough to go over the sea! What kind of thing -is this sea, and how does it look?" - -"It would take too long to explain all that," said the Stork, and he -went away. - -"Rejoice in thy youth," said the Sunbeams; "rejoice in thy fresh -growth, and in the young life that is within thee." - -And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears upon it; but the -Fir Tree did not understand that. - -When Christmas-time approached, quite young trees were felled, -sometimes trees which were neither so old nor so large as this Fir -Tree, that never rested, but always wanted to go away. These young -trees, which were always the most beautiful, kept all their branches; -they were put upon wagons, and horses dragged them away out of the -wood. - -"Where are they all going?" asked the Fir Tree. "They are not greater -than I--indeed, one of them was much smaller. Why do they keep all -their branches? Whither are they taken?" - -"We know that! We know that!" chirped the Sparrows. "Yonder in the -town we looked in at the windows. We know where they go. Oh! they are -dressed up in the greatest pomp and splendor that can be imagined. -We have looked in at the windows, and have perceived that they are -planted in the middle of a warm room, and adorned with the most -beautiful things--gilt apples, honey-cakes, playthings, and many -hundred of candles." - -"And then?" asked the Fir Tree, and trembled through all its branches. -"And then? What happens then?" - -"Why, we have not seen anything more. But it was incomparable." - -"Perhaps I may be destined to tread this glorious path one day!" cried -the Fir Tree, rejoicingly. "That is even better than traveling across -the sea. How painfully I long for it! If it were only Christmas now! -Now I am great and grown up, like the rest who were led away last -year. Oh, if I were only on the carriage! If I were only in the warm -room, among all the pomp and splendor! And then? Yes, then something -even better will come, something far more charming, or else why should -they adorn me so? There must be something grander, something greater -still to come; but what? Oh! I'm suffering, I'm longing! I don't know -myself what is the matter with me!" - -"Rejoice in us," said Air and Sunshine. "Rejoice in thy fresh youth -here in the woodland." - -But the Fir Tree did not rejoice at all, but it grew and grew; winter -and summer it stood there, green, dark green. The people who saw it -said, "That's a handsome tree!" and at Christmas time it was felled -before any one of the others. The axe cut deep into its marrow, and -the tree fell to the ground with a sigh; it felt a pain, a sensation -of faintness, and could not think at all of happiness, for it was sad -at parting from its home, from the place where it had grown up; it -knew that it should never again see the dear old companions, the -little bushes and flowers all around--perhaps not even the birds. The -parting was not at all agreeable. - -The Tree only came to itself when it was unloaded in a yard, with -other trees, and heard a man say: - -"This one is famous; we only want this one!" - -Now two servants came in gay liveries, and carried the Fir Tree into -a large, beautiful parlor. All around the walls hung pictures, and by -the great stove stood large Chinese vases with lions on the covers; -there were rocking-chairs, silken sofas, great tables covered with -picture books, and toys worth a hundred times a hundred dollars, at -least the children said so. And the Fir Tree was put into a great tub -filled with sand; but no one could see that it was a tub, for it -was hung round with green cloth, and stood on a large, many-colored -carpet. Oh, how the Tree trembled! What was to happen now? The -servants, and the young ladies also, decked it out. On one branch they -hung little nets, cut out of colored paper; every net was filled -with sweetmeats; golden apples and walnuts hung down, as if they grew -there, and more than a hundred little candles, red, white, and blue, -were fastened to the different boughs. Dolls that looked exactly like -real people--the tree had never seen such before--swung among the -foliage, and high on the summit of the tree was fixed a tinsel star. -It was splendid, particularly splendid. - -"This evening," said all, "this evening it will shine." - -"Oh," thought the Tree, "that it were evening already! Oh, that the -lights may be soon lit up! When may that be done? I wonder if trees -will come out of the forest to look at me? Will the sparrows fly -against the panes? Shall I grow fast here, and stand adorned in -summer and winter?" - -Yes, he did not guess badly. But he had a complete backache from -mere longing, and the backache is just as bad for a Tree as the -headache for a person. - -At last the candles were lighted. What a brilliance, what splendor! -The Tree trembled so in all its branches that one of the candles set -fire to a green twig, and it was scorched. - -"Heaven preserve us!" cried the young ladies; and they hastily put the -fire out. - -Now the Tree might not even tremble. Oh, that was terrible! It was -so afraid of setting fire to some of its ornaments, and it was quite -bewildered with all the brilliance. And now the folding doors were -thrown open, and a number of children rushed in as if they would -have overturned the whole Tree; the older people followed more -deliberately. The little ones stood quite silent, but only for a -minute; then they shouted till the room rang: they danced gleefully -round the Tree, and one present after another was plucked from it. - -"What are they about?" thought the Tree. "What's going to be done?" - -And the candles burned down to the twigs, and as they burned down -they were extinguished, and then the children received permission to -plunder the Tree. Oh! they rushed in upon it, so that every branch -cracked again: if it had not been fastened by the top and by the -golden star to the ceiling, it would have fallen down. - -The children danced about with their pretty toys. No one looked at the -Tree except one old man, who came up and peeped among the branches, -but only to see if a fig or an apple had been forgotten. - -"A story! A story!" shouted the children; and they drew a little fat -man toward the tree; and he sat down just beneath it--"for then we -shall be in the green wood," said he, "and the tree may have the -advantage of listening to my tale. But I can only tell one. Will -you hear the story of Ivede-Avede, or of Klumpey-Dumpey, who -fell downstairs, and still was raised up to honor and married the -Princess?" - -"Ivede-Avede!" cried some, "Klumpey-Dumpey!" cried others, and there -was a great crying and shouting. Only the Fir Tree was quite silent, -and thought, "Shall I not be in it? Shall I have nothing to do in -it?" But he had been in the evening's amusement, and had done what was -required of him. - -And the fat man told about Klumpey-Dumpey who fell downstairs, and yet -was raised to honor and married the Princess. And the children clapped -their hands, and cried, "Tell another! tell another!" for they -wanted to hear about Ivede-Avede; but they only got the story of -Klumpey-Dumpey. The Fir Tree stood quite silent and thoughtful; never -had the birds in the wood told such a story as that. Klumpey-Dumpey -fell downstairs and yet came to honor and married the Princess! - -"Yes, so it happens in the world!" thought the Fir Tree, and believed -it must be true, because that was such a nice man who told it. "Well, -who can know? Perhaps I shall fall downstairs, too, and marry a -Princess!" And it looked forward with pleasure to being adorned again, -the next evening, with candles and toys, gold and fruit. "To-morrow I -shall not tremble," it thought. - -"I will rejoice in all my splendor. To-morrow I shall here the story -of Klumpey-Dumpey again, and perhaps that of Ivede-Avede, too." - -And the Tree stood all night quiet and thoughtful. - -In the morning the servants and the chambermaid came in. - -"Now my splendor will begin afresh," thought the Tree. But they -dragged him out of the room, and upstairs to the garret, and here they -put him in a dark corner where no daylight shone. - -"What's the meaning of this?" thought the Tree. "What am I to do here? -What is to happen?" - -And he leaned against the wall, and thought, and thought. And he had -time enough, for days and nights went by, and nobody came up; and -when at length some one came, it was only to put some great boxes in -a corner. Now the Tree stood quite hidden away, and the supposition is -that it was quite forgotten. - -"Now it's winter outside," thought the Tree. "The earth is hard and -covered with snow, and people cannot plant me; therefore I suppose I'm -to be sheltered here until spring comes. How considerate that is! How -good people are! If it were only not so dark here, and so terribly -solitary!--not even a little hare? That was pretty out there in the -wood, when the snow lay thick and the hare sprang past; yes, even when -he jumped over me; but then I did not like it. It is terribly lonely -up here!" - -"Piep! piep!" said a little Mouse, and crept forward, and then came -another little one. They smelt at the Fir Tree, and then slipped among -the branches. - -"It's horribly cold," said the two little Mice, "or else it would be -comfortable here. Don't you think so, you old Fir Tree?" - -"I'm not old at all," said the Fir Tree. "There are many much older -than I." - -"Where do you come from?" asked the Mice. "And what do you know?" They -were dreadfully inquisitive. "Tell us about the most beautiful spot -on earth. Have you been there? Have you been in the store room, where -cheeses lie on the shelves, and hams hang from the ceiling, where one -dances on tallow candles, and goes in thin and comes out fat?" - -"I don't know that," replied the Tree; "but I know the wood, where the -sun shines and the birds sing." - -And then it told all about its youth. - -And the little Mice had never heard anything of the kind; and they -listened and said: - -"What a number of things you have seen! How happy you must have been!" - -"I?" replied the Fir Tree; and it thought about what it had told. -"Yes, those were really quite happy times." But then he told of the -Christmas Eve, when he had been hung with sweetmeats and candles. - -"Oh!" said the little Mice, "how happy you have been, you old Fir -Tree!" - -"I'm not old at all," said the Tree. "I only came out of the wood this -winter. I'm only rather backward in my growth." - -"What splendid stories you can tell!" said the little Mice. - -And next night they came with four other little Mice, to hear what -the Tree had to relate; and the more it said, the more clearly did it -remember everything, and thought, "Those were quite merry days! But -they may come again. Klumpey-Dumpey fell downstairs and yet he married -the Princess. Perhaps I may marry a Princess too?" And then the -Fir Tree thought of a pretty little Birch Tree that grew out in the -forest: for the Fir Tree, that Birch was a real Princess. - -"Who's Klumpey-Dumpey?" asked the little Mice. - -And then the Fir Tree told the whole story. It could remember every -single word; and the little Mice were ready to leap to the very top of -the tree with pleasure. Next night a great many more Mice came, and -on Sunday two Rats even appeared; but these thought the story was not -pretty, and the little Mice were sorry for that, for now they also did -not like it so much as before. - -"Do you only know one story?" asked the Rats. - -"Only that one," replied the Tree. "I heard that on the happiest -evening of my life; I did not think then how happy I was." - -"That's a very miserable story. Don't you know any about bacon and -tallow candles--a store-room story?" - -"No," said the Tree. - -"Then we'd rather not hear you," said the Rats. - -And they went back to their own people. The little Mice at last stayed -away also; and then the Tree sighed and said: - -"It was very nice when they sat round me, the merry little Mice, -and listened when I spoke to them. Now that's past too. But I shall -remember to be pleased when they take me out." - -But when did that happen? Why, it was one morning that people came and -rummaged in the garret; the boxes were put away, and the Tree brought -out; they certainly threw him rather roughly on the floor, but a -servant dragged him away at once to the stairs, where the daylight -shone. - -"Now life is beginning again!" thought the Tree. - -It felt the fresh air and the first sunbeams, and now it was out in -the courtyard. Everything passed so quickly that the Tree quite -forgot to look at itself, there was so much to look at all round. The -courtyard was close to a garden, and here everything was blooming; the -roses hung fresh and fragrant over the little paling, the linden trees -were in blossom, and the swallows cried, "Quinze-wit! quinze-wit! my -husband's come!" But it was not the Fir Tree that they meant. - -"Now I shall live!" said the Tree, rejoicingly, and spread its -branches far out; but, alas! they were all withered and yellow; and it -lay in the corner among nettles and weeds. The tinsel star was still -upon it, and shone in the bright sunshine. - -In the courtyard a couple of the merry children were playing who had -danced round the tree at Christmas time, and had rejoiced over it. One -of the youngest ran up and tore off the golden star. - -"Look what is sticking to the ugly old fir tree!" said the child, and -he trod upon the branches till they cracked again under his boots. - -And the Tree looked at all the blooming flowers and the splendor of -the garden, and then looked at itself, and wished it had remained in -the dark corner of the garret; it thought of its fresh youth in the -wood, of the merry Christmas Eve, and of the little Mice which had -listened so pleasantly to the story of Klumpey-Dumpey. - -"Past! past!" said the old Tree. "Had I but rejoiced when I could have -done so! Past! past!" - -And the servant came and chopped the Tree into little pieces; a whole -bundle lay there; it blazed brightly under the great brewing kettle, -and it sighed deeply, and each sigh was like a little shot; and the -children who were at play there ran up and seated themselves at the -fire, looked into it, and cried "Puff! puff!" But at each explosion, -which was a deep sigh, the Tree thought of a summer day in the woods, -or of a winter night there, when the stars beamed; he thought of -Christmas Eve and of Klumpey-Dumpey, the only story he had ever heard -or knew how to tell; and then the Tree was burned. - -The boys played in the garden, and the youngest had on his breast a -golden star, which the Tree had worn on its happiest evening. Now that -was past, and the Tree's life was past, and the story is past too: -past! past!--and that's the way with all stories. - - - - -THE DARNING-NEEDLE - -BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN - - -There was once a Darning-needle, who thought herself so fine, she -imagined she was an embroidering-needle. - -"Take care, and mind you hold me tight!" she said to the Fingers that -took her out. "Don't let me fall! If I fall on the ground I shall -certainly never be found again, for I am so fine!" - -"That's as it may be," said the Fingers; and they grasped her round -the body. - -"See, I'm coming with a train!" said the Darning-needle, and she drew -a long thread after her, but there was no knot in the thread. - -The Fingers pointed the needle just at the cook's slipper, in which -the upper leather had burst, and was to be sewn together. - -"That's vulgar work," said the Darning-needle. "I shall never get -through. I'm breaking! I'm breaking!" And she really broke. "Did I not -say so?" said the Darning-needle; "I'm too fine!" - -"Now it's quite useless," said the Fingers; but they were obliged to -hold her fast, all the same; for the cook dropped some sealing-wax -upon the needle, and pinned her handkerchief together with it in -front. - -"So, now I'm a breast-pin!" said the Darning-needle. "I knew very -well that I should come to honor; when one is something, one comes to -something!" - -And she laughed quietly to herself--and one can never see when a -darning-needle laughs. There she sat, as proud as if she were in a -state coach, and looked all about her. - -"May I be permitted to ask if you are of gold?" she inquired of the -pin, her neighbor. "You have a very pretty appearance and a peculiar -head, but it is only little. You must take pains to grow, for it's not -every one that has sealing-wax dropped upon him." - -And the Darning-needle drew herself up so proudly that she fell out of -the handkerchief right into the sink, which the cook was rinsing out. - -"Now we're going on a journey," said the Darning-needle. "If I only -don't get lost!" - -But she really was lost. - -"I'm too fine for this world," she observed, as she lay in the gutter. -"But I know who I am, and there's always something in that!" - -So the Darning-needle kept her proud behavior, and did not lose her -good humor. And things of many kinds swam over her, chips and straws -and pieces of old newspapers. - -"Only look how they sail!" said the Darning-needle. "They don't know -what is under them! I'm here, I remain firmly here. See, there goes -a chip thinking of nothing in the world but of himself--of a chip! -There's a straw going by now. How he turns! how he twirls about! Don't -think only of yourself, you might easily run up against a stone. -There swims a bit of newspaper. What's written upon it has long been -forgotten, and yet it gives itself airs. I sit quietly and patiently -here. I know who I am, and I shall remain what I am." - -One day something lay close beside her that glittered splendidly; then -the Darning-needle believed that it was a diamond; but it was a bit -of broken bottle; and because it shone the Darning-needle spoke to it, -introducing herself as a breastpin. - -"I suppose you are a diamond?" she observed. - -"Why, yes, something of that kind." - -And then each believed the other to be a very valuable thing; and they -began speaking about the world, and how very conceited it was. - -"I have been in a lady's box," said the Darning-needle, "and this -lady was a cook. She had five fingers on each hand, and I never saw -anything so conceited as those five fingers. And yet they were only -there that they might take me out of the box and put me back into it." - -"Were they of good birth?" asked the Bit of Bottle. - -"No, indeed," replied the Darning-needle: "but very haughty. There -were five brothers, all of the finger family. They kept very proudly -together though they were of different lengths: the outermost, the -thumbling, was short and fat; he walked out in front of the ranks, and -only had one joint in his back, and could only make a single bow; but -he said that if he were hacked off a man, that man was useless for -service in war. Dainty-mouth, the second finger, thrust himself into -sweet and sour, pointed to sun and moon, and gave the impression when -they wrote. Longman, the third, looked at all the others over his -shoulder. Goldborder, the fourth, went about with a golden belt round -his waist; and little Playman did nothing at all, and was proud of it. -There was nothing but bragging among them, and therefore I went away." - -"And now we sit here and glitter!" said the Bit of Bottle. - -At that moment more water came into the gutter, so that it overflowed, -and the Bit of Bottle was carried away. - -"So he is disposed of," observed the Darning-needle. "I remain here. -I am too fine. But that's my pride, and my pride is honorable." And -proudly she sat there, and had many great thoughts. "I could almost -believe I had been born of a sunbeam, I'm so fine! It really appears -as if the sunbeams were always seeking for me under the water. Ah! -I'm so fine that my mother cannot find me. If I had my old eye, which -broke off, I think I should cry; but, no, I should not do that; it's -not genteel to cry." - -One day a couple of street boys lay grubbing in the gutter, where they -sometimes found old nails, farthings, and similar treasures. It was -dirty work, but they took great delight in it. - -"Oh!" cried one, who had pricked himself with the Darning-needle, -"there's a fellow for you!" - -"I'm not a fellow; I'm a young lady!" said the Darning-needle. - -But nobody listened to her. The sealing-wax had come off, and she -had turned black; but black makes one look slender, and she thought -herself finer even than before. - -"Here comes an eggshell sailing along!" said the boys; and they stuck -the Darning-needle fast in the eggshell. - -"White walls, and black myself! that looks well," remarked the -Darning-needle. "Now one can see me. I only hope I shall not be -seasick!" But she was not seasick at all. "It is good against -seasickness, if one has a steel stomach, and does not forget that one -is a little more than an ordinary person! Now my seasickness is over. -The finer one is, the more one can bear." - -"Crack!" went the eggshell, for a wagon went over her. - -"Good Heavens, how it crushes one!" said the Darning-needle. "I'm -getting seasick now--I'm quite sick." - -But she was not really sick, though the wagon went over her; she lay -there at full length, and there she may lie. - - * * * * * - - - - -THUMBELINA - -BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN - - -She had a little house of her own, a little garden too, this woman of -whom I am going to tell you, but for all that she was not quite happy. - -"If only I had a little child of my own," she said, "how the walls -would ring with her laughter, and how the flowers would brighten at -her coming. Then, indeed, I should be quite happy." - -And an old witch heard what the woman wished, and said, "Oh, but that -is easily managed. Here is a barley-corn. Plant it in a flower-pot and -tend it carefully, and then you will see what will happen." - -The woman was in a great hurry to go home and plant the barley-corn, -but she did not forget to say "thank you" to the old witch. She not -only thanked her, she even stayed to give her six silver pennies. - -Then she hurried away to her home, took a flower-pot and planted her -precious barley-corn. - -And what do you think happened? Almost before the corn was planted, up -shot a large and beautiful flower. It was still unopened. The petals -were folded closely together, but it looked like a tulip. It really -was a tulip, a red and yellow one, too. - -The woman loved flowers. She stooped and kissed the beautiful bud. -As her lips touched the petals, they burst open, and oh! wonder of -wonders! there, in the very middle of the flower, there sat a little -child. Such a tiny, pretty little maiden she was. - -They called her Thumbelina. That was because she was no bigger than -the woman's thumb. - -And where do you think she slept? A little walnut shell, lined with -blue, that was her cradle. - -When she slept little Thumbelina lay in her cradle on a tiny heap of -violets, with the petal of a pale pink rose to cover her. - -And where do you think she played? A table was her playground. On the -table the woman placed a plate of water. Little Thumbelina called that -her lake. - -Round the plate were scented flowers, the blossoms lying on the edge, -while the pale green stalks reached thirstily down to the water. - -In the lake floated a large tulip leaf. This was Thumbelina's little -boat. Seated there she sailed from side to side of her little lake, -rowing cleverly with two white horse hairs. As she rowed backwards and -forwards she sang softly to herself. The woman listening heard, and -thought she had never known so sweet a song. - -And now such a sad thing happened. - -In through the broken window-pane hopped a big toad, oh! such an -ugly big toad. She hopped right on to the table, where Thumbelina lay -dreaming in her tiny cradle, under the pale pink rose leaf. - -She peeped at her, this ugly old toad. - -"How beautiful the little maiden is," she croaked. "She will make a -lovely bride for my handsome son." And she lifted the little cradle, -with Thumbelina in it, and hopped out through the broken window-pane, -down into the garden. - -At the foot of the garden was a broad stream. Here, under the muddy -banks lived the old toad with her son. - -How handsome she thought him! But he was really very ugly. Indeed, he -was exactly like his mother. - -When he saw little Thumbelina in her tiny cradle, he croaked with -delight. - -"Do not make so much noise," said his mother, "or you will wake the -tiny creature. We may lose her if we are not careful. The slightest -breeze would waft her far away. She is as light as gossamer." - -Then the old toad carried Thumbelina out into the middle of the -stream. "She will be safe here," she said, as she laid her gently on -one of the leaves of a large water lily, and paddled back to her son. - -"We will make ready the best rooms under the mud," she told him, "and -then you and the little maiden will be married." - -Poor little Thumbelina! She had not seen the ugly big toad yet, nor -her ugly son. - -When she woke up early in the morning, how she wept! Water all around -her! How could she reach the shore? Poor little Thumbelina! - -Down under the mud the old toad was very busy, decking the best room -with buttercups and buds of water-lilies to make it gay for her little -daughter-in-law, Thumbelina. - -"Now we will go to bring her little bed and place it ready," said -the old toad, and together she and her son swam out to the leaf where -little Thumbelina sat. - -"Here is my handsome son," she said, "he is to be your husband," and -she bowed low in the water, for she wished to be very polite to the -little maiden. - -"Croak, croak," was all the young toad could say, as he looked at his -pretty little bride. - -Then they took away the tiny little bed, and Thumbelina was left all -alone. - -How the tears stained her pretty little face! How fast they fell into -the stream! Even the fish as they swam hither and thither thought, -"How it rains to-day," as the tiny drops fell thick and fast. - -They popped up their heads and saw the forlorn little maiden. - -"She shall not marry the ugly toad," they said, as they looked with -eager eyes at the pretty child. "No, she shall not marry the ugly -toad." - -But what could the little fish do to help Thumbelina? - -Oh! they were such clever little fish! - -They found the green stem which held the leaf on which Thumbelina -sat. They bit it with their little sharp teeth, and they never -stopped biting, till at last they bit the green stem through; and -away, down the stream, floated the leaf, carrying with it little -Thumbelina. - -"Free, free!" she sang, and her voice tinkled as a chime of fairy -bells. "Free, free!" she sang merrily as she floated down the stream, -away, far away out of reach of the ugly old toad and her ugly son. - -And as she floated on, the little wild birds sang round her, and on -the banks the little wild harebells bowed to her. - -Butterflies were flitting here and there in the sunshine. A pretty -little white one fluttered on to the leaf on which sat Thumbelina. He -loved the tiny maiden so well that he settled down beside her. - -Now she was quite happy! Birds around her, flowers near her, and the -water gleaming like gold in the summer sunshine. What besides could -little Thumbelina wish? - -She took off her sash and threw one end of it round the butterfly. The -other end she fastened firmly to the leaf. On and on floated the leaf, -the little maiden and the butterfly. - -Suddenly a great cockchafer buzzed along. Alas! he caught sight of -little Thumbelina. He flew to her, put his claw round her tiny waist -and carried her off, up on to a tree. - -Poor little Thumbelina! How frightened she was! How grieved she was, -too, for had she not lost her little friend the butterfly? - -Would he fly away, she wondered, or would her sash hold him fast? - -The cockchafer was charmed with the little maiden. He placed her -tenderly on the largest leaf he could find. He gathered honey for her -from the flowers, and as she sipped it, he sat near and told her how -beautiful she looked. - -But there were other chafers living in the tree, and when they came to -see little Thumbelina, they said, "She is not pretty at all." - -"She has only two legs," said one. - -"She has no feelers," said another. - -Some said she was too thin, others that she was too fat, and then they -all buzzed and hummed together, "How ugly she is, how ugly she is!" -But all the time little Thumbelina was the prettiest, daintiest little -maiden that ever lived. - -And now the cockchafer who had flown off with little Thumbelina -thought he had been rather foolish to admire her. - -He looked at her again. "Pretty? No, after all she was not very -pretty." He would have nothing to do with her, and away he and all -the other chafers flew. Only first they carried little Thumbelina down -from the tree and placed her on a daisy. She wept because she was so -ugly--so ugly that the chafers could not live with her. But all the -time, you know, she was the prettiest little maiden in the world. - -She was living all alone in the wood now, but it was summer and she -could not feel sad or lonely while the warm golden sunshine touched -her so gently, while the birds sang to her, and the flowers bowed to -her. - -Yes, little Thumbelina was happy. She ate honey from the flowers, -and drank dew out of the golden buttercups and danced and sang the -livelong day. - -But summer passed away and autumn came. The birds began to whisper -of flying to warmer countries, and the flowers began to fade and hang -their heads, and as autumn passed away, winter came, cold, dreary -winter. - -Thumbelina shivered with cold. Her little frock was thin and old. -She would certainly be frozen to death, she thought, as she wrapped -herself up in a withered leaf. - -Then the snow began to fall, and each snowflake seemed to smother her. -She was so very tiny. - -Close to the wood lay a corn-field. The beautiful golden grain had -been carried away long ago, now there was only dry short stubble. But -to little Thumbelina the stubble was like a great forest. - -She walked through the hard field. She was shaking with cold. All at -once she saw a little door just before her. She looked again--yes, it -was a door. - -The field-mouse had made a little house under the stubble, and lived -so cosily there. She had a big room full of corn, and she had a -kitchen and pantry as well. - -"Perhaps I shall get some food here," thought the cold and hungry -little maiden, as she stood knocking at the door, just like a tiny -beggar child. She had had nothing to eat for two long days. Oh, she -was very hungry! - -"What a tiny thing you are!" said the field-mouse, as she opened the -door and saw Thumbelina. "Come in and dine with me." - -How glad Thumbelina was, and how she enjoyed dining with the -field-mouse. - -She behaved so prettily that the old field-mouse told her she might -live with her while the cold weather lasted. "And you shall keep my -room clean and neat, and you shall tell me stories," she added. - -That is how Thumbelina came to live with the field-mouse and to meet -Mr. Mole. - -"We shall have a visitor soon," said the field-mouse. "My neighbor, -Mr. Mole, comes to see me every week-day. His house is very large, and -he wears a beautiful coat of black velvet. Unfortunately, he is blind. -If you tell him your prettiest stories he may marry you." - -Now the mole was very wise and very clever, but how could little -Thumbelina ever care for him? Why, he did not love the sun, nor the -flowers, and he lived in a house underground. No, Thumbelina did not -wish to marry the mole. - -However she must sing to him when he came to visit his neighbor the -field-mouse. When she had sung "Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home," -and "Boys and girls come out to play," the mole was charmed, and -thought he would like to marry the little maiden with the beautiful -voice. - -Then he tried to be very agreeable. He invited the field-mouse and -Thumbelina to walk along the underground passage he had dug between -their houses. Mr. Mole was very fond of digging underground. - -As it was dark the mole took a piece of tinder-wood in his mouth and -led the way. The tinder-wood shone like a torch in the dark passage. - -A little bird lay in the passage, a little bird who had not flown away -when the flowers faded and the cold winds blew. - -It was dead, the mole said. - -When he reached the bird, the mole stopped and pushed his nose right -up through the ceiling to make a hole, through which the daylight -might shine. - -There lay the swallow, his wings pressed close to his side His little -head and legs drawn in under his feathers. He had died of cold. - -"Poor little swallow!" thought Thumbelina. All wild birds were her -friends. Had they not sung to her and fluttered round her all the long -glad summer days? - -But the mole kicked the swallow with his short legs. "That one will -sing no more," he said roughly. "It must be sad to be born a bird and -to be able only to sing and fly. I am thankful none of my children -will be birds," and he proudly smoothed down his velvet coat. - -"Yes," said the field-mouse; "what can a bird do but sing? When the -cold weather comes it is useless." - -Thumbelina said nothing. Only when the others moved on, she stooped -down and stroked the bird gently with her tiny hand, and kissed its -closed eyes. - -That night the little maiden could not sleep. "I will go to see the -poor swallow again," she thought. - -She got up out of her tiny bed. She wove a little carpet out of hay. -Down the long underground passage little Thumbelina walked, carrying -the carpet. She reached the bird at last, and spread the carpet gently -round him. She fetched warm cotton and laid it over the bird. - -"Even down on the cold earth he will be warm now," thought the gentle -little maiden. - -"Farewell," she said sadly, "farewell, little bird! Did you sing to me -through the long summer days, when the leaves were green and the sky -was blue? Farewell, little swallow!" and she stooped to press her tiny -cheeks against the soft feathers. - -As she did so, she heard--what could it be? Pit, pat, pit, pat! Could -the bird be alive? Little Thumbelina listened still. Yes, it was the -beating of the little bird's heart that she heard. He had not been -dead after all, only frozen with cold. The little carpet and the -covering the little maid had brought warmed the bird. He would get -well now. - -What a big bird he seemed to Thumbelina! She was almost afraid now, -for she was so tiny. She was tiny, but she was brave. Drawing the -covering more closely round the poor swallow, she brought her own -little pillow, that the bird's head might rest softly. - -Thumbelina stole out again the next night. "Would the swallow look at -her," she wondered. - -Yes, he opened his eyes, and looked at little Thumbelina, who stood -there with a tiny torch of tinder-wood. - -"Thanks, thanks, little Thumbelina," he twittered feebly. "Soon -I shall grow strong and fly out in the bright sunshine once more; -thanks, thanks, little maiden." - -"Oh! but it is too cold, it snows and freezes, for now it is winter," -said Thumbelina. "Stay here and be warm, and I will take care of you," -and she brought the swallow water in a leaf. - -And the little bird told her all his story,--how he had tried to fly -to the warm countries, and how he had torn his wing on a blackthorn -bush and fallen to the ground. But he could not tell her how he had -come to the underground passage. - -All winter the swallow stayed there, and Thumbelina was often in the -long passage, with her little torch of tinder-wood. But the mole and -the field-mouse did not know how Thumbelina tended and cared for the -swallow. - -At last spring came, and the sun sent its warmth down where the -swallow lay in the underground passage. - -Little Thumbelina opened the hole which the mole had made in the -ceiling, and the sunshine streamed down on the swallow and the little -girl. - -How the swallow longed to soar away, up and up, to be lost to sight in -the blue, blue sky! - -"Come with me, little Thumbelina," said the swallow, "come with me to -the blue skies and the green woods." - -But Thumbelina remembered how kind the field-mouse had been to her -when she was cold and hungry, and she would not leave her. - -"Farewell! farewell! then, little maiden," twittered the swallow as he -flew out and up, up into the sunshine. - -Thumbelina loved the swallow dearly. Her eyes were full of tears as -she watched the bird disappearing till he was only a tiny speck of -black. - -And now sad days came to little Thumbelina. - -The golden corn was once more waving in the sunshine above the house -of the field-mouse, but Thumbelina must not go out lest she lose -herself among the corn. - -Not go out in the bright sunshine! Oh, poor little Thumbelina! - -"You must get your wedding clothes ready this summer," said the -field-mouse. "You must be well provided with linen and worsted. My -neighbor the mole will wish a well-dressed bride." - -The mole had said he wished to marry little Thumbelina before the cold -winter came again. - -So Thumbelina sat at the spinning-wheel through the long summer days, -spinning and weaving with four little spiders to help her. - -In the evening the mole came to visit her. "Summer will soon be over," -he said, "and we shall be married." - -But oh! little Thumbelina did not wish the summer to end. - -Live with the dull old mole, who hated the sunshine, who would not -listen to the song of the birds--live underground with him! Little -Thumbelina wished the summer would never end. - -The spinning and weaving were over now. All the wedding clothes were -ready. Autumn was come. - -"Only four weeks and the wedding-day will have come," said the -field-mouse. - -And little Thumbelina wept. - -"I will not marry the tiresome old mole," she said. - -"I shall bite you with my white tooth if you talk such nonsense," said -the field-mouse. "Among all my friends not one of them has such a fine -velvet coat as the mole. His cellars are full and his rooms are large. -You ought to be glad to marry so well," she ended. - -"Was there no escape from the underground home?" little Thumbelina -wondered. - -The wedding-day came. The mole arrived to fetch his little bride. - -How could she say good-by for ever to the beautiful sunshine? - -"Farewell, farewell!" she cried, and waved her little hands towards -the glorious sun. - -"Farewell, farewell!" she cried, and threw her tiny arms round a -little red flower growing at her feet. - -"Tell the dear swallow, when he comes again," she whispered to the -flower, "tell him I will never forget him." - -"Tweet, tweet!" what was that Thumbelina heard? "Tweet, tweet!" Could -it be the swallow? - -The flutter of wings was round her. Little Thumbelina looked. How glad -she was, for there, indeed, was the little bird she had tended and -cared for so long. She told him, weeping, she must not stay. She -must marry the mole and live underground, and never see the sun, the -glorious sun. - -"Come with me, come with me, little Thumbelina," twittered the -swallow. "You can sit on my back, and I will fly with you to warmer -countries, far from the tiresome old mole. Over mountains and seas we -will fly to the country where the summer never ends, and the sunlight -always shines." - -Then little Thumbelina seated herself on her dear swallow's back, and -put her tiny feet on his outstretched wing. She tied herself firmly -with her little sash to the strongest feather of the bird. - -And the swallow soared high into the air. High above forests and -lakes, high above the big mountains that were crested with snow, he -soared. - -And little Thumbelina shivered as she felt the cold air, but soon she -crept under the bird's warm feathers, and only pushed out her little -head to see the beauty all around her. - -They had reached the warm countries now. The sun was more brilliant -here, the flowers more radiant. - -On and on flew the swallow, till he came to a white marble palace. -Half-ruined it was, and vine leaves trailed up the long slender -pillars. And among the broad, green leaves many a swallow had built -his nest, and one of these nests belonged to Thumbelina's little -swallow. - -"This is my home," said the bird, "but you shall live in one of -these brilliant flowers, in the loveliest of them all'." - -And little Thumbelina clapped her hands with joy. - -The swallow flew with her to a stately sunflower, and set her -carefully on one of the broad yellow petals. - -But think, what was her surprise! In the very heart of the flower -stood a little Prince, fair and transparent as crystal. On his head he -wore a crown of gold, on his shoulders a pair of delicate wings, and -he was small, every bit as small as Thumbelina. He was the spirit of -the flower. - -For you know in each flower there is a spirit, a tiny little boy or -girl, but this little Prince was King of all the flower spirits. - -The little King thought Thumbelina the loveliest maiden he had ever -seen. He took off his golden crown and placed it on the tiny head -of the little maid, and in a silvery voice he asked, "Will you be my -bride, little Thumbelina, and reign with me over the flower spirits?" - -How glad Thumbelina was! - -The little King wished to marry her. Yes, she would be his little -Queen. - -Then out of each blossom stepped tiny little children. They came to -pay their homage to little Thumbelina. - -Each one brought her a present, and the most beautiful of all the -presents was a pair of wings, delicate as gossamer. And when they -were fastened on the shoulders of the little Queen, she could fly from -flower to flower. - -And the swallow sat on his nest above, and sang his sweetest bridal -song for the wedding of little Thumbelina. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TINDER-BOX - -BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN - - -A story about a tinder-box? Yes, but then it was such a wonderful one! -Why, it must certainly have been a magic box! - -It belonged to an old witch, this tinder-box, but it had been left -right down inside a tree by the ugly old witch's grandmother. But get -it again she must, for she knew it really was a magic tinder-box. - -But how could she get it? - -Ah! here was her chance. - -Tramp, tramp; right, left, right, left. She heard the steps come -nearer and nearer. She looked! There was a soldier coming along; -tramp, tramp. - -She could see him now, with a knapsack on his back, and his sword at -his side. - -The soldier had been to the wars and was coming home. - -"Good evening," said the witch, as he came close to her. "Good -evening; what a bright sword you wear, and what a big knapsack! You -shall have as much money as you wish for yourself!" - -"Thank you, old witch," said the soldier. But he did not tell her that -she did not look as though she had much money to spare. He was too -wise to say anything but, "Thank you, old witch." - -"Do you see that big tree?" she said, and she pointed to one that -stood close by the wayside. "It is hollow inside. Climb up to the top, -and you will see a hole. It is large. You must creep through it and -let yourself down, right down under the tree. Tie a rope round your -waist, and I will haul you up again when you call." - -"But what am I to do under the tree?" asked the soldier. - -"What are you to do? Why, did I not tell you you should have money. -It is there, under the tree, copper, silver, gold. Gold!" cried the -witch, in a rough and eager voice. "When you come to the bottom of the -tree there is a large passage. It is quite light, indeed it is ablaze -with light. More than a hundred lamps are burning. There you will see -three doors. The keys are in the keyholes. Unlock the doors and walk -in. In the first room in the middle of the floor, is a big box. On the -top of it sits a dog. He has big eyes, they are as big as saucers, -but do not let that trouble you. You shall have my blue checked apron. -Spread it on the floor. Go forward quickly, seize the dog and place -him on it. After that is done, you can open the box, and take out as -much money as you wish. It is true the box holds only copper coins, -but if you would rather have silver, just walk into the next room. -There sits another dog, on another box, with big eyes, eyes as big -as--oh, as big as mill-wheels, but never mind that. Place the dog on -my apron, then open the box and take as much silver as you wish. But -if you would rather have gold, why, then open the third door. -There you will see another dog, sitting on another box. This one is -tremendous, quite gigantic, and he has eyes, oh! such great, rolling -eyes! They are as large as the Round Tower. He is a dog indeed, but -do not let that trouble you. Place him on my blue checked apron and he -will not hurt you. Then take gold, as much gold as ever you wish." - -"Splendid!" said the soldier. You see he had been to the wars and was -a brave man. "Splendid! But what am I to give you, old witch? You will -wish something, I am quite certain of that." - -"No," said the witch: "I do not wish one single coin. But I do wish my -old tinder-box. My grandmother left it behind her, the last time she -went down the tree." - -"Well, tie the rope round my waist," said the soldier. - -"Here it is," said the witch, "and here is my blue checked apron. It -is very important." - -Up the tree climbed the soldier, into the tree he crept through the -hole at the top, and down, down the hollow inside he slipped, and -there he was, in a wide passage, lighted, as the witch had said, by a -hundred burning lamps. - -The soldier unlocked the first door he saw. There sat the dog with -eyes as big as saucers, staring at him in great surprise. - -"I must obey my orders," thought the soldier. - -He placed the witch's apron on the floor, seized the dog bravely, and -placed him on the apron. - -Then he opened the box. It was full of copper coins. He crammed as -many as he could into his pocket, shut the lid, placed the dog again -on the box, and passed on to the second door. - -He unlocked it. Yes! there sat another dog on another box, with great -eyes, as big as mill-wheels. - -"If you stare at me so hard, you will hurt your eyes," said the -soldier, and thought what a joke he had made. Then he seized the dog, -placed it on the witch's apron, and raised the lid of the second box. - -Silver, every coin was silver! The soldier threw away all his copper -coins in a great hurry. He must have silver. He stuffed his pockets -and his knapsack with the silver coins, and clapped his hands. He was -rich now. - -On he went to the third room. He unlocked it. There indeed was another -box and another dog, and oh, horrible! the soldier almost shut his -eyes. The dog had eyes, great big rolling eyes, eyes as large as the -Round Tower. And they would not keep still. No, round and round they -rolled. - -But the soldier was brave; he had been to the wars. - -"Good evening," he said, and he lifted his hat respectfully, for never -before in all his life, had he seen so big, so enormous a creature. - -Then he walked straight up to the dog. Could he lift him? Yes, he -took the immense animal in his arms, set him on the witch's apron, and -opened the third box. - -Gold! It was full of gold. He would be able to buy the whole town, -and all the sugar-plums, and all the tin soldiers, and all the -rocking-horses and whips in the world. - -The soldier was delighted. He threw away his silver money. Silver! He -did not want silver. Here was gold, gold! - -He filled his pockets and his knapsack, but he could not bear to stop -there. No, he crammed his cap and his boots so full that he could -hardly walk. He was really rich at last. He shut the lid, placed the -dog again on the box, and went out of the room, along the passage. - -Then he shouted up the tree, "Halloo, old witch! haul me up again." - -"Have you got the tinder-box?" said the witch. - -"Oh, that I had quite forgotten," answered the soldier, and back he -went to fetch it. - -When he came back the witch took the rope and hauled and hauled, till -there was the soldier, once more, safe on the high road, just as he -was before, only now he was rich, so rich that he had become very -bold. - -He had gold in his pockets, gold in his knapsack, gold in his cap, -gold in his boots. - -"What are you going to do with the tinder-box, just tell me that?" -said the soldier. - -"That is no business of yours," said the witch. "You have the gold, -give me the tinder-box!" - -"Rubbish!" said the soldier. He had grown rude as well as rich, you -see. "Rubbish--take your choice--tell me at once what you mean to do -with the tinker-box, or I will draw my sword and cut off your head." - -"I won't tell you," screamed the witch. - -Then the soldier cut off her head, and the poor witch lay there dead. -But the soldier did not stay to look at her. In a great hurry he took -all his gold and tied it up in the blue checked apron. - -He slung it across his shoulder, put the tinder-box in his pocket, and -marched off to town. - -How grand he felt! What heaps of gold he had in his bundle! - -When the soldier reached the town he walked straight to the finest -hotel, and asked for the best rooms, and for dinner ordered all his -favorite puddings and fruits. - -The servant who cleaned his boots tossed her head. "Shabby boots for a -rich man to wear," she said. - -But next day the soldier had bought himself very grand new boots, and -gay clothing, so that no one could possibly call him shabby. - -Shabby! No, he was a great man now, and people crowded round this rich -fellow, told him all the sights there were to be seen in their city, -all about their King too, and the beautiful Princess, his daughter. - -"I should like to see her, this wonderful Princess," said the soldier. - -"But you cannot see her," they told him. "She lives, the beautiful -Princess, in a great copper castle, with walls and towers all round. -Only the King visits her there, for it was once foretold that she -would marry a common soldier, and that our King does not wish." - -"I must see her once, just once," thought the soldier. But how was he -going to find the way into the castle, that was the question? - -Meanwhile he led a merry life. He drove about in the King's Park; he -went to the theater; he gave money to the poor, because he remembered -how miserable it was to have no money in his own pocket. - -The soldier was always gaily dressed now. He had a great many friends -who said he was a real gentleman, and that pleased him very much. - -And so he went on day after day, spending money and giving money, but -getting none, till at last the gold came to an end. He had only two -copper coins left: he was only a poor soldier once more. - -Leaving the grand hotel he went to live in a small room. He found a -tiny attic, just under a roof, up, oh! so many stairs. Here he lived, -mending his own clothes, brushing his own boots. He had no visitors, -for his grand friends would not take the trouble to walk up so many -stairs to his little attic. - -Hungry? Yes, he was hungry too, and as he had no money to buy even a -farthing candle, he had to sit alone in the dark. - -One evening he suddenly thought of the witch's tinder-box. Surely in -it there were matches. - -The soldier opened it eagerly. Yes, there lay the matches. He seized -one and struck it on the tinder-box. - -No sooner had he done this, than the door burst suddenly open, and -there, there, staring at him, stood the dog with eyes as big as -saucers. - -"What does my master command?" asked the dog. - -"No wonder the old witch wished the tinder-box for her very own," -thought the soldier. Aloud he said to the dog, "Fetch me some money," -and the dog instantly vanished to do his master's bidding. - -He was back in a moment, and lo! in his mouth was a big bag, full of -pennies. - -"Why, this is a magic box," said the soldier. "I have a treasure -indeed." And so he had, for listen! Strike the box once, the dog with -eyes as large as saucers appeared. Strike it twice and the dog with -eyes as big as mill-wheels appeared. Strike it thrice and there -appeared the monster dog with eyes that rolled round and round and -were as large as the Round Tower itself. All three dogs did the -soldier's bidding. - -Now the soldier could have gold again. Gold as much as ever he wished. - -He moved once more to the grand rooms in the fine hotel. He had gay -clothes again; and now, strangely enough, all his friends came to see -him and liked him as much as ever. - -One evening the soldier's thoughts wandered away to the beautiful -Princess, the beautiful Princess who was shut up so safely in the -great copper palace. - -"It is ridiculous that no one sees the Princess," thought the soldier. -"I want to see her, and I shall." - -He pulled out his tinder-box, struck a light, and lo! there stood the -dog with eyes as large as saucers. - -"It is the middle of the night," said the soldier, "but I must see the -Princess, if it is only for a moment." - -The dog bounded out of the door, and before the soldier had time -to wonder what he would do or say if the beautiful Princess really -appeared, there she was. - -Yes, there she was, fast asleep on the dog's back. She was beautiful, -so beautiful that the soldier was quite sure that she was a real -Princess. He stooped and kissed her hand. She was so beautiful he -could not help it. Then off ran the dog, back to the copper palace -with the Princess. - -"I had such a strange dream last night," the Princess told the King -and Queen at breakfast next morning. "I dreamed that an enormous dog -came and carried me off to a soldier, and the soldier kissed my hand. -It was a strange dream," she murmured. - -"The Princess must not be left alone to-night," said the Queen. "She -may be frightened if she dreams again." And she told an old dame who -lived at court to sit in the Princess's room at night. - -But what would the Queen have said if she had known that what the -Princess told them was no dream, but something that had really and -truly happened? - -Well, that evening the soldier thought he would like to see the -Princess again. - -He struck a light, and there stood one of his obedient dogs. - -"Bring the Princess," ordered the soldier, and the dog vanished to do -his master's will. - -The old dame sat beside the Princess's bed. She had heard all about -the Princess's dream. - -"Was she dreaming herself now?" she wondered. She pinched -herself.--No, she was wide awake, yet she saw a dog, a real dog with -eyes as large as saucers, in front of her. - -The dog seized the Princess, and ran off; but although he ran very -quickly, the old dame found time to put on her goloshes before she -followed. - -How she panted along! How she ran, the faithful old dame! She was just -in time to see the Princess on the dog's back disappear into a large -house. - -"I shall mark the house, so that I may know it in the morning," she -thought. And she took a piece of white chalk and made a great white -cross on the door. - -Then she walked home and slept. - -Soon afterwards the dog carried the Princess back to the copper -palace, and noticed the great white cross on the door of the hotel -where his master lived. - -And what do you think he did? Oh, he was a wise dog. He took a piece -of chalk, and he put a great white cross on every door in the town. - -Early next morning the King and Queen and all the lords and ladies of -the court were astir. They had heard the old dame's story, and were -going to see the house with the great white cross. - -They had scarcely started, when the King's eyes fell on a great white -cross! "Here it is," cried the King eagerly. - -"What nonsense you talk, my dear! it is here," said the Queen, for -almost at the same moment she too had seen a door with a great white -cross. - -Then all the lords and ladies cried: "It is here, it is here," as -one after another they saw doors marked with great white crosses. The -hubbub was terrible, and the poor old dame was quite bewildered. How -could she tell which door she had marked? It was quite useless. The -dog had perplexed everybody, and they went back to the copper palace -knowing no more than when they left it. - -But the Queen was a clever woman. She could do more than just sit very -properly on a throne. - -The same evening, she took her big gold scissors and cut up a large -piece of silk into small pieces. These she sewed together into a -pretty little bag. Then she filled the bag with the finest grains of -wheat. With her own hands she tied the bag round the Princess's waist, -after which she took her gold scissors again and cut a tiny little -hole in the bag, a hole just big enough to let the grains of wheat -drop out whenever the Princess moved. - -That night the dog came again and carried the Princess off to the -soldier, and the soldier wished he were a Prince, for then he would -marry this beautiful Princess. - -Now although the dog had very big eyes, eyes as large as saucers, he -did not notice the tiny grains of wheat as they dropped out all along -the road from the palace to the soldier's window. Under the window -the dog stopped and climbed up the wall with the Princess, into the -soldier's room. - -The next morning the King and Queen followed the little grains of -wheat and very easily found out where the Princess had been. - -Then the soldier was seized and put into prison. - -Oh, how dark and tiresome it was! But it was worse than that one day, -when they told him he was to be hanged, "hanged to-morrow," they told -him. - -What a fright the soldier was in, and, worst of all, he had left his -tinder-box at the hotel. - -Morning came! Through the narrow bars of his little window the soldier -could see the people all hurrying out of town. They were going to see -him hanged. - -He heard the drums, he saw the soldiers marching along. He wished he -were marching with them. Alas, alas! that could never be now-- - -A little shoemaker's apprentice, with a leather apron, came running -along. He was in such a hurry that he lost one of his slippers. It -fell close under the soldier's window, as he sat peering out through -the narrow bars. - -The soldier called to the boy, "There is no hurry, for I am still -here. Nothing will happen till I go. I will give you two-pence if you -will run to the house where I used to live and fetch me my tinder-box. -You must run all the way." - -The shoemaker's boy thought he would like to earn twopence, and off he -raced to bring the tinder-box. - -He found it. "A useless little box," he said to himself, but back he -raced with it to the soldier; and then--what do you think happened? - -Outside the town the scaffold had been raised, the soldiers were drawn -up round it, as well as crowds of people. - -The King and Queen were there too, seated on a magnificent throne, -exactly opposite the judges and councilors. - -The rope was being put round the soldier's neck, when he turned to -the King and Queen and earnestly entreated one last favor--only to be -allowed to smoke one pipe of tobacco. - -What a harmless request! How could the King refuse so harmless a -request? - -"Yes," said his Majesty, "you may smoke one pipe of tobacco." - -The soldier took out his tinder-box, struck a match, once, twice, -thrice, and lo! there before him stood the three enormous dogs, -waiting his commands. - -"Help me," shouted the soldier; "do not let me be hanged." - -At once the three terrible dogs rushed at the judges and councilors, -tossed them high into the air, so that as they fell they were broken -into pieces. - -The King began to speak; perhaps he was going to forgive the soldier, -but no one knows what he was going to say, for the biggest dog gave -him no time to finish his sentence. - -He rushed at the King and Queen, flung them high into the air, so that -when they fell down, they too were broken all to pieces. - -Then the soldiers and the people, who were all terribly frightened, -shouted in a great hurry, "Brave soldier, you shall be our King, and -the beautiful Princess shall be our Queen!" - -And while they led the soldier to the royal carriage the great big -dogs bounded along in front. - -Little boys whistled gaily, and the guards presented arms. - -Then the Princess was sent for, and made Queen, which she liked much -better than living shut up in a copper palace. And the wedding feast -lasted for eight whole days, and the three monster wizard dogs sat at -the table, staring around them with all their eyes. - - * * * * * - - - - -BOOTS AND HIS BROTHERS - - -BY GEORGE WEBBE DASENT - - -Once on a time there was a man who had three sons, Peter, Paul, and -John. John was Boots, of course, because he was the youngest. I can't -say the man had anything more than these three sons, for he had n't -one penny to rub against another; and so he told his sons over and -over again they must go out into the world and try to earn their -bread, for there at home there was nothing to be looked for but -starving to death. - -Now, near the man's cottage was the King's palace, and, you must know, -just against the King's windows a great oak had sprung up, which -was so stout and big that it took away all the light from the King's -palace. The King had said he would give many, many dollars to the man -who could fell the oak, but no one was man enough for that, for as -soon as ever one chip of the oak's trunk flew off, two grew in its -stead. A well, too, the King would have dug, which was to hold water -for the whole year; for all his neighbors had wells, but he hadn't -any, and that he thought a shame. So the King said he would give to -any one who could dig him such a well as would hold water for a whole -year round, both money and goods; but no one could do it, for the -King's palace lay high, high up on a hill, and they had dug only a few -inches before they came upon the living rock. - -But as the King had set his heart on having these two things done, -he had it given out far and wide, in all the churches of his kingdom, -that he who could fell the big oak in the King's courtyard, and get -him a well that would hold water the whole year round, should have -the Princess and half the kingdom. Well, you may easily know there -was many a man who came to try his luck; but for all their hacking and -hewing, and all their digging and delving, it was no good. The oak got -bigger and stouter at every stroke, and the rock didn't get softer, -either. So one day those three brothers thought they'd set off and -try too, and their father hadn't a word against it; for even if they -didn't get the Princess and half the kingdom, it might happen they -might get a place somewhere with a good master; and that was all he -wanted. So when the brothers said they thought of going to the palace, -their father said "yes" at once. So Peter, Paul, and Jack went off -from their home. - -Well, they hadn't gone far before they came to a fir-wood, and up -along one side of it rose a steep hillside, and as they went, they -heard something hewing and hacking away up on the hill among the -trees. - -"I wonder, now, what it is that is hewing away up yonder," said Jack. - -"You're always so clever with your wonderings," said Peter and Paul -both at once. "What wonder is it, pray, that a woodcutter should stand -and hack up on a hillside?" - -"Still, I'd like to see what it is, after all," said Jack; and up he -went. - -"Oh, if you're such a child, 'twill do you good to go and take a -lesson," bawled out his brothers after him. - -But Jack didn't care for what they said; he climbed the steep hillside -towards where the noise came, and when he reached the place, what do -you think he saw? Why, an axe that stood there hacking and hewing, all -of itself, at the trunk of a fir. - -"Good-day!" said Jack. "So you stand here all alone and hew, do you?" - -"Yes; here I've stood and hewed and hacked a long, long time, waiting -for you," said the Axe. - -"Well, here I am at last," said Jack, as he took the axe, pulled it -off its handle, and stuffed both head and handle into his wallet. - -So when he got down again to his brothers, they began to jeer and -laugh at him. - -"And now, what funny thing was it you saw up yonder on the hillside?" -they said. - -"Oh, it was only an axe we heard," said Jack. - -So when they had gone a bit farther, they came under a steep spur of -rock, and up there they heard something digging and shoveling. - -"I wonder now," said Jack, "what it is digging and shoveling up yonder -at the top of the rock." - -"Ah, you're always so clever with your wonderings," said Peter and -Paul again; "as if you'd never heard a woodpecker hacking and pecking -at a hollow tree." - -"Well, well," said Jack, "I think it would be a piece of fun just to -see what it really is." - -And so off he set to climb the rock, while the others laughed and made -game of him. But he didn't care a bit for that; up he climbed, and -when he got near the top, what do you think he saw? Why, a spade that -stood there digging and delving. - -"Good-day!" said Jack. "So you stand here all alone, and dig and -delve!" - -"Yes, that's what I do," said the Spade, "and that's what I've done -this many a long day, waiting for you." - -"Well, here I am," said Jack again, as he took the spade and knocked -it off its handle, and put it into his wallet, and then down again to -his brothers. - -"Well, what was it, so rare and strange," said Peter and Paul, "that -you saw up there at the top of the rock?" - -"Oh," said Jack, "nothing more than a spade; that was what we heard." - -So they went on again a good bit, till they came to a brook. They were -thirsty, all three, after their long walk, and so they lay down beside -the brook to have a drink. - -"I wonder now," said Jack, "where all this water comes from." - -"I wonder if you're right in your head," said Peter and Paul in one -breath. "If you're not mad already, you'll go mad very soon, with your -wonderings. Where the brook comes from, indeed! Have you never heard -how water rises from a spring in the earth?" - -"Yes; but still I've a great fancy to see where this brook comes -from," said Jack. - -So up alongside the brook he went, in spite of all that his brothers -bawled after him. Nothing could stop him. On he went. So, as he went -up and up, the brook got smaller and smaller, and at last, a little -way farther on, what do you think he saw? Why, a great walnut, and out -of that the water trickled. - -"Good-day!" said Jack again; "So you lie here, and trickle and run -down all alone?" - -"Yes, I do," said the Walnut; "and here have I trickled and run this -many a long day, waiting for you." - -"Well, here I am," said Jack, as he took up a lump of moss, and -plugged up the hole, that the water mightn't run out. Then he put the -walnut into his wallet, and ran down to his brothers. - -"Well, now," said Peter and Paul, "have you found out where the water -comes from? A rare sight it must have been!" - -"Oh, after all, it was only a hole it ran out of," said Jack; and so -the others laughed and made game of him again, but Jack didn't mind -that a bit. - -"After all, I had the fun of seeing it," said he. - -So when they had gone a bit farther they came to the King's palace; -but as every one in the kingdom had heard how they might win the -Princess and half the realm, if they could only fell the big oak and -dig the King's well, so many had come to try their luck that the oak -was now twice as stout and big as it had been at first, for two chips -grew for every one they hewed out with their axes, as I dare say you -all bear in mind. So the King had now laid it down as a punishment -that if any one tried and couldn't fell the oak, he should be put on -a barren island, and both his ears were to be clipped off. But the two -brothers didn't let themselves be scared by that; they were quite sure -they could fell the oak, and Peter, as he was eldest, was to try his -hand first; but it went with him as with all the rest who had hewn -at the oak; for every chip he cut out, two grew in its place. So the -King's men seized him, and clipped off both his ears, and put him out -on the island. - -Now Paul, he was to try his luck, but he fared just the same; when he -had hewn two or three strokes, they began to see the oak grow, and so -the King's men seized him too, and clipped his ears, and put him out -on the island; and his ears they clipped closer, because they said he -ought to have taken a lesson from his brother. - -So now Jack was to try. - -"If you _will_ look like a marked sheep, we're quite ready to clip -your ears at once, and then you'll save yourself some bother," said -the King, for he was angry with him for his brothers' sake. - -"Well, I'd like to just try first," said Jack, and so he got leave. -Then he took his axe out of his wallet and fitted it to its handle. - -"Hew away!" said he to his axe; and away it hewed, making the chips -fly again, so that it wasn't long before down came the oak. - -When that was done, Jack pulled out his spade, and fitted it to its -handle. - -"Dig away!" said he to the spade; and so the spade began to dig and -delve till the earth and rock flew out in splinters, and so he had the -well soon dug out, you may think. - -And when he had got it as big and deep as he chose, Jack took out his -walnut and laid it in one corner of the well, and pulled the plug of -moss out. - -"Trickle and run," said Jack, and so the nut trickled and ran, till -the water gushed out of the hole in a stream, and in a short time the -well was brimful. - -Then Jack had felled the oak which shaded the King's palace, and dug -a well in the palace-yard, and so he got the Princess and half the -kingdom, as the King had said; but it was lucky for Peter and Paul -that they had lost their ears, else they had heard each hour and day -how every one said, "Well, after all, Jack wasn't so much out of his -mind when he took to wondering." - - - - -THE HUSBAND WHO WAS TO MIND THE HOUSE - -BY GEORGE WEBBE DASENT - - -Once on a time there was a man so surly and cross he never thought -his wife did anything right in the house. So one evening, in haymaking -time, he came home, scolding and swearing, and showing his teeth and -making a dust. - -"Dear love, don't be so angry; there's a good man," said his goody; -"to-morrow let's change our work. I'll go out with the mowers and mow, -and you shall mind the house at home." - -Yes, the husband thought that would do very well. He was quite -willing, he said. - -So, early next morning, his goody took a scythe over her neck, and -went out into the hayfield with the mowers and began to mow; but the -man was to mind the house, and do the work at home. - -First of all he wanted to churn the butter; but when he had churned a -while he got thirsty, and went down to the cellar to tap a barrel of -ale. So, just when he had knocked in the bung, and was putting the tap -into the cask, he heard overhead the pig come into the kitchen. Then -off he ran up the cellar steps, with the tap in his hand, as fast as -he could, to look after the pig, lest it should upset the churn; but -when he got up, and saw the pig had already knocked the churn over, -and stood there, routing and grunting amongst the cream which was -running all over the floor, he got so wild with rage that he quite -forgot the ale-barrel, and ran at the pig as hard as he could. He -caught it, too, just as it ran out of doors, and gave it such a kick -that piggy lay for dead on the spot. Then all at once he remembered -he had the tap in his hand; but when he got down to the cellar, every -drop of ale had run out of the cask. - -Then he went into the dairy and found enough cream left to fill the -churn again, and so he began to churn, for butter they must have at -dinner. When he had churned a bit, he remembered that their milking -cow was still shut up in the stable, and hadn't had a bit to eat or -a drop to drink all the morning, though the sun was high. Then all at -once he thought 'twas too far to take her down to the meadow, so he'd -just get her up on the housetop--for the house, you must know, was -thatched with sods, and a fine crop of grass was growing there. Now -their house lay close up against a steep down, and he thought if he -laid a plank across to the thatch at the back he'd easily get the cow -up. - -But still he couldn't leave the churn, for