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diff --git a/3454-h/3454-h.htm b/3454-h/3454-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..26d8504 --- /dev/null +++ b/3454-h/3454-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13234 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#ffccff; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THERE IS AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28096"> +[ #28096 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lilac Fairy Book + +Author: Andrew Lang + +Release Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3454] +Last Updated: December 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. Shaffer, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Edited by Andrew Lang + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="0"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28096/28096-h/28096-h.htm"><b>A + NEWER ILLUSTRATED EDITION</b> </a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> Preface </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> The Shifty Lad </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> The False Prince and the True </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> The Jogi’s Punishment </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> The Heart of a Monkey </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> The Fairy Nurse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> A Lost Paradise </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> The King of the Waterfalls </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> A French Puck </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> The Three Crowns </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> The Story of a Very Bad Boy </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> The Brown Bear of Norway </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> Little Lasse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> ‘Moti’ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> The Enchanted Deer </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> A Fish Story </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> The Wonderful Tune. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> The One-Handed Girl </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> The Bones of Djulung </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> The Sea King’s Gift </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> The Raspberry Worm </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> The Stones of Plouhinec </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> The Castle of Kerglas </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> The Battle of the Birds </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> The Lady of the Fountain. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> The Four Gifts </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> The Escape of the Mouse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> The Believing Husbands </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> The Hoodie-Crow. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> The Brownie of the Lake </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> The Winning of Olwen </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Preface + </h2> + <p> + ‘What cases are you engaged in at present?’ ‘Are you stopping many teeth + just now?’ ‘What people have you converted lately?’ Do ladies put these + questions to the men—lawyers, dentists, clergymen, and so forth—who + happen to sit next them at dinner parties? + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the + occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board. But if + they do not know me, or do not know me well, they generally ask ‘Are you + writing anything now?’ (as if they should ask a painter ‘Are you painting + anything now?’ or a lawyer ‘Have you any cases at present?’). Sometimes + they are more definite and inquire ‘What are you writing now?’ as if I + must be writing something—which, indeed, is the case, though I + dislike being reminded of it. It is an awkward question, because the fair + being does not care a bawbee what I am writing; nor would she be much + enlightened if I replied ‘Madam, I am engaged on a treatise intended to + prove that Normal is prior to Conceptional Totemism’—though that + answer would be as true in fact as obscure in significance. The best plan + seems to be to answer that I have entirely abandoned mere literature, and + am contemplating a book on ‘The Causes of Early Blight in the Potato,’ a + melancholy circumstance which threatens to deprive us of our chief + esculent root. The inquirer would never be undeceived. One nymph who, like + the rest, could not keep off the horrid topic of my occupation, said ‘You + never write anything but fairy books, do you?’ A French gentleman, too, an + educationist and expert in portraits of Queen Mary, once sent me a + newspaper article in which he had written that I was exclusively devoted + to the composition of fairy books, and nothing else. He then came to + England, visited me, and found that I knew rather more about portraits of + Queen Mary than he did. + </p> + <p> + In truth I never did write any fairy books in my life, except ‘Prince + Prigio,’ ‘Prince Ricardo,’ and ‘Tales from a Fairy Court’—that of + the aforesaid Prigio. I take this opportunity of recommending these fairy + books—poor things, but my own—to parents and guardians who may + never have heard of them. They are rich in romantic adventure, and the + Princes always marry the right Princesses and live happy ever afterwards; + while the wicked witches, stepmothers, tutors and governesses are never + cruelly punished, but retire to the country on ample pensions. I hate + cruelty: I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her + tobogganing down a hill. It is true that Prince Ricardo did kill the + Yellow Dwarf; but that was in fair fight, sword in hand, and the dwarf, + peace to his ashes! died in harness. + </p> + <p> + The object of these confessions is not only that of advertising my own + fairy books (which are not ‘out of print’; if your bookseller says so, the + truth is not in him), but of giving credit where credit is due. The fairy + books have been almost wholly the work of Mrs. Lang, who has translated + and adapted them from the French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, + Catalan, and other languages. + </p> + <p> + My part has been that of Adam, according to Mark Twain, in the Garden of + Eden. Eve worked, Adam superintended. I also superintend. I find out where + the stories are, and advise, and, in short, superintend. I do not write + the stories out of my own head. The reputation of having written all the + fairy books (an European reputation in nurseries and the United States of + America) is ‘the burden of an honour unto which I was not born.’ It weighs + upon and is killing me, as the general fash of being the wife of the Lord + of Burleigh, Burleigh House by Stamford Town, was too much for the village + maiden espoused by that peer. + </p> + <p> + Nobody really wrote most of the stories. People told them in all parts of + the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan signs or Cyprian + syllabaries, or alphabets were invented. They are older than reading and + writing, and arose like wild flowers before men had any education to + quarrel over. The grannies told them to the grandchildren, and when the + grandchildren became grannies they repeated the same old tales to the new + generation. Homer knew the stories and made up the ‘Odyssey’ out of half a + dozen of them. All the history of Greece till about 800 B.C. is a string + of the fairy tales, all about Theseus and Heracles and Oedipus and Minos + and Perseus is a Cabinet des Fes, a collection of fairy tales. Shakespeare + took them and put bits of them into ‘King Lear’ and other plays; he could + not have made them up himself, great as he was. Let ladies and gentlemen + think of this when they sit down to write fairy tales, and have them + nicely typed, and send them to Messrs. Longman & Co. to be published. + They think that to write a new fairy tale is easy work. They are mistaken: + the thing is impossible. Nobody can write a new fairy tale; you can only + mix up and dress up the old, old stories, and put the characters into new + dresses, as Miss Thackeray did so well in ‘Five Old Friends.’ If any big + girl of fourteen reads this preface, let her insist on being presented + with ‘Five Old Friends.’ + </p> + <p> + But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy + tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little boy or girl who + goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses and gardenias and apple + blossoms: ‘Flowers and fruits, and other winged things.’ These fairies try + to be funny, and fail; or they try to preach, and succeed. Real fairies + never preach or talk slang. At the end, the little boy or girl wakes up + and finds that he has been dreaming. + </p> + <p> + Such are the new fairy stories. May we be preserved from all the sort of + them! + </p> + <p> + Our stories are almost all old, some from Ireland, before that island was + as celebrated for her wrongs as for her verdure; some from Asia, made, I + dare say, before the Aryan invasion; some from Moydart, Knoydart, Morar + and Ardnamurchan, where the sea streams run like great clear rivers and + the saw-edged hills are blue, and men remember Prince Charlie. Some are + from Portugal, where the golden fruits grow in the Garden of the + Hesperides; and some are from wild Wales, and were told at Arthur’s Court; + and others come from the firesides of the kinsmen of the Welsh, the + Bretons. There are also modern tales by a learned Scandinavian named + Topelius. + </p> + <p> + All the stories were translated or adapted by Mrs. Lang, except ‘The + Jogi’s Punishment’ and ‘Moti,’ done by Major Campbell out of the Pushtoo + language; ‘How Brave Walter hunted Wolves,’ which, with ‘Little Lasse’ and + ‘The Raspberry Worm,’ was done from Topelius by Miss Harding; and ‘The Sea + King’s Gift,’ by Miss Christie, from the same author. + </p> + <p> + It has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and + guardians would like ‘The Grey True Ghost-Story Book.’ He knows that the + children would like it well, and he would gladly give it to them; but + about the taste of fond anxious mothers and kind aunts he is not quite so + certain. Before he was twelve the Editor knew true ghost stories enough to + fill a volume. They were a pure joy till bedtime, but then, and later, + were not wholly a source of unmixed pleasure. At that time the Editor was + not afraid of the dark, for he thought, ‘If a ghost is here, we can’t see + him.’ But when older and better informed persons said that ghosts brought + their own light with them (which is too true), then one’s emotions were + such as parents do not desire the young to endure. For this reason ‘The + Grey True Ghost-Story Book’ is never likely to be illustrated by Mr. Ford. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + The Shifty Lad + </h2> + <p> + In the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only son. He + was a clever boy, so she saved up enough money to send him to school, and, + as soon as he was old enough, to apprentice him to any trade that he would + choose. But when the time came, he said he would not be bound to any + trade, and that he meant to be a thief. + </p> + <p> + Now his mother was very sorrowful when she heard of this, but she knew + quite well that if she tried to stop his having his own way he would only + grow more determined to get it. So all the answer she made was that the + end of thieves was hanging at the bridge of Dublin, and then she left him + alone, hoping that when he was older he might become more sensible. + </p> + <p> + One day she was going to church to hear a sermon from a great preacher, + and she begged the Shifty Lad, as the neighbours called him from the + tricks he played, to come with her. But he only laughed and declared that + he did not like sermons, adding: + </p> + <p> + ‘However, I will promise you this, that the first trade you hear named + after you come out from church shall be my trade for the rest of my life.’ + </p> + <p> + These words gave a little comfort to the poor woman, and her heart was + lighter than before as she bade him farewell. + </p> + <p> + When the Shifty Lad thought that the hour had nearly come for the sermon + to be over, he hid himself in some bushes in a little path that led + straight to his mother’s house, and, as she passed along, thinking of all + the good things she had heard, a voice shouted close to her ear ‘Robbery! + Robbery! Robbery!’ The suddenness of it made her jump. The naughty boy had + managed to change his voice, so that she did not know it for his, and he + had concealed himself so well that, though she peered about all round her, + she could see no one. As soon as she had turned the corner the Shifty Lad + came out, and by running very fast through the wood he contrived to reach + home before his mother, who found him stretched out comfortably before the + fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, have you got any news to tell me?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, nothing; for I left the church at once, and did not stop to speak to + anyone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?’ he said in tones of + disappointment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ye—es,’ she replied slowly. ‘At least, as I walked down the path a + voice cried out “Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!” but that was all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And quite enough too,’ answered the boy. ‘What did I tell you? That is + going to be my trade.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,’ said she. But + there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in the dark thinking + about her son. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And who is + there that can teach him?’ the mother asked herself. But an idea came to + her, and she arose early, before the sun was up, and set off for the home + of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who was such a wonderful thief that, + though all had been robbed by him, no one could catch him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-morning to you,’ said the woman as she reached the place where the + Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his business. ‘My son has + a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be kind enough to teach him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If he is clever, I don’t mind trying,’ answered the Black Gallows Bird; + ‘and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a first-rate thief, it is I. + But if he is stupid, it is of no use at all; I can’t bear stupid people.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he isn’t stupid,’ said the woman with a sigh. ‘So to-night, after + dark, I will send him to you.’ + </p> + <p> + The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had been. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will become the best thief in all Erin!’ he cried, and paid no heed + when his mother shook her head and murmured something about ‘the bridge of + Dublin.’ + </p> + <p> + Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black + Gallows Bird, and many were the new tricks he learned. By-and-by he was + allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at work, and at last there + came a day when his master though that he had grown clever enough to help + in a big robbery. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a rich farmer up there on the hill, who has just sold all his + fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones which will cost + him little. Now it happens that, while he has received the money for the + fat cattle, he has not yet paid the price of the thin ones, which he has + in the cowhouse. To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in his + hand, so to-night we must get at the chest. When all is quiet we will hide + in the loft.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no moon, and it was the night of Hallowe’en, and everyone was + burning nuts and catching apples in a tub of water with their hands tied, + and playing all sorts of other games, till the Shifty Lad grew quite tired + of waiting for them to get to bed. The Black Gallows Bird, who was more + accustomed to the business, tucked himself up on the hay and went to + sleep, telling the boy to wake him when the merry-makers had departed. But + the Shifty Lad, who could keep still no longer, crept down to the cowshed + and loosened the heads of the cattle which were tied, and they began to + kick each other and bellow, and made such a noise that the company in the + farmhouse ran out to tie them up again. Then the Shifty Lad entered the + room and picked up a big handful of nuts, and returned to the loft, where + the Black Rogue was still sleeping. At first the Shifty Lad shut his eyes + too, but very soon he sat up, and taking a big needle and thread from his + pocket, he sewed the hem of the Black Gallows Bird’s coat to a heavy piece + of bullock’s hide that was hanging at his back. + </p> + <p> + By this time the cattle were all tied up again, but as the people could + not find their nuts they sat round the fire and began to tell stories. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will crack a nut,’ said the Shifty Lad. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall not,’ cried the Black Gallows Bird; ‘they will hear you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t care,’ answered the Shifty Lad. ‘I never spend Hallowe’en yet + without cracking a nut’; and he cracked one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some one is cracking nuts up there,’ said one of the merry-makers in the + farmhouse. ‘Come quickly, and we will see who it is.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke loudly, and the Black Gallows Bird heard, and ran out of the + loft, dragging the big leather hide after him which the Shifty Lad had + sewed to his coat. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is stealing my hide!’ shouted the farmer, and they all darted after + him; but he was too swift for them, and at last he managed to tear the + hide from his coat, and then he flew like a hare till he reached his old + hiding-place. But all this took a long time, and meanwhile the Shifty Lad + got down from the loft, and searched the house till he found the chest + with the gold and silver in it, concealed behind a load of straw and + covered with loaves of bread and a great cheese. The Shifty Lad slung the + money bags round his shoulders and took the bread and the cheese under his + arm, then set out quietly for the Black Rogue’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here you are at last, you villain!’ cried his master in great wrath. ‘But + I will be revenged on you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all right,’ replied the Shifty Lad calmly. ‘I have brought what you + wanted’; and he laid the things he was carrying down on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you are the better thief,’ said the Black Rogue’s wife; and the Black + Rogue added: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it is you who are the clever boy’; and they divided the spoil and + the Black Gallows Bird had one half and the Shifty Lad the other half. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks after that the Black Gallows Bird had news of a wedding that + was to be held near the town; and the bridegroom had many friends and + everybody sent him a present. Now a rich farmer who lived up near the moor + thought that nothing was so useful to a young couple when they first began + to keep house as a fine fat sheep, so he bade his shepherd go off to the + mountain where the flock were feeding, and bring him back the best he + could find. And the shepherd chose out the largest and fattest of the + sheep and the one with the whitest fleece; then he tied its feet together + and put it across his shoulder, for he had a long way to go. + </p> + <p> + That day, the Shifty Lad happened to be wandering over the moor, when he + saw the man with the sheep on his shoulder walking along the road which + led past the Black Rogue’s house. The sheep was heavy and the man was in + no hurry, so he came slowly and the boy knew that he himself could easily + get back to his master before the shepherd was even in sight. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will wager,’ he cried, as he pushed quickly through the bushes which + hid the cabin—‘I will wager that I will steal the sheep from the man + that is coming before he passes here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you indeed?’ said the Gallows Bird. ‘I will wager you a hundred + silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I will try it, anyway,’ replied the boy, and disappeared in the + bushes. He ran fast till he entered a wood through which the shepherd must + go, and then he stopped, and taking off one of his shoes smeared it with + mud and set it in the path. When this was done he slipped behind a rock + and waited. + </p> + <p> + Very soon the man came up, and seeing the shoe lying there, he stooped and + looked at it. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a good shoe,’ he said to himself, ‘but very dirty. Still, if I had + the fellow, I would be at the trouble of cleaning it’; so he threw the + shoe down again and went on. + </p> + <p> + The Shifty Lad smiled as he heard him, and, picking up the shoe, he crept + round by a short way and laid the other shoe on the path. A few minutes + after the shepherd arrived, and beheld the second shoe lying on the path. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that is the fellow of the dirty shoe!’ he exclaimed when he saw it. + ‘I will go back and pick up the other one, and then I shall have a pair of + good shoes,’ and he put the sheep on the grass and returned to fetch the + shoe. Then the Shifty Lad put on his shoes, and, picking up the sheep, + carried it home. And the Black Rogue paid him the hundred marks of his + wager. + </p> + <p> + When the shepherd reached the farmhouse that night he told his tale to his + master, who scolded him for being stupid and careless, and bade him go the + next day to the mountain and fetch him a kid, and he would send that as a + wedding gift. But the Shifty Lad was on the look-out, and hid himself in + the wood, and the moment the man drew near with the kid on his shoulders + began to bleat like a sheep, and no one, not even the sheep’s own mother, + could have told the difference. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must have got its feet loose, and have strayed after all,’ + thought the man; and he put the kid on the grass and hurried off in the + direction of the bleating. Then the boy ran back and picked up the kid, + and took it to the Black Gallows Bird. + </p> + <p> + The shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from seeking + the sheep and found that the kid had vanished. He was afraid to go home + and tell the same tale that he had told yesterday; so he searched the wood + through and through till night was nearly come. Then he felt that there + was no help for it, and he must go home and confess to his master. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the farmer was very angry at this second misfortune; but this + time he told him to drive one of the big bulls from the mountain, and + warned him that if he lost THAT he would lose his place also. Again the + Shifty Lad, who was on the watch, perceived him pass by, and when he saw + the man returning with the great bull he cried to the Black Rogue: + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quick and come into the wood, and we will try to get the bull also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how can we do that?’ asked the Black Rogue. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, quite easily! You hide yourself out there and baa like a sheep, and I + will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid. It will be all right, + I assure you.’ + </p> + <p> + The shepherd was walking slowly, driving the bull before him, when he + suddenly heard a loud baa amongst the bushes far away on one side of the + path, and a feeble bleat answering it from the other side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost,’ said he. ‘Yes, surely + it must’; and tying the bull hastily to a tree, he went off after the + sheep and the kid, and searched the wood till he was tired. Of course by + the time he came back the two thieves had driven the bull home and killed + him for meat, so the man was obliged to go to his master and confess that + he had been tricked again. + </p> + <p> + After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and bolder, and + stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and grew quite rich. One + day they were returning from the market with a large sum of money in their + pockets when they passed a gallows erected on the top of a hill. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us stop and look at that gallows,’ exclaimed the Shifty Lad. ‘I have + never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is the end of all + thieves.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part of it. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder how it feels to be hanged,’ said the Shifty Lad. ‘I should like + to know, in case they ever catch me. I’ll try first, and then you can do + so.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when it was + quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end of the rope and + draw him up from the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must let me + down,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty Lad’s + legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can’t imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,’ murmured the + Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and spoke in an odd + voice. ‘I don’t think you have every tried it, or you wouldn’t have let me + go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest thing I have ever done. I was + shaking my legs from sheer delight, and if you had been there you would + have shaken your legs too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, let me try, if it is so nice,’ answered the Black Rogue. ‘But be + sure you tie the knot securely, for I don’t want to fall down and break my + neck.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I will see to that!’ replied the Shifty Lad. ‘When you are tired, + just whistle, and I’ll let you down.’ + </p> + <p> + So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as the rope + would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t forest to whistle when you want to come down; but if you are + enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.’ + </p> + <p> + And in a moment the Black Rogue’s legs began to shake and to kick, and the + Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing heartily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you ARE funny! + But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be let down’; and he + rocked again with laughter. + </p> + <p> + But no whistle came, and soon the legs ceased to shake and to kick, for + the Black Gallows Bird was dead, as the Shifty Lad intended he should be. + </p> + <p> + Then he went home to the Black Rogue’s wife, and told her that her husband + was dead, and that he was ready to marry her if she liked. But the woman + had been fond of the Black Rogue, thief though he was, and she shrank from + the Shifty Lad in horror, and set the people after him, and he had to fly + to another part of the country where none knew of his doings. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps if the Shifty Lad’s mother knew anything of this, she may have + thought that by this time her son might be tired of stealing, and ready to + try some honest trade. But in reality he loved the tricks and danger, and + life would have seemed very dull without them. So he went on just as + before, and made friends whom he taught to be as wicked as himself, till + they took to robbing the king’s storehouses, and by the advice of the Wise + Man the king sent out soldiers to catch the band of thieves. + </p> + <p> + For a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them. The Shifty Lad + was too clever for them all, and if they laid traps he laid better ones. + At last one night he stole upon some soldiers while they were asleep in a + barn and killed them, and persuaded the villagers that if THEY did not + kill the other soldiers before morning they would certainly be killed + themselves. Thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier + was alive in the village. + </p> + <p> + Of course this news soon reached the king’s ears, and he was very angry, + and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him. And this was the + counsel of the Wise Man—that he should invite all the people in the + countryside to a ball, and among them the bold and impudent thief would be + sure to come, and would be sure to ask the king’s daughter to dance with + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your counsel is good,’ said the king, who made his feast and prepared for + his ball; and all the people of the countryside were present, and the + Shifty Lad came with them. + </p> + <p> + When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into + the ballroom. There was a great throng, and while they were pressing + through the doorway the Wise Man, who had a bottle of black ointment + hidden in his robes, placed a tiny dot on the cheek of the Shifty Lad near + his ear. The Shifty Lad felt nothing, but as he approached the king’s + daughter to ask her to be his partner he caught sight of the black dot in + a silver mirror. Instantly he guessed who had put it there and why, but he + said nothing, and danced so beautifully that the princess was quite + delighted with him. At the end of the dance he bowed low to his partner + and left her, to mingle with the crowd that was filling the doorway. As he + passed the Wise Man he contrived not only to steal the bottle but to place + two black dots on his face, and one on the faces of twenty other men. Then + he slipped the bottle back in the Wise Man’s robe. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he went up to the king’s daughter again, and begged for the + honour of another dance. She consented, and while he was stooping to tie + the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her pocket another bottle, which + the Wizard had given her, and put a black dot on his cheek. But she was + not as skilful as the Wise Man, and the Shifty Lad felt the touch of her + fingers; so as soon as the dance was over he contrived to place a second + black dot on the faces of the twenty men and two more on the Wizard, after + which he slipped the bottle into her pocket. + </p> + <p> + At length the ball came to an end, and then the king ordered all the doors + to be shut, and search made for a man with two black dots on his cheek. + The chamberlain went among the guests, and soon found such a man, but just + as he was going to arrest him and bring him before the king his eye fell + on another with the same mark, and another, and another, till he had + counted twenty—besides the Wise Man—on whose face were found + spots. + </p> + <p> + Not knowing what to do, the chamberlain hurried back with his tale to the + king, who immediately sent for the Wise Man, and then for his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘The thief must have stolen your bottle,’ said the king to the Wizard. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, my lord, it is here,’ answered the Wise Man, holding it out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then he must have got yours,’ he cried, turning to his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, father, it is safe in my pocket,’ replied she, taking it out as + she spoke; and they all three looked at each other and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the king at last, ‘the man who has done this is cleverer than + most men, and if he will make himself known to me he shall marry the + princess and govern half my kingdom while I am alive, and the whole of it + when I am dead. Go and announce this in the ballroom,’ he added to an + attendant, ‘and bring the fellow hither.’ + </p> + <p> + So the attendant went into the ballroom and did as the king had bidden + him, when, to his surprise, not one man, but twenty, stepped forward, all + with black dots on their faces. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the person you want,’ they all exclaimed at once, and the attendant, + as much bewildered as the chamberlain had been, desired them to follow him + into the king’s presence. + </p> + <p> + But the question was too difficult for the king to decide, so he called + together his council. For hours they talked, but to no purpose, and in the + end they hit upon a plan which they might just as well have thought of at + the beginning. + </p> + <p> + And this was the plan. A child was to be brought to the palace, and next + the king’s daughter would give her an apple. Then the child was to take + the apple and be led into a room where the twenty men with the black dots + were sitting in a ring. And to whomsoever the child gave the apple, that + man should marry the king’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course,’ said the king, ‘it may not be the right man, after all, but + then again it MAY be. Anyhow, it is the best we can do.’ + </p> + <p> + The princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty men were + now seated. She stood in the centre of the ring for a moment, looking at + one man after another, and then held out the apple to the Shifty Lad, who + was twisting a shaving of wood round his finger, and had the mouthpiece of + a bagpipe hanging from his neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘You ought not to have anything which the others have not got,’ said the + chamberlain, who had accompanied the princess; and he bade the child stand + outside for a minute, while he took away the shaving and the mouthpiece, + and made the Shifty Lad change his place. Then he called the child in, but + the little girl knew him again, and went straight up to him with the + apple. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the man whom the child has twice chosen,’ said the chamberlain, + signing to the Shifty Lad to kneel before the king. ‘It was all quite + fair; we tried it twice over.’ In this way the Shifty Lad won the king’s + daughter, and they were married the next day. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the bride and bridegroom were taking a walk together, and + the path led down to the river, and over the river was a bridge. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what bridge may this be?’ asked the Shifty Lad; and the princess told + him that this was the bridge of Dublin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it indeed?’ cried he. ‘Well, now, many is the time that my mother has + said, when I played her a trick, that my end would be that I should hang + on the bridge of Dublin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, if you want to fulfil her prophecies,’ laughed the princess, ‘you + have only to let me tie my handkerchief round your ankle, and I will hold + you as you hang over the wall of the bridge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That would be fine fun,’ said he; ‘but you are not strong enough to hold + me up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes, I am,’ said the princess; ‘just try.’ So at last he let her bind + the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the wall, and they both + laughed and jested at the strength of the princess. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now pull me up again,’ called he; but as he spoke a great cry arose that + the palace was burning. The princess turned round with a start, and let go + her handkerchief, and the Shifty Lad fell, and struck his head on a stone, + and died in an instant. + </p> + <p> + So his mother’s prophecy had come true, after all. + </p> + <p> + West Highland Tales. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The False Prince and the True + </h2> + <p> + The king had just awakened from his midday sleep, for it was summer, and + everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three, as they do in hot + countries. He had dressed himself in cool white clothes, and was passing + through the hall on his way to the council chamber, when a number of young + nobles suddenly appeared before him, and one amongst them stepped forward + and spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire, this morning we were all playing tennis in the court, the prince + and this gentleman with the rest, when there broke out some dispute about + the game. The prince lost his temper, and said many insulting things to + the other, who was playing against him, till at length the gentleman whom + you see there struck him violently in the face, so that the blood ran from + his mouth and nose. We were all so horrified at the sight, that we should + most likely have killed the man then and there, for daring to lay hands on + the prince, had not his grandfather the duke stepped between and commanded + us to lay the affair before you.’ + </p> + <p> + The king had listened attentively to the story, and when it was ended he + said: + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose the prince had no arms with him, or else he would have used + them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sire, he had arms; he always carries a dagger in his belt. But when + he saw the blood pouring from his face, he went to a corner of the court + and began to cry, which was the strangest thing of all.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few minutes + with his back to the room, where the company of young men remained silent. + Then he came back, his face white and stern. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you,’ he said, ‘and it is the solemn truth, that I would rather + you had told me that the prince was dead, though he is my only son, than + know that he would suffer such an injury without attempting to avenge it. + As for the gentleman who struck him, he will be brought before my judges, + and will plead his own cause, but I hardly think he can escape death, + after having assaulted the heir to the crown.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man raised his head as if to reply, but the king would not + listen, and commanded his guards to put him under arrest, adding, however, + that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city, he was at + liberty to do so properly guarded, and in fifteen days he would be brought + to trial before the highest judges in the land. + </p> + <p> + The young man left the king’s presence, surrounded by soldiers, and + accompanied by many of his friends, for he was a great favourite. By their + advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about to seek + counsel from wise men of all sorts, as to how he might escape death, but + no one could help him, for none could find any excuse for the blow he had + given to the prince. + </p> + <p> + The fourteenth night had come, and in despair the prisoner went out to + take his last walk through the city. He wandered on hardly knowing where + he went, and his face was so white and desperate that none of his + companions dared speak to him. The sad little procession had passed some + hours in this manner, when, near the gate of a monastery, an old woman + appeared round a corner, and suddenly stood before the young man. She was + bent almost double, and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked at + least ninety; only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I know all that has happened to you, and how you are + seeking if in any wise you can save your life. But there is none that can + answer that question save only I myself, if you will promise to do all I + ask.’ + </p> + <p> + At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled + off him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, save me, and I will do anything!’ he cried. ‘It is so hard to leave + the world and go out into the darkness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will not need to do that,’ answered the old woman, ‘you have only got + to marry me, and you will soon be free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Marry you?’ exclaimed he, ‘but—but—I am not yet twenty, and + you —why, you must be a hundred at least! Oh, no, it is quite + impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke without thinking, but the flash of anger which darted from her + eyes made him feel uncomfortable. However, all she said was: + </p> + <p> + ‘As you like; since you reject me, let the crows have you,’ and hurried + away down the street. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself, the full horror of his coming death rushed upon the young + man, and he understood that he had thrown away his sole chance of life. + Well, if he must, he must, he said to himself, and began to run as fast as + he could after the old crone, who by this time could scarcely be seen, + even in the moonlight. Who would have believed a woman past ninety could + walk with such speed? It seemed more like flying! But at length, + breathless and exhausted, he reached her side, and gasped out: + </p> + <p> + ‘Madam, pardon me for my hasty words just now; I was wrong, and will + thankfully accept the offer you made me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I thought you would come to your senses,’ answered she, in rather an + odd voice. ‘We have no time to lose—follow me at once,’ and they + went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at the door of a small + house in which the priest lived. Before him the old woman bade the + prisoner swear that she should be his wife, and this he did in the + presence of witnesses. Then, begging the priest and the guards to leave + them alone for a little, she told the young man what he was to do, when + the next morning he was brought before the king and the judges. + </p> + <p> + The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it, and all + marvelled at the brightness of his face. The king inquired if he had any + excuse to plead for the high treason he had committed by striking the heir + to the throne, and, if so, to be quick in setting it forth. With a low bow + the youth made answer in a clear voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘O my lord and gracious king, and you, nobles and wise men of the land, I + leave my cause without fear in your hands, knowing that you will listen + and judge rightly, and that you will suffer me to speak to the end, before + you give judgment. + </p> + <p> + ‘For four years, you, O king, had been married to the queen and yet had no + children, which grieved you greatly. The queen saw this, and likewise that + your love was going from her, and thought night and day of some plan that + might put an end to this evil. At length, when you were away fighting in + distant countries, she decided what she would do, and adopted in secret + the baby of a poor quarryman, sending a messenger to tell you that you had + a son. No one suspected the truth except a priest to whom the queen + confessed the truth, and in a few weeks she fell ill and died, leaving the + baby to be brought up as became a prince. And now, if your highness will + permit me, I will speak of myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What you have already told me,’ answered the king, ‘is so strange that I + cannot imagine what more there is to tell, but go on with your story.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One day, shortly after the death of the queen,’ continued the young man, + ‘your highness was hunting, and outstripped all your attendants while + chasing the deer. You were in a part of the country which you did not + know, so seeing an orchard all pink and white with apple-blossoms, and a + girl tossing a ball in one corner, you went up to her to ask your way. But + when she turned to answer you, you were so struck with her beauty that all + else fled from your mind. Again and again you rode back to see her, and at + length persuaded her to marry you. She only thought you a poor knight, and + agreed that as you wished it, the marriage should be kept secret. + </p> + <p> + ‘After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a cross on + it, and then put her in a cottage in the forest, thinking to hide the + matter securely. + </p> + <p> + ‘For some months you visited the cottage every week; but a rebellion broke + out in a distant part of the kingdom, and called for your presence. When + next you rode up to the cottage, it was empty, and none could inform you + whither your bride had gone. That, sire, I can now tell you,’ and the + young man paused and looked at the king, who coloured deeply. ‘She went + back to her father the old duke, once your chamberlain, and the cross on + her breast revealed at once who you were. Fierce was his anger when he + heard his daughter’s tale, and he vowed that he would hide her safely from + you, till the day when you would claim her publicly as your queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘By and bye I was born, and was brought up by my grandfather in one of his + great houses. Here are the rings you gave to my mother, and here is the + cross, and these will prove if I am your son or not.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke the young man laid the jewels at the feet of the king, and the + nobles and the judges pressed round to examine them. The king alone did + not move from his seat, for he had forgotten the hall of justice and all + about him, and saw only the apple-orchard, as it was twenty years ago, and + the beautiful girl playing at ball. A sudden silence round him made him + look up, and he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true; it is he who is my son, and not the other,’ he said with an + effort, ‘and let every man present swear to acknowledge him as king, after + my death.’ + </p> + <p> + Therefore one by one they all knelt before him and took the oath, and a + message was sent to the false prince, forbidding him ever again to appear + at court, though a handsome pension was granted him. + </p> + <p> + At last the ceremony was over, and the king, signing to his newly found + son to follow him, rose and went into another room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me how you knew all that,’ he said, throwing himself into a carved + chair filled with crimson cushions, and the prince told of his meeting + with the old woman who had brought him the jewels from his mother, and how + he had sworn before a priest to marry her, though he did not want to do + it, on account of the difference in their ages, and besides, he would + rather receive a bride chosen by the king himself. But the king frowned, + and answered sharply: + </p> + <p> + ‘You swore to marry her if she saved your life, and, come what may, you + must fulfil your promise.’ Then, striking a silver shield that hung close + by, he said to the equerry who appeared immediately: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go and seek the priest who lives near the door of the prison, and ask him + where you can find the old woman who visited him last night; and when you + have found her, bring her to the palace.’ + </p> + <p> + It took some time to discover the whereabouts of the old woman, but at + length it was accomplished, and when she arrived at the palace with the + equerry, she was received with royal honours, as became the bride of the + prince. The guards looked at each other with astonished eyes, as the + wizened creature, bowed with age, passed between their lines; but they + were more amazed still at the lightness of her step as she skipped up the + steps to the great door before which the king was standing, with the + prince at his side. If they both felt a shock at the appearance of the + aged lady they did not show it, and the king, with a grave bow, took her + band, and led her to the chapel, where a bishop was waiting to perform the + marriage ceremony. + </p> + <p> + For the next few weeks little was seen of the prince, who spent all his + days in hunting, and trying to forget the old wife at home. As for the + princess, no one troubled himself about her, and she passed the days alone + in her apartments, for she had absolutely declined the services of the + ladies-in-waiting whom the king had appointed for her. + </p> + <p> + One night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual, and he was + so tired that he went up straight to bed. Suddenly he was awakened by a + strange noise in the room, and suspecting that a robber might have stolen + in, he jumped out of bed, and seized his sword, which lay ready to his + hand. Then he perceived that the noise proceeded from the next room, which + belonged to the princess, and was lighted by a burning torch. Creeping + softly to the door, he peeped through it, and beheld her lying quietly, + with a crown of gold and pearls upon her head, her wrinkles all gone, and + her face, which was whiter than the snow, as fresh as that of a girl of + fourteen. Could that really be his wife—that beautiful, beautiful + creature? + </p> + <p> + The prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her eyes and + smiled at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I really am your wife,’ she said, as if she had guessed his + thoughts, ‘and the enchantment is ended. Now I must tell you who I am, and + what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘The king of Granada is my father, and I was born in the palace which + overlooks the plain of the Vega. I was only a few months old when a wicked + fairy, who had a spite against my parents, cast a spell over me, bending + my back and wrinkling my skin till I looked as if I was a hundred years + old, and making me such an object of disgust to everyone, that at length + the king ordered my nurse to take my away from the palace. She was the + only person who cared about me, and we lived together in this city on a + small pension allowed me by the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I was about three an old man arrived at our house, and begged my + nurse to let him come in and rest, as he could walk no longer. She saw + that he was very ill, so put him to bed and took such care of him that by + and bye he was as strong as ever. In gratitude for her goodness to him, he + told her that he was a wizard and could give her anything she chose to ask + for, except life or death, so she answered that what she longed for most + in the world was that my wrinkled skin should disappear, and that I should + regain the beauty with which I was born. To this he replied that as my + misfortune resulted from a spell, this was rather difficult, but he would + do his best, and at any rate he could promise that before my fifteenth + birthday I should be freed from the enchantment if I could get a man who + would swear to marry me as I was. + </p> + <p> + ‘As you may suppose, this was not easy, as my ugliness was such that no + one would look at me a second time. My nurse and I were almost in despair, + as my fifteenth birthday was drawing near, and I had never so much as + spoken to a man. At last we received a visit from the wizard, who told us + what had happened at court, and your story, bidding me to put myself in + your way when you had lost all hope, and offer to save you if you would + consent to marry me. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my history, and now you must beg the king to send messengers at + once to Granada, to inform my father of our marriage, and I think,’ she + added with a smile, ‘that he will not refuse us his blessing.’ + </p> + <p> + Adapted from the Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Jogi’s Punishment + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there came to the ancient city of Rahmatabad a jogi[FN#1: + A Hindu holy man.] of holy appearance, who took up his abode under a tree + outside the city, where he would sit for days at a time fasting from food + and drink, motionless except for the fingers that turned restlessly his + string of beads. The fame of such holiness as this soon spread, and daily + the citizens would flock to see him, eager to get his blessing, to watch + his devotions, or to hear his teaching, if he were in the mood to speak. + Very soon the rajah himself heard of the jogi, and began regularly to + visit him to seek his counsel and to ask his prayers that a son might be + vouchsafed to him. Days passed by, and at last the rajah became so + possessed with the thought of the holy man that he determined if possible + to get him all to himself. So he built in the neighbourhood a little + shrine, with a room or two added to it, and a small courtyard closely + walled up; and, when all was ready, besought the jogi to occupy it, and to + receive no other visitors except himself and his queen and such pupils as + the jogi might choose, who would hand down his teaching. To this the jogi + consented; and thus he lived for some time upon the king’s bounty, whilst + the fame of his godliness grew day by day. + </p> + <p> + Now, although the rajah of Rahmatabad had no son, he possessed a daughter, + who as she grew up became the most beautiful creature that eye ever rested + upon. Her father had long before betrothed her to the son of the + neighbouring rajah of Dilaram, but as yet she had not been married to him, + and lived the quiet life proper to a maiden of her beauty and position. + The princess had of course heard of the holy man and of his miracles and + his fasting, and she was filled with curiosity to see and to speak to him; + but this was difficult, since she was not allowed to go out except into + the palace grounds, and then was always closely guarded. However, at + length she found an opportunity, and made her way one evening alone to the + hermit’s shrine. + </p> + <p> + Unhappily, the hermit was not really as holy as he seemed; for no sooner + did he see the princess than he fell in love with her wonderful beauty, + and began to plot in his heart how he could win her for his wife. But the + maiden was not only beautiful, she was also shrewd; and as soon as she + read in the glance of the jogi the love that filled his soul, she sprang + to her feet, and, gathering her veil about her, ran from the place as fast + as she could. The jogi tried to follow, but he was no match for her; so, + beside himself with rage at finding that he could not overtake her, he + flung at her a lance, which wounded her in the leg. The brave princess + stooped for a second to pluck the lance out of the wound, and then ran on + until she found herself safe at home again. There she bathed and bound up + the wound secretly, and told no one how naughty she had been, for she knew + that her father would punish her severely. + </p> + <p> + Next day, when the king went to visit the jogi, the holy man would neither + speak to nor look at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked the king. ‘Won’t you speak to me to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have nothing to say that you would care to hear,’ answered the jogi. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ said the king. ‘Surely you know that I value all that you say, + whatever it may be.’ + </p> + <p> + But still the jogi sat with his face turned away, and the more the king + pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became. At last, after much + persuasion, he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me tell you, then, that there is in this city a creature which, if + you do not put an end to it, will kill every single person in the place.’ + </p> + <p> + The king, who was easily frightened, grew pale. + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ he gasped—‘what is this dreadful thing? How am I to know it + and to catch it? Only counsel me and help me, and I will do all that you + advise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ replied the jogi, ‘it is indeed dreadful. It is in the shape of a + beautiful girl, but it is really an evil spirit. Last evening it came to + visit me, and when I looked upon it its beauty faded into hideousness, its + teeth became horrible fangs, its eyes glared like coals of fire, great + claws sprang from its slender fingers, and were I not what I am it might + have consumed me.’ + </p> + <p> + The king could hardly speak from alarm, but at last he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Search,’ said the jogi, ‘for a lovely girl with a lance wound in her leg, + and when she is found secure her safely and come and tell me, and I will + advise you what to do next.’ + </p> + <p> + Away hurried the king, and soon set all his soldiers scouring the country + for a girl with a lance wound in her left. For two days the search went + on, and then it was somehow discovered that the only person with a lance + wound in the leg was the princess herself. The king, greatly agitated, + went off to tell the jogi, and to assure him that there must be some + mistake. But of course the jogi was prepared for this, and had his answer + ready. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is not really your daughter, who was stolen away at her birth, but an + evil spirit that has taken her form,’ said he solemnly. ‘You can do what + you like, but if you don’t take my advice she will kill you all.’ And so + solemn he appeared, and so unshaken in his confidence, that the king’s + wisdom was blinded, and he declared that he would do whatever the jogi + advised, and believe whatever he said. So the jogi directed him to send + him secretly two carpenters; and when they arrived he set them to make a + great chest, so cunningly jointed and put together that neither air nor + water could penetrate it. There and then the chest was made, and, when it + was ready, the jogi bade the king to bring the princess by night; and they + two thrust the poor little maiden into the chest and fastened it down with + long nails, and between them carried it to the river and pushed it out + into the stream. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the jogi got back from this deed he called two of his pupils, + and pretended that it had been revealed to him that there should be found + floating on the river a chest with something of great price within it; and + he bade them go and watch for it at such a place far down the stream, and + when the chest came slowly along, bobbing and turning in the tide, they + were to seize it and secretly and swiftly bring it to him, for he was now + determined to put the princess to death himself. The pupils set off at + once, wondering at the strangeness of their errand, and still more at the + holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were revealed. + </p> + <p> + It happened that, as the next morning was dawning, the gallant young + prince of Dilaram was hunting by the banks of the river, with a great + following of wazirs, attendants, and huntsmen, and as he rode he saw + floating on the river a large chest, which came slowly along, bobbing and + turning in the tide. Raising himself in his saddle, he gave an order, and + half a dozen men plunged into the water and drew the chest out on to the + river bank, where every one crowded around to see what it could contain. + The prince was certainly not the least curious among them; but he was a + cautious young man, and, as he prepared to open the chest himself, he bade + all but a few stand back, and these few to draw their swords, so as to be + prepared in case the chest should hold some evil beast, or djinn, or + giant. When all were ready and expectant, the prince with his dagger + forced open the lid and flung it back, and there lay, living and + breathing, the most lovely maiden he had ever seen in his life. + </p> + <p> + Although she was half stifled from her confinement in the chest, the + princess speedily revived, and, when she was able to sit up, the prince + began to question her as to who she was and how she came to be shut up in + the chest and set afloat upon the water; and she, blushing and trembling + to find herself in the presence of so many strangers, told him that she + was the princess of Rahmatabad, and that she had been put into the chest + by her own father. When he on his part told her that he was the prince of + Dilaram, the astonishment of the young people was unbounded to find that + they, who had been betrothed without ever having seen one another, should + have actually met for the first time in such strange circumstances. In + fact, the prince was so moved by her beauty and modest ways that he called + up his wazirs and demanded to be married at once to this lovely lady who + had so completely won his heart. And married they were then and there upon + the river bank, and went home to the prince’s palace, where, when the + story was told, they were welcomed by the old rajah, the prince’s father, + and the remainder of the day was given over to feasting and rejoicing. But + when the banquet was over, the bride told her husband that now, on the + threshold of their married life, she had more to relate of her adventures + than he had given her the opportunity to tell as yet; and then, without + hiding anything, she informed him of all that happened to her from the + time she had stolen out to visit the wicked jogi. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the prince called his chief wazir and ordered him to shut + up in the chest in which the princess had been found a great monkey that + lived chained up in the palace, and to take the chest back to the river + and set it afloat once more and watch what became of it. So the monkey was + caught and put into the chest, and some of the prince’s servants took it + down to the river and pushed it off into the water. Then they followed + secretly a long way off to see what became of it. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the jogi’s two pupils watched and watched for the chest until + they were nearly tired of watching, and were beginning to wonder whether + the jogi was right after all, when on the second day they spied the great + chest coming floating on the river, slowly bobbing and turning in the + tide; and instantly a great joy and exultation seized them, for they + thought that here indeed was further proof of the wonderful wisdom of + their master. With some difficulty they secured the chest, and carried it + back as swiftly and secretly as possible to the jogi’s house. As soon as + they brought in the chest, the jogi, who had been getting very cross and + impatient, told them to put it down, and to go outside whilst he opened + the magic chest. + </p> + <p> + ‘And even if you hear cries and sounds, however alarming, you must on no + account enter,’ said the jogi, walking over to a closet where lay the + silken cord that was to strangle the princess. + </p> + <p> + And the two pupils did as they were told, and went outside and shut close + all the doors. Presently they heard a great outcry within and the jogi’s + voice crying aloud for help; but they dared not enter, for had they not + been told that whatever the noise, they must not come in? So they sat + outside, waiting and wondering; and at last all grew still and quiet, and + remained so for such a long time that they determined to enter and see if + all was well. No sooner had they opened the door leading into the + courtyard than they were nearly upset by a huge monkey that came leaping + straight to the doorway and escaped past them into the open fields. Then + they stepped into the room, and there they saw the jogi’s body lying torn + to pieces on the threshold of his dwelling! + </p> + <p> + Very soon the story spread, as stories will, and reached the ears of the + princess and her husband, and when she knew that her enemy was dead she + made her peace with her father. + </p> + <p> + From Major Campbell, Feroshepore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Heart of a Monkey + </h2> + <p> + A long time ago a little town made up of a collection of low huts stood in + a tiny green valley at the foot of a cliff. Of course the people had taken + great care to build their houses out of reach of the highest tide which + might be driven on shore by a west wind, but on the very edge of the town + there had sprung up a tree so large that half its boughs hung over the + huts and the other half over the deep sea right under the cliff, where + sharks loved to come and splash in the clear water. The branches of the + tree itself were laden with fruit, and every day at sunrise a big grey + monkey might have been seen sitting in the topmost branches having his + breakfast, and chattering to himself with delight. + </p> + <p> + After he had eaten all the fruit on the town side of the tree the monkey + swung himself along the branches to the part which hung over the water. + While he was looking out for a nice shady place where he might perch + comfortably he noticed a shark watching him from below with greedy eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can I do anything for you, my friend?’ asked the monkey politely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! if you only would thrown me down some of those delicious things, I + should be so grateful,’ answered the shark. ‘After you have lived on fish + for fifty years you begin to feel you would like a change. And I am so + very, very tired of the taste of salt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I don’t like salt myself,’ said the monkey; ‘so if you will open + your mouth I will throw this beautiful juicy kuyu into it,’ and, as he + spoke, he pulled one off the branch just over his head. But it was not so + easy to hit the shark’s mouth as he supposed, even when the creature had + turned on his back, and the first kuyu only struck one of his teeth and + rolled into the water. However, the second time the monkey had better + luck, and the fruit fell right in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, how good!’ cried the shark. ‘Send me another, please.’ And the monkey + grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark was tired of eating + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is getting late, and I must be going home to my children,’ he said, at + length, ‘but if you are here at the same time to-morrow I will give you + another treat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, thank you,’ said the shark, showing all his great ugly teeth + as he grinned with delight; ‘you can’t guess how happy you have made me,’ + and he swam away into the shadow, hoping to sleep away the time till the + monkey came again. + </p> + <p> + For weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together, and it was a + wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them. They became fast + friends, and told each other about their homes and their children, and how + to teach them all they ought to know. By and bye the monkey became rather + discontented with his green house in a grove of palms beyond the town, and + longed to see the strange things under the sea which he had heard of from + the shark. The shark perceived this very clearly, and described greater + marvels, and the monkey as he listened grew more and more gloomy. + </p> + <p> + Matters were in this state when one day the shark said: ‘I really hardly + know how to thank you for all your kindness to me during these weeks. Here + I have nothing of my own to offer you, but if you would only consent to + come home with me, how gladly would I give you anything that might happen + to take your fancy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like nothing better,’ cried the monkey, his teeth chattering, as + they always did when he was pleased. ‘But how could I get there? Not by + water. Ugh! It makes me ill to think of it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! don’t let that trouble you,’ replied the shark, ‘you have only to sit + on my back and I will undertake that not a drop of water shall touch you.’ + </p> + <p> + So it was arranged, and directly after breakfast next morning the shark + swam close up under the tree and the monkey dropped neatly on his back, + without even a splash. After a few minutes—for at first he felt a + little frightened at his strange position—the monkey began to enjoy + himself vastly, and asked the shark a thousand questions about the fish + and the sea-weeds and the oddly-shaped things that floated past them, and + as the shark always gave him some sort of answer, the monkey never guessed + that many of the objects they saw were as new to his guide as to himself. + </p> + <p> + The sun had risen and set six times when the shark suddenly said, ‘My + friend, we have now performed half our journey, and it is time that I + should tell you something.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked the monkey. ‘Nothing unpleasant, I hope, for you sound + rather grave?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! Nothing at all. It is only that shortly before we left I heard + that the sultan of my country is very ill, and that the only thing to cure + him is a monkey’s heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor man, I am very sorry for him,’ replied the monkey; ‘but you were + unwise not to tell me till we had started.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ asked the shark; but the monkey, who now understood + the whole plot, did not answer at once, for he was considering what he + should say. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you so silent?’ inquired the shark again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was thinking what a pity it was you did not tell me while I was still + on land, and then I would have brought my heart with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your heart! Why isn’t your heart here?’ said the shark, with a puzzled + expression. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no! Of course not. Is it possible you don’t know that when we leave + home we always hang up our hearts on trees, to prevent their being + troublesome? However, perhaps you won’t believe that, and will just think + I have invented it because I am afraid, so let us go on to your country as + fast as we can, and when we arrive you can look for my heart, and if you + find it you can kill me.’ + </p> + <p> + The monkey spoke in such a calm, indifferent way that the shark was quite + deceived, and began to wish he had not been in such a hurry. + </p> + <p> + ‘But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you,’ he said at + last. ‘We had better turn back to the town, and then you can fetch it.’ + </p> + <p> + Of course, this was just what the monkey wanted, but he was careful not to + seem too pleased. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I don’t know,’ he remarked carelessly, ‘it is such a long way; but + you may be right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure I am,’ answered the shark, ‘and I will swim as quickly as I + can,’ and so he did, and in three days they caught sight of the kuyu tree + hanging over the water. + </p> + <p> + With a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest branch and + swung himself up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait for me here,’ he called out to the shark. ‘I am so hungry I must + have a little breakfast, and then I will go and look for my heart,’ and he + went further and further into the branches so that the shark could not see + him. Then he curled himself up and went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you there?’ cried the shark, who was soon tired of swimming about + under the cliff, and was in haste to be gone. + </p> + <p> + The monkey awoke with a start, but did not answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you there?’ called the shark again, louder than before, and in a very + cross voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes. I am here,’ replied the monkey; ‘but I wish you had not wakened + me up. I was having such a nice nap.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you got it?’ asked the shark. ‘It is time we were going.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Going where?’ inquired the monkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, to my country, of course, with your heart. You CAN’T have + forgotten!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend,’ answered the monkey, with a chuckle, ‘I think you must + be going a little mad. Do you take me for a washerman’s donkey?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t talk nonsense,’ exclaimed the shark, who did not like being laughed + at. ‘What do you mean about a washerman’s donkey? And I wish you would be + quick, or we may be too late to save the sultan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you really never hear of the washerman’s donkey?’ asked the monkey, + who was enjoying himself immensely. ‘Why, he is the beast who has no + heart. And as I am not feeling very well, and am afraid to start while the + sun is so high lest I should get a sunstroke, if you like, I will come a + little nearer and tell you his story.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the shark sulkily, ‘if you won’t come, I suppose I may + as well listen to that as do nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + So the monkey began. + </p> + <p> + ‘A washerman once lived in the great forest on the other side of the town, + and he had a donkey to keep him company and to carry him wherever he + wanted to go. For a time they got on very well, but by and bye the donkey + grew lazy and ungrateful for her master’s kindness, and ran away several + miles into the heart of the forest, where she did nothing but eat and eat + and eat, till she grew so fat she could hardly move. + </p> + <p> + ‘One day as she was tasting quite a new kind of grass and wondering if it + was as good as what she had had for dinner the day before, a hare happened + to pass by. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, that is a fat creature,” thought she, and turned out of her path + to tell the news to a lion who was a friend of hers. Now the lion had been + very ill, and was not strong enough to go hunting for himself, and when + the hare came and told him that a very fat donkey was to be found only a + few hundred yards off, tears of disappointment and weakness filled his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘“What is the good of telling me that?” he asked, in a weepy voice; “you + know I cannot even walk as far as that palm.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Never mind,” answered the hare briskly. “If you can’t go to your dinner + your dinner shall come to you,” and nodding a farewell to the lion she + went back to the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Good morning,” said she, bowing politely to the donkey, who lifted her + head in surprise. “Excuse my interrupting you, but I have come on very + important business.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Indeed,” answered the donkey, “it is most kind of you to take the + trouble. May I inquire what the business is?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Certainly,” replied the hare. “It is my friend the lion who has heard so + much of your charms and good qualities that he has sent me to beg that you + will give him your paw in marriage. He regrets deeply that he is unable to + make the request in person, but he has been ill and is too weak to move.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Poor fellow! How sad!” said the donkey. “But you must tell him that I + feel honoured by his proposal, and will gladly consent to be Queen of the + Beasts.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Will you not come and tell him so yourself?” asked the hare. + </p> + <p> + ‘Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion’s house. It + took a long while, for the donkey was so fat with eating she could only + walk very slowly, and the hare, who could have run the distance in about + five minutes, was obliged to creep along till she almost dropped with + fatigue at not being able to go at her own pace. When at last they arrived + the lion was sitting up at the entrance, looking very pale and thin. The + donkey suddenly grew shy and hung her head, but the lion put on his best + manners and invited both his visitors to come in and make themselves + comfortable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very soon the hare got up and said, “Well, as I have another engagement I + will leave you to make acquaintance with your future husband,” and winking + at the lion she bounded away. + </p> + <p> + ‘The donkey expected that as soon as they were left alone the lion would + begin to speak of their marriage, and where they should live, but as he + said nothing she looked up. To her surprise and terror she saw him + crouching in the corner, his eyes glaring with a red light, and with a + loud roar he sprang towards her. But in that moment the donkey had had + time to prepare herself, and jumping on one side dealt the lion such a + hard kick that he shrieked with the pain. Again and again he struck at her + with his claws, but the donkey could bite too, as well as the lion, who + was very weak after his illness, and at last a well-planted kick knocked + him right over, and he rolled on the floor, groaning with pain. The donkey + did not wait for him to get up, but ran away as fast as she could and was + lost in the forest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now the hare, who knew quite well what would happen, had not gone to do + her business, but hid herself in some bushes behind the cave, where she + could hear quite clearly the sounds of the battle. When all was quiet + again she crept gently out, and stole round the corner. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, lion, have you killed her?” asked she, running swiftly up the + path. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Killed her, indeed!” answered the lion sulkily, “it is she who has + nearly killed me. I never knew a donkey could kick like that, though I + took care she should carry away the marks of my claws.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Dear me! Fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight!” cried the + hare. “But don’t vex yourself. Just lie still, and your wounds will soon + heal,” and she bade her friend, good bye, and returned to her family. + </p> + <p> + ‘Two or three weeks passed, and only bare places on the donkey’s back + showed where the lion’s claws had been, while, on his side, the lion had + recovered from his illness and was now as strong as ever. He was beginning + to think that it was almost time for him to begin hunting again, when one + morning a rustle was heard in the creepers outside, and the hare’s head + peeped through. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Ah! there is no need to ask how you are,” she said. “Still you mustn’t + overtire yourself, you know. Shall I go and bring you your dinner?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“If you will bring me that donkey I will tear it in two,” cried the lion + savagely, and the hare laughed and nodded and went on her errand. + </p> + <p> + ‘This time the donkey was much further than before, and it took longer to + find her. At last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air, and ran + towards them. The donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a + stream, rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Good morning,” said the hare politely, and the donkey got slowly on to + her legs, and looked to see who her visitor could be. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, it is you, is it?” she exclaimed. “Come and have a chat. What news + have you got?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“I mustn’t stay,” answered the hare; “but I promised the lion to beg you + to pay him a visit, as he is not well enough to call on you.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, I don’t know,” replied the donkey gloomily, “the last time we went + he scratched me very badly, and really I was quite afraid.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“He was only trying to kiss you,” said the hare, “and you bit him, and of + course that made him cross.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“If I were sure of that,” hesitated the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, you may be quite sure,” laughed the hare. “I have a large + acquaintance among lions. But let us be quick,” and rather unwillingly the + donkey set out. + </p> + <p> + ‘The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree. As the + donkey went past, followed by the hare, he sprang out, and with one blow + of his paw stretched the poor foolish creature dead before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Take this meat and skin it and roast it,” he said to the hare; “but my + appetite is not so good as it was, and the only part I want for myself is + the heart. The rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your + friends.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Thank you,” replied the hare, balancing the donkey on her back as well + as she was able, and though the legs trailed along the ground she managed + to drag it to an open space some distance off, where she made a fire and + roasted it. As soon as it was cooked the hare took out the heart and had + just finished eating it when the lion, who was tired of waiting, came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘“I am hungry,” said he. “Bring me the creature’s heart; it is just what I + want for supper.” + </p> + <p> + ‘“But there is no heart,” answered the hare, looking up at the lion with a + puzzled face. + </p> + <p> + ‘“What nonsense!” said the lion. “As if every beast had not got a heart. + What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“This is a washerman’s donkey,” replied the hare gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Well, and suppose it is?” + </p> + <p> + ‘“Oh, fie!” exclaimed the hare. “You, a lion and a grown-up person, and + ask questions like that. If the donkey had had a heart would she be here + now? The first time she came she knew you were trying to kill her, and ran + away. Yet she came back a second time. Well, if she had had a heart would + she have come back a second time? Now would she?” + </p> + <p> + ‘And the lion answered slowly, “No, she would not.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So you think I am a washerman’s donkey?’ said the monkey to the shark, + when the story was ended. ‘You are wrong; I am not. And as the sun is + getting low in the sky, it is time for you to begin your homeward journey. + You will have a nice cool voyage, and I hope you will find the sultan + better. Farewell!’ And the monkey disappeared among the green branches, + and was gone. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Swahili Tales,’ by Edward Steere, LL.D. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Fairy Nurse + </h2> + <p> + There was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow. They + had three children, and my story happened while the youngest was a baby. + The wife was a good wife enough, but her mind was all on her family and + her farm, and she hardly ever went to her knees without falling asleep, + and she thought the time spent in the chapel was twice as long as it need + be. So, friends, she let her man and her two children go before her one + day to Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a disorder one + of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry all the day + after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she was very fond of + him. + </p> + <p> + Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling out + ‘Mother! Mother!’ When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, there was no wife by + his side, and when he asked the little ones what was become of their + mother, they said they saw the room full of nice little men and women, + dressed in white and red and green, and their mother in the middle of + them, going out by the door as if she was walking in her sleep. Out he + ran, and searched everywhere round the house but, neither tale nor tidings + did he get of her for many a day. + </p> + <p> + Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of his woman + as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks to see + his poor children neglected and dirty, as they often were, and they’d be + bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in whenever she + could spare time. The infant was away with a nurse. + </p> + <p> + About six weeks after—just as he was going out to his work one + morning—a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, + came up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and this is + what she told him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse’s tramp on the + grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, was a + fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he told me to get + ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want of me. As soon as I put + on my cloak and things, he took me by the hand, and I was sitting behind + him before I felt myself stirring. “Where are we going, sir?” says I. + “You’ll soon know,” says he; and he drew his fingers across my eyes, and + not a ray could I see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew + whether he was going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about it, + till my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The fingers + went the other way across my eyes, and there we were before a castle door, + and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all painted in fine + green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments, and the finest + carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains, and grand ladies and + gentlemen walking about. At last we came to a bedroom, with a beautiful + lady in bed, with a fine bouncing boy beside her. The lady clapped her + hands, and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the baby, and praised + me, and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the child all over. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to smart, + and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, for never in + all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room was a big, rough cave, + with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the clay; and + the lady, and the lord, and the child weazened, poverty-bitten creatures—nothing + but skin and bone—and the rich dresses were old rags. I didn’t let + on that I found any difference, and after a bit says the Dark Man, “Go + before me to the hall door, and I will be with you in a few moments, and + see you safe home.” Well, just as I turned into the outside cave, who + should I see watching near the door but poor Molly. She looked round all + terrified, and says she to me in a whisper, “I’m brought here to nurse the + child of the king and queen of the fairies; but there is one chance of + saving me. All the court will pass the cross near Templeshambo next Friday + night, on a visit to the fairies of Old Ross. If John can catch me by the + hand or cloak when I ride by, and has courage not to let go his grip, I’ll + be safe. Here’s the king. Don’t open your mouth to answer. I saw what + happened with the ointment.” + </p> + <p> + ‘The Dark Man didn’t once cast his eye towards Molly, and he seemed to + have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked about me, and where do + you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue. I was on the + horse again, which was nothing but a big rag-weed, and I was in dread + every minute I’d fall off; but nothing happened till I found myself in my + own cabin. The king slipped five guineas into my hand as soon as I was on + the ground, and thanked me, and bade me good night. I hope I’ll never see + his face again. I got into bed, and couldn’t sleep for a long time; and + when I examined my five guineas this morning, that I left in the table + drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves of oak—bad luck + to the giver!’ + </p> + <p> + Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief the poor + man was in when the woman finished her story. They talked and they talked, + but we needn’t mind what they said till Friday night came, when both were + standing where the mountain road crosses the one going to Ross. + </p> + <p> + There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the dead of the + night, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid. At last + she gave a start, and “By this and by that,” says she, “here they come, + bridles jingling and feathers tossing!” He looked, but could see nothing; + and she stood trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down the way to + the ford of Ballinacoola. “I see your wife,” says she, “riding on the + outside just so as to rub against us. We’ll walk on quietly, as if we + suspected nothing, and when we are passing I’ll give you a shove. If you + don’t do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!” + </p> + <p> + Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both their + breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint jingle and + trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push that she promised. He + spread out his arms, and there was his wife’s waist within them, and he + could see her plain; but such a hullabulloo rose as if there was an + earthquake, and he found himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, + roaring at him and striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign of + the cross and bid them begone in God’s name, and held his wife as if it + was iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was as + silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in the arms of + her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good time she was minding + her family and her business again; and I’ll go bail, after the fright she + got, she spent more time on her knees, and avoided fairy men all the days + of the week, and particularly on Sunday. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting a + mark from them. My brave nurse didn’t escape no more than another. She was + one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, when what did she see walking + among the tubs of butter but the Dark Man, very hungry-looking, and taking + a scoop out of one tub and out of another. ‘Oh, sir,’ says she, very + foolish, ‘I hope your lady is well, and the baby.’ ‘Pretty well, thank + you,’ says he, rather frightened like. ‘How do I look in this new suit?’ + says he, getting to one side of her. ‘I can’t see you plain at all, sir,’ + says she. ‘Well, now?’ says he, getting round her back to the other side. + ‘Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no better than a withered dock-leaf.’ + ‘Maybe, then,’ says he, ‘it will be different now,’ and he struck the eye + next him with a switch. Friends, she never saw a glimmer after with that + one till the day of her death. + </p> + <p> + ‘Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,’ by Patrick Kennedy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Lost Paradise + </h2> + <p> + In the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a + charcoal-burner and his wife. They were both young and handsome and + strong, and when they got married, they thought work would never fail + them. But bad times came, and they grew poorer and poorer, and the nights + in which they went hungry to bed became more and more frequent. + </p> + <p> + Now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the + charcoal-burner’s hut. As he passed the door, he heard a sound of sobbing, + and being a good-natured man he stopped to listen, thinking that perhaps + he might be able to give some help. + </p> + <p> + ‘Were there ever two people so unhappy!’ said a woman’s voice. ‘Here we + are, ready to work like slaves the whole day long, and no work can we get. + And it is all because of the curiosity of old mother Eve! If she had only + been like me, who never want to know anything, we should all have been as + happy as kings to-day, with plenty to eat, and warm clothes to wear. Why—’ + but at this point a loud knock interrupted her lamentations. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is there?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I!’ replied somebody. + </p> + <p> + ‘And who is “I”?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The king. Let me in.’ + </p> + <p> + Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from the + door. As the king entered, he noticed that there was no furniture in the + room at all, not even a chair, so he pretended to be in too great a hurry + to see anything around him, and only said ‘You must not let me disturb + you. I have no time to stay, but you seemed to be in trouble. Tell me; are + you very unhappy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, my lord, we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two days!’ + answered she. ‘Nothing remains for us but to die of hunger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, you shan’t do that,’ cried the king, ‘or if you do, it will be + your own fault. You shall come with me into my palace, and you will feel + as if you were in Paradise, I promise you. In return, I only ask one thing + of you, that you shall obey my orders exactly.’ + </p> + <p> + The charcoal-burner and his wife both stared at him for a moment, as if + they could hardly believe their ears; and, indeed, it was not to be + wondered at! Then they found their tongues, and exclaimed together: + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes, yes, my lord! we will do everything you tell us. How could we be + so ungrateful as to disobey you, when you are so kind?’ + </p> + <p> + The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, let us start at once,’ said he. ‘Lock your door, and put the key in + your pocket.’ + </p> + <p> + The woman looked as if she thought this was needless, seeing it was quite, + quite certain they would never come back. But she dared not say so, and + did as the king told her. + </p> + <p> + After walking through the forest for a couple of miles, they all three + reached the palace, and by the king’s orders servants led the + charcoal-burner and his wife into rooms filled with beautiful things such + as they had never even dreamed of. First they bathed in green marble baths + where the water looked like the sea, and then they put on silken clothes + that felt soft and pleasant. When they were ready, one of the king’s + special servants entered, and took them into a small hall, where dinner + was laid, and this pleased them better than anything else. + </p> + <p> + They were just about to sit down to the table when the king walked in. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope you have been attended to properly,’ said he, ‘and that you will + enjoy your dinner. My steward will take care you have all you want, and I + wish you to do exactly as you please. Oh, by the bye, there is one thing! + You notice that soup-tureen in the middle of the table? Well, be careful + on no account to lift the lid. If once you take off the cover, there is an + end of your good fortune.’ Then, bowing to his guests, he left the room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you hear what he said?’ inquired the charcoal-burner in an + awe-stricken voice. ‘We are to have what we want, and do what we please. + Only we must not touch the soup-tureen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, of course we won’t,’ answered the wife. ‘Why should we wish to? But + all the same it is rather odd, and one can’t help wondering what is + inside.’ + </p> + <p> + For many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the charcoal-burner + and his wife. Their beds were so comfortable, they could hardly make up + their minds to get up, their clothes were so lovely they could scarcely + bring themselves to take them off; their dinners were so good that they + found it very difficult to leave off eating. Then outside the palace were + gardens filled with rare flowers and fruits and singing birds, or if they + desired to go further, a golden coach, painted with wreaths of + forget-me-nots and lined with blue satin, awaited their orders. Sometimes + it happened that the king came to see them, and he smiled as he glanced at + the man, who was getting rosier and plumper each day. But when his eyes + rested on the woman, they took on a look which seemed to say ‘I knew it,’ + though this neither the charcoal-burner nor his wife ever noticed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you so silent?’ asked the man one morning when dinner had passed + before his wife had uttered one word. ‘A little while ago you used to be + chattering all the day long, and now I have almost forgotten the sound of + your voice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing; I did not feel inclined to talk, that was all!’ She stopped, + and added carelessly after a pause, ‘Don’t you ever wonder what is in that + soup-tureen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, never,’ replied the man. ‘It is no affair of ours,’ and the + conversation dropped once more, but as time went on, the woman spoke less + and less, and seemed so wretched that her husband grew quite frightened + about her. As to her food, she refused one thing after another. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear wife,’ said the man at last, ‘you really must eat something. What + in the world is the matter with you? If you go on like this you will die.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen,’ she burst forth + so violently that the husband was quite startled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that it?’ cried he; ‘are you making yourself miserable because of + that? Why, you know we should be turned out of the palace, and sent away + to starve.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, we shouldn’t. The king is too good-natured. Of course he didn’t + mean a little thing like this! Besides, there is no need to lift the lid + off altogether. Just raise one corner so that I may peep. We are quite + alone: nobody will ever know.’ + </p> + <p> + The man hesitated: it did seem a ‘little thing,’ and if it was to make his + wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk. So he took hold of + the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully, while the + woman stooped down to peep. Suddenly she startled back with a scream, for + a small mouse had sprung from the inside of the tureen, and had nearly hit + her in the eye. Round and round the room it ran, round and round they both + ran after it, knocking down chairs and vases in their efforts to catch the + mouse and put it back in the tureen. In the middle of all the noise the + door opened, and the mouse ran out between the feet of the king. In one + instant both the man and his wife were hiding under the table, and to all + appearance the room was empty. + </p> + <p> + ‘You may as well come out,’ said the king, ‘and hear what I have to say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know what it is,’ answered the charcoal-burner, hanging his head. The + mouse has escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut,’ said the king. ‘Your + wife has the key.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Weren’t they silly?’ cried the grandchildren of the charcoal-burners when + they heard the story. ‘How we wish that we had had the chance! WE should + never have wanted to know what was in the soup-tureen!’ + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves + </h2> + <p> + A little back from the high road there stands a house which is called + ‘Hemgard.’ Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain ash trees by + the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and the garden with the + beautiful barberry bushes which are always the first to become grown in + spring, and which in summer are weighed down with their beautiful berries. + </p> + <p> + Behind the garden there is a hedge with tall aspens which rustle in the + morning wind, behind the hedge is a road, behind the road is a wood, and + behind the wood the wide world. + </p> + <p> + But on the other side of the garden there is a lake, and beyond the lake + is a village, and all around stretch meadows and fields, now yellow, now + green. + </p> + <p> + In the pretty house, which has white window-frames, a neat porch and clean + steps, which are always strewn with finely-cut juniper leaves, Walter’s + parents live. His brother Frederick, his sister Lotta, old Lena, Jonah, + Caro and Bravo, Putte and Murre, and Kuckeliku. + </p> + <p> + Caro lives in the dog house, Bravo in the stable, Putte with the + stableman, Murre a little here and a little there, and Kuckeliku lives in + the hen house, that is his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Walter is six years old, and he must soon begin to go to school. He cannot + read yet, but he can do many other things. He can turn cartwheels, stand + on his head, ride see-saw, throw snowballs, play ball, crow like a cock, + eat bread and butter and drink sour milk, tear his trousers, wear holes in + his elbows, break the crockery in pieces, throw balls through the + windowpanes, draw old men on important papers, walk over the flower-beds, + eat himself sick with gooseberries, and be well after a whipping. For the + rest he has a good heart but a bad memory, and forgets his father’s and + his mother’s admonitions, and so often gets into trouble and meets with + adventures, as you shall hear, but first of all I must tell you how brave + he was and how he hunted wolves. + </p> + <p> + Once in the spring, a little before Midsummer, Walter heard that there + were a great many wolves in the wood, and that pleased him. He was + wonderfully brave when he was in the midst of his companions or at home + with his brothers and sister, then he used often to say ‘One wolf is + nothing, there ought to be at least four.’ + </p> + <p> + When he wrestled with Klas Bogenstrom or Frithiof Waderfelt and struck + them in the back, he would say ‘That is what I shall do to a wolf!’ and + when he shot arrows at Jonas and they rattled against his sheepskin coat + he would say: ‘That is how I should shoot you if you were a wolf!’ + </p> + <p> + Indeed, some thought that the brave boy boasted a little; but one must + indeed believe him since he said so himself. So Jonas and Lena used to say + of him ‘Look, there goes Walter, who shoots the wolves.’ And other boys + and girls would say ‘Look, there goes brave Walter, who is brave enough to + fight with four.’ + </p> + <p> + There was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself, and one day + he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt. He took with him his drum, which + had holes in one end since the time he had climbed up on it to reach a + cluster of rowan berries, and his tin sabre, which was a little broken, + because he had with incredible courage fought his way through a whole + unfriendly army of gooseberry bushes. + </p> + <p> + He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun, his + bow, and his air-pistol. He had a burnt cork in his pocket to blacken his + moustache, and a red cock’s feather to put in his cap to make himself look + fierce. He had besides in his trouser pocket a clasp knife with a bone + handle, to cut off the ears of the wolves as soon as he had killed them, + for he thought it would be cruel to do that while they were still living. + </p> + <p> + It was such a good thing that Jonas was going with corn to the mill, for + Walter got a seat on the load, while Caro ran barking beside them. As soon + as they came to the wood Walter looked cautiously around him to see + perchance there was a wolf in the bushes, and he did not omit to ask Jonas + if wolves were afraid of a drum. ‘Of course they are’ (that is understood) + said Jonas. Thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all his might + while they were going through the wood. + </p> + <p> + When they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had been any + wolves in the neighbourhood lately. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! yes,’ said the miller, ‘last night the wolves have eaten our + fattest ram there by the kiln not far from here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Walter, ‘do you think that there were many?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We don’t know,’ answered the miller. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is all the same,’ said Walter. ‘I only asked so that I should know + if I should take Jonas with me. + </p> + <p> + ‘I could manage very well alone with three, but if there were more, I + might not have time to kill them all before they ran away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In Walter’s place I should go quite alone, it is more manly,’ said Jonas. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, it is better for you to come too,’ said Walter. ‘Perhaps there are + many.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I have not time,’ said Jonas, ‘and besides, there are sure not to be + more than three. Walter can manage them very well alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Walter, ‘certainly I could; but, you see, Jonas, it might + happen that one of them might bite me in the back, and I should have more + trouble in killing them. If I only knew that there were not more than two + I should not mind, for them I should take one in each hand and give them a + good shaking, like Susanna once shook me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I certainly think that there will not be more than two,’ said Jonas, + ‘there are never more than two when they slay children and rams; Walter + can very well shake them without me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, you see, Jonas,’ said Walter, ‘if there are two, it might still + happen that one of them escapes and bites me in the leg, for you see I am + not so strong in the left hand as in the right. You can very well come + with me, and take a good stick in case there are really two. Look, if + there is only one, I shall take him so with both my hands and thrown him + living on to his back, and he can kick as much as he likes, I shall hold + him fast.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, when I really think over the thing,’ said Jonas, ‘I am almost sure + there will not be more than one. What would two do with one ram? There + will certainly not be more than one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you should come with me all the same, Jonas,’ said Walter. ‘You see I + can very well manage one, but I am not quite accustomed to wolves yet, and + he might tear holes in my new trousers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, just listen,’ said Jonas, ‘I am beginning to think that Walter is + not so brave as people say. First of all Walter would fight against four, + and then against three, then two, and then one, and now Walter wants help + with one. Such a thing must never be; what would people say? Perhaps they + would think that Walter is a coward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a lie,’ said Walter, ‘I am not at all frightened, but it is more + amusing when there are two. I only want someone who will see how I strike + the wolf and how the dust flies out of his skin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, then, Walter can take the miller’s little Lisa with him. She can + sit on a stone and look on,’ said Jonas. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, she would certainly be frightened,’ said Walter, ‘and how would it do + for a girl to go wolf-hunting? Come with me, Jonas, and you shall have the + skin, and I will be content with the ears and the tail.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, thank you,’ said Jonas, ‘Walter can keep the skin for himself. Now I + see quite well that he is frightened. Fie, shame on him!’ + </p> + <p> + This touched Walter’s pride very near. ‘I shall show that I am not + frightened,’ he said; and so he took his drum, sabre, cock’s feather, + clasp-knife, pop-gun and air-pistol, and went off quite alone to the wood + to hunt wolves. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful evening, and the birds were singing in all the + branches. Walter went very slowly and cautiously. At every step he looked + all round him to see if perchance there was anything lurking behind the + stones. He quite thought something moved away there in the ditch. Perhaps + it was a wolf. ‘It is better for me to beat the drum a little before I go + there,’ thought Walter. + </p> + <p> + Br-r-r, so he began to beat his drum. Then something moved again. Caw! + caw! a crow flew up from the ditch. Walter immediately regained courage. + ‘It was well I took my drum with me,’ he thought, and went straight on + with courageous steps. Very soon he came quite close to the kiln, where + the wolves had killed the ram. But the nearer he came the more dreadful he + thought the kiln looked. It was so gray and old. Who knew how many wolves + there might be hidden there? Perhaps the very ones which killed the ram + were still sitting there in a corner. Yes, it was not at all safe here, + and there were no other people to be seen in the neighbourhood. It would + be horrible to be eaten up here in the daylight, thought Walter to + himself; and the more he thought about it the uglier and grayer the old + kiln looked, and the more horrible and dreadful it seemed to become the + food of wolves. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped?’ thought + Walter. ‘Fie!’ said his conscience, ‘Do you not remember that a lie is one + of the worst sins, both in the sight of God and man? If you tell a lie + to-day and say you struck a wolf, to-morrow surely it will eat you up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I will go to the kiln,’ thought Walter, and so he went. But he did + not go quite near. He went only so near that he could see the ram’s blood + which coloured the grass red, and some tufts of wool which the wolves had + torn from the back of the poor animal. + </p> + <p> + It looked so dreadful. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder what the ram thought when they ate him up,’ thought Walter to + himself; and just then a cold shiver ran through him from his collar right + down to his boots. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is better for me to beat the drum,’ he thought to himself again, and + so he began to beat it. But it sounded horrid, and an echo came out from + the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a wolf. The drumsticks + stiffened in Walter’s hands, and he thought now they are coming...! + </p> + <p> + Yes, sure enough, just then a shaggy, reddish-brown wolf’s head looked out + from under the kiln! + </p> + <p> + What did Walter do now? Yes, the brave Walter who alone could manage four, + threw his drum far away, took to his heels and ran, and ran as fast as he + could back to the mill. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the wolf ran after him. Walter looked back; the wolf was + quicker than he and only a few steps behind him. Then Walter ran faster. + But fear got the better of him, he neither heard nor saw anything more. He + ran over sticks, stones and ditches; he lost drum-sticks, sabre, bow, and + air-pistol, and in his terrible hurry he tripped over a tuft of grass. + There he lay, and the wolf jumped on to him.... + </p> + <p> + It was a gruesome tale! Now you may well believe that it was all over with + Walter and all his adventures. That would have been a pity. But do not be + surprised if it was not quite so bad as that, for the wolf was quite a + friendly one. He certainly jumped on to Walter, but he only shook his coat + and rubbed his nose against his face; and Walter shrieked. Yes, he + shrieked terribly! + </p> + <p> + Happily Jonas heard his cry of distress, for Walter was quite near the + mill now, and he ran and helped him up. + </p> + <p> + ‘What has happened?’ he asked. ‘Why did Walter scream so terribly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A wolf! A wolf!’ cried Walter, and that was all he could say. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the wolf?’ said Jonas. ‘I don’t see any wolf.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, he is here, he has bitten me to death,’ groaned Walter. + </p> + <p> + Then Jonas began to laugh; yes, he laughed so that he nearly burst his + skin belt. + </p> + <p> + Well, well, was that the wolf? Was that the wolf which Walter was to take + by the neck and shake and throw down on its back, no matter how much it + struggled? Just look a little closer at him: he is your old friend, your + own good old Caro. I quite expect he found a leg of the ram in the kiln. + When Walter beat his drum, Caro crept out, and when Walter ran away, Caro + ran after him, as he so often does when Walter wants to romp and play. + </p> + <p> + ‘Down, Caro! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a great hero + to flight!’ + </p> + <p> + Walter got up feeling very foolish. + </p> + <p> + ‘Down, Caro!’ he said, both relieved and annoyed. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was only a dog, then if it had been a wolf I certainly should have + killed him....’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If Walter would listen to my advice, and boast a little less, and do a + little more,’ said Jonas, consolingly. ‘Walter is not a coward, is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I! You shall see, Jonas, when we next meet a bear. You see I like so much + better to fight with bears.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ laughed Jonas. ‘Are you at it again? + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear Walter, remember that it is only cowards who boast; a really brave + man never talks of his bravery.’ + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The King of the Waterfalls + </h2> + <p> + When the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom, the first + thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best. The sports that + all his life had pleased him best suddenly seemed to have grown dull, and + he wanted to do something he had never done before. At last his face + brightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know!’ he said. ‘I will go and play a game with the Gruagach.’ Now the + Gruagach was a kind of wicked fairy, with long curly brown hair, and his + house was not very far from the king’s house. + </p> + <p> + But though the king was young and eager, he was also prudent, and his + father had told him on his deathbed to be very careful in his dealings + with the ‘good people,’ as the fairies were called. Therefore before going + to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise man of the countryside. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you, indeed?’ replied the wizard. ‘If you will take my counsel, you + will play with someone else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No; I will play with the Gruagach,’ persisted the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, if you must, you must, I suppose,’ answered the wizard; ‘but if you + win that game, ask as a prize the ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind + the door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + So before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the Gruagach, + who was sitting outside. + </p> + <p> + ‘O king, what has brought you here to-day?’ asked the Gruagach. ‘But right + welcome you are, and more welcome will you be still if you will play a + game with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what I want,’ said the king, and they played; and sometimes + it seemed as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end it + was the king who was the winner. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is the prize that you will choose?’ inquired the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door,’ replied the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, there are twenty others in the house, and each fairer than she!’ + exclaimed the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fairer they may be, but it is she whom I wish for my wife, and none + other,’ and the Gruagach saw that the king’s mind was set upon her, so he + entered his house, and bade all the maidens in it come out one by one, and + pass before the king. + </p> + <p> + One by one they came; tall and short, dark and fair, plump and thin, and + each said ‘I am she whom you want. You will be foolish indeed if you do + not take me.’ + </p> + <p> + But he took none of them, neither short nor tall, dark nor fair, plump nor + thin, till at the last the crop-headed girl came out. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is mine,’ said the king, though she was so ugly that most men would + have turned from her. ‘We will be married at once, and I will carry you + home.’ And married they were, and they set forth across a meadow to the + king’s house. As they went, the bride stooped and picked a sprig of + shamrock, which grew amongst the grass, and when she stood upright again + her ugliness had all gone, and the most beautiful woman that ever was seen + stood by the king’s side. + </p> + <p> + The next day, before the sun rose, the king sprang from his bed, and told + his wife he must have another game with the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘If my father loses that game, and you win it,’ said she, ‘accept nothing + for your prize but the shaggy young horse with the stick saddle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do that,’ answered the king, and he went. + </p> + <p> + ‘Does your bride please you?’ asked the Gruagach, who was standing at his + own door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! does she not!’ answered the king quickly. ‘Otherwise I should be hard + indeed to please. But will you play a game to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ replied the Gruagach, and they played, and sometimes it seemed + as if one would win, and sometimes the other, but in the end the king was + the winner. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the prize that you will choose?’ asked the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + ‘The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle,’ answered the king, but he + noticed that the Gruagach held his peace, and his brow was dark as he led + out the horse from the stable. Rough was its mane and dull was its skin, + but the king cared nothing for that, and throwing his leg over the stick + saddle, rode away like the wind. + </p> + <p> + On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn, and as soon as + he had eaten food he prepared to go out, when his wife stopped him. ‘I + would rather,’ she said, ‘that you did not go to play with the Gruagach, + for though twice you have won yet some day he will win, and then he will + put trouble upon you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I must have one more game,’ cried the king; ‘just this one.’ And he + went off to the house of the Gruagach. + </p> + <p> + Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming, and without + waiting to talk they played their game. Somehow or other, the king’s + strength and skill had departed from him, and soon the Gruagach was the + victor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Choose your prize,’ said the king, when the game was ended, ‘but do not + be too hard on me, or ask what I cannot give.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The prize I choose,’ answered the Gruagach, ‘is that the crop-headed + creature should take thy head and thy neck, if thou dost not get for me + the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the king of the oak + windows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will get it,’ replied the young man bravely; but as soon as he was out + of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more, and his face grew dark and + his steps lagging. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have brought nothing with you to-night,’ said the queen, who was + standing on the steps awaiting him. She was so beautiful that the king was + fain to smile when he looked at her, but then he remembered what had + happened, and his heart grew heavy again. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it? What is the matter? Tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it + with thee, or, it may be, help thee!’ Then the king told her everything + that had befallen him, and she stroked his hair the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is nothing to grieve about,’ she said when the tale was finished. + ‘You have the best wife in Erin, and the best horse in Erin. Only do as I + bid you, and all will go well.’ And the king suffered himself to be + comforted. + </p> + <p> + He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself, to make + everything ready for her husband’s journey; and the first place she went + to was the stable, where she fed and watered the shaggy brown horse and + put the saddle on it. Most people thought this saddle was of wood, and did + not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in it. She + strapped it lightly on the horse’s back, and then led it down before the + house, where the king waited. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good luck to you, and victories in all your battles,’ she said, as she + kissed him before he mounted. ‘I need not be telling you anything. Take + the advice of the horse, and see you obey it.’ + </p> + <p> + So he waved his hand and set out on his journey, and the wind was not + swifter than the brown horse—no, not even the March wind which raced + it and could not catch it. But the horse never stopped nor looked behind, + till in the dark of the night he reached the castle of the king of the oak + windows. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are at the end of the journey,’ said the horse, ‘and you will find the + Sword of Light in the king’s own chamber. If it comes to you without + scrape or sound, the token is a good one. At this hour the king is eating + his supper, and the room is empty, so none will see you. The sword has a + knob at the end, and take heed that when you grasp it, you draw it softly + out of its sheath. Now go! I will be under the window.’ + </p> + <p> + Stealthily the young man crept along the passage, pausing now and then to + make sure that no man was following him, and entered the king’s chamber. A + strange white line of light told him where the sword was, and crossing the + room on tiptoe, he seized the knob, and drew it slowly out of the sheath. + The king could hardly breathe with excitement lest it should make some + noise, and bring all the people in the castle running to see what was the + matter. But the sword slid swiftly and silently along the case till only + the point was left touching it. Then a low sound was heard, as of the edge + of a knife touching a silver plate, and the king was so startled that he + nearly dropped the knob. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quick! quick!’ cried the horse, and the king scrambled hastily through + the small window, and leapt into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has heard and he will follow,’ said the horse; ‘but we have a good + start,’ And on they sped, on and on, leaving the winds behind them. + </p> + <p> + At length the horse slackened its pace. ‘Look and see who is behind you,’ + it said; and the young man looked. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us,’ he answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are swifter than those,’ said the horse, and flew on again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look again, O king! Is anyone coming now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A swarm of black horses, and one has a white face, and on that horse a + man is seated. He is the king of the oak windows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my brother, and swifter still than I,’ said the horse, ‘and he + will fly past me with a rush. Then you must have your sword ready, and + take off the head of the man who sits on him, as he turns and looks at + you. And there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head, save + only that one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do it,’ replied the king; and he listened with all his might, till + he judged that the white-faced horse was close to him. Then he sat up very + straight and made ready. + </p> + <p> + The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest, and the + young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him. Almost blindly he + struck, not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded the rider. But + the head rolled off, and was caught in the brown horse’s mouth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you can, and + I will follow as quickly as I may,’ cried the brown horse; and leaping + forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse, but so near the + tail that he almost fell off again. But he stretched out his arm and + clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and the queen + was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far from her eyes. Glad + was she to see him enter, but she said little, only took her harp and sang + softly the songs which he loved, till he went to bed, soothed and happy. + </p> + <p> + It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid on me + are loose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have a care,’ answered the queen, ‘for it is not with a smile as on the + other days that he will greet you. Furiously he will meet you, and will + ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword, and you will reply that + you have got it. Next he will want to know how you got it, and to this you + must say that but for the knob you had not got it at all. Then he will + raise his head to look at the knob, and you must stab him in the mole + which is on the right side of his neck; but take heed, for if you miss the + mole with the point of the sword, then my death and your death are + certain. He is brother to the king of the oak windows, and sure will he be + that the king must be head, or the sword would not be in your hands.’ + After that she kissed him, and bade him good speed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Didst thou get the sword?’ asked the Gruagach, when they met in the usual + place. + </p> + <p> + ‘I got the sword.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how didst thou get it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it had not had a knob on the top, then I had not got it,’ answered the + king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the sword to look at,’ said the Gruagach, peering forward; but + like a flash the king had drawn it from under his nose and pierced the + mole, so that the Gruagach rolled over on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I shall be at peace,’ thought the king. But he was wrong, for when he + reached home he found his servants tied together back to back with cloths + bound round their mouths, so that they could not speak. He hastened to set + them free, and he asked who had treated them in so evil a manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘No sooner had you gone than a great giant came, and dealt with us as you + see, and carried off your wife and your two horses,’ said the men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then my eyes will not close nor will my head lay itself down till I fetch + my wife and horses home again,’ answered he, and he stopped and noted the + tracks of the horses on the grass, and followed after them till he arrived + at the wood, when the darkness fell. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will sleep here,’ he said to himself, ‘but first I will make a fire,’ + And he gathered together some twigs that were lying about, and then took + two dry sticks and rubbed them together till the fire came, and he sat by + it. + </p> + <p> + The twigs cracked and the flame blazed up, and a slim yellow dog pushed + through the bushes and laid his head on the king’s knee, and the king + stroked his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wuf, wuf,’ said the dog. ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses + when the giant drove them last night through the forest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is why I have come,’ answered the king; and suddenly his heart + seemed to fail him and he felt that he could not go on. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot fight that giant,’ he cried, looking at the dog with a white + face. ‘I am afraid, let me turn homewards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, don’t do that,’ replied the dog. ‘Eat and sleep, and I will watch + over you.’ So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the sun waked him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is time for you to start on your way,’ said the dog, ‘and if danger + presses, call on me, and I will help you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, then,’ answered the king; ‘I will not forget that promise,’ and + on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall cliff with many sticks + lying about. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is almost night,’ he thought; ‘I will make a fire and rest,’ and thus + he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of the grey rock + flew on to a bough above him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed here with + the giant,’ said the hawk. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never shall I find them,’ answered the king, ‘and nothing shall I get for + all my trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, take heart,’ replied the hawk; ‘things are never so bad but what they + might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,’ and the king did as + he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning he felt brave again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell,’ said the bird, ‘and if danger presses call to me, and I will + help you.’ + </p> + <p> + On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to a great + river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will make myself a fire,’ he thought, and thus he did, and by and bye a + smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a long body followed + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the river + last night,’ said the otter. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have sought them and not found them,’ answered the king, ‘and nought + shall I get for my trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be not so downcast,’ replied the otter; ‘before noon to-morrow thou shalt + behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch over thee.’ So the + king did as the otter bid him, and when the sun rose he woke and saw the + otter lying on the bank. + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell,’ cried the otter as he jumped into the water, ‘and if danger + presses, call to me and I will help you.’ + </p> + <p> + For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high rock, + which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing himself on the + ground he looked over the side, and right at the very bottom he saw his + wife and his horses. His heart gave a great bound, and all his fears left + him, but he was forced to be patient, for the sides of the rock were + smooth, and not even a goat could find foothold. So he got up again, and + made his way round through the wood, pushing by trees, scrambling over + rocks, wading through streams, till at last he was on flat ground again, + close to the mouth of the cavern. + </p> + <p> + His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in, and then burst into tears, + for she was tired and very frightened. But her husband did not understand + why she wept, and he was tired and bruised from his climb, and a little + cross too. + </p> + <p> + ‘You give me but a sorry welcome,’ grumbled he, ‘when I have half-killed + myself to get to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not heed him,’ said the horses to the weeping woman; ‘put him in front + of us, where he will be safe, and give him food, for he is weary.’ And she + did as the horses told her, and he ate and rested, till by and bye a long + shadow fell over them, and their hearts beat with fear, for they knew that + the giant was coming. + </p> + <p> + ‘I smell a stranger,’ cried the giant, as he entered; but it was dark + inside the chasm, and he did not see the king, who was crouching down + between the feet of the horses. + </p> + <p> + ‘A stranger, my lord! no stranger ever comes here, not even the sun!’ and + the king’s wife laughed gaily as she went up to the giant and stroked the + huge hand which hung down by his side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I perceive nothing, certainly,’ answered he, ‘but it is very odd. + However, it is time that the horses were fed;’ and he lifted down an + armful of hay from a shelf of rock and held out a handful to each animal, + who moved forward to meet him, leaving the king behind. As soon as the + giant’s hands were near their mouths they each made a snap, and began to + bit them, so that his groans and shrieks might have been heard a mile off. + Then they wheeled round and kicked him till they could kick no more. At + length the giant crawled away, and lay quivering in a corner, and the + queen went up to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor thing! poor thing!’ she said, ‘they seem to have gone mad; it was + awful to behold.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed me,’ + groaned the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was lucky indeed,’ answered the queen; ‘but tell me, where is thy + soul, that I may take care of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Up there, in the Bonnach stone,’ answered the giant, pointing to a stone + which was balanced loosely on an edge of rock. ‘But now leave me, that I + may sleep, for I have far to go to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Soon snores were heard from the corner where the giant lay, and then the + queen lay down too, and the horses, and the king was hidden between them, + so that none could see him. + </p> + <p> + Before the dawn the giant rose and went out, and immediately the queen ran + up to the Bonnach stone, and tugged and pushed at it till it was quite + steady on its ledge, and could not fall over. And so it was in the evening + when the giant came home; and when they saw his shadow, the king crept + down in front of the horses. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what have you done to the Bonnach stone?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feared lest it should fall over, and be broken, with your soul in it,’ + said the queen, ‘so I put it further back on the ledge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered he, ‘it is on the threshold. + But it is time the horses were fed;’ and he fetched the hay, and gave it + to them, and they bit and kicked him as before, till he lay half dead on + the ground. + </p> + <p> + Next morning he rose and went out, and the queen ran to the threshold of + the cave, and washed the stones, and pulled up some moss and little + flowers that were hidden in the crannies, and by and bye when dusk had + fallen the giant came home. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been cleaning the threshold,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘And was I not right to do it, seeing that your soul is in it?’ asked the + queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not there that my soul is,’ answered the giant. ‘Under the + threshold is a stone, and under the stone is a sheep, and in the sheep’s + body is a duck, and in the duck is an egg, and in the egg is my soul. But + it is late, and I must feed the horses;’ and he brought them the hay, but + they only bit and kicked him as before, and if his soul had been within + him, they would have killed him outright. + </p> + <p> + It was still dark when the giant got up and went his way, and then the + king and the queen ran forward to take up the threshold, while the horses + looked on. But sure enough! just as the giant had said, underneath the + threshold was the flagstone, and they pulled and tugged till the stone + gave way. Then something jumped out so suddenly, that it nearly knocked + them down, and as it fled past, they saw it was a sheep. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the slim yellow dog of the greenwood were only here, he would soon + have that sheep,’ cried the king; and as he spoke, the slim yellow dog + appeared from the forest, with the sheep in his mouth. With a blow from + the king, the sheep fell dead, and they opened its body, only to be + blinded by a rush of wings as the duck flew past. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the hoary hawk of the rock were only here, he would soon have that + duck,’ cried the king; and as he spoke the hoary hawk was seen hovering + above them, with the duck in his mouth. They cut off the duck’s head with + a swing of the king’s sword, and took the egg out of its body, but in his + triumph the king held it carelessly, and it slipped from his hand, and + rolled swiftly down the hill right into the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the brown otter of the stream were only here, he would soon have that + egg,’ cried the king; and the next minute there was the brown otter, + dripping with water, holding the egg in his mouth. But beside the brown + otter, a huge shadow came stealing along—the shadow of the giant. + </p> + <p> + The king stood staring at it, as if he were turned into stone, but the + queen snatched the egg from the otter and crushed it between her two + hands. And after that the shadow suddenly shrank and was still, and they + knew that the giant was dead, because they had found his soul. + </p> + <p> + Next day they mounted the two horses and rode home again, visiting their + friends the brown otter and the hoary hawk and the slim yellow dog by the + way. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A French Puck + </h2> + <p> + Among the mountain pastures and valleys that lie in the centre of France + there dwelt a mischievous kind of spirit, whose delight it was to play + tricks on everybody, and particularly on the shepherds and the cowboys. + They never knew when they were safe from him, as he could change himself + into a man, woman or child, a stick, a goat, a ploughshare. Indeed, there + was only one thing whose shape he could not take, and that was a needle. + At least, he could transform himself into a needle, but try as he might he + never was able to imitate the hole, so every woman would have found him + out at once, and this he knew. + </p> + <p> + Now the hour oftenest chosen by this naughty sprite (whom we will call + Puck) for performing his pranks was about midnight, just when the + shepherds and cowherds, tired out with their long day’s work, were sound + asleep. Then he would go into the cowsheds and unfasten the chains that + fixed each beast in its own stall, and let them fall with a heavy clang to + the ground. The noise was so loud that it was certain to awaken the + cowboys, however fatigued they might be, and they dragged themselves + wearily to the stable to put back the chains. But no sooner had they + returned to their beds than the same thing happened again, and so on till + the morning. Or perhaps Puck would spend his night in plaiting together + the manes and tails of two of the horses, so that it would take the grooms + hours of labour to get them right in the morning, while Puck, hidden among + the hay in the loft, would peep out to watch them, enjoying himself + amazingly all the time. + </p> + <p> + One evening more than eighty years ago a man named William was passing + along the bank of a stream when he noticed a sheep who was bleating + loudly. William thought it must have strayed from the flock, and that he + had better take it home with him till he could discover its owner. So he + went up to where it was standing, and as it seemed so tired that it could + hardly walk, he hoisted it on his shoulders and continued on his way. The + sheep was pretty heavy, but the good man was merciful and staggered along + as best he could under his load. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not much further,’ he thought to himself as he reached an avenue of + walnut trees, when suddenly a voice spoke out from over his head, and made + him jump. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are you?’ said the voice, and the sheep answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Here on the shoulders of a donkey.’ + </p> + <p> + In another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and William was + running towards home as fast as his legs would carry him. But as he went, + a laugh, which yet was something of a bleat, rang in his ears, and though + he tried not to hear, the words reached him, ‘Oh, dear! What fun I have + had, to be sure!’ + </p> + <p> + Puck was careful not always to play his tricks in the same place, but + visited one village after another, so that everyone trembled lest he + should be the next victim. After a bit he grew tired of cowboys and + shepherds, and wondered if there was no one else to give him some sport. + At length he was told of a young couple who were going to the nearest town + to buy all that they needed for setting up house. Quite certain that they + would forget something which they could not do without, Puck waited + patiently till they were jogging along in their cart on their return + journey, and changed himself into a fly in order to overhear their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + For a long time it was very dull—all about their wedding day next + month, and who were to be invited. This led the bride to her wedding + dress, and she gave a little scream. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just think! Oh! how could I be so stupid! I have forgotten to buy the + different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear, dear!’ exclaimed the young man. ‘That is unlucky; and didn’t you + tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I did,’ and then suddenly she gave another little scream, which had + quite a different sound from the first. ‘Look! Look!’ + </p> + <p> + The bridegroom looked, and on one side of the road he saw a large ball of + thread of all colours—of all the colours, that is, of the dresses + that were tied on to the back of the cart. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, that is a wonderful piece of good fortune,’ cried he, as he sprang + out to get it. ‘One would think a fairy had put it there on purpose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps she has,’ laughed the girl, and as she spoke she seemed to hear + an echo of her laughter coming from the horse, but of course that was + nonsense. + </p> + <p> + The dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her. It + matched the stuffs so perfectly, and never tied itself in knots, or broke + perpetually, as most thread did. She finished her work much quicker than + she expected and the bride said she was to be sure to come to the church + and see her in her wedding dress. + </p> + <p> + There was a great crowd assembled to witness the ceremony, for the young + people were immense favourites in the neighbourhood, and their parents + were very rich. The doors were open, and the bride could be seen from + afar, walking under the chestnut avenue. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a beautiful girl!’ exclaimed the men. ‘What a lovely dress!’ + whispered the women. But just as she entered the church and took the hand + of the bridegroom, who was waiting for her, a loud noise was heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘Crick! crack! Crick! crack!’ and the wedding garments fell to the ground, + to the great confusion of the wearer. + </p> + <p> + Not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that! Cloaks in + profusion were instantly offered to the young bride, but she was so upset + that she could hardly keep from tears. One of the guests, more curious + than the rest, stayed behind to examine the dress, determined, if she + could, to find out the cause of the disaster. + </p> + <p> + ‘The thread must have been rotten,’ she said to herself. ‘I will see if I + can break it.’ But search as she would she could find none. + </p> + <p> + The thread had vanished! + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de l’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Three Crowns + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest were very + proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as they were bad. + Well, three princes came to court them, and two of them were exactly like + the eldest ladies, and one was just as lovable as the youngest. One day + they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn + when they met a poor beggar. The king wouldn’t give him anything, and the + eldest princesses wouldn’t give him anything, nor their sweethearts; but + the youngest daughter and her true love did give him something, and kind + words along with it, and that was better than all. + </p> + <p> + When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the + beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the eldest, ‘I’ll + take a sail in this fine boat’; and says the second eldest, ‘I’ll take a + sail in this fine boat’; and says the youngest, ‘I won’t take a sail in + that fine boat, for I am afraid it’s an enchanted one.’ But the others + persuaded her to go in, and her father was just going in after her, when + up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered him + to stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords; and if + the same swords were only playthings, they weren’t able to draw them, for + all strength that was left their arms. Seven Inches loosened the silver + chain that fastened the boat, and pushed away, and after grinning at the + four men, says he to them. ‘Bid your daughters and your brides farewell + for awhile. You,’ says he to the youngest, ‘needn’t fear, you’ll recover + your princess all in good time, and you and she will be as happy as the + day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling stark naked in gold, would + not be rich. Good-bye.’ Away they sailed, and the ladies stretched out + their hands, but weren’t able to say a word. + </p> + <p> + Well, they weren’t crossing the lake while a cat ‘ud be lickin’ her ear, + and the poor men couldn’t stir hand or foot to follow them. They saw Seven + Inches handing the three princesses out of the boat, and letting them down + by a basket into a draw-well, but king nor princes ever saw an opening + before in the same place. When the last lady was out of sight, the men + found the strength in their arms and legs again. Round the lake they ran, + and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass; and there was + the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white basket hanging to it. + ‘Let me down,’ says the youngest prince. ‘I’ll die or recover them again.’ + ‘No,’ says the second daughter’s sweetheart, ‘it is my turn first.’ And + says the other, ‘I am the eldest.’ So they gave way to him, and in he got + into the basket, and down they let him. First they lost sight of him, and + then, after winding off a hundred perches of the silk rope, it slackened, + and they stopped turning. They waited two hours, and then they went to + dinner, because there was no pull made at the rope. + </p> + <p> + Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second prince, + and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down on the third + day. He went down perches and perches, while it was as dark about him as + if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At last he saw a glimmer far down, + and in a short time he felt the ground. Out he came from the big + lime-kiln, and, lo! and behold you, there was a wood, and green fields, + and a castle in a lawn, and a bright sky over all. ‘It’s in Tir-na-n-Oge I + am,’ says he. ‘Let’s see what sort of people are in the castle.’ On he + walked, across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out or + let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He went from + one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he reached the + handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And such a dinner as was + laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, but he was too mannerly to eat + without being invited. So he sat by the fire, and he did not wait long + till he heard steps, and in came Seven Inches with the youngest sister by + the hand. Well, prince and princess flew into one another’s arms, and says + the little man, says he, ‘Why aren’t you eating?’ ‘I think, sir,’ says the + prince, ‘it was only good manner to wait to be asked.’ ‘The other princes + didn’t think so,’ says he. ‘Each o’ them fell to without leave, and only + gave me the rough words when I told them they were making more free than + welcome. Well, I don’t think they feel much hunger now. There they are, + good marble instead of flesh and blood,’ says he, pointing to two statues, + one in one corner, and the other in the other corner of the room. The + prince was frightened, but he was afraid to say anything, and Seven Inches + made him sit down to dinner between himself and his bride; and he’d be as + happy as the day is long, only for the sight of the stone men in the + corner. Well, that day went by, and when the next came, says Seven Inches + to him, ‘Now, you’ll have to set out that way,’ pointing to the sun, ‘and + you’ll find the second princess in a giant’s castle this evening, when + you’ll be tired and hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and + you may as well bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of their + masters; and perhaps if they ever get home, they’ll look on poor people as + if they were flesh and blood like themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + Away went the prince, and bedad! it’s tired and hungry he was when he + reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn’t the second princess glad + to see him! And what a good supper she gave him. But she heard the giant + at the gate, and she hid the prince in a closet. Well, when he came in, he + snuffed, an’ he snuffed, and says he, ‘By the life, I smell fresh meat.’ + ‘Oh,’ says the princess, ‘it’s only the calf I got killed to-day.’ ‘Ay, + ay,’ says he, ‘is supper ready?’ ‘It is,’ says she; and before he rose + from the table he ate three-quarters of a calf, and a flask of wine. ‘I + think,’ says he, when all was done, ‘I smell fresh meat still.’ ‘It’s + sleepy you are,’ says she; ‘go to bed.’ ‘When will you marry me?’ says the + giant. ‘You’re putting me off too long.’ ‘St. Tibb’s Eve,’ says she. ‘I + wish I knew how far off that is,’ says he; and he fell asleep, with his + head in the dish. + </p> + <p> + Next day, he went out after breakfast, and she sent the prince to the + castle where the eldest sister was. The same thing happened there; but + when the giant was snoring, the princess wakened up the prince, and they + saddled two steeds in the stables and rode into the field on them. But the + horses’ heels struck the stones outside the gate, and up got the giant and + strode after them. He roared and he shouted, and the more he shouted, the + faster ran the horses, and just as the day was breaking he was only twenty + perches behind. But the prince didn’t leave the castle of Seven Inches + without being provided with something good. He reined in his steed, and + flung a short, sharp knife over his shoulder, and up sprung a thick wood + between the giant and themselves. They caught the wind that blew before + them, and the wind that blew behind them did not catch them. At last they + were near the castle where the other sister lived; and there she was, + waiting for them under a high hedge, and a fine steed under her. + </p> + <p> + But the giant was now in sight, roaring like a hundred lions, and the + other giant was out in a moment, and the chase kept on. For every two + springs the horses gave, the giants gave three, and at last they were only + seventy perches off. Then the prince stopped again, and flung the second + knife behind him. Down went all the flat field, till there was a quarry + between them a quarter of a mile deep, and the bottom filled with black + water; and before the giants could get round it, the prince and princesses + were inside the kingdom of the great magician, where the high thorny hedge + opened of itself to everyone that he chose to let in. There was joy enough + between the three sisters, till the two eldest saw their lovers turned + into stone. But while they were shedding tears for them, Seven Inches came + in, and touched them with his rod. So they were flesh, and blood, and life + once more, and there was great hugging and kissing, and all sat down to + breakfast, and Seven Inches sat at the head of the table. + </p> + <p> + When breakfast was over, he took them into another room, where there was + nothing but heaps of gold, and silver, and diamonds, and silks, and + satins; and on a table there was lying three sets of crowns: a gold crown + was in a silver crown, and that was lying in a copper crown. He took up + one set of crowns, and gave it to the eldest princess; and another set, + and gave it to the second youngest princess; and another, and gave it to + the youngest of all; and says he, ‘Now you may all go to the bottom of the + pit, and you have nothing to do but stir the basket, and the people that + are watching above will draw you up. But remember, ladies, you are to keep + your crows safe, and be married in them, all the same day. If you be + married separately, or if you be married without your crowns, a curse will + follow—mind what I say.’ + </p> + <p> + So they took leave of him with great respect, and walked arm-in-arm to the + bottom of the draw-well. There was a sky and a sun over them, and a great + high wall, covered with ivy, rose before them, and was so high they could + not see to the top of it; and there was an arch in this wall, and the + bottom of the draw-well was inside the arch. The youngest pair went last; + and says the princess to the prince, ‘I’m sure the two princes don’t mean + any good to you. Keep these crowns under your cloak, and if you are + obliged to stay last, don’t get into the basket, but put a big stone, or + any heavy thing inside, and see what will happen.’ + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were inside the dark cave, they put in the eldest princess + first, and stirred the basket, and up she went. Then the basket was let + down again, and up went the second princess, and then up went the + youngest; but first she put her arms round her prince’s neck, and kissed + him, and cried a little. At last it came to the turn of the youngest + prince, and instead of going into the basket he put in a big stone. He + drew on one side and listened, and after the basket was drawn up about + twenty perches, down came it and the stone like thunder, and the stone was + broken into little bits. + </p> + <p> + Well, the poor prince had nothing for it but to walk back to the castle; + and through it and round it he walked, and the finest of eating and + drinking he got, and a bed of bog-down to sleep on, and long walks he took + through gardens and lawns, but not a sight could he get, high or low, of + Seven Inches. He, before a week, got tired of it, he was so lonesome for + his true love; and at the end of a month he didn’t know what to do with + himself. + </p> + <p> + One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a beautiful + snuff-box on the table that he didn’t remember seeing there before. He + took it in his hands and opened it, and out Seven Inches walked on the + table. ‘I think, prince,’ says he, ‘you’re getting a little tired of my + castle?’ ‘Ah!’ says the other, ‘if I had my princess here, and could see + you now and then, I’d never know a dismal day.’ ‘Well, you’re long enough + here now, and you’re wanted there above. Keep your bride’s crowns safe, + and whenever you want my help, open this snuff-box. Now take a walk down + the garden, and come back when you’re tired.’ + </p> + <p> + The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on each + side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one thing and + another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was outside of a smith’s + gate that he often passed before, about a mile away from the palace of his + betrothed princess. The clothes he had on him were as ragged as you + please, but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak. + </p> + <p> + Then the smith came out, and says he, ‘It’s a shame for a strong, big + fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are you any good + with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an I’ll give you diet and + lodging, and a few pence when you earn them.’ ‘Never say’t twice,’ says + the prince. ‘I want nothing but to be busy.’ So he took the hammer, and + pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning on the anvil to + make into a set of horse-shoes. + </p> + <p> + They hadn’t been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat down and + began to talk. ‘You all heard how the two princess were loth to be married + till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her sweetheart. But + after the windlass loosened accidentally when they were pulling up her + bridegroom that was to be, there was no more sign of a well, or a rope, or + a windlass, than there is on the palm of your hand. So the princes that + were courting the eldest ladies wouldn’t give peace or ease to their + lovers nor the king till they got consent to the marriage, and it was to + take place this morning. Myself went down out o’ curiousity, and to be + sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of the two brides, and the + three crowns on their heads—gold, silver, and copper, one inside the + other. The youngest was standing by mournful enough, and all was ready. + The two bridegrooms came in as proud and grand as you please, and up they + were walking to the altar rails, when the boards opened two yards wide + under their feet, and down they went among the dead men and the coffins in + the vaults. Oh, such shrieks as the ladies gave! and such running and + racing and peeping down as there was! but the clerk soon opened the door + of the vault, and up came the two princes, their fine clothes covered an + inch thick with cobwebs and mould. + </p> + <p> + So the king said they should put off the marriage. ‘For,’ says he, ‘I see + there is no use in thinking of it till the youngest gets her three crowns, + and is married with the others. I’ll give my youngest daughter for a wife + to whoever brings three crowns to me like the others; and if he doesn’t + care to be married, some other one will, and I’ll make his fortune.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish,’ says the smith, ‘I could do it; but I was looking at the crowns + after the princesses got home, and I don’t think there’s a black or a + white smith on the face of the earth that could imitate them.’ ‘Faint + heart never won fair lady,’ says the prince. ‘Go to the palace and ask for + a quarter of a pound of gold, a quarter of a pound of silver, and a + quarter of a pound of copper. Get one crown for a pattern, and my head for + a pledge, I’ll give you out the very things that are wanted in the + morning.’ ‘Are you in earnest?’ says the smith. ‘Faith, I am so,’ says he. + ‘Go! you can’t do worse than lose.’ + </p> + <p> + To make a long story short, the smith got the quarter of a pound of gold, + and the quarter of a pound of silver, and the quarter of a pound of + copper, and gave them and the pattern crown to the prince. He shut the + forge door at nightfall, and the neighbours all gathered in the yard, and + they heard him hammering, hammering, hammering, from that to daybreak; and + every now and then he’d throw out through the window bits of gold, silver, + and copper; and the idlers scrambled for them, and cursed one another, and + prayed for the good luck of the workman. + </p> + <p> + Well, just as the sun was thinking to rise, he opened the door, and + brought out the three crowns he got from his true love, and such shouting + and huzzaing as there was! The smith asked him to go along with him to the + palace, but he refused; so off set the smith, and the whole townland with + him; and wasn’t the king rejoiced when he saw the crowns! ‘Well,’ says he + to the smith, ‘you’re a married man. What’s to be done?’ ‘Faith, your + majesty, I didn’t make them crowns at all. It was a big fellow that took + service with me yesterday.’ ‘Well, daughter, will you marry the fellow + that made these crowns?’ ‘Let me see them first, father,’ said she; but + when she examined them she knew them right well, and guessed it was her + true love that sent them. ‘I will marry the man that these crowns came + from,’ says she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ says the king to the elder of the two princes, ‘go up to the + smith’s forge, take my best coaches, and bring home the bridegroom.’ He + did not like doing this, he was so proud, but he could not refuse. When he + came to the forge he saw the prince standing at the door, and beckoned him + over to the coach. ‘Are you the fellow,’ says he, ‘that made these + crowns?’ ‘Yes,’ says the other. ‘Then,’ says he, ‘maybe you’d give + yourself a brushing, and get into that coach; the king wants to see you. I + pity the princess.’ The young prince got into the carriage, and while they + were on the way he opened the snuff-box, and out walked Seven Inches, and + stood on his thigh. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘what trouble is on you now?’ + ‘Master,’ says the other, ‘please let me go back to my forge, and let this + carriage be filled with paving stones.’ No sooner said than done. The + prince was sitting in his forge, and the horses wondered what was after + happening to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + When they came into the palace yard, the king himself opened the carriage + door, for respect to his new son-in-law. As soon as he turned the handle, + a shower of small stones fell on his powdered wig and his silk coat, and + down he fell under them. There was great fright and some laughter, and the + king, after he wiped the blood from his forehead, looked very cross at the + eldest prince. ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘I’m very sorry for this accident, but + I’m not to blame. I saw the young smith get into the carriage, and we + never stopped a minute since.’ ‘It’s uncivil you were to him. Go,’ says he + to the other prince, ‘and bring the young smith here, and be polite.’ + ‘Never fear,’ says he. + </p> + <p> + But there’s some people that couldn’t be good-natured if they tried, and + not a bit civiller was the new messenger than the old, and when the king + opened the carriage door a second time, it’s shower of mud that came down + on him. ‘There’s no use,’ says he, ‘going on this way. The fox never got a + better messenger than himself.’ + </p> + <p> + So he changed his clothes, and washed himself, and out he set to the + prince’s forge and asked him to sit along with himself. The prince begged + to be allowed to sit in the other carriage, and when they were half-way he + opened his snuff-box. ‘Master,’ says he, ‘I’d wish to be dressed now + according to my rank.’ ‘You shall be that,’ says Seven Inches. ‘And now + I’ll bid you farewell. Continue as good and kind as you always were; love + your wife; and that’s all the advice I’ll give you.’ So Seven Inches + vanished; and when the carriage door was opened in the yard, out walks the + prince as fine as hands could make him, and the first thing he did was to + run over to his bride and embrace her. + </p> + <p> + Every one was full of joy but the two other princes. There was not much + delay about the marriages, and they were all celebrated on the one day. + Soon after, the two elder couples went to their own courts, but the + youngest pair stayed with the old king, and they were as happy as the + happiest married couple you ever heard of in a story. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Story of a Very Bad Boy + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived in a little village in the very middle of + France a widow and her only son, a boy about fifteen, whose name was + Antoine, though no one ever called him anything but Toueno-Boueno. They + were very poor indeed, and their hut shook about their ears on windy + nights, till they expected the walls to fall in and crush them, but + instead of going to work as a boy of his age ought to do, Toueno-Boueno + did nothing but lounge along the street, his eyes fixed on the ground, + seeing nothing that went on round him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are very, very stupid, my dear child,’ his mother would sometimes say + to him, and then she would add with a laugh, ‘Certainly you will never + catch a wolf by the tail.’ + </p> + <p> + One day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect enough + dry leaves to make beds for herself and him. Before he had finished it + began to rain heavily, so he hid himself in the hollow trunk of a tree, + where he was so dry and comfortable that he soon fell fast asleep. By and + by he was awakened by a noise which sounded like a dog scratching at the + door, and he suddenly felt frightened, why he did not know. Very + cautiously he raised his head, and right above him he saw a big hairy + animal, coming down tail foremost. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the wolf that they talk so much about,’ he said to himself, and he + made himself as small as he could and shrunk into a corner. + </p> + <p> + The wolf came down the inside of the tree, slowly, slowly; Antoine felt + turned to stone, so terrified was he, and hardly dared to breathe. + Suddenly an idea entered his mind, which he thought might save him still. + He remembered to have heard from his mother that a wolf could neither bend + his back nor turn his head, so as to look behind him, and quick as + lightning he stretched up his hand, and seizing the wolf’s tail, pulled it + towards him. + </p> + <p> + Then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother, you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a wolf by + the tail. Now see,’ he cried triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well, wonders will never cease,’ answered the good woman, who took + care to keep at a safe distance. ‘But as you really have got him, let us + see if we can’t put him to some use. Fetch the skin of the ram which died + last week out of the chest, and we will sew the wolf up in it. He will + make a splendid ram, and to-morrow we will drive him to the fair and sell + him.’ + </p> + <p> + Very likely the wolf, who was cunning and clever, may have understood what + she said, but he thought it best to give no sign, and suffered the skin to + be sewn upon him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can always get away if I choose,’ thought he, ‘it is better not to be + in a hurry;’ so he remained quite still while the skin was drawn over his + head, which made him very hot and uncomfortable, and resisted the + temptation to snap off the fingers or noses that were so close to his + mouth. + </p> + <p> + The fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived with his + wolf in ram’s clothing. All the farmers crowded round him, each offering a + higher price than the last. Never had they beheld such a beautiful beast, + said they, and at last, after much bargaining, he was handed over to three + brothers for a good sum of money. + </p> + <p> + It happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of sheep, though + none so large and fine as the one they had just bought. + </p> + <p> + ‘My flock is the nearest,’ observed the eldest brother; ‘we will leave him + in the fold for the night, and to-morrow we will decide which pastures + will be best for him.’ And the wolf grinned as he listened, and held up + his head a little higher than before. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds, and the + sheep-fold was the first place he visited. To his horror, the sheep were + all stretched out dead before him, except one, which the wolf had eaten, + bones and all. Instantly the truth flashed upon him. It was no ram that + lay curled up in the corner pretending to be asleep (for in reality he + could bend back and turn his head as much as he liked), but a wolf who was + watching him out of the corner of his eye, and might spring upon him at + any moment. So the farmer took no notice, and only thought that here was a + fine chance of revenging himself on his next brother for a trick which he + had played, and merely told him that the ram would not eat the grass in + that field, and it might be well to drive him to the pasture by the river, + where his own flock was feeding. The second brother eagerly swallowed the + bait, and that evening the wolf was driven down to the field where the + young man kept the sheep which had been left him by his father. By the + next morning they also were all dead, but the second brother likewise held + his peace, and allowed the sheep which belonged to the youngest to share + the fate of the other two. Then they met and confessed to each other their + disasters, and resolved to take the animal as fast as possible back to + Toueno-Boueno, who should get a sound thrashing. + </p> + <p> + Antoine was sitting on a plum tree belonging to a neighbour, eating the + ripe fruit, when he saw the three young farmers coming towards him. + Swinging himself down, he flew home to the hut, crying breathlessly, + ‘Mother, mother, the farmers are close by with the wolf. They have found + out all about it, and will certainly kill me, and perhaps you too. But if + you do as I tell you, I may be able to save us both. Lie down on the + floor, and pretend to be dead, and be sure not to speak, whatever happens. + </p> + <p> + Thus when the three brothers, each armed with a whip, entered the hut a + few seconds later, they found a woman extended on the floor, and Toueno + kneeling at her side, whistling loudly into her ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing now, you rascal?’ asked the eldest. + </p> + <p> + ‘What am I doing? Oh, my poor friends, I am the most miserable creature in + the world! I have lost the best of mothers, and I don’t know what will + become of me,’ and he hid his face in his hands and sobbed again. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what are you whistling like that for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, it is the only chance. This whistle has been known to bring the + dead back to life, and I hoped—’ here he buried his face in his + hands again, but peeping between his fingers he saw that the brother had + opened their six eyes as wide as saucers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look!’ he suddenly exclaimed with a cry, ‘Look! I am sure I felt her body + move! And now her nostrils are twitching. Ah! the whistle has not lost its + power after all,’ and stooping down, Toueno whistled more loudly than + before, so that the old woman’s feet and hands showed signs of life, and + she soon was able to life her head. + </p> + <p> + The farmers were so astonished at her restoration, that it was some time + before they could speak. At length the eldest turned to the boy and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now listen to me. There is no manner of doubt that you are a young + villain. You sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a wolf, and we + came here to-day to pay you out for it. But if you will give us that + whistle, we will pardon what you have done, and will leave you alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is my only treasure, and I set great store by it,’ answered the boy, + pretending to hesitate. ‘But as you wish for it so much, well, I suppose I + can’t refuse,’ and he held out the whistle, which the eldest brother put + in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + Armed with the precious whistle, the three brothers returned home full of + joy, and as they went the youngest said to the others, ‘I have such a good + idea! Our wives are all lazy and grumbling, and make our lives a burden. + Let us give them a lesson, and kill them as soon as we get in. Of course + we can restore them to life at once, but they will have had a rare + fright.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, how clever you are,’ answered the other two. ‘Nobody else would have + thought of that.’ + </p> + <p> + So gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives, who fell dead + to the ground. Then one by one the men tried the whistle, and blew so + loudly that it seemed as if their lungs would burst, but the women lay + stark and stiff and never moved an eyelid. The husbands grew pale and + cold, for they had never dreamed of this, nor meant any harm, and after a + while they understood that their efforts were of no use, and that once + more the boy had tricked them. With stern faces they rose to their feet, + and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the hut. + </p> + <p> + This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only opened his + eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side they thrust him into + the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest threw it over his shoulder. + After that they all set out to the river, where they intended to drown the + boy. + </p> + <p> + But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and Antoine + was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They carried him in turns, + but even so they grew very tired and thirsty, and when a little tavern + came in sight on the roadside, they thankfully flung the sack down on a + bench and entered to refresh themselves. They never noticed that a beggar + was sitting in the shade at the end of the bench, but Toueno’s sharp ears + caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as the farmers had gone + into the inn he began to groan softly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer. ‘Why have + they shut you up, poor boy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not consent,’ + answered Toueno. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me,’ exclaimed the beggar, ‘yet it isn’t such a bad thing to be a + bishop.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t say it is,’ replied the young rascal, ‘but I should never like + it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a mitre, you need only + untie the sack, and take my place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like nothing better,’ said the man, as he stooped to undo the + big knot. + </p> + <p> + So it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the water. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the three wives were buried, and on returning from the + cemetery, their husbands met Toueno-Boueno driving a magnificent flock of + sheep. At the sight of him the three farmers stood still with + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! you scoundrel!’ they cried at last, ‘we drowned you yesterday, and + to-day we find you again, as well as ever!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It does seem odd, doesn’t it?’ answered he. ‘But perhaps you don’t know + that beneath this world there lies another yet more beautiful and far, far + richer. Well, it was there that you sent me when you flung me into the + river, and though I felt a little strange at first, yet I soon began to + look about me, and to see what was happening. There I noticed that close + to the place where I had fallen, a sheep fair was being held, and a + bystander told me that every day horses or cattle were sold somewhere in + the town. If I had only had the luck to be thrown into the river on the + side of the horse fair I might have made my fortune! As it was, I had to + content myself with buying these sheep, which you can get for nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over the horse + fair?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As if I did not know it, when I have seen it with my own eyes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then if you do not want us to avenge our dead flocks and our murdered + wives, you will have to throw us into the river just over the place of the + horse fair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well; only you must get three sacks and come with me to that rock + which juts into the river. I will throw you in from there, and you will + fall nearly on to the horses’ backs.’ + </p> + <p> + So he threw them in, and as they were never seen again, no one ever knew + into which fair they had fallen. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Litterature Orale de L’Auvergne,’ par Paul Sebillot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Brown Bear of Norway + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king in Ireland, and he had three daughters, and very + nice princesses they were. And one day, when they and their father were + walking on the lawn, the king began to joke with them, and to ask them + whom they would like to be married to. ‘I’ll have the king of Ulster for a + husband,’ says one; ‘and I’ll have the king of Munster,’ says another; + ‘and,’ says the youngest, ‘I’ll have no husband but the Brown Bear of + Norway.’ For a nurse of hers used to be telling her of an enchanted prince + that she called by that name, and she fell in love with him, and his name + was the first name on her tongue, for the very night before she was + dreaming of him. Well, one laughed, and another laughed, and they joked + with the princess all the rest of the evening. But that very night she + woke up out of her sleep in a great hall that was lighted up with a + thousand lamps; the richest carpets were on the floor, and the walls were + covered with cloth of gold and silver, and the place was full of grand + company, and the very beautiful prince she saw in her dreams was there, + and it wasn’t a moment till he was on one knee before her, and telling her + how much he loved her, and asking her wouldn’t she be his queen. Well, she + hadn’t the heart to refuse him, and married they were the same evening. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, my darling,’ says he, when they were left by themselves, ‘you must + know that I am under enchantment. A sorceress, that had a beautiful + daughter, wished me for her son-in-law; but the mother got power over me, + and when I refused to wed her daughter she made me take the form of a bear + by day, and I was to continue so till a lady would marry me of her own + free will, and endure five years of great trials after.’ + </p> + <p> + Well, when the princess woke in the morning, she missed her husband from + her side, and spent the day very sadly. But as soon as the lamps were + lighted in the grand hall, where she was sitting on a sofa covered with + silk, the folding doors flew open, and he was sitting by her side the next + minute. So they spent another happy evening, but he warned her that + whenever she began to tire of him, or ceased to have faith in him, they + would be parted for ever, and he’d be obliged to marry the witch’s + daughter. + </p> + <p> + She got used to find him absent by day, and they spent a happy twelvemonth + together, and at last a beautiful little boy was born; and happy as she + was before, she was twice as happy now, for she had her child to keep her + company in the day when she couldn’t see her husband. + </p> + <p> + At last, one evening, when herself, and himself, and her child were + sitting with a window open because it was a sultry night, in flew an + eagle, took the infant’s sash in his beak, and flew up in the air with + him. She screamed, and was going to throw herself out the window after + him, but the prince caught her, and looked at her very seriously. She + bethought of what he said soon after their marriage, and she stopped the + cries and complaints that were on her tongue. She spent her days very + lonely for another twelvemonth, when a beautiful little girl was sent to + her. Then she thought to herself she’d have a sharp eye about her this + time; so she never would allow a window to be more than a few inches open. + </p> + <p> + But all her care was in vain. Another evening, when they were all so + happy, and the prince dandling the baby, a beautiful greyhound stood + before them, took the child out of the father’s hand, and was out of the + door before you could wink. This time she shouted and ran out of the room, + but there were some of the servants in the next room, and all declared + that neither child nor dog passed out. She felt, somehow, as if it was her + husband’s fault, but still she kept command over herself, and didn’t once + reproach him. + </p> + <p> + When the third child was born she would hardly allow a window or a door to + be left open for a moment; but she wasn’t the nearer to keep the child to + herself. They were sitting one evening by the fire, when a lady appeared + standing by them. The princess opened her eyes in a great fright and + stared at her, and while she was doing so, the lady wrapped a shawl round + the baby that was sitting in its father’s lap, and either sank through the + ground with it or went up through the wide chimney. This time the mother + kept her bed for a month. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear,’ said she to her husband, when she was beginning to recover, ‘I + think I’d feel better if I was to see my father and mother and sisters + once more. If you give me leave to go home for a few days I’d be glad.’ + ‘Very well,’ said he, ‘I will do that, and whenever you feel inclined to + return, only mention your wish when you lie down at night.’ The next + morning when she awoke she found herself in her own old chamber in her + father’s palace. She rang the bell, and in a short time she had her mother + and father and married sisters about her, and they laughed till they cried + for joy at finding her safe back again. + </p> + <p> + In time she told them all that had happened to her, and they didn’t know + what to advise her to do. She was as fond of her husband as ever, and said + she was sure that he couldn’t help letting the children go; but still she + was afraid beyond the world to have another child torn from her. Well, the + mother and sisters consulted a wise woman that used to bring eggs to the + castle, for they had great faith in her wisdom. She said the only plan was + to secure the bear’s skin that the prince was obliged to put on every + morning, and get it burned, and then he couldn’t help being a man night + and day, and the enchantment would be at an end. + </p> + <p> + So they all persuaded her to do that, and she promised she would; and + after eight days she felt so great a longing to see her husband again that + she made the wish the same night, and when she woke three hours after, she + was in her husband’s palace, and he himself was watching over her. There + was great joy on both sides, and they were happy for many days. + </p> + <p> + Now she began to think how she never minded her husband leaving her in the + morning, and how she never found him neglecting to give her a sweet drink + out of a gold cup just as she was going to bed. + </p> + <p> + One night she contrived not to drink any of it, though she pretended to do + so; and she was wakeful enough in the morning, and saw her husband passing + out through a panel in the wainscot, though she kept her eyelids nearly + closed. The next night she got a few drops of the sleepy posset that she + saved the evening before put into her husband’s night drink, and that made + him sleep sound enough. She got up after midnight, passed through the + panel, and found a Beautiful brown bear’s hide hanging in the corner. Then + she stole back, and went down to the parlour fire, and put the hide into + the middle of it till it was all fine ashes. She then lay down by her + husband, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + If she was to live a hundred years she’d never forget how she wakened next + morning, and found her husband looking down on her with misery and anger + in his face. ‘Unhappy woman,’ said he, ‘you have separated us for ever! + Why hadn’t you patience for five years? I am now obliged, whether I like + or no, to go a three days’ journey to the witch’s castle, and marry her + daughter. The skin that was my guard you have burned it, and the egg-wife + that gave you the counsel was the witch herself. I won’t reproach you: + your punishment will be severe without it. Farewell for ever!’ + </p> + <p> + He kissed her for the last time, and was off the next minute, walking as + fast as he could. She shouted after him, and then seeing there was no use, + she dressed herself and pursued him. He never stopped, nor stayed, nor + looked back, and still she kept him in sight; and when he was on the hill + she was in the hollow, and when he was in the hollow she was on the hill. + Her life was almost leaving her, when, just as the sun was setting, he + turned up a lane, and went into a little house. She crawled up after him, + and when she got inside there was a beautiful little boy on his knees, and + he kissing and hugging him. ‘Here, my poor darling,’ says he, ‘is your + eldest child, and there,’ says he, pointing to a woman that was looking on + with a smile on her face, ‘is the eagle that carried him away.’ She forgot + all her sorrows in a moment, hugging her child, and laughing and crying + over him. The woman washed their feet, and rubbed them with an ointment + that took all the soreness out of their bones, and made them as fresh as a + daisy. Next morning, just before sunrise, he was up, and prepared to be + off, ‘Here,’ said he to her, ‘is a thing which may be of use to you. It’s + a scissors, and whatever stuff you cut with it will be turned into silk. + The moment the sun rises, I’ll lose all memory of yourself and the + children, but I’ll get it at sunset again. Farewell!’ But he wasn’t far + gone till she was in sight of him again, leaving her boy behind. It was + the same to-day as yesterday: their shadows went before them in the + morning and followed them in the evening. He never stopped, and she never + stopped, and as the sun was setting he turned up another lane, and there + they found their little daughter. It was all joy and comfort again till + morning, and then the third day’s journey commenced. + </p> + <p> + But before he started he gave her a comb, and told her that whenever she + used it, pearls and diamonds would fall from her hair. Still he had his + memory from sunset to sunrise; but from sunrise to sunset he travelled on + under the charm, and never threw his eye behind. This night they came to + where the youngest baby was, and the next morning, just before sunrise, + the prince spoke to her for the last time. ‘Here, my poor wife,’ said he, + ‘is a little hand-reel, with gold thread that has no end, and the half of + our marriage ring. If you ever get to my house, and put your half-ring to + mine, I shall recollect you. There is a wood yonder, and the moment I + enter it I shall forget everything that ever happened between us, just as + if I was born yesterday. Farewell, dear wife and child, for ever!’ Just + then the sun rose, and away he walked towards the wood. She saw it open + before him and close after him, and when she came up, she could no more + get in than she could break through a stone wall. She wrung her hands and + shed tears, but then she recollected herself, and cried out, ‘Wood, I + charge you by my three magic gifts, the scissors, the comb, and the reel—to + let me through’; and it opened, and she went along a walk till she came in + sight of a palace, and a lawn, and a woodman’s cottage on the edge of the + wood where it came nearest the palace. + </p> + <p> + She went into the lodge, and asked the woodman and his wife to take her + into their service. They were not willing at first; but she told them she + would ask no wages, and would give them diamonds, and pearls, and silk + stuffs, and gold thread whenever they wished for them, and then they + agreed to let her stay. + </p> + <p> + It wasn’t long till she heard how a young prince, that was just arrived, + was living in the palace of the young mistress. He seldom stirred abroad, + and every one that saw him remarked how silent and sorrowful he went + about, like a person that was searching for some lost thing. + </p> + <p> + The servants and conceited folk at the big house began to take notice of + the beautiful young woman at the lodge, and to annoy her with their + impudence. The head footman was the most troublesome, and at last she + invited him to come and take tea with her. Oh, how rejoiced he was, and + how he bragged of it in the servants’ hall! Well, the evening came, and + the footman walked into the lodge, and was shown to her sitting-room; for + the lodge-keeper and his wife stood in great awe of her, and gave her two + nice rooms for herself. Well, he sat down as stiff as a ramrod, and was + talking in a grand style about the great doings at the castle, while she + was getting the tea and toast ready. ‘Oh,’ says she to him, ‘would you put + your hand out at the window and cut me off a sprig or two of honeysuckle?’ + He got up in great glee, and put out his hand and head; and said she, ‘By + the virtue of my magic gifts, let a pair of horns spring out of your head, + and sing to the lodge.’ Just as she wished, so it was. They sprung from + the front of each ear, and met at the back. Oh, the poor wretch! And how + he bawled and roared! and the servants that he used to be boasting to were + soon flocking from the castle, and grinning, and huzzaing, and beating + tunes on tongs and shovels and pans; and he cursing and swearing, and the + eyes ready to start out of his head, and he so black in the face, and + kicking out his legs behind him like mad. + </p> + <p> + At last she pitied him, and removed the charm, and the horns dropped down + on the ground, and he would have killed her on the spot, only he was as + weak as water, and his fellow-servants came in and carried him up to the + big house. Well, some way or other the story came to the ears of the + prince, and he strolled down that way. She had only the dress of a + countrywoman on her as she sat sewing at the window, but that did not hide + her beauty, and he was greatly puzzled after he had a good look, just as a + body is puzzled to know whether something happened to him when he was + young or if he only dreamed it. Well, the witch’s daughter heard about it + too, and she came to see the strange girl; and what did she find her doing + but cutting out the pattern of a gown from brown paper; and as she cut + away, the paper became the richest silk she ever saw. The witch’s daughter + looked on with greedy eyes, and, says she, ‘What would you be satisfied to + take for that scissors?’ ‘I’ll take nothing,’ says she, ‘but leave to + spend one night outside the prince’s chamber.’ Well, the proud lady fired + up, and was going to say something dreadful; but the scissors kept on + cutting, and the silk growing richer and richer every inch. So she + promised what the girl had asked her. + </p> + <p> + When night came on she was let into the palace and lay down till the + prince was in such a dead sleep that all she did couldn’t awake him. She + sung this verse to him, sighing and sobbing, and kept singing it the night + long, and it was all in vain: + </p> + <p> + Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; + Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + </p> + <p> + At the first dawn the proud lady was in the chamber, and led her away, and + the footman of the horns put out his tongue at her as she was quitting the + palace. + </p> + <p> + So there was no luck so far; but the next day the prince passed by again + and looked at her, and saluted her kindly, as a prince might a farmer’s + daughter, and passed one; and soon the witch’s daughter passed by, and + found her combing her hair, and pearls and diamonds dropping from it. + </p> + <p> + Well, another bargain was made, and the princess spent another night of + sorrow, and she left the castle at daybreak, and the footman was at his + post and enjoyed his revenge. + </p> + <p> + The third day the prince went by, and stopped to talk with the strange + woman. He asked her could he do anything to serve her, and she said he + might. She asked him did he ever wake at night. He said that he often did, + but that during the last two nights he was listening to a sweet song in + his dreams, and could not wake, and that the voice was one that he must + have known and loved in some other world long ago. Says she, ‘Did you + drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you went to bed?’ + ‘I did,’ said he. ‘The two evenings my wife gave me something to drink, + but I don’t know whether it was a sleepy posset or not.’ ‘Well, prince,’ + said she, ‘as you say you would wish to oblige me, you can do it by not + tasting any drink to-night.’ ‘I will not,’ says he, and then he went on + his walk. + </p> + <p> + Well, the great lady came soon after the prince, and found the stranger + using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it, and the third + bargain was made. + </p> + <p> + That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight, and his mind + much disturbed; and the door opened, and in his princess walked, and down + she sat by his bedside and sung: + </p> + <p> + Four long years I was married to thee; Three sweet babes I bore to thee; + Brown Bear of Norway, turn to me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brown Bear of Norway!’ said he. ‘I don’t understand you.’ ‘Don’t you + remember, prince, that I was your wedded wife for four years?’ ‘I do not,’ + said he, ‘but I’m sure I wish it was so.’ ‘Don’t you remember our three + babes that are still alive?’ ‘Show me them. My mind is all a heap of + confusion.’ ‘Look for the half of our marriage ring, that hangs at your + neck, and fit it to this.’ He did so, and the same moment the charm was + broken. His full memory came back on him, and he flung his arms round his + wife’s neck, and both burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + Well, there was a great cry outside, and the castle walls were heard + splitting and cracking. Everyone in the castle was alarmed, and made their + way out. The prince and princess went with the rest, and by the time all + were safe on the lawn, down came the building, and made the ground tremble + for miles round. No one ever saw the witch and her daughter afterwards. It + was not long till the prince and princess had their children with them, + and then they set out for their own palace. The kings of Ireland and of + Munster and Ulster, and their wives, soon came to visit them, and may + every one that deserves it be as happy as the Brown Bear of Norway and his + family. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Little Lasse + </h2> + <p> + There was once a little boy whose name was Lars, and because he was so + little he was called Little Lasse; he was a brave little man, for he + sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat. + </p> + <p> + It was summer time, when the pea shells grew long and green in the garden. + Little Lasse crept into the pea bed where the pea stalks rose high above + his cap, and he picked seventeen large shells, the longest and straightest + he could find. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse thought, perhaps, that no one saw him; but that was foolish, + for God sees everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder, and he heard + something rustling in the pea bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think that must be a sparrow,’ he said. ‘Ras! Ras!’ but no sparrows + flew out, for Little Lasse had no wings, only two small legs. ‘Wait! I + will load my gun and shoot the sparrows,’ said the gardener. + </p> + <p> + Then Little Lasse was frightened, and crept out on to the path. + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive me, dear gardener!’ he said. ‘I wanted to get some fine boats.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I will this time,’ said the gardener. ‘But another time Little + Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea bed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ answered Lasse; and he went off to the shore. Then he opened the + shells with a pin, split them carefully in two, and broke small little + bits of sticks for the rowers’ seats. Then he took the peas which were in + the shells and put them in the boats for cargo. Some of the shells got + broken, some remained whole, and when all were ready Lasse had twelve + boats. But they should not be boats, they should be large warships. He had + three liners, three frigates, three brigs and three schooners. The largest + liner was called Hercules, and the smallest schooner The Flea. Little + Lasse put all the twelve into the water, and they floated as splendidly + and as proudly as any great ships over the waves of the ocean. + </p> + <p> + And now the ships must sail round the world. The great island over there + was Asia; that large stone Africa; the little island America; the small + stones were Polynesia; and the shore from which the ships sailed out was + Europe. The whole fleet set off and sailed far away to other parts of the + world. The ships of the line steered a straight course to Asia, the + frigates sailed to Africa, the brigs to America, and the schooners to + Polynesia. But Little Lasse remained in Europe, and threw small stones out + into the great sea. + </p> + <p> + Now, there was on the shore of Europe a real boat, father’s own, a + beautiful white-painted boat, and Little Lasse got into it. Father and + mother had forbidden this, but Little Lasse forgot. He thought he should + very much like to travel to some other part of the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall row out a little way—only a very little way,’ he thought. + The pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only looked like little + specks on the ocean. ‘I shall seize Hercules on the coast of Asia,’ said + Lasse, ‘and then row home again to Europe.’ + </p> + <p> + He shook the rope that held the boat, and, strange to say, the rope became + loose. Ditsch, ratsch, a man is a man, and so Little Lasse manned the + boat. + </p> + <p> + Now he would row—and he could row, for he had rowed so often on the + step sat home, when the steps pretended to be a boat and father’s big + stick an oar. But when Little Lasse wanted to row there were no oars to be + found in the boat. The oars were locked up in the boat-house, and Little + Lasse had not noticed that the boat was empty. It is not so easy as one + thinks to row to Asia without oars. + </p> + <p> + What could Little Lasse do now? The boat was already some distance out on + the sea, and the wind, which blew from land, was driving it still further + out. Lasse was frightened and began to cry. But there was no one on the + shore to hear him. Only a big crow perched alone in the birch tree; and + the gardener’s black cat sat under the birch tree, waiting to catch the + crow. Neither of them troubled themselves in the least about Little Lasse, + who was drifting out to sea. + </p> + <p> + Ah! how sorry Little Lasse was now that he had been disobedient and got + into the boat, when father and mother had so often forbidden him to do so! + Now it was too late, he could not get back to land. Perhaps he would be + lost out on the great sea. What should he do? + </p> + <p> + When he had shouted until he was tired and no one heard him, he put his + two little hands together and said, ‘Good God, do not be angry with Little + Lasse.’ And then he went to sleep. For although it was daylight, old Nukku + Matti was sitting on the shores of the ‘Land of Nod,’ and was fishing for + little children with his long fishing rod. He heard the low words which + Little Lasse said to God, and he immediately drew the boat to himself and + laid Little Lasse to sleep on a bed of rose leaves. + </p> + <p> + Then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams, ‘Play with Little Lasse, so + that he does not feel lonesome.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a little dream-boy, so little, so little, that he was less than + Lasse himself; he had blue eyes and fair hair, a red cap with a silver + band, and white coat with pearls on the collar. He came to Little Lasse + and said, ‘Would you like to sail round the world?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Lasse in his sleep, ‘I should like to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, then,’ said the dream-boy, ‘and let us sail in your pea-shell + boats. You shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The Flea.’ + </p> + <p> + So they sailed away from the ‘Land of Nod,’ and in a little while Hercules + and The Flea were on the shores of Asia away at the other end of the + world, where the Ice Sea flows through Behring Straits into the Pacific + Ocean. A long way off in the winter mist they could see the explorer + Nordenskiold with his ship Vega trying to find an opening between the ice. + It was so cold, so cold; the great icebergs glittered strangely, and the + huge whales now lived under the ice, for they could not make a hole + through with their awkward heads. All around on the dreary shore there was + snow and snow as far as the eye could see; little grey men in shaggy skins + moved about, and drove in small sledges through the snow drifts, but the + sledges were drawn by dogs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the whales would swallow us + up, and the big dogs bite us. Let us sail instead to another part of the + world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the red cap and the silver band; ‘it + is not far to America’—and at the same moment they were there. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining and it was very warm. Tall palm trees grew in long + rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches. Men red as + copper galloped over the immense green prairies and shot their arrows at + the buffaloes, who turned against them with their sharp horns. An enormous + cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw itself on to a + little llama that was grazing at the foot. Knaps! it was all over the + little llama. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘I am so afraid that the buffaloes will butt us, + and the great serpent eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the + world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well,’ said the dream-boy with the white coat, ‘it is only a little + way to Polynesia’—and then they were there. + </p> + <p> + It was very warm there, as warm as in a hot bath in Finland. Costly spices + grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon tree, ginger, saffron; + the coffee plant and the tea plant. Brown people with long ears and thick + lips, and hideously painted faces, hunted a yellow-spotted tiger among the + high bamboos on the shore, and the tiger turned on them and stuck its + claws into one of the brown men. Then all the others took to flight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘Don’t you see the tiger away there by the pepper + plant? Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can do so,’ said the dream-boy with the blue eyes. ‘We are not far + from Africa’—and as he said that they were there. + </p> + <p> + They anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were as green + as the greenest velvet. A little distance from the river an immense desert + stretched away. The air was yellow; the sun shone so hot, so hot as if it + would burn the earth to ashes, and the people were as black as the + blackest jet. They rode across the desert on tall camels; the lions roared + with thirst, and the great crocodiles with their grey lizard heads and + sharp white teeth gaped up out of the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Little Lasse. ‘The sun would burn us, and the lions and the + crocodiles would eat us up. Let us travel to another part of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can travel back to Europe,’ said the dream-boy with the fair hair. And + with that they were there. + </p> + <p> + They came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and friendly. + There stood the tall birch tree with its drooping leaves; at the top sat + the old crow, and at its foot crept the gardener’s black cat. Not far away + was a house which Little Lasse had seen before; near the house there was a + garden, and in the garden a pea bed with long pea shells. An old gardener + with a green coat walked about and wondered if the cucumbers were ripe. + Fylax was barking on the steps, and when he saw Little Lasse he wagged his + tail. Old Stina was milking the cows in the farmyard, and there was a very + familiar lady in a check woollen shawl on her way to the bleaching green + to see if the clothes were bleached. There was, too, a well-known + gentleman in a yellow summer coat, with a long pipe in his mouth; he was + going to see if the reapers had cut the rye. A boy and a girl were running + on the shore and calling out, ‘Little Lasse! Come home for + bread-and-butter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we land here?’ asked the dream-boy, and he blinked his blue eyes + roguishly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me, and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and-butter + and a glass of milk,’ said Little Lasse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait a little,’ said the dream-boy. And now Little Lasse saw that the + kitchen door was open, and from within there was heard a low, pleasant + frizzling, like that which is heard when one whisks yellow batter with a + wooden ladle into a hot frying-pan. + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now?’ said the happy dream-boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘No; they are frying pancakes in Europe just now,’ said Little Lasse; and + he wanted to jump ashore, but he could not. The dream-boy had tied him + with a chain of flowers, so that he could not move. And now all the little + dreams came about him, thousands and thousands of little children, and + they made a ring around him and sang a little song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The world is very, very wide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + And though you’ve sailed beyond the tide, + You can never tell how wide + It is on the other side, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + You have found it cold and hot, + Little Lasse, Lasse; + But in no land is God not, + Lasse, Little Lasse. + Many men live there as here, + But they all to God are dear, + Little Lasse, Lasse. + When His angel is your guide, + Little Lasse, Lasse, + Then no harm can e’er betide, + Even on the other side + Where the wild beasts wander. + But tell us now, + Whene’er you roam, + Do you not find the best is home + Of all the lands you’ve looked upon, + Lasse, Little Lasse? +</pre> + <p> + When the dreams had sung their song they skipped away, and Nukku Matti + carried Lasse back to the boat. He lay there for a long time quite still, + and he still heard the frying-pan frizzling at home of the fire, the + frizzling was very plain, Little Lasse heard it quite near him; and so he + woke up and rubbed his eyes. + </p> + <p> + There he lay in the boat, where he had fallen asleep. The wind had turned, + and the boat had drifted out with one wind and drifted in with another + while Little Lasse slept, and what Lasse thought was frizzling in a + frying-pan was the low murmur of the waves as they washed against the + stones on the shore. But he was not altogether wrong, for the clear blue + sea is like a great pan in which God’s sun all day makes cakes for good + children. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around him. + Everything was the same as before; the crow in the birch tree, the cat on + the grass, and the pea-shell fleet on the shore. Some of the ships had + foundered, and some had drifted back to land. Hercules had come back with + its cargo from Asia, The Flea had arrived from Polynesia, and the other + parts of the world were just where they were before. + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse did not know what to think. He had so often been in that + grotto in the ‘Land of Nod’ and did not know what tricks dreams can play. + But Little Lasse did not trouble his head with such things; he gathered + together his boats and walked up the shore back to the house. + </p> + <p> + His brother and sister ran to meet him, and called out from the distance, + ‘Where have you been so long, Lasse? Come home and get some + bread-and-butter.’ The kitchen door stood open, and inside was heard a + strange frizzling. + </p> + <p> + The gardener was near the gate, watering the dill and parsley, the carrots + and parsnips. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ he said, ‘where has Little Lasse been so long?’ + </p> + <p> + Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff, and answered: ‘I have sailed + round the world in a pea-shell boat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said the gardener. + </p> + <p> + He has forgotten Dreamland. But you have not forgotten it; you know that + it exists. You know the beautiful grotto and the bright silver walls whose + lustre never fades, the sparkling diamonds which never grow dim, the music + which never ceases its low, soft murmur through the sweet evening + twilight. The airy fairy fancies of happy Dreamland never grow old; they, + like the glorious stars above us, are always young. Perhaps you have + caught a glimpse of their ethereal wings as they flew around your pillow. + Perhaps you have met the same dream-boy with the blue eyes and the fair + hair, the one who wore the red cap with the silver band and the white coat + with pearls on the collar. Perhaps he has taken you to see all the + countries of the world and the peoples, the cold waste lands and the + burning deserts, the many coloured men and the wild creatures in the sea + and in the woods, so that you may earn many things, but come gladly home + again. Yes, who knows? Perhaps you also have sailed round the wide world + once in a pea-shell boat. + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ‘Moti’ + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a youth called Moti, who was very big and + strong, but the clumsiest creature you can imagine. So clumsy was he that + he was always putting his great feet into the bowls of sweet milk or curds + which his mother set out on the floor to cool, always smashing, upsetting, + breaking, until at last his father said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, Moti, are fifty silver pieces which are the savings of years; take + them and go and make your living or your fortune if you can.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick staff over + his shoulder, singing gaily to himself as he walked along. + </p> + <p> + In one way and another he got along very well until a hot evening when he + came to a certain city where he entered the travellers’ ‘serai’ or inn to + pass the night. Now a serai, you must know, is generally just a large + square enclosed by a high wall with an open colonnade along the inside all + round to accommodate both men and beasts, and with perhaps a few rooms in + towers at the corners for those who are too rich or too proud to care + about sleeping by their own camels and horses. Moti, of course, was a + country lad and had lived with cattle all his life, and he wasn’t rich and + he wasn’t proud, so he just borrowed a bed from the innkeeper, set it down + beside an old buffalo who reminded him of home, and in five minutes was + fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night he woke, feeling that he had been disturbed, + and putting his hand under his pillow found to his horror that his bag of + money had been stolen. He jumped up quietly and began to prowl around to + see whether anyone seemed to be awake, but, though he managed to arouse a + few men and beasts by falling over them, he walked in the shadow of the + archways round the whole serai without coming across a likely thief. He + was just about to give it up when he overheard two men whispering, and one + laughed softly, and peering behind a pillar, he saw two Afghan + horsedealers counting out his bag of money! Then Moti went back to bed! + </p> + <p> + In the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the + horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale. Choosing the + best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this horse for sale? may I try it?’ and, the merchants assenting, he + scrambled up on its back, dug in his heels, and off they flew. Now Moti + had never been on a horse in his life, and had so much ado to hold on with + both hands as well as with both legs that the animal went just where it + liked, and very soon broke into a break-neck gallop and made straight back + to the serai where it had spent the last few nights. + </p> + <p> + ‘This will do very well,’ thought Moti as they whirled in at the entrance. + As soon as the horse had arrived at its table it stopped of its own accord + and Moti immediately rolled off; but he jumped up at once, tied the beast + up, and called for some breakfast. Presently the Afghans appeared, out of + breath and furious, and claimed the horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ cried Moti, with his mouth full of rice, ‘it’s my + horse; I paid you fifty pieces of silver for it—quite a bargain, I’m + sure!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense! it is our horse,’ answered one of the Afghans beginning to + untie the bridle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave off,’ shouted Moti, seizing his staff; ‘if you don’t let my horse + alone I’ll crack your skulls! you thieves! I know you! Last night you took + my money, so to-day I took your horse; that’s fair enough!’ + </p> + <p> + Now the Afghans began to look a little uncomfortable, but Moti seemed so + determined to keep the horse that they resolved to appeal to the law, so + they went off and laid a complaint before the king that Moti had stolen + one of their horses and would not give it up nor pay for it. + </p> + <p> + Presently a soldier came to summon Moti to the king; and, when he arrived + and made his obeisance, the king began to question him as to why he had + galloped off with the horse in this fashion. But Moti declared that he had + got the animal in exchange for fifty pieces of silver, whilst the horse + merchants vowed that the money they had on them was what they had received + for the sale of other horses; and in one way and another the dispute got + so confusing that the king (who really thought that Moti had stolen the + horse) said at last, ‘Well, I tell you what I will do. I will lock + something into this box before me, and if he guesses what it is, the horse + is his, and if he doesn’t then it is yours.’ + </p> + <p> + To this Moti agreed, and the king arose and went out alone by a little + door at the back of the Court, and presently came back clasping something + closely wrapped up in a cloth under his robe, slipped it into the little + box, locked the box, and set it up where all might see. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said the king to Moti, ‘guess!’ + </p> + <p> + It happened that when the king had opened the door behind him, Moti + noticed that there was a garden outside: without waiting for the king’s + return he began to think what could be got out of the garden small enough + to be shut in the box. ‘Is it likely to be a fruit or a flower? No, not a + flower this time, for he clasped it too tight. Then it must be a fruit or + a stone. Yet not a stone, because he wouldn’t wrap a dirty stone in his + nice clean cloth. Then it is a fruit! And a fruit without much scent, or + else he would be afraid that I might smell it. Now what fruit without much + scent is in season just now? When I know that I shall have guessed the + riddle!’ + </p> + <p> + As has been said before, Moti was a country lad, and was accustomed to + work in his father’s garden. He knew all the common fruits, so he thought + he ought to be able to guess right; but so as not to let it seem too easy, + he gazed up at the ceiling with a puzzled expression, and looked down at + the floor with an air or wisdom and his fingers pressed against his + forehead, and then he said, slowly, with his eyes on the king,— + </p> + <p> + ‘It is freshly plucked! It is round and it is red! It is a pomegranate!’ + </p> + <p> + Now the king knew nothing about fruits except that they were good to eat; + and, as for seasons, he asked for whatever fruit he wanted whenever he + wanted it, and saw that he got it; so to him Moti’s guess was like a + miracle, and clear proof not only of his wisdom but of his innocence, for + it was a pomegranate that he had put into the box. Of course when the king + marvelled and praised Moti’s wisdom, everybody else did so too; and, + whilst the Afghans went off crestfallen, Moti took the horse and entered + the king’s service. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after this, Moti, who continued to live in the serai, came back + one wet and stormy evening to find that his precious horse had strayed. + Nothing remained of him but a broken halter cord, and no one knew what had + become of him. After inquiring of everyone who was likely to know, Moti + seized the cord and his big staff and sallied out to look for him. Away + and away he tramped out of the city and into the neighbouring forest, + tracking hoof-marks in the mud. Presently it grew late, but still Moti + wandered on until suddenly in the gathering darkness he came right upon a + tiger who was contentedly eating his horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘You thief!’ shrieked Moti, and ran up and, just as the tiger, in + astonishment, dropped a bone—whack! came Moti’s staff on his head + with such good will that the beast was half stunned and could hardly + breathe or see. Then Moti continued to shower upon him blows and abuse + until the poor tiger could hardly stand, whereupon his tormentor tied the + end of the broken halter round his neck and dragged him back to the serai. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had my horse,’ he said, ‘I will at least have you, that’s fair + enough!’ And he tied him up securely by the head and heels, much as he + used to tie the horse; then, the night being far gone, he flung himself + beside him and slept soundly. + </p> + <p> + You cannot imagine anything like the fright of the people in the serai, + when they woke up and found a tiger—very battered but still a tiger—securely + tethered amongst themselves and their beasts! Men gathered in groups + talking and exclaiming, and finding fault with the innkeeper for allowing + such a dangerous beast into the serai, and all the while the innkeeper was + just as troubled as the rest, and none dared go near the place where the + tiger stood blinking miserably on everyone, and where Moti lay stretched + out snoring like thunder. + </p> + <p> + At last news reached the king that Moti had exchanged his horse for a live + tiger; and the monarch himself came down, half disbelieving the tale, to + see if it were really true. Someone at last awaked Moti with the news that + his royal master was come; and he arose yawning, and was soon delightedly + explaining and showing off his new possession. The king, however, did not + share his pleasure at all, but called up a soldier to shoot the tiger, + much to the relief of all the inmates of the serai except Moti. If the + king, however, was before convinced that Moti was one of the wisest of + men, he was now still more convinced that he was the bravest, and he + increased his pay a hundredfold, so that our hero thought that he was the + luckiest of men. + </p> + <p> + A week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti, who on arrival + found his master in despair. A neighbouring monarch, he explained, who had + many more soldiers than he, had declared war against him, and he was at + his wits’ end, for he had neither money to buy him off nor soldiers enough + to fight him—what was he to do? + </p> + <p> + ‘If that is all, don’t you trouble,’ said Moti. ‘Turn out your men, and + I’ll go with them, and we’ll soon bring this robber to reason.’ + </p> + <p> + The king began to revive at these hopeful words, and took Moti off to his + stable where he bade him choose for himself any horse he liked. There were + plenty of fine horses in the stalls, but to the king’s astonishment Moti + chose a poor little rat of a pony that was used to carry grass and water + for the rest of the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘But why do you choose that beast?’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you see, your majesty,’ replied Moti, ‘there are so many chances + that I may fall off, and if I choose one of your fine big horses I shall + have so far to fall that I shall probably break my leg or my arm, if not + my neck, but if I fall off this little beast I can’t hurt myself much.’ + </p> + <p> + A very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war. The only weapon + he carried was his staff, and to help him to keep his balance on horseback + he had tied to each of his ankles a big stone that nearly touched the + ground as he sat astride the little pony. The rest of the king’s cavalry + were not very numerous, but they pranced along in armour on fine horses. + Behind them came a great rabble of men on foot armed with all sorts of + weapons, and