there was his little babe -crawling about on the floor, and "if I leave it," he thought, "the -child is sure to upset it." So he took the churn on his back, and -went out with it; but then he thought he'd better first water the cow -before he turned her out on the thatch; so he took up a bucket to draw -water out of the well; but, as he stooped down at the well's brink, -all the cream ran out of the churn over his shoulders, and so down -into the well. - -Now it was near dinner-time, and he hadn't even got the butter yet; so -he thought he'd best boil the porridge, and filled the pot with water, -and hung it over the fire. When he had done that, he thought the cow -might perhaps fall off the thatch and break her legs or her neck. So -he got up on the house to tie her up. One end of the rope he made fast -to the cow's neck, and the other he slipped down the chimney and tied -round his own thigh; and he had to make haste, for the water now began -to boil in the pot, and he had still to grind the oatmeal. - -So he began to grind away; but while he was hard at it, down fell the -cow off the housetop after all, and as she fell she dragged the man up -the chimney, by the rope. There he stuck fast; and as for the cow, she -hung half-way down the wall, swinging between heaven and earth, for -she could neither get down nor up. - -And now the goody had waited seven lengths and seven breadths for her -husband to come and call them home to dinner; but never a call they -had. At last she thought she'd waited long enough, and went home. But -when she got there and saw the cow hanging in such an ugly place, she -ran up and cut the rope in two with her scythe. But as she did this, -down came her husband out of the chimney; and so when his old dame -came inside the kitchen, there she found him standing on his head in -the porridge-pot. - - * * * * * - - - - -BUTTERCUP - -BY GEORGE WEBBE DASENT - - -Once on a time there was an old wife who sat and baked. Now you must -know that this old wife had a little son, who was so plump and fat, -and so fond of good things, that they called him Buttercup; she had a -dog, too, whose name was Goldtooth, and as she was baking, all at once -Goldtooth began to bark. - -"Run out, Buttercup, there's a dear!" said the old wife, "and see what -Goldtooth is barking at." - -So the boy ran out, and came back crying out,-- - -"Oh, Heaven help us! here comes a great big witch, with her head under -her arm, and a bag at her back." - -"Jump under the kneading-trough and hide yourself," said his mother. - -So in came the old hag. - -"Good day," said she. - -"God bless you!" said Buttercup's mother. - -"Isn't your Buttercup at home to-day?" asked the hag. - -"No, that he isn't. He's out in the wood with his father, shooting -grouse." - -"Plague take it," said the hag, "for I had such a nice little silver -knife I wanted to give him." - -"Pip, pip! here I am," said Buttercup under the kneading-trough, and -out he came. - -"I'm so old and stiff in the back," said the hag, "you must creep into -the bag and fetch it out for yourself." - -But when Buttercup was well into the bag, the hag threw it over her -back and strode off, and when they had gone a good bit of the way, the -old hag got tired and asked, - -"How far is it off to Snoring?" - -"Half a mile," answered Buttercup. - -So the hag put down the sack on the road, and went aside by herself -into the wood, and lay down to sleep. Meantime Buttercup set to work -and cut a hole in the sack with his knife; then he crept out and put a -great root of a fir-tree into the sack, and ran home to his mother. - -When the hag got home and saw what there was in the sack, you may -fancy she was in a fine rage. - -Next day the old wife sat and baked again, and her dog began to bark, -just as he did the day before. - -"Run out, Buttercup, my boy," said she, "and see what Goldtooth is -barking at." - -"Well, I never!" cried Buttercup, as soon as he got out; "if there -isn't that ugly old beast coming again with her head under her arm and -a great sack at her back." - -"Under the kneading-trough with you and hide," said his mother. - -"Good day!" said the hag; "is your Buttercup at home to-day?" - -"I'm sorry to say he isn't," said his mother; "he's out in the wood -with his father, shooting grouse." - -"What a bore!" said the hag; "here I have a beautiful little silver -spoon I want to give him." - -"Pip, pip! here I am," said Buttercup, and crept out. - -"I'm so stiff in the back," said the old witch, "you must creep into -the sack and fetch it out for yourself." - -So when Buttercup was well into the sack, the hag swung it over her -shoulders and set off home as fast as her legs could carry her. But -when they had gone a good bit she grew weary, and asked, - -"How far is it off to Snoring?" - -"A mile and a half," answered Buttercup. - -So the hag set down the sack, and went aside into the wood to sleep -a bit, but while she slept Buttercup made a hole in the sack and got -out, and put a great stone into it. Now, when the old witch got home, -she made a great fire on the hearth, and put a big pot on it, and got -everything ready to boil Buttercup; but when she took the sack, and -thought she was going to turn out Buttercup into the pot, down plumped -the stone and made a hole in the bottom of the pot, so that the water -ran out and quenched the fire. Then the old hag was in a dreadful -rage, and said, "If he makes himself ever so heavy next time, he -shan't take me in again." - -The third day everything went just as it had gone twice before; -Goldtooth began to bark, and Buttercup's mother said to him, - -"Do run out and see what our dog is barking at." - -So out he went, but he soon came back crying out, - -"Heaven save us! Here comes the old hag again with her head under her -arm and a sack at her back." - -"Jump under the kneading-trough and hide," said his mother. - -"Good day!" said the hag, as she came in at the door; "is your -Buttercup at home to-day?" - -"You're very kind to ask after him," said his mother; "but he's out in -the wood with his father, shooting grouse." - -"What a bore, now," said the old hag; "here have I got such a -beautiful little silver fork for him." - -"Pip, pip! here I am," said Buttercup, as he came out from under the -kneading-trough. - -"I'm so stiff in the back," said the hag, "you must creep into the -sack and fetch it out for yourself." - -But when Buttercup was well inside the sack the old hag swung it -across her shoulders, and set off as fast as she could. This time she -did not turn aside to sleep by the way, but went straight home with -Buttercup in the sack, and when she reached her house it was Sunday. - -So the old hag said to her daughter: - -"Now you must take Buttercup and kill him, and boil him nicely till I -come back, for I'm off to church to bid my guests to dinner." - -So, when all in the house were gone to church, the daughter was to -take Buttercup and kill him, but then she didn't know how to set about -it at all. - -"Stop a bit," said Buttercup; "I'll soon show you how to do it; just -lay your head on the chopping-block, and you'll soon see." - -So the poor silly thing laid her head down, and Buttercup took an axe -and chopped her head off, just as if she had been a chicken. Then he -laid her head in the bed, and popped her body into the pot, and boiled -it so nicely; and when he had done that, he climbed up on the roof, -and dragged up with him the fir-tree root and the stone, and put one -over the door, and the other at the top of the chimney. - -So when the household came back from church, and saw the head on the -bed, they thought it was the daughter who lay there asleep; and then -they thought they would just taste the broth. - - "Good, by my troth! - Buttercup broth," - -said the old hag. - - "Good, by my troth! - Daughter broth," - -said Buttercup down the chimney, but no one heeded him. - -So the old hag's husband, who was every bit as bad as she, took the -spoon to have a taste. - - "Good, by my troth! - Buttercup broth," - -said he. - - "Good, by my troth! - Daughter broth," - -said Buttercup down the chimney pipe. - -Then they all began to wonder who it could be that chattered so, and -ran out to see. But when they came out at the door, Buttercup threw -down on them the fir-tree root and the stone, and broke all their -heads to bits. After that he took all the gold and silver that lay in -the house, and went home to his mother, and became a rich man. - - * * * * * - - - - -GERMAN STORIES - - * * * * * - -SEVEN AT ONE BLOW - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -A tailor sat in his workroom one morning, stitching away busily at a -coat for the Lord Mayor. He whistled and sang so gaily that all the -little boys who passed the shop on their way to school thought what a -fine thing it was to be a tailor, and told one another that when they -grew to be men they'd be tailors, too. - -"How hungry I feel, to be sure!" cried the little man, at last; "but -I'm far too busy to trouble about eating. I must finish his lordship's -coat before I touch a morsel of food," and he broke once more into a -merry song. - -"Fine new jam for sale," sang out an old woman, as she walked along -the street. - -"Jam! I can't resist such a treat," said the tailor; and, running to -the door, he shouted, "This way for jam, dame; show me a pot of your -very finest." - -The woman handed him jar after jar, but he found fault with all. At -last he hit upon some to his liking. - -"And how many pounds will you take, sir?" - -"I'll take four ounces," he replied, in a solemn tone, "and mind you -give me good weight." - -The old woman was very angry, for she had expected to sell several -pounds, at least; and she went off grumbling, after she had weighed -out the four ounces. - -"Now for a feed!" cried the little man, taking a loaf from the -cupboard as he spoke. He cut off a huge slice, and spread the jam on -quite half an inch thick; then he suddenly remembered his work. - -"It will never do to get jam on the Lord Mayor's coat, so I'll finish -it off before I take even one bite," said he. So he picked up his work -once more, and his needle flew in and out like lightning. - -I am afraid the Lord Mayor had some stitches in his garment that were -quite a quarter of an inch long. - -The tailor glanced longingly at his slice of bread and jam once or -twice, but when he looked the third time it was quite covered with -flies, and a fine feast they were having off it. - -This was too much for the little fellow. Up he jumped, crying: - -"So you think I provide bread and jam for you, indeed! Well, we'll -very soon see! Take that!" and he struck the flies such a heavy blow -with a duster that no fewer than seven lay dead upon the table, while -the others flew up to the ceiling in great haste. - -"Seven at one blow!" said the little man with great pride. "Such a -brave deed ought to be known all over the town, and it won't be my -fault if folks fail to hear of it." - -So he cut out a wide belt, and stitched on it in big golden letters -the words "Seven at one blow." When this was done he fastened it round -him, crying: - -"I'm cut out for something better than a tailor, it's quite clear. I'm -one of the world's great heroes, and I'll be off at once to seek my -fortune." - -He glanced round the cottage, but there was nothing of value to take -with him. The only thing he possessed in the world was a small cheese. - -"You may as well come, too," said he, stowing away the cheese in his -pocket, "and now I'm off." - -When he got into the street the neighbors all crowded round him to -read the words on his belt. - -"Seven at one blow!" said they to one another. "What a blessing he's -going; for it wouldn't be safe to have a man about us who could kill -seven of us at one stroke." - -You see, they didn't know that the tailor had only killed flies; they -took it to mean men. - -He jogged along for some miles until he came to a hedge, where a -little bird was caught in the branches. - -"Come along," said the tailor; "I'll have you to keep my cheese -company"; so he caught the bird and put it carefully into his pocket -with the cheese. - -Soon he reached a lofty mountain, and he made up his mind to climb it -and see what was going on at the other side. When he reached the top, -there stood a huge giant, gazing down into the valley below. - -"Good day," said the tailor. - -The giant turned round, and seeing nobody but the little tailor there, -he cried with scorn: - -"And what might you be doing here, might I ask? You'd best be off at -once." - -"Not so fast, my friend," said the little man; "read this." - -"Seven at one blow," read the giant, and he began to wish he'd been -more civil. - -"Well, I'm sure nobody would think it to look at you," he replied; -"but since you are so clever, do this," and he picked up a stone and -squeezed it until water ran out. - -"Do that! Why, it's mere child's play to me," and the man took out -his cheese and squeezed it until the whey ran from it. "Now who is -cleverer?" asked the tailor. "You see, I can squeeze milk out, while -you only get water." - -The giant was too surprised to utter a word for a few minutes; then, -taking up another stone, he threw it so high into the air that for -a moment they couldn't see where it went; then down it fell to the -ground again. - -"Good!" said the tailor; "but I'll throw a stone that won't come back -again at all." - -Taking the little bird from his pocket, he threw it into the air, and -the bird, glad to get away, flew right off and never returned. - -This sort of thing didn't suit the giant at all, for he wasn't used to -being beaten by any one. - -"Here's something that you'll never manage," said he to the little -man. "Just come and help me to carry this fallen oak-tree for a few -miles." - -"Delighted!" said the tailor, "and I'll take the end with the -branches, for it's sure to be heavier." - -"Agreed," replied the giant, and he lifted the heavy trunk on to his -shoulder, while the tailor climbed up among the branches at the -other end, and sang with all his might, as though carrying a tree was -nothing to him. - -The poor giant, who was holding the tree-trunk and the little tailor -as well, soon grew tired. - -"I'm going to let it fall!" he shouted, and the tailor jumped down -from the branches, and pretended he had been helping all the time. - -"The idea of a man your size finding a tree too heavy to carry!" -laughed the little tailor. - -"You are a clever little fellow, and no mistake," replied the giant, -"and if you'll only come and spend the night in our cave, we shall be -delighted to have you." - -"I shall have great pleasure in coming, my friend," answered the -little tailor, and together they set off for the giant's home. - -There were seven more giants in the cave, and each one of them was -eating a roasted pig for his supper. They gave the little man some -food, and then showed him a bed in which he might pass the night. -It was so big that, after tossing about for half an hour in it, the -tailor thought he would be more comfortable if he slept in the corner, -so he crept out without being noticed. - -In the middle of the night the giant stole out of bed and went up to -the one where he thought the little man was fast asleep. Taking a big -bar of iron, he struck such a heavy blow at it that he woke up all the -other giants. - -"Keep quiet, friends," said he. "I've just killed the little scamp." - -The tailor made his escape as soon as possible, and he journeyed on -for many miles, until he began to feel very tired, so he lay down -under a tree, and was soon fast asleep. When he awoke, he found a big -crowd of people standing round him. Up walked one very wise-looking -old man, who was really the King's prime minister. - -"Is it true that you have killed seven at one blow?" he asked - -"It is a fact," answered the little tailor. - -"Then come with me to the King, my friend, for he's been searching for -a brave man like you for some time past. You are to be made captain of -his army, and the King will give you a fine house to live in." - -"That I will," replied the little man. "It is just the sort of thing -that will suit me, and I'll come at once." - -He hadn't been in the King's service long before every one grew -jealous of him. The soldiers were afraid that, if they offended him, -he would make short work of them all, while the members of the King's -household didn't fancy the idea of making such a fuss over a stranger. - -So the soldiers went in a body to the King and asked that another -captain should be put over them, for they were afraid of this one. - -The King didn't like to refuse, for fear they should all desert, and -yet he didn't dare get rid of the captain, in case such a strong and -brave man should try to have his revenge. - -At last the King hit upon a plan. In some woods close by there lived -two giants, who were the terror of the country side; they robbed all -the travelers, and if any resistance was offered they killed the men -on the spot. - -Sending for the little tailor, he said: - -"Knowing you to be the bravest man in my kingdom, I want to ask a -favor of you. If you will kill these two giants, and bring me back -proof that they are dead, you shall marry the Princess, my daughter, -and have half my kingdom. You shall also take one hundred men to help -you, and you are to set off at once." - -"A hundred men, your Majesty! Pray, what do I want with a hundred men? -If I can kill seven at one blow, I needn't be afraid of two. I'll kill -them fast enough, never fear." - -The tailor chose ten strong men, and told them to await him on the -border of the wood, while he went on quite alone. He could hear the -giants snoring for quite half an hour before he reached them, so he -knew in which direction to go. - -He found the pair fast asleep under a tree, so he filled his pockets -with stones and climbed up into the branches over their heads. Then he -began to pelt one of the giants with the missiles, until after a few -minutes one of the men awoke. Giving the other a rough push, he cried: - -"If you strike me like that again, I'll know the reason why." - -"I didn't touch you," said the other giant crossly, and they were soon -fast asleep once more. - -Then the tailor threw stones at the other man, and soon he awoke as -the first had done. - -"What did you throw that at me for?" said he. - -"You are dreaming," answered the other, "I didn't throw anything." - -No sooner were they fast asleep again, than the little man began to -pelt them afresh. - -Up they both sprang, and seizing each other, they began to fight in -real earnest. Not content with using their fists, they tore up huge -trees by the roots, and beat each other until very soon the pair lay -dead on the ground. - -Down climbed the little tailor, and taking his sword in his hand he -plunged it into each giant, and then went back to the edge of the -forest where the ten men were waiting for him. - -"They are as dead as two door nails," shouted the little man. "I don't -say that I had an easy task, for they tore up trees by their roots to -try to protect themselves with, but, of course, it was no good. What -were two giants to a man who has slain seven at one blow?" - -But the men wouldn't believe it until they went into the forest and -saw the two dead bodies, lying each in a pool of blood, while the -ground was covered with uprooted trees. - -Back they went to the King, but instead of handing over half his -kingdom, as he had promised, his Majesty told the little tailor that -there was still another brave deed for him to do before he got the -Princess for his bride. - -"Just name it, then; I'm more than ready," was the man's reply. - -"You are to kill the famous unicorn that is running wild in the forest -and doing so much damage. When this is done you shall have your reward -at once." - -"No trouble at all, your Majesty. I'll get rid of him in a twinkling." - -He made the ten men wait for him at the entrance to the wood as they -had done the first time, and taking a stout rope and a saw he entered -the forest alone. - -Up came the unicorn, but just as it was about to rush at the man he -darted behind a big tree. - -The unicorn dashed with such force against the tree that its horn was -caught quite fast and it was kept a prisoner. - -Taking his rope, he tied it tightly round the animal, and, after -sawing off the horn, back he went to the palace, leading the unicorn -by his side. - -But even then the King was not satisfied, and he made the little -tailor catch a wild boar that had been seen wandering in the woods. - -He took a party of huntsmen with him, but again he made them wait on -the outskirts of the forest while he went on by himself. - -The wild boar made a dash at the little tailor; but the man was too -quick for it. He slipped into a little building close by, with the -animal at his heels. Then, catching sight of a small window, he forced -his way out into the forest again, and while the boar, who was too -big and clumsy to follow, stood gazing at the spot where he had -disappeared, the tailor ran round and closed the door, keeping the -animal quite secure inside. Then he called the hunters, who shot the -boar and carried the body back to the palace. - -This time the King was obliged to keep his promise; so the little -tailor became a Prince, and a grand wedding they had, too. - -When they had been married for about a couple of years, the Princess -once overheard her husband talking in his sleep. - -"Boy, if you have put a patch on that waistcoat, take the Lord Mayor's -coat home at once, or I'll box your ears," he said. - -"Oh, dear," cried the Princess, "to think that I've married a common -tailor! Whatever can I do to get rid of him?" - -So she told her father the story, and the King said she need not -worry, for he would find a way out of the difficulty. She was to -leave the door open that night, and while the tailor was sleeping, the -King's servants should steal into the room, bind the tailor, and take -him away to be killed. - -The Princess promised to see that everything was in readiness, and she -tripped about all day with a very light heart. - -She little knew that one of the tailor's servants had overheard their -cruel plot, and carried the news straight to his master. - -That night, when the Princess thought her husband was sleeping fast, -she crept to the door and opened it. - -To her great terror, the tailor began to speak. - -"Boy, take the Lord Mayor's coat home, or I'll box your ears. Haven't -I killed seven at one blow? Haven't I slain two giants, a unicorn, and -a wild boar? What do I care for the men who are standing outside my -door at this moment?" - -At these words off flew the men as though they had been shot from a -gun, and no more attempts were ever made on his life. So the Princess -had to make the best of a bad job. - -He lived on and when the old King died he ascended the throne in his -stead. So the brave little tailor became ruler over the whole kingdom; -and his motto throughout his whole life was, "Seven at one blow." - - * * * * * - - - - -ONE EYE, TWO EYES, THREE EYES - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -There was once a woman who had three daughters, of whom the eldest -was named "One Eye," because she had only one eye in the middle of -her forehead. The second had two eyes, like other people, and she was -called "Two Eyes." The youngest had three eyes, two like her second -sister, and one in the middle of her forehead, like the eldest, and -she bore the name of "Three Eyes." - -Now because little Two Eyes looked just like other people, her mother -and sisters could not endure her. They said to her, "You are not -better than common folks, with your two eyes; you don't belong to us." - -So they pushed her about, and threw all their old clothes to her for -her to wear, and gave her only the pieces that were left to eat, and -did everything that they could to make her miserable. It so happened -that little Two Eyes was sent into the fields to take care of the -goats, and she was often very hungry, although her sisters had as much -as they liked to eat. So one day she seated herself on a mound in the -field, and began to weep and cry so bitterly that two little rivulets -flowed from her eyes. Once, in the midst of her sorrow she looked up, -and saw a woman standing near her who said, "What are you weeping for, -little Two Eyes?" - -"I cannot help weeping," she replied; "for because I have two eyes, -like other people, my mother and sisters cannot bear me; they push me -about from one corner to another and make me wear their old clothes, -and give me nothing to eat but what is left, so that I am always -hungry. To-day they gave me so little that I am nearly starved." - -"Dry up your tears, little Two Eyes," said the wise woman; "I will -tell you something to do which will prevent you from ever being hungry -again. You have only to say to your own goat: - - "'Little goat, if you're able, - Pray deck out my table,' - -and immediately there will be a pretty little table before you full of -all sorts of good things for you to eat, as much as you like. And when -you have had enough, and you do not want the table any more, you need -only say: - - "'Little goat, when you're able, - Remove my nice table,' - -and it will vanish from your eyes." - -Then the wise woman went away. "Now," thought little Two Eyes, "I will -try if what she says is true, for I am hungry," so she said: - - "Little goat, if you're able, - Come and deck my pretty table." - -The words were scarcely spoken, when a beautiful little table stood -really before her; it had a white cloth and plates, and knives and -forks, and silver spoons, and such a delicious dinner, smoking hot as -if it had just come from the kitchen. Then little Two Eyes sat down -and said the shortest grace she knew--"Pray God be our guest for all -time. Amen"--before she allowed herself to taste anything. But oh, how -she did enjoy her dinner! and when she had finished, she said, as the -wise woman had taught her: - - "Little goat, when you're able, - Remove my nice table." - -In a moment, the table and everything upon it had disappeared. "That -is a pleasant way to keep house," said little Two Eyes, and felt quite -contented and happy. In the evening, when she went home with the goat, -she found an earthenware dish with some scraps which her sisters had -left for her, but she did not touch them. The next morning she went -away with the goat, leaving them behind where they had been placed for -her. The first and second times that she did so, the sisters did not -notice it; but when they found it happened every day, they said one -to the other, "There is something strange about little Two Eyes, she -leaves her supper every day, and all that has been put for her has -been wasted; she must get food somewhere else." - -So they determined to find out the truth, and they arranged that when -Two Eyes took her goat to the field, One Eye should go with her to -take particular notice of what she did, and discover if anything was -brought for her to eat and drink. - -So when Two Eyes started with her goat, One Eye said to her, "I am -going with you to-day to see if the goat gets her food properly while -you are watching the rest." - -But Two Eyes knew what she had in her mind. So she drove the goat into -the long grass, and said, "Come, One Eye, let us sit down here and -rest, and I will sing to you." - -One Eye seated herself, and, not being accustomed to walk so far, -or to be out in the heat of the sun, she began to feel tired, and as -little Two Eyes kept on singing, she closed her one eye and fell fast -asleep. - -When Two Eyes saw this, she knew that One Eye could not betray her, so -she said: - - "Little goat, if you are able, - Come and deck my pretty table." - -She seated herself when it appeared, and ate and drank very quickly, -and when she had finished she said: - - "Little goat, when you are able, - Come and clear away my table." - -It vanished in the twinkling of an eye; and then Two Eyes woke up One -Eye, and said: "Little One Eye, you are a clever one to watch goats; -for, while you are asleep, they might be running all over the world. -Come, let us go home!" - -So they went to the house, and little Two Eyes again left the scraps -on the dish untouched, and One Eye could not tell her mother whether -little Two Eyes had eaten anything in the field; for she said to -excuse herself, "I was asleep." - -The next day the mother said to Three Eyes, "You must go to the field -this time, and find out whether there is anyone who brings food to -little Two Eyes; for she must eat and drink secretly." - -So when little Two Eyes started with her goat, Three Eyes followed and -said, "I am going with you to-day, to see if the goats are properly -fed and watched." - -But Two Eyes knew her thoughts; so she led the goat through the long -grass to tire Three Eyes, and at last she said, "Let us sit down here -and rest, and I will sing to you, Three Eyes." - -She was glad to sit down, for the walk and the heat of the sun had -really tired her; and, as her sister continued her song, she was -obliged to close two of her eyes, and they slept, but not the third. -In fact, Three Eyes was wide awake with one eye, and heard and saw all -that Two Eyes did; for poor little Two Eyes, thinking she was asleep, -said her speech to the goat, and the table came with all the good -things on it, and was carried away when Two Eyes had eaten enough; and -the cunning Three Eyes saw it all with her one eye. But she pretended -to be asleep when her sister came to wake her and told her she was -going home. - -That evening, when little Two Eyes again left the supper they placed -aside for her, Three Eyes said to her mother, "I know where the proud -thing gets her good eating and drinking;" and then she described all -she had seen in the field. "I saw it all with one eye," she said; -"for she had made my other two eyes close with her fine singing, but -luckily the one in my forehead remained open." - -Then the envious mother cried out to poor little Two Eyes, "You wish -to have better food than we, do you? You shall lose your wish!" She -took up a butcher's knife, went out, and stuck the good little goat in -the heart, and it fell dead. - -When little Two Eyes saw this, she went out into the field, seated -herself on a mound, and wept most bitter tears. - -Presently the wise woman stood again before her, and said, "Little Two -Eyes, why do you weep?" - -"Ah!" she replied, "I must weep. The goat, who every day spread my -table so beautifully, has been killed by my mother, and I shall have -again to suffer from hunger and sorrow." - -"Little Two Eyes," said the wise woman, "I will give you some good -advice. Go home, and ask your sister to give you the heart of the -slaughtered goat, and then go and bury it in the ground in front of -the house-door." - -On saying this the wise woman vanished. - -Little Two Eyes went home quickly, and said to her sister, "Dear -sister, give me some part of my poor goat. I don't want anything -valuable; only give me the heart." - -Her sister laughed, and said: "Of course you can have that if you -don't want anything else." - -So little Two Eyes took the heart; and in the evening, when all was -quiet, buried it in the ground outside the house-door, as the wise -woman had told her to do. - -The next morning, when they all rose and looked out of the window, -there stood a most wonderful tree, with leaves of silver and apples -of gold hanging between them. Nothing in the wide world could be more -beautiful or more costly. They none of them knew how the tree could -come there in one night, excepting little Two Eyes. She supposed it -had grown up from the heart of the goat; for it stood over where she -had buried it in the earth. - -Then said the mother to little One Eye, "Climb up, my child, and break -off some of the fruit from the tree." - -One Eye climbed up, but when she tried to catch a branch and pluck one -of the apples, it escaped from her hand, and so it happened every time -she made the attempt, and, do what she would, she could not reach one. - -"Three Eyes," said the mother, "climb up, and try what you can do; -perhaps you will be able to see better with your three eyes than One -Eye can." - -One Eye slid down from the tree, and Three Eyes climbed up. But Three -Eyes was not more skilful; with all her efforts she could not draw the -branches, nor the fruit, near enough to pluck even a leaf, for they -sprang back as she put out her hand. - -At last the mother was impatient, and climbed up herself, but with no -more success, for, as she appeared to grasp a branch, or fruit, her -hand closed upon thin air. - -"May I try?" said little Two Eyes; "perhaps I may succeed." - -"You, indeed!" cried her sisters; "you, with your two eyes, what can -you do?" - -But Two Eyes climbed up, and the golden apples did not fly back from -her when she touched them, but almost laid themselves on her hand, -and she plucked them one after another, till she carried down her own -little apron full. - -The mother took them from her, and gave them to her sisters, as she -said little Two Eyes did not handle them properly, but this was only -from jealousy, because little Two Eyes was the only one who could -reach the fruit, and she went into the house feeling more spiteful to -her than ever. - -It happened that while all three sisters were standing under the tree -together a young knight rode by. "Run away, quick, and hide yourself, -little Two Eyes; hide yourself somewhere, for we shall be quite -ashamed for you to be seen." Then they pushed the poor girl, in great -haste, under an empty cask, which stood near the tree, and several of -the golden apples that she had plucked along with her. - -As the knight came nearer they saw he was a handsome man; and -presently he halted, and looked with wonder and pleasure at the -beautiful tree with its silver leaves and golden fruit. - -At last he spoke to the sisters, and asked: "To whom does this -beautiful tree belong? If a man possessed only one branch he might -obtain all he wished for in the world." - -"This tree belongs to us," said the two sisters, "and we will break -off a branch for you if you like." They gave themselves a great deal -of trouble in trying to do as they offered; but all to no purpose, -for the branches and the fruit evaded their efforts, and sprung back -at every touch. - -"This is wonderful," exclaimed the knight, "that the tree should -belong to you, and yet you are not able to gather even a branch." - -They persisted, however, in declaring that the tree was their own -property. At this moment little Two Eyes, who was angry because her -sisters had not told the truth, caused two of the golden apples to -slip out from under the cask, and they rolled on till they reached the -feet of the knight's horse. When he saw them, he asked in astonishment -where they came from. - -The two ugly maidens replied that they had another sister, but they -dared not let him see her, for she had only two eyes, like common -people, and was named little Two Eyes. - -But the knight felt very anxious to see her, and called out, "Little -Two Eyes, come here." Then came Two Eyes, quite comforted, from the -empty cask, and the knight was astonished to find her so beautiful. - -Then he said: "Little Two Eyes, can you break off a branch of the tree -for me?" - -"Oh yes," she replied, "I can, very easily, for the tree belongs to -me." And she climbed up, and, without any trouble, broke off a branch -with its silver leaves and golden fruit and gave it to the knight. - -He looked down at her as she stood by his horse, and said: "Little Two -Eyes, what shall I give you for this?" - -"Ah!" she answered, "I suffer from hunger and thirst, and sorrow, and -trouble, from early morning till late at night; if you would only take -me with you, and release me, I should be so happy." - -Then the knight lifted the little maiden on his horse, and rode home -with her to his father's castle. There she was given beautiful clothes -to wear, and as much to eat and drink as she wished, and as she grew -up the young knight loved her so dearly that they were married with -great rejoicings. - -Now, when the two sisters saw little Two Eyes carried away by the -handsome young knight, they were overjoyed at their good fortune. "The -wonderful tree belongs to us now," they said; "even if we cannot break -off a branch, yet everybody who passes will stop to admire it, and -make acquaintance with us, and, who knows? we may get husbands after -all." - -But when they rose the next morning, lo! the tree had vanished, and -with it all their hopes. And on this very morning, when little Two -Eyes looked out of her chamber window of the castle, she saw, to her -great joy, that the tree had followed her. - -Little Two Eyes lived for a long time in great happiness; but she -heard nothing of her sisters, till one day two poor women came to -the castle, to beg for alms. Little Two Eyes saw them, and, looking -earnestly in their faces, she recognized her two sisters, who had -become so poor that they were obliged to beg their bread from door to -door. - -But the good sister received them most kindly, and promised to take -care of them and give them all they wanted. And then they did indeed -repent and feel sorry for having treated her so badly in their -youthful days. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -A certain man had a donkey that had served him faithfully for many -long years, but whose strength was so far gone that at last he was -quite unfit for work. So his master began to consider how much he -could make of the donkey's skin, but the beast, perceiving that no -good wind was blowing, ran away along the road to Bremen. "There," -thought he, "I can be town musician." When he had run some way, he -found a hound lying by the roadside, yawning like one who was very -tired. "What are you yawning for now, you big fellow?" asked the ass. - -"Ah," replied the hound, "because every day I grow older and weaker; I -cannot go any more to the hunt, and my master has well-nigh beaten me -to death, so that I took to flight; and now I do not know how to earn -my bread." - -"Well, do you know," said the ass, "I am going to Bremen, to be town -musician there; suppose you go with me and take a share in the music. -I will play on the lute, and you shall beat the kettledrums." The dog -was satisfied, and off they set. - -Presently they came to a cat, sitting in the middle of the path, with -a face like three rainy days! "Now, then, old shaver, what has crossed -you?" asked the ass. - -"How can one be merry when one's neck has been pinched like mine?" -answered the cat. "Because I am growing old, and my teeth are all worn -to stumps, and because I would rather sit by the fire and spin, than -run after mice, my mistress wanted to drown me; and so I ran away. But -now good advice is dear, and I do not know what to do." - -"Go with us to Bremen. You understand nocturnal music, so you can -be town musician." The cat consented, and went with them. The three -vagabonds soon came near a farmyard, where, upon the barn door, the -cock was sitting crowing with all his might. "You crow through marrow -and bone," said the ass; "what do you do that for?" - -"That is the way I prophesy fine weather," said the cock; "but because -grand guests are coming for the Sunday, the housewife has no pity, and -has told the cook-maid to make me into soup for the morrow; and this -evening my head will be cut off. Now I am crowing with a full throat -as long as I can." - -"Ah, but you, Red-comb," replied the ass, "rather come away with us. -We are going to Bremen, to find there something better than death; -you have a good voice, and if we make music together it will have full -play." - -The cock consented to this plan, and so all four traveled on together. -They could not, however, reach Bremen in one day, and at evening they -came into a forest, where they meant to pass the night. The ass and -the dog laid themselves down under a large tree, the cat and the cock -climbed up into the branches, but the latter flew right to the top, -where he was most safe. Before he went to sleep he looked all round -the four quarters, and soon thought he saw a little spark in the -distance; so, calling his companions, he said they were not far from -a house, for he saw a light. The ass said: "If it is so, we had better -get up and go farther, for the pasturage here is very bad"; and the -dog continued: "Yes, indeed! a couple of bones with some meat on would -be very acceptable!" So they made haste toward the spot where the -light was, and which shone now brighter and brighter, until they came -to a well-lighted robber's cottage. The ass, as the biggest, went to -the window and peeped in. "What do you see, Gray-horse?" asked the -cock. "What do I see?" replied the ass; "a table laid out with savory -meats and drinks, with robbers sitting around enjoying themselves." - -"That would be the right sort of thing for us," said the cock. - -"Yes, yes, I wish we were there," replied the ass. Then these animals -took counsel together how they should contrive to drive away the -robbers, and at last they thought of a way. The ass placed his -forefeet upon the window ledge, the hound got on his back, the cat -climbed up upon the dog, and, lastly, the cock flew up and perched -upon the head of the cat. When this was accomplished, at a given -signal they commenced together to perform their music: the ass brayed, -the dog barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crew; and they made such -a tremendous noise, and so loud, that the panes of the window were -shivered! Terrified at these unearthly sounds, the robbers got up with -great precipitation, thinking nothing less than that some spirits had -come, and fled off into the forest, so the four companions immediately -sat down at the table, and quickly ate up all that was left, as if -they had been fasting for six weeks. - -As soon as they had finished, they extinguished the light, and each -sought for himself a sleeping-place, according to his nature and -custom. The ass laid himself down upon some straw, the hound behind -the door, the cat upon the hearth, near the warm ashes, and the cock -flew up on a beam which ran across the room. Weary with their long -walk, they soon went to sleep. - -At midnight the robbers perceived from their retreat that no light was -burning in their house, and all appeared quiet; so the captain said: -"We need not have been frightened into fits"; and, calling one of the -band, he sent him forward to reconnoiter. The messenger, finding -all still, went into the kitchen to strike a light, and, taking the -glistening, fiery eyes of the cat for live coals, he held a -lucifer match to them, expecting it to take fire. But the cat, not -understanding the joke, flew in his face, spitting and scratching, -which dreadfully frightened him, so that he made for the back door; -but the dog, who laid there, sprang up and bit his leg; and as he -limped upon the straw where the ass was stretched out, it gave him -a powerful kick with its hind foot. This was not all, for the cock, -awaking at the noise, clapped his wings, and cried from the beam: -"Cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-do!" - -Then the robber ran back as well as he could to his captain, and said: -"Ah, my master, there dwells a horrible witch in the house, who spat -on me and scratched my face with her long nails; and then before the -door stands a man with a knife, who chopped at my leg; and in the yard -there lies a black monster, who beat me with a great wooden club; and -besides all, upon the roof sits a judge, who called out, 'Bring the -knave up, do!' so I ran away as fast as I could." - -After this the robbers dared not again go near their house; but -everything prospered so well with the four town musicians of Bremen, -that they did not forsake their situation! And there they are to this -day, for anything I know. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -There was once a fisherman who lived with his wife in a miserable -little hovel close to the sea. He went to fish every day, and he -fished and fished, and at last one day, when he was sitting looking -deep down into the shining water, he felt something on his line. When -he hauled it up there was a great flounder on the end of the line. The -flounder said to him: "Look here, fisherman, don't you kill me; I am -no common flounder, I am an enchanted prince! What good will it do you -to kill me? I sha'n't be good to eat; put me back into the water, and -leave me to swim about." - -"Well," said the fisherman, "you need not make so many words about it. -I am quite ready to put back a flounder that can talk." And so saying, -he put back the flounder into the shining water, and it sank down to -the bottom, leaving a streak of blood behind it. - -Then the fisherman got up and went back to his wife in the hovel. -"Husband," she said, "hast thou caught nothing to-day?" - -"No," said the man; "all I caught was one flounder, and he said he was -an enchanted prince, so I let him go swim again." - -"Didst thou not wish for anything then?" asked the good wife. - -"No," said the man; "what was there to wish for?" - -"Alas!" said his wife; "isn't it bad enough always to live in this -wretched hovel? Thou mightest at least have wished for a nice clean -cottage. Go back and call him; tell him I want a pretty cottage; he -will surely give us that!" - -"Alas," said the man, "what am I to go back there for?" - -"Well," said the woman, "it was thou who caught him and let him go -again; for certain he will do that for thee. Be off now!" - -The man was still not very willing to go, but he did not want to vex -his wife, and at last he went back to the sea. - -He found the sea no longer bright and shining, but dull and green. He -stood by it and said: - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -The flounder came swimming up, and said: "Well, what do you want?" - -"Alas!" said the man; "I had to call you, for my wife said I ought to -have wished for something, as I caught you. She doesn't want to live -in our miserable hovel any longer; she wants a pretty cottage." - -"Go home again, then," said the flounder; "she has her wish fully." - -The man went home and found his wife no longer in the old hut, but a -pretty little cottage stood in its place, and his wife was sitting on -a bench by the door. - -She took him by the hand, and said: "Come and look in here--isn't this -much better?" - -They went inside and found a pretty sitting-room, and a bedroom with -a bed in it, a kitchen, and a larder furnished with everything of the -best in tin and brass, and every possible requisite. Outside there -was a little yard with chickens and ducks, and a little garden full of -vegetables and fruit. - -"Look!" said the woman, "is not this nice?" - -"Yes," said the man; "and so let it remain. We can live here very -happily." - -"We will see about that," said the woman, and with that they ate -something and went to bed. - -Everything went well for a week or more, and then said the wife: -"Listen, husband; this cottage is too cramped, and the garden is too -small. The flounder might have given us a bigger house. I want to live -in a big stone castle. Go to the flounder, and tell him to give us a -castle." - -"Alas, wife!" said the man; "the cottage is good enough for us; what -should we do with a castle?" - -"Never mind," said his wife; "do thou but go to the flounder, and he -will manage it." - -"Nay, wife," said the man; "the flounder gave us the cottage. I don't -want to go back; as likely as not he'll be angry." - -"Go, all the same," said the woman. "He can do it easily enough, and -willingly into the bargain. Just go!" - -The man's heart was heavy, and he was very unwilling to go. He said to -himself: "It's not right." But at last he went. - -He found the sea was no longer green; it was still calm, but dark -violet and gray. He stood by it and said: - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -"Now, what do you want?" said the flounder. - -"Alas," said the man, half scared, "my wife wants a big stone castle." - -"Go home again," said the flounder; "she is standing at the door of -it." - -Then the man went away, thinking he would find no house, but when he -got back he found a great stone palace, and his wife standing at the -top of the steps, waiting to go in. - -She took him by the hand and said, "Come in with me." - -With that they went in and found a great hall paved with marble slabs, -and numbers of servants in attendance, who opened the great doors for -them. The walls were hung with beautiful tapestries, and the rooms -were furnished with golden chairs and tables, while rich carpets -covered the floors, and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings. -The tables groaned under every kind of delicate food and the most -costly wines. Outside the house there was a great courtyard, with -stabling for horses, and cows, and many fine carriages. Beyond this -there was a great garden filled with the loveliest flowers, and fine -fruit trees. There was also a park, half a mile long, and in it were -stags and hinds, and hares, and everything of the kind one could wish -for. - -"Now," said the woman, "is not this worth having?" - -"Oh, yes," said the man; "and so let it remain. We will live in this -beautiful palace and be content." - -"We will think about that," said his wife, "and sleep upon it." - -With that they went to bed. - -Next morning the wife woke up first; day was just dawning, and from -her bed she could see the beautiful country around her. Her husband -was still asleep, but she pushed him with her elbow, and said, -"Husband, get up and peep out of the window. See here, now, could we -not be king over all this land? Go to the flounder. We will be king." - -"Alas, wife," said the man, "what should we be king for? I don't want -to be king." - -"Ah," said his wife, "if thou wilt not be king, I will. Go to the -flounder. I will be king." - -"Alas, wife," said the man, "whatever dost thou want to be king for? I -don't like to tell him." - -"Why not?" said the woman. "Go thou must. I will be king." - -So the man went; but he was quite sad because his wife would be king. - -"It is not right," he said; "it is not right." - -When he reached the sea, he found it dark, gray, and rough, and -evil-smelling. He stood there and said: - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -"Now, what does she want?" said the flounder. - -"Alas," said the man, "she wants to be king now." - -"Go back. She is king already," said the flounder. - -So the man went back, and when he reached the palace he found that it -had grown much larger, and a great tower had been added, with handsome -decorations. There was a sentry at the door, and numbers of soldiers -were playing drums and trumpets. As soon as he got inside the house, -he found everything was marble and gold; and the hangings were of -velvet, with great golden tassels. The doors of the saloon were thrown -wide open and he saw the whole court assembled. His wife was sitting -on a lofty throne of gold and diamonds; she wore a golden crown, and -carried in one hand a scepter of pure gold. On each side of her stood -her ladies in a long row, each one a head shorter than the next. - -He stood before her, and said, "Alas, wife, art thou now king?" - -"Yes," she said; "now I am king." - -He stood looking at her for some time, and then he said, "Ah, wife, -it is a fine thing for thee to be king; now we will not wish to be -anything more." - -"Nay, husband," she answered, quite uneasily, "I find the time hangs -very heavy on my hands. I can't bear it any longer. Go back to the -flounder. King I am, but I must also be emperor." - -"Alas, wife," said the man, "why dost thou now want to be emperor?" - -"Husband," she answered, "go to the flounder. Emperor I will be." - -"Alas, wife," said the man, "emperor he can't make thee, and I won't -ask him. There is only one emperor in the country; and emperor the -flounder cannot make thee, that he can't." - -"What?" said the woman. "I am king, and thou art but my husband. To -him thou must go, and that right quickly. If he can make a king, he -can also make an emperor. Emperor I will be, so quickly go." - -He had to go, but he was quite frightened. And as he went, he thought, -"This won't end well; emperor is too shameless. The flounder will make -an end of the whole thing." - -With that he came to the sea, but now he found it quite black, and -heaving up from below in great waves. It tossed to and fro, and a -sharp wind blew over it, and the man trembled. So he stood there, and -said: - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -"What does she want now?" said the flounder. - -"Alas, flounder," he said, "my wife wants to be emperor." - -"Go back," said the flounder. "She is emperor." - -So the man went back, and when he got to the door, he found that the -whole palace was made of polished marble, with alabaster figures and -golden decorations. Soldiers marched up and down before the doors, -blowing their trumpets and beating their drums. Inside the palace, -counts, barons, and dukes walked about as attendants, and they opened -to him the doors, which were of pure gold. - -He went in, and saw his wife sitting on a huge throne made of solid -gold. It was at least two miles high. She had on her head a great -golden crown, set with diamonds, three yards high. In one hand she -held the scepter, and in the other the ball of empire. On each side of -her stood the gentlemen-at-arms in two rows, each one a little smaller -than the other, from giants two miles high, down to the tiniest dwarf -no bigger than my little finger. She was surrounded by princes and -dukes. - -Her husband stood still, and said, "Wife, art thou now emperor?" - -"Yes," said she; "now I am emperor." - -Then he looked at her for some time, and said, "Alas, wife, how much -better off art thou for being emperor?" - -"Husband," she said, "what art thou standing there for? Now I am -emperor, I mean to be pope! Go back to the flounder." - -"Alas, wife," said the man, "what wilt thou not want? Pope thou canst -not be. There is only one pope in Christendom. That's more than the -flounder can do." - -"Husband," she said, "pope I will be; so go at once. I must be pope -this very day." - -"No, wife," he said, "I dare not tell him. It's no good; it's too -monstrous altogether. The flounder cannot make thee pope." - -"Husband," said the woman, "don't talk nonsense. If he can make an -emperor, he can make a pope. Go immediately. I am emperor, and thou -art but my husband, and thou must obey." - -So he was frightened, and went; but he was quite dazed. He shivered -and shook, and his knees trembled. - -A great wind arose over the land, the clouds flew across the sky, -and it grew as dark as night; the leaves fell from the trees, and the -water foamed and dashed upon the shore. In the distance the ships were -being tossed to and fro on the waves, and he heard them firing signals -of distress. There was still a little patch of blue in the sky among -the dark clouds, but toward the south they were red and heavy, as in a -bad storm. In despair, he stood and said; - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -"Now, what does she want?" said the flounder. - -"Alas" said the man, "she wants to be pope." - -"Go back. Pope she is," said the flounder. - -So back he went, and he found a great church, surrounded with palaces. -He pressed through the crowd, and inside he found thousands and -thousand of lights, and his wife, entirely clad in gold, was sitting -on a still higher throne, with three golden crowns upon her head, and -she was surrounded with priestly state. On each side of her were two -rows of candles, the biggest as thick as a tower, down to the tiniest -little taper. Kings and emperors were on their knees before her, -kissing her shoe. - -"Wife," said the man, looking at her, "art thou now pope?" - -"Yes," said she; "now I am pope." - -So there he stood gazing at her, and it was like looking at a shining -sun. - -"Alas, wife," he said, "art thou better off for being pope?" At first -she sat as stiff as a post, without stirring. Then he said, "Now, -wife, be content with being pope; higher thou canst not go." - -"I will think about that," said the woman, and with that they both -went to bed. Still she was not content, and could not sleep for her -inordinate desires. The man slept well and soundly, for he had walked -about a great deal in the day; but his wife could think of nothing -but what further grandeur she could demand. When the dawn reddened the -sky, she raised herself up in bed and looked out of the window, and -when she saw the sun rise she said: - -"Ha! can I not cause the sun and the moon to rise? Husband!" she -cried, digging her elbow into his side, "wake up and go to the -flounder. I will be lord of the universe." - -Her husband, who was still more than half asleep, was so shocked that -he fell out of bed. He thought he must have heard wrong. He rubbed his -eyes and said: - -"Alas, wife, what didst thou say?" - -"Husband," she said, "if I cannot be lord of the universe, and cause -the sun and moon to set and rise, I shall not be able to bear it. I -shall never have another happy moment." - -She looked at him so wildly that it caused a shudder to run through -him. - -"Alas, wife," he said, falling on his knees before her, "the flounder -can't do that. Emperor and pope he can make, but that is indeed beyond -him. I pray thee, control thyself and remain pope." - -Then she flew into a terrible rage. Her hair stood on end; she panted -for breath, and screamed: - -"I won't bear it any longer; wilt thou go?" - -Then he pulled on his trousers and tore away like a madman. Such a -storm was raging that he could hardly keep his feet; houses and trees -quivered and swayed, mountains trembled, and the rocks rolled into the -sea. The sky was pitchy black; it thundered and lightened, and the -sea ran in black waves, mountains high, crested with white foam. He -shrieked out, but could hardly make himself heard: - - "Flounder, flounder in the sea, - Prythee, hearken unto me: - My wife, Ilsebil, will have her own way - Whatever I wish, whatever I say." - -"Now, what does she want?" asked the flounder. - -"Alas," he said, "she wants to be Lord of the Universe." - -"Now she must go back to her old hovel," said the flounder; "and there -you will find her." - -And there they are to this very day! - - * * * * * - - - - -LITTLE SNOW-WHITE - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -Once upon a time it was the middle of winter; the flakes of snow were -falling like feathers from the sky; a Queen sat at a window sewing, -and the frame of the window was made of black ebony. As she was sewing -and looking out of the window at the snow, she pricked her finger with -the needle, and three drops of blood fell upon the snow. And the red -looked pretty upon the white snow, and she thought to herself: - -"Would that I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as -black as the wood of the window-frame!" Soon after that she had a -little daughter, who was as white as snow, and as red as blood, and -her hair was as black as ebony; so she was called Little Snow-white. -And when the child was born, the Queen died. - -A year after, the King took to himself another wife. She was beautiful -but proud, and she could not bear to have any one else more beautiful. -She had a wonderful Looking-glass, and when she stood in front of it, -and looked at herself in it, and said: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -the Looking-glass answered: - - "Thou, O Queen, art the fairest of all!" - -At last she was well pleased, for she knew the Looking-glass spoke the -truth. - -Now Snow-white grew up, and became more and more beautiful; and when -she was seven years old she was as beautiful as the day, and more -beautiful than the Queen herself. And once when the queen asked her -Looking-glass: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -it answered: - - "Thou art fairer than all who are here, Lady Queen, - But more beautiful by far is Snow-white, I ween." - -Then the Queen was angry, and turned green with envy. From that hour, -whenever she looked at Snow-white, her breath came and went, she hated -the girl so much. - -And envy grew higher and higher in her heart like a weed, so that she -had no peace day or night. She called a huntsman, and said: - -"Take the child away into the wood; I will no longer have her in my -sight. Kill her, and bring me back her heart as a token." The huntsman -did as he was told, and took her away; but when he had drawn his knife, -and was about to pierce Snow-white's little heart, she began to weep, -and said: - -"Ah, dear huntsman, leave me my life! I will run away into the wild -wood, and never come home again." - -And as she was so beautiful the huntsman had pity on her and said: - -"Run away, then, you poor child." The wild beasts will soon kill her, -thought he; and yet it seemed as if a stone had been rolled from his -heart, since it was no longer needful for him to kill her. As a young -boar just then came running by he stabbed it, and cut out its heart -and took it to the Queen as a proof that the child was dead. The cook -had to salt this, and the wicked Queen ate it, and thought she had -eaten the heart of Snow-white. - -But now the poor child was all alone in the great wood, and so afraid -that she started at every bush, and did not know what to do. Then she -began to run, and ran over sharp stones and through thorns, and the -wild beasts ran past her, but did her no harm. - -She ran as long as her feet would go, until it was almost evening; -then she saw a little cottage, and went into it to rest herself. -Everything in the cottage was small, but neater and cleaner than -can be told. There was a table on which was a white cover, and seven -little plates, and by each plate was a little spoon; there were seven -little knives and forks, and seven little mugs. Against the wall stood -seven little beds side by side, covered with snow-white coverlets. - -Little Snow-white was so hungry and thirsty that she ate some fruit -and bread from each plate, and drank a drop of milk out of each mug, -for she did not wish to take all from one only. Then, as she was so -tired, she lay down on one of the little beds, but none of them suited -her; one was too long, another too short; but at last she found the -seventh one was just right, and so she stayed in it, said her prayers, -and went to sleep. - -When it was quite dark the owners of the cottage came back; they -were seven dwarfs who dug in the hills for gold. They lit their seven -candles, and as it was now light within the cottage they could see -that some one had been there, for everything was not in the same order -in which they had left it. - -The first said, "Who has been sitting on my chair?" - -The second, "Who has been eating off my plate?" - -The third, "Who has been taking some of my bread?" - -The fourth, "Who has been eating my fruit?" - -The fifth, "Who has been using my fork?" - -The sixth, "Who has been cutting with my knife?" - -The seventh, "Who has been drinking out of my mug?" - -Then the first looked round and saw that there was a little hole in -his bed, and he said: - -"Who has been getting into my bed?" The others came up and each called -out: - -"Somebody has been lying in my bed too." But the seventh, when he -looked at his bed, saw little Snow-white, who was lying asleep there. -And he called the others, who came running up, and they cried out with -wonder, and brought their seven little candles and let the light fall -on little Snow-white. - -"Oh, heavens! oh, heavens!" cried they, "what a lovely child!" and -they were so glad that they did not wake her, but let her sleep on in -the bed. And the seventh dwarf slept with the others, one hour with -each, and so got through the night. - -When it was morning little Snow-white awoke, and was afraid when she -saw the seven dwarfs. But they were friendly and asked her what her -name was. - -"My name is Snow-white," she answered. - -"How have you come to our house?" said the dwarfs. Then she told them -that the Queen had wished to have her killed, but that the huntsman -had spared her life; she had run for the whole day, until at last she -had found their house. The dwarfs said: - -"If you will take care of our house, cook, make the beds, wash, sew, -and knit; and if you will keep everything neat and clean, you can stay -with us, and you shall want for nothing." - -"Yes," said Snow-white, "with all my heart," and she stayed with them. -She kept the house in order for them; in the mornings they went to the -hills and looked for gold; in the evenings they came back, and then -their supper had to be ready. The girl was alone the whole day, so the -good dwarfs warned her and said: - -"Beware of the Queen; she will soon know that you are here; be sure to -let no one come in." - -But the Queen, thinking she had eaten Snow-white's heart, began to -suppose she was again the first and most beautiful person in the -world; and she went to her Looking-glass and said: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -And the Glass answered: - - "O Queen, thou art fairest of all I see, - But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell, - Snow-white is still alive and well, - And no one else is so fair as she." - -And so she thought and thought again how she might kill Snow-white, -for so long as she was not the fairest in the whole land, envy let her -have no rest. And when she had at last thought of something to do, she -painted her face and dressed herself like an old peddler-woman, and -no one could have known her. Then she went over the seven hills to the -seven dwarfs, and knocked at the door and cried: - -"Pretty things to sell, very cheap, very cheap." Little Snow-white -looked out of the window and called out: - -"Good-day, my good woman, what have you to sell?" - -"Good things, pretty things," she answered; "stay-laces of all -colors," and she pulled out one which was woven of bright silk. - -"I may let the good old woman in," thought Snow-white, and she -unbolted the door and bought the pretty laces. - -"Child," said the old woman, "what a fright you look! Come, I will -lace you properly for once." - -Snow-white stood before her, and let herself be laced with the new -laces. But the old woman laced so quickly and laced so tightly that -Snow-white lost her breath and fell down as if dead. "Now I am the -most beautiful," said the Queen to herself, and ran away. - -Not long after, in the evening, the seven dwarfs came home, but how -shocked they were when they saw their dear little Snow-white lying -on the ground! She did not stir or move, and seemed to be dead. -They lifted her up, and, as they saw that she was laced too tightly, -they cut the laces; then she began to breathe a little, and after a -while came to life again. When the dwarfs heard what had happened -they said: - -"The old peddler-woman was no one else than the wicked Queen; take -care and let no one come in when we are not with you." - -But the wicked woman, when she was at home again, went in front of the -Glass and asked: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -And it answered as before: - - "O Queen, thou art fairest of all I see, - But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell, - Snow-white is still alive and well, - And no one else is so fair as she." - -When she heard that, all her blood rushed to her heart with fear, for -she saw plainly that little Snow-white was again alive. - -"But now," she said, "I will think of something that shall put an end -to you," and so she made a comb that was full of poison. Then she took -the shape of another old woman. So she went over the seven hills to -the seven dwarfs, knocked at the door, and cried, "Good things to -sell, cheap, cheap!" Little Snow-white looked out and said: - -"Go away; I cannot let any one come in." - -"I suppose you can look," said the old woman, and pulled the comb out -and held it up. It pleased the girl so well that she let herself be -coaxed and opened the door. When they had made a bargain the old woman -said, "Now I will comb you properly for once." Poor little Snow-white -had no fear, and let the old woman do as she pleased, but hardly had -she put the comb in her hair than the poison worked, and the girl fell -down senseless. - -"You piece of beauty," said the wicked woman, "you are done for now," -and she went away. - -But as good luck would have it, it was almost evening, and the seven -dwarfs soon came home. When they saw Snow-white lying as if dead upon -the ground, they knew at once the Queen had been there, and they -looked and found the comb. Scarcely had they taken it out when -Snow-white came to herself, and told them what had happened. Then -they warned her once more to be upon her guard and to open the door -to no one. - -The Queen, at home, went in front of the Glass, and said: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -Then it answered as before: - - "O Queen, thou art fairest of all I see, - But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell, - Snow-white is still alive and well, - And no one else is so fair as she." - -When she heard the Glass speak thus she trembled and shook with rage. - -"Snow-white shall die," she cried, "even if it costs me my life!" - -She went into a quiet, secret, lonely room, where no one ever came, -and there she made an apple full of poison. It was white with a red -cheek, so that every one who saw it longed for it; but whoever ate a -piece of it must surely die. - -When the apple was ready she painted her face, and dressed herself up -as a country-woman, and so she went over the seven hills to the seven -dwarfs. She knocked at the door. Snow-white put her head out of the -window and said: - -"I cannot let any one in; the seven dwarfs have told me not to." - -"It is all the same to me," said the woman. "I shall soon get rid of -my apples. There, I will give you one." - -"No," said Snow-white, "I dare not take anything." - -"Are you afraid of poison?" said the old woman. "Look, I will cut the -apple in two pieces; you eat the red cheek, and I will eat the white." -The apple was so cunningly made that only the red cheek was poisoned. -Snow-white longed for the fine apple, and when she saw that the woman -ate part of it she could stand it no longer, and stretched out her -hand and took the other half. But hardly had she a bit of it in her -mouth when she fell down dead. Then the Queen looked at her with a -dreadful look, and laughed aloud and said: - -"White as snow, red as blood, black as ebony-wood! This time the -dwarfs cannot wake you up again." - -And when she asked of the Looking-glass at home: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is fairest of all?" - -it answered at last: - - "O Queen, in this land thou art fairest of all." - -Then her envious heart had rest, so far as an envious heart can have -rest. - -When the dwarfs came home in the evening, they found Snow-white lying -upon the ground; she breathed no longer, and was dead. They lifted her -up, unlaced her, combed her hair, washed her with water and wine, but -it was all of no use; the poor child was dead, and stayed dead. They -laid her upon a bier, and all seven of them sat round it and wept for -her, and wept three whole days. - -Then they were going to bury her, but she still looked as if she were -living, and still had her pretty red cheeks. They said: - -"We could not bury her in the dark ground," and they had a coffin of -glass made, so that she could be seen from all sides, and they laid -her in it, and wrote her name upon it in golden letters, and that she -was a King's daughter. Then they put the coffin out upon the hill, and -one of them always stayed by it and watched it. And birds came too, -and wept for Snow-white; first an owl, then a raven, and last a dove. - -And now Snow-white lay a long, long time in the coffin, and she did -not change, but looked as if she were asleep; for she was as white as -snow, as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony. - -It happened that a King's son came into the wood, and went to the -dwarfs' house to spend the night. He saw the coffin on the hill, and -the beautiful Snow-white within it, and read what was written upon it -in golden letters. Then he said to the dwarfs: - -"Let me have the coffin, I will give you whatever you want for it." -But the dwarfs answered: - -"We will not part with it for all the gold in the world." Then he -said: - -"Let me have it as a gift, for I cannot live without seeing -Snow-white. I will honor and prize her as the dearest thing I have." -As he spoke in this way the good dwarfs took pity upon him, and gave -him the coffin. - -And now the King's son had it carried away by his servants on their -shoulders. And it happened that they stumbled over a tree-stump, and -with the shock the piece of apple which Snow-white had bitten off came -out of her throat. And before long she opened her eyes, lifted up the -lid of the coffin, sat up, and was once more alive. - -"Oh, heavens, where am I?" she cried. The King's son, full of joy, -said: - -"You are with me," and told her what had happened, and said, "I love -you more than everything in the world; come with me to my father's -palace; you shall be my wife." - -Snow-white was willing, and went with him, and their wedding was held -with great show and splendor. The wicked Queen was also bidden to the -feast. When she had put on her beautiful clothes, she went before the -Looking-glass, and said: - - "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, - Who in this land is the fairest of all?" - -The Glass answered: - - "O Queen, of all here the fairest art thou, - But the young Queen is fairer by far I trow." - -Then the wicked woman gave a scream, and was so wretched, so utterly -wretched, that she knew not what to do. At first she would not go to -the wedding at all, but she had no peace, and must go to see the young -Queen. And when she went in she knew Snow-white; and she stood still -with rage and fear, and could not stir. But iron slippers had already -been put upon the fire, and they were brought in with tongs, and set -before her. Then she was forced to put on the red hot shoes, and dance -until she dropped down dead. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GOOSE-GIRL - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -An old Queen had a beautiful daughter, who was betrothed to a young -Prince of a neighboring kingdom. When the time for the marriage -came near, it was arranged that she was to travel to his country -accompanied only by her waiting-maid. Her mother, the Queen, provided -her with many costly robes and jewels, such as a Princess about to -marry the Prince of a great kingdom would require. She also gave her a -horse named Falada, which had the gift of speech. - -Just before the Princess started on her journey, the Queen pricked her -finger, and dropped three drops of blood upon a handkerchief. "Take -this," she told her daughter, "and guard it carefully. It will serve -you when in danger." - -The Princess took the handkerchief, and embraced her mother. They shed -many tears at parting, but at last the Princess mounted the wonderful -horse and started on the journey. When she and the maid had ridden -for some time, they came to a stream of clear, cold water. Being -very thirsty, the Princess asked the maid to bring her a drink in the -golden cup. The maid insolently replied that she might get the water -for herself, as she did not intend to serve her any longer. The -Princess was so thirsty that she dismounted and drank from the stream. -As she bent over to place her lips to the water, she said to herself, -"O, Heaven! what am I to do?" The three drops of blood upon the -handkerchief made answer: - - "If she knew this, for thy sake - Thy queen-mother's heart would break." - -When the Princess had slaked her thirst, she mounted her horse and -resumed her journey, and being gentle and forgiving, she soon forgot -the maid's rudeness. The sun shone on them fiercely, and the road was -filled with dust, so that they had not gone far before the Princess -again became thirsty. When they came to a brook, she called to the -maid: - -"Pray fetch me a drink in my golden cup." - -The maid's answer was even more insolent than before. "If you are -thirsty, get down and drink. I do not mean to serve you any longer." - -The Princess's throat was parched, so she dismounted and drank from -the stream, at the same time murmuring, "O, Heaven! what am I to do?" -The three drops of blood again replied: - - "If she knew this, for thy sake - Thy queen-mother's heart would break." - -As she raised her head from the water, the handkerchief bearing the -three drops of blood fell unnoticed from her dress and floated down -the stream. The maid, however, had observed the loss with no small -satisfaction. Without the three drops of blood, the Princess was -completely in her power, and the traitorous servant immediately took -advantage of her helplessness. She obliged the Princess to disrobe and -exchange the royal dress for her own mean one. After making her swear, -on fear of death, never to betray the secret, the maid mounted Falada -and left her own horse for the Princess. - -Falada bore the false Princess to the palace; but the horse had noted -all, and bided his time. The Prince came out to meet them, and took -the impostor bride to the royal chamber, while the true one was left -waiting in the court below. Seeing her there, forlorn and beautiful, -the old King inquired of the bride who it was she had thus left -outside. - -"Only a woman who kept me company," she carelessly replied. "Give her -some work to content her." - -The King could think of nothing suitable for such as she; but lacking -something better to offer, sent her to help the boy Curdken herd -geese. So it happened that the real bride became a goose-girl. - -The false bride at length remembered Falada's gift of speech and -became alarmed lest he should betray the secret of her treachery. She -told the Prince that the horse which had brought her was vicious and -had given her much trouble, and that she desired his head cut off -immediately. The Prince at once granted her request, and gave orders -that Falada be beheaded. - -When the real Princess heard the sad news, she dried her tears and -sought the executioner. She could not save her dear Falada from his -doom, but with the aid of a gold piece she persuaded the slaughterer -to nail his head over the great gate through which she had to pass on -her way to and from the goose-pasture. - -The next morning, when she and Curdken drove their geese under the -gate, the Princess wrung her hands and cried: - - "O Falada, hang you there?" - -And the head replied to her: - - "'Tis Falada, Princess fair. - If she knew this, for thy sake - Thy queen-mother's heart would break." - -When she had driven the geese to the field, she sat down and loosed -her golden hair. Curdken, seeing it shining in the sun, caught at it -to pull some out. Whereupon she sang: - - "Wind, blow gently here, I pray, - And take Curdken's hat away. - Keep him chasing o'er the wold, - While I bind my hair of gold." - -When Curdken had recovered his hat and returned to where she was -sitting, her hair was plaited, and he could get none of it. This made -him very angry all day. - -The next morning they again came to the gate where Falada's head was -nailed, and the goose-girl said as before: - - "O Falada, hang you there?" - -And the head as before replied to her: - - "'Tis Falada, Princess fair. - If she knew this, for thy sake - Thy queen-mother's heart would break." - -Again she passed on with the geese and Curdken under the gate, and -when she came to the field where they were herded, sat down and loosed -her hair. The sun shone upon it, and Curdken again caught at its -golden threads. The goose-girl called to the wind: - - "Wind, blow gently here, I pray, - And take Curdken's hat away. - Keep him chasing o'er the wold, - While I bind my hair of gold." - -The wind did as she asked, and Curdken ran so far for his hat that -when he returned the golden hair was plaited and bound about her head. - -Curdken was sullen all day long, and when at night they had driven the -geese home, he complained to the King: - -"The goose-girl so teases me that I will no longer herd the geese with -her." - -When asked how she had offended, he told the King that she spoke every -morning to the horse's head that was over the gate, and that the head -replied and called her Princess. He also related how the goose-girl -sat in the sun and combed her golden hair, while she sent him chasing -for his hat. - -The King bade Curdken go the next day with his flock as usual. When -morning came the King arose early and stood in the shadow of the -town-gate. He heard the goose-girl say, "O Falada, hang you there?" -and he heard the head make answer: - - "'Tis Falada, Princess fair. - If she knew this, for thy sake - Thy queen-mother's heart would break." - -Then the King followed on to the field, where he hid behind a bush -and watched them herd the geese. After a time the goose-girl undid -her glittering hair; and as Curdken snatched at it, the King heard her -say: - - "Wind, blow gently here, I pray, - And take Curdken's hat away. - Keep him chasing o'er the wold, - While I bind my hair of gold." - -The wind came at her bidding, and carried the herd-boy's hat across -the fields; while she combed the shining hair and made it fast. - -The King quietly returned to the palace, and that night he sent for -the goose-girl. He told her he had watched her at the gate and in the -field, and asked her the meaning of her strange actions. - -"O King! I may not tell; for I have sworn, if my life were spared, to -speak to no one of my woes," she replied. - -The King pleaded with her, but she was firm; and at last he told her -to tell her troubles to the iron stove, since she would not confide -in him. When he had left her, she fell upon her knees before the stove -and poured forth her sorrows: - -"Here am I, the daughter of a Queen, doomed to the lowly service of -a goose-girl, while the false waiting-maid steals my treasures and my -bridegroom." - -She sobbed and wept, until the King, who had stood outside and heard -all, came in and bade her dry her eyes. He ordered her arrayed in -royal robes; and then she appeared as lovely as the sun. The Prince -was summoned; and the old King told him the story, and showed him the -true bride. She was so beautiful that the Prince knelt at her feet in -admiration, and knew her to be the real Princess. - -A great banquet was given, to which many guests were invited. On one -side of the Prince sat the false bride, and on the other the real -Princess, who was so radiantly lovely that the maid did not know her. -The King at last asked the waiting-maid what punishment should be -dealt to a traitor. - -Not knowing that she was passing sentence on herself, the -waiting-maid's answer was as cruel as she was wicked. Said she: - -"Let her be put into a barrel, and drawn by two white horses, up hill -and down, till she is dead." - -When the wicked maid had been punished according to her own decree, -the Princess was wedded to the young Prince, and reigned with him -for many happy years over the kingdom where she had first served as a -goose-girl. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GOLDEN BIRD - -BY WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM - - -There was once a King who had a beautiful pleasure-garden behind his -palace, in which grew a tree that bore golden apples. As fast as the -apples ripened they were counted, but the next day one was always -missing. - -This was made known to the King, who commanded that a watch should be -kept every night under the tree. Now, the King had three sons, and -he sent the eldest into the garden when night was coming on; but at -midnight he fell fast asleep, and in the morning another apple was -missing. The following night the second son had to watch, but he did -not succeed any better, and again another apple was missing in the -morning. Now came the turn of the youngest son, who was eager to go; -but the King did not rely much upon him, and thought he would watch -even worse than his brothers; however, at last he consented. - -The youth threw himself on the ground under the tree and watched -steadily, without letting sleep master him. As twelve o'clock -struck, something rustled in the air, and he saw a bird fly by in the -moonlight, whose feathers were of shining gold. The bird alighted on -the tree and was just picking off one of the apples when the young -Prince shot a bolt at it. Away flew the bird, but the arrow had -knocked off one of its feathers, which was of the finest gold. The -youth picked it up and showed it to the King next morning, and told -him all he had seen in the night. - -Thereupon the King assembled his council, and each one declared that -a single feather like this one was of greater value than the whole -kingdom. - -"However valuable this feather may be," said the King, "one will not -be of much use to me--I must have the whole bird." - -So the eldest son went forth on his travels, to look for the wonderful -bird, and he had no doubt that he would be able to find it. - -When he had gone a short distance, he saw a fox sitting close to the -edge of the forest, so he drew his bow to shoot. But the fox cried -out: "Do not shoot me, and I will give you a piece of good advice! You -are now on the road to the golden bird, and this evening you will come -to a village where two inns stand opposite to each other--one will be -brilliantly lighted, and great merriment will be going on inside; -do not, however, go in, but rather enter the other, even though it -appears but a poor place to you." - -"How can such a ridiculous animal give me rational advice?" thought -the young Prince, and shot at the fox, but missed it, so it ran away -with its tail in the air. The King's son then walked on, and in the -evening he came to a village where the two inns stood: in one there -was dancing and singing, but the other was quiet, and had a very mean -and wretched appearance. - -"I should be an idiot," thought he to himself, "if I were to go -to this gloomy old inn while the other is so bright and cheerful." -Therefore, he went into the merry one, lived there in rioting and -revelry, and so forgot the golden bird, his father, and all good -behavior. - -As time passed away, and the eldest son did not return home, the -second son set out on his travels to seek the golden bird. Like the -eldest brother, he met with the fox, and did not follow the good -advice it gave him. He likewise came to the two inns, and at the -window of the noisy one his brother stood entreating him to come in. -This he could not resist, so he went in, and began to live a life of -pleasure only. - -Again a long time passed by without any news, so the youngest Prince -wished to try his luck, but his father would not hear of it. At last, -for the sake of peace, the King was obliged to consent, for he had no -rest as long as he refused. The fox was again sitting at the edge of -the forest, and once more it begged for its own life and gave its good -advice. The youth was good-hearted, and said: - -"Have no fear, little fox; I will not do thee any harm." - -"Thou wilt never repent of thy good nature," replied the fox, "and in -order that thou mayest travel more quickly, get up behind on my tail." - -Scarcely had the youth seated himself, when away went the fox over -hill and dale, so fast that the Prince's hair whistled in the wind. -When they came to the village, the youth dismounted, and following the -fox's advice, he turned at once into the shabby-looking inn, where he -slept peacefully through the night. The next morning, when the Prince -went into the fields, the fox was already there, and said: - -"I will tell thee what further thou must do. Go straight on, and thou -wilt come to a castle before which a whole troop of soldiers will be -lying asleep. Go right through the midst of them into the castle, and -thou wilt come to a chamber where is hanging a wooden cage containing -a golden bird. Close by stands an empty golden cage, for show; but be -careful that thou dost not take the bird out of its ugly cage and put -it in the splendid one, or it will be very unlucky for thee." - -With these words the fox once more stretched out its tail, and the -King's son sat upon it again, and away they went over hill and dale, -with their hair whistling in the wind. - -When they arrived at the castle, the Prince found everything as the -fox had said, and he soon discovered the room in which the golden bird -was sitting in its wooden cage; by it stood a golden one; while three -golden apples were lying about the room. But the Prince thought it -would be silly to put such a lovely bird in so ugly and common a cage; -so, opening the door, he placed it in the golden cage. In an instant -the bird set up a piercing shriek, which awakened all the soldiers, -who rushed in and made him prisoner. - -The next morning he was brought before a judge, who at once condemned -him to death. Still, the King said his life should be spared on one -condition, and that was, that he brought him the golden horse, which -ran faster than the wind; and if he succeeded he should also receive -the golden bird as a reward. - -The young Prince set out on his journey, but he sighed and felt very -sorrowful, for where was he to find the golden horse? All at once, he -saw his old friend, the fox, sitting by the wayside. - -"Ah!" exclaimed the fox, "thou seest now what has happened through not -listening to me. But be of good courage; I will look after thee, -and tell thee how thou mayest discover the horse. Thou must travel -straight along this road until thou comest to a castle; the horse is -there in one of the stables. Thou wilt find a stable boy lying before -the stall, but he will be fast asleep and snoring, so thou wilt be -able to lead out the golden horse quite quietly. But there is one -thing thou must be careful about, and that is to put on the shabby old -saddle of wood and leather, and not the golden one which hangs beside -it--otherwise everything will go wrong with thee." Then the fox -stretched out his tail, the Prince took a seat upon it, and away they -went over hill and dale, with their hair whistling in the wind. - -Everything happened as the fox had said. The Prince came to the stable -where the golden horse was standing, but, as he was about to put on -the shabby old saddle, he thought to himself, "It does seem a shame -that such a lovely animal should be disgraced with this. The fine -saddle is his by right; it must go on." - -Scarcely had the golden saddle rested on the horse's back when it -began to neigh loudly. This awakened the stable boy, who awakened the -grooms, who rushed in and seized the Prince and made him a prisoner. -The following morning he was brought to trial and condemned to death, -but the King promised him his life, as well as the golden horse, if -the youth could find the beautiful daughter of the King of the golden -castle. Once more, with a heavy heart, the Prince set out on his -journey, and by great good fortune he soon came across the faithful -fox. - -"I really should have left thee to the consequences of thy folly," -said the fox; "but as I feel great compassion for thee, I will help -thee out of thy new misfortune. The path to the castle lies straight -before thee; thou wilt reach it about the evening. At night, when -everything is quiet, the lovely Princess will go to the bath-house, to -bathe there. As soon as she enters, thou must spring forward and give -her a kiss; then she will follow thee wherever thou carest to lead -her; only be careful that she does not take leave of her parents, or -everything will go wrong." - -Then the fox stretched out his tail, the Prince seated himself on it, -and away they both went over hill and dale, their hair whistling in -the wind. - -When the King's son came to the golden palace, everything happened as -the fox had predicted. He waited until midnight, and when everyone was -soundly asleep the beautiful Princess went into the bath-house, so -he sprang forward and kissed her. The Princess then said she would -joyfully follow him, but she besought him with tears in her eyes to -allow her to say farewell to her parents. At first he withstood her -entreaties, but as she wept still more, and fell at his feet, he at -last yielded. - -Scarcely was the maiden at the bedside of her father, when he awoke, -and so did everyone else in the palace; so the foolish youth was -captured and put into prison. - -On the following morning the King said to him: "Thy life is forfeited, -and thou canst only find mercy if thou clearest away the mountain that -lies before my windows, and over which I cannot see, but it must be -removed within eight days. If thou dost succeed thou shalt have my -daughter as a reward." - -So the Prince commenced at once to dig and to shovel away the earth -without cessation, but when after seven days he saw how little he had -been able to accomplish, and that all his labor was as nothing, he -fell into a great grief and gave up all hope. - -On the evening of the seventh day, however, the fox appeared. "Thou -dost not deserve that I should take thy part or befriend thee, but do -thou go away and lie down to sleep, and I will do the work for thee." - -And the next morning, when he awoke and looked out of the window, the -mountain had disappeared! Then the Prince, quite overjoyed, hastened -to the King and told him that the conditions were fulfilled, so that -the King, whether he would or not, was obliged to keep his word and -give him his daughter. - -Then these two went away together, and it was not long before the -faithful fox came to them. - -"Thou hast indeed gained the best of all," said he; "but to the maiden -of the golden castle belongs also the golden horse." - -"How can I get it?" enquired the youth. - -"I will tell thee," answered the fox; "first of all, take the lovely -Princess to the King who sent you to the golden palace. There will -then be unheard-of joy; they will gladly lead the golden horse to thee -and give it thee. Mount it instantly, and give your hand to everyone -at parting, and last of all to the Princess. Grasp her hand firmly; -make her spring into the saddle behind thee, and then gallop away; no -one will be able to overtake thee, for the golden horse runs faster -than the wind." - -This was all happily accomplished, and the King's son carried off the -beautiful Princess on the golden horse. The fox did not remain behind, -and spoke thus to the young Prince: - -"Now I will help thee to find the golden bird. When thou comest near -the castle where the bird is to be found, let the Princess dismount, -and I will take her under my protection. Then ride on the golden horse -to the courtyard of the palace, where thy coming will cause great joy, -and they will fetch the golden bird for thee. Directly the cage is in -thy hands, gallop back to us and fetch the maiden again." - -When this plot was successfully carried out, and the Prince was about -to ride home with his treasure, the fox said, "Now must thou reward me -for all my services." - -"What is it that thou dost desire?" enquired the Prince. - -"When we come to yonder wood, thou must shoot me dead and cut off my -head and paws." - -"That would be a fine sort of gratitude," said the King's son; "that I -cannot possibly promise thee." - -"Then," replied the fox, "if thou wilt not, I must leave thee; but -before I go I will give thee again some good advice. Beware of two -things--buy no gallows'-flesh, and see that thou dost not sit on the -brink of a well!" - -With this the fox ran off into the forest! - -"Ah!" thought the young Prince, "that is a wonderful animal with very -whimsical ideas! Who would buy gallows'-flesh, and when have I ever -had the slightest desire to sit on the brink of a well?" - -So he rode on with the beautiful maiden, and his path led him once -more through the village in which his two brothers had stopped. Here -there was great tumult and lamentation, and when he asked what it all -meant, he was told that two men were going to be hanged. When he came -nearer, he saw that they were his two brothers, who had committed -every kind of wicked folly and had squandered all their money. Then -the young Prince asked if they could not be freed. - -"Supposing you do pay for them," the people answered, "where is the -good of wasting your money in order to free such villains?" - -Nevertheless, he did not hesitate, but paid for them, and when the -brothers were freed they all rode away together. They came to the -forest where they first encountered the fox, and as it was cool and -pleasant away from the burning sun, the two brothers said: - -"Let us sit and rest a little by this well, and eat and drink -something." - -The young Prince consented, and while they were all talking together -he quite forgot the fox's warning, and suspected no evil. - -But suddenly the two brothers threw him backwards into the well, and, -seizing the maiden, the horse, and the golden bird, they went home to -their father. - -"We not only bring you the golden bird," said they, "but we have also -found the golden palace." - -There was great rejoicing, but the horse would not eat, neither would -the bird sing, and the maiden only sat and wept. - -But the youngest brother had not perished. By good fortune the well -was dry, and he had fallen on soft moss without hurting himself, but -he could not get out again. - -Even in this misfortune the faithful fox did not desert him, but came -springing down to him and scolded him for not following his advice. - -"Still I cannot forsake thee," said he, "and I will help to show thee -daylight once more." - -Then he told him to seize hold of his tail and hold on tightly; and so -saying, he lifted him up in the air. - -"Even now thou art not out of danger," said the fox, "for thy brothers -were not certain of thy death, and have set spies to watch for thee in -the forest, who will certainly kill thee if they see thee." - -There was an old man sitting by the wayside with whom the young Prince -changed clothes, and, thus disguised, he reached the court of the -King. - -No one recognized him, but the golden bird began to sing, and the -golden horse commenced to eat, and the lovely maiden ceased to weep. - -The King was astonished and asked: "What does this all mean?" - -Then said the maiden: "I know not, but I was so sad, and now I feel -light-hearted; it is as if my true husband had returned." - -Then she told him all that had happened, although the other brothers -had threatened to kill her if she betrayed them. - -The King then summoned all the people in the castle before him: and -there came with them the young Prince dressed as a beggar in his rags, -but the maiden recognized him instantly and fell upon his neck. - -So the wicked brothers were seized and executed, but the young Prince -married the lovely Princess and was made his father's heir. - -But what became of the poor fox? - -Long afterwards the young Prince went again into the forest, and there -he met once more with the fox, who said: - -"Thou hast now everything in the world thou canst desire, but to -my misfortunes there can be no end, although it is in thy power to -release me from them." - -So he entreated the Prince to shoot him dead and cut off his head and -feet. - -At last the Prince consented to do so, and scarcely was the deed done -than the fox was changed into a man, who was no other than the brother -of the beautiful Princess, at last released from the spell that had -bound him. - -So now nothing was wanting to the happiness of the Prince and his -bride as long as they lived. - - * * * * * - - - - -FRENCH STORIES - - * * * * * - -BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - -ADAPTED BY E. NESBIT - - -Once upon a time there was a rich merchant, who had three daughters. -They lived in a very fine house in a beautiful city, and had many -servants in grand liveries to wait upon them. All their food was -served on gold and silver dishes, and their gowns were made of the -richest stuff sewn with jewels. - -The two eldest were called Marigold and Dressalinda. Never a day -passed but these two went out to some feast or junketing; but Beauty, -the youngest, loved to stay at home and keep her old father company. - -Now, it happened that misfortune came upon the merchant. Ships of -his which were sailing the high seas laden with merchandise of great -price, were wrecked, and in one day he found that he was no longer the -richest merchant in the city, but a very poor man. - -There was still left to him a little house in the country, and to -this, when everything else had been sold, he retired. His three -daughters, of course, went with him. - -Marigold and Dressalinda were very cross to think that they had lost -all their money, and after being so rich and sought after, they must -now live in a miserable cottage. - -But Beauty's only thought was to cheer her old father, and while her -two sisters sat on wooden chairs and cried and bewailed themselves, -Beauty lighted the fire and got the supper ready, for the merchant was -now so poor that he could not even keep a servant. - -And so it went on. The two eldest sisters would do nothing but sulk in -corners, while Beauty swept the floors and washed the dishes, and did -her best to make the poor cottage pleasant. They led their sister a -dreadful life too, with their complaints, for not only did they refuse -to do anything themselves, but they said that everything she did was -done wrong. But Beauty bore all their unkindness patiently, for her -father's sake. - -In this way a whole year went by, and then one day a letter came for -the merchant. - -He hastened to find his daughters, for he was anxious to tell them the -good news contained in the letter. - -"My dear children," he said, "at last our luck has turned. This letter -says that one of the ships supposed to have been lost has come safely -home to port, and if that be so, we need no longer live in poverty. We -shall not be so rich as before, but we shall have enough to keep us in -comfort. Get me my traveling-cloak, Beauty. I will set out at once to -claim my ship. And now tell me, girls, what shall I bring you when I -come back?" - -"A hundred pounds," said Marigold, without hesitating an instant. - -"I want a new silk dress," said Dressalinda, "an apple-green one, sewn -with seed-pearls, and green shoes with red heels, and a necklace of -emeralds, and a box of gloves." - -"And what shall I bring for you, my Beauty?" asked the father, as his -little daughter helped him to put on his traveling-cloak. - -"Oh, bring me a rose," said Beauty hastily. - -Her father kissed her fondly, and set out. - -"You silly girl," said Marigold, "you just want our father to think -you are more unselfish than we are--that's what you want! A rose, -indeed!" - -"Indeed, sister," said Beauty, "that was not the reason. I thought our -father would have enough to do in seeing to the safety of his ship, -without being troubled to do shopping for me." - -But the sisters were very much offended, and went off to sit in their -own room to talk of the fine things they would have when their father -came back. - -In the meantime the merchant went his way to the city, full of hope -and great plans as to what he would do with his money. - -But when he got there, he found that some one had played a trick on -him, and no ship of his had come into harbor, so he was just as badly -off as before. - -He spent the whole day looking about to make sure there was no truth -in the letter he had received, and it was beginning to get dusk when -he started out, with a sad heart, to make the journey home again. He -was tired and miserable, and he had tasted no food since he left home -in the morning. - -It was quite dark by the time he came to the great wood through which -he had to pass to get to his cottage, and when he saw a light shining -through the trees, he decided not to go to his home that night, but -to make his way towards the light in the wood and ask for food and -shelter. - -He expected to find a woodcutter's cottage, but what was his surprise, -as he drew near to the light, to find that it came from the windows of -a large and beautiful palace! - -He knocked at the gates, but no one answered, and presently, driven by -hunger and cold, he made bold to enter, and mounted the marble steps -into the great hall. - -All the way he never saw a soul. There was a big fire in the hall, and -when he had warmed himself, he set out to look for the master of the -house. But he did not look far, for behind the first door he opened -was a cosy little room with supper set for one, a supper the mere look -of which made you hungry. - -So the merchant sat down as bold as you please, and made a very hearty -supper, after which he again thought he would look for the master of -the house. - -He started off and opened another door, but there he saw a bed, merely -to look at which made you sleepy, so he said to himself: - -"This is some fairies' work. I had better not look any farther for the -master of the house." - -And with that he tumbled into bed, and, being very tired, he went to -sleep at once, and slept like a top till it was time to get up in the -morning. - -When he awoke he was quite surprised to find himself in such a soft -and comfortable bed, but presently he remembered all that had happened -to him. - -"I must be going," he said to himself, "but I wish I could thank my -host for my good rest and my good supper." - -When he got out of bed he found he had something else to be grateful -for, for on the chair by the bedside lay a fine suit of new clothes, -marked with his name, and with ten gold pieces in every pocket. He -felt quite a different man when he had put on the suit of blue and -silver, and jingled the gold pieces of money in his pockets. - -When he went downstairs, he found a good breakfast waiting for him in -the little room where he had supped the night before, and when he had -made a good meal, he thought he would go for a stroll in the garden. - -Down the marble steps he went, and when he came to the garden, he saw -that it was full of roses, red and white and pink and yellow, and the -merchant looked at them, and remembered Beauty's wish. - -"Oh, my poor daughters," he said, "what a disappointment it will be to -them to know that my ship has not come home after all, but Beauty at -any rate can have what she wanted." - -So he stretched out his hand and plucked the biggest red rose within -his reach. - -As the stalk snapped in his fingers, he started back in terror, for he -heard an angry roar, and the next minute a dreadful Beast sprang upon -him. It was taller than any man, and uglier than any animal, but, what -seemed most dreadful of all to the merchant, it spoke to him with a -man's voice, after it had roared at him with the Beast's. - -"Ungrateful wretch!" said the Beast. "Have I not fed you, lodged you, -and clothed you, and now you must repay my hospitality by stealing the -only thing I care for, my roses?" - -"Mercy! mercy!" cried the merchant. - -"No," said the Beast, "you must die!" The poor merchant fell upon his -knees and tried to think of something to say to soften the heart of -the cruel Beast; and at last he said, "Sir, I only stole this rose -because my youngest daughter asked me to bring her one. I did not -think, after all you have given me, that you would grudge me a -flower." - -"Tell me about this daughter of yours," said the Beast suddenly. "Is -she a good girl?" - -"The best and dearest in the world," said the old merchant. And then -he began to weep, to think that he must die and leave his Beauty alone -in the world, with no one to be kind to her. - -"Oh!" he cried, "what will my poor children do without me?" - -"You should have thought of that before you stole the rose," said the -Beast. "However, if one of your daughters loves you well enough -to suffer instead of you, she may. Go back and tell them what has -happened to you, but you must give me your promise that either you, -or one of your daughters, shall be at my palace door in three months' -time from to-day." - -The wretched man promised. - -"At any rate," he thought, "I shall have three months more of life." - -Then the Beast said, "I will not let you go empty-handed." - -So the merchant followed him back into the palace. There, on the floor -of the hall, lay a great and beautiful chest of wrought silver. - -"Fill this with any treasures that take your fancy," said the Beast. - -And the merchant filled it up with precious things from the Beast's -treasure-house. - -"I will send it home for you," said the Beast, shutting down the lid. - -And so, with a heavy heart, the merchant went away; but as he went -through the palace gate, the Beast called to him that he had forgotten -Beauty's rose, and at the same time held out to him a large bunch of -the very best. - -The merchant put these into Beauty's hand when she ran to meet him at -the door of their cottage. - -"Take them, my child," he said, "and cherish them, for they have cost -your poor father his life." - -And with that he sat down and told them the whole story. The two elder -sisters wept and wailed, and of course blamed Beauty for all that had -happened. - -"If it had not been for your wanting a rose, our father would have -left the palace in safety, with his new suit and his gold pieces; but -your foolishness has cost him his life." - -"No," said Beauty, "it is _my_ life that shall be sacrificed, for when -the three months are over, I shall go to the Beast, and he may kill me -if he will, but he shall never hurt my dear father." - -The father tried hard to persuade her not to go, but she had made -up her mind, and at the end of the three months she set out for the -Beast's palace. - -Her father went with her, to show her the way. As before, he saw the -lights shining through the wood, knocked and rang in vain at the great -gate, warmed himself at the fire in the big hall, and then found the -little room with the supper on the table that made you hungry to look -at. Only this time the table was laid for two. - -"Come, father dear," said Beauty, "take comfort. I do not think the -Beast means to kill me, or surely he would not have given me such a -good supper." - -But the next moment the Beast came into the room. Beauty screamed and -clung to her father. - -"Don't be frightened," said the Beast gently, "but tell me, do you -come here of your own free will?" - -"Yes," said Beauty, trembling. - -"You are a good girl," said the Beast, and then, turning to the old -man, he told him that he might sleep there for that night, but in the -morning he must go and leave his daughter behind him. - -They went to bed and slept soundly, and the next morning the father -departed, weeping bitterly. - -Beauty, left alone, tried not to feel frightened. She ran here and -there through the palace, and found it more beautiful than anything -she had ever imagined. - -The most beautiful set of rooms in the palace had written over the -doors, "Beauty's Rooms," and in them she found books and music, -canary-birds and Persian cats, and everything that could be thought of -to make the time pass pleasantly. - -"Oh, dear!" she said; "if only I could see my poor father I should be -almost happy." - -As she spoke, she happened to look at a big mirror, and in it she saw -the form of her father reflected, just riding up to the door of his -cottage. - -That night, when Beauty sat down to supper, the Beast came in. - -"May I have supper with you?" said he. - -"That must be as you please," said Beauty. - -So the Beast sat down to supper with her, and when it was finished, he -said: - -"I am very ugly, Beauty, and I am very stupid, but I love you; will -you marry me?" - -"No, Beast," said Beauty gently. - -The poor Beast sighed and went away. - -And every night the same thing happened. He ate his supper with her, -and then asked her if she would marry him. And she always said, "No, -Beast." - -All this time she was waited on by invisible hands, as though she had -been a queen. Beautiful music came to her ears without her being able -to see the musicians, but the magic looking-glass was best of all, for -in it she could see whatever she wished. As the days went by, and her -slightest wish was granted, almost before she knew what she wanted, -she began to feel that the Beast must love her very dearly, and she -was very sorry to see how sad he looked every night when she said "No" -to his offer of marriage. - -One day, she saw in her mirror that her father was ill, so that night -she said to the Beast: - -"Dear Beast, you are so good to me, will you let me go home to see -my father? He is ill, and he thinks that I am dead. Do let me go and -cheer him up, and I will promise faithfully to return to you." - -"Very well," said the Beast kindly, "but don't stay away more than -a week, for if you do, I shall die of grief, because I love you so -dearly." - -"How shall I reach home?" said Beauty; "I do not know the way." - -Then the Beast gave her a ring, and told her to put it on her finger -when she went to bed, turn the ruby towards the palm of her hand, and -then she would wake up in her father's cottage. When she wanted to -come back, she was to do the same thing. - -So in the morning, when she awoke, she found herself at her father's -house, and the old man was beside himself with joy to see her safe and -sound. - -But her sisters did not welcome her very kindly, and when they heard -how kind the Beast was to her, they envied her her good luck in living -in a beautiful palace, whilst they had to be content with a cottage. - -"I wish we had gone," said Marigold. "Beauty always gets the best of -everything." - -"Tell us all about your grand palace," said Dressalinda, "and what you -do, and how you spend your time." - -So Beauty, thinking it would amuse them to hear, told them, and their -envy increased day by day. At last Dressalinda said to Marigold: - -"She has promised to return in a week. If we could only make her -forget the day, the Beast might be angry and kill her, and then there -would be a chance for us." - -So on the day before she ought to have gone back, they put, some -poppy juice in a cup of wine which they gave her, and this made her -so sleepy that she slept for two whole days and nights. At the end of -that time her sleep grew troubled, and she dreamed that She saw the -Beast lying dead among the roses in the beautiful gardens of his -palace; and from this dream she awoke crying bitterly. - -Although she did not know that a week and two days had gone by since -she left the Beast, yet after that dream she at once turned the ruby -towards her palm, and the next morning there she was, sure enough, in -her bed in the Beast's palace. - -She did not know where his rooms in the palace were, but she felt she -could not wait till supper-time before seeing him, so she ran hither -and thither, calling his name. But the palace was empty, and no one -answered her when she called. - -Then she ran through the gardens, calling his name again and again, -but still there was silence. - -"Oh! what shall I do if I cannot find him?" she said. "I shall never -be happy again." - -Then she remembered her dream, and ran to the rose garden, and there, -sure enough, beside the basin of the big fountain, lay the poor Beast -without any sign of life in him. - -Beauty flung herself on her knees beside him. - -"Oh, dear Beast," she cried, "and are you really dead? Alas! alas! -then I, too, will die, for I cannot live without you." - -Immediately the Beast opened his eyes, sighed, and said: - -"Beauty, will you marry me?" - -And Beauty, beside herself with joy when she found that he was still -alive, answered: - -"Yes, yes, dear Beast, for I love you dearly." - -At these words the rough fur dropped to the ground, and in place of -the Beast stood a handsome Prince, dressed in a doublet of white and -silver, like one made ready for a wedding. He knelt at Beauty's feet -and clasped her hands. - -"Dear Beauty," he said, "nothing but your love could have disenchanted -me. A wicked fairy turned me into a Beast, and condemned me to remain -one until some fair and good maiden should love me well enough to -marry me, in spite of my ugliness and stupidity. Now, dear one, the -enchantment is broken; let us go back to my palace. You will find that -all my servants--who, too, have been enchanted, and have waited on you -all this long time with invisible hands--will now become visible." - -So they returned to the palace, which by this time was crowded with -courtiers, eager to kiss the hands of the Prince and his bride. And -the Prince whispered to one of his attendants, who went out, and in a -very little time came back with Beauty's father and sisters. - -The sisters were condemned to be changed into statues, and to stand -at the right and left of the palace gates until their hearts should -be softened, and they should be sorry for their unkindness to their -sister. But Beauty, happily married to her Prince, went secretly to -the statues every day and wept over them. - -And by her tears their stony hearts were softened, and they were -changed into flesh and blood again, and were good and kind for the -rest of their lives. - -And Beauty and the Beast, who was a Beast no more, but a handsome -Prince, lived happily ever after. - -And indeed I believe they are living happily still, in the beautiful -land where dreams come true. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WHITE CAT - -BY THE COMTESSE D'AULNOY - - -There was once a King who had three sons, and because they were all so -good and so handsome, he could not make up his mind to which of them -to give his kingdom. For he was growing an old man, and began to think -it would soon be time for him to let one of them reign in his stead. - -So he determined to set them a task to perform, and whichever should -be the most successful was to have the kingdom as his reward. - -It was some time before he could decide what the task should be. But -at last he told them that he had a fancy for a very beautiful little -dog, and that they were all to set out to find one for him. They were -to have a whole year in which to search, and were all to return to the -castle on the same day, and present the various dogs they had chosen -at the same hour. - -The three Princes were greatly surprised by their father's sudden -fancy for a little dog, but when they heard that whichever of them -brought back the prettiest little animal was to succeed his father -on the throne, they made no further objection, for it gave the two -younger sons a chance they would not otherwise have had of being King. - -So they bade their father good-bye, and after agreeing to be back at -the castle at the same hour, and on the same day, when a year should -have passed away, the three brothers all started together. - -A great number of lords and servants accompanied them out of the city, -but when they had ridden about a league they sent everyone back, and -after embracing one another affectionately, they all set out to try -their luck in different directions. - -The two eldest met with many adventures on their travels, but the -youngest saw the most wonderful sights of all. - -He was young and handsome, and as clever as a Prince should be, -besides being brave. - -Wherever he went he enquired for dogs, and hardly a day passed without -his buying several, big and little, greyhounds, spaniels, lap-dogs, -and sheep-dogs--in fact, every kind of dog that you could think of, -and very soon he had a troop of fifty or sixty trotting along behind -him, one of which he thought would surely win the prize. - -So he journeyed on from day to day, not knowing where he was going, -until one night he lost his way in a thick dark forest, and after -wandering many weary miles in the wind and rain he was glad to see at -last a bright light shining through the trees. He thought he must -be near some woodcutter's cottage, but what was his surprise when he -found himself before the gateway of a splendid castle! - -At first he hesitated about entering, for his garments were travel -stained, and he was drenched with rain, so that no one could have -possibly taken him for a Prince. All the beautiful little dogs he had -taken so much trouble to collect had been lost in the forest, and he -was thoroughly weary and disheartened. - -However, something seemed to bid him enter the castle, so he pulled -the bell. Immediately the gateway flew open, and a number of beautiful -white hands appeared, and beckoned to him to cross the courtyard and -enter the great hall. - -Here he found a splendid fire blazing, beside which stood a -comfortable arm-chair; the hands pointed invitingly towards it, and as -soon as the Prince had seated himself they proceeded to take off his -wet, muddy clothes, and dress him in a magnificent suit of silk and -velvet. - -When he was ready, the hands led him into a brilliantly-lighted room, -in which was a table spread for supper. At the end of the room was a -raised platform, upon which a number of cats were seated, all playing -different musical instruments. - -The Prince began to think he must be dreaming, when the door opened, -and a lovely little White Cat came in. She wore a long black veil, and -was accompanied by a number of cats, dressed in black, and carrying -swords. - -She came straight up to the Prince, and in a sweet, sad little voice -bade him welcome. Then she ordered supper to be served, and the whole -company sat down together. - -They were waited upon by the mysterious hands, but many of the -dishes were not to the Prince's liking. Stewed rats and mice may be a -first-rate meal for a cat, but the Prince did not feel inclined to try -them. - -However, the White Cat ordered the hands to serve the Prince with the -dishes he liked best, and at once, without his even mentioning his -favorite food, he was supplied with every dainty he could think of. - -After the Prince had satisfied his hunger, he noticed that the Cat -wore a bracelet upon her paw, in which was set a miniature of himself; -but when he questioned her about it, she sighed, and seemed so sad -that, like a well-behaved Prince, he said no more about the matter. - -Soon after supper, the hands conducted him to bed, when he at once -fell fast asleep, and did not awaken until late the next morning. -On looking out of his window, he saw that the White Cat and her -attendants were about to start out on a hunting expedition. - -As soon as the hands had dressed him in a hunting-suit of green, he -hurried down to join his hostess. - -The hands led him up to a wooden horse, and seemed to expect him to -mount. At first the Prince was inclined to be angry, but the White Cat -told him so gently that she had no better steed to offer him, that he -at once mounted, feeling very much ashamed of his ill-humor. - -They had an excellent day's sport. The White Cat, who rode a monkey, -proved herself a clever huntress, climbing the tallest trees with the -greatest ease, and without once falling from her steed. - -Never was there a pleasanter hunting party, and day after day the time -passed so happily away that the Prince forgot all about the little dog -he was searching for, and even forgot his own home and his father's -promise. - -At length the White Cat reminded him that in three days he must appear -at court, and the Prince was terribly upset to think that he had now -no chance of winning his father's kingdom. But the White Cat told him -that all would be well, and giving him an acorn, bade him mount the -wooden horse and ride away. - -The Prince thought she must be mocking him, but when she held the -acorn to his ear, he heard quite plainly a little dog's bark. - -"Inside this acorn," she said, "is the prettiest little dog in the -world. But be sure you do not open the fruit until you are in the -King's presence." - - -The Prince thanked her, and having bidden her a sorrowful farewell, -mounted his wooden steed and rode away. - -Before he reached the castle, he met his two brothers, who made fine -fun of the wooden horse, and also of the big ugly dog which trotted by -his side. - -They imagined this to be the one their brother had brought back from -his travels, hoping that it would gain the prize. - -When they reached the palace, everyone was loud in praise of the two -lovely little dogs the elder brothers had brought back with them, but -when the youngest opened his acorn and showed a tiny dog, lying upon a -white satin cushion, they knew that this must be the prettiest little -dog in the world. - -However, the King did not feel inclined to give up his throne just -yet, so he told the brothers that there was one more task they must -first perform: they must bring him a piece of muslin so fine that it -would pass through the eye of a needle. - -So once more the brothers set out upon their travels. As for the -youngest, he mounted his wooden horse and rode straight back to his -dear White Cat. - -She was delighted to welcome him, and when the Prince told her that -the King had now ordered him to find a piece of muslin fine enough to -go through the eye of a needle, she smiled at him very sweetly, and -told him to be of good cheer. - -"In my palace I have some very clever spinners," she said; "and I will -set them to work upon the muslin." - -The Prince had begun to suspect by this time that the White Cat was -no ordinary pussy, but whenever he begged her to tell him her history, -she only shook her head mournfully and sighed. - -Well, the second year passed away as quickly as the first, and the -night before the day on which the three Princes were expected at their -father's court, the White Cat gave the young Prince a walnut, telling -him that it contained the muslin. Then she bade him good-by, and he -mounted the wooden horse and rode away. - -This time the young Prince was so late that his brothers had already -begun to display their pieces of muslin to the King when he arrived -at the castle gates. The materials they had brought were of extremely -fine texture, and passed easily through the eye of a darning-needle, -but through the small needle the King had provided they would _not_ -pass. Then the youngest Prince stepped into the great hall and -produced his walnut. He cracked it carefully, and found inside -a hazel-nut. This when cracked held a cherrystone, inside the -cherrystone was a grain of wheat, and in the wheat a millet-seed. The -Prince himself began to mistrust the White Cat, but he instantly -felt a cat's claw scratch him gently, so he persevered, opened the -millet-seed, and found inside a beautiful piece of soft white muslin -that was four hundred ells long at the very least. It passed with the -greatest ease through the eye of the smallest needle in the kingdom, -and the Prince felt that now the prize must be his. - -But the old King was still very loth to give up ruling, so he told the -Princes that before any one of them could become King he must find -a Princess to marry him who would be lovely enough to grace her high -station; and whichever of the Princes brought home the most beautiful -bride should _really_ have the kingdom for his own. - -Of course, the Prince went back to the White Cat, and told her how -very unfairly his father had behaved to him. She comforted him as best -she could, and told him not to be afraid, for she would introduce him -to the loveliest Princess the sun had ever shone upon. - -The appointed time passed happily away, and one evening the White Cat -reminded the Prince that on the next day he must return home. - -"Alas!" said he, "where shall I find a Princess now? The time is so -short that I cannot even look for one." - -Then the White Cat told him that if only he would do as she bade him -all would be well. - -"Take your sword, cut off my head and my tail, and cast them into the -flames," she said. - -The Prince declared that on no account would he treat her so cruelly; -but she begged him so earnestly to do as she asked that at last he -consented. - -No sooner had he cast the head and the tail into the fire than a -beautiful Princess appeared where the body of the cat had been. The -spell that had been cast upon her was broken, and at the same time -her courtiers and attendants, who had also been changed into cats, -hastened in in their proper forms again, to pay their respects to -their mistress. - -The Prince at once fell deeply in love with the charming Princess, and -begged her to accompany him to his father's court as his bride. - -She consented, and together they rode away. During the journey, the -Princess told her husband the story of her enchantment. - -She had been brought up by the fairies, who treated her with great -kindness until she offended them by falling in love with the young -man whose portrait the Prince had seen upon her paw, and who exactly -resembled him. - -Now, the fairies wished her to marry the King of the Dwarfs, and were -so angry when she declared she would marry no one but her own true -love, that they changed her into a White Cat as a punishment. - -When the Prince and his bride reached the court, all were bound to -acknowledge that the Princess was by far the loveliest lady they had -ever seen. - -So the poor old King felt that now he would be obliged to give up his -kingdom. But the Princess knelt by his side, kissed his hand gently, -and told him that there was no reason for him to cease ruling, for she -was rich enough to give a mighty kingdom to each of his elder sons, -and still have three left for herself and her dear husband. - -So everyone was pleased, and there was great rejoicing and feasting in -the King's palace, and they all lived happily ever after. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS - - -There was once a Princess so lovely that no one could see her without -loving her. Her hair fell about her shoulders in waving masses, and -because it was the color of gold, she was called Pretty Goldilocks. -She always wore a crown of flowers, and her dresses were embroidered -with pearls and diamonds. - -The fame of her beauty reached a young King, who determined to marry -her, although he had never seen her. He sent an ambassador to ask -her hand in marriage; and so confident was he that the Princess would -return with him, that he made every preparation to receive her. The -ambassador arrived at the palace of the Princess with a hundred horses -and as many servants. With great ceremony, he presented the King's -gifts of pearls and diamonds, together with his message. The Princess, -however, did not favor the King's suit, and sent back his gifts with -a polite refusal. When the ambassador returned without the Princess, -every one blamed him for his failure; and the King's disappointment -was so great that no one could console him. - -Now at the King's court was a young man so handsome and clever that he -was called Charming. Every one loved him, except some who were envious -because he was the King's favorite. One day Charming rashly remarked -that if the King had sent _him_ for the Princess, she would have -come back with him. His enemies at once went to the King and used the -remark to influence him against Charming. - -"He thinks himself so handsome that the Princess could not have -resisted him, although she refused his King," they told his Majesty. - -The boastful words so offended the King that he ordered Charming to be -shut up in the tower, where he had only straw to lie on and bread and -water to eat. In this miserable state he languished for some time, not -knowing why he had been imprisoned. One day the King happened to be -passing the tower and heard him exclaim: - -"I am the King's most faithful subject; how have I incurred his -displeasure?" Then, in spite of the protests of Charming's enemies, -the King ordered the tower-door opened and Charming brought forth. His -old favorite sadly knelt and kissed his hand, saying: - -"Sire, how have I offended?" - -The King told him of the boast his enemies had repeated. - -"True, Sire, I did say that had I been sent to plead your cause, it -would not have failed for lack of eloquence. Could the Princess see -you as my tongue would picture you, I would not return without her." - -The King at once saw that he had been deceived, and restored Charming -to favor. While at supper that night, he confided to him that he was -as much in love with Goldilocks as ever, and could not be reconciled -to her answer. - -"Do you think," asked the King, "that she could be induced to change -her mind?" - -Charming replied that he was at the King's service and willing to -undertake the task of winning the Princess for him. The King was -delighted and offered him a splendid escort, but he asked only for a -good horse. - -Early the next day he set forth, with a resolute heart and the King's -letter to the Princess. One day when he had ridden a great distance, -he dismounted and sat down under a tree that grew beside a river. He -took from his pocket a little book, in which he jotted down some happy -thoughts that he meant to use in his plea to the Princess. Not far -from where he sat, a golden carp was springing from the water to catch -flies, and a bound too high landed it on the grass at Charming's feet. -It panted helplessly, and would have died had he not taken pity on it -and thrown it back into the river. It sank out of sight, but presently -returned to the surface long enough to say: - -"Thank you, Charming, for saving my life. Some day I may repay you." -Naturally, he was greatly surprised at so much politeness from a fish. - -A few days later, while riding along his way, he saw a raven pursued -by an eagle. In a moment more the eagle would have overtaken the -raven, had not Charming aimed his arrow in time and killed the -pursuer. The raven perched on a tree near by and croaked its -gratitude: - -"You have rescued me from a dreadful fate," it said. "Some day I will -repay you." - -A day or two afterward, in the dusk of early morning, he heard the -distressful cries of an owl. Hunting about, he found the unfortunate -bird caught in a net which some birdcatchers had spread. "Why will men -persecute and torment harmless creatures!" exclaimed Charming, as he -set the bird free. The owl fluttered above his head, saying: - -"You have saved me from the fowlers, who would have killed me. I am -not ungrateful, and some day I will repay you!" After that it flew -swiftly away. - -Charming at last reached the palace of the Princess, and asked an -audience. His name so pleased her that she at once received him. He -was ushered into the presence of the Princess, who sat on a throne of -gold and ivory. Her satin dress was embroidered with jewels, and her -golden hair was confined by a crown of flowers. Soft music and perfume -filled the air, and Charming was so awed by all this splendor that at -first he could not speak. Recovering himself in a moment, he told -of his mission, and set forth the good qualities of the King in such -glowing terms that the Princess listened. - -"You have argued so eloquently," replied she, "that I regret to deny -you; but I have made a vow not to marry, until the ambassador can -return to me a ring which I lost in the river a month ago. I valued -it more than all my other jewels, and nothing but its recovery can -persuade me to your suit." - -Charming could urge no more, but offered an embroidered scarf and his -little dog Frisk as tokens of devotion. These were declined, so bowing -low, he reluctantly took leave of the Princess. He believed that she -had but used this means to put him off, and his disappointment was so -great that he could not sleep. - -In the morning he and Frisk were walking by the riverside when the dog -ran to the water's edge, barking furiously. Joining the little animal, -he saw that his excitement was caused by a golden carp which came -swimming swiftly toward them. In its mouth was a beautiful ring which -it laid in Charming's hand. - -"You saved my life by the willow-tree," said the carp, "and I now -repay you by giving to you the Princess's ring." - -Charming lost no time in presenting it to the Princess and claiming -his reward. - -"What fairy aids you?" asked the Princess. - -"Only my wish to serve you," Charming replied. - -"Alas!" said the Princess, "I cannot marry until Galifron, the giant, -is dead. Because I would not take him for my husband, he persecutes my -subjects and lays waste my land." - -"Princess, I will bring back the giant's head to you or die in your -defense," bravely declared Charming. - -The Princess and all the people tried to dissuade him, but he mounted -his horse and rode off, accompanied only by his little dog, Frisk. He -traveled straight to the giant's castle. All about it were strewn the -bones of Galifron's victims. Inside the castle the giant was singing -in a terrible voice: - - "Little children I love to eat; - Their bones are tender, their flesh is sweet. - I do not care, I eat so many, - If their hair be straight, or if they haven't any." - -Charming called out loudly in reply: - - "Be not so boastful, Galifron, - Till you've met a knight, who - May be good to feed upon, - But is here to fight you." - -The giant appeared at the door, club in hand. When he saw Charming -fearlessly awaiting him, he came toward him in a terrible rage. But -before he could wield his club, a raven lit on his head and pecked at -his eyes, so that he dropped his weapon and was at Charming's mercy. -When the valiant knight had killed the giant, the raven croaked from a -tree near by: - -"You saved me from the eagle, and I in turn have saved you from the -giant." - -Charming cut off the head of the giant, and carried it back with him -to the Princess. Then the people shouted until they were hoarse, and -welcomed him as a great hero. - -"Your enemy is dead," Charming told the Princess. "Will you now make -my master the happiest of kings?" - -"There is," replied the reluctant Princess, "some water which gives -eternal health and beauty to those who drink it. I would regret to -leave my kingdom without possessing some of it; but no one has dared -to brave the two dragons that guard the cavern where the fountain is -to be found." - -"You do not need the water, Princess; but my life is yours to -command," gallantly replied Charming; and he set out at once on the -perilous mission. - -When he came to the mouth of the cavern, black smoke issued forth; and -presently he perceived the terrible form of a dragon, from whose -mouth and eyes fire was darting. Bidding good-by to faithful Frisk, he -grasped his sword in one hand and the crystal flask which the Princess -had given him in the other. Just then he heard his name called twice, -and, looking back, he saw an owl flying toward him. - -"I can enter the gloomy cavern without danger," the owl said. "Give -the flask to me, and I will repay the debt I owe you for having saved -me from the net." - -Charming gladly surrendered the flask to the owl, who in a short time -returned it to him filled with the precious water. - -The Princess this time consented to marry the King, and after many -preparations she and Charming started for his kingdom. The journey -was made so entertaining for the Princess that she one day said to -Charming: - -"Why did I not make you King, and remain in my own country?" Charming -replied that he must have considered his duty to his King, even before -a happiness so great. - -The King, with presents of rich jewels and a splendid escort, met them -on the way to the palace. The marriage was celebrated with great -pomp, and Charming stood first in the King's favor. His good fortune, -however, did not continue long, for envious enemies pointed out to the -King that the Princess was never happy unless Charming was near. The -unhappy knight was again put into prison, where he was cruelly chained -and fed on bread and water. - -When Goldilocks learned this, she wept and implored the King to set -him free. "But for him I never would have been here," she said. "Did -he not perform every task I required, even that of getting for me the -water whereby I shall never grow old?" - -The Princess's grief only made the King more jealous, but he -determined to make use of this wonderful water of which she had -told. It so happened that one of the Princess's ladies had broken the -crystal flask and spilled all of the water. Not daring to confess, -she put another in its place that exactly resembled it in appearance. -This, however, contained a deadly poison. When the King bathed his -face with it, he fell into a sleep from which he never awoke. - -There was great confusion in the palace when the King was found dead. -Frisk ran immediately to Charming and told him the news. In a short -time Goldilocks also appeared, unlocked his chains, and set him free. - -"You shall be my husband," said she, "and I will make you King." - -Charming fell at her feet and expressed his gratitude and joy. They -were married soon afterward, and they reigned together for many happy -years. - - - * * * * * - - - - -TOADS AND DIAMONDS - - -A bad-tempered widow had two daughters. The eldest was like her -mother, both in feature and disposition, while the youngest resembled -her father. She was sweet-natured always, and as pretty as she was -amiable. - -The widow doted on the daughter who was so like herself, but had no -love for the other, whom she compelled to work hard all day, and -to live upon the leavings of her elder sister. Among her other hard -tasks, she was obliged to carry water every day from a great distance. - -One day when she had just filled her pitcher at the fountain, an old -woman asked to drink from it. "With all my heart," replied the pretty -girl. Glad to show a kindness to one old and infirm, she held the -pitcher while the woman slaked her thirst. - -Now, this was not a trembling old peasant, as she appeared, but a -fairy who rewarded good deeds. "Your face is pretty and your heart is -gentle," said she. "For your kindness to a poor old woman, I will make -you a gift. Every time you speak, from your mouth shall come a flower -or a jewel." - -When the girl reached home her mother scolded her for her long -absence. "Pardon me for being away so long," she sweetly replied. As -she spoke some pearls and diamonds issued from her lips. - -"What is this I see, child?" asked the astonished widow. - -The forlorn girl was so happy to be called child by her mother that -she eagerly related her experience with the old woman at the fountain, -while, with her words, dropped precious stones and roses. The widow -immediately called her favorite daughter to her. - -"Fanny, wouldst thou have the same gift as thy sister?" asked she. "Go -thou to the fountain and fetch water. And if an old woman asks thee -for a drink, mind thou treat her civilly." - -The girl refused to perform the menial task, until the widow lost -patience and drove her to it. Finally, she took the silver tankard and -sullenly obeyed. No sooner was she at the fountain than from the wood -came a lady most handsomely attired, who asked the haughty girl for a -drink from her pitcher. - -"I have not come here to serve you," she rudely replied, "but take the -pitcher and help yourself, for all I care. I would have you know that -I am as good as you." - -The lady was the fairy, who had taken the appearance of a princess to -see how far the girl's insolence would go. "I will make you a gift," -she said, "to equal your discourtesy and ill breeding. Every time you -speak, there shall come from your mouth a snake or a toad." - -The girl ran home to her mother, who met her at the door. "Well, -daughter," she said, impatient to hear her speak. When she opened her -mouth, to the mother's horror, two vipers and two toads sprang from -it. "This is the fault of your wretched sister," the unhappy mother -cried. She ran to beat the poor younger sister, who fled to the -forest to escape the cruel blows. When she was past pursuit, she threw -herself upon the green grass and wept bitterly. - -The King's son, returning from the hunt, found her thus, and asked the -cause of her tears. - -"My mother has driven me from my home," she told him. She was so -pretty that he fell in love with her at once, and pressed her to tell -him more. She then related to him the whole story, while pearls and -diamonds kept falling from her lips. Enraptured, he took her to the -King, who gave his consent to their immediate marriage. - -Meanwhile the ugly and selfish sister had made herself so disagreeable -that even her own mother turned against her. She, too, was driven -forth into the forest, where she died miserable and alone. - - * * * * * - - - - -ENGLISH STORIES - - * * * * * - -THE HISTORY OF TOM THUMB - -ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS - - -It is said that in the days of the famed Prince Arthur, who was king -of Britain, in the year 516 there lived a great magician, called -Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter in the world at that -time. - -This great magician, who could assume any form he pleased, was -traveling in the disguise of a poor beggar, and being very much -fatigued, he stopped at the cottage of an honest plowman to rest -himself, and ask for some refreshment. - -The countryman gave him a hearty welcome, and his wife, who was a very -good-hearted, hospitable woman, soon brought him some milk in a wooden -bowl, and some coarse brown bread on a platter. - -Merlin was much pleased with this homely repast and the kindness of -the plowman and his wife; but he could not help seeing that though -everything was neat and comfortable in the cottage, they seemed both -to be sad and much cast down. He therefore questioned them on the -cause of their sadness, and learned that they were miserable because -they had no children. - -The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be -the happiest creature in the world if she had a son; and although he -was no bigger than her husband's thumb, she would be satisfied. - -Merlin was so much amused with the idea of a boy no bigger than a -man's thumb, that he made up his mind to pay a visit to the queen of -the fairies, and ask her to grant the poor woman's wish. The droll -fancy of such a little person among the human race pleased the fairy -queen too, greatly, and she promised Merlin that the wish should be -granted. Accordingly, in a short time after, the plowman's wife had a -son, who, wonderful to relate, was not a bit bigger than his father's -thumb. - -The fairy queen, wishing to see the little fellow thus born into the -world, came in at the window while the mother was sitting up in bed -admiring him. The queen kissed the child, and giving it the name -of Tom Thumb, sent for some of the fairies, who dressed her little -favorite as she bade them. - - "An oak-leaf hat he had for his crown; - His shirt of web by spiders spun; - With jacket wove of thistle's down; - His trousers were of feathers done. - His stockings, of apple-rind, they tie - With eyelash from his mother's eye: - His shoes were made of mouses' skin, - Tann'd with the downy hair within." - -It is remarkable that Tom never grew any larger than his father's -thumb, which was only of an ordinary size; but as he got older he -became very cunning and full of tricks. When he was old enough to -play with the boys, and had lost all his own cherry-stones, he used to -creep into the bags of his playfellows, fill his pockets, and, getting -out unseen, would again join in the game. - -One day, however, as he was coming out of a bag of cherry-stones, -where he had been pilfering as usual, the boy to whom it belonged -chanced to see him. "Ah, ha! my little Tommy," said the boy, "so I -have caught you stealing my cherry-stones at last, and you shall be -rewarded for your thievish tricks." On saying this, he drew the string -tight round his neck, and gave the bag such a hearty shake, that poor -little Tom's legs, thighs, and body were sadly bruised. He roared out -with the pain, and begged to be let out, promising never to be guilty -of such bad practices again. - -A short time afterwards his mother was making a batter pudding, and -Tom being very anxious to see how it was made, climbed up to the edge -of the bowl; but unfortunately his foot slipped and he plumped over -head and ears into the batter, unseen by his mother, who stirred him -into the pudding-bag, and put him in the pot to boil. - -The batter had filled Tom's mouth, and prevented him from crying; but, -on feeling the hot water, he kicked and struggled so much in the pot, -that his mother thought that the pudding was bewitched, and, instantly -pulling it out of the pot, she threw it to the door. A poor tinker, -who was passing by, lifted up the pudding, and, putting it into his -budget, he then walked off. As Tom had now got his mouth cleared of -the batter, he then began to cry aloud, which so frightened the tinker -that he flung down the pudding and ran away. The pudding being broke -to pieces by the fall, Tom crept out covered over with the batter, and -with difficulty walked home. His mother, who was very sorry to see her -darling in such a woful state, put him into a tea-cup, and soon washed -off the batter; after which she kissed him, and laid him in bed. - -Soon after the adventure of the pudding, Tom's mother went to milk her -cow in the meadow, and she took him along with her. As the wind was -very high, fearing lest he should be blown away, she tied him to a -thistle with a piece of fine thread. The cow soon saw the oak-leaf -hat, and, liking the look of it, took poor Tom and the thistle at one -mouthful. While the cow was chewing the thistle Tom was afraid of her -great teeth, which threatened to crush him to pieces, and he roared -out as loud as he could, "Mother, mother!" - -"Where are you, Tommy, my dear Tommy?" said his mother. - -"Here, mother," replied he, "in the cow's mouth." - -His mother began to cry and wring her hands; but the cow, surprised -at the odd noise in her throat, opened her mouth and let Tom drop out. -Fortunately his mother caught him in her apron as he was falling to -the ground, or he would have been dreadfully hurt. She then put Tom in -her bosom and ran home with him. - -Tom's father made him a whip of a barley straw to drive the cattle -with, and having one day gone into the fields, he slipped a foot and -rolled into the furrow. A raven, which was flying over, picked him -up, and flew with him to the top of a giant's castle that was near the -sea-side, and there left him. - -Tom was in a dreadful state, and did not know what to do; but he was -soon more dreadfully frightened; for old Grumbo the giant came up to -walk on the terrace, and seeing Tom, he took him up and swallowed him -like a pill. - -The giant had no sooner swallowed Tom than he began to repent what he -hand done; for Tom began to kick and jump about so much that he felt -very uncomfortable, and at last threw him up again into the sea. A -large fish swallowed Tom the moment he fell into the sea, which was -soon after caught, and bought for the table of King Arthur. When -they opened the fish in order to cook it, everyone was astonished -at finding such a little boy, and Tom was quite delighted to be out -again. They carried him to the King, who made Tom his dwarf, and he -soon grew a great favorite at court; for by his tricks and gambols he -not only amused the King and Queen, but also all the Knights of the -Round Table. - -It is said that when the King rode out on horseback, he often took -Tom along with him, and if a shower came on, he used to creep into his -Majesty's waistcoat pocket, where he slept till the rain was over. - -King Arthur one day asked Tom about his parents, wishing to know if -they were as small as he was, and whether rich or poor. Tom told the -King that his father and mother were as tall as any of the sons about -court, but rather poor. On hearing this, the King carried Tom to his -treasury, the place where he kept all his money, and told him to take -as much money as he could carry home to his parents, which made the -poor little fellow caper with joy. Tom went immediately to fetch a -purse, which was made of a water-bubble, and then returned to the -treasury, where he got a silver three-penny piece to put into it. - -Our little hero had some trouble in lifting the burden upon his back; -but he at last succeeded in getting it placed to his mind, and set -forward on his journey. However, without meeting with any accident -and after resting himself more than a hundred times by the way, in two -days and two nights he reached his father's house in safety. - -Tom had traveled forty-eight hours with a huge silver-piece on his -back, and was almost tired to death, when his mother ran out to meet -him, and carried him into the house. - -Tom's parents were both happy to see him, and the more so as he had -brought such an amazing sum of money with him; but the poor little -fellow was excessively wearied, having traveled half a mile in -forty-eight hours, with a huge silver threepenny-piece on his back. -His mother, in order to recover him, placed him in a walnut shell by -the fireside, and feasted him for three days on a hazel-nut, which -made him very sick; for a whole nut used to serve him a month. - -Tom was soon well again; but as there had been a fall of rain, and the -ground was very wet, he could not travel back to King Arthur's Court; -therefore his mother, one day when the wind was blowing in that -direction, made a little parasol of cambric paper, and tying Tom -to it, she gave him a puff into the air with her mouth, which soon -carried him to the King's palace. - -Just at the time when Tom came flying across the courtyard, the cook -happened to be passing with the King's great bowl of porridge, which -was a dish his Majesty was very fond of; but unfortunately the poor -little fellow fell plump into the middle of it, and splashed the hot -porridge about the cook's face. - -The cook, who was an ill-natured fellow, being in a terrible rage at -Tom for frightening and scalding him with the porridge, went straight -to the King, and said that Tom had jumped into the royal porridge, and -thrown it down out of mere mischief. The King was so enraged when -he heard this, that he ordered Tom to be seized and tried for high -treason; and there being no person who dared to plead for him, he was -condemned to be beheaded immediately. - -On hearing this dreadful sentence pronounced, poor Tom fell -a-trembling with fear, but, seeing no means of escape, and observing a -miller close to him gaping with his great mouth, as country boobies -do at a fair, he took a leap, and fairly jumped down his throat. This -exploit was done with such activity that not one person present saw -it, and even the miller did not know the trick which Tom had played -upon him. Now, as Tom had disappeared, the court broke up, and the -miller went home to his mill. - -When Tom heard the mill at work he knew he was clear of the court, and -therefore he began to roll and tumble about, so that the poor miller -could get no rest, thinking he was bewitched; so he sent for a doctor. -When the doctor came, Tom began to dance and sing; and the doctor, -being as much frightened as the miller, sent in haste for five other -doctors and twenty learned men. - -When they were debating about this extraordinary case, the miller -happened to yawn, when Tom, seizing the chance, made another jump, and -alighted safely upon his feet on the middle of the table. - -The miller, who was very much provoked at being tormented by such a -little pigmy creature, fell into a terrible rage, and, laying hold -of Tom, ran to the King with him; but his Majesty, being engaged with -state affairs, ordered him to be taken away, and kept in custody till -he sent for him. - -The cook was determined that Tom should not slip out of his hands this -time, so he put him into a mouse-trap, and left him to peep through -the wires. Tom had remained in the trap a whole week, when he was sent -for by King Arthur, who pardoned him for throwing down the porridge, -and took him again into favor. On account of his wonderful feats of -activity, Tom was knighted by the King, and went under the name of the -renowned Sir Thomas Thumb. As Tom's clothes had suffered much in the -batter-pudding, the porridge, and the insides of the giant, miller, -and fishes, his Majesty ordered him a new suit of clothes, and to be -mounted as a knight. - - "Of Butterfly's wings his shirt was made, - His boots of chicken's hide; - And by a nimble fairy blade, - Well learned in the tailoring trade, - His clothing was supplied-- - A needle dangled by his side; - A dapper mouse he used to ride, - Thus strutted Tom in stately pride!" - -It was certainly very diverting to see Tom in this dress, and mounted -on the mouse, as he rode out a-hunting with the King and nobility, who -were all ready to expire with laughter at Tom and his fine prancing -charger. - -One day, as they were riding by a farmhouse, a large cat, which was -lurking about the door, made a spring, and seized both Tom and his -mouse. She then ran up a tree with them, and was beginning to devour -the mouse; but Tom boldly drew his sword, and attacked the cat so -fiercely that she let them both fall, when one of the nobles caught -him in his hat, and laid him on a bed of down, in a little ivory -cabinet. - -The queen of the fairies came soon after to pay Tom a visit, and -carried him back to Fairyland, where he lived several years. During -his residence there, King Arthur, and all the persons who knew Tom, -had died; and as he was desirous of being again at court, the fairy -queen, after dressing him in a suit of clothes, sent him flying -through the air to the palace, in the days of King Thunstone, the -successor of Arthur. Every one flocked round to see him, and being -carried to the King, he was asked who he was--whence he came--and -where he lived? Tom answered: - - "My name is Tom Thumb, - From the fairies I've come. - When King Arthur shone, - His Court was my home. - In me he delighted, - By him I was knighted; - Did you never hear of Sir Thomas Thumb?" - -The King was so charmed with this address that he ordered a little -chair to be made, in order that Tom might sit upon his table, and also -a palace of gold, a span high, with a door an inch wide, to live in. -He also gave him a coach, drawn by six small mice. - -The Queen was so enraged at the honor paid to Sir Thomas that she -resolved to ruin him, and told the King that the little knight had -been saucy to her. - -The King sent for Tom in great haste, but being fully aware of the -danger of royal anger, he crept into an empty snail-shell, where he -lay for a long time, until he was almost starved with hunger; but at -last he ventured to peep out, and seeing a fine large butterfly on -the ground, near his hiding-place, he approached very cautiously, and -getting himself placed astride on it, was immediately carried up into -the air. The butterfly flew with him from tree to tree and from field -to field, and at last he returned to the court, where the King and -nobility all strove to catch him; but at last poor Tom fell from his -seat into a watering-pot, in which he was almost drowned. - -When the Queen saw him she was in a rage, and said he should be -beheaded; and he was again put into a mouse-trap until the time of his -execution. - -However, a cat, observing something alive in the trap, patted it about -till the wires broke, and set Thomas at liberty. - -The King received Tom again into favor, which he did not live to -enjoy, for a large spider one day attacked him; and although he drew -his sword and fought well, yet the spider's poisonous breath at last -overcame him: - - "He fell dead on the ground where he stood, - And the spider suck'd every drop of his blood." - -King Thunstone and his whole court were so sorry at the loss of their -little favorite, that they went into mourning, and raised a fine white -marble monument over his grave, with the following epitaph: - - "Here lies Tom Thumb, King Arthur's knight, - Who died by a spider's cruel bite. - He was well known in Arthur's Court, - Where he afforded gallant sport; - He rode at tilt and tournament, - And on a mouse a-hunting went. - Alive he filled the Court with mirth; - His death to sorrow soon gave birth. - Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your head - And cry--Alas! Tom Thumb is dead!" - - * * * * * - - - - -JACK THE GIANT-KILLER - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -When good King Arthur reigned, there lived near the Land's End of -England, in the county of Cornwall, a farmer who had one only son -called Jack. He was brisk and of ready, lively wit, so that nobody or -nothing could worst him. - -In those days the Mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge giant named -Cormoran. He was eighteen feet in height, and about three yards round -the waist, of a fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the -neighboring towns and villages. He lived in a cave in the midst of -the Mount, and whenever he wanted food he would wade over to the -mainland, where he would furnish himself with whatever came in his -way. Everybody at his approach ran out of their houses, while he -seized on their cattle, making nothing of carrying half-a-dozen oxen -on his back at a time; and as for their sheep and hogs, he would tie -them round his waist like a bunch of tallow-dips. He had done this -for many years, so that all Cornwall was in despair. - -One day Jack happened to be at the town hall when the magistrates were -sitting in council about the giant. He asked, "What reward will be -given to the man who kills Cormoran?" "The giant's treasure," they -said, "will be the reward." Quoth Jack, "Then let me undertake it." - -So he got a horn, shovel, and pickaxe, and went over to the Mount in -the beginning of a dark winter's evening, when he fell to work, and -before morning had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep, and nearly as -broad, covering it over with long sticks and straw. Then he strewed a -little mold over it, so that it appeared like plain ground. Jack then -placed himself on the opposite side of the pit, farthest from the -giant's lodging, and, just at the break of day, he put the horn to -his mouth, and blew. This noise roused the giant, who rushed from his -cave, crying: "You incorrigible villain, are you come here to disturb -my rest? You shall pay dearly for this. Satisfaction I will have, and -this it shall be, I will take you whole and broil you for breakfast." -He had no sooner uttered this, than he tumbled into the pit, and made -the very foundations of the Mount to shake. "Oh Giant," quoth Jack, -"where are you now? Oh, faith, you are gotten now into a tight place, -where I will surely plague you for your threatening words; what do you -think now of broiling me for your breakfast? Will no other diet serve -you but poor Jack?" Then having tantalized the giant for a while, he -gave him a most weighty knock with his pickaxe on the very crown of -his head, and killed him on the spot. - -Jack then filled up the pit with earth, and went to search the cave, -which he found contained much treasure. When the magistrates heard of -this they made a declaration he should henceforth be termed: - - JACK THE GIANT-KILLER - -and presented him with a sword and a belt, on which were written these -words embroidered in letters of gold: - - "Here's the right valiant Cornish man. - Who slew the giant Cormoran." - -The news of Jack's victory soon spread over all the West of England, -so that another giant, named Blunderbore, hearing of it, vowed to be -revenged on Jack, if ever he should light on him. This giant was the -lord of an enchanted castle situated in the midst of a lonesome wood. -Now Jack, about four months afterwards, walking near this wood in his -journey to Wales, being weary, seated himself near a pleasant fountain -and fell fast asleep. While he was sleeping, the giant, coming there -for water, discovered him, and knew him to be the far-famed Jack the -Giant-killer by the lines written on the belt. Without ado, he took -Jack on his shoulders and carried him towards his castle. Now, as they -passed through a thicket, the rustling of the boughs awakened Jack, -who was strangely surprised to find himself in the clutches of the -giant. His terror was only begun, for, on entering the castle, he saw -the ground strewed with human bones, and the giant told him his own -would ere long be among them. After this the giant locked poor Jack in -an immense chamber, leaving him there while he went to fetch another -giant, his brother, living in the same wood, who might share in the -meal on Jack. - -After waiting some time Jack, on going to the window beheld afar -off the two giants coming towards the castle. "Now," quoth Jack to -himself, "my death or my deliverance is at hand." - -Now, there were strong cords in a corner of the room in which Jack -was, and two of these he took, and made a strong noose at the end; and -while the giants were unlocking the iron gate of the castle he threw -the ropes over each of their heads. Then he drew the other ends across -a beam, and pulled with all his might, so that he throttled them. -Then, when he saw they were black in the face, he slid down the rope, -and drawing his sword, slew them both. Then, taking the giant's keys, -and unlocking the rooms, he found three fair ladies tied by the hair -of their heads, almost starved to death. "Sweet ladies," quoth Jack, -"I have destroyed this monster and his brutish brother, and obtained -your liberty." This said he presented them with the keys, and so -proceeded on his journey to Wales. - -Jack made the best of his way by traveling as fast as he could, but -lost his road, and was benighted, and could find no habitation until, -coming into a narrow valley, he found a large house, and in order -to get shelter took courage to knock at the gate. But what was his -surprise when there came forth a monstrous giant with two heads; yet -he did not appear so fiery as the others were, for he was a Welsh -giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice under the -false show of friendship. Jack, having told his condition to the -giant, was shown into a bedroom, where, in the dead of night, he heard -his host in another apartment muttering these words: - - "Though here you lodge with me this night, - You shall not see the morning light: - My club shall dash your brains outright!" - -"Say'st thou so," quoth Jack; "that is like one of your Welsh tricks, -yet I hope to be cunning enough for you." Then, getting out of bed, he -laid a log in the bed in his stead, and hid himself in a corner of -the room. At the dead time of the night in came the Welsh giant, who -struck several heavy blows on the bed with his club, thinking he had -broken every bone in Jack's skin. The next morning Jack, laughing in -his sleeve, gave him hearty thanks for his night's lodging. "How -have you rested?" quoth the giant; "did you not feel anything in the -night?" "No," quoth Jack, "nothing but a rat, which gave me two or -three slaps with her tail." With that, greatly wondering, the giant -led Jack to breakfast, bringing him a bowl containing four gallons of -hasty pudding. Being loth to let the giant think it too much for him, -Jack put a large leather bag under his loose coat, in such a way that -he could convey the pudding into it without its being perceived. Then, -telling the giant he would show him a trick, taking a knife, Jack -ripped open the bag, and out came all the hasty pudding. Whereupon, -saying, "Odds splutters her nails, her can do that trick herself," the -monster took the knife, and ripping open his belly, fell down dead. - -Now, it happened in these days that King Arthur's only son asked his -father to give him a large sum of money, in order that he might go and -seek his fortune in the principality of Wales, where lived a beautiful -lady possessed with seven evil spirits. The King did his best to -persuade his son from it, but in vain; so at last gave way and the -Prince set out with two horses, one loaded with money, the other for -himself to ride upon. Now, after several days' travel, he came to a -market-town in Wales, where he beheld a vast crowd of people gathered -together. The Prince asked the reason of it, and was told that they -had arrested a corpse for several large sums of money which the -deceased owed when he died. The Prince replied that it was a pity -creditors should be so cruel, and said, "Go bury the dead, and let his -creditors come to my lodging, and there their debts shall be paid." -They came, in such great numbers that before night he had only -twopence left for himself. - -Now Jack the Giant-killer, coming that way, was so taken with the -generosity of the Prince, that he desired to be his servant. This -being agreed upon, the next morning they set forward on their journey -together, when, as they were riding out of the town, an old woman -called after the Prince, saying, "He has owed me twopence these seven -years; pray pay me as well as the rest." Putting his hand into his -pocket, the Prince gave the woman all he had left, so that after their -day's food, which cost what small store Jack had by him, they were -without a penny between them. - -When the sun got low, the King's son said, "Jack, since we have no -money, where can we lodge this night?" - -But Jack replied, "Master, we'll do well enough, for I have an uncle -lives within two miles of this place; he is a huge and monstrous giant -with three heads; he'll fight five hundred men in armor, and make them -to fly before him." - -"Alas!" quoth the Prince, "what shall we do there? He'll certainly -chop us up at a mouthful. Nay, we are scarce enough to fill one of his -hollow teeth!" - -"It is no matter for that," quoth Jack; "I myself will go before and -prepare the way for you; therefore stop here and wait till I return." -Jack then rode away at full speed, and coming to the gate of the -castle, he knocked so loud that he made the neighboring hills resound. -The giant roared out at this like thunder, "Who's there?" - -Jack answered, "None but your poor cousin Jack." - -Quoth he, "What news with my poor cousin Jack?" - -He replied, "Dear uncle, bad news, God willing!" - -"Prithee," quoth the giant, "what bad news can come to me? I am a -giant with three heads, and besides thou knowest I can fight five -hundred men in armor, and make them fly like chaff before the wind." - -"Oh, but," quoth Jack, "here's the King's son a-coming with a thousand -men in armor to kill you and destroy all that you have!" - -"Oh, cousin Jack," said the giant, "this is bad news indeed! I will -immediately run and hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt, and bar -me in, and keep the keys until the Prince is gone." Having secured -the giant, Jack fetched his master, when they made themselves heartily -merry whilst the poor giant lay trembling in a vault under the ground. - -Early in the morning Jack furnished his master with a fresh supply of -gold and silver, and then sent him three miles forward on his journey, -at which time the Prince was pretty well out of the smell of the -giant. Jack then returned, and let the giant out of the vault, who -asked what he should give him for keeping the castle from destruction. -"Why," quoth Jack, "I want nothing but the old coat and cap, together -with the old rusty sword and slippers which are at your bed's head." - -Quoth the giant: "You know not what you ask; they are the most -precious things I have. The coat will keep you invisible, the cap will -tell you all you want to know, the sword cuts asunder whatever you -strike, and the shoes are of extraordinary swiftness. But you have -been very serviceable to me, therefore take them with all my heart." -Jack thanked his uncle, and then went off with them. He soon overtook -his master and they quickly arrived at the house of the lady the -Prince sought, who, finding the Prince to be a suitor, prepared a -splendid banquet for him. After the repast was concluded, she told -him she had a task for him. She wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, -saying, "You must show me that handkerchief to-morrow morning, or -else you will lose your head." With that she put it in her bosom. -The Prince went to bed in great sorrow, but Jack's cap of knowledge -informed him how it was to be obtained. In the middle of the night she -called upon her familiar spirit to carry her to Lucifer. But Jack put -on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness, and was there as -soon as she was. When she entered the place of the demon, she gave the -handkerchief to him, and he laid it upon a shelf, whence Jack took it -and brought it to his master, who showed it to the lady next day, and -so saved his life. On that day, she gave the Prince a kiss and told -him he must show her the lips to-morrow morning that she kissed last -night, or lose his head. - -"Ah!" he replied, "if you kiss none but mine, I will." - -"That is neither here nor there," said she; "if you do not, death's -your portion!" - -At midnight she went as before, and was angry with the demon for -letting the handkerchief go. "But now," quoth she, "I will be too -hard for the King's son, for I will kiss thee and he is to show me thy -lips." Which she did, and Jack, when she was not standing by, cut off -Lucifer's head and, brought it under his invisible coat to his master, -who the next morning pulled it out by the horns before the lady. This -broke the enchantment and the evil spirit left her, and she appeared -in all her beauty. They were married the next morning, and soon -after went to the Court of King Arthur, where Jack for his many great -exploits, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table. - -Jack soon went searching for giants again, but he had not ridden -far, when he saw a cave, near the entrance of which he beheld a giant -sitting upon a block of timber, with a knotted iron club by his side. -His goggle eyes were like flames of fire, his countenance grim and -ugly, and his cheeks like a couple of large flitches of bacon, while -the bristles of his beard resembled rods of iron wire, and the locks -that hung down upon his brawny shoulders were like curled snakes or -hissing adders. Jack alighted from his horse, and, putting on the coat -of darkness, went up close to the giant, and said softly, "Oh! are you -there? It will not be long before I take you fast by the beard." The -giant all this while could not see him, on account of his invisible -coat, so that Jack, coming up close to the monster, struck a blow -with his sword at his head, but, missing his aim, he cut off the nose -instead. At this, the giant roared like claps of thunder, and began to -lay about him with his iron club like one stark mad. But Jack, running -behind, drove his sword up to the hilt in the giant's back, so that he -fell down dead. This done, Jack cut off the giant's head, and sent -it, with his brother's also, to King Arthur, by a wagoner he hired for -that purpose. - -Jack now resolved to enter the giant's cave in search of his treasure, -and, passing along through a great many windings and turnings, he came -at length to a large room paved with freestone, at the upper end of -which was a boiling caldron, and on the right hand a large table, at -which the giant used to dine. Then he came to a window, barred with -iron, through which he looked and beheld a vast number of miserable -captives, who, seeing him, cried out: "Alas! young man, art thou come -to be one amongst us in this miserable den?" - -"Ay," quoth Jack, "but pray tell me what is the meaning of your -captivity?" - -"We are kept here," said one, "till such time as the giants have a -wish to feast, and then the fattest among us is slaughtered! And many -are the times they have dined upon murdered men!" - -"Say you so," quoth Jack, and straightway unlocked the gate and let -them free, who all rejoiced like condemned men at sight of a pardon. -Then searching the giant's coffers, he shared the gold and silver -equally amongst them and took them to a neighboring castle, where they -all feasted and made merry over their deliverance. - -But in the midst of all this mirth a messenger brought news that -Thunderdell, a giant with two heads, having heard of the death of his -kinsman, had come from the northern dales to be revenged on Jack, and -was within a mile of the castle, the country people flying before him -like chaff. But Jack was not a bit daunted, and said, "Let him come! I -have a tool to quiet him; and you, ladies and gentlemen, walk out into -the garden, and you shall witness this giant Thunderdell's death and -destruction." - -The castle was situated in the midst of a small island surrounded by -a moat thirty feet deep and twenty feet wide, over which lay a -drawbridge. So Jack employed men to cut through this bridge on -both sides, nearly to the middle; and then, dressing himself in -his invisible coat, he marched against the giant with his sword -of sharpness. Although the giant could not see Jack, he smelt his -approach, and cried out in these words: - - "Fee, fi, fo, fum! - I smell the blood of an Englishman! - Be he alive or be he dead, - I'll grind his bones to make me bread!" - -"Say'st thou so," said Jack; "then thou art a monstrous miller -indeed." - -The giant cried out again, "Art thou that villain who killed my -kinsmen? Then I will tear thee with my teeth, suck thy blood, and -grind thy bones to powder." - -"You'll have to catch me first," quoth Jack, and throwing off his -invisible coat, so that the giant might see him, and putting on his -shoes of swiftness, he ran from the giant, who followed like a walking -castle, so that the very foundations of the earth seemed to shake at -every step. Jack led him a long dance, in order that the gentlemen and -ladies might see; and at last to end the matter, ran lightly over -the drawbridge, the giant, in full speed, pursuing him with his club. -Then, coming to the middle of the bridge, the giant's great weight -broke it down, and he tumbled headlong into the water, where he rolled -and wallowed like a whale. Jack, standing by the moat, laughed at -him all the while; but though the giant foamed to hear him scoff, and -plunged from place to place in the moat, yet he could not get out to -be revenged. Jack at length got a cart rope and cast it over the two -heads of the giant and drew him ashore by a team of horses, and then -cut off both his heads with his sword of sharpness, and sent them to -King Arthur. - -After some time spent in mirth and pastime, Jack, taking leave of the -knights and ladies, set out for new adventures. Through many woods he -passed, and came at length to the foot of a high mountain. Here, late -at night, he found a lonesome house, and knocked at the door, which -was opened by an aged man with a head as white as snow. "Father," -said Jack, "can you lodge a benighted traveler that has lost his way?" -"Yes," said the old man; "you are right welcome to my poor cottage." -Whereupon Jack entered, and down they sat together, and the old man -began to speak as follows: "Son, I see by your belt you are the great -conqueror of giants, and behold, my son, on the top of this mountain -is an enchanted castle; this is kept by a giant named Galligantua, and -he, by the help of an old conjurer, betrays many knights and ladies -into his castle, where by magic art they are transformed into sundry -shapes and forms. But above all, I grieve for a duke's daughter, whom -they fetched from her father's garden, carrying her through the air in -a burning chariot drawn by fiery dragons. When they secured her within -the castle, they transformed her into a white hind. And though many -knights have tried to break the enchantment, and work her deliverance, -yet no one could accomplish it, on account of two dreadful griffins -which are placed at the castle gate and which destroy every one who -comes near. But you, my son, may pass by them undiscovered, then on -the gates of the castle you will find engraven in large letters how -the spell may be broken." Jack gave the old man his hand, and promised -that in the morning he would venture his life to free the lady. - -In the morning Jack arose and put on his invisible coat and magic cap -and shoes, and prepared himself for the fray. Now, when he had reached -the top of the mountain he soon discovered the two fiery griffins, but -passed them without fear, because of his invisible coat. When he -had got beyond them, he found upon the gates of the castle a golden -trumpet hung by a silver chain, under which these lines were engraved: - - "Whoever shall this trumpet blow, - Shall soon the giant overthrow, - And break the black enchantment straight; - So all shall be in happy state." - -Jack had no sooner read this but he blew the trumpet, at which the -castle trembled to its vast foundations, and the giant and conjurer -were in horrid confusion, biting their thumbs and tearing their hair, -knowing their wicked reign was at an end. Then the giant stooping to -take up his club, Jack at one blow cut off his head; whereupon the -conjurer, mounting up into the air, was carried away in a whirlwind. -Then the enchantment was broken, and all the lords and ladies who -had so long been transformed into birds and beasts returned to their -proper shapes, and the castle vanished away in a cloud of smoke. This -being done, the head of Galligantua was likewise, in the usual manner, -conveyed to the Court of King Arthur, where, the very next day, -Jack followed, with the knights and ladies who had been delivered. -Whereupon, as a reward for his good services, the King prevailed upon -the duke to bestow his daughter in marriage on honest Jack. So married -they were, and the whole kingdom was filled with joy at the wedding. -Furthermore, the King bestowed on Jack a noble castle, with a very -beautiful estate thereto belonging, where he and his lady lived in -great joy and happiness all the rest of their days. - - - * * * * * - - - - -THE THREE SILLIES - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -Once upon a time there was a farmer and his wife who had one daughter, -and she was courted by a gentleman. Every evening he used to come and -see her, and stop to supper at the farmhouse, and the daughter used -to be sent down into the cellar to draw the beer for supper. So one -evening she had gone down to draw the beer, and she happened to look -up at the ceiling while she was drawing, and she saw a mallet stuck -in one of the beams. It must have been there a long, long time, -but somehow or other she had never noticed it before, and she began -a-thinking. And she thought it was very dangerous to have that mallet -there, for she said to herself: "Suppose him and me was to be married, -and we was to have a son, and he was to grow up to be a man, and come -down into the cellar to draw the beer, like as I'm doing now, and the -mallet was to fall on his head and kill him, what a dreadful thing it -would be!" And she put down the candle and the jug, and sat herself -down and began a-crying. - -Well, they began to wonder upstairs how it was that she was so long -drawing the beer, and her mother went down to see after her, and she -found her sitting on the settle crying, and the beer running over the -floor. "Why, whatever is the matter?" said her mother. "Oh, mother!" -says she, "look at that horrid mallet! Suppose we was to be married, -and was to have a son, and he was to grow up, and was to come down to -the cellar to draw the beer, and the mallet was to fall on his head -and kill him, what a dreadful thing it would be!" "Dear, dear! what -a dreadful thing it would be!" said the mother, and she sat her down -beside the daughter and started crying too. Then after a bit the -father began to wonder that they didn't come back, and he went down -into the cellar to look after them himself, and there they two sat -crying, and the beer running all over the floor. "Whatever is the -matter?" says he. "Why," says the mother, "look at that horrid mallet. -Just suppose, if our daughter and her sweetheart was to be married, -and was to have a son, and he was to grow up, and was to come down -into the cellar to draw the beer, and the mallet was to fall on his -head and kill him, what a dreadful thing it would be!" "Dear, dear, -dear! so it would!" said the father, and he sat himself down aside of -the other two, and started a-crying. - -Now the gentleman got tired of stopping up in the kitchen by himself, -and at last he went down into the cellar too, to see what they were -after; and there they three sat crying side by side, and the beer -running all over the floor. And he ran straight and turned the tap. -Then he said: "Whatever are you three doing, sitting there crying, and -letting the beer run all over the floor?" "Oh!" says the father, "look -at that horrid mallet! Suppose you and our daughter was to be married, -and was to have a son, and he was to grow up, and was to come down -into the cellar to draw the beer, and the mallet was to fall on -his head and kill him!" And then they all started crying worse than -before. But the gentleman burst out laughing, and reached up and -pulled out the mallet, and then he said: "I've traveled many miles, -and I never met three such big sillies as you three before; and now I -shall start out on my travels again, and when I can find three bigger -sillies than you three, then I'll come back and marry your daughter." -So he wished them good-by, and started off on his travels, and left -them all crying because the girl had lost her sweetheart. - -Well, he set out, and he traveled a long way, and at last he came to a -woman's cottage that had some grass growing on the roof. And the woman -was trying to get her cow to go up a ladder to the grass, and the -poor thing durst not go. So the gentleman asked the woman what she was -doing. "Why, lookye," she said, "look at all that beautiful grass. I'm -going to get the cow on to the roof to eat it. She'll be quite safe, -for I shall tie a string round her neck, and pass it down the chimney, -and tie it to my wrist as I go about the house, so she can't fall off -without my knowing it." "Oh, you poor silly!" said the gentleman, -"you should cut the grass and throw it down to the cow!" But the woman -thought it was easier to get the cow up the ladder than to get the -grass down, so she pushed her and coaxed her and got her up, and tied -a string round her neck, and passed it down the chimney, and fastened -it to her own wrist. And the gentleman went on his way, but he hadn't -gone far when the cow tumbled off the roof, and hung by the string -tied round her neck, and it strangled her. And the weight of the cow -tied to her wrist pulled the woman up the chimney, and she stuck fast -halfway and was smothered in the soot. - -Well, that was one big silly. - -And the gentleman went on and on, and he went to an inn to stop the -night, and they were so full at the inn that they had to put him in -a double-bedded room, and another traveler was to sleep in the other -bed. The other man was a very pleasant fellow, and they got very -friendly together; but in the morning, when they were both getting up, -the gentleman was surprised to see the other hang his trousers on the -knobs of the chest of drawers and run across the room and try to jump -into them, and he tried over and over again, and couldn't manage it; -and the gentleman wondered whatever he was doing it for. At last he -stopped and wiped his face with his handkerchief. "Oh dear," he says, -"I do think trousers are the most awkwardest kind of clothes that ever -were. I can't think who could have invented such things. It takes me -the best part of an hour to get into mine every morning, and I get so -hot! How do you manage yours?" So the gentleman burst out laughing, -and showed him how to put them on; and he was very much obliged to -him, and said he never should have thought of doing it that way. - -So that was another big silly. - -Then the gentleman went on his travels again; and he came to a -village, and outside the village there was a pond, and round the pond -was a crowd of people. And they had rakes, and brooms, and pitchforks, -reaching into the pond; and the gentleman asked what was the matter. -"Why," they say, "matter enough! Moon's tumbled into the pond, and we -can't rake her out anyhow!" So the gentleman burst out laughing, and -told them to look up into the sky, and that it was only the shadow in -the water. But they wouldn't listen to him, and abused him shamefully -and he got away as quick as he could. - -So there were a whole lot of sillies bigger than the three sillies at -home. So the gentleman turned back home again and married the farmer's -daughter, and if they didn't live happy for ever after, that's nothing -to do with you or me. - - * * * * * - - - -CELTIC STORIES - - * * * * * - -KING O'TOOLE AND HIS GOOSE - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -Och, I thought all the world, far and near, had heerd of King -O'Toole--well, well, but the darkness of mankind is untellable! Well, -sir, you must know, as you didn't hear it afore, that there was a -King, called King O'Toole, who was a fine old King in the old ancient -times, long ago; and it was he that owned the churches in the early -days. The King, you see was the right sort; he was the real boy, and -loved sport as he loved his life, and hunting in particular; and from -the rising o' the sun, up he got, and away he went over the mountains -after the deer; and fine times they were. - -Well, it was all mighty good, as long as the King had his health; but, -you see, in the course of time the King grew old, by raison he was -stiff in his limbs, and when he got stricken in years, his heart -failed him, and he was lost entirely for want o' diversion, because he -couldn't go a-hunting no longer; and, by dad the poor King was obliged -at last to get a goose to divert him. Oh, you may laugh, if you like, -but it's truth I'm telling you; and the way the goose diverted him was -this-a-way: You see, the goose used to swim across the lake, and go -diving for trout, and catch fish on a Friday for the King, and flew -every other day round about the lake, diverting the poor King. All -went on mighty well until, by dad, the goose got stricken in years -like her master, and couldn't divert him no longer, and then it was -that the poor King was lost entirely. The King was walkin' one mornin' -by the edge of the lake, lamentin' his cruel fate, and thinking of -drowning himself, that could get no diversion in life, when all of -a sudden, turning round the corner, whom should he meet but a mighty -decent young man coming up to him. - -"God save you," says the King to the young man. - -"God save you kindly, King O'Toole," says the young man. - -"True for you," says the King. "I am King O'Toole," says he, "prince -and plennypennytinchery of these parts," says he; "but how came ye to -know that?" says he. - -"Oh, never mind," says Saint Kavin. - -You see it was Saint Kavin, sure enough--the saint himself in -disguise, and nobody else. "Oh, never mind," says he, "I know more -than that. May I make bold to ask how is your goose, King O'Toole?" -says he. - -"Blur-an-agers, how came ye to know about my goose?" says the King. - -"Oh, no matter; I was given to understand it," says Saint Kavin. - -After some more talk the King says, "What are you?" - -"I'm an honest man," says Saint Kavin. - -"Well, honest man," says the King, "and how is it you make your money -so aisy?" - -"By makin' old things as good as new," says Saint Kavin. - -"Is it a tinker you are?" says the King. - -"No," says the saint; "I'm no tinker by trade, King O'Toole; I've a -better trade than a tinker," says he--"what would you say," says he, -"If I made your old goose as good as new?" - -My dear, at the word of making his goose as good as new, you'd think -the poor old King's eyes were ready to jump out of his head. With that -the King whistled, and down came the poor goose, just like a hound, -waddling up to the poor cripple, her master, and as like him as two -peas. The minute the saint clapt his eyes on the goose, "I'll do the -job for you," says he, "King O'Toole." - -"By _Jaminee_!" says King O'Toole, "if you do, I'll say you're the -cleverest fellow in the seven parishes." - -"Oh, by dad," says St. Kavin, "you must say more nor that--my horn's -not so soft all out," says he, "as to repair your old goose for -nothing; what'll you gi' me if I do the job for you?--that's the -chat," says Saint Kavin. - -"I'll give you whatever you ask," says the King; "isn't that fair?" - -"Divil a fairer," says the saint, "that's the way to do business. -Now," says he, "this is the bargain I'll make with you, King O'Toole: -will you gi' me all the ground the goose flies over, the first offer, -after I make her as good as new?" - -"I will," says the King. - -"You won't go back o' your word?" says Saint Kavin. - -"Honor bright!" says King O'Toole, holding out his fist. - -"Honor bright!" says Saint Kavin, back again, "it's a bargain. Come -here!" says he to the poor old goose--"come here, you unfortunate ould -cripple, and it's I that'll make you the sporting bird." With that, -my dear, he took up the goose by the two wings--"Criss o' my cross an -you," says he, markin' her to grace with the blessed sign at the same -minute--and throwing her up in the air, "whew," says he, jist givin' -her a blast to help her; and with that, my jewel, she took to her -heels, flyin' like one o' the eagles themselves, and cutting as many -capers as a swallow before a shower of rain. - -Well, my dear, it was a beautiful sight to see the King standing with -his mouth open, looking at his poor old goose flying as light as a -lark, and better than ever she was; and when she lit at his feet, -patted her on the head, and "_Mavourneen_," says he, "but you are the -_darlint_ o' the world." - -"And what do you say to me," says Saint Kavin, "for making her the -like?" - -"By Jabers," says the King, "I say nothing beats the art o' man, -barring the bees." - -"And do you say no more nor that?" says Saint Kavin. - -"And that I'm beholden to you," says the King. - -"But will you gi' me all the ground the goose flew over?" says Saint -Kavin. - -"I will," says King O'Toole, "and you're welcome to it," says he, -"though it's the last acre I have to give." - -"But you'll keep your word true," says the saint. - -"As true as the sun," says the King. - -"It's well for you, King O'Toole, that you said that word," says he; -"for if you didn't say that word, the divil the bit o' your goose -would ever fly agin." - -When the King was as good as his word, Saint Kavin was pleased with -him, and then it was that he made himself known to the King. "And," -says he, "King O'Toole, you're a dacent man, for I only came here to -try you. You don't know me," says he, "because I'm disguised." - -"Musha! then," says the King, "who are you?" - -"I'm Saint Kavin," said the saint, blessing himself. - -"Oh, queen of heaven!" says the King, making the sign of the cross -between his eyes, and falling down on his knees before the saint; "is -it the great Saint Kavin," says he, "that I've been discoursing all -this time without knowing it," says he, "all as one as if he was a -lump of a _gossoon_?--and so you're a saint?" says the King. - -"I am," says Saint Kavin. - -"By Jabers, I thought I was only talking to a dacent boy," says the -King. - -"Well, you know the difference now," says the saint. "I'm Saint -Kavin," says he, "the greatest of all the saints." - -And so the King had his goose as good as new, to divert him as long as -he lived; and the saint supported him after he came into his property, -as I told you, until the day of his death--and that was soon after; -for the poor goose thought he was catching a trout one Friday; but, -my jewel, it was a mistake he made--and instead of a trout, it was a -thieving horse-eel; and instead of the goose killing a trout for the -King's supper--by dad, the eel killed the King's goose--and small -blame to him; but he didn't ate her, because he darn't ate what Saint -Kavin had laid his blessed hands on. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE HAUGHTY PRINCESS - -ADAPTED BY PATRICK KENNEDY - - -There was once a very worthy King, whose daughter was the greatest -beauty that could be seen far or near, but she was as proud as -Lucifer, and no king or prince would she agree to marry. Her father -was tired out at last, and invited every king, and prince, and duke, -and earl that he knew or didn't know to come to his court to give her -one trial more. They all came, and next day after breakfast they stood -in a row in the lawn, and the Princess walked along in the front of -them to make her choice. One was fat, and says she: "I won't have you, -Beer-barrel!" One was tall and thin, and to him she said, "I won't -have you, Ramrod!" To a white-faced man she said, "I won't have you, -Pale Death;" and to a red-cheeked man she said, "I won't have you, -Cockscomb!" She stopped a little before the last of all, for he was a -fine man in face and form. She wanted to find some defect in him, but -he had nothing remarkable but a ring of brown curling hair under his -chin. She admired him a little, and then carried it off with, "I won't -have you, Whiskers!" - -So all went away, and the King was so vexed, he said to her, "Now -to punish your _impedence_, I'll give you to the first beggar-man or -singing _sthronshuch_ that calls;" and, as sure as the hearth-money, -a fellow all over rags, with hair that came to his shoulders, and a -bushy red beard all over his face, came next morning, and began to -sing before the parlor window. - -When the song was over, the hall-door was opened, the singer asked in, -the priest brought, and the Princess married to Beardy. She roared and -she bawled, but her father didn't mind her. "There," says he to the -bridegroom, "is five guineas for you. Take your wife out of my sight, -and never let me lay eyes on you or her again." - -Off he led her, and dismal enough she was. The only thing that gave -her relief was the tones of her husband's voice and his genteel -manners. "Whose wood is this?" said she, as they were going through -one. "It belongs to the King you called Whiskers yesterday." He gave -her the same answer about meadows and cornfields, and at last a fine -city. "Ah, what a fool I was!" said she to herself. "He was a fine -man, and I might have him for a husband." At last they were coming up -to a poor cabin. "Why are you bringing me here?" says the poor lady. -"This was my house," said he, "and now it's yours." She began to cry, -but she was tired and hungry, and she went in with him. - -Ovoch! there was neither a table laid out, nor a fire burning, and she -was obliged to help her husband to light it, and boil their dinner, -and clean up the place after; and next day he made her put on a stuff -gown and a cotton handkerchief. When she had her house readied up, and -no business to keep her employed, he brought home sallies [willows], -peeled them, and showed her how to make baskets. But the hard twigs -bruised her delicate fingers, and she began to cry. Well, then he -asked her to mend their clothes, but the needle drew blood from her -fingers, and she cried again. He couldn't bear to see her tears, so -he bought a creel of earthenware, and sent her to the market to sell -them. This was the hardest trial of all, but she looked so handsome -and sorrowful, and had such a nice air about her, that all her pans, -and jugs, and plates, and dishes were gone before noon, and the only -mark of her old pride she showed was a slap she gave a buckeen across -the face when he axed her an impudent question. - -Well, her husband was so glad, he sent her with another creel the next -day; but, faith! her luck was after deserting her. A drunken huntsman -came up riding, and his beast got in among her ware, and made _brishe_ -of every mother's son of 'em. She went home cryin', and her husband -wasn't at all pleased. "I see," said he, "you're not fit for business. -Come along, I'll get you a kitchen-maid's place in the palace. I know -the cook." - -So the poor thing was obliged to stifle her pride once more. She was -kept very busy, and the footman and the butler would be very impudent -about looking for a kiss, but she let a screech out of her the first -attempt was made, and the cook gave the fellow such a lambasting with -the besom that he made no second offer. She went home to her husband -every night, and she carried broken victuals wrapped in papers in her -side pockets. - -A week after she got service there was great bustle in the kitchen. -The King was going to be married, but no one knew who the bride was to -be. Well, in the evening the cook filled the Princess's pockets with -cold meat and puddens, and, says she, "Before you go, let us have a -look at the great doings in the big parlor." So they came near the -door to get a peep, and who should come out but the King himself, as -handsome as you please, and no other but King Whiskers himself. "Your -handsome helper must pay for her peeping," said he to the cook, "and -dance a jig with me." Whether she would or no, he held her hand and -brought her into the parlor. The fiddlers struck up, and away went -_him_ with _her_. But they hadn't danced two steps when the meat and -the puddens flew out of her pockets. Every one roared out, and she -flew to the door, crying piteously. But she was soon caught by the -King, and taken into the back parlor. "Don't you know me, my darling?" -said he. "I'm both King Whiskers, your husband the ballad-singer, and -the drunken huntsman. Your father knew me well enough when he gave you -to me, and all was to drive your pride out of you." Well, she didn't -know how she was, with fright, and shame, and joy. Love was uppermost, -anyhow, for she laid her head on her husband's breast and cried like a -child. The maids-of-honor soon had her away and dressed her as fine as -hands and pins could do it; and there were her mother and father, too. -While the company were wondering what would be the end of the handsome -girl and the King, he and his Queen, _who_ they didn't know in her -fine clothes, came in, and such rejoicings and fine doings as there -was, none of us will ever see, anyway. - - * * * * * - - - - -JACK AND HIS MASTER - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -A poor woman had three sons. The eldest and second eldest were -cunning, clever fellows, but they called the youngest Jack the Fool, -because they thought he was no better than a simpleton. The eldest got -tired of staying at home, and said he'd go look for service. He stayed -away a whole year, and then came back one day, dragging one foot after -the other, and a poor, wizened face on him, and he was as cross as two -sticks. When he was rested and had got something to eat, he told -them how he had taken service with the Gray Churl of the Townland of -Mischance, and that the agreement was whoever would first say he was -sorry for his bargain should get an inch wide of the skin of his back, -from shoulder to hips, taken off. If it was the master, he should also -pay double wages; if it was the servant, he should get no wages at -all. "But the thief," says he, "gave me so little to eat, and kept me -so hard at work, that flesh and blood couldn't stand it; and when he -asked me once, when I was in a passion, if I was sorry for my bargain, -I was mad enough to say I was, and here I am disabled for life." - -Vexed enough were the poor mother and brothers; and the second eldest -said on the spot he'd go and take service with the Gray Churl, and -punish him by all the annoyance he'd give him till he'd make him say -he was sorry for his agreement. "Oh, won't I be glad to see the skin -coming off the old villain's back!" said he. All they could say had -no effect: he started off for the Townland of Mischance, and in a -twelvemonth he was back just as miserable and helpless as his brother. - -All the poor mother could say didn't prevent Jack the Fool from -starting to see if he was able to regulate the Gray Churl. He agreed -with him for a year for twenty pounds, and the terms were the same. - -"Now, Jack," said the Gray Churl, "if you refuse to do anything you -are able to do, you must lose a month's wages." - -"I'm satisfied," said Jack; "and if you stop me from doing a thing -after telling me to do it, you are to give me an additional month's -wages." - -"I am satisfied," said the master. - -"Or if you blame me for obeying your orders, you must give me the -same." - -"I am satisfied," said the master again. - -The first day that Jack served he was fed very poorly, and was worked -to the saddleskirts. Next day he came into the parlor just before the -dinner was served up. They were taking the goose off the spit, but, -well becomes Jack, he whipped a knife off the dresser, and cut off one -side of the breast, one leg and thigh, and one wing, and fell to. In -came the master, and began to abuse him for his assurance. "Oh, you -know, master, you're to feed me, and wherever the goose goes won't -have to be filled again till supper. Are you sorry for our agreement?" - -The master was going to cry out he was, but he bethought himself in -time. "Oh; no, not at all," said he. - -"That's well," said Jack. - -Next day Jack was to go clamp turf on the bog. They weren't sorry -to have him away from the kitchen at dinner time. He didn't find his -breakfast very heavy on his stomach; so he said to the mistress, "I -think, ma'am, it will be better for me to get my dinner now, and not -lose time coming home from the bog." - -"That's true, Jack," said she. So she brought out a good cake, and a -print of butter, and a bottle of milk, thinking he'd take them away -to the bog. But Jack kept his seat, and never drew rein till bread, -butter, and milk had gone down the red lane. - -"Now, mistress," said he, "I'll be earlier at my work tomorrow if I -sleep comfortably on the sheltery side of a pile of dry peat on dry -grass, and not be coming here and going back. So you may as well give -me my supper, and be done with the day's trouble." She gave him that, -thinking he'd take it to the bog; but he fell to on the spot, and did -not leave a scrap to tell tales on him; and the mistress was a little -astonished. - -He called to speak to the master in the haggard, and said he, "What -are servants asked to do in this country after aten their supper?" - -"Nothing at all, but to go to bed." - -"Oh, very well, sir." He went up on the stable-loft, stripped, and lay -down, and some one that saw him told the master. He came up. - -"Jack, you anointed scoundrel, what do you mean?" - -"To go to sleep, master. The mistress, God bless her, is after giving -me my breakfast, dinner, and supper, and yourself told me that bed was -the next thing. Do you blame me, sir?" - -"Yes, you rascal, I do." - -"Hand me out one pound thirteen and fourpence, if you please, sir." - -"One divil and thirteen imps, you tinker! what for?" - -"Oh, I see, you've forgot your bargain. Are you sorry for it?" - -"Oh, ya--NO, I mean. I'll give you the money after your nap." - -Next morning early Jack asked how he'd be employed that day. "You -are to be holding the plow in that fallow, outside the paddock." The -master went over about nine o'clock to see what kind of a plowman was -Jack, and what did he see but the little boy driving the bastes, and -the sock and coulter of the plow skimming along the sod, and Jack -pulling ding-dong agin' the horses. - -"What are you doing, you contrary thief?" said the master. - -"An' ain't I strivin' to hold this divil of a plow, as you told me; -but that ounkrawn of a boy keeps whipping on the bastes in spite of -all I say; will you speak to him?" - -"No, but I'll speak to you. Didn't you know, you bosthoon, that when I -said 'holding the plow,' I meant reddening [plowing up] the ground?" - -"Faith, an' if you did, I wish you had said so. Do you blame me for -what I have done?" - -The master caught himself in time, but he was so stomached -[disconcerted], he said nothing. - -"Go on and redden the ground now, you knave, as other plowmen do." - -"An' are you sorry for our agreement?" - -"Oh, not at all, not at all!" - -Jack plowed away like a good workman all the rest of the day. - -In a day or two the master bade him go and mind the cows in a field -that had half of it under young corn. "Be sure, particularly," said -he, "to keep Browney from the wheat; while she's out of mischief -there's no fear of the rest." - -About noon he went to see how Jack was doing his duty, and what did he -find but Jack asleep with his face to the sod, Browney grazing near a -thorn-tree, one end of a long rope round her horns, and the other end -round the tree, and the rest of the beasts all trampling and eating -the green wheat. Down came the switch on Jack. - -"Jack, you vagabone, do you see what the cows are at?" - -"And do you blame me, master?" - -"To be sure, you lazy sluggard, I do." - -"Hand me out one pound thirteen and fourpence, master. You said if I -only kept Browney out of mischief, the rest would, do no harm. There -she is as harmless as a lamb. Are you sorry for hiring me, master?" - -"To be--that is, not at all. I'll give you your money when you go to -dinner. Now, understand me; don't let a cow go out of the field nor -into the wheat the rest of the day." - -"Never fear, master!" and neither did he. But the churl would rather -than a great deal he had not hired him. - -The next day three heifers were missing, and the master bade Jack go -in search of them. - -"Where shall I look for them?" said Jack. - -"Oh, every place likely and unlikely for them all to be in." - -The churl was getting very exact in his words. When he was coming into -the yard at dinner time, what work did he find Jack at but pulling -armfuls of the thatch off the roof, and peeping into the holes he was -making. - -"What are you doing there, you rascal?" - -"Sure, I'm looking for the heifers, poor things!" - -"What would bring them there?" - -"I don't think anything could bring them in it; but I looked first -into the likely places, that is the cowhouses, and the pastures, and -the fields next 'em, and now I'm looking in the unlikeliest place I -can think of. Maybe it's not pleasing to you it is." - -"And to be sure it isn't pleasing to me, you aggravating goose-cap!" - -"Please, sir, hand me one pound thirteen and fourpence before you sit -down to your dinner. I'm afraid it's sorrow that's on you for hiring -me at all." - -"May the div--oh, no; I'm not sorry. Will you begin, if you please, -and put in the thatch again, just as if you were doing it for your -mother's cabin?" - -"Oh, faith I will, sir, with a heart and a half;" and by the time the -farmer came out from his dinner, Jack had the roof better than it was -before, for he made the boy give him new straw. - -Says the master when he came out: "Go, Jack, and look for the heifers, -and bring them home." - -"And where shall I look for 'em?" - -"Go and search for them as if they were your own." The heifers were -all in the paddock before sunset. - -Next morning says the master: "Jack, the path across the bog to the -pasture is very bad; the sheep does be sinking in it every step; go -and make the sheep's feet a good path." About an hour after he came -to the edge of the bog, and what did he find Jack at but sharpening a -carving knife, and the sheep standing or grazing around. - -"Is this the way you are mending the path, Jack?" said he. - -"Everything must have a beginning, master," said Jack, "and a thing -well begun is half done. I am sharpening the knife, and I'll have the -feet off every sheep in the flock while you'd be blessing yourself." - -"Feet off my sheep, you anointed rogue! and what would you be taking -their feet off for?" - -"An', sure, to mend the path as you told me. Says you, 'Jack, make a -path with the foot of the sheep.'" - -"Oh, you fool, I meant make good the path for the sheep's feet." - -"It's a pity you didn't say so, master. Hand me out one pound thirteen -and fourpence if you don't like me to finish my job." - -"Divil do you good with your one pound thirteen and four-pence!" - -"It's better pray than curse, master. Maybe you're sorry for your -bargain?" - -"And to be sure I am--not yet, anyway." - -The next night the master was going to a wedding; and says he to Jack, -before he set out: "I'll leave at midnight, and I wish you to come -and be with me home, for fear I might be overtaken with the drink. If -you're there before, you may throw a sheep's eye at me, and I'll be -sure to see that they'll give you something for yourself." - -About eleven o'clock, while the master was in great spirits, he felt -something clammy hit him on the cheek. It fell beside his tumbler, -and when he looked at it, what was it but the eye of a sheep. Well, -he couldn't imagine who threw it at him, or why it was thrown at him. -After a little he got a blow on the other cheek, and still it was by -another sheep's eye. Well, he was much vexed, but he thought better -to say nothing. In two minutes more, when he was opening his mouth to -take a sup, another sheep's eye was slapped into it. He sputtered it -out, and cried, "Man o' the house, isn't it a great shame for you to -have any one in the room that would do such a nasty thing?" - -"Master," says Jack, "don't blame the honest man. Sure it's only -myself that was throwin' them sheep's eyes at you, to remind you I was -here, and that I wanted to drink the bride and bridegroom's health. -You know yourself bade me." - -"I know that you are a great rascal; and where did you get the eyes?" - -"An' where would I get 'em but in the heads of your own sheep? Would -you have me meddle with the bastes of any neighbor, who might put me -in the Stone Jug for it?" - -"Sorrow on me that ever I had the bad luck to meet with you." - -"You're all witness," said Jack, "that my master says he is sorry for -having met with me. My time is up. Master, hand me over double wages, -and come into the next room, and lay yourself out like a man that has -some decency in him, till I take a strip of skin an inch broad from -your shoulder to your hip." - -Every one shouted out against that; but, says Jack, "You didn't hinder -him when he took the same strips from the backs of my two brothers, -and sent them home in that state, and penniless, to their poor -mother." - -When the company heard the rights of the business, they were only too -eager to see the job done. The master bawled and roared, but there was -no help at hand. He was stripped to his hips, and laid on the floor -in the next room, and Jack had the carving-knife in his hand ready to -begin. - -"Now you cruel old villain," said he, giving the knife a couple of -scrapes along the floor: "I'll make you an offer. Give me, along with -my double wages, two hundred guineas to support my poor brothers, and -I'll do without the strip." - -"No!" said he, "I'd let you skin me from head to foot first." - -"Here goes, then," said Jack with a grin; but the first little scar he -gave, Churl roared out, "Stop your hand; I'll give the money." - -"Now, neighbors," said Jack, "you mustn't think worse of me than I -deserve. I wouldn't have the heart to take an eye out of a rat itself; -I got half a dozen of them from the butcher, and only used three of -them." - -So all came again into the other room, and Jack was made to sit down, -and everybody drank his health, and he drank everybody's health at -one offer. And six stout fellows saw himself and the master home, and -waited in the parlor while he went up and brought down the two hundred -guineas, and double wages for Jack himself. When he got home, he -brought the summer along with him to the poor mother and the disabled -brothers; and he was no more Jack the Fool in the people's mouths, but -"Skin-Churl Jack." - - * * * * * - - - - -HUDDEN AND DUDDEN AND DONALD O'NEARY - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -There was once upon a time two farmers, and their names were Hudden -and Dudden. They had poultry in their yards, sheep on the uplands, and -scores of cattle in the meadow land alongside the river. But for all -that they weren't happy, for just between their two farms there lived -a poor man by the name of Donald O'Neary. He had a hovel over his -head and a strip of grass that was barely enough to keep his one cow, -Daisy, from starving, and, though she did her best, it was but seldom -that Donald got a drink of milk or a roll of butter from Daisy. You -would think there was little here to make Hudden and Dudden jealous, -but so it is, the more one has the more one wants, and Donald's -neighbors lay awake of nights scheming how they might get hold of his -little strip of grass land. - -One day Hudden met Dudden, and they were soon grumbling as usual, -and all to the tune of, "If only we could get that vagabond, Donald -O'Neary, out of the country." - -"Let's kill Daisy," said Hudden at last; "if that doesn't make him -clear out, nothing will." - -No sooner said than agreed; and it wasn't dark before Hudden and -Dudden crept up to the little shed where lay poor Daisy, trying her -best to chew the cud, though she hadn't had as much grass in the day -as would cover your hand. And when Donald came to see if Daisy was all -snug for the night, the poor beast had only time to lick his hand once -before she died. - -Well, Donald was a shrewd fellow, and, downhearted though he was, -began to think if he could get any good out of Daisy's death. He -thought and he thought, and the next day you might have seen him -trudging off early to the fair, Daisy's hide over his shoulder, every -penny he had jingling in his pockets. Just before he got to the fair, -he made several slits in the hide, put a penny in each slit, walked -into the best inn of the town as bold as if it belonged to him, and, -hanging the hide up to a nail in the wall, sat down. - -"Some of your best whisky," says he to the landlord. But the landlord -didn't like his looks. "Is it fearing I won't pay you, you are?" says -Donald; "why, I have a hide here that gives me all the money I want." -And with that he hit it a whack with his stick, and out hopped a -penny. The landlord opened his eyes, as you may fancy. - -"What'll you take for that hide?" - -"It's not for sale, my good man." - -"Will you take a gold piece?" - -"It's not for sale, I tell you. Hasn't it kept me and mine for years?" -and with that Donald hit the hide another whack, and out jumped a -second penny. - -Well, the long and the short of it was that Donald let the hide go, -and, that very evening, who but he should walk up to Hudden's door? - -"Good evening, Hudden. Will you lend me your best pair of scales?" - -Hudden stared and Hudden scratched his head, but he lent the scales. - -When Donald was safe at home, he pulled out his pocketful of bright -gold and began to weigh each piece in the scales. But Hudden had put a -lump of butter at the bottom, and so the last piece of gold stuck fast -to the scales when he took them back to Hudden. - -If Hudden had stared before, he stared ten times more now, and no -sooner was Donald's back turned, than he was off as hard as he could -pelt to Dudden's. - -"Good-evening, Dudden. That vagabond, bad luck to him----" - -"You mean Donald O'Neary?" - -"And who else should I mean? He's back here weighing out sackfuls of -gold." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Here are my scales that he borrowed, and here's a gold piece still -sticking to them." - -Off they went together, and they came to Donald's door. Donald had -finished making the last pile of ten gold pieces. And he couldn't -finish, because a piece had stuck to the scales. - -In they walked without an "If you please" or "By your leave." - -"Well, _I_ never!" that was all _they_ could say. - -"Good evening, Hudden; good evening, Dudden. Ah! you thought you had -played me a fine trick, but you never did me a better turn in all your -lives. When I found poor Daisy dead, I thought to myself: 'Well, her -hide may fetch something'; and it did. Hides are worth their weight in -gold in the market just now." - -Hudden nudged Dudden, and Dudden winked at Hudden. - -"Good evening, Donald O'Neary." - -"Good evening, kind friends." - -The next day there wasn't a cow or a calf that belonged to Hudden or -Dudden but her hide was going to the fair in Hudden's biggest cart, -drawn by Dudden's strongest pair of horses. - -When they came to the fair, each one took a hide over his arm, and -there they were walking through the fair, bawling out at the top of -their voices, "Hides to sell! hides to sell.'" - -Out came the tanner: - -"How much for your hides, my good men?" - -"Their weight in gold." - -"It's early in the day to come out of the tavern." That was all the -tanner said, and back he went to his yard. - -"Hides to sell! Fine fresh hides to sell!" - -Out came the cobbler: - -"How much for your hides, my men?" - -"Their weight in gold." - -"Is it making game of me you are? Take that for your pains," and the -cobbler dealt Hudden a blow that made him stagger. - -Up the people came running from one end of the fair to the other. -"What's the matter? What's the matter?" cried they. - -"Here are a couple of vagabonds selling hides at their weight in -gold," said the cobbler. - -"Hold 'em fast; hold 'em fast!" bawled the innkeeper, who was the -last to come up, he was so fat. "I'll wager it's one of the rogues who -tricked me out of thirty gold pieces yesterday for a wretched hide." - -It was more kicks than halfpence that Hudden and Dudden got before -they were well on their way home again, and they didn't run the slower -because all the dogs of the town were at their heels. - -Well, as you may fancy, if they loved Donald little before, they loved -him less now. - -"What's the matter, friends?" said he, as he saw them tearing along, -their hats knocked in, and their coats torn off, and their faces black -and blue. "Is it fighting you've been? or mayhap you met the police, -ill luck to them?" - -"We'll police you, you vagabond. It's mighty smart you thought -yourself, deluding us with your lying tales." - -"Who deluded you? Didn't you see the gold with your own two eyes?" - -But it was no use talking. Pay for it he must and should. There was a -meal-sack handy, and into it Hudden and Dudden popped Donald O'Neary, -tied him up tight, ran a pole through the knot, and off they started -for the Brown Lake of the Bog, each with a pole-end on his shoulder, -and Donald O'Neary between. - -But the Brown Lake was far, the road was dusty, Hudden and Dudden -were sore and weary, and parched with thirst. There was an inn by the -roadside. - -"Let's go in," said Hudden; "I'm dead beat. It's heavy he is for the -little he had to eat." - -If Hudden was willing, so was Dudden. As for Donald, you may be sure -his leave wasn't asked, but he was dumped down at the inn door for all -the world as if he had been a sack of potatoes. - -"Sit still, you vagabond," said Dudden; "if we don't mind waiting, you -needn't." - -Donald held his peace, but after a while he heard the glasses clink, -and Hudden singing away at the top of his voice. - -"I won't have her, I tell you; I won't have her!" said Donald. But -nobody heeded what he said. - -"I won't have her, I tell you; I won't have her!" said Donald; and -this time he said it louder; but nobody heeded what he said. - -"I won't have her, I tell you; I won't have her!" said Donald; and -this time he said it as loud as he could. - -"And who won't you have, may I be so bold as to ask?" said a farmer, -who had just come up with a drove of cattle, and was turning in for a -glass. - -"It's the King's daughter. They are bothering the life out of me to -marry her." - -"You're the lucky fellow. I'd give something to be in your shoes." - -"Do you see that, now! Wouldn't it be a fine thing for a farmer to be -marrying a Princess, all dressed in gold and jewels?" - -"Jewels, you say? Ah, now, couldn't you take me with you?" - -"Well, you're an honest fellow, and as I don't care for the King's -daughter, though she's as beautiful as the day, and is covered with -jewels from top to toe, you shall have her. Just undo the cord and let -me out; they tied me up tight, as they knew I'd run away from her." - -Out crawled Donald; in crept the farmer. - -"Now lie still, and don't mind the shaking; it's only rumbling -over the palace steps you'll be. And maybe they'll abuse you for a -vagabond, who won't have the King's daughter; but you needn't mind -that. Ah, it's a deal I'm giving up for you, sure as it is that I -don't care for the Princess." - -"Take my cattle in exchange," said the farmer; and you may guess it -wasn't long before Donald was at their tails, driving them homeward. - -Out came Hudden and Dudden, and the one took one end of the pole, and -the other the other. - -"I'm thinking he's heavier," said Hudden. - -"Ah, never mind," said Dudden; "it's only a step now to the Brown -Lake." - -"I'll have her now! I'll have her now!" bawled the farmer from inside -the sack. - -"By my faith and you shall, though," said Hudden, and he laid his -stick across the sack. - -"I'll have her! I'll have her!" bawled the farmer, louder than ever. - -"Well, here you are," said Dudden, for they were now come to the Brown -Lake, and, unslinging the sack, they pitched it plump into the lake. - -"You'll not be playing your tricks on us any longer," said Hudden. - -"True for you," said Dudden. "Ah, Donald, my boy, it was an ill day -when you borrowed my scales!" - -Off they went, with a light step and an easy heart, but when they were -near home, whom should they see but Donald O'Neary, and all around him -the cows were grazing, and the calves were kicking up their heels and -butting their heads together. - -"Is it you, Donald?" said Dudden. "Faith, you've been quicker than we -have." - -"True for you, Dudden, and let me thank you kindly; the turn was good, -if the will was ill. You'll have heard, like me, that the Brown Lake -leads to the Land of Promise. I always put it down as lies, but it is -just as true as my word. Look at the cattle." - -Hudden stared, and Dudden gaped; but they couldn't get over the -cattle; fine, fat cattle they were, too. - -"It's only the worst I could bring up with me," said Donald O'Neary; -"the others were so fat, there was no driving them. Faith, too, it's -little wonder they didn't care to leave, with grass as far as you -could see, and as sweet and juicy as fresh butter." - -"Ah now, Donald, we haven't always been friends," said Dudden, "but, -as I was just saying, you were ever a decent lad, and you'll show us -the way, won't you?" - -"I don't see that I'm called upon to do that; there is a power more -cattle down there. Why shouldn't I have them all to myself?" - -"Faith, they may well say, the richer you get, the harder the heart. -You always were a neighborly lad, Donald. You wouldn't wish to keep -the luck all to yourself?" - -"True for you, Hudden, though it's a bad example you set me. But I'll -not be thinking of old times. There is plenty for all there, so come -along with me." - -Off they trudged, with a light heart and an eager step. When they came -to the Brown Lake the sky was full of little white clouds, and, if the -sky was full, the lake was as full. - -"Ah, now, look! there they are!" cried Donald as he pointed to the -clouds in the lake. - -"Where? where?" cried Hudden, and "Don't be greedy!" cried Dudden, as -he jumped his hardest to be up first with the fat cattle. But if he -jumped first, Hudden wasn't long behind. - -They never came back. Maybe they got too fat, like the cattle. As for -Donald O'Neary, he had cattle and sheep all his days to his heart's -content. - - * * * * * - - - - -CONNLA OF THE GOLDEN HAIR AND THE FAIRY MAIDEN - -ADAPTED BY PATRICK WESTON JOYCE - - -Connla of the Golden Hair was the son of Conn the Hundred-fighter. One -day as he stood with his father on the royal Hill of Usna, he saw a -lady a little way off, very beautiful, and dressed in strange attire. -She approached the spot where he stood; and when she was near, he -spoke to her, and asked who she was, and from what place she had come. - -The lady replied: "I have come from the Land of the Living--a land -where there is neither death nor old age, nor any breach of law. -The inhabitants of earth call us Aes-shee, for we have our dwellings -within large, pleasant, green hills. We pass our time very pleasantly -in feasting and harmless amusements, never growing old; and we have no -quarrels or contentions." - -The King and his company marveled very much; for though they heard -this conversation, no one saw the lady except Connla alone. - -"Who is this thou art talking to, my son?" said the King. - -And anon she answered for the youth: "Connla is speaking with a -lovely, noble-born young lady, who will never die, and who will never -grow old. I love Connla of the Golden Hair, and I have come to bring -him with me to Moy-mell, the plain of never-ending pleasure. On the -day that he comes with me he shall be made King, and he shall reign -for ever in Fairyland, without weeping and without sorrow. Come with -me, O gentle Connla of the ruddy cheek, the fair, freckled neck, and -the golden hair! Come with me, beloved Connla, and thou shalt retain -the comeliness and dignity of thy form, free from the wrinkles of old -age, till the awful day of judgment." - - "Thy flowing golden hair, thy comely face, - Thy all majestic form of peerless grace, - That show thee sprung from Conn's exalted race." - -King Conn the Hundred-fighter being much troubled, called then on -his druid Coran, to put forth his power against the witchery of the -banshee: "O Coran of the mystic arts and of the mighty incantations, -here is a contest such as I have never been engaged in since I was -made King at Tara--a contest with an invisible lady, who is beguiling -my son to Fairyland by her baleful charms. Her cunning is beyond my -skill, and I am not able to withstand her power; and if thou, Coran, -help not, my son will be taken away from me by the wiles and witchery -of a woman from the fairy hills." - -Coran the druid then came forward, and began to chant against the -voice of the lady. And his power was greater than hers for that time, -so that she was forced to retire. - -As she was going away she threw an apple to Connla, who straightway -lost sight of her; and the King and his people no longer heard her -voice. - -The King and the Prince returned with their company to the palace; and -Connla remained for a whole month without tasting food or drink except -the apple. And though he ate of it each day, it was never lessened, -but was as whole and perfect in the end as at the beginning. Moreover, -when they offered him aught else to eat or drink he refused it; for -while he had his apple he did not deem any other food worthy to be -tasted. And he began to be very moody and sorrowful, thinking of the -lovely fairy maiden. - -At the end of the month, as Connla stood by his father's side among -the nobles, on the Plain of Arcomin, he saw the lady approaching him -from the west. And when she had come near, she addressed him in -this manner: "A glorious seat, indeed, has Connla among wretched, -short-lived mortals, awaiting the dreadful stroke of death! But now, -the ever-youthful people of Moy-mell, who never feel age, and who fear -not death, seeing thee day by day among thy friends, in the assemblies -of thy fatherland, love thee with a strange love, and they will make -thee King over them if thou wilt come with me." - -When the King heard the words of the lady, he commanded his people to -call the druid again to him, saying, "Bring my druid Coran to me; -for I see that the fairy lady has this day regained the power of her -voice." - -At this the lady said: "Valiant Conn, fighter of a hundred, the faith -of the druids has come to little honor among the upright, mighty, -numberless people of this land. When the righteous law shall be -restored, it will seal up the lips of the false black demon; and his -druids shall no longer have power to work their guileful spells." - -Now the King observed, and marveled greatly, that whenever the lady -was present his son never spoke one word to any one, even though they -addressed him many times. And when the lady had ceased to speak, the -King said: "Connla, my son, has thy mind been moved by the words of -the lady?" - -Connla spake then, and replied, "Father, I am very unhappy; for though -I love my people beyond all, I am filled with sadness on account of -this lady!" - -When Connla had said this, the maiden again addressed him, and chanted -these words in a very sweet voice: - - "A land of youth, a land of rest, - A land from sorrow free; - It lies far off in the golden west, - On the verge of the azure sea. - A swift canoe of crystal bright, - That never met mortal view-- - We shall reach the land ere fall of night, - In that strong and swift canoe; - We shall reach the strand - Of that sunny land, - From druids and demons free; - The land of rest - In the golden west, - On the verge of the azure sea! - - "A pleasant land of winding vales, bright streams, and verdurous plains, - Where summer all the live-long year in changeless splendor reigns; - A peaceful land of calm delight, of everlasting bloom; - Old age and death we never know, no sickness, care, or gloom; - - The land of youth, - Of love and truth, - From pain and sorrow free, - The land of rest, - In the golden west, - On the verge of the azure sea! - - "There are strange delights for mortal men in that island of the west; - The sun comes down each evening in its lovely vales to rest; - - And though far and dim - On the ocean's rim - It seems to mortal view, - We shall reach its halls - Ere the evening falls, - In my strong and swift canoe; - And evermore - That verdant shore - Our happy home shall be; - The land of rest, - In the golden west, - On the verge of the azure sea! - - "It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden hair, - It will guard thee from the druids, from the demons of the air, - My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that western shore, - When thou and I in joy and love shall live for evermore: - - From the druid's incantation, - From his black and deadly snare, - From the withering imprecation - Of the demon of the air, - - "It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden hair; - My crystal boat shall guard thee, till we reach that silver strand - Where thou shalt reign in endless joy, the King of the Fairyland!" - -When the maiden had ended her chant, Connla suddenly walked away -from his father's side, and sprang into the curragh, the gleaming, -straight-gliding, strong, crystal canoe. The King and his people saw -them afar off, and dimly moving away over the bright sea towards the -sunset. They gazed sadly after them, till they lost sight of the canoe -over the utmost verge; and no one can tell whither they went, for -Connla was never again seen in his native land. - - * * * * * - - - - -ITALIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - -PINOCCHIO'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND[1] - -BY CARLO LORENZINI - - - - -I - -MASTER CHERRY FINDS A QUEER PIECE OF WOOD - -THERE was once upon a time ... - -"A king!" my little readers will instantly exclaim. - -No, children, you are wrong. There was once upon a time a piece of -wood. - -This wood was not valuable; it was only a common log like those that -are burnt in winter in the stoves and fireplaces to make a cheerful -blaze and warm the rooms. - -I cannot say how it came about, but the fact is, that one fine day -this piece of wood was lying in the shop of an old carpenter of the -name of Master Antonio. He was, however, called by everybody Master -Cherry, on account of the end of his nose, which was always as red and -polished as a ripe cherry. - -No sooner had Master Cherry set his eyes on the piece of wood than -his face beamed with delight; and, rubbing his hands together with -satisfaction, he said softly to himself: - -"This wood has come at the right moment; it will just do to make the -leg of a little table." - -Having said this he immediately took a sharp axe with which to remove -the bark and the rough surface. Just, however, as he was going to give -the first stroke he remained with his arm suspended in the air, for -he heard a very small voice saying imploringly: "Do not strike me so -hard!" - -Picture to yourselves the astonishment of good old Master Cherry! - -He turned his terrified eyes all around the room to try and discover -where the little voice could possibly have come from, but he saw -nobody! He looked under the bench--nobody; he looked into a cupboard -that was always shut--nobody; he looked into a basket of shavings and -sawdust--nobody; he even opened the door of the shop and gave a glance -into the street--and still nobody. Who, then, could it be? - -"I see how it is;" he said, laughing and scratching his wig; -"evidently that little voice was all my imagination. Let us set to -work again." - -And taking up the axe he struck a tremendous blow on the piece of -wood. - -"Oh! oh! you have hurt me!" cried the same little voice dolefully. - -This time Master Cherry was petrified. His eyes started out of his -head with fright, his mouth remained open, and his tongue hung out -almost to the end of his chin like a mask on a fountain. As soon as he -had recovered the use of his speech, he began to say, stuttering and -trembling with fear: - -"But where on earth can that little voice have come from that said -'Oh! oh!?'... Here there is certainly not a living soul. Is it -possible that this piece of wood can have learnt to cry and to lament -like a child? I cannot believe it. This piece of wood here it is; a -log for fuel like all others, and thrown on the fire it would about -suffice to boil a saucepan of beans.... How then? Can anyone be hidden -inside it? If anyone is hidden inside, so much the worse for him. I -will settle him at once." - -So saying he seized the poor piece of wood and commenced beating it -without mercy against the walls of the room. - -Then he stopped to listen if he could hear any little voice -lamenting. He waited two minutes--nothing; five minutes-nothing; ten -minutes--still nothing! - -"I see how it is," he then said, forcing himself to laugh and pushing -up his wig; "evidently, the little voice that said 'Oh! oh!' was all -my imagination! Let us to work again." - -But all the same he was in a great fright; he tried to sing to give -himself a little courage. - -Putting the axe aside he took his plane to plane and polish the bit -of wood; but whilst he was running it up and down he heard the same -little voice say, laughing: - -"Have done! you are tickling me all over!" - -This time poor Master Cherry fell down as if he had been struck by -lightning. When he at last opened his eyes he found himself seated on -the floor. - -His face was quite changed; even the end of his nose, instead of being -crimson, as it was nearly always, had become blue from fright. - - -II - -GEPPETTO PLANS A WONDERFUL PUPPET - - -At that moment some one knocked at the door. - -"Come in," said the carpenter, without having the strength to rise to -his feet. - -A lively little old man immediately walked into the shop. His name was -Geppetto, but when the boys in the neighborhood wished to put him in -a passion they called him by the nickname of Polendina, because his -yellow wig greatly resembled a pudding made of Indian corn. - -Geppetto was very fiery. Woe to him who called him Polendina! He -became furious, and there was no holding him. - -"Good day, Master Antonio," said Geppetto; "what are you doing there -on the floor?" - -"I am teaching the alphabet to the ants." - -"Much good may that do you." - -"What has brought you to me, neighbor Geppetto?" - -"My legs. But to say the truth, Master Antonio, I am come to ask a -favor of you." - -"Here I am ready to serve you," replied the carpenter getting on his -knees. - -"This morning an idea came into my head." - -"Let us hear it." - -"I thought I would make a beautiful wooden puppet that should know how -to dance, to fence, and to leap like an acrobat. With this puppet I -would travel about the world to earn a piece of bread and a glass of -wine. What do you think of it?" - -"Bravo, Polendina!" exclaimed the same little voice, and it was -impossible to say where it came from. - -Hearing himself called Polendina, Geppetto became as red as a -turkey-cock from rage, and turning to the carpenter he said in a fury: - -"Why do you insult me?" - -"Who insults you?" - -"You called me Polendina!" - -"It was not I!" - -"Would you have it then, that it was I? It was you, I say!" - -"No!" - -"Yes!" - -"No!" - -"Yes!" - -And becoming more and more angry, from words they came to blows, and -flying at each other they bit, and fought, and scratched manfully. - -When the fight was over Master Antonio was in possession of Geppetto's -yellow wig, and Geppetto discovered that the gray wig belonging to the -carpenter had remained between his teeth. - -"Give me back my wig," screamed Master Antonio. - -"And you return me mine, and let us make friends." - -The two old men having each recovered his own wig shook hands, and -swore that they would remain friends to the end of their lives. - -"Well then, neighbor Geppetto," said the carpenter, to prove that -peace was made, "what is the favor that you wish of me?" - -"I want a little wood to make my puppet; will you give me some?" - -Master Antonio was delighted, and he immediately went to the bench and -fetched the piece of wood that had caused him so much fear. Just as he -was going to give it to his friend the piece of wood gave a shake and -wriggling violently out of his hands struck with all its force against -the dried-up shins of poor Geppetto. - -"Ah! is that the courteous way in which you make your presents, Master -Antonio? You have almost lamed me!" - -"I swear to you that it was not I!" - -"Then you would have it that it was I?" - -"The wood is entirely to blame!" - -"I know that it was the wood, but it was you that hit my legs with -it!" - -"I did not hit you with it!" - -"Liar!" - -"Geppetto, don't insult me or I will call you Polendina!" - -"Ass!" - -"Polendina!" - -"Donkey!" - -"Polendina!" - -"Baboon!" - -"Polendina!" - -On hearing himself called Polendina for the third time Geppetto, blind -with rage, fell upon the carpenter and they fought desperately. - -When the battle was over, Master Antonio had two more scratches on his -nose, and his adversary had two buttons less on his waistcoat. Their -accounts being thus squared they shook hands, and swore to remain good -friends for the rest of their lives. - -Geppetto carried off his fine piece of wood, and thanking Master -Antonio returned limping to his house. - - -III - -THE PUPPET IS NAMED PINOCCHIO - - -Geppetto lived in a small ground-floor room that was only lighted from -the staircase. The furniture could not have been simpler--a bad chair, -a poor bed, and a broken-down table. At the end of the room there was -a fireplace with a lighted fire; but the fire was painted, and by the -fire was painted a saucepan that was boiling cheerfully, and sending -out a cloud of smoke that looked exactly like real smoke. - -As soon as he reached home Geppetto took his tools and set to work to -cut out and model his puppet. - -"What name shall I give him?" he said to himself; "I think I will call -him Pinocchio. It is a name that will bring him luck. I once knew a -whole family so called. There was Pinocchio the father, Pinocchia -the mother, and Pinocchi the children, and all of them did well. The -richest of them was a beggar." - -Having found a name for his puppet he began to work in good earnest, -and he first made his hair, then his forehead and then his eyes. - -The eyes being finished, imagine his astonishment when he perceived -that they moved and looked fixedly at him. - -Geppetto seeing himself stared at by those two wooden eyes, took it -almost in bad part, and said in an angry voice: - -"Wicked wooden eyes, why do you look at me?" - -No one answered. - -Then he proceeded to carve the nose; but no sooner had he made it -than it began to grow. And it grew, and grew, and grew until in a few -minutes it had become an immense nose that seemed as if it would never -end. - -Poor Geppetto tired himself out with cutting it off. But the more he -cut and shortened it, the longer did that impertinent nose become! - -The mouth was not even completed when it began to laugh and deride -him. - -"Stop laughing!" said Geppetto provoked; but he might as well have -spoken to the wall. - -"Stop laughing, I say!" he roared in a threatening tone. - -The mouth then ceased laughing, but put out its tongue as far as it -would go. - -Geppetto, not to spoil his handiwork, pretended not to see, and -continued his labors. After the mouth he fashioned the chin, then the -throat, and then the shoulders, the stomach, the arms and the hands. - -The hands were scarcely finished when Geppetto felt his wig snatched -from his head. He turned round, and what did he see? He saw his yellow -wig in the puppet's hand. - -"Pinocchio!... Give me back my wig instantly!" - -But Pinocchio instead of returning it, put it on his own head, and was -in consequence nearly smothered. - -Geppetto at this insolent and derisive behavior felt sadder and more -melancholy than he had ever been in his life before; and turning to -Pinocchio he said to him: - -"You young rascal! You are not yet completed, and you are already -beginning to show want of respect to your father! That is bad, my boy, -very bad." - -And he dried a tear. - -The legs and feet remained to be done. - -When Geppetto had finished the feet he received a kick on the point of -the nose. - -"I deserve it!" he said to himself; "I should have thought of it -sooner! Now it is too late!" - -He then took the puppet under the arms and placed him on the floor to -teach him to walk. - -Pinocchio's legs were stiff and he could not move, but Geppetto led -him by the hand and showed him how to put one foot before the other. - -When his legs became flexible Pinocchio began to walk by himself and -to run about the room; until, having gone out of the house door, he -jumped into the street and escaped. - -Poor Geppetto rushed after him but was not able to overtake him, for -that rascal Pinocchio leapt in front of him like a hare, and knocking -his wooden feet together against the pavement made as much clatter as -twenty pairs of peasant's clogs. - -"Stop him! stop him!" shouted Geppetto; but the people in the street, -seeing a wooden puppet running like a racehorse stood still in -astonishment to look at it, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed, -until it beats description.... - - -IV - -THE FIRE-EATER FRIGHTENS PINOCCHIO - - -When Pinocchio came into the little puppet theater, an incident -occurred that almost produced a revolution. - -I must tell you that the curtain was drawn up, and the play had -already begun. - -On the stage Harlequin and Punchinello were as usual quarreling with -each other, and threatening every moment to come to blows. - -The audience, all attention, laughed till they were ill as they -listened to the bickerings of these two puppets, who gesticulated -and abused each other so naturally that they might have been two -reasonable beings, and two persons of the world. - -All at once Harlequin stopped short, and turning to the public he -pointed with his hand to some one far down in the pit, and exclaimed -in a dramatic tone: - -"Gods of the firmament! do I dream, or am I awake? But surely that is -Pinocchio!" - -"It is indeed Pinocchio!" cried Punchinello. - -"It is indeed himself!" screamed Miss Rose, peeping from behind the -scenes. - -"It is Pinocchio! it is Pinocchio!" shouted all the puppets in chorus, -leaping from all sides on to the stage. "It is Pinocchio! It is our -brother Pinocchio! Long live Pinocchio!" - -"Pinocchio, come up here to me," cried Harlequin, "and throw yourself -into the arms of your wooden brothers!" - -At this affectionate invitation Pinocchio made a leap from the end of -the pit into the reserved seats; another leap landed him on the head -of the leader of the orchestra, and then he sprang upon the stage. - -The embraces, the hugs, the friendly pinches, and the demonstrations -of warm brotherly affection that Pinocchio received from the excited -crowd of actors and actresses of the puppet dramatic company beat -description. - -The sight was doubtless a moving one, but the public in the pit, -finding that the play was stopped, became impatient, and began to -shout "We will have the play--go on with the play!" - -It was all breath thrown away. The puppets, instead of continuing the -recital, redoubled their noise and outcries, and putting Pinocchio on -their shoulders they carried him in triumph before the footlights. - -At that moment out came the showman. He was very big and so ugly that -the sight of him was enough to frighten anyone. His beard was as black -as ink, and so long that it reached from his chin to the ground. I -need only say that he trod upon it when he walked. His mouth was as -big as an oven, and his eyes were like two lanterns of red glass with -lights burning inside of them. He carried a whip made of snakes and -foxes' tails twisted together, which he cracked constantly. - -At his unexpected appearance there was a profound silence: no one -dared to breathe. A fly might have been heard in the stillness. The -poor puppets of both sexes trembled like so many leaves. - -"Why have you come to raise a disturbance in my theater?" asked the -showman of Pinocchio in the gruff voice of a hob-goblin suffering from -a severe cold in the head. - -"Believe me, honored sir, that it was not my fault!" - -"That is enough! To-night we will settle our accounts." - -As soon as the play was over the showman went into the kitchen where -a fine sheep, preparing for his supper, was turning slowly on the spit -in front of the fire. As there was not enough wood to finish roasting -and browning it, he called Harlequin and Punchinello, and said to -them: - -"Bring that puppet here; you will find him hanging on a nail. It seems -to me that he is made of very dry wood, and I am sure that if he was -thrown on the fire he would make a beautiful blaze for the roast." - -At first Harlequin and Punchinello hesitated; but, appalled by a -severe glance from their master, they obeyed. In a short time they -returned to the kitchen carrying poor Pinocchio, who was wriggling -like an eel taken out of water, and screaming desperately, "Papa! -papa! save me! I will not die, I will not die!" - - -V. - -FIRE-EATER SNEEZES AND PARDONS PINOCCHIO - - -The showman Fire-eater--for that was his name--looked, I must say, a -terrible man, especially with his black beard that covered his chest -and legs like an apron. On the whole, however, he had not a bad heart. -In proof of this, when he saw Pinocchio brought before him, struggling -and screaming "I will not die, I will not die!" he was quite moved and -felt sorry for him. He tried to hold out, but after a little he could -stand it no longer and he sneezed violently. When he heard the sneeze, -Harlequin, who up to that moment had been in the deepest affliction, -and bowed down like a weeping willow, became quite cheerful, and -leaning towards Pinocchio he whispered to him softly: - -"Good news, brother. The showman has sneezed, and that is a sign that -he pities you, and consequently you are saved." - -For you must know that whilst most men when they feel compassion -for somebody either weep, or at least pretend to dry their eyes, -Fire-eater, on the contrary, had the habit of sneezing. - -After he had sneezed, the showman, still acting the ruffian, shouted -to Pinocchio: - -"Have done crying! Your lamentations have given me a pain in my -stomach ... I feel a spasm, that almost.... Etci! etci!" and he -sneezed again twice. - -"Bless you!" said Pinocchio. - -"Thank you! And your papa and your mamma, are they still alive?" asked -Fire-eater. - -"Papa, yes: my mamma I have never known." - -"Who can say what a sorrow it would be to your poor old father if I -was to have you thrown amongst those burning coals! Poor old man! I -compassionate him!... Etci! etci! etci!" and he sneezed three times. - -"Bless you!" said Pinocchio. - -"Thank you! All the same, some compassion is due to me, for you see I -have no more wood with which to finish roasting my mutton, and to tell -you the truth, under the circumstances you would have been of great -use to me! However, I have had pity on you, so I must have patience. -Instead of you I will burn under the spit one of the puppets belonging -to my company. Ho there, gendarmes!" - -At this call two wooden gendarmes immediately appeared. They were very -long and very thin and had on cocked hats, and held unsheathed swords -in their hands. - -The showman said to them in a hoarse voice: - -"Take Harlequin, bind him securely, and then throw him on the fire to -burn. I am determined that my mutton shall be well roasted." - -Only imagine that poor Harlequin! His terror was so great that his -legs bent under him, and he fell with his face on the ground. - -At this agonizing sight Pinocchio, weeping bitterly, threw himself at -the showman's feet, and bathing his long beard with his tears he began -to say in a supplicating voice: - -"Have pity, Sir Fire-eater!" - -"Here there are no sirs," the showman answered severely. - -"Have pity, Sir Knight!" - -"Here there are no knights!" - -"Have pity, Commander!" - -"Here there are no commanders!" - -"Have pity, Excellence!" - -Upon hearing himself called Excellence the showman began to smile, -and became at once kinder and more tractable. Turning to Pinocchio he -asked: - -"Well, what do you want from me?" - -"I implore you to pardon poor Harlequin." - -"For him there can be no pardon. As I have spared you he must be -put on the fire, for I am determined that my mutton shall be well -roasted." - -"In that case," cried Pinocchio proudly, rising and throwing away his -cap of bread crumb "in that case I know my duty. Come on, gendarmes! -Bind me and throw me amongst the flames. No, it is not just that poor -Harlequin, my true friend, should die for me!" - -These words, pronounced in a loud heroic voice, made all the puppets -who were present cry. Even the gendarmes, although they were made of -wood, wept like two newly-born lambs. - -Fire-eater at first remained as hard and unmoved as ice, but little by -little he began to melt and to sneeze. And having sneezed four or five -times, he opened his arms affectionately, and said to Pinocchio: - -"You are a good brave boy! Come here and give me a kiss." - -Pinocchio ran at once, and climbing like a squirrel up the showman's -beard he deposited a hearty kiss on the point of his nose. - -"Then the pardon is granted?" asked poor Harlequin in a faint voice -that was scarcely audible. - -"The pardon is granted!" answered Fire-eater. He then added, sighing -and shaking his head: - -"I must have patience! To-night I shall have to resign myself to eat -the mutton half raw; but another time, woe to him who chances!" - -At the news of the pardon all the puppets ran to the stage, and having -lighted the lamps and chandeliers as if for a full-dress performance, -they began to leap and to dance merrily. At dawn they were still -dancing. - - -VI - -THE SHOWMAN BECOMES GENEROUS - - -The following day Fire-eater called Pinocchio to one side and asked -him: - -"What is your father's name?" - -"Geppetto." - -"And what trade does he follow?" - -"He is a beggar." - -"Does he gain much?" - -"Gain much? Why, he has never a penny in his pocket. Only think, to -buy a spelling-book for me to go to school, he was obliged to sell the -only coat he had to wear--a coat that between patches and darns was -not fit to be seen." - -"Poor devil! I feel almost sorry for him! Here are five gold pieces. -Go at once and take them to him with my compliments." - -You can easily understand that Pinocchio thanked the showman a -thousand times. He embraced all the puppets of the company one by -one, even to the gendarmes, and beside himself with delight set out to -return home. - -But he had not gone far when he met on the road a Fox lame in one -foot, and a Cat blind in both eyes, who were going along helping each -other like good companions in misfortune. The Fox who was lame walked -leaning on the Cat, and the Cat who was blind was guided by the Fox. - -"Good day, Pinocchio," said the Fox, accosting him politely. - -"How do you come to know my name?" asked the puppet. - -"I know your father well." - -"Where did you see him?" - -"I saw him yesterday at the door of his house." - -"And what was he doing?" - -"He was in his shirt sleeves and shivering with cold." - -"Poor papa! But that is over; for the future he shall shiver no more." - -"Why?" - -"Because I am become a gentleman." - -"A gentleman--you!" said the Fox, and he began to laugh rudely and -scornfully. The Cat also began to laugh, but to conceal it she combed -her whiskers with her forepaws. - -"There is little to laugh at," cried Pinocchio angrily. "I am really -sorry to make your mouths water, but if you know anything about it, -you can see that here are five gold pieces." - -And he pulled out the money that Fire-eater had made him a present of. - -At the sympathetic ring of the money the Fox with an involuntary -movement stretched out the paw that had seemed crippled, and the cat -opened wide two eyes that looked like two green lanterns. It is true -that she shut them again, and so quickly that Pinocchio observed -nothing. - -"And now," asked the Fox, "what are you going to do with all that -money?" - -"First of all," answered the Puppet, "I intend to buy a new coat for -my papa, made of gold and silver, and with diamond buttons, and then I -will buy a spelling-book for myself." - -"For yourself?" - -"Yes, indeed, for I wish to go to school to study in earnest." - -"Look at me!" said the Fox. "Through my foolish passion for study I -have lost a leg." - -"Look at me!" said the Cat. "Through my foolish passion for study I -have lost the sight of both my eyes." - -At that moment a white Blackbird, that was perched on the hedge by the -road, began his usual song, and said: - -"Pinocchio, don't listen to the advice of bad companions; if you do -you will repent it!" - -Poor Blackbird! If only he had not spoken! The Cat with a great leap -sprang upon him and without even giving him time to say "Oh!" ate him -in a mouthful, feathers and all. - -Having eaten him and cleaned her mouth she shut her eyes again and -feigned blindness as before. - -"Poor Blackbird!" said Pinocchio to the Cat. "Why did you treat him so -badly?" - -"I did it to give him a lesson. He will learn another time not to -meddle in other people's conversation." - -They had gone almost half-way when the Fox, halting suddenly, said to -the puppet: - -"Would you like to double your money?" - -"In what way?" - -"Would you like to make out of your five miserable gold pieces, a -hundred, a thousand, two thousand?" - -"I should think so! But in what way?" - -"The way is easy enough. Instead of returning home you must go with -us." - -"And where do you wish to take me?" - -"To the Land of the Owls." - -Pinocchio reflected a moment, and then he said resolutely: - -"No, I will not go. I am already close to the house, and I will return -home to my papa who is waiting for me. Who can tell how often the poor -old man must have sighed yesterday when I did not come back! I have -been a bad son, indeed, and the Talking-cricket was right when he said -'Disobedient boys never come to any good in the world.' I have -found it to my cost, for many misfortunes have happened to me. Even -yesterday in Fire-eater's house I ran the risk.... Oh! it makes me -shudder only to think of it." - -"Well, then," said the Fox, "you are quite decided to go home? Go, -then, and so much the worse for you." - -"So much the worse for you!" repeated the Cat. - -"Think well of it, Pinocchio, for you are giving a kick to fortune." - -"To fortune!" repeated the Cat. - -"Between to-day and to-morrow your five gold pieces would have become -two thousand." - -"Two thousand!" repeated the Cat. - -"But how is it possible that they could have become so many?" asked -Pinocchio, remaining with his mouth open from astonishment. - -"I will explain it to you at once," said the Fox. "You must know that -in the Land of the Owls there is a sacred field called by everybody -the Field of Miracles. In this field you must dig a little hole, and -you put into it, we will say one gold piece. Then you cover up the -hole with a little earth; you water it with two pails of water from -the fountain, then sprinkle it with two pinches of salt, and when -night comes you can go quietly to bed. In the meanwhile, during the -night, the gold piece will grow and flower, and in the morning when -you return to the field, what do you find? You find a beautiful tree -laden with as many gold pieces as an ear of corn has grains in the -month of June." - -"So that," said Pinocchio, more and more bewildered, "supposing I -buried my five gold pieces in that field, how many should I find there -the following morning?" - -"That is exceedingly easy calculation," replied the Fox, "a -calculation that you can make on the ends of your fingers. Suppose -that every gold piece gives you an increase of five hundred; multiply -five hundred by five, and the following morning will find you with two -thousand five hundred shining gold pieces in your pocket." - -"Oh! how delightful!" cried Pinocchio, dancing for joy, "As soon as -ever I have obtained those gold pieces, I will keep two thousand for -myself, and the other five hundred I will make a present of to you -two." - -"A present to us?" cried the Fox with indignation, and appearing much -offended. "What are you dreaming of?" - -"What are you dreaming of?" repeated the Cat. - -"We do not work," said the Fox, "for dirty interest, we work solely to -enrich others." - -"Others!" repeated the Cat. - -"What good people!" thought Pinocchio to himself; and forgetting there -and then his papa, the new coat, the spelling-book, and all his good -resolutions, he said to the Fox and the Cat: - -"Let us be off at once. I will go with you." - - -VII - -THE INN OF THE RED-CRAWFISH - - -They walked, and walked, and walked, until at last, towards evening, -they arrived dead tired at the Inn of The Red-Crawfish. - -"Let us stop here, a little," said the Fox, "that we may have -something to eat and rest ourselves for an hour or two. We will start -again at midnight, so as to arrive at the Field of Miracles by dawn -to-morrow morning." - -Having gone into the inn they all three sat down to table, but none of -them had any appetite. - -The Cat, who was suffering from indigestion and feeling seriously -indisposed, could only eat thirty-five mullet with tomato sauce, and -four portions of tripe with Parmesan cheese; and because she thought -the tripe was not seasoned enough, she asked three times for the -butter and grated cheese! - -The Fox would also willingly have picked a little, but as his doctor -had ordered him a strict diet, he was forced to content himself simply -with a hare dressed with a sweet and sour sauce, and garnished lightly -with fat chickens and early pullets. After the hare he sent for a made -dish of partridges, rabbits, frogs, lizards, and other delicacies; -he could not touch anything else. He had such a disgust for food, he -said, that he could put nothing to his lips. - -The one who ate the least was Pinocchio. He asked for some walnuts -and a hunch of bread, and left everything on his plate. The poor boy, -whose thoughts were continually fixed on the Field of Miracles, had -got in anticipation an indigestion of gold pieces. - -When they had supped the Fox said to the host: - -"Give us two good rooms, one for Mr. Pinocchio, and the other for -me and my companion. We will snatch a little sleep before we leave. -Remember, however, that at midnight we wish to be called to continue -our journey." - -"Yes, gentlemen," answered the host, and he winked at the Fox and the -Cat as much as to say: "I know what you are up to. We understand one -another!" - -No sooner had Pinocchio got into bed than he fell asleep at once and -began to dream. And he dreamt that he was in the middle of a field, -and the field was filled with shrubs covered with clusters of gold -pieces, and as they swung in the wind they went zin, zin, zin, almost -as if they would say: "Let who will come and take us." But when -Pinocchio was at the most interesting moment, that is, just as he -was stretching out his hand to pick handfuls of those beautiful gold -pieces and put them in his pockets, he was suddenly wakened by three -violent blows on the door of his room. - -It was the host who had come to tell him that midnight had struck. - -"Are my companions ready?" asked the puppet. - -"Ready! Why, they left two hours ago." - -"Why were they in such a hurry?" - -"Because the Cat had received a message to say that her eldest kitten -was ill with chilblains on his feet, and was in danger of death." - -"Did they pay for supper?" - -"What are you thinking of? They are too highly educated to dream of -offering such an insult to a gentleman like you." - -"What a pity! It is an insult that would have given me so much -pleasure!" said Pinocchio, scratching his head. He then asked: - -"And where did my good friends say they would wait for me?" - -"At the Field of Miracles, to-morrow morning at daybreak." - -Pinocchio paid a gold piece for his supper and that of his companions -and then he left. - -Outside the inn it was so pitch dark that he had almost to grope his -way, for it was impossible to see a hand's breadth in front of him. -In the adjacent country not a leaf moved. Only some night-birds flying -across the road from one hedge to the other brushed Pinocchio's nose -with their wings as they passed, which caused him so much terror that -springing back, he shouted: "Who goes there?" and the echo in the -surrounding hills repeated in the distance: "Who goes there? Who goes -there? Who goes there?"... - - -VIII - -THE PUPPET FALLS AMONG ASSASSINS - - -He turned to look, and saw in the gloom two evil-looking black figures -completely enveloped in charcoal sacks. They were running after him on -tiptoe, and making great leaps like two phantoms. - -"Here they are in reality!" he said to himself, and not knowing where -to hide his gold pieces he put them in his mouth precisely under his -tongue. - -Then he tried to escape. But he had not gone a step when he felt -himself seized by the arm, and heard two sepulchral voices saying to -him: - -"Your money or your life!" - -Pinocchio, not being able to answer in words, owing to the money in -his mouth, made a thousand low bows and a thousand pantomimes. He -tried thus to make the two muffled figures, whose eyes were only -visible through the holes in their sacks, understand that he was -a poor puppet, and that he had not as much as a false penny in his -pocket. - -"Come now! Less nonsense and out with the money!" cried the two -brigands threateningly. - -And the puppet made a gesture with his hands to signify "I have got -none." - -"Deliver up your money or you are dead," said the tallest of the -brigands. - -"Dead!" repeated the other. - -"And after we have killed you, we will also kill your father!" - -"Also your father!" - -"No, no, no, not my poor papa!" cried Pinocchio in a despairing tone; -and as he said it, the gold pieces clinked in his mouth. - -"Ah! You rascal! Then you have hidden your money under your tongue! -Spit it out at once!" - -But Pinocchio was obdurate. - -And one of them seized the puppet by the end of his nose, and the -other took him by the chin, and began to pull them brutally, the one -up, and the other down, to constrain him to open his mouth, but it was -all to no purpose. Pinocchio's mouth seemed to be nailed and riveted -together. - -Then the shortest assassin drew out an ugly knife and tried to force -it between his lips like a lever or chisel. But Pinocchio as quick -as lightning caught his hand with his teeth, and with one bite bit it -clean off and spat it out. Imagine his astonishment when instead of a -hand he perceived that he had spat a cat's paw on to the ground. - -Encouraged by his first victory he used his nails to such purpose that -he succeeded in liberating himself from his assailants, and jumping -the hedge by the roadside he began to fly across the country. The -assassins ran after him like two dogs chasing a hare; and the one who -had lost the paw ran on one leg and no one ever knew how he managed -it. - -After a race of some miles Pinocchio could do no more. Giving himself -up for lost he climbed the stem of a very high pine-tree and seated -himself in the topmost branches. The assassins attempted to climb -after him, but when they had reached halfway up the stem they slid -down again, and arrived on the ground with the skin grazed from their -hands and knees. - -But they were not to be beaten by so little; collecting a quantity of -dry wood they piled it beneath the pine and set fire to it. In less -time than it takes to tell the pine began to burn and flame like -a candle blown by the wind. Pinocchio, seeing that the flames were -mounting higher every instant, and not wishing to end his life like -a roasted pigeon, made a stupendous leap from the top of the tree and -started afresh across the fields and vineyards. The assassins followed -him, and kept behind him without once giving in. - -The day began to break and they were still pursuing him. Suddenly -Pinocchio found his way barred by a wide, deep ditch full of dirty -water the color of coffee. What was he to do? "One! two! three!" -cried the puppet, and making a rush he sprang to the other side. -The assassins also jumped, but not having measured the distance -properly--splash, splash!... they fell into the very middle of the -ditch. Pinocchio who heard the plunge and the splashing of water, -shouted out, laughing and without stopping: - -"A fine bath to you, gentlemen assassins." - -He felt convinced that they were drowned, when, turning to look he -perceived that, on the contrary, they were both running after him, -still enveloped in their sacks with the water dripping from them as if -they had been two hollow baskets.... - - -IX - -THE FOX AND THE CAT - - -Pinocchio set out; and as soon as he was in the wood he began to run -like a kid. But when he had reached a certain spot, almost in front -of the Big Oak, he stopped because he thought that he heard people -amongst the bushes. In fact, two persons came out on the road. Can you -guess who they were?... His two traveling companions, the Fox and the -Cat, with whom he had supped at the Inn of the Red-Crawfish. - -"Why here is our dear Pinocchio!" cried the Fox, kissing and embracing -him. "How come you to be here?" - -"How come you to be here?" repeated the Cat. - -"It is a long story," answered the puppet, "which I will tell you when -I have time. But do you know that the other night, when you left me -alone at the inn, I met with assassins on the road." - -"Assassins!... Oh, poor Pinocchio! And what did they want?" - -"They wanted to rob me of my gold pieces." - -"Villains!" said the Fox. - -"Infamous villains!" repeated the Cat. - -"But I ran away from them," continued the puppet, "and they followed -me, and at last they overtook me and hung me to a branch of that -oak-tree." - -And Pinocchio pointed to the Big Oak, which was two steps from them. - -"Is it possible to hear of anything more dreadful?" said the Fox. "In -what a world we are condemned to live! Where can respectable people -like us find a safe refuge?" - -Whilst they were thus talking Pinocchio observed that the Cat was lame -of her front right leg, for in fact she had lost her paw with all its -claws. He therefore asked her: - -"What have you done with your paw!" - -The Cat tried to answer but became confused. Therefore the Fox said -immediately: - -"My friend is too modest, and that is why she doesn't speak. I will -answer for her. I must tell you that an hour ago we met an old wolf on -the road, almost fainting from want of food, who asked alms of us. Not -having so much as a fish-bone to give to him, what did my friend, who -has really the heart of a Cæsar, do? She bit off one of her forepaws, -and threw it to that poor beast that he might appease his hunger." - -And the Fox, in relating this, dried a tear. - -Pinocchio was also touched, and approaching the Cat he whispered into -her ear: - -"If all cats resemble you, how fortunate the mice would be!" - -"And now, what are you doing here?" asked the Fox of the puppet. - -"I am waiting for my papa, whom I expect to arrive every moment." - -"And your gold pieces?" - -"I have got them in my pocket, all but one that I spent at the Inn of -the Red-Crawfish." - -"And to think that, instead of four pieces, by to-morrow they might -become one or two thousand! Why do you not listen to my advice? why -will you not go and bury them in the Field of Miracles?" - -"To-day it is impossible, I will go another day." - -"Another day it will be too late!" said the Fox. - -"Why?" - -"Because the field has been bought by a gentleman, and after to-morrow -no one will be allowed to bury money there." - -"How far off is the Field of Miracles?" - -"Not two miles. Will you come with us? In half an hour you will be -there. You can bury your money at once, and in a few minutes you -will collect two thousand, and this evening you will return with your -pockets full. Will you come with us?" - -Pinocchio thought of the good Fairy, old Geppetto, and the warning of -the Talking-cricket, and he hesitated a little before answering. He -ended however, by doing as all boys do who have not a grain of sense -and who have no heart--he ended by giving his head a little shake, and -saying to the Fox and Cat: - -"Let us go: I will come with you." - -And they went. - -After having walked half the day they reached a town that was called -"Trap for Blockheads." As soon as Pinocchio entered this town, he saw -that the streets were crowded with dogs who had lost their coats and -who were yawning from hunger, shorn sheep trembling with cold, cocks -without combs or crests who were begging for a grain of Indian corn, -large butterflies who could no longer fly because they had sold their -beautiful colored wings, peacocks who had no tails and were ashamed to -be seen, and pheasants who went scratching about in a subdued fashion, -mourning for their brilliant gold and silver feathers gone for ever. - -In the midst of this crowd of beggars and shamefaced creatures, -some lordly carriage passed from time to time containing a Fox, or a -thieving Magpie, or some other ravenous bird of prey. - -"And where is the Field of Miracles?" asked Pinocchio. - -"It is here, not two steps from us." - -They crossed the town, and having gone beyond the walls they came to a -solitary field which to look at resembled all other fields. - -"We are arrived," said the Fox to the puppet. "Now stoop down and dig -with your hands a little hole in the ground and put your gold pieces -into it." - -Pinocchio obeyed. He dug a hole, put into it the four gold pieces that -he had left, and then filled up the hole with a little earth. - -"Now, then," said the Fox, "go to that canal close to us, fetch a can -of water, and water the ground where you have sowed them." - -Pinocchio went to the canal, and as he had no can he took off one of -his old shoes and filling it with water he watered the ground over the -hole. - -He then asked: - -"Is there anything else to be done?" - -"Nothing else," answered the Fox. "We can now go away. You can return -in about twenty minutes, and you will find a shrub already pushing -through the ground, with its branches quite loaded with money." - -The poor puppet, beside himself with joy, thanked the Fox and the Cat -a thousand times, and promised them a beautiful present. - -"We wish for no presents," answered the two rascals. "It is enough for -us to have taught you the way to enrich yourself without undergoing -hard work, and we are as happy as folk out for a holiday." - -Thus saying they took leave of Pinocchio, and wishing him a good -harvest went about their business. - - -X - -PINOCCHIO IS ROBBED - - -The puppet returned to the town and began to count the minutes one by -one; and when he thought it must be time he took the road leading to -the Field of Miracles. - -And as he walked along with hurried steps his heart beat fast, tic, -tac, tic, tac, like a drawing-room clock when it is really going well. -Meanwhile he was thinking to himself: - -"And if instead of a thousand gold pieces, I was to find on the -branches of the tree two thousand?... And instead of two thousand -supposing I found five thousand? and instead of five thousand that -I found a hundred thousand? Oh! what a fine gentleman I should then -become!... I would have a beautiful palace, a thousand little wooden -horses and a thousand stables to amuse myself with, a cellar full of -currant-wine, and sweet syrups, and a library quite full of candies, -tarts, plum-cakes, macaroons, and biscuits with cream." - -Whilst he was building these castles in the air he had arrived in -the neighborhood of the field, and he stopped to look if by chance he -could perceive a tree with its branches laden with money; but he saw -nothing. He advanced another hundred steps--nothing; he entered the -field ... he went right up to the little hole where he had buried -his gold pieces--and nothing. He then became very thoughtful, and -forgetting the rules of society and good manners he took his hands out -of his pockets and gave his head a long scratch. - -At that moment he heard an explosion of laughter close to him, and -looking up he saw a large Parrot perched on a tree, who was preening -the few feathers he had left. - -"Why are you laughing?" asked Pinocchio in an angry voice. - -"I am laughing because in preening my feathers I tickled myself under -my wings." - -The puppet did not answer, but went to the canal and, filling the same -old shoe full of water, he proceeded to water the earth afresh that -covered his gold pieces. - -Whilst he was thus occupied another laugh, and still more impertinent -than the first, rang out in the silence of that solitary place. - -"Once for all," shouted Pinocchio in a rage, "may I know, you -ill-educated Parrot, what are you laughing at?" - -"I am laughing at those simpletons who believe in all the foolish -things that are told them, and who allow themselves to be entrapped by -those who are more cunning than they are." - -"Are you perhaps speaking of me?" - -"Yes, I am speaking of you, poor Pinocchio--of you who are simple -enough to believe that money can be sown and gathered in fields in the -same way as beans and gourds. I also believed it once, and to-day I -am suffering for it. To-day--but it is too late--I have at last learnt -that to put a few pennies honestly together it is necessary to know -how to earn them, either by the work of our own hands or by the -cleverness of our own brains." - -"I don't understand you," said the puppet who was already trembling -with fear. - -"Have patience! I will explain myself better," rejoined the Parrot. -"You must know, then, that whilst you were in the town the Fox and the -Cat returned to the field; they took the buried money and then fled -like the wind. And now he that catches them will be clever." - -Pinocchio remained with his mouth open, and not choosing to believe -the Parrot's words he began with his hands and nails to dig up the -earth that he had watered. And he dug, and dug, and dug, and made such -a deep hole that a rick of straw might have stood up in it; but the -money was no longer there. - -He rushed back to the town in a state of desperation, and went at once -to the Courts of Justice to denounce the two knaves who had robbed him -to the judge. - -The judge was a big ape of the gorilla tribe--an old ape respectable -for his age, his white beard, but especially for his gold spectacles -without glasses that he always was obliged to wear, on account of an -inflammation of the eyes that had tormented him for many years. - -Pinocchio related in the presence of the judge all the particulars of -the infamous fraud of which he had been the victim. He gave the names, -the surnames, and other details, of the two rascals, and ended by -demanding justice. - -The judge listened with great benignity; took a lively interest in the -story; and was much touched and moved; and when the puppet had nothing -further to say he stretched out his hand and rang a bell. - -At this summons two mastiffs immediately appeared dressed as -gendarmes. The judge then, pointing to Pinocchio said to them: - -"That poor devil has been robbed of four gold pieces; take him up, and -put him immediately into prison." - -The puppet was petrified on hearing this unexpected sentence, and -tried to protest; but the gendarmes, to avoid losing time, stopped his -mouth, and carried him off to the lockup. - -And there he remained for four months--four long months--and he would -have remained longer still if a fortunate chance had not released him. -For I must tell you that the young Emperor who reigned over the town -of "Trap for Blockheads," having won a splendid victory over his -enemies, ordered great public rejoicings. There were illuminations, -fire-works, horse races, and velocipede races, and as a further sign -of triumph he commanded that the prisons should be opened and all -prisoners liberated. - -"If the others are to be let out of prison, I will go also," said -Pinocchio to the jailor. - -"No, not you," said the jailor, "because you do not belong to the -fortunate class." - -"I beg your pardon," replied Pinocchio, "I am also a criminal." - -"In that case you are perfectly right," said the jailor; and taking -off his hat and bowing to him respectfully he opened the prison door -and let him escape. - -[Footnote 1: Copyright, 1898, by Jordan, Marsh and Co. Used by -permission.] - - * * * * * - - - - -JAPANESE STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO DID NOT WISH TO DIE - -ADAPTED BY YEI THEODORA OZAKI - - -Long, long ago there lived a man called Sentaro. His surname meant -"Millionaire," but although he was not so rich as all that, he was -still very far removed from being poor. He had inherited a small -fortune from his father and lived on this, spending his time -carelessly, without any serious thoughts of work, till he was about -thirty-two years of age. - -One day, without any reason whatsoever, the thought of death and -sickness came to him. The idea of falling ill or dying made him very -wretched. - -"I should like to live," he said to himself, "till I am five or six -hundred years old at least, free from all sickness. The ordinary span -of a man's life is very short." - -He wondered whether it were possible, by living simply and frugally -henceforth, to prolong his life as long as he wished. - -He knew there were many stories in ancient history of emperors who had -lived a thousand years, and there was a Princess of Yamato, who it was -said, lived to the age of five hundred. This was the latest story of a -very long life on record. - -Sentaro had often heard the tale of the Chinese King named -Shin-no-Shiko. He was one of the most able and powerful rulers in -Chinese history. He built all the large palaces, and also the famous -great wall of China. He had everything in the world he could wish for, -but in spite of all his happiness, and the luxury and splendor of his -court, the wisdom of his councilors and the glory of his reign, he was -miserable because he knew that one day he must die and leave it all. - -When Shin-no-Shiko went to bed at night, when he rose in the morning, -as he went through his day, the thought of death was always with him. -He could not get away from it. Ah--if only he could find the Elixir of -Life, he would be happy. - -The Emperor at last called a meeting of his courtiers and asked them -all if they could not find for him the Elixir of Life of which he had -so often read and heard. - -One old courtier, Jofuku by name, said that far away across the seas -there was a country called Horaizan, and that certain hermits lived -there who possessed the secret of the Elixir of Life. Whoever drank of -this wonderful draught lived forever. - -The Emperor ordered Jofuku to set out for the land of Horaizan, to -find the hermits, and to bring him back a phial of the magic elixir. -He gave Jofuku one of his best junks, fitted it out for him, and -loaded it with great quantities of treasures and precious stones for -Jofuku to take as presents to the hermits. - -Jofuku sailed for the land of Horaizan, but he never returned to the -waiting Emperor; but ever since that time Mount Fuji has been said to -be the fabled Horaizan and the home of hermits who had the secret of -the elixir, and Jofuku has been worshipped as their patron god. - -Now Sentaro determined to set out to find the hermits, and if he -could, to become one, so that he might obtain the water of perpetual -life. He remembered that as a child he had been told that not only did -these hermits live on Mount Fuji, but that they were said to inhabit -all the very high peaks. - -So he left his old home to the care of his relatives, and started out -on his quest. He traveled through all the mountainous regions of the -land, climbing to the tops of the highest peaks, but never a hermit -did he find. - -At last, after wandering in an unknown region for many days, he met a -hunter. - -"Can you tell me," asked Sentaro, "where the hermits live who have the -Elixir of Life?" - -"No," said the hunter; "I can't tell you where such hermits live, but -there is a notorious robber living in these parts. It is said that he -is chief of a band of two hundred followers." - -This odd answer irritated Sentaro very much, and he thought how -foolish it was to waste more time in looking for the hermits in this -way, so he decided to go at once to the shrine of Jofuku, who is -worshipped as the patron god of the hermits in the South of Japan. - -Sentaro reached the shrine and prayed for seven days, entreating -Jofuku to show him the way to a hermit who could give him what he -wanted so much to find. - -At midnight of the seventh day, as Sentaro knelt in the temple, the -door of the innermost shrine flew open, and Jofuku appeared in a -luminous cloud, and calling to Sentaro to come nearer, spoke thus: - -"Your desire is a very selfish one and cannot be easily granted. You -think that you would like to become a hermit so as to find the Elixir -of Life. Do you know how hard a hermit's life is? A hermit is only -allowed to eat fruit and berries and the bark of pine trees; a hermit -must cut himself off from the world so that his heart may become -as pure as gold and free from every earthly desire. Gradually after -following these strict rules, the hermit ceases to feel hunger or cold -or heat, and his body becomes so light that he can ride on a crane or -a carp, and can walk on water without getting his feet wet. - -"You, Sentaro, are fond of good living and of every comfort. You are -not even like an ordinary man, for you are exceptionally idle, and -more sensitive to heat and cold than most people. You would never be -able to go barefoot or to wear only one thin garment in the winter -time! Do you think that you would ever have the patience or the -endurance to live a hermit's life? - -"In answer to your prayer, however, I will help you in another way. -I will send you to the country of Perpetual Life, where death never -comes--where the people live for ever!" - -Saying this, Jofuku put into Sentaro's hand a little crane made of -paper, telling him to sit on its back and it would carry him there. - -Sentaro obeyed wonderingly. The crane grew large enough for him to -ride on it with comfort. It then spread its wings, rose high in the -air, and flew away over the mountains right out to sea. - -Sentaro was at first quite frightened; but by degrees he grew -accustomed to the swift flight through the air. On and on they went -for thousands of miles. The bird never stopped for rest or food, but -as it was a paper bird it doubtless did not require any nourishment, -and strange to say, neither did Sentaro. - -After several days they reached an island. The crane flew some -distance inland and then alighted. - -As soon as Sentaro got down from the bird's back, the crane folded up -of its own accord and flew into his pocket. - -Now Sentaro began to look about him wonderingly, curious to see what -the country of Perpetual Life was like. He walked first round about -the country and then through the town. Everything was, of course, -quite strange, and different from his own land. But both the land and -the people seemed prosperous, so he decided that it would be good for -him to stay there and took up lodgings at one of the hotels. - -The proprietor was a kind man, and when Sentaro told him that he was a -stranger and had come to live there, he promised to arrange everything -that was necessary with the governor of the city concerning Sentaro's -sojourn there. He even found a house for his guest, and in this way -Sentaro obtained his great wish and became a resident in the country -of Perpetual Life. - -Within the memory of all the islanders no man had ever died there, -and sickness was a thing unknown. Priests had come over from India -and China and told them of a beautiful country called Paradise, where -happiness and bliss and contentment fill all men's hearts, but its -gates could only be reached by dying. This tradition was handed down -for ages from generation to generation--but none knew exactly what -death was except that it led to Paradise. - -Quite unlike Sentaro and other ordinary people, instead of having a -great dread of death, they all, both rich and poor, longed for it as -something good and desirable. They were all tired of their long, -long lives, and longed to go to the happy land of contentment called -Paradise of which the priests had told them centuries ago. - -All this Sentaro soon found out by talking to the islanders. He found -himself, according to his ideas, in the land of _Topsy-turvydom_. -Everything was upside down. He had wished to escape from dying. He had -come to the land of Perpetual Life with great relief and joy, only -to find that the inhabitants themselves, doomed never to die, would -consider it bliss to find death. - -What he had hitherto considered poison these people ate as good -food, and all the things to which he had been accustomed as food they -rejected. Whenever any merchants from other countries arrived, the -rich people rushed to them eager to buy poisons. These they swallowed -eagerly hoping for death to come so that they might go to Paradise. - -But what were deadly poisons in other lands were without effect in -this strange place, and people who swallowed them with the hope of -dying, only found that in a short time they felt better in health -instead of worse. - -Vainly they tried to imagine what death could be like. The wealthy -would have given all their money and all their goods if they could but -shorten their lives to two or three hundred years even. Without any -change, to live on forever, seemed to this people wearisome and sad. - -In the drug-shops there was a drug which was in constant demand, -because after using it for a hundred years, it was supposed to turn -the hair slightly gray and to bring about disorders of the stomach. - -Sentaro was astonished to find that the poisonous globe-fish was -served up in restaurants as a delectable dish, and hawkers in the -streets went about selling sauces made of Spanish flies. He never saw -anyone ill after eating these horrible things, nor did he ever see -anyone with as much as a cold. - -Sentaro was delighted. He said to himself that he would never grow -tired of living, and that he considered it profane to wish for death. -He was the only happy man on the island. For his part he wished -to live thousands of years and to enjoy life. He set himself up in -business, and for the present never even dreamed of going back to his -native land. - -As years went by, however, things did not go as smoothly as at first. -He had heavy losses in business, and several times some affairs went -wrong with his neighbors. This caused him great annoyance. - -Time passed like the flight of an arrow for him, for he was busy from -morning till night. Three hundred years went by in this monotonous -way, and then at last he began to grow tired of life in this country, -and he longed to see his own land and his old home. However long he -lived here, life would always be the same, so was it not foolish and -wearisome to stay on here for ever? - -Sentaro, in his wish to escape from the country of Perpetual Life, -recollected Jofuku, who had helped him before when he was wishing to -escape from death--and he prayed to the saint to bring him back to his -own land again. - -No sooner did he pray than the paper crane popped out of his pocket. -Sentaro was amazed to see that it had remained undamaged after all -these years. Once more the bird grew and grew till it was large enough -for him to mount it. As he did so, the bird spread its wings and flew -swiftly out across the sea in the direction of Japan. - -Such was the wilfulness of the man's nature that he looked back and -regretted all he had left behind. He tried to stop the bird in vain. -The crane held on its way for thousands of miles across the ocean. - -Then a storm came on, and the wonderful paper crane got damp, crumpled -up, and fell into the sea. Sentaro fell with it. Very much frightened -at the thought of being drowned, he cried out loudly to Jofuku to save -him. He looked round, but there was no ship in sight. He swallowed -a quantity of sea-water, which only increased his miserable plight. -While he was thus struggling to keep himself afloat, he saw a -monstrous shark swimming towards him. As it came nearer it opened its -huge mouth ready to devour him. Sentaro was all but paralyzed with -fear now that he felt his end so near, and screamed out as loudly as -ever he could to Jofuku to come and rescue him. - -Lo, and behold, Sentaro was awakened by his own screams, to find that -during his long prayer he had fallen asleep before the shrine, and -that all his extraordinary and frightful adventures had been only a -wild dream. He was in a cold perspiration with fright, and utterly -bewildered. - -Suddenly a bright light came towards him, and in the light stood a -messenger. The messenger held a book in his hand and spoke to Sentaro: - -"I am sent to you by Jofuku, who in answer to your prayer, has -permitted you in a dream to see the land of Perpetual Life. But you -grew weary of living there, and begged to be allowed to return to your -native land so that you might die. Jofuku, so that he might try you, -allowed you to drop into the sea, and then sent a shark to swallow you -up. Your desire for death was not real, for even at that moment you -cried out loudly and shouted for help. - -"It is also vain for you to wish to become a hermit, or to find the -Elixir of Life. These things are not for such as you--your life is not -austere enough. It is best for you to go back to your paternal home, -and to live a good and industrious life. Never neglect to keep the -anniversaries of your ancestors, and make it your duty to provide for -your children's future. Thus will you live to a good old age and be -happy, but give up the vain desire to escape death, for no man can -do that, and by this time you have surely found out that even when -selfish desires are granted they do not bring happiness. - -"In this book I give you there are many precepts good for you to -know--if you study them, you will be guided in the way I have pointed -out to you." - -The angel disappeared as soon as he had finished speaking, and Sentaro -took the lesson to heart. With the book in his hand he returned to his -old home, and giving up all his old vain wishes, tried to live a good -and useful life and to observe the lessons taught him in the book, and -he and his house prospered henceforth. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE - -ADAPTED BY A. B. MITFORD - - -A long time ago, at a temple called Morinji, in the province of -Jhôsiu, there was an old teakettle. One day, when the priest of the -temple was about to hang it over the hearth to boil the water for his -tea, to his amazement the kettle all of a sudden put forth the head -and tail of a badger. What a wonderful kettle, to come out all over -fur! The priest, thunderstruck, called in the novices of the temple to -see the sight; and whilst they were stupidly staring, one suggesting -one thing and another another, the kettle, jumping up into the air, -began flying about the room. More astonished than ever, the priest and -his pupils tried to pursue it; but no thief or cat was ever half so -sharp as this wonderful badger-kettle. At last, however, they managed -to knock it down and secure it; and, holding it in with their united -efforts, they forced it into a box, intending to carry it off and -throw it away in some distant place, so that they might be no more -plagued by the goblin. For this day their troubles were over; but, as -luck would have it, the tinker who was in the habit of working for the -temple called in, and the priest suddenly bethought him that it was a -pity to throw the kettle away for nothing, and that he might as -well get a trifle for it, no matter how small. So he brought out the -kettle, which had resumed its former shape and had got rid of its head -and tail, and showed it to the tinker. When the tinker saw the kettle, -he offered twenty copper coins for it, and the priest was only too -glad to close the bargain and be rid of his troublesome piece of -furniture. But the tinker trudged off home with his pack and his new -purchase. That night, as he lay asleep, he heard a strange noise near -his pillow; so he peered out from under the bedclothes, and there he -saw the kettle that he had bought in the temple covered with fur, and -walking about on four legs. The tinker started up in a fright to see -what it could all mean, when all of a sudden the kettle resumed its -former shape. This happened over and over again, until at last the -tinker showed the teakettle to a friend of his, who said: "This is -certainly an accomplished and lucky teakettle. You should take it -about as a show, with songs and accompaniments of musical instruments, -and make it dance and walk on the tight rope." - -The tinker, thinking this good advice, made arrangements with -a showman, and set up an exhibition. The noise of the kettle's -performances soon spread abroad, until even the Princes of the land -sent to order the tinker to come to them; and he grew rich beyond all -his expectations. Even the Princesses, too, and the great ladies of -the court, took great delight in the dancing kettle, so that no sooner -had it shown its tricks in one place than it was time for them to keep -some other engagement. At last the tinker grew so rich that he took -the kettle back to the temple, where it was laid up as a precious -treasure, and worshiped as a saint. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW - - -Once upon a time a cross old woman laid some starch in a basin, -intending to put it in the clothes in her wash-tub; but a Sparrow -that a woman, her neighbor, kept as a pet, ate it up. Seeing this, the -cross old woman seized the Sparrow and, saying "You hateful thing!" -cut its tongue and let it go. - -When the neighbor woman heard that her pet Sparrow had got its tongue -cut for its offense, she was greatly grieved, and set out with her -husband over mountains and plains to find where it had gone, crying, -"Where does the tongue-cut Sparrow stay? Where does the tongue-cut -Sparrow stay?" - -At last they found its home. When the Sparrow saw that its old master -and mistress had come to see it, it rejoiced, and brought them into -its house and thanked them for their kindness in old times. It spread -a table for them, and loaded it with rice wine and fish till there -was no more room, and made its wife and children and grandchildren all -serve the table. - -At last, throwing away its drinking-cup, it danced a jig called the -Sparrow's dance, and thus they spent the day. When it began to grow -dark, and there was talk of going home, the Sparrow brought out two -wicker baskets and said, "Will you take the heavy one, or shall I give -you the light one?" The old people replied, "We are old, so give us -the light one; it will be easier to carry it." The Sparrow then gave -them the light basket, and they returned with it to their home. "Let -us open and see what is in it," they said. And when they had opened it -and looked, they found gold and silver and jewels and rolls of silk. -They never expected anything like this. The more they took out the -more they found inside. The supply was inexhaustible, so that the -house at once became rich and prosperous. When the cross old woman who -had cut the Sparrow's tongue saw this, she was filled with envy, and -went and asked her neighbor where the Sparrow lived and all about the -way. "I will go, too," she said, and at once set out on her search. - -Again the Sparrow brought out two wicker baskets, and asked as before, -"Will you take the heavy one, or shall I give you the light one?" - -Thinking the treasure would be great in proportion to the weight of -the basket, the old woman replied, "Let me have the heavy one." - -Receiving this, she started home with it on her back, the sparrows -laughing at her as she went. It was as heavy as a stone, and hard to -carry, but at last she got back with it to her house. - -Then, when she took off the lid and looked in, a whole troop of -frightful creatures came bouncing out from the inside, and at once -they caught her up and flew away with her. - - * * * * * - - - - -BATTLE OF THE MONKEY AND THE CRAB - - -A monkey and a Crab once met when going round a mountain. - -The Monkey had picked up a persimmon-seed, and the Crab had a piece -of toasted rice-cake. The Monkey, seeing this, and wishing to get -something that could be turned to good account at once, said, "Pray, -exchange that rice-cake for this persimmon-seed." The Crab, without a -word, gave up his cake, and took the persimmon-seed and planted it. At -once it sprung up, and soon became a tree so high one had to look far -up to see it. The tree was full of persimmons, but the Crab had no -means of climbing it, so he asked the Monkey to scramble up and get -the fruit for him. The Monkey got up on a limb of the tree and began -to eat the persimmons. The unripe ones he threw at the Crab, but all -the ripe and good ones he put in his pouch. The Crab under the tree -thus got his shell badly bruised, and only by good luck escaped into -his hole, where he lay distressed with pain, and not able to get up. -Now, when the relatives and household of the Crab heard how matters -stood, they were surprised and angry, and declared war, and attacked -the Monkey, who, leading forth a numerous following, bade defiance to -the other party. The crabs, finding themselves unable to meet and -cope with this force, became still more exasperated and enraged, -and retreated into their hole and held a council of war. Then came a -rice-mortar, a pestle, a bee, and an egg, and together they devised a -deep-laid plot to be avenged. - -First, they requested that peace be made with the crabs; and thus they -induced the king of the monkeys to enter their hole unattended, and -seated him on the hearth. The Monkey, not suspecting any plot, took -the _hibashi_, or poker, to stir up the slumbering fire, when bang! -went the egg, which was lying hidden in the ashes, and burned the -Monkey's arm. Surprised and alarmed, he plunged his arm into the -pickle-tub in the kitchen to relieve the pain of the burn. Then the -bee which was hidden near the tub stung him sharply in his face, -already wet with tears. Without waiting to brush off the bee, and -howling bitterly, he rushed for the back door; but just then some -seaweed entangled his legs and made him slip. Then down came the -pestle, tumbling on him from a shelf, and the mortar, too, came -rolling down on him from the roof of the porch and broke his back, and -so weakened him that he was unable to rise up. Then out came the crabs -in a crowd, and brandishing on high their pinchers they pinched the -Monkey so sorely that he begged them for forgiveness and promised -never to repeat his meanness and treachery. - - * * * * * - - - - -MOMOTARO, OR LITTLE PEACHLING - - -A long long time ago there lived an old man and an old woman. One day -the old man went to the mountains to cut grass; and the old woman went -to the river to wash clothes. While she was washing a great thing came -tumbling and splashing down the stream. When the old woman saw it she -was very glad, and pulled it to her with a piece of bamboo that lay -near by. When she took it up and looked at it she saw that it was a -very large peach. She then quickly finished her washing and returned -home intending to give the peach to her old man to eat. - -When she cut the peach in two, out came a child from the large kernel. -Seeing this the old couple rejoiced, and named the child Momotaro, -or Little Peachling, because he came out of a peach. As both the -old people took good care of him, he grew and became strong and -enterprising. So the old couple had their expectations raised, and -bestowed still more care on his education. - -Momotaro finding that he excelled everybody in strength, determined -to cross over to the island of the devils, take their riches, and come -back. He at once consulted with the old man and the old woman about -the matter, and got them to make him some dumplings. These he put -in his pouch. Besides this he made every kind of preparation for his -journey to the island of the devils and set out. - -Then first a dog came to the side of the way and said, "Momotaro! What -have you there hanging at your belt?" He replied, "I have some of the -very best Japanese millet dumplings." "Give me one and I will go with -you," said the dog. So Momotaro took a dumpling out of his pouch and -gave it to the dog. Then a monkey came and got one the same way. A -pheasant also came flying and said, "Give me a dumpling too, and I -will go along with you." So all three went along with him. In no time -they arrived at the island of the devils, and at once broke through -the front gate; Momotaro first; then his three followers. Here they -met a great multitude of the devils' retainers who showed fight, but -they pressed still inwards, and at last encountered the chief of the -devils, called Akandoji. Then came the tug of war. Akandoji hit at -Momotaro with an iron club, but Momotaro was ready for him, and dodged -him adroitly. At last they grappled each other, and without difficulty -Momotaro just crushed down Akandoji and tied him with a rope so -tightly that he could not even move. All this was done in a fair -fight. - -After this Akandoji the chief of the devils said he would surrender -all his riches. "Out with your riches then," said Momotaro laughing. -Having collected and ranged in order a great pile of precious things, -Momotaro took them, and set out for his home, rejoicing, as he marched -bravely back, that, with the help of his three companions, to whom he -attributed all his success, he had been able so easily to accomplish -his end. - -Great was the joy of the old man and the old woman when Momotaro -came back. He feasted everybody bountifully, told many stories of his -adventure, displayed his riches, and at last became a leading man, -a man of influence, very rich and honorable; a man to be very much -congratulated indeed!! - - * * * * * - - - - -URASCHIMA TARO AND THE TURTLE - - -Uraschima Taro, which means in Japanese "Son of the Island," was the -only and dearly beloved son of an old fisherman and his wife: - -He was a fine, strong youth, who could manage a boat more cleverly -than any one else on the neighboring coast. He often ventured so far -out to sea that neighbors warned his parents that he would sometime go -too far and never return. - -His parents knew, however, that he understood his boat and the sea -very well, and they were never much concerned about him. Even when -he failed to come back as soon as he was expected, they awaited his -return without anxiety. They loved him better than their own lives, -and were proud that he was braver and stronger than their neighbors' -sons. - -Early one morning, Uraschima Taro went to haul in his nets, which had -been set the night before. In one of them, among some fishes, he found -a small turtle. This he placed in the boat, by itself, where it would -safely keep, until he could take it home. To his amazement, the turtle -begged for its life in most pitiful tones. "Of what use am I to you?" -it asked. "I am too small to eat, and so young that it will take me a -long time to grow. Have mercy and put me back into the sea, for I do -not want to die." Uraschima Taro had a very kind heart and could not -bear to see anything that was small and helpless suffer; so he did as -the turtle asked him. - -Several years after this, when Uraschima Taro was one day far out at -sea, a terrible whirlwind struck his boat and shattered it. He was a -good swimmer, and managed for a long time to make progress toward the -land; but as he was so far from shore in the rough sea, his strength -at last gave out and he felt himself sinking. Just as he had given up -hope, and thought that he would never see his dear parents again, he -heard his name called and saw a large turtle swimming toward him. - -"Climb on my back," shouted the turtle, "and I will carry you to -land." When Uraschima Taro was safely sitting on the turtle's back it -continued: "I am the turtle whose life you saved when you found me, -little and helpless, in your net, and I am glad of this opportunity to -show that I am not ungrateful." - -Before they reached the shore, the turtle asked Uraschima Taro how he -would like to be shown some of the wonderful beauties hidden under the -sea. The young fisherman replied that the experience would please him. -In a moment they were shooting down through the green water. He clung -to the turtle's back, who carried him many, many fathoms below. -After three nights they reached the bottom of the sea, and came to a -wonderful palace of gold and crystal. Coral and pearls and precious -stones dazzled his eyes; but inside, the palace was more beautiful -still, and blazing fish scales lighted it. - -"This," said the turtle, "is the palace of the sea-god. I am a -waiting-maid to his lovely daughter, the Princess." - -The turtle went to announce the arrival of Uraschima Taro to the -Princess, and soon returning, led him to her presence. She was so -beautiful that when she asked him to remain in the palace he gladly -consented. - -"Do not leave me, and you shall always be as handsome as you are now, -and old age cannot come to you," she said. - -So it happened that Uraschima Taro lived in the marvelous palace at -the bottom of the sea with the daughter of the sea-god. He was so -happy that the time passed by unheeded. How long he dwelt there he -could not have told. But one day he thought of his parents; then he -remembered that they must be troubled by his absence. The thought of -them kept coming to him continually, and the longing to see them grew -so strong that at last he told the Princess he must go to visit them. -She begged him not to leave her and wept bitterly. - -"If you go, I shall never see you again," she sobbed. - -But he told her that he must see his father and mother once again; -then he would return to the palace in the sea, to be with her always. -When she found that she could not persuade him to remain, she gave him -a small gold box, which, she told him, he must on no account open. - -"If you heed my words," said she, "you may come back to me. When you -are ready, the turtle will be there to bring you; but if you forget -what I have told you, I shall never see you again." - -Uraschima Taro fondly assured her that nothing in the world should -keep him from her, and bade her farewell. Mounting the turtle's back, -he soon left the palace far below. For three days and three nights -they swam, and then the turtle left him on the familiar sands near his -old home. - -He eagerly ran to the village and looked about for some of his -comrades. All of the faces were strange, and even the houses seemed -different. The children, playing in the street where he had lived, he -had never seen before. Stopping in front of his own house, he regarded -it with a sinking heart. There was the sound of music from a window -above, and a strange woman opened the door to him. She could tell him -nothing of his parents, and had never heard their names. Every one -whom he questioned looked at him curiously. At last he wandered from -the village and came to the burying ground. Searching about among the -graves, he soon found himself beside a stone bearing the dear names he -sought. The date showed him that his father and mother had died soon -after he left them; and then he discovered that he had been away from -his home three hundred years. Bowed with sorrow, he went back to the -city. At each step he hoped to wake and find it all a dream, but the -people and streets were real. - -He thought of the Princess, and remembered the gold box she had given -to him. It might be that he was under some cruel enchantment, and that -this box contained the charm to break the spell. He eagerly raised -the cover, and a purple vapor escaped and left the box empty. To his -alarm, he noticed that the hand that held it had shriveled and grown -suddenly old. Trembling with horror, he ran to a stream of water which -ran down from the mountain, and saw reflected in its waters the face -of a mummy. - -He crawled fearfully back to the village, and no one recognized him -as the strong youth who had entered it a few hours before. Nearly -exhausted; he finally reached the shore, where he sat wearily on a -rock and cried to the turtle. But he called to it in vain; the turtle -never came, and soon his quavering voice was hushed in death. - -Before he died, the people of the village gathered about him and -listened to his strange story. Long afterward they told their children -of the young man who, for the love of his parents, left a marvelous -palace in the sea, and a Princess more beautiful than the day. - - * * * * * - - - - -EAST INDIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - - - -THE SON OF SEVEN QUEENS - -ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS - - -Once upon a time there lived a King who had seven Queens, but no -children. This was a great grief to him, especially when he remembered -that on his death there would be no heir to inherit the kingdom. - -Now it happened one day that a poor old fakir came to the King and -said, "Your prayers are heard, your desire shall be accomplished, and -one of your seven Queens shall bear a son." - -The King's delight at this promise knew no bounds, and he gave orders -for appropriate festivities to be prepared against the coming event -throughout the length and breadth of the land. - -Meanwhile the seven Queens lived luxuriously in a splendid palace, -attended by hundreds of female slaves, and fed to their hearts' -content on sweetmeats and confectionery. - -Now the King was very fond of hunting, and one day, before he started, -the seven Queens sent him a message saying, "May it please our dearest -lord not to hunt toward the north to-day, for we have dreamed bad -dreams, and fear lest evil should befall you." - -The King, to allay their anxiety, promised regard for their wishes, -and set out toward the south; but as luck would have it, although he -hunted diligently, he found no game. Nor had he more success to the -east or west, so that, being a keen sportsman, and determined not to -go home empty-handed, he forgot all about his promise and turned to -the north. Here also he was at first unsuccessful, but just as he had -made up his mind to give up for that day, a white hind with golden -horns and silver hoofs flashed past him into a thicket. So quickly -did it pass that he scarcely saw it; nevertheless, a burning desire to -capture and possess the beautiful strange creature filled his breast. -He instantly ordered his attendants to form a ring round the thicket, -and so encircle the hind; then, gradually narrowing the circle, he -pressed forward till he could distinctly see the white hind panting in -the midst. Nearer and nearer he advanced, till just as he thought to -lay hold of the beautiful strange creature, it gave one mighty bound, -leaped clean over the King's head, and fled toward the mountains. -Forgetful of all else, the King, setting spurs to his horse, followed -at full speed. On, on he galloped, leaving his retinue far behind, -keeping the white hind in view, never drawing bridle until, finding -himself in a narrow ravine with no outlet, he reined in his steed. -Before him stood a miserable hovel, into which, being tired after his -long, unsuccessful chase, he entered to ask for a drink of water. An -old woman, seated in the hut at a spinning-wheel, answered his request -by calling to her daughter, and immediately from an inner room came -a maiden so lovely and charming, so white-skinned and golden-haired, -that the King was transfixed by astonishment at seeing so beautiful a -sight in the wretched hovel. - -She held the vessel of water to the King's lips, and as he drank he -looked into her eyes, and then it became clear to him that the girl -was no other than the white hind with the golden horns and silver feet -he had chased so far. - -Her beauty bewitched him, so he fell on his knees, begging her to -return with him as his bride; but she only laughed, saying seven -Queens were quite enough even for a King to manage. However, when he -would take no refusal, but implored her to have pity on him, promising -her everything she could desire, she replied, "Give me the eyes of -your seven Queens, and then perhaps I may believe you mean what you -say." - -The King was so carried away by the glamor of the white hind's magical -beauty that he went home at once, had the eyes of his seven Queens -taken out, and, after throwing the poor blind creatures into a noisome -dungeon whence they could not escape, set off once more for the hovel -in the ravine, bearing with him his horrible offering. But the -white hind only laughed cruelly when she saw the fourteen eyes, -and threading them as a necklace, flung it round her mother's neck, -saying, "Wear that, little mother, as a keepsake, while I am away in -the King's palace." - -Then she went back with the bewitched Monarch, as his bride, and he -gave her the seven Queens' rich clothes and jewels to wear, the seven -Queens' palace to live in, and the seven Queens' slaves to wait upon -her; so that she really had everything even a witch could desire. - -Now, very soon after the seven wretched hapless Queens had their eyes -torn out, and were cast into prison, a baby was born to the youngest -of the Queens. It was a handsome boy, but the other Queens were very -jealous that the youngest among them should be so fortunate. But -though at first they disliked the handsome little boy, he soon proved -so useful to them, that ere long they all looked on him as their son. -Almost as soon as he could walk about he began scraping at the mud -wall of their dungeon, and in an incredibly short space of time had -made a hole big enough for him to crawl through. Through this he -disappeared, returning in an hour or so laden with sweetmeats, which -he divided equally among the seven blind Queens. - -As he grew older he enlarged the hole, and slipped out two or three -times every day to play with the little nobles in the town. No one -knew who the tiny boy was, but everybody liked him, and he was so full -of funny tricks and antics, so merry and bright, that he was sure to -be rewarded by some girdle-cakes, a handful of parched grain, or some -sweetmeats. All these, things he brought home to his seven mothers, as -he loved to call the seven blind Queens, who by his help lived on in -their dungeon when all the world thought they had starved to death -ages before. - -At last, when he was quite a big lad, he one day took his bow and -arrow, and went out to seek for game. Coming by chance past the palace -where the white hind lived in wicked splendor and magnificence, he saw -some pigeons fluttering round the white marble turrets, and, taking -good aim, shot one dead. It came tumbling past the very window where -the white Queen was sitting; she rose to see what was the matter, and -looked out. At the first glance of the handsome young lad standing -there bow in hand, she knew by witchcraft that it was the King's son. - -She nearly died of envy and spite, determining to destroy the lad -without delay; therefore, sending a servant to bring him to her -presence, she asked him if he would sell her the pigeon he had just -shot. - -"No," replied the sturdy lad, "the pigeon is for my seven blind -mothers, who live in the noisome dungeon, and who would die if I did -not bring them food." - -"Poor souls!" cried the cunning white witch. "Would you not like -to bring them their eyes again? Give me the pigeon, my dear, and I -faithfully promise to show you where to find them." - -Hearing this, the lad was delighted beyond measure, and gave up the -pigeon at once. Whereupon the white Queen told him to seek her mother -without delay, and ask for the eyes which she wore as a necklace. - -"She will not fail to give them," said the cruel Queen, "if you show -her this token on which I have written what I want done." - -So saying, she gave the lad a piece of broken potsherd, with these -words inscribed on it, "Kill the bearer at once, and sprinkle his -blood like water!" - -Now, as the son of seven Queens could not read, he took the fatal -message cheerfully, and set off to find the white Queen's mother. - -While he was journeying he passed through a town where every one of -the inhabitants looked so sad that he could not help asking what was -the matter. They told him it was because the King's only daughter -refused to marry; therefore when her father died there would be no -heir to the throne. They greatly feared she must be out of her mind, -for though every good-looking young man in the kingdom had been shown -to her, she declared she would only marry one who was the son of seven -mothers, and who had ever heard of such a thing? The King, in despair, -had ordered every man who entered the city gates to be led before the -Princess; so, much to the lad's impatience, for he was in an -immense hurry to find his mothers' eyes, he was dragged into the -presence-chamber. - -No sooner did the Princess catch sight of him than she blushed, and, -turning to the King, said, "Dear father, this is my choice!" - -Never were such rejoicings as these few words produced. The -inhabitants nearly went wild with joy, but the son of seven Queens -said he would not marry the Princess unless they first let him recover -his mothers' eyes. When the beautiful bride heard his story, she asked -to see the potsherd, for she was very learned and clever. Seeing the -treacherous words, she said nothing, but taking another similar-shaped -bit of potsherd, she wrote on it these words, "Take care of this -lad, giving him all he desires," and returned it to the son of seven -Queens, who, none the wiser, set off on his quest. - -Ere long he arrived at the hovel in the ravine where the white witch's -mother, a hideous old creature, grumbled dreadfully on reading the -message, especially when the lad asked for the necklace of eyes. -Nevertheless she took it off and gave it him, saying, "There are only -thirteen of 'em now, for I lost one last week." - -The lad, however, was only too glad to get any at all, so he hurried -home as fast as he could to his seven mothers, and gave two eyes -apiece to the six elder Queens; but to the youngest he gave one, -saying, "Dearest little mother!--I will be your other eye always!" - -After this he set off to marry the Princess, as he had promised, but -when passing by the white Queen's palace he saw some pigeons on the -roof. Drawing his bow, he shot one, and it came fluttering past the -window. The white hind looked out, and lo! there was the King's son -alive and well. - -She cried with hatred and disgust, but sending for the lad, asked him -how he had returned so soon, and when she heard how he had brought -home the thirteen eyes, and given them to the seven blind Queens, -she could hardly restrain her rage. Nevertheless she pretended to be -charmed with his success, and told him that if he would give her this -pigeon also, she would reward him with the Jogi's wonderful cow, whose -milk flows all day long, and makes a pond as big as a kingdom. The -lad, nothing loth, gave her the pigeon; whereupon, as before, she bade -him go and ask her mother for the cow, and gave him a potsherd where -on was written, "Kill this lad without fail, and sprinkle his blood -like water!" - -But on the way the son of seven Queens looked in on the Princess, -just to tell her how he came to be delayed, and she, after reading the -message on the potsherd, gave him another in its stead; so that when -the lad reached the old hag's hut and asked her for the Jogi's cow, -she could not refuse, but told the boy how to find it; and bidding -him of all things not to be afraid of the eighteen thousand demons who -kept watch and ward over the treasure, told him to be off before she -became too angry at her daughter's foolishness in thus giving away so -many good things. - -Then the lad bravely did as he had been told. He journeyed on and on -till he came to a milk-white pond, guarded by the eighteen thousand -demons. They were really frightful to behold, but, plucking up -courage, he whistled a tune as he walked through them, looking neither -to the right nor the left. By and by he came upon the Jogi's cow, -tall, white, and beautiful, while the Jogi himself, who was king of -all the demons, sat milking her day and night, and the milk streamed -from her udder, filling the milk-white tank. - -The Jogi, seeing the lad, called out fiercely, "What do you want -here?" - -Then the lad answered, according to the old hag's bidding, "I want -your skin, for King Indra is making a new kettledrum, and says your -skin is nice and tough." - -Upon this the Jogi began to shiver and shake (for no Jinn or Jogi -dares disobey King Indra's command), and, falling at the lad's feet, -cried, "If you will spare me I will give you anything I possess, even -my beautiful white cow!" - -To this the son of seven Queens, after a little pretended hesitation, -agreed, saying that after all it would not be difficult to find a nice -tough skin like the Jogi's elsewhere; so driving the wonderful cow -before him, he set off homeward. - -The seven Queens were delighted to possess so marvelous an animal, -and though they toiled from morning till night making curds and whey, -besides selling milk to the confectioners, they could not use half the -cow gave, and became richer and richer day by day. - -Seeing them so comfortably off, the son of seven Queens started with -a light heart to marry the Princess; but when passing the white hind's -palace he could not resist sending a bolt at some pigeons that were -cooing on the parapet. One fell dead just beneath the window where -the white Queen was sitting. Looking out, she saw the lad, hale and -hearty, standing before her, and grew whiter than ever with rage and -spite. - -She sent for him to ask how he had returned so soon, and when she -heard how kindly her mother had received him, she very nearly had a -fit. However, she dissembled her feelings as well as she could, and, -smiling sweetly, said she was glad to have been able to fulfil her -promise, and that if he would give her this third pigeon, she would -do yet more for him than she had done before, by giving him the -millionfold rice, which ripens in one night. - -The lad was of course delighted at the very idea, and, giving up the -pigeon, set off on his quest, armed as before with a potsherd, on -which was written, "Do not fail this time. Kill the lad, and sprinkle -his blood like water!" - -But when he looked in on his Princess, just to prevent her becoming -anxious about him, she asked to see the potsherd as usual, and -substituted another, on which was written, "Yet again give this lad -all he requires, for his blood shall be as your blood!" - -Now when the old hag saw this, and heard how the lad wanted the -millionfold rice which ripens in a single night, she fell into the -most furious rage, but being terribly afraid of her daughter, she -controlled herself, and bade the boy go and find the field guarded by -eighteen millions of demons, warning him on no account to look back -after having plucked the tallest spike of rice, which grew in the -center. - -So the son of seven Queens set off, and soon came to the field where, -guarded by eighteen millions of demons, the millionfold rice grew. -He walked on bravely, looking neither to the right nor left, till -he reached the center and plucked the tallest ear, but as he turned -homeward a thousand sweet voices rose behind him, crying in tenderest -accents, "Pluck me too! oh, please pluck me too!" He looked back, and -lo! there was nothing left of him but a little heap of ashes! - -Now as time passed by and the lad did not return, the old hag grew -uneasy, remembering the message "His blood shall be as your blood"; so -she set off to see what had happened. - -Soon she came to the heap of ashes, and knowing by her arts what it -was, she took a little water, and kneading the ashes into a paste, -formed it into the likeness of a man; then, putting a drop of blood -from her little finger into its mouth, she blew on it, and instantly -the son of seven Queens started up as well as ever. - -"Don't you disobey orders again!" grumbled the old hag, "or next time -I'll leave you alone. Now be off, before I repent of my kindness!" - -So the son of seven Queens returned joyfully to his seven mothers, -who, by the aid of the millionfold rice, soon became the richest -people in the kingdom. Then they celebrated their son's marriage to -the clever Princess with all imaginable pomp; but the bride was so -clever, she would not rest until she had made known her husband to his -father, and punished the wicked white witch. So she made her husband -build a palace exactly like the one in which the seven Queens had -lived, and in which the white witch now dwelt in splendor. Then, when -all was prepared, she bade her husband give a grand feast to the King. -Now the King had heard much of the mysterious son of seven queens, and -his marvelous wealth, so he gladly accepted the invitation; but what -was his astonishment when on entering the palace he found it was a -facsimile of his own in every particular! And when his host, richly -attired, led him straight to the private hall, where on royal thrones -sat the seven Queens, dressed as he had last seen them, he was -speechless with surprise, until the Princess, coming forward, threw -herself at his feet and told him the whole story. Then the King awoke -from his enchantment, and his anger rose against the wicked white hind -who had bewitched him so long, until he could not contain himself. So -she was put to death, and her grave plowed over, and after that the -seven Queens returned to their own splendid palace, and everybody -lived happily. - - * * * * * - - - - -WHO KILLED THE OTTER'S BABIES - -ADAPTED BY WALTER SKEAT - - -The Otter said to the Mouse-deer, "Friend Mouse-deer, will you be so -good as to take charge of the children till I come back? I am going -down to the river to catch fish, and when I come back, I'll share the -catch with you." The Mouse-deer replied, "Very well! go along, and -I'll look after the children." So the Otter went down to the river to -catch fish. - -(Here the story of What the Otter Did stops and the story of What -Happened when the Woodpecker Sounded the War-gong commences.) The -Mouse-deer was Chief Dancer of the War-dance, and as he danced he -trod on the Otter's babies and crushed them flat. Presently the Otter -returned home, bringing a string of fish with him. Oh arriving he -saw that his children had been killed, and exclaimed, "How comes it, -Friend Mouse-deer, that my babies have died?" The Mouse-deer replied: -"The Woodpecker came and sounded the war-gong, and I, being Chief -War-Dancer, danced; and, forgetting about your children, I trod upon -them and crushed them flat." - -On hearing this the Otter went and made complaint unto King Solomon, -prostrating himself and saying: "Your Majesty's most humble slave -craves pardon for presuming to address your Majesty, but Friend -Mouse-deer has murdered your slave's children, and your slave desires -to learn whether he is guilty or not according to the Law of the -Land." King Solomon replied, saying, "If the Mouse-deer hath done this -thing wittingly, assuredly he is guilty of death." Then he summoned -the Mouse-deer before him. - -And when the Mouse-deer came into the presence of the King, the King -inquired of the Otter, "What is your charge against him?" The Otter -replied, "Your slave accuses him of the murder of your slave's -children; your slave would hear the Law of the Land." Then the King -said unto the Mouse-deer, "Was it your doing that the Otter's children -were killed?" The Mouse-deer replied, "Assuredly it was, but I crave -pardon for doing so." "How was it, then," said the King, "that you -came to kill them?" The Mouse-deer replied, "Your slave came to kill -them because the Woodpecker appeared and sounded the War-gong. Your -slave, as your Majesty is aware, is Chief Dancer of the War-dance; -therefore your slave danced, and, forgetting about the Otter's -children, your slave trod upon them and crushed them flat." Here the -King sent for the Woodpecker also, and the Woodpecker came before him. -"Was it you, Woodpecker," said the King, "who sounded the war-gong?" -"Assuredly it was," said the Woodpecker,--"forasmuch as your slave saw -the Great Lizard wearing his sword." The King replied, "If that is the -case, there is no fault to be found in the Woodpecker" (for the -Woodpecker was Chief Beater of the War-gong). Then the King commanded -the Great Lizard to be summoned, and when he arrived, the King -inquired, "Was it you, Lizard, wearing your sword?" The Great Lizard -replied, "Assuredly it was, your Majesty." "And why were you wearing -your sword?" The Great Lizard replied, "Your slave wore it forasmuch -as your slave saw that the Tortoise had donned his coat of mail." So -the Tortoise was summoned likewise. "Why did you, Tortoise, don your -coat of mail?" The Tortoise replied, "Your slave donned it forasmuch -as your slave saw the King-crab trailing his three-edged pike." Then -the King-crab was sent for. "Why were you, King-crab, trailing your -three-edged pike?" "Because your slave saw that the Crayfish had -shouldered his lance." Then the King sent for the Crayfish, and said, -"Was it you, Crayfish, who was shouldering your lance?" And the -Crayfish replied, "Assuredly it was, your Majesty." "And why did you -shoulder it?" "Because your slave saw the Otter coming down to devour -your slave's own children." "Oh," said King Solomon, "if that is the -case, you, Otter are the guilty party, and your complaint of your -children's death cannot be sustained against the Mouse-deer by the -Law of the Land." - - * * * * * - - - - -THE ALLIGATOR AND THE JACKAL - -ADAPTED BY M. FRERE - - -A hungry Jackal once went down to the riverside in search of little -crabs, bits of fish, and whatever else he could find for his dinner. -Now it chanced that in this river there lived a great big Alligator, -who, being also very hungry, would have been extremely glad to eat the -Jackal. - -The Jackal ran up and down, here and there, but for a long time could -find nothing to eat. At last, close to where the Alligator was lying -among some tall bulrushes under the clear, shallow water, he saw a -little crab sidling along as fast as his legs could carry him. The -Jackal was so hungry that when he saw this he poked his paw into the -water to try to catch the crab, when snap! the old Alligator caught -hold of him. "Oh, dear!" thought the Jackal to himself, "what can I -do? This great, big Alligator has caught my paw in his mouth, and in -another minute he will drag me down by it under the water and kill -me. My only chance is to make him think he has made a mistake." So he -called out in a cheerful voice: "Clever Alligator, clever Alligator, -to catch hold of a bulrush root instead of my paw! I hope you find -it very tender." The Alligator, who was so buried among the bulrushes -that he could hardly see, thought, on hearing this: "Dear me, how -tiresome! I fancied I had caught hold of the Jackal's paw; but there -he is, calling out in a cheerful voice. I suppose I must have seized a -bulrush root instead, as he says," and he let the Jackal go. - -The Jackal ran away as fast as he could, crying, "O wise Alligator, -wise Alligator! So you let me go again!" - -Then the Alligator was very much vexed, but the Jackal had run away -too far to be caught. Next day the Jackal returned to the riverside to -get his dinner as before; but because he was very much afraid of the -Alligator he called out: "Whenever I go to look for my dinner, I see -the nice little crabs peeping up through the mud; then I catch them -and eat them. I wish I could see one now." - -The Alligator, who was buried in the mud at the bottom of the river, -heard every word. So he popped the little point of his snout above it, -thinking: "If I do but just show the tip of my nose, the Jackal will -take me for a crab and put in his paw to catch me, and as soon as ever -he does I'll gobble him up." - -But no sooner did the Jackal see the little tip of the Alligator's -nose than he called out, "Aha, my friend! there you are. No dinner for -me in this part of the river, then, I think." And so saying, he ran -farther on and fished for his dinner a long way from that place. -The Alligator was very angry at missing his prey a second time, and -determined not to let him escape again. - -So on the following day, when his little tormentor returned to the -waterside, the Alligator hid himself close to the bank, in order to -catch him if he could. Now the Jackal was rather afraid of going -near the river, for he thought, "Perhaps the Alligator will catch -me to-day." But yet, being hungry, he did not wish to go without his -dinner; so to make all as safe as he could, he cried: "Where are all -the little crabs gone? There is not one here and I am so hungry; and -generally, even when they are under water, one can see them going -bubble, bubble, bubble, and all the little bubbles go pop! pop! pop!" -On hearing this the Alligator, who was buried in the mud under the -river bank, thought: "I will pretend to be a little crab." And he -began to blow, "Puff, puff, puff! Bubble, bubble, bubble!" and all the -great bubbles rushed to the surface of the river and burst there, and -the waters eddied round and round like a whirlpool; and there was such -a commotion when the huge monster began to blow bubbles in this way -that the Jackal saw very well who must be there, and he ran away as -fast as he could, saying, "Thank you, kind Alligator, thank you; -thank you! Indeed, I would not have come here had I known you were so -close." - -This enraged the Alligator extremely; it made him quite cross to think -of being so often deceived by a little Jackal, and he said to himself, -"I will be taken in no more. Next time I will be very cunning." So -for a long time he waited and waited for the Jackal to return to the -riverside; but the Jackal did not come, for he had thought to himself: -"If matters go on in this way, I shall some day be caught and eaten by -the wicked old Alligator. I had better content myself with living -on wild figs," and he went no more near the river, but stayed in the -jungles and ate wild figs, and roots which he dug up with his paws. - -When the Alligator found this out, he determined to try and catch the -Jackal on land; so, going under the largest of the wild fig-trees, -where the ground was covered with the fallen fruit, he collected a -quantity of it together, and, burying himself under the great heap, -waited for the Jackal to appear. But no sooner did the cunning little -animal see this great heap of wild figs all collected together than -he thought, "That looks very like my friend the Alligator." And to -discover if it were so or not, he called out: "The juicy little wild -figs I love to eat always tumble down from the tree, and roll here and -there as the wind drives them; but this great heap of figs is quite -still; these cannot be good figs; I will not eat any of them." "Ho, -ho!" thought the Alligator, "is that all? How suspicious this Jackal -is! I will make the figs roll about a little, then, and when he sees -that, he will doubtless come and eat them." - -So the great beast shook himself, and all the heap of little figs went -roll, roll, roll--some a mile this way, some a mile that, farther than -they had ever rolled before or than the most blustering wind could -have driven them. - -Seeing this, the Jackal scampered away, saying: "I am so much obliged -to you, Alligator, for letting me know you are there, for indeed I -should hardly have guessed it. You were so buried under that heap of -figs." The Alligator, hearing this, was so angry that he ran after -the Jackal, but the latter ran very, very fast away, too quickly to be -caught. - -Then the Alligator said to himself: "I will not allow that little -wretch to make fun of me another time and then run away out of reach; -I will show him that I can be more cunning than he fancies." And early -the next morning he crawled as fast as he could to the Jackal's den -(which was a hole in the side of a hill) and crept into it, and hid -himself, waiting for the Jackal, who was out, to return home. But when -the Jackal got near the place, he looked about him and thought: "Dear -me! the ground looks as if some heavy creature had been walking over -it, and here are great clods of earth knocked down from each side of -the door of my den, as if a very big animal had been trying to squeeze -himself through it. I certainly will not go inside until I know that -all is safe there." So he called out: "Little house, pretty house, my -sweet little house, why do you not give an answer when I call? If -I come, and all is safe and right, you always call out to me. Is -anything wrong, that you do not speak?" - -Then the Alligator, who was inside, thought, "If that is the case I -had better call out, that he may fancy all is right in his house." And -in as gentle a voice as he could, he said, "Sweet little Jackal." - -At hearing these words the Jackal felt quite frightened, and thought -to himself: "So the dreadful old Alligator is there. I must try to -kill him if I can, for if I do not he will certainly catch and kill me -some day." He therefore answered: "Thank you, my dear little house. I -like to hear your pretty voice. I am coming in in a minute, but first -I must collect firewood to cook my dinner." And he ran as fast as he -could, and dragged all the dry branches and bits of stick he could -find close up to the mouth of the den. Meantime, the Alligator inside -kept as quiet as a mouse, but he could not help laughing a little to -himself as he thought: "So I have deceived this tiresome little Jackal -at last. In a few minutes he will run in here, and then won't I snap -him up!" - -When the Jackal had gathered together all the sticks he could find and -put them round the mouth of his den, he set them on fire and pushed -them as far into it as possible. There was such a quantity of them -that they soon blazed up into a great fire, and the smoke and flames -filled the den and smothered the wicked old Alligator and burned him -to death, while the little Jackal ran up and down outside dancing for -joy and singing: - -"How do you like my house, my friend? Is it nice and warm? Ding-dong! -ding-dong! The Alligator is dying! ding-dong, ding-dong! He -will trouble me no more. I have defeated my enemy! Ring-a-ting! -ding-a-ting! ding-ding-dong!" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FARMER AND THE MONEY-LENDER - - -There was once a Farmer who suffered much at the hands of a -Money-lender. Good harvests or bad the Farmer was always poor, the -Money-lender rich. At the last, when he hadn't a farthing left, the -Farmer went to the Money-lender's house and said, "You can't squeeze -water from a stone, and, as you have nothing to get by me now, you -might tell me the secret of becoming rich." - -"My friend," returned the Money-lender piously, "riches come from -Ram--ask _him_." - -"Thank you, I will!" replied the simple Farmer; so he prepared three -girdle-cakes to last him on the journey, and set out to find Ram. - -First he met a Brahman, and to him he gave a cake, asking him to point -out the road to Ram; but the Brahman only took the cake, and went on -his way without a word. Next the Farmer met a yogi, or devotee, and to -him he gave a cake, without receiving any help in return. At last -he came upon a poor man sitting under a tree, and finding out he was -hungry the kindly Farmer gave him his last cake, and, sitting down to -rest beside him, entered into conversation. - -"And where are you going?" asked the poor man, at length. - -"Oh, I have a long journey before me, for I am going to find Ram!" -replied the Farmer. "I don't suppose you could tell me which way to -go?" - -"Perhaps I can," said the poor man, smiling, "for _I_ am Ram! What do -you want of me?" - -Then the Farmer told the whole story, and Ram, taking pity on him, -gave him a conch-shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular -way, saying: "Remember! whatever you wish for, you have only to blow -the conch that way, and your wish will be fulfilled. Only, have a care -of that Money-lender, for even magic is not proof against his wiles!" - -The Farmer went back to his village rejoicing. In fact, the -Money-lender noticed his high spirits at once, and said to himself, -"Some good fortune must have befallen the stupid fellow, to make -him hold his head so jauntily." Therefore he went over to the simple -Farmer's house, and congratulated him on his good fortune in such -cunning words, pretending to have heard all about it, that before -long the Farmer found himself telling the whole story--all except the -secret of blowing the conch, for, with all his simplicity, the Farmer -was not quite such a fool as to tell that. - -Nevertheless, the Money-lender determined to have the conch by hook -or by crook, and, as he was villain enough not to stick at trifles, he -waited for a favorable opportunity and stole the conch. - -But, after nearly bursting himself with blowing the conch in every -conceivable way, he was obliged to give up the secret as a bad job. -However, being determined to succeed, he went back to the Farmer, and -said coolly: "Look here! I've got your conch, but I can't use it; you -haven't got it, so it's clear you can't use it either. Business is at -a standstill unless we make a bargain. Now, I promise to give you -back your conch, and never to interfere with your using it, on one -condition, which is this--whatever you get from it, I am to get -double." - -"Never!" cried the Farmer; "that would be the old business all over -again!" - -"Not at all!" replied the wily Money-lender; "you will have your share! -Now, don't be a dog in the manger, for, if _you_ get all you want, -what can it matter to you if _I_ am rich or poor?" - -At last, though it went sorely against the grain to be of any benefit -to a Money-lender, the Farmer was forced to yield, and from that time, -no matter what he gained by the power of the conch, the Money-lender -gained double. And the knowledge that this was so, preyed upon the -Farmer's mind day and night, so that he had no satisfaction out of -anything. - -At last there came a very dry season--so dry that the Farmer's crops -withered for want of rain. Then he blew his conch, and wished for a -well to water them, and lo! there was the well, _but the Money-lender -had two_!--two beautiful new wells! This was too much for any Farmer -to stand; and our friend brooded over it, and brooded over it, till -at last a bright idea came into his head. He seized the conch, blew it -loudly, and cried out, "Oh, Ram! I wish to be blind of one eye!" And -so he was, in a twinkling, but the Money-lender, of course, was blind -of both, and in trying to steer his way between the two new wells he -fell into one, and was drowned. - -Now, this true story shows that a Farmer once got the better of a -Money-lender--but only by losing one of his eyes. - - * * * * * - - - - -TIT FOR TAT - -ADAPTED BY M. FRERE - - -There once lived a Camel and a Jackal who were great friends. One day -the Jackal said to the Camel, "I know that there is a fine field of -sugarcane on the other side of the river. If you will take me across, -I'll show you the place. This plan will suit me as well as you. You -will enjoy eating the sugarcane, and I am sure to find many crabs' -bones and bits of fish by the riverside, on which to make a good -dinner." - -The Camel consented, and swam across the river, taking the Jackal, -who could not swim, on his back. When they reached the other side, the -Camel went to eating the sugarcane, and the Jackal ran up and down the -river bank, devouring all the crabs, bits of fish, and bones he could -find. - -But being a much smaller animal, he had made an excellent meal before -the Camel had eaten more than two or three mouthfuls; and no sooner -had he finished his dinner than he ran round and round the sugarcane -field, yelping and howling with all his might. - -The villagers heard him, and thought, "There is a jackal among the -sugarcanes; he will be scratching holes in the ground and spoiling the -roots of the plants." And they all went down to the place to drive him -away. But when they got there they found to their surprise not only a -Jackal, but a Camel who was eating the sugarcanes! This made them very -angry, and they caught the poor Camel and drove him from the field and -beat him and beat him until he was nearly dead. - -When they had gone, the Jackal said to the Camel, "We had better go -home." And the Camel said, "Very well; then jump upon my back, as you -did before." - -So the Jackal jumped upon the Camel's back, and the Camel began to -recross the river. When they had got well into the water, the Camel -said: "This is a pretty way in which you have treated me, friend -Jackal. No sooner had you finished your own dinner than you must go -yelping about the place loud enough to arouse the whole village, and -bring all the villagers down to beat me black and blue, and turn me -out of the field before I had eaten two mouthfuls! What in the world -did you make such a noise for?" - -"I don't know," said the Jackal. "It is a custom I have. I always like -to sing a little after dinner." - -The Camel waded on through the river. The water reached up to his -knees--then above them--up, up, up, higher and higher, until he was -obliged to swim. Then turning to the Jackal, he said, "I feel very -anxious to roll." "Oh, pray don't; why do you wish to do so?" asked -the Jackal. "I don't know," answered the Camel. "It is a custom I -have. I always like to have a little roll after dinner." So saying, he -rolled over in the water, shaking the Jackal off as he did so. And the -Jackal was drowned, but the Camel swam safely ashore. - - * * * * * - - - - -SINGH RAJAH AND THE CUNNING LITTLE JACKALS - -ADAPTED BY M. FRERE - - -Once upon a time, in a great jungle, there lived a great lion. He was -rajah of all the country round, and every day he used to leave his -den, in the deepest shadow of the rocks, and roar with a loud, angry -voice; and when he roared, the other animals in the jungle, who were -all his subjects, got very much frightened and ran here and there; and -Singh Rajah would pounce upon them and kill them, and gobble them up -for his dinner. - -This went on for a long, long time until, at last, there were no -living creatures left in the jungle but two little jackals--a Rajah -Jackal and a Ranee Jackal--husband and wife. - -A very hard time of it the poor little jackals had, running this way -and that to escape the terrible Singh Rajah; and every day the little -Ranee Jackal would say to her husband: "I am afraid he will catch us -to-day; do you hear how he is roaring? Oh, dear! oh, dear!" And he -would answer her: "Never fear; I will take care of you. Let us run on -a mile or two. Come; come quick, quick, quick!" And they would both -run away as fast as they could. - -After some time spent in this way, they found, however, one fine day, -that the lion was so close upon them that they could not escape. -Then the little Ranee Jackal said: "Husband, husband, I feel much -frightened. The Singh Rajah is so angry he will certainly kill us -at once. What can we do?" But he answered: "Cheer up; we can save -ourselves yet. Come, and I'll show you how we may manage it." - -So what did these cunning little jackals do but they went to the great -lion's den; and, when he saw them coming, he began to roar and shake -his mane, and he said: "You little wretches, come and be eaten at -once! I have had no dinner for three whole days, and all that time I -have been running over hill and dale to find you. Ro-a-ar! Ro-a-ar! -Come and be eaten, I say!" and he lashed his tail and gnashed his -teeth, and looked very terrible indeed. Then the Jackal Rajah, -creeping quite close up to him, said: "Oh, great Singh Rajah, we all -know you are our master, and we would have come at your bidding long -ago; but, indeed, sir, there is a much bigger rajah even than you -in this jungle, and he tried to catch hold of us and eat us up, and -frightened us so much that we were obliged to run away." - -"What do you mean?" growled Singh Rajah. "There is no king in this -jungle but me!" "Ah, sire," answered the jackal, "in truth one would -think so, for you are very dreadful. Your very voice is death. But it -is as we say, for we, with our own eyes, have seen one with whom -you could not compete--whose equal you can no more be than we are -yours--whose face is as flaming fire, his step as thunder, and his -power supreme." "It is impossible!" interrupted the old lion; "but -show me this rajah of whom you speak so much, that I may destroy him -instantly!" - -Then the little jackals ran on before him until they reached a great -well, and, pointing down to his own reflection in the water, they -said, "See, sire, there lives the terrible king of whom we spoke." -When Singh Rajah looked down the well he became very angry, for he -thought he saw another lion there. He roared and shook his great mane, -and the shadow lion shook his and looked terribly defiant. At last, -beside himself with rage at the violence of his opponent, Singh Rajah -sprang down to kill him at once, but no other lion was there--only the -treacherous reflection--and the sides of the well were so steep that -he could not get out again to punish the two jackals, who peeped over -the top. After struggling for some time in the deep water, he sank to -rise no more. And the little jackals threw stones down upon him from -above, and danced round and round the well, singing: "Ao! Ao! Ao! Ao! -The king of the forest is dead, is dead! We have killed the great lion -who would have killed us! Ao! Ao! Ao! Ao! Ring-a-ting--ding-a-ting! -Ring-a-ting--ding-a-ting! Ao! Ao! Ao!" - - * * * * * - - - - -AMERICAN INDIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WHITE STONE CANOE - -ADAPTED BY H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT - - -There was once a very beautiful Indian maiden, who died suddenly on -the day she was to have been married to a handsome young warrior. He -was also brave, but his heart was not proof against this loss. From -the hour she was buried, there was no more joy or peace for him. - -He went often to visit the spot where the women had buried her, and -sat musing there, when, it was thought by some of his friends, he -would have done better to try to amuse himself in the chase, or by -diverting his thoughts in the warpath. But war and hunting had both -lost their charms for him. His heart was already dead within him. He -pushed aside both his war-club and his bow and arrows. - -He had heard the old people say, that there was a path that led to the -land of souls, and he determined to follow it. He accordingly set out, -one morning, after having completed his preparations for the journey. -At first he hardly knew which way to go. He was only guided by the -tradition that he must go south. For a while he could see no change in -the face of the country. Forests, and hills, and valleys, and streams -had the same looks which they wore in his native place. - -There was snow on the ground when he set out, and it was sometimes -seen to be piled and matted on the thick trees and bushes. At length -it began to diminish, and finally disappeared. The forest assumed a -more cheerful appearance, the leaves put forth their buds, and before -he was aware of the completeness of the change, he found himself -surrounded by spring. - -He had left behind him the land of snow and ice. The air became mild, -the dark clouds of winter had rolled away from the sky; a pure field -of blue was above him, and as he went he saw flowers beside his path, -and heard the songs of birds. By these signs he knew that he was going -the right way, for they agreed with the traditions of his tribe. At -length he spied a path. It led him through a grove, then up a long and -elevated ridge, on the very top of which he came to a lodge. At the -door stood an old man, with white hair, whose eyes, though deeply -sunk, had a fiery brilliancy. He had a long robe of skins thrown -loosely around his shoulders, and a staff in his hands. - -The young Chippewayan began to tell his story; but the venerable -chief arrested him before he had proceeded to speak ten words. "I have -expected you," he replied, "and had just risen to bid you welcome -to my abode. She whom you seek passed here but a few days since, and -being fatigued with her journey, rested herself here. Enter my lodge -and be seated, and I will then satisfy your inquiries, and give you -directions for your journey from this point." Having done this, they -both issued forth to the lodge door. - -"You see yonder gulf," said he, "and the wide-stretching blue plains -beyond. It is the land of souls. You stand upon its borders, and my -lodge is the gate of entrance. But you can not take your body along. -Leave it here with your bow and arrows, your bundle, and your dog. -You will find them safe on your return." So saying, he re-entered -the lodge, and the freed traveler bounded forward as if his feet had -suddenly been endowed with the power of wings. - -But all things retained their natural colors and shapes. The woods and -leaves, and streams and lakes, were only more bright and comely than -he had ever witnessed. Animals bounded across his path, with a freedom -and a confidence which seemed to tell him there was no blood shed -here. Birds of beautiful plumage inhabited the groves, and sported -in the waters. There was but one thing in which he saw a very unusual -effect. He noticed that his passage was not stopped by trees or other -objects. He appeared to walk directly through them. They were, in -fact, but the souls or shadows of material trees. He became sensible -that he was in a land of shadows. - -When he had traveled half a day's journey, through a country which was -continually becoming more attractive, he came to the banks of a broad -lake, in the center of which was a large and beautiful island. He -found a canoe of shining white stone, tied to the shore. He was now -sure that he had taken the right path, for the aged man had told him -this. There were also shining paddles. He immediately entered the -canoe, and took the paddles in his hands, when, to his joy and -surprise, on turning round he beheld the object of his search in -another canoe, exactly its counterpart in everything. She had exactly -imitated his motions, and they were side by side. - -They at once pushed out from shore and began to cross the lake. Its -waves seemed to be rising, and at a distance looked ready to swallow -them up; but just as they entered the whitened edge of them they -seemed to melt away, as if they were but the images of waves. But no -sooner was one wreath of foam passed, than another, more threatening -still, arose. - -Thus they were in perpetual fear; and what added to it, was the -_clearness of the water_, through which they could see heaps of beings -who had perished before, and whose bones lay strewed on the bottom of -the lake. The Master of Life had, however, decreed to let them pass, -for the actions of neither of them had been bad. But they saw many -others struggling and sinking in the waves. Old and young of all ages -and ranks, were there: some passed and some sank. It was only the -little children whose canoes seemed to meet no waves. - -At length every difficulty was gone, as in a moment, and they both -leaped out on the happy island. They felt that the very air was food. -It strengthened and nourished them. They wandered together over the -blissful fields, where every thing was formed to please the eye and -the ear. There were no tempests--there was no ice, no chilly winds--no -one shivered for the want of warm clothes: no one suffered hunger--no -one mourned for the dead. They saw no graves. They heard of no wars. -There was no hunting of animals; for the air itself was their food. -Gladly would the young warrior have remained there forever, but he was -obliged to go back for his body. He did not see the Master of Life, -but he heard his voice in a soft breeze. - -"Go back," said this voice, "to the land from whence you came. Your -time has not yet come. The duties for which I made you, and which -you are to perform, are not yet finished. Return to your people, and -accomplish the duties of a good man. You will be the ruler of your -tribe for many days. The rules you must observe will be told you by my -messenger, who keeps the gate. When he surrenders back your body, he -will tell you what to do. Listen to him and you shall afterward rejoin -the spirit, which you must now leave behind. She is accepted and will -be ever here, as young and as happy as she was when I first called her -from the land of snows." When this voice ceased, the narrator awoke. -It was all the fabric of a dream, and he was still in the bitter land -of snows, and hunger, and tears. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MAIDEN WHO LOVED A FISH - - -There was once among the Marshpees, a small tribe who have their -hunting-grounds on the shores of the Great Lake, near the Cape of -Storms, a woman whose name was Awashanks. She was rather silly and -very idle. For days together she would sit doing nothing. Then she was -so ugly and ill-shaped that not one of the youths of the village would -have aught to say to her by way of courtship or marriage. She squinted -very much; her face was long and thin, her nose excessively large and -humped, her teeth crooked and projecting, her chin almost as sharp -as the bill of a loon, and her ears as large as those of a deer. -Altogether she was a very odd and strangely formed woman, and wherever -she went she never failed to excite much laughter and derision among -those who thought that ugliness and deformity were fit subjects for -ridicule. - -Though so very ugly, there was one faculty she possessed in a more -remarkable degree than any woman of the tribe. It was that of singing. -Nothing, unless such could be found in the land of spirits, could -equal the sweetness of her voice or the beauty of her songs. Her -favorite place of resort was a small hill, a little removed from the -river of her people, and there, seated beneath the shady trees, she -would while away the hours of summer with her charming songs. So -beautiful and melodious were the things she uttered that, by the time -she had sung a single sentence, the branches above her head would be -filled with the birds that came thither to listen, the thickets around -her would be crowded with beasts, and the waters rolling beside her -would be alive with fishes, all attracted by the sweet sounds. From -the minnow to the porpoise, from the wren to the eagle, from the snail -to the lobster, from the mouse to the mole--all hastened to the spot -to listen to the charming songs of the hideous Marshpee maiden. - -Among the fishes which repaired every night to the vicinity of -the Little Hillock, which was the chosen resting-place of the ugly -songstress, was the great chief of the trouts, a tribe of fish -inhabiting the river near by. The chief was of a far greater size than -the people of his nation usually are, being as long as a man and quite -as broad. - -Of all the creatures which came to listen to the singing of Awashanks -none appeared to enjoy it so highly as the chief of the trouts. As -his bulk prevented him from approaching so near as he wished, he, -from time to time, in his eagerness to enjoy the music to the best -advantage, ran his nose into the ground, and thus worked his way -a considerable distance into the land. Nightly he continued his -exertions to approach the source of the delightful sounds he heard, -till at length he had plowed out a wide and handsome channel, and so -effected his passage from the river to the hill, a distance extending -an arrow's-flight. Thither he repaired every night at the commencement -of darkness, sure to meet the maiden who had become so necessary to -his happiness. Soon he began to speak of the pleasure he enjoyed, and -to fill the ears of Awashanks with fond protestations of his love and -affection. Instead of singing to him, she now began to listen to his -voice. It was something so new and strange to her to hear the tones of -love and courtship, a thing so unusual to be told she was beautiful, -that it is not wonderful her head was turned by the new incident, and -that she began to think the voice of her lover the sweetest she had -ever heard. One thing marred their happiness. This was that the trout -could not live upon land, nor the maiden in the water. This state of -things gave them much sorrow. - -They had met one evening at the usual place, and were discoursing -together, lamenting that two who loved each other so, should be doomed -always to live apart, when a man appeared close to Awashanks. He asked -the lovers why they seemed to be so sad. - -The chief of the trouts told the stranger the cause of their sorrow. - -"Be not grieved nor hopeless," said the stranger, when the chief -had finished. "The impediments can be removed. I am the spirit who -presides over fishes, and though I cannot make a man or woman of a -fish, I can make them into fish. Under my power Awashanks shall become -a beautiful trout." - -With that he bade the girl follow him into the river. When they had -waded in some little depth he took up some water in his hand and -poured it on her head, muttering some words, of which none but himself -knew the meaning. Immediately a change took place in her. Her body -took the form of a fish, and in a few moments she was a complete -trout. Having accomplished this transformation the spirit gave her -to the chief of the trouts, and the pair glided off into the deep -and quiet waters. She did not, however, forget the land of her birth. -Every season, on the same night as that upon which her disappearance -from her tribe had been wrought, there were to be seen two trouts of -enormous size playing in the water off the shore. They continued -their visits till the palefaces came to the country, when, deeming -themselves to be in danger from a people who paid no reverence to the -spirits of the land, they bade it adieu forever. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE STAR WIFE - - -In the days when the buffalo raced and thundered over the earth and -the stars danced and sang in the sky, a brave young hunter lived on -the bank of Battle River. He was fond of the red flowers and the blue -sky; and when the rest of the Indians went out to hunt in waistcloths -of skin he put on his fringed leggings all heavy with blue beads, and -painted red rings and stripes on his face, till he was as gay as the -earth and the sky himself. High-feather was his name, and he always -wore a red swan's feather on his head. - -One day, when High-feather was out with his bow and arrows, he came on -a little beaten trail that he had never seen before, and he followed -it--but he found that it went round and round and brought him back to -where he had started. It came from nowhere, and it went to nowhere. - -"What sort of animal has made this?" he said. And he lay down in the -middle of the ring to think, looking up into the blue sky. - -While he lay thinking, he saw a little speck up above him in the sky, -and thought it was an eagle. But the speck grew bigger, and sank down -and down, till he saw it was a great basket coming down out of the -sky. He jumped up and ran back to a little hollow and lay down to hide -in a patch of tall red flowers. Then he peeped out and saw the basket -come down to the earth and rest on the grass in the middle of the -ring. Twelve beautiful maidens were leaning over the edge of the -basket. They were not Indian maidens, for their faces were pink and -white, and their long hair was bright red-brown like a fox's fur, and -their clothes were sky-blue and floating light as cobwebs. - -The maidens jumped out of the basket and began to dance round and -round the ring-trail, one behind the other, drumming with their -fingers on little drums of eagle-skin, and singing such beautiful -songs as High-feather had never heard. - -Then High-feather jumped up and ran towards the ring, crying out, "Let -me dance and sing with you!" - -The maidens were frightened, and ran to the basket and jumped in, -and the basket flew up into the sky, and grew smaller till at last he -could not see it at all. - -The young man went home to his wigwam, and his mother roasted buffalo -meat for his dinner; but he could not eat, and he could not think of -anything but the twelve beautiful maidens. His mother begged him to -tell her what the matter was; and at last he told her, and said he -would never be happy till he brought one of the maidens home to be his -wife. - -"Those must be the Star-people," said his mother, who was a great -magician--the prairie was full of magic in those days, before the -white man came and the buffalo went. "You had better take an Indian -girl for your wife. Don't think any more of the Star-maidens, or you -will have much trouble." - -"I care little how much trouble I have, so long as I get a Star-maiden -for my wife," he said; "and I am going to get one, if I have to wait -till the world ends." - -"If you must, you must," said his mother. - -So next morning she sewed a bit of gopher's fur on to his feather; -and he ate a good breakfast of buffalo meat and tramped away over -the prairie to the dancing ring. As soon as he came into the ring he -turned into a gopher; but there were no gophers' holes there for him -to hide in, so he had to lie in the grass and wait. - -Presently he saw a speck up in the sky, and the speck grew larger and -larger till it became a basket, and the basket came down and down till -it rested on the earth in the middle of the ring. - -The eldest maiden put her head over the edge and looked all around, -north and east and south and west. - -"There is no man here," she said. So they all jumped out to have their -dance. But before they came to the beaten ring the youngest maiden -spied the gopher, and called out to her sisters to look at it. - -"Away! away!" cried the eldest maiden. "No gopher would dare to come -on our dancing ground. It is a conjuror in disguise!" - -So she took her youngest sister by the arm and pulled her away to the -basket, and they all jumped in and the basket went sailing up into -the sky before High-feather could get out of his gopher skin or say a -word. - -The young man went home very miserable; but when his mother heard what -had happened she said: "It is a hard thing you want to do; but if you -must, you must. To-night I will make some fresh magic, and you can try -again to-morrow." - -Next morning High-feather asked for his breakfast; but his mother -said, "You must not have any buffalo meat, or it will spoil the magic. -You must not eat anything but the wild strawberries you find on the -prairie as you go." - -Then she sewed a little bit of a mouse's whisker on to his red -feather; and he tramped away across the prairie, picking wild -strawberries and eating them as he went, till he came to the dancing -ring. As soon as he was inside the ring he turned into a little mouse, -and made friends with the family of mice that lived in a hole under -the grass; and the mother mouse promised to help him all she could. - -They had not waited long when the basket came dropping down out of -the sky. The eldest sister put her head over the edge, and looked all -around, north and west and south and east and down on the ground. - -"There is no man here," she said, "and I do not see any gopher; but -you must be very careful." - -So they all got out of the basket, and began to dance round the ring, -drumming and singing as they went. But when they came near the mouse's -nest the eldest sister held up her hand, and they stopped dancing and -held their breath. Then she tapped on the ground and listened. - -"It does not sound so hollow as it did," she said, "The mice have a -visitor." - -And she tapped again, and called out, "Come and show yourselves, you -little traitors, or we will dig you up!" - -But the mother mouse had made another door to her nest, just outside -the ring, working very fast with all her toes; and while the maidens -were looking for her inside the ring she came out at the other door -with all her children and scampered away across the prairie. - -The maidens turned round and ran after them; all but the youngest -sister, who did not want any one to be killed; and High-feather came -out of the hole and turned himself into what he was, and caught her by -the arm. - -"Come home and marry me," he said, "and dance with the Indian maidens; -and I will hunt for you, and my mother will cook for you, and you will -be much happier than up in the sky." - -Her sisters came rushing round her, and begged her to go back home to -the sky with them; but she looked into the young man's eyes, and said -she would go with him wherever he went. So the other maidens went -weeping and wailing up into the sky, and High-feather took his -Star-wife home to his tent on the bank of the Battle River. - -High-feather's mother was glad to see them both; but she whispered in -his ear: "You must never let her out of your sight if you want to keep -her; you must take her with you everywhere you go." - -And he did so. He took her with him every time he went hunting, and -he made her a bow and arrows, but she would never use them; she would -pick wild strawberries and gooseberries and raspberries as they went -along, but she would never kill anything; and she would never eat -anything that any one else had killed. She only ate berries and -crushed corn. - -One day, while the young man's wife was embroidering feather stars on -a dancing-cloth, and his mother was gossiping in a tent at the end -of the village, a little yellow bird flew in and perched on -High-feather's shoulder, and whispered in his ear: - -"There is a great flock of wild red swans just over on Loon Lake. If -you come quickly and quietly you can catch them before they fly away; -but do not tell your wife, for red swans cannot bear the sight of a -woman, and they can tell if one comes within a mile of them." - -High-feather had never seen or heard of a red swan before; all the red -feathers he wore he had had to paint. He looked at his wife, and as -she was sewing busily and looking down at her star embroidering he -thought he could slip away and get back before she knew he had gone. -But as soon as he was out of sight the little yellow bird flew in and -perched on her shoulder, and sang her such a beautiful song about her -sisters in the sky that she forgot everything else and slipped out -and ran like the wind, and got to the dancing ring just as her sisters -came down in their basket. Then they all gathered round her, and -begged her to go home with them. - -But she only said, "High-feather is a brave man, and he is very good -to me, and I will never leave him." - -When they saw they could not make her leave her husband, the eldest -sister said: "If you must stay, you must. But just come up for an -hour, to let your father see you, because he has been mourning for you -ever since you went away." - -The Star-wife did not wish to go, but she wanted to see her father -once more, so she got into the basket and it sailed away up into the -sky. Her father was very glad to see her, and she was very glad to -see him, and they talked and they talked till the blue sky was getting -gray. Then she remembered that she ought to have gone home long -before. - -"Now I must go back to my husband," she said. - -"That you shall never do!" said her father. - -And he shut her up in a white cloud and said she should stay there -till she promised never to go back to the prairie. She begged to be -let out, but it was no use. - -Then she began to weep; and she wept so much that the cloud began to -weep too, and it was weeping itself quite away. So her father saw she -would go down to the earth in rain if he kept her in the cloud any -longer, and he let her out. - -"What must I do for you," he said, "to make you stay with us here and -be happy?" - -"I will not stay here," she said, "unless my husband comes and lives -here too." - -"I will send for him at once," said her father. So he sent the basket -down empty, and it rested in the middle of the dancing ring. - -Now when High-feather reached Loon Lake he found it covered with red -swans. He shot two with one arrow, and then all the rest flew away. -He picked up the two swans and hurried back to his tent, and there lay -the dancing-cloth with the feather stars on it half finished, but no -wife could he see. He called her, but she did not answer. He rushed -out, with the two red swans still slung round his neck and hanging -down his back, and ran to the dancing ring, but nobody was there. - -"I will wait till she comes back," he said to himself, "if I have to -wait till the world ends." So he threw himself down on the grass and -lay looking up at the stars till he went to sleep. - -Early in the morning he heard a rustling on the grass, and when he -opened his eyes he saw the great basket close beside him. He jumped -up, with the two red swans still slung round his neck, and climbed -into the basket. There was nobody there; and when he began to climb -out again he found that the basket was half way up to the sky. It went -up and up, and at last it came into the Star-country, where his wife -was waiting for him. Her father gave them a beautiful blue tent to -live in, and High-feather was happy enough for a while; but he soon -grew tired of the cloud-berries that the Star-people ate, and he -longed to tramp over the solid green prairie, so he asked his wife's -father to let him take her back to the earth. - -"No," said the Star-man, "because then I should never see her again. -If you stay with us you will soon forget the dull old earth." - -The young man said nothing; but he put on the wings of one of the red -swans, and he put the other red swan's wings on his wife, and they -leapt over the edge of the Star-country and flew down through the air -to the prairie, and came to the tent where High-feather's mother was -mourning for them; and there was a great feast in the village because -they had come back safe and sound. The Star-wife finished embroidering -her dancing-cloth that day; and whenever the Indians danced she danced -with them. She never went back to the Star-maidens' dancing ring; -but she still lived on berries and corn, because she would never kill -anything,--except one thing, and that was the little yellow bird. It -flew into the tent one day when High-feather had his back turned, -and began to whisper into the Star-wife's ear; but it never came to -trouble her again. - - * * * * * - - - - -ARABIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - - - -THE STORY OF CALIPH STORK - - -Caliph Charid, of Bagdad, was reclining on his divan one pleasant -afternoon, smoking his long pipe and sipping coffee from a handsome -dish which a slave was holding for him, when his Grand Vizier, Mansor, -entered and told him of a peddler in the court below whose wares might -interest him. The Caliph, being in an affable state of mind, summoned -the peddler, who, delighted with the opportunity, displayed all the -treasures of his pack. There were pearls, rings, silks, and many other -rich things. The Caliph selected something for himself, a handsome -present for the Vizier, and another for the Vizier's wife. - -Just as the peddler was putting the things back into his box, the -Caliph noticed a small drawer and asked what it contained. - -"Only something of no value, which I picked up in a street of Mecca," -the peddler replied. He thereupon opened the drawer and showed the -Caliph a small box, containing a black powder and a scroll written in -characters which neither the Caliph nor his Grand Vizier could make -out. The Caliph immediately decided that he wanted this strange -scroll, and the peddler was persuaded to part with it for a trifle. -Then the Vizier was asked to find some one to decipher its meaning. - -Near the mosque lived a man called Selim, who was so learned that -he knew every language in the world. When the Vizier brought him to -interpret the scroll, the Caliph said to him: - -"They tell me that you are a scholar and can read all languages. If -you can decipher what is written here, I shall know that it is true, -and will give you a robe of honor; but if you fail, I shall have you -punished with many strokes, because you are falsely named." - -Selim prostrated himself at the feet of the Caliph, and then took the -scroll. He had not looked at it long when he exclaimed: - -"My lord and master, I hope to die if this is not Latin." - -"Well, if so, let us hear what it says," the Caliph impatiently -answered. Selim at once began: - -"Let him who finds this box praise Allah. If he snuffs the powder it -contains, at the same time pronouncing the word 'Matabor,' he will be -transformed into any creature that he desires, and will understand the -language of all animals. When he wishes to return to his own form, -let him bow to the east three times, repeating the word 'Matabor.' -But remember if, while he is bird or beast, he should laugh, the magic -word would be forgotten, and the enchantment would be on him forever." - -The Caliph was delighted with the knowledge of Selim. He made him -a splendid present, and told him to keep the secret. When he had -dismissed the learned man, he turned to the Grand Vizier, and -expressed a wish to try the powder. - -"Come to-morrow morning early," said he, "and we will go together to -the country and learn what the animals are talking about." - -The Vizier came as he was ordered, and they left the palace without -attendants. Beyond the town was a large pond where some handsome -storks were often seen, and to this place they presently came. A grave -and stately stork was hunting for frogs, while another flew about and -kept him company. - -"Most gracious lord," said the Vizier, "what think you of these -dignified long legs, and how would you like to know their chatter?" - -The Caliph replied that the stork had always interested him, and he -would very much like a more intimate acquaintance. Taking the box from -his girdle, he helped himself to a pinch of snuff and offered it to -the Vizier, who followed his example. - -Together they cried "Matabor," and instantly their beards disappeared, -and feathers covered their bodies; their necks stretched out long and -slender, and their legs shriveled into red and shapeless sticks. The -Caliph lifted up his foot to stroke his beard in astonishment, but -found a long bill in its place. - -"By the beard of the Prophet, since I have not one of my own to swear -by, but we are a pretty pair of birds, Mansor!" - -"If I may say so, your Highness, you are equally handsome as a -stork as when you were a Caliph," replied the Vizier. "I see our two -relations are conversing over there; shall we join them?" - -When they came near to where the storks were smoothing their -feathers and touching bills in the most friendly manner, this was the -conversation they overheard, "Will you have some of my frog's legs for -breakfast, Dame Yellowlegs?" "No, thank you; I am obliged to practise -a dance for my father's guests, and cannot eat." Thereupon Dame -Yellowlegs stepped out, and began to pose most gracefully. The Caliph -and the Vizier watched her, until she stood on one foot and spread -her wings; then they both, at the same time, burst into such peals of -laughter that the two storks flew away. - -Suddenly, however, the Vizier ceased his mirth, and commenced bowing -to the east. The Caliph recovered himself and did the same, but -neither could think of the magic word. - -"Mansor, just recall that unholy word, and I will become Caliph once -more, and you my Grand Vizier. I have had enough of being a bird for -one day." - -"Most gracious lord, that dancing stork has undone us, for, since -laughing at her antics, I cannot remember the word that will restore -us to human shape." - -So at last, in despair, the two unhappy birds wandered through the -meadows. They appeased their hunger with fruits, for they could not -bring themselves to eat frogs and lizards. As they dared not return to -Bagdad and tell the people their chagrin, they flew over the city, and -had the satisfaction of seeing signs of mourning and confusion. In a -few days, however, while sitting on the roof of a house, they saw a -splendid procession coming up the street, and the people welcoming the -new ruler. "Hail! Hail Mirza, ruler of Bagdad!" they shouted. - -The procession came nearer. At the head of it the Caliph saw a man -dressed in scarlet and gold, riding a handsome horse. He at once -recognized the new ruler as the son of his worst enemy. - -"Behold," said he, "the explanation of our enchantment! This is -the son of Kaschnur, the magician, who is my great enemy, who seeks -revenge. Let us not lose hope, but fly to the sacred grave of the -Prophet and pray to be released from the spell." - -They at once spread their wings and soared away toward Medina, but not -being accustomed to such long flights, they soon became fatigued and -descended to a ruin which stood in a valley below. The two enchanted -birds decided to remain there for the night; then wandered through -the deserted rooms and corridors, which gave of evidence of former -splendor. Suddenly the Vizier stopped and remarked that if it were not -ridiculous for a stork to be afraid of ghosts, he would feel decidedly -nervous. The Caliph listened, and heard a low moaning and sobbing, -which seemed to come from a room down the passage. He started to rush -toward it, but the Vizier held him fast by a wing. He had retained the -brave heart that he had possessed when a Caliph, however, and freeing -himself from the Vizier's bill, he hurried to the room whence came the -pitiful sounds. The moon shone through a barred window and showed him -a screech owl sitting on the floor of the ruined chamber, lamenting in -a hoarse voice. The Vizier had cautiously stolen up beside the Caliph; -and at sight of the two storks, the screech owl uttered a cry of -pleasure. To their astonishment it addressed them in Arabic, in the -following words: - -"I have abandoned myself to despair, but I believe my deliverance is -near, for it was prophesied in my youth that a stork would bring me -good fortune." - -The Caliph, thus appealed to, arched his neck most gracefully and -replied: - -"Alas! Screech Owl, I fear we are unable to aid you, as you will -understand when you have heard our miserable story." - -He then related how the magician, Kaschnur, had changed them into -storks and made his own son ruler of Bagdad. The screech owl became -very much excited and exclaimed: - -"How strange that misfortune should have come to us through the -same man. I am Tusa, the daughter of the King of the Indies. The -magician, Kaschnur, came one day to my father, to ask my hand in -marriage for his son Mirza. My father ordered him thrown down -stairs, and in revenge he managed to have me given a powder which -changed me into this hideous shape. He then conveyed me to this -lonely castle, and swore I should remain here until some one asked -me to be his wife, and so freed me from the enchantment." - -At the conclusion of her story, the screech owl wept anew and would -not be consoled. Suddenly, however, she wiped her eyes on her wing and -said: - -"I have an idea that may lead to our deliverance. Once every month the -magician, Kaschnur, and his companions meet in a large hall at this -castle, where they feast and relate their evil deeds. We will listen -outside the door, and perhaps you may hear the forgotten word. Then, -when you have resumed human form, one of you can ask to marry me, that -I too may be freed from this wretched enchantment; and the prophecy -that a stork would bring me happiness would be fulfilled." - -The Caliph and the Vizier withdrew and consulted over the situation. -"It is unfortunate," said the Caliph, "but if we are to meet again, I -think you will have to ask the screech owl to marry you." - -"Not so, your Highness, I already have a wife, and would rather remain -a stork forever than take another; besides, I am an old man, while -you are young and unmarried, and much better suited to a beautiful -Princess." - -"That is it," said the Caliph. "How do I know that she will not prove -to be some old fright?" As the Vizier was firm, the Caliph at last -said he would take the chances and do as the screech owl required. - -That very night it so happened that the magicians met at the ruined -castle. The screech owl led the two storks through difficult passages -till they came to a hole in the wall, through which they could plainly -see all that transpired in the lighted hall. Handsomely carved pillars -adorned the room, and a table was spread with many dishes. About the -table sat eight men, among whom was their enemy, the magician. He -entertained the company with many stories, and at last came to his -latest--that of turning the Caliph and Vizier into storks--in relating -which he pronounced the magic word. The storks did not wait to hear -more, but ran to the door of the castle. The screech owl followed as -fast as she could, and when the Caliph saw her he exclaimed: - -"To prove my gratitude, O our deliverer! I beg you to take me for your -husband." - -Then the two storks faced the rising sun, and bowed their long necks -three times. "Matabor!" they solemnly cried, together; and in an -instant they were no longer storks, but stood before each other in -their natural forms. In their joy they fell on each other's necks -and forgot all about the screech owl, until they heard a sweet voice -beside them, and turning beheld a beautiful Princess. When the Caliph -recovered from his astonishment he said that he was now, indeed, -enchanted and hoped to remain so always. - -They then started at once for the gate of Bagdad; and when they -arrived, the people were overjoyed, for they had believed their ruler -dead. The magician was taken to the ruined castle and hanged, and his -son was given the choice of the black powder or death. Choosing -the powder, he was changed into a stork, and was kept in the palace -gardens. - -Caliph Charid and the Princess were married; and when their children -grew old enough, the Caliph often amused them with imitations of -the Grand Vizier when he was a stork,--while Mansor sat smiling and -pulling his long beard. - - * * * * * - - - - -PERSEVERE AND PROSPER - -ADAPTED BY A. R. MONTALBA - - -"He that seeketh, shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be -opened," says an old Arab proverb. - -"I will try that," said a youth one day. To carry out his intention he -journeyed to Bagdad, where he presented himself before the Vizier. - -"Lord!" said he, "for many years I have lived a quiet and solitary -life, the monotony of which wearies me. I have never permitted myself -earnestly to will any thing. But as my teacher daily repeated to -me, 'He that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be -opened,' so have I now come to the resolution with might and heart to -will, and the resolution of my will is nothing less than to have the -Caliph's daughter for my wife." - -The Vizier thought the poor man was mad, and told him to call again -some other time. - -Perseveringly he daily returned, and never felt disconcerted at the -same often repeated answer. One day, the Caliph called on the Vizier, -as the youth was repeating his statement. - -Full of astonishment the Caliph listened to the strange demand, and -being in no humor for having the poor youth's head taken off, but on -the contrary, being rather inclined for pleasantry, his Mightiness -condescendingly said: "For the great, the wise, or the brave, to -request a Princess for wife, is a moderate demand; but what are -your claims? To be the possessor of my daughter you must distinguish -yourself by one of these attributes, or else by some great -undertaking. Ages ago a carbuncle of inestimable value was lost in the -Tigris; he who finds it shall have the hand of my daughter." - -The youth, satisfied with the promise of the Caliph, went to the -shores of the Tigris. With a small vessel he went every morning to the -river, scooping out the water and throwing it on the land; and after -having for hours thus employed himself, he knelt down and prayed. The -fishes became at last uneasy at his perseverance; and being fearful -that, in the course of time, he might exhaust the waters, they -assembled in great council. - -"What is the purpose of this man?" demanded the monarch of the -fishes. - -"The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the bottom of the -Tigris," was the reply. - -"I advise you, then," said the aged monarch, "to give it up to him; -for if he has the steady will, and has positively resolved to find -it, he will work until he has drained the last drop of water from the -Tigris, rather than deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose." - -The fishes, out of fear, threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the -youth; and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the -Caliph for his wife." - -"He who earnestly wills, can do much!" - - * * * * * - - - - -CHINESE STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MOST FRUGAL OF MEN - - -A man who was considered the most frugal of all the dwellers in a -certain kingdom heard of another man who was the most frugal in the -whole world. He said to his son thereupon: "We, indeed, live upon -little, but if we were more frugal still, we might live upon nothing -at all. It will be well worth while for us to get instructions in -economy from the Most Frugal of Men." The son agreed, and the two -decided that the son should go and inquire whether the master in -economic science would take pupils. An exchange of presents being a -necessary preliminary to closer intercourse, the father told the son -to take the smallest of coins, one farthing, and to buy a sheet of -paper of the cheapest sort. The boy, by bargaining, got two sheets of -paper for the farthing. The father put away one sheet, cut the other -sheet in halves, and on one half drew a picture of a pig's head. This -he put into a large covered basket, as if it were the thing which it -represented--the usual gift sent in token of great respect. The son -took the basket, and after a long journey reached the abode of the -most frugal man in the world. - -The master of the house was absent, but his son received the traveler, -learned his errand, and accepted the offering. Having taken from -the basket the picture of the pig's head, he said courteously to his -visitor: "I am sorry that we have nothing in the house that is worthy -to take the place of the pig's head in your basket. I will, however, -signify our friendly reception of it by putting in four oranges for -you to take home with you." - -Thereupon the young man, without having any oranges at hand, made the -motions necessary for putting the fruit into the basket. The son of -the most frugal man in the kingdom then took the basket and went to -his father to tell of thrift surpassing his own. - -When the most frugal man in the world returned home, his son told him -that a visitor had been there, having come from a great distance to -take lessons in economy. The father inquired what offering he brought -as an introduction, and the son showed the small outline of the pig's -head on thin brown paper. The father looked at it, and then asked -his son what he had sent as a return present. The son told him he had -merely made the motions necessary for transferring four oranges, and -showed how he had clasped the imaginary fruit and deposited it in the -visitor's basket. The father immediately flew into a terrible rage and -boxed the boy's ears, exclaiming: "You extravagant wretch! With your -fingers thus far apart you appeared to give him large oranges. Why -didn't you measure out small ones?" - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MOON-CAKE - - -A little boy had a cake that a big boy coveted. Designing to get -the cake without making the little boy cry so loud as to attract -his mother's attention, the big boy remarked that the cake would be -prettier if it were more like the moon. The little boy thought that a -cake like the moon must be desirable, and on being assured by the -big boy that he had made many such, he handed over his cake for -manipulation. The big boy took out a mouthful, leaving a crescent with -jagged edge. The little boy was not pleased by the change, and began -to whimper; whereupon the big boy pacified him by saying that he would -make the cake into a half-moon. So he nibbled off the horns of the -crescent, and gnawed the edge smooth; but when the half-moon was made, -the little boy perceived that there was hardly any cake left, and he -again began to snivel. The big boy again diverted him by telling him -that, if he did not like so small a moon, he should have one that was -just the size of the real orb. He then took the cake, and explained -that, just before the new moon is seen, the old moon disappears. Then -he swallowed the rest of the cake and ran off, leaving the little boy -waiting for the new moon. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE LADLE THAT FELL FROM THE MOON - - -Once there was an old woman who lived on what she got by wile from her -relatives and neighbors. Her husband's brother lived alone with his -only son, in a house near hers, and when the son brought home a wife -the old woman went to call on the bride. During the call she inquired -of the bride whether she had not, since her arrival in the house, -heard a scratching at night among the boxes containing her wedding -outfit. The bride said she had not. A few days later the old woman -came again, and during the visit the bride remarked that, before the -matter was mentioned, she had heard no scratching among her boxes, but -that since that time she had listened for it, and had heard it every -night. The old woman advised her to look carefully after her clothing, -saying that there were evidently many mice in the house, and that she -would be likely at any time to find her best garments nibbled into -shreds. The old woman knew there was no cat in the house, but she -inquired whether there was one, and on hearing that there was not, she -offered to lend the young woman her own black-and-white cat, saying -that it would soon extirpate all the mice. The bride accepted the -loan, and the old woman brought the cat, and left it in the bride's -apartment. After a few hours the cat disappeared, and the bride, -supposing it to have gone home, made no search for it. It did, indeed, -go home, and the old woman secretly disposed of it; but several days -later she came to the young woman and said that, when she lent the -cat, her house had been free from mice, but that, as soon as the cat -was gone, the mice came and multiplied so fast that now everything was -overrun by them, and she would be obliged to take the cat home again. -The young woman told her that the cat went away the same day that it -came, and she had supposed it had gone home. The old woman said it had -not, and that nothing could compensate her for the loss of it, for she -had reared it herself; that there was never before seen such a cat for -catching mice; that a cat, spotted as that one was, was seldom found; -and that it was of the rare breed which gave rise to the common -saying: - - "A coal-black cat, with snowy loins, - Is worth its weight in silver coins." - -and that the weight of her cat was two hundred ounces. - -The young woman was greatly surprised by this estimate of the value of -the lost cat, and went to her father-in-law and related all that had -occurred. The father-in-law, knowing the character of the old woman, -could neither eat nor sleep, so harassed was he by the expectation -that she would worry his daughter-in-law till the two hundred ounces -of silver should be paid. The young woman, being a new-comer, thought -but lightly of the matter, till the old woman came again and again to -make mention of the cat. When it became apparent that she must defend -herself, the young woman asked her father-in-law if he had ever lent -anything to the old woman; and when he said he could not remember -having lent anything, she begged him to think carefully, and see if -he could not recall the loan of a tool, a dish, or a fagot. He finally -recollected that he had lent to her an old wooden ladle, but he said -it originally cost but a few farthings, and was certainly not worth -speaking about. - -The next time the old woman came to dun for the amount due for her -cat, the young woman asked her to return the borrowed ladle. The old -woman said that the ladle was old and valueless; that she had allowed -the children to play with it, and that they had dropped it in the -dirt, where it had lain until she had picked it up and used it for -kindlings. The bride responded: "You expect to enrich yourself and -your family by means of your cat. I and my family also want money. -Since you cannot give back the ladle, we will both go before the -magistrate and present our cases. If your cat is adjudged to be worth -more than my ladle I will pay you the excess; and if my ladle be worth -more than your cat, then you must pay me." Being sure that the cat -would, by any judge, be considered of greater value than the ladle, -the old woman agreed to the proposition, and the two went before the -magistrate. The young woman courteously gave precedence to the elder, -and allowed her to make the accusation. The old woman set forth her -case, and claimed two hundred ounces of silver as a compensation for -the loss of the cat. When she had concluded her statement, the judge -called on the young woman for her defense. She said she could not -disprove the statement, but that the claim was offset by a ladle that -had been borrowed by the plaintiff. There was a common saying: - - "In the moon overhead, at its full, you can see - The trunk, branch and leaf of a cinnamon tree." - -A branch from this tree had one night been blown down before her -father-in-law's door, and he had had a ladle made from the wood. -Whatever the ladle was put into never diminished by use. Whether wine, -oil, rice, or money, the bulk remained the same if no ladle beside -this one were used in dipping it. A foreign inn-keeper, hearing of -this ladle, came and offered her father-in-law three thousand ounces -of silver for it, but the offer was refused. And this ladle was the -one that the plaintiff had borrowed and destroyed. - -The magistrate, on hearing this defense, understood that the cat had -been a pretext for extortion, and decided that the two claims offset -each other, so that no payment was due from either one. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE YOUNG HEAD OF THE FAMILY - - -There was once a family consisting of a father, his three sons, and -his two daughters-in-law. The two daughters-in-law, wives of the two -elder sons, had but recently been brought into the house, and were -both from one village a few miles away. Having no mother-in-law -living, they were obliged to appeal to their father-in-law whenever -they wished to visit their former homes, and as they were lonesome -and homesick they perpetually bothered the old man by asking leave of -absence. - -Vexed by these constant petitions, he set himself to invent a method -of putting an end to them, and at last gave them leave in this wise: -"You are always begging me to allow you to go and visit your mothers, -and thinking that I am very hard-hearted because I do not let you go. -Now you may go, but only upon condition that when you come back you -will each bring me something I want. The one shall bring me some -fire wrapped in paper, and the other some wind in a paper. Unless you -promise to bring me these, you are never to ask me to let you go home; -and if you go, and fail to get these for me, you are never to come -back." - -The old man did not suppose that these conditions would be accepted, -but the girls were young and thoughtless, and in their anxiety to -get away did not consider the impossibility of obtaining the articles -required. So they made ready with speed, and in great glee started off -on foot to visit their mothers. After they had walked a long distance, -chatting about what they should do and whom they should see in their -native village, the high heel of one of them slipped from under her -foot, and she fell down. Owing to this mishap both stopped to adjust -the misplaced footgear, and while doing this the conditions under -which alone they could return to their husbands came to mind, and they -began to cry. - -While they sat there crying by the roadside a young girl came riding -along from the fields on a water buffalo. She stopped and asked them -what was the matter, and whether she could help them. They told her -she could do them no good; but she persisted in offering her sympathy -and inviting their confidence, till they told their story, and then -she at once said that if they would go home with her she would show -them a way out or their trouble. Their case seemed so hopeless to -themselves, and the child was so sure of her own power to help them, -that they finally accompanied her to her father's house, where she -showed them how to comply with their father-in-law's demand. - -For the first a paper lantern only would be needed. When lighted it -would be a fire, and its paper surface would compass the blaze, so -that it would truly be "some fire wrapped in paper." For the second a -paper fan would suffice. When flapped, wind would issue from it, and -the "wind wrapped in paper" could thus be carried to the old man. - -The two young women thanked the wise child, and went on their way -rejoicing. After a pleasant visit to their old homes, they took a -lantern and a fan, and returned to their father-in-law's house. As -soon as he saw them he began to vent his anger at their light regard -for his commands, but they assured him that they had perfectly -obeyed him, and showed him that what they had brought fulfilled the -conditions prescribed. Much astonished, he inquired how it was that -they had suddenly become so astute, and they told him the story of -their journey, and of the little girl who had so opportunely come -to their relief. He inquired whether the little girl was already -betrothed, and, finding that she was not, engaged a go-between to see -if he could get her for a wife for his youngest son. - -Having succeeded in securing the girl as a daughter-in-law, he brought -her home, and told all the rest of the family that as there was -no mother in the house, and as this girl had shown herself to be -possessed of extraordinary wisdom, she should be the head of the -household. - -The wedding festivities being over, the sons of the old man made ready -to return to their usual occupations on the farm; but, according to -their father's order, they came to the young bride for instructions. -She told them that they were never to go to or from the fields -empty-handed. When they went they must carry fertilizers of some sort -for the land, and when they returned they must bring bundles of sticks -for fuel. They obeyed, and soon had the land in fine condition, and so -much fuel gathered that none need be bought. When there were no -more sticks, roots, or weeds to bring; she told them to bring stones -instead; and they soon accumulated an immense pile of stones, which -were heaped in a yard near their house. - -One day an expert in the discovery of precious stones came along, -and saw in this pile a block of jade of great value. In order to get -possession of this stone at a small cost, he undertook to buy the -whole heap, pretending that he wished to use it in building. The -little head of the family asked an exorbitant price for them, and, as -he could not induce her to take less, he promised to pay her the sum -she asked, and to come two days later to bring the money and to remove -the stones. That night the girl thought about the reason for the -buyer's being willing to pay so large a sum for the stones, and -concluded that the heap must contain a gem. The next morning she sent -her father-in-law to invite the buyer to supper, and she instructed -the men of her family in regard to his entertainment. The best of wine -was to be provided, and the father-in-law was to induce him to talk of -precious stones, and to cajole him into telling in what way they were -to be distinguished from other stones. - -The head of the family, listening behind a curtain, heard how the -valuable stone in her heap could be discovered. She hastened to find -and remove it from the pile; and, when her guest had recovered from -the effect of the banquet, he saw that the value had departed from -his purchase. He went to negotiate again with the seller, and she -conducted the conference with such skill that she obtained the price -originally agreed upon for the heap of stones, and a large sum besides -for the one in her possession. - -The family, having become wealthy, built an ancestral hall of fine -design and elaborate workmanship, and put the words "No Sorrow" as an -inscription over the entrance. Soon after, a mandarin passed that way, -and, noticing this remarkable inscription, had his sedan-chair set -down, that he might inquire who were the people that professed to have -no sorrow. He sent for the head of the family, was much surprised -on seeing so young a woman thus appear, and remarked: "Yours is a -singular family. I have never before seen one without sorrow, nor one -with so young a head. I will fine you for your impudence. Go and weave -me a piece of cloth as long as this road." - -"Very well," responded the little woman; "so soon as your Excellency -shall have found the two ends of the road, and informed me as to the -number of feet in its length, I will at once begin the weaving." - -Finding himself at fault, the mandarin added, "And I also fine you as -much oil as there is water in the sea." - -"Certainly," responded the woman; "as soon as you shall have measured -the sea, and sent me correct information as to the number of gallons, -I will at once begin to press out the oil from my beans." - -"Indeed," said the mandarin, "since you are so sharp, perhaps you can -penetrate my thoughts. If you can, I will fine you no more. I hold -this pet quail in my hand; now tell me whether I mean to squeeze it to -death, or to let it fly in the air." - -"Well," said the woman, "I am an obscure commoner, and you are a famed -magistrate; if you are no more knowing than I, you have no right to -fine me at all. Now I stand with one foot on one side my threshold and -the other foot on the other side; tell me whether I mean to go in or -come out. If you cannot guess my riddle, you should not require me to -guess yours." - -Being unable to guess her intention the mandarin took his departure, -and the family lived long in opulence and good repute under its chosen -head. - - * * * * * - - - - -A DREADFUL BOAR - - -A poor old woman who lived with her one little granddaughter in a -wood was out gathering sticks for fuel, and found a green stalk of -sugar-cane, which she added to her bundle. She presently met an elf in -the form of a wild Boar, that asked her for the cane, but she declined -giving it to him, saying that, at her age, to stoop and to rise again -was to earn what she picked up, and that she was going to take the -cane home, and let her little granddaughter suck its sap. The Boar, -angry at her refusal, said that he would, during the coming night, eat -her granddaughter instead of the cane, and went off into the wood. - -When the old woman reached her cabin she sat down by the door and -wailed, for she knew she had no means of defending herself against the -Boar. While she sat crying, a vender of needles came along and asked -her what was the matter. She told him, and he said that all he could -do for her was to give her a box of needles. This he did, and went on -his way. The old woman stuck the needles thickly over the lower half -of her door, on its outer side, and then she went on crying. Just then -a man came along with a basket of crabs, heard her lamentations, and -stopped to inquire what ailed her. She told him, and he said he knew -no help for her, but he would do the best he could for her by giving -her half his crabs. The old woman put the crabs in her water-jar, -behind her door, and again sat down and cried. A farmer soon came -along from the fields, leading his ox, and he also asked the cause of -her distress and heard her sad story. He said he was sorry he could -not think of any way of preventing the evil she expected, but that he -would leave his ox to stay all night with her, as it might be a sort -of company for her in her loneliness. She led the ox into her cabin, -tied it to the head of her bedstead, gave it some straw, and then -cried again. - -A courier, returning on horseback from a neighboring town, next passed -her door, and dismounted to inquire what troubled her. Having heard -her tale, he said he would leave his horse to stay with her, and make -the ox more contented. So she tied the horse to the foot of her bed, -and, thinking how surely evil was coming upon her with the night, -she burst out crying anew. A boy just then came along with a -snapping-turtle that he had caught, and stopped to ask what had -happened to her. On learning the cause of her weeping, he said it was -of no use to contend against sprites, but that he would give her his -snapping-turtle as a proof, of his sympathy. She took the turtle, tied -it in front of her bedstead, and continued to cry. - -Some men who were carrying mill-stones then came along, inquired -into her trouble, and expressed their compassion by giving her a -mill-stone, which they rolled into her back yard. A little later a man -arrived carrying hoes and pickax, and asked her why she was crying so -hard. She told him her grief, and he said he would gladly help her if -he could, but he was only a well-digger, and could do nothing for her -other than to dig her a well. She pointed out a place in the middle of -her back yard, and he went to work and quickly dug a well. - -On his departure the old woman cried again, until a paper-seller came -and inquired what was the matter. When she had told him, he gave her -a large sheet of white paper, as a token of pity, and she laid it -smoothly over the mouth of the well. - -Nightfall came; the old woman shut and barred her door, put her -granddaughter snugly on the wall-side of the bed, and then lay down -beside her, to await the foe. - -At midnight the Boar came, and threw himself against the door to break -it in. The needles wounded him sorely, so that when he had gained -an entrance he was heated and thirsty, and went to the water-jar to -drink. When he thrust in his snout the crabs attacked him, clung to -his bristles and pinched his ears, till he rolled over and over to -disencumber himself. Then in a rage he approached the front of the -bed, but the snapping-turtle nipped his tail, and made him retreat -under the feet of the horse, who kicked him over to the ox, who tossed -him back to the horse; and thus beset he was glad to escape to the -back yard to take a rest, and to consider the situation. Seeing a -clean paper spread on the ground, he went to lie upon it, and fell -into the well. The old woman heard the fall, rushed out, rolled the -mill-stone down on him, and crushed him. - - * * * * * - - - - -RUSSIAN STORIES - - * * * * * - - - - -KING KOJATA - - -King Kojata ruled over a mighty kingdom, and was beloved by his -subjects; but because he had no heir to his crown, both he and the -Queen lamented. Once, while traveling through his territories, he came -to a well that was filled to the brim with clear cold water; and being -very thirsty, he stopped to drink. On the top of the water floated a -golden vessel, which the King attempted to seize; but just as his hand -touched it, away it floated to the other side of the well. He went -around to where the vessel rested and tried again, with the same -result. Every time the King touched the basin it glided from his -grasp. At last, losing patience, he gave up trying to seize the -vessel, and bending over the well, he began to drink. His long beard -had fallen into the water, and when he had slaked his thirst and -attempted to rise, he found himself held fast by it. After vainly -pulling and jerking for some time, he looked down into the water and -saw a hideous face grinning at him. Its eyes were green and shining, -its teeth showed from ear to ear, and it held him by the beard with -two bony claws. In horror, the king tried to extricate himself, but a -terrible voice came from the depths of the well: - -"You cannot get away, King Kojata, so do not make me pull your beard -too hard. There is something at the palace of which you do not know; -promise to give it to me, and I will release you." - -The King did not know of anything that could have arrived at the -palace during his absence worth the discomfort he was experiencing; -so he very readily gave his promise, and was freed. When he had shaken -the water from his beard, he looked in the well for the ugly monster -which had held him captive, but he was nowhere to be seen. Summoning -his attendants, he at once set out for home, where he arrived in a few -days. The people along the way hailed him with delight; and when he -reached the palace, the Queen led him to the royal chamber and showed -him a beautiful son that had been born during his absence. His joy was -so great that he forgot all else; but after a time he recalled with -horror his compact with the monster of the well, and the meaning was -all plain to him. The thought of what he had promised haunted him day -and night, and the fear that something would happen to his little son -tortured him. But as days and months passed, and the little Prince -grew more beautiful all the time, the King at last forgot his fears -and became happy once more. - -Years went by without anything happening to disturb his peace of mind, -and the Prince grew to be a beautiful youth, who was the joy and pride -of the King and Queen. One day he went with the hunters to the forest, -and while pursuing a wild boar, became separated from them. He got -farther and farther away from his companions, and at last found -himself alone in a dark part of the wood where he never before had -been. Not knowing in which direction his path lay, he called again and -again to the hunters. At last a hoarse voice answered him, and from -the hollow trunk of a lime-tree appeared a hideous man with green eyes -and terrible teeth. - -"I've waited for you a long time, Prince Milan," said he. - -"Who on earth may you be?" asked the Prince. - -"Your father will tell you who I am. Just give my greetings to his -Majesty, and tell him that I am ready to claim the debt he owes me." - -The green-eyed man then disappeared into the hollow tree from which he -came; and when the Prince reached home, he related his experience to -his father. The King turned white, and cried: - -"At last, it has come!" Then he explained to the Prince what had -occurred at the well, and added, "Now my happiness is at an end, for -you, my son, will be taken from me." - -The Prince told the King not to despair, for though he might go -away, he was certain to return to him. His father provided him with a -handsome horse with golden stirrups, and the Queen gave him a cross to -wear about his neck. When he had said farewell to his unhappy parents, -he mounted his horse and rode for two days without stopping. - -On the third day he came to a lake on whose smooth surface thirty -ducks were swimming, while spread about upon the grass were thirty -white garments. The Prince dismounted, and taking up one of the -garments, seated himself behind a bush and waited to see what would -happen. The ducks dived under the water and disported themselves for a -time, then came ashore and putting on the little white garments, they -became beautiful maidens, and disappeared. But there was one little -duck, that remained on the lake and swam about in the most distracted -manner, uttering piteous cries. The Prince came from behind the bush -and the little duck begged him to give back her garment. He had no -sooner done so than before him stood the loveliest maiden he had ever -seen. - -"Thank you, Prince Milan, for restoring my garment," said she. "My -name is Hyacinthia, and I am one of the thirty daughters of a King -of the Underworld, to whose castle I will lead you, for he has waited -long for you. Approach him on your knees and do not fear him, for I -will be there to help you, whatever happens." - -She tapped her little foot on the ground, which opened; and they were -immediately transported to the palace of her father in the Underworld, -which was carved from a single carbuncle. When his eyes became -accustomed to the radiant light, the Prince saw the magician of the -lime-tree sitting on a dazzling throne. His green eyes looked out from -under a golden crown, and his hideous claws clutched the air with -rage when he saw the Prince. Remembering what the maiden had told him, -Prince Milan walked boldly up to the throne and knelt at the feet of -the magician, who cursed in a voice that shook the Underworld. As -the youth was not at all frightened, the magician at last stopped -swearing. Laughing at his courage, he welcomed him to his palace, -and showed him to a beautiful chamber which he was to occupy. On the -following day he sent for him and said; - -"You are very brave, Prince Milan, but you must pay the penalty for -keeping me waiting so long for you. To-night build me a palace of gold -and marble, with windows of crystal, and about it the most beautiful -gardens in the world, or tomorrow I shall cut off your head." - -The Prince went back to his chamber and sadly awaited his doom. That -evening a small bee flew in through his window, and as soon as it -entered the room it became Hyacinthia. "Why are you sad, Prince -Milan?" she asked. He told her of her father's impossible command and -added, "Naturally, I am not happy at the thought of losing my head." - -"Do not be distressed about that," said she, "but trust to me." In the -morning he looked out of the window and saw a wonderful marble palace, -with a roof of gold. - -When the magician beheld it, he exclaimed, "You have accomplished a -great wonder, but I cannot let you off so easily. To-morrow I will -place my thirty daughters in a row, and if you cannot tell me which -one is the youngest, you will lose your head." - -The Prince, however, was not cast down at this, for he thought he -would have no trouble in recognizing Hyacinthia. That evening the -little bee entered the room and told him that this task was quite as -difficult as the first, because the sisters were all exactly alike. -"But you will know me," said she, "by a little fly which you will -discover on my cheek." - -The next day the magician summoned him to his presence, and showed him -the thirty daughters standing in a row. The Prince passed before them -twice, without daring to choose; but he saw the little fly on the pink -cheek of one of the maidens. - -"This is Hyacinthia!" exclaimed he. The magician was greatly -astonished; but not yet satisfied, he required of the Prince still -another task. - -"If, before this candle burns to the bottom," said he, "you make me -a pair of boots reaching to my knees, I will let you go; but if you -fail, you will lose your head." - -"Then we must fly, for I love you dearly," said Hyacinthia, when the -Prince had told her of this new task. She breathed on the window-pane, -and straightway it was covered with frost; then, leading Prince Milan -from the chamber, she locked the door, and they fled through the -passage by which they had entered the Underworld. Beside the smooth -lake his horse was still grazing, and mounting it, they were borne -swiftly away. - -When the magician sent for the Prince to come to him, the frozen -breath replied to the messengers, and so delayed the discovery of his -escape. At last the magician lost patience and ordered the door burst -open. The frozen breath mocked at him, and he hastened in pursuit of -the fugitives. - -"I hear the sound of horses' feet behind us," said Hyacinthia. The -Prince dismounted, and putting his ear to the ground, answered, "Yes, -they are near." Hyacinthia thereupon changed herself into a river, and -the Prince became a bridge, and his horse a blackbird. Their pursuers, -no longer finding their footprints, were obliged to return to the -magician, who cursed them, and again sent them forth. - -"I hear the sound of horses' feet behind us," again said Hyacinthia. -The Prince put his ear to the earth and said, "Yes, they are nearly -upon us." Thereupon Hyacinthia changed herself, the Prince and the -horse, all into a dense forest in which many paths crossed, so -that the followers were bewildered; and they again returned to the -magician. - -"I hear horses' feet behind us," said Hyacinthia a third time; and -this time it was the magician himself. Hyacinthia took the little -cross from the neck of the Prince, and changed herself into a church, -the Prince into a monk, and the horse into the belfry; so that when -the magician came up he lost all trace of them, and was obliged to -return to the Underworld in great chagrin. - -When he had departed, the Prince and Hyacinthia mounted the horse and -rode till they came to a beautiful town. - -"We must not enter," said she, "for we may not come out again." -But the Prince would not take her advice, and insisted upon passing -through the gates. - -"Then," sadly replied the maiden, "when the King and Queen of the town -come out to meet you, do not kiss the little child which they will -lead by the hand, or you will forget me and never come back. As for -me, I will become a milestone and wait for you here." - -It was all as Hyacinthia had said. The King and Queen came out to -greet him, and when the lovely little child ran up to him for a -caress, he kissed its pretty face and forgot Hyacinthia. - -The first and second day went by; and when the third day came, -Hyacinthia wept, and became a little blue flower growing by the -roadside. An old man came along, and digging up the flower carried it -home with him and planted it in his garden. He watered and tended it -carefully, and one day the little flower became a beautiful maiden. - -"Why did you not leave me to die by the roadside?" she asked, and told -the old man her story. - -"To-morrow is Prince Milan's wedding day," said the old man. - -Hyacinthia at once dried her tears, and presented herself at the -palace, dressed like a peasant. She went to the cook and asked to -be allowed to make the wedding cake. The cook was so struck with her -beauty that he could not refuse the request. When the guests were all -seated about the table, Prince Milan was called upon to cut the cake. -As soon as he had done so, out flew two beautiful doves, which circled -about his head. - -"Dear mate," cried one of the doves, "do not leave me as Prince Milan -left Hyacinthia." - -The Prince, who suddenly recollected all he had forgotten, ran from -the room and at the door found Hyacinthia and his horse awaiting him. -They mounted and rode swiftly away to the kingdom of King Kojata, -where the King and Queen received them with tears of joy, and they all -lived in happiness to the end of their days. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE STORY OF KING FROST - - -A shrewish peasant woman had a daughter on whom she lavished -everything she could get, and a stepdaughter whom she neglected and -ill treated. In the mother's eyes the daughter had no faults, while -the stepdaughter was always blamed, and, try as she might, the poor -girl never could please. So unhappy was she made that her eyes were -often red from weeping. The sight of her tear-stained face only -angered the stepmother the more, and caused her to say to the girl's -father: - -"Send her away, old man. My eyes are tired of the sight of her, and my -ears of the sound of her voice. Send her out of the house." - -The father begged to have his daughter remain, but the shrew was -determined to be rid of her, and gave him no peace. At last, when he -could gainsay her no longer, he placed his daughter in a sledge and -drove her to the open fields. Here he left her, with nothing to shield -her from the bitter cold. Kissing her good-by, he drove away, not -daring to look back at Her. - -Left alone by her father, the girl wandered across the bleak fields to -the edge of the forest, where she sat down under a fir-tree and -wept. A crackling sound caused her to look up, and she saw King Frost -springing from one tree to another. When he reached the fir-tree -he jumped down beside her with a bound. Snapping his fingers in her -lovely face, he asked: - -"Do you know who I am? I will tell you. I am King Frost." - -"Hail to you, great King!" smiled the maiden. "Have you come for me?" - -"Are you warm, fair maiden?" he asked in answer. - -"Yes, quite warm, King Frost," the maiden replied, although she was -shivering. - -King Frost bent over her and snapped his fingers about her, until the -air seemed full of needles. Again he asked, "Are you still warm, dear -maiden?" - -Her lips could scarcely move to utter the words, "Quite warm, King -Frost." - -He snapped his teeth and cracked his fingers, till all the air was -filled with stinging things. His eyes glistened and for the last time -he asked, "Are you warm, now, beautiful maiden? Are you still warm, my -dear?" - -She was now scarcely able to speak, but managed to gasp, "Still warm, -King Frost." - -The gentle girl's patience and uncomplaining endurance caused King -Frost to take pity on her suffering. He arrayed her in a robe, -embroidered in silver and gold, and decked her with sparkling -diamonds. She glittered and shone, and was dazzling to behold. Then -placing her in his sleigh, he wrapped her in furs; and six white -horses bore them swiftly away. - -The stepmother, at home, was baking pancakes for the girl's funeral -feast. "Go in the field," she said to her husband, "and bring your -daughter's body home, so we can bury her." The old man rose to obey, -when the little dog barked: - - "Your daughter shall not die; - Her's cold and stiff shall lie." - -The woman kicked the dog, then tried to coax it with a pancake, -telling it to say: - - "Her daughter shall have gold; - His be frozen stiff and cold." - -When the little dog had swallowed the pancake, he barked: - - "His daughter shall be wed; - Her's shall be frozen dead." - -The woman beat the dog, then coaxed it with more pancakes; but the -blows could not terrify it nor food persuade. It barked always the -same. Suddenly the door opened, and a huge chest was thrust into the -room, followed by the radiant stepdaughter, in a dress that dazzled -them with its beauty. - -As soon as the stepmother recovered from her astonishment, she -ordered her husband to yoke the horses to the sledge, and take her own -daughter to the field. "Take care you leave her in the same place," -the old woman cautioned. The father left the girl as he was bidden, -and returned to his home. - -She was not long alone when King Frost came by. - -"Are you warm, maiden?" he asked. - -"You must be a fool not to see that my hands and feet are nearly -frozen," she angrily replied. - -The King danced in front of her, and cracked his fingers. - -"Are you warm, maiden?" he asked her, over and over. She cried with -rage, and called him rude names, until he froze the words on her lips, -and she was dead. - -The mother waited for her daughter's return until she became -impatient; then she told her husband to take the sledge and go for -her. "But don't lose the chest," she added. - -The dog under the table, barked: - - "Your daughter frozen cold, - Will never need a chest of gold." - -The old woman was scolding the dog for telling lies, when the door -opened. Rushing out to welcome her daughter and her treasures, she -clasped the frozen body in her arms; and the chill of it killed her. - - * * * * * - - - - -TALES FOR TINY TOTS - - * * * * * - - - -TELL US A TALE - -BY EDWARD SHIRLEY - - "Tell us a tale, dear mother-- - A fairy tale, do, please, - Take baby brother on your lap, - We'll sit beside your knees, - We will not speak, we will not stir, - Until the tale is told; - And we'll be, oh! so comfy, - And just as good as gold." - - "What shall it be, my children? - Aladdin and his Lamp? - Or shall I tell the story - Of Puss in Boots--the scamp? - Or would you like to hear the tale - Of Blue Beard, fierce and grim? - Or Jack who climbed the great beanstalk?-- - I think you're fond of him. - - "Or shall I tell you, children, - About Red Riding Hood? - Or what befell those little Babes - Who wandered in the Wood? - Or how sweet Cinderella went - So gaily to the ball?" - "Yes, yes!" we cried, and clapped our hands; - "_We want to hear them all_!" - - * * * * * - - - -LITTLE RED HEN - -Little Red Hen found a grain of wheat. - -"Who will plant this?" she asked. - -"Not I," said the cat. - -"Not I," said the goose. - -"Not I," said the rat. - -"Then I will," said Little Red Hen. - -So she buried the wheat in the ground. After a while it grew up yellow -and ripe. - -"The wheat is ripe now," said Little Red Hen. "Who will cut and thresh -it?" - -"Not I," said the cat. - -"Not I," said the goose. - -"Not I," said the rat. - -"Then I will," said Little Red Hen. - -So she cut it with her bill and threshed it with her wings. Then she -asked, "Who will take this wheat to the mill?" - -"Not I," said the cat. - -"Not I," said the goose. - -"Not I," said the rat. - -"Then I will," said Little Red Hen. - -So she took the wheat to the mill, where it was ground. Then she -carried the flour home. - -"Who will make me some bread with this flour?" she asked. - -"Not I," said the cat. - -"Not I," said the goose. - -"Not I," said the rat. - -"Then I will," said Little Red Hen. - -So she made and baked the bread. - -Then she said, "Now we shall see who will eat this bread." - -"We will," said cat, goose, and rat. - -"I am quite sure you would," said Little Red Hen, "if you could get -it." - -Then she called her chicks, and they ate up all the bread. There was -none left at all for the cat, or the goose, or the rat. - - * * * * * - - - -IN SEARCH OF A BABY - -BY F. TAPSELL - - -"Please, I'm lost." These words, and a thump! thump! on the door were -what Mrs. Stone heard as she sat at supper in her tiny house in the -wood. - -She went to open the door, and there she saw a dear little girl about -three years old. - -"Please, I'm lost," again came the words, and two fat little fists -went up to a pair of big blue eyes. - -"Come in, little girl, and tell me all about it," said the woman. -"Maybe I can help you to find your way." - -The child let herself be led into the room; then all at once the two -tiny fists came down from the two blue eyes, and she gave a quick look -at the table. - -"Are you having supper?" she said. "May I have supper too? I am ever -so hungry." - -"Yes, dear; of course you shall have some," was the reply. "See, you -shall sit on this chair by my side. Now what will you have?" - -"I think I would like some bread and butter with sugar on it--brown -sugar, you know;" and soon the little girl was as happy as could be. - -"What is your name, dear?" asked Mrs. Stone, when supper was over and -the little girl had begun to think once more about how she was to find -her way home. - -"Meg," was the reply. - -"But your other name, for you must have two names." - -"No, my name is just Meg, of course; I don't have any other name," she -said, a look of wonder in the big blue eyes. - -"Do you know where you live?" - -"Yes; I lives in the nursery. Didn't you know that?" - -She was so sure that it did not seem any good to say any more about -it. So Mrs. Stone only asked, "Where were you going when you came to -my house?" - -"To find a baby," was the reply. "Rob said that if I went to a house -in the wood they would give me one. Have you got a baby to give me?" - -"No, dear; I am afraid I have not. But why do you want a baby? I am -sure you have lots of dolls." - -"Yes, of course I have; but then you see dolls are not alive. I want a -real baby to play with. - -"Enid won't play with me much now, for she says I am too small, and -Rob is at school all the time." - -"Why, who is that?" said a voice, and a man came in with a bag of -tools. - -Then the two little fists again went up to the blue eyes, for the -little maid was shy of this great big man. - -"Well, wife, so you have a friend, I see," he said. "Who is the little -lass?" - -"I don't know," said his wife. "It seems she was lost, and came here -to ask her way. She says she came to find a baby." - -"Come here, little one, and don't be afraid," said the man. "There -never was a child yet who would not come to me," and as he spoke he -drew her on to his knee. "Now, then, tell me all about it." - -After one glance at the man's kind face Meg nestled up to him and -began,-- - -"Nurse was so busy she could not be in the room with me. - -"So I put on my hat and came to look for a baby; but I got lost on the -way. At last I came to the wood and saw this house. She could not give -me a baby as Rob said she would, but she gave me some tea, and bread -and butter with sugar on it. We only have that on Sunday at home. Is -this Sunday?" - -"No, little miss," said the man. "But I expect you had it just for a -treat, as you had got lost." - -But just then steps were heard on the path, and there was a sharp -knock at the door. - -The latch was lifted, and a voice said,-- - -"Have you seen a little girl in a white frock pass this way?" - -"Why, that must be Nurse," cried Meg. - -In spite of being cross at Meg's having run away, Nurse had to laugh; -then she bent down and said, "But what made you run away like this, -Miss Meg?" - -"Rob told me that if I came to the house in the wood I should find a -real live baby; but he was wrong, for she," with a smile at Mrs. -Stone, "is very nice, but she has not got a baby to give me." - -"Of course not, child; but do you know that I have some news for you?" - -"What is it? Do tell me?" cried the little girl. - -"While you were away in the wood to look for a baby we have found a -baby at home. You have a new baby brother. Come home with me now and -you shall see him." - -"A new little brother," said Meg, her eyes wide open with wonder. "He -must have known I had gone out to look for one. So now I have got two -new friends and a baby too. Come along, quick." - -"Good-bye," she said to her new friends. "Thank you ever so much for -being so kind, and for the supper. - -"I am coming to have supper with you again soon, and then I will bring -the new baby with me. You will give me and baby bread and butter with -sugar on it, won't you?" and Meg trotted off as happy as a little -queen. - - * * * * * - - - - -JOCK AND I AND THE OTHERS - -First of all, I must tell you who I am. - -My name is PE-NEL-O-PE, but Jock always calls me Pen. I am eight years -old; Jock is half-past six. - -We live with mother and father and Rover and Tibby in a house not very -far from a large city. - -Mother is the nicest person I know in all the world. - -Father is a very big man. He always has lots of money in his pocket. -He goes to business in a train every day. - -We have a real farm, quite near to our house, where they keep cows, -chickens, pigs, horses, and geese. Jock and I often go to see them -all. - -One day in summer we went to see the farmer. I had my blue dress on, -so that the cows would not be angry when they saw me. - -We met the farmer near the stable. "Come," he said; "I have something -to show you to-day." - -"What is it?" we said both at the same time. - -"Come and see," was all that he would say. - -Then he took us into the stable where he keeps Nobby, the big brown -horse, who likes sugar. - -Now Nobby was not there, but in the straw were seven little puppy -dogs--oh, so sweet and cuddly! - -Jock danced round and round the farmer. "May we have one?" he said. - -"Ask mother," said the farmer, and off we ran at once. - -Mother was at the garden gate. - -We ran up to her. Jock was first, but it was nearly a dead heat. -Mother opened the gate and said,-- - -"Well, what have you seen to-day?" - -"O mother," said Jock, out of breath. - -"O mother _dear_" I said, out of breath also. - -"Farmer has such lovely puppies," we both said at once. "May we have -one to keep?" - -By this time we both had our arms round mother's waist, and she was -laughing. - -"Yes, we can," I said, for I _knew_. - -"If _father_ says yes," said mother. "You must ask him when he comes -home." - -So we went to the station to meet him. Jock took his bag, and I took -his paper parcel to carry it home for him. - -On the way home I asked him if he liked dogs, and he said, "Of -course." - -Then Jock said, "_Little_ dogs?" - -"Oh, yes." - -"_Puppy_ dogs?" - -"One at a time is all right." - -"One puppy dog with brown spots on white?" Jock went on. - -"Where is it?" asked father, and his eyes were laughing; you could not -see his mouth for his beard. - -Then we told him, and he said "Yes," just at the garden gate. So that -was how we got Rover. - - * * * * * - -Rover was very soft and downy when he first came to us. But he soon -grew to be a big dog. - -Jock and I taught him many tricks; and he can beg very nicely, if we -let him get on the couch in the dining-room. - -We put sugar on his nose, and he waits until we count One, Two, THREE. - -Then he throws the sugar into the air and catches it. - - * * * * * - - - - -DOLLY DIMPLE - -BY F. TAPSELL - - -"Oh dear, I am so lonely, and it is so dark! I do want my dear Dolly -Dimple. I think I will go and fetch her." And little four-year-old -Babs got out of bed and felt her way to the door. - -The door was just a wee crack open. As she peeped in, Babs saw that -there was a light in the room, and the sight which met her eyes almost -made her cry out. - -On the floor stood Dolly Dimple in her very best frock, and Mr. -Jollyman was asking her to dance with him. - -Teddy Bear was at work on the big drum, and the clown was turning the -organ to make music for the dolls to dance to. - -The tin soldiers, on the backs of cows, pigs, and sheep from the -Noah's Ark were having a sham fight. - -The dolls from the dolls' house were going for a ride in the big horse -and cart. - -"It is too bad of them to go and have a good time like this when I am -in bed," thought Babs, "and I am going to take Dolly Dimple away with -me all the same." - -But when she tried to pick up the doll and carry her off, Mr. Jollyman -flew at her in a fury. - -He began to kick her bare legs till Babs thought she would have no -shins left at all; but she would not run away. - -"I want Dolly Dimple," she said. "She is my doll, and you have no -right to try to keep her away from me." - -"She is yours in the day, but not at night," was the reply. - -"How do you think we toys could live if we had no life but the one -we endure at your hands? It is in the night that we live and have our -good times, for we know you are safe in bed then." - -"I don't care what you say; I will have her," cried Babs, very angry -now. - -She tried once more to get hold of Dolly Dimple; but before she could -do so, Mr. Jollyman turned to the soldiers, and said the one word, -"Charge." - -There was a great noise and a rush, and right down upon the little -girl came camels, horses, lions, tigers, sheep, and pigs. - -But just as she thought her last hour was come, she heard, the word -"Halt," and then the sound of Dolly Dimple saying, "No, don't kill -her. She is very good to me most of the time." - -The rest of the dolls had begun to dance once more, but Dolly Dimple -came up to the little girl and took hold of her arm. - -"I am queen here in the night," she said. "I will not hurt you, as you -have been good to me, and I know you love me. If you like, I will come -and stay with you till you go to sleep. Pick me up." - -So Babs picked up the doll, and took it back to bed with her, and -hugged it in her arms. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT - -BY BEATRIX POTTER - - -Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names -were--Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, and Peter. They lived with their -Mother in a sandbank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree. - -"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit, one morning, "you may go into -the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: -your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. -McGregor." - -"Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out." - -Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella and went through -the wood to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five -currant buns. - -Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went -down the lane to gather blackberries. - -But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's -garden, and squeezed under the gate! - -First he ate some lettuces and some French beans, and then he ate -some radishes; and then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some -parsley. - -But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. -McGregor! - -Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting out young cabbages, -but he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, -"Stop, thief!" - -Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, -for he had forgotten the way back to the gate. He lost one of his -shoes among the cabbages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes. - -After losing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so that I -think he might have got away altogether if he had not unfortunately -run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by the large buttons on his -jacket. It was a blue jacket with brass buttons, quite new. - -Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears; but his sobs -were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great -excitement, and implored him to exert himself. - -Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the -top of Peter, but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket -behind him; and rushed into the tool-shed, and jumped into a can. It -would have been a beautiful thing to hide in, if it had not had so -much water in it. - -Mr. McGregor was quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool-shed, -perhaps hidden underneath a flower-pot. He began to turn them over -carefully, looking under each. - -Presently Peter sneezed--"Kerty-schoo!" Mr. McGregor was after him -in no time, and tried to put his foot upon Peter, who jumped out of -a window, upsetting three plants. The window was too small for Mr. -McGregor, and he was tired of running after Peter. He went back to his -work. - -Peter sat down to rest; he was out of breath and trembling with -fright, and he had not the least idea which way to go. Also he was -very damp with sitting in that can. - -After a time he began to wander about, going lippity-lippity--not very -fast, and looking all around. - -He found a door in a wall; but it was locked, and there was no room -for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath. - -An old mouse was running in and out over the stone doorstep, carrying -peas and beans to her family in the wood. Peter asked her the way to -the gate, but she had such a large pea in her mouth that she could not -answer. She only shook her head at him. Peter began to cry. - -Then he tried to find his way straight across the garden, but he -became more and more puzzled. Presently, he came to a pond where -Mr. McGregor filled his water-cans. A white cat was staring at some -goldfish; she sat very, very still, but now and then the tip of her -tail twitched as if it were alive. Peter thought it best to go away -without speaking to her; he had heard about cats from his cousin, -little Benjamin Bunny. - -He went back toward the tool-shed, but suddenly, quite close to him, -he heard the noise of a hoe--scr-r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scratch. -Peter scuttered underneath the bushes. But, presently, as nothing -happened, he came out, and climbed upon a wheelbarrow, and peeped -over. The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions. His back -was turned toward Peter, and beyond him was the gate! - -Peter got down very quietly off the wheelbarrow, and started -running as fast as he could go, along a straight walk behind some -black-currant bushes. - -Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner, but Peter did not -care. He slipped underneath the gate, and was safe at last in the wood -outside the garden. - -Mr. McGregor hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scarecrow -to frighten the blackbirds. - -Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to -the big fir-tree. - -He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the -floor of the rabbit-hole, and shut his eyes. - -His mother was busy cooking; she wondered what he had done with his -clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter -had lost in a fortnight! - -I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening. - -His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea; and she gave a -dose of it to Peter! - -"One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time." - -But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries -for supper. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS - - -Once upon a time there was a miller who lived in a little house beside -his mill. All day long he worked hard, but at night he went home to -his wife and his little boy. - -One day this miller made up his mind that he would take his ass to -the fair and sell it. So he and his boy said farewell to the dame and -started off. They had not gone far when they met a number of girls -coming from the town. - -"Look!" said one of them. "Did you ever see such stupid fellows? They -are walking when one of them might be riding." - -When the miller heard this he bade the boy get up on the ass, while he -tramped along merrily by its side. Soon they came to a number of old -men standing by the side of the road talking together. - -"Look at that," said one of them, "Look at that young rascal riding, -while his poor father has to walk. Get down, you idle fellow, and let -your father ride." - -Upon this the son got down from the ass, and the miller took his -place. They had not gone very far when they met two women coming home -from market. - -"You lazy old man!" they cried at once. "How dare you ride when your -poor little boy is walking and can hardly keep pace with you?" - -Then the miller, who was a good-natured man, took his son up behind -him, and in this way they went to the town. - -"My good fellow," said a townsman whom they met, "is that ass your -own?" - -"Yes," replied the miller. - -"I should not have thought so, by the way you load him," said the man. -"Why, you two are better able to carry the beast than he is to carry -you." - -"Well," said the miller, "we can but try." - -So he and his son got down, and tied the legs of the ass together. -Then they slung him on a pole, and carried him on their shoulders. It -was such a funny sight that the people laughed and jeered at them. - -The poor ass was very uncomfortable, and tried hard to get off the -pole. At last, as they were passing over a bridge, he pulled his legs -out of the rope and tumbled to the ground. He was so frightened that -he jumped off the bridge into the river and was drowned. - -Do you know what this story teaches you? - -_If you try to please everybody, you will please nobody._ - - * * * * * - - - - -THE VISIT TO SANTA CLAUS LAND - - -Jack and Margaret were growing more excited each day, because -Christmas was so near. They talked of nothing but Santa Claus. - -"Don't you wish you could _see_ him?" they said over and over. - -One night, just before Christmas, Mother tucked them in bed and left -them to go to sleep. But Jack wiggled, Margaret wriggled. At last they -both sat up in bed. - -"Jack," Margaret whispered, "are you asleep?" - -"No," said Jack, "I can't go to sleep. Margaret, don't you wish you -could see Santa Claus? What's that?" - -They both listened, and they heard a little _tap, tap_ on the window. -They looked, and there, right in the window, they saw a funny little -Brownie. - -"What's that I heard you say? You want to see Santa Claus? Well, I -am one of his Brownies. I am on my way back to Santa Claus Land. I'll -take you with me if you want to go." - -Jack and Margaret scrambled from their beds. - -"Come on, show us the way!" they cried in great excitement. - -"No, indeed," said the Brownie. "No one must know the way to Santa -Claus Land. Kindly wait a moment." - -Then the Brownie took something soft and thick and dark, and tied it -around Jack's eyes. Next he took something soft and thick and dark, -and tied it around Margaret's eyes. - -"How many fingers before you?" he asked. - -Both of them shook their heads. They could not see a wink. - -"Very well, now we're off," said the Brownie. - -He took Jack's hand on one side, and Margaret's on the other. It -seemed as if they flew through the window. They went on swiftly for a -little while, then the Brownie whirled them round and round until -they were dizzy, and off they went again. The children could not tell -whether they were going north, south, east, or west. After a time they -stopped. - -"Here we are," said the Brownie. - -He uncovered their eyes, and the children saw that they were standing -before a big, thick gate. - -The Brownie knocked and the gate was swung open. They went through it, -right into Santa Claus's garden. - -It was a very queer garden. There were rows and rows of Christmas -trees, all glittering with balls and cobwebby tinsel, and instead -of flower beds there were beds of every kind of toy in the world. -Margaret at once ran over to a bed of dolls. - -"Let's see if any of them are ripe," said the Brownie. - -"Ripe?" said Margaret in great surprise. - -"Why, of course," said the Brownie. "Now if this one is ripe it will -shut its eyes." - -The Brownie picked a little doll from the bed and laid it in -Margaret's arms. Its eyes went half shut, and then stuck. - -"No, it's not ripe yet," said the Brownie. "Try this one." - -He picked another one, and this one shut its eyes just as if it had -gone to sleep. - -"We'll take that one," he said, and he dropped it into a big sack he -was carrying. - -"Now this one cries, if it's ripe," he said as he picked a lovely -infant doll. The Brownie gave it a squeeze, and the doll made a funny -squeaking noise. - -"Not quite ripe," he said, and he put it back into the bed. He tried -several others, and he picked a good many. Some of them cried, some -said "Mamma" and "Papa," and some danced when they were wound up. - -"Oh, do come over here, Margaret!" Jack called. - -Margaret ran over to another bed and there were drums--big drums, -little drums, and middle sized drums; yellow drums, blue drums, green -drums, red drums. - -"Can we gather some of these?" said Jack to the Brownie. - -"Why, of course. Let's see if this one is ripe." - -The Brownie took up a little red drum, and gave it a thump with a -drum stick. But it made such a queer sound that Jack and Margaret both -laughed out loud. The little red drum was put back into the bed, and -the Brownie tried another big one. It went _Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! -Boom_! and Jack and Margaret marched all along the bed, keeping step -to it. - -When they had finished picking drums, they went over to a bed filled -with horns. That was the most fun of all. Some of them made very queer -noises, and on some the Brownie played jolly little tunes. - -The next bed they came to was filled with toys which could be wound -up. There were trains, automobiles, dancing dolls, climbing monkeys, -hopping birds, funny wobbling ducks, and every kind of toy you could -think of. The children stayed at this bed for a long time. - -At last Margaret said: "But where is Santa Claus? We wanted to see -him." - -"Oh, to be sure," said the Brownie. "Come along," and he led them down -a long, winding walk, to the edge of the garden. Then he pointed to a -hill in the distance. - -"Do you see that large white house? There is where he lives." - -The children stared at it. It was so white that it seemed to shine in -the distance. - -"Walk right across here," said the Brownie, "then up the hill to Santa -Claus's house." - -"Oh, must we walk across there?" said Margaret. She stared down at -the deep dark chasm between the garden and the hill; across it was -stretched a narrow plank. - -"Walk carefully," said the Brownie, "and mind you don't look down; for -if you do, I'm afraid you won't see Santa Claus to-night." - -"We'll be very careful," said Jack. "Come along, Margaret," and he -took his little sister's hand and they started across the plank. - -They had almost reached the middle of it when Jack looked down. - -"Oh!" he said, and gave Margaret a pull. - -She looked down too, and cried "Oh, Oh!" and down, down, down they -went. - -Suddenly they landed with a thump. They sat up and rubbed their eyes. -There they were right in their own beds at home. Mother opened the -door. - -"Are you awake, children?" she said. - -"Oh, Mother, we haven't been asleep. We've been to Santa Claus Land, -and we nearly saw Santa Claus!" - -Then they told her all about it, and Mother just smiled. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE GREEDY BROWNIE - - -There was once a little Brownie who lived in a hollow tree stump. He -had been busy all the day playing pranks. His pranks had taken him -far away from home to the house of a very important laird. Into the -laird's cup of wine he had dropped some sour berries which he had -picked on his way. He also put thistles into his boots, so that when -the laird had drawn them on he had screamed out with pain. - -The Brownie had been away all the day, so that when at last he turned -to go back to his home he felt really very tired. On his way back to -the wood he passed by a cozy-looking farmhouse. The door of the dairy -was open. The Brownie thought this would be a very nice cool place -in which to rest for a few moments. So he slipped into the dairy, and -curled himself up underneath the bench to have a nice little doze. - -He was so weary that once he had fallen asleep he never woke up again -until it was quite dark, when he was disturbed by two lassies who had -come into the dairy. - -One was carrying a candle in her hand, and by its light the pair -espied a big bowl of cream on the shelf. The naughty girls thought -that they would drink it for supper. They could only find one spoon -on the shelf, so they decided they would each have a spoonful in turn. -Lassie Jean took the bowl and carried it to a bench in the corner, and -Lassie Meg followed it with the candle. No sooner had the two girls -settled themselves than the Brownie, who was now wide awake, and who -was himself feeling that some supper might not be out of place, crept -up behind them and blew out the candle. - -The lassies at first were very much concerned at being in the dark; -nevertheless they determined they would drink the cream, all the same. - -Lassie Jean filled the spoon with the rich delicacy. She was about to -raise it to her lips when the naughty Brownie poked his head over her -shoulder, and lapped it out of the spoon before it had reached her -mouth. Lassie Meg, believing that Lassie Jean had already swallowed -some cream while she had had none, stretched out her hand to take away -the spoon from her friend. Lassie Jean was not willing to give it -up, since she said she had not yet tasted any cream. Lassie Meg was -unwilling to believe her, for she declared she had heard her lapping -the cream. - -Without waiting for Lassie Jean to explain, she snatched the spoon out -of her friend's hand. She filled it with cream from the bowl, and -was about to raise it to her lips when the Brownie jumped from behind -Lassie Jean, and settling himself behind Lassie Meg's shoulders, poked -forward his head, and again lapped up the cream from out of the spoon. - -Lassie Jean in her turn snatched back the spoon from Lassie Meg. Thus -they went on, for every time one or the other raised the spoonful -of cream to her lips it was lapped up by the Brownie. This continued -until the bowl was emptied. The Brownie was full of cream, but -the poor lassies had not so much as tasted one drop, although each -believed the other had drunk it all. - -The lassies were still quarreling when the door of the dairy was -opened, and the farmer's wife entered, carrying a lighted candle in -her hand. The moment that she did so the Brownie hopped under the -bench and the lassies started up guiltily. - -The farmer's wife caught sight of the empty basin. She was very angry -with them indeed. When they tried hastily to explain, each blaming -the other, the farmer's wife would not listen, but only grew the more -angry. She told them that, since they had supped so well, they should -have none of the scones and eggs which she had prepared for the -evening meal in the kitchen. - -When the farmer's wife had entered she had left the door open, so -while she was busily scolding the lassies the Brownie slipped out -from under the bench and made his escape. As he ran chuckling down -the road, he could still hear her angry voice drowning the attempted -explanations of the bewildered lassies. When the little fellow curled -himself up some time later in the tree trunk he was still laughing. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE FAIRIES' PASSAGE - -BY JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN - - Tap, tap, tap, rap! "Get up, gaffer Ferryman," - "Eh! Who is there?" The clock strikes three. - "Get up, do, gaffer! You are the very man - We have been long, long, longing to see." - The ferryman rises, growling and grumbling, - And goes fum-fumbling, and stumbling, and tumbling - Over the wares on his way to the door. - But he sees no more - Than he saw before; - Till a voice is heard: "O Ferryman dear! - Here we are waiting, all of us, here. - We are a wee, wee colony, we; - Some two hundred in all, or three, - Ferry us over the river Lee, - Ere dawn of day, - And we will pay - The most we may - In our own wee way!" - - "Who are you? Whence came you? - What place are you going to?" - "Oh, we have dwelt over-long in this land; - The people get cross, and are growing so knowing, too! - Nothing at all but they now understand. - We are daily vanishing under the thunder - Of some huge engine or iron wonder; - That iron, ah! it has entered our souls." - "Your souls? O gholes, - You queer little drolls, - Do you mean....?" "Good gaffer, do aid us with speed, - For our time, like our stature, is short indeed! - And a very long way we have to go; - Eight or ten thousand miles or so, - Hither and thither, and to and fro, - With our pots and pans - And little gold cans; - But our light caravans - Run swifter than man's." - - "Well, well, you may come," said the ferryman affably; - "Patrick, turn out, and get ready the barge." - Then again to the little folk; "Tho' you seem laughably - Small, I don't mind, if your coppers be large." - Oh, dear, what a rushing, what pushing, what crushing - (The watermen making vain efforts at hushing - The hubbub the while), there followed these words. - What clapping of boards, - What strapping of cords, - What stowing away of children and wives, - And platters and mugs, and spoons and knives, - Till all had safely got into the boat, - And the ferryman, clad in his tip-top coat, - And his wee little fairies were safely afloat! - Then ding, ding, ding, - And kling, kling, kling, - How the coppers did ring - In the tin pitcherling. - - Off, then, went the boat, at first very pleasantly, - Smoothly, and so forth; but after a while - It swayed and it sagged this and that way, and presently - Chest after chest, and pile after pile, - Of the little folks' goods began tossing and rolling, - And pitching like fun, beyond fairy controlling. - O Mab! if the hubbub were great before, - It was now some two or three million times more. - Crash! went the wee crocks and the clocks; and the locks - Of each little wee box were stove in by hard knocks; - And then there were oaths, and prayers, and cries: - "Take care"--"See there"--"O, dear, my eyes!" - "I am killed!"--"I am drowned!"--with groans and sighs, - Till to land they drew. - - "Yeo-ho! Pull to - Tiller-rope thro' and thro'!" - And all's right anew. - "Now, jump upon shore, ye queer little oddities. - (Eh, what is this? . . . where are they, at all? - Where are they, and where are their tiny commodities? - Well, as I live" . . .) He looks blank as a wall, - Poor ferryman! Round him and round him he gazes, - But only gets deeplier lost in the mazes - Of utter bewilderment. All, all are gone, - And he stands alone, - Like a statue of stone, - In a doldrum of wonder. He turns to steer, - And a tinkling laugh salutes his ear, - With other odd sounds: "Ha, ha, ha, ha! - Fol lol! zidzizzle! quee quee! bah! bah! - Fizzigig-giggidy! pshee! sha sha!" - "O ye thieves, ye thieves, ye rascally thieves!" - The good man cries. He turns to his pitcher, - And there, alas, to his horror perceives - That the little folk's mode of making him richer - Has been to pay him with withered leaves! - - * * * * * - - - - -THE WORLD - - "The world is wet," said the little frog; - "What isn't water is mostly bog." - "Oh, not at all!" said the little fly; - "It's full of spiders, and very dry!" - "The world is dark," said the moth polite, - "With ruddy windows and bows of light." - "My poor young friend, you have much to learn: - The world is green," said the swaying fern. - "O listen to me," sang the little lark: - "It's wet and dry, and it's green and dark. - To think that's all would be very wrong; - It's arched with blue, and it's filled with song." - - * * * * * - - - - -FANCIFUL STORIES - - * * * * * - -WHITE MAGIC - - Blind folks see the fairies, - Oh, better far than we, - Who miss the shining of their wings - Because our eyes are filled with things - We do not wish to see. - They need not seek enchantment - From solemn printed books, - For all about them as they go - The fairies flutter to and fro - With smiling friendly looks. - - Deaf folk hear the fairies, - However soft their song; - Tis we who lose the honey sound - Amid the clamor all around - That beats the whole day long. - But they with gentle faces - Sit quietly apart; - What room have they for sorrowing - While fairy minstrels sit and sing - Close to each listening heart? - ---From London _Punch_. - - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BROWNIES - -BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING - -I - - -"Children are a burden," said the tailor, as he sat on his bench -stitching away. - -"Children are a blessing," said the kind lady in the window. - -It was the tailor's mother who spoke. She was a very old woman and -nearly helpless. All day she sat in a large armchair knitting rugs. - -"What have my two lads ever done to help me?" continued the tailor, -sadly. "They do nothing but play. If I send Tommy on an errand, he -loiters. If I ask him to work, he does it so unwillingly that I would -rather do it myself. Since their mother died I have indeed had a hard -time." - -At this moment the two boys came in, their arms full of moss which -they dropped on the floor. - -"Is there any supper, grandmother?" asked Tommy. - -"No, my child, only some bread for breakfast to-morrow." - -"Oh, grandmother, we are so hungry!" and the boy's eyes filled with -tears. - -"What can I do for you, my poor children?" said the good woman. - -"Tell us a story, please, so that we can forget we are hungry. Tell us -about the brownie that used to live in your grandfather's house. What -was he like?" - -"Like a little man, they say." - -"What did he do?" - -"He came early in the morning before any one in the house was awake, -and lighted the fire and swept the room and set out the breakfast. He -never would be seen and was off before they could catch him. But they -often heard him laughing and playing about the house." - -"Did they give him any wages, grandmother?" - -"No, my dear, he did the work for love. They always set a pan of clear -water for him, and now and then a bowl of bread and milk." - -"Oh, grandmother, where did he go?" - -"The Old Owl in the woods knows; I do not. When I was young many -people used to go to see the Old Owl at moon-rise, and ask her what -they wanted to know." - -"How I wish a brownie would come and live with us!" cried Tommy. - -"So do I," said Johnny. - -"Will you let us set out a pan of water for the brownie, father?" -asked Tommy. - -"You may set out what you like, my lad, but you must go to bed now." - -The boys brought out a pan of water. Then they climbed the ladder to -the loft over the kitchen. - -Johnny was soon in the land of dreams, but Tommy lay awake thinking -how he could find a brownie and get him to live in the house. "There -is an owl that lives in the grove," he thought. "It may be the Old Owl -herself. When the moon rises, I'll go and find her." - - -II - - -The moon rose like gold and went up in the heavens like silver. Tommy -opened his eyes and ran to the window. "The moon has risen," said he, -"and it is time for me to go." Downstairs he crept softly and out into -the still night. - -"Hoot! hoot!" cried a voice from the grove near the house. - -"That's the Old Owl," thought Tommy. He ran to a big tree and looked -up. There he saw the Old Owl, sitting on a branch and staring at him -with yellow eyes. - -"Oh, dear!" said Tommy, for he did not like the Owl very well. - -"Come up here! Come up here!" she cried. - -Tommy climbed the tree and sat face to face with her on the big -branch. - -"Now, what do you want?" said the Owl. - -"Please," said Tommy, "I want to know where to find the brownies, and -how to get one to come and live with us." - -"Oo-hoo! oo-hoo!" said the Owl. "That's it, is it? I know of three -brownies." - -"Hurrah!" said Tommy. "Where do they live?" - -"In your house," said the Owl. - -"In our house! Whereabouts? Why don't they work?" cried Tommy. - -"One of them is too little," said the Owl. - -"But why don't the other two do something?" said Tommy. "Nobody does -any work at our house except father." - -"They are idle, they are idle," said the Old Owl. - -"Then we don't want them," said Tommy. "What is the use of having -brownies in the house if they do nothing to help us?" - -"Perhaps they don't know what to do." - -"I wish you would tell me where to find them," said Tommy. "I could -tell them what to do." - -"Could you, could you? Oo-hoo! oo-hoo!" and Tommy could not tell -whether the Owl was hooting or laughing. - -"Of course I could. They might get up early in the morning and sweep -the house, and light the fire, and spread the table before my father -comes downstairs." - -"So they might!" said the Owl. "Well, I can tell you where to find one -of the brownies, and he can tell you where to find his brother. Go to -the north side of the pond, where the moon is shining on the water, -turn yourself around three times, while you say this charm: - - '_Twist me and turn me and show me the elf_-- - I looked in the water and saw_--' - -Then look in the water, and think of a word which rhymes with 'elf' -and makes the charm complete." - -Tommy knew the place very well. He ran to the north side of the pond, -and turning himself around three times, he repeated the charm. Then he -looked in and saw--himself. - -"Why, there's no one but myself. I can't think of the right word. What -can it be? I'll go back and ask the Old Owl," thought Tommy. And back -he went. There sat the Owl as before. - -"Oo-hoo," said she, as Tommy climbed up. "Did you find out the word?" - -"No," said Tommy, "I could find no word that rhymes with 'elf' except -'myself.'" - -"Well, that is the word! Now, do you know where your brother is?" - -"In bed in the loft," said Tommy. - -"Then all your questions are answered. Good night;" and the Old Owl -began to shake her feathers. - -"Don't go yet," said Tommy, humbly; "I don't understand you. I am not -a brownie, am I?" - -"Yes, you are, and a very idle one, too," said the Old Owl. "All -children are brownies." - -"But are there really any brownies except children?" inquired Tommy, -in a dismal tone. - -"No, there are not. Now listen to me, Tommy. Little people can do only -little things. When they are idle and mischievous, they are called -boggarts, and they are a burden to the house they live in. When they -are thoughtful and useful, they are brownies, and are a blessing to -every one." - -"I'll be a brownie," said Tommy. "I won't be a boggart. Now I'll go -home and tell Johnny." - -"I'll take you home," said the Owl, and in a moment Tommy found -himself in bed, with Johnny sleeping by his side. - -"How quickly we came," said Tommy to himself. "But is it morning? That -is very strange! I thought the moon was shining. Come, Johnny, get up, -I have a story to tell you." - - -III - - -While his brother was rubbing his eyes Tommy told him of his visit to -the Old Owl in the grove. - -"Is that all true?" asked Johnny. - -"It is all just as I tell you, and if we don't want to be boggarts, we -must get up and go to work." - -"I won't be a boggart," said Johnny, and so the two brownies crept -softly down the ladder into the kitchen. "I will light the fire," -said Tommy. "And you, Johnny, can dig some potatoes to roast for -breakfast." They swept the room and laid the table. Just as they were -putting the potatoes in a dish they heard footsteps. - -"There's father," said Tommy; "we must run." - -The poor tailor came wearily down the stairs. Morning after morning he -had found an untidy room and an empty table. But now when he entered -the kitchen, he looked around in great surprise. He put his hand out -to the fire to see if it was really warm. He touched the potatoes and -looked at the neat room. Then he shouted, "Mother, mother! boys, boys, -the brownie has come!" - -There was great excitement in the small house, but the boys said -nothing. All day the tailor talked about the brownie. "I have often -heard of Little People," he said, "but this is wonderful. To come and -do the work for a pan of cold water! Who would have believed it?" - -The boys said nothing until they were both in bed. Then Tommy said: -"The Old Owl was right, and we must stick to the work if we don't -want to be boggarts. But I don't like to have father thinking that we -are still idle. I wish he knew that we are the brownies." - -"So do I," said Johnny. - -Day after day went by and still the boys rose early, and each day they -found more and more to do. The brownies were the joy of the tailor's -life. - -One day a message came for the tailor to go to a farmhouse several -miles away. The farmer gave him an order for a suit of clothes, and -paid him at once. Full of joy at his good fortune, he hurried home. As -he came near the house, he saw that the garden had been weeded. "It's -that brownie!" he said; "and I shall make a suit of clothes for him." - -"If you make clothes for the brownie, he will leave the house," said -the grandmother. - -"Not if the clothes are a good fit, mother. I shall measure them by -Tommy, for they say the brownies are about his size." - -At last a fine new suit with brass buttons was finished and laid out -for the brownie. - -"Don't the clothes look fine?" said Tommy, when he came down in the -morning; "I'll try them on." - -The tailor rose earlier than usual that day, for he wished to catch a -glimpse of the brownies. He went softly downstairs. There was Johnny -sweeping the floor, and Tommy trying on the new suit. - -"What does this mean?" shouted the father. - -"It's the brownies," said the boys. - -"This is no joke," cried the tailor, angrily. "Where are the real -brownies, I say?" - -"We are the only brownies, father," said Tommy. - -"I can't understand this. Who has been sweeping the kitchen lately, I -should like to know?" - -"We have," said the boys. - -"Who gets breakfast and puts things in order?" - -"We do! we do!" they shouted. - -"But when do you do it?" - -"Early in the morning before you come down." - -"But if you do the work, where is the brownie?" - -"Here," cried the boys; "we are the brownies, and we are sorry that we -were boggarts so long." - -The father was delighted to find how helpful his boys had become. The -grandmother, however, could hardly believe that a real brownie had not -been in the house. But as she sat in her chair day after day watching -the boys at their work, she often repeated her favorite saying, -"Children are a blessing." - - * * * * * - - - -THE STORY OF PETER PAN - - -Once upon a time there were three children named Wendy, John, and -Michael, who lived with their father and mother in London. One evening -the father and mother were invited to a party, and the mother, after -lighting the dim lamp in the nursery and kissing them good-night, went -away. That evening a little boy climbed in through the window, whose -name was Peter Pan. He was a curious little fellow, very conceited, -very forgetful, and yet very lovable. The most remarkable thing about -him was that he never grew up. There came flitting in through the -window with him his fairy, whose name was Tinker Bell. Peter Pan woke -all the children up, and after he had sprinkled fairy dust on their -shoulders, he took them away to the Neverland, where he lived with a -family of lost boys. Tinker Bell was jealous of the little girl Wendy, -and she hurried ahead of Peter Pan and persuaded the boys that Wendy -was a bird who might do them harm, and so one of the boys shot her -with his bow and arrow. - -When Peter Pan came and found Wendy lying lifeless upon the ground in -the woods he was very angry, but he was also very quick-witted. So -he told the boys that if they would build a house around Wendy he was -sure that she would be better. So they hurried to collect everything -they had out of which they could make a house. Though she was not yet -strong enough to talk, they thought perhaps she might sing the kind of -house she would like to have, so Wendy sang softly this little verse: - - "I wish I had a pretty house, - The littlest ever seen, - With funny little red walls - And roof of mossy green." - -When the house was done Peter Pan took John's hat for the chimney, and -the little house was so pleased to have such a capital chimney that -smoke at once began to come out through the hat. All that night Peter -Pan walked up and down in front of Wendy's house, to watch over her -and keep her from danger while she slept. - -All these children lived in an underground cave, and the next day, -when Wendy got well, they all went down into the cave and Wendy agreed -to be their mother and Peter their father. They had many good times -together. They also had some exciting adventures with the red-skins -and with a pirate named Captain Hook and his crew. After a time the -redskins became their friends, and Peter rescued his family from the -pirates' ship. - -One day Wendy and her brothers realized that they had been away so -long that perhaps their mother had forgotten them and shut the window -of the nursery so that they could not get back. They decided to hurry -home. When they reached home Peter Pan was before them, and he closed -the window so that they could not get back. But when he heard the -children's mother singing such a sad song inside, his heart was made -tender and he opened the window and the children crept back safely -into their mother's arms. Wendy's mother invited Peter Pan to stay -and be her child, but Peter was so afraid that he would have to go -to school and grow up and be a man that he went back to his home in -fairy-land. - -Wendy promised to go once a year and stay a few days with Peter Pan -and clean house and mend his clothes. Let us picture them in the -little house that was built for Wendy, which the fairies had put up in -the branches of a pine-tree. The birds are singing in their nests and -in the branches, and far below the clouds you can see the land and -the sea. Wendy is sewing for Peter and Peter Pan is playing his pipes -while she works. When night comes the woods are full of flashing -lights like little stars, because the fairies are flitting around the -house where Peter and Wendy live, and are singing to them as they go -to sleep. - -In a few days Wendy will go back to John and Michael to tell them what -a good time she had on her visit in the little house in the woods. - - * * * * * - - - - -SIR LARK AND KING SUN - -BY GEORGE MACDONALD - - "Good morrow, my lord!" in the sky alone, - Sang the lark as the sun ascended his throne. - "Shine on me, my lord; I only am come, - Of all your servants, to welcome you home. - I have flown right up, a whole hour, I swear, - To catch the first shine of your golden hair." - - "Must I thank you then," said the king, "Sir Lark, - For flying so high and hating the dark? - You ask a full cup for half a thirst: - Half was love of me, and half love to be first. - There's many a bird makes no such haste, - But waits till I come; that's as much to my taste." - - And King Sun hid his head in a turban of cloud, - And Sir Lark stopped singing, quite vexed and cowed; - But he flew up higher, and thought, "Anon - The wrath of the king will be over and gone; - And his crown, shining out of its cloudy fold, - Will change my brown feathers to a glory of gold." - - So he flew--with the strength of a lark he flew; - But, as he rose, the cloud rose too; - And not one gleam of the golden hair - Came through the depths of the misty air; - Till, weary with flying, with sighing sore, - The strong sun-seeker could do no more. - - His wings had had no chrism of gold; - And his feathers felt withered and worn and old; - He faltered, and sank, and dropped like a stone. - And there on his nest, where he left her, alone - Sat his little wife on her little eggs, - Keeping them warm with wings and legs. - - Did I say alone? Ah, no such thing! - Full in her face was shining the king. - "Welcome, Sir Lark! You look tired," said he; - "_Up_ is not always the best way to me. - While you have been singing so high and away, - I've been shining to your little wife all day." - - He had set his crown all about the nest, - And out of the midst shone her little brown breast; - And so glorious was she in russet gold, - That for wonder and awe Sir Lark grew cold. - He popped his head under her wing, and lay - As still as a stone, till King Sun was away. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE IMPS IN THE HEAVENLY MEADOW - -BY KATE E. BUNCE (after RUDOLF BAUNBACH) - - To Heaven's Meadows, bright with flowers and sunshine, - The little children go, - When they have had enough of life's sad dreaming, - And leave the earth below. - - But as they had not time to learn their lessons - Before they went away, - There is a school, where all the angel children - Must work four hours a day. - - With golden pencils upon silver tablets, - They copy fairy tales, - And learn to keep their halos bright and shining, - And sing, and play their scales. - - And twice a week they glide with merry laughter - All down the Milky Way, - And homeward in the evening wander softly - Upon a sunset ray. - - But Sunday is the day they love and long for, - Then all the children go - And play from morn till night within a meadow - Where flowers in thousands grow. - - The meadow is not green, but blue and golden - The flowers like dewdrops bright; - When it is night, they burn and glow and glisten-- - Men call them stars of light. - - Through Heaven's gate they all must pass to find it, - Where Peter with the key - Keeps watch and warns the little angels kindly - How good they all must be. - - They must not fly about or run too quickly, - Nor go too far away, - And when upon his golden key he calls them, - Then they must all obey. - - One day it was so very hot in Heaven - That good St. Peter slept, - And when the little angel children saw it, - Away they quickly crept. - - Ah! then they ran and flew about with laughter, - And fluttered far and wide, - So far they wandered that of Heaven's meadow - They reached the other side. - - They came to where the strong, tall, wooden paling - Shuts all that place away, - Where idle, careless, mischief-loving, naughty, - The Imps of Darkness stray. - - And there the angels stopped, devoutly wishing - Some opening there might be, - So that they might each one in turn peep through it, - And see what they could see. - - But not a chink or hole, for all their seeking, - No gleam of light pierced through, - So with their little wings outspread and eager, - Right to the top they flew. - - And looking down they saw with awe and wonder. - Imps all as black as soot; - Each had two horns and each a tail to play with, - And hoof, instead of foot. - - They heard the rustle of the angel feathers, - They felt the cool sweet air, - And, lifting up their little coal-black faces, - They saw Heaven's children there. - - Then with one voice they cried: "Oh! angel Children, - You look so good and fair, - We pray you, let us come up into Heaven - And play a little there. - - "We will not tweak nor pull your shining feathers, - But be so very good; - We will not try and steal your little halos, - But all do as we should." - - Then quick they flew away for Jacob's ladder, - (Peter was still asleep), - And placed it safely, where from Heaven to Imp-land - The way was dark and steep. - - Then every little imp, with shouts and laughter, - Helped by an angel's hand, - Scrambled right over the great wooden paling, - And stood in Heaven's land. - - They all, with air sedate and pious faces, - Discreetly walked around, - Their tails like trains upon their arms upholding, - And eyes upon the ground. - - The little angels fluttered round in rapture, - And showed the lovely flowers, - And bade them listen to the thrilling voices - Of birds in Heaven's bowers. - - And gently led them by the crystal streamlets, - Bade them on dewdrops feast, - And showed them where the silver moon was rising - To light them from the east. - - Alas! when all the little demons saw her, - The moon, so large and round, - They all began to roar, and growl, and gibber, - And leap from off the ground; - - And mocked the great white moon with ugly faces, - Turned somersaults in air, - And when the angels prayed them cease, in terror, - They vowed they did not care. - - They trampled down the grass in Heaven's Meadow, - They tore the flowers about, - And flung them on the earth beyond the paling, - With gibe, and jeer, and shout. - - They chased the birds that sang among the tree-tops - And hushed their music sweet, - They pulled the little angels' tender feathers - And trod upon their feet. - - Then to the good St. Peter cried the angels - To help them in their pain, - And if he would but this one time forgive them, - They would be good again. - - Then rose St. Peter from his peaceful dreaming-- - An angry saint was he-- - He wrung his hands and clasped his head in horror, - And seized his golden key. - - Then blew a mighty blast in wrath upon it; - Back all the angels flew, - And wide he threw the door of heaven open, - And thrust the children through. - - And then he called two great and powerful angels, - The strongest of the race, - To chase the little demons out of Heaven, - And clear the holy place. - - They gathered up the little imps in armfuls, - Bore them with mighty stride, - And flung them over the strong wooden paling - Down on the other side. - - And though they fought and lashed their tails and whimpered, - And kicked with might and main, - To Heaven's Meadow, bright with sun and flowers - They never came again. - - For two long months the little angel-children - Were not allowed to play - Before the door of Heaven in the meadow, - But stayed in all the day. - - And when again they sought the Heavenly Meadow - Each child with humble mind - Must lay aside its little shining halo, - And leave its wings behind. - - But all the flowers that on that day of sorrow, - Flung out and scattered were, - Took root and bloom again in earth's green meadows, - As daisies white and fair. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE BIRTHDAY HONORS OF THE FAIRY QUEEN[1] - -BY HAPGOOD MOORE - - -Once upon a time there lived in green Erin a little girl by the name -of Nora. Her home was a small thatched cottage of stone beside the -brae at the foot of a mountain, in the midst of a woodland so deep -that in the summer time when the trees were full the sun got its rays -inside but a few hours of the day and you could see of the star-dust -that covers the fields of the sky no piece larger than the palm of -your hand. - -It was a famous meeting-place for the fairies, this haunt at the foot -of the mountain by the stream, for the Little Folk from the heather -above used nightly to foregather in the meadow with the Little Folk -from the woodland below, and there they danced the long night through -among the shamrocks. But although Nora had heard about the fairies -from her grandmother, who sat all day tending the peat fire, and -something more about them from her mother when of an evening after -supper she had time to speak to Nora of herself when she was a girl, -yet Nora had never in all her life set eyes upon one of these feasters -of the forest. For the fairies, mind you, come only to two kinds of -folk, to those who believe in them and to those who need them. Now -Nora believed in the fairies all right, all right, but she had never -been in need of them until now, at this time that I'm telling ye of. - -Now this same Nora was one of these lasses that is a wee bit gloomery. -And ye don't know what this same gloomery is? Well, she was at times -hindered by a rainy mornin' disposition. So it was plain enough to the -fairies that she was in some need of them. - -One day Nora went into the deep of the wildwood a few steps below her -mother's cottage to a trysting-place where she often resorted when she -had the time from her daily duties. - -She had been unusually heckled that morning, as all of us are at -times, by being obliged to do many things for the which she had little -liking. The spot was a favorite one of Nora's. - -There was a shelter of rocks above, almost like a cave or roof, and -below there was a tiny stream of water that ran out of a spring in the -back of the hill and sang its way down the slope to the brae below. -In this pool Nora nearly always laid some field flowers, because they -kept fresher there than anywhere else. From the low seat that Nora had -made out of a stone in the back of her shelter she looked out into a -sunny place in the woods, around which stood, as if they were pillars -of a woodland palace, six gray beeches. - -Now upon this sunny afternoon that I am speaking of, hardly had Nora -reclined upon her bench, feeling a bit drowsy no doubt with the heat, -yet not quite sleepy you know, listening to a robin singing with -the voice of Eden, when she heard a light tapping on the wall of the -largest beech, the one that was nearest to the place where she was -lying. At first when she heard this sound she thought that it was the -robin redbreast that she had noticed hopping up and down in the open -place in the sunlight, and yet she knew well that robins do not drum -upon the bark of trees like woodpeckers. So she jumped lightly up and -ran to the tree, and at once she was aware that the tapping was from -inside the tree. And between the taps that were no louder than those -of a branch against a window-pane she distinctly heard a very tiny -voice. - -"How tiny was the voice, Michael aroon?" - -You are asking me how tiny was the voice? Let me see if I can tell -you. You have heard the sound of the rivulet when it falls upon the -mossy stones in the pasture by the bar-way? Well, it was about as -loud as the echo of that if you should walk thirty paces away and then -listen. So Nora had to put her ear up close against the breast of the -beech-tree and even then the voice sounded no louder than the sound -of a beech-leaf when it falls from a branch into the moss-bed. But she -could hear what that voice was saying, and it was these words: "Nora, -my darling, turn the key and let me out." Nora looked around in -amazement, but sure enough, there on the breast of the beech, about -the height of her heart, was a small key of the color of the bark, -that she had never noticed before, though she had hugged that -beech-tree every morning of her life. So Nora turned the key at once, -and out stepped----" - -"A fairy, Michael?" - -Yes, better than a fairy, a dryad, that is a fairy of the tree. For a -fairy of a tree is as much higher in rank than a fairy of the meadow -as a duchess is than a goose-girl. She was about the size of the robin -redbreast, and she was dressed all in green, except a lovely cloak of -red that, when it was folded about her, made her look very much indeed -like the redbreast himself, and she was no bit bigger than the robin -either. - -"Nora Mavourneen," said the dryad, "I have been noticing that you -seem a bit sad-hearted of late, and for no reason either that anybody -knows, so if you don't mind I will take you with me for a walk this -afternoon through fairyland, and we will see if we cannot do something -to restore your good spirits again." - -At these words Nora danced for joy, and you would never have been able -to guess that she had ever known a downhearted moment. So the dryad -clapped her tiny hands three times, and out of the open door into the -beech-tree stepped a little gnome who came and bowed low before them, -holding in his hands a silver salver on which lay a little pellet. - -"How little was the pellet, uncle?" - -"Well, what would you say if I told you that it was as small as a -humming bird's egg? Oh, you think it was smaller than that? Well, how -about the seed of a coriander? No? Then I will tell you the truth. It -was as small as the gnat that gets into your eye, that feels as big as -a rat." - -So Nora took the pellet from the platter and thanked the gnome kindly -and she ate it down, and no sooner had she swallowed it than she was -no bigger than the dryad herself. - -So the dryad took her by the hand and they walked gaily into the -beech-tree door, and the door shut behind them. - -They went down and down a lot of winding stairs that were lighted only -by small windows in the bark of the tree that Nora had never noticed -before and could never find afterward. It was very cool and pleasant, -for they could hear the sap go singing on its way from the roots up -to the branches and leaves and when a summer shower went by they could -hear the raindrops as they went singing down the trunk outside to the -roots. After they had reached the foot of the stairs they walked for -a long way through a cool corridor. It was not quite dark, for Little -People stood at every turn who seemed to be doing what fireflies do -on summer nights in the grass, and each one whistling to himself as -he held his softly shaded lantern aloft. Down the side passages Nora -could see thousands of tiny miners at work. And what do you think they -are doing? - -"Digging for gold and diamonds." - -They were tending the woodland plants that hang their golden blossoms -in the pathways and carrying up the dewdrops that sparkle like -diamonds from their leaves in the daybreak. And it was pleasant to see -them work, for they were all singing. - -By and by Nora and the dryad came to a place where there was a -brighter light ahead, and as they drew nearer Nora could see that they -had come to the bank of the pond that is below Nora's cottage, only -that they were under the surface, looking up through a light so soft -that it cast no shadows. And now the dryad took Nora's hand and she -found herself in a little boat, no bigger than a leaf, sailing across -the pond but still beneath its surface. And here she saw on every -hand, working amid the mire and the mirk, such jolly little divers, -who were feeding the fish and tending the pond lily roots, and, like -all the others, singing at their tasks. - -Now you will know of course that they were on their way to the home of -the fairy queen. And it was but a short while before they were there. -I need not tell you, children, how lovely is her palace, with its -golden floor and silver walls and its hangings of the colors of the -rainbow. Nor need I say how beautiful is her majesty herself, with -wings like the most splendid butterfly and a gown like the morning and -a face like the sunshine. - -It seems that Nora had come upon the queen's birthday, and she was -just giving the birthday honors. So Nora and the dryad stood in the -background and watched the scene. Around the throne stood gallant -fairy gentlemen clad like beetles and dragon flies for splendor -and ladies whose long gowns hung like the light on the waterfall of -Loughmareen. But to the amazement of Nora, those who came forward to -receive the honors were for the most part dressed like workmen and -many of them were bent with hard labor. As each advanced and made -obeisance, the royal herald read the exploit for which the rank -of knighthood was about to be conferred. For one he read: "To our -faithful servant who covered the lilies of Moira from the attack of -the Frost King"; and to another: "To the gallant yeoman who watered -the grain field of Kilvellin"; and to still another: "To him who dug -the trench by the roadside and kept safe the highway to Throselwait -Fair." And as each came forward the trumpets pealed in triumph, and -after a gold star had been pinned upon the new knight's breast the -gentlemen and ladies of the court greeted them with hearty reverence. -And Nora looked in the smiling face of the dryad, but said nothing. - -Then Nora herself, in a breathless moment of fear, was presented to -the queen, and the queen kissed her daintily just above her lips on -both sides. And suddenly Nora found herself back on her stony bench by -the spring with the branches of the beech-tree waving silently before -her. - -"Oh, mothereen and grandmotherkin," she cried as soon as she got home, -and she ran home all the way--"let me tell you about the wonderful -visit I have been making out in the wildwood." And after she had -told her story, mothereen said, "I think Nora has been dreaming," but -grandmotherkin said, "No, daughter, I think our little acushla has had -her eyes opened the day." Then Nora in triumph showed the two dimples -where the fairy queen had kissed her. And do you know, my darlings, I -cannot but think that she told the truth after all, for ever after, -if one kissed Nora upon those two dimples or even touched them or even -looked at them, she would break into the sweetest smile, and she never -was gloomerin' or lowerin' any more. - -[Footnote 1: First published in _John Martin's Book_. Reprinted by -special permission.] - - * * * * * - - - - -LIST OF BEST BOOKS OF FAIRY TALES AND CHILDREN'S POEMS - - * * * * * - -ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN ... _Fairy Tales_ -ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN ... _Wonder Stories_ -ASBJÖRNSEN, P. C. ... _Fairy Tales from the Far North_ -BALLARD, SUSAN ... _Fairy Tales from Far Japan_ -BARING-GOULD, S. .... _The Crock of Gold_ -BRENTANO, CLEMENS ... _New Fairy Tales_ -BREWER, DAVID H. ... _Adventures in Fairyland_ -BROWNE, F. ... _The Wonderful Chair_ -BUNGE, JOHN THACKERY ... _Fairy Tales: Their Origin and Meaning_ -CARMEN SYLVA ... _A Real Queen's Fairy Tales_ -CARROLL, LEWIS ... _Alice in Wonderland_ -CARROLL, LEWIS ... _Through the Looking Glass_ -CHISHOLM, LOUEY ... _The Golden Staircase_ -COATES, H. T. ... _Children's Book of Poetry_ -CROKER, T. CROFTON ... _Fairy Legends and Traditions of Ireland_ -CURTIN, JEREMIAH ... _Tales of the Fairies and of the Ghost World_ -EWING, J. H. ... _The Brownies_ -FRERE, M. ... _Old Deccan Days, or Hindoo Fairy Legends_ -GRIMM, THE BROTHERS ... _Fairy Tales_ -HARRISON, MRS. BURTON ... _The Old Fashioned Fairy Book_ -HERFORD, OLIVER ... _Child's Primer of Natural History_ -HAUFF, WILLIAM ... _Fairy Tales_ -HIGGINSON, THOMAS W. ... _Tales of the Enchanted Islands of the Atlantic_ -HORWITZ, CARRIE NORRIS ... _Fairy Lore_ -INGELOW, JEAN ... _Fairy Stories_ -JACOBS, JOSEPH ... _Celtic Fairy Tales (2 vols.)_ -JACOBS, JOSEPH ... _English Fairy Tales (2 vols.)_ -JACOBS, JOSEPH ... _Indian Fairy Tales_ -JERROLD, W. ... _The Reign of King Oberon_ -KEIGHTLEY, T. ... _Fairy Mythology_ -KENNEDY, H. A. ... _The New World Fairy Book_ -KUPPER, GRACE H. ... _Stories of Long Ago_ -LABOULAYE, E. ... _Fairy Tales_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _Nursery Rhyme Book_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _The Arabian Nights_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _The Green Fairy Book_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _The Red Fairy Book_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _The Yellow Fairy Book_ -LANG, ANDREW ... _The Princess Nobody_ -LEAR, EDWARD ... _Nonsense Books_ -LOCKWOOD, INGERSOLL ... _Baron Trump's Marvelous Underground Journey_ -MULLNEY, IONE ... _Fairy Tales from Afar_ -MULOCK, DINAH M. ... _Adventures of a Brownie_ -MULOCK, DINAH M. ... _The Little Lame Prince_ -MUNKITTRICK, J. ... _The Moon Prince_ -MOTHER GOOSE ... _Nursery Rhymes_ -NAAKE, J. T. ... _Slavonic Fairy Tales_ -NICHOLS, IDA PRESTON ... _Princess Girlikin and other Fairy Tales_ -OZAKI, YEI THEODORA ... _The Japanese Story Book_ -PAULDING, JAMES KIRKE ... _A Christmas Gift from Fairyland_ -PYLE, HOWARD ... _The Wonder Clock_ -RHYS, ERNEST ... _Fairy Gold_ -ROLFE, W. F. ... _Fairy Tales in Prose and Verse_ -STOCKTON, F. R. ... _The Floating Prince_ -STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS ... _Child's Garden of Verses_ -STODDARD, R. H. ... _Adventures in Fairyland_ -WAHLENBERG, ANNA ... _Swedish Fairy Tales_ -WATERHOUSE, A. J. ... _Children's Poems_ -WIGGIN, KATE DOUGLAS, AND NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH ... _Tales of Laughter_ -WIGGIN, KATE DOUGLAS, AND NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH ... _Magic Casements_ - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - -TOC: -vii [corrected from v] -xi [missing; added] - - -Page 47: '?' corrected to '.' - -"When the dogs run after me, I can jump into a tree and -save myself." - -Page 49: replaced missing opening quote-- - - ..."You see very well he is greater than I, for he stops me and makes me -draw back." - -Page 62: replaced missing closing quote-- - -"So many stars are there in the sky as there are holes -in this paper; now count them. - -Page 114: replaced missing end quote-- - -"Rise, little lie-a-beds," she said, "and... - -Page 120: replaced missing opening quote-- - -"Good day, Father Hollenthe. How do you do?" - -Page 147: replaced opening quote-- -"It's a boy, I'm sure it is," he continued... - -Page 153: '.' corrected to '?' -"... but how could little Thumbelina ever care for him? ..." - -Page 408: replaced missing end quote-- - -"Well, then," said the Fox, ... - -Page 461: replaced missing end quote-- - -"... Under my power Awashanks shall become -a beautiful trout." - -Page 473: replaced missing opening quote-- - -"He that seeketh, shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be -opened," says an old Arab proverb. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDHOOD'S FAVORITES *** - -***** This file should be named 19993-8.txt or 19993-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/9/9/19993/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Lesley Halamek 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. 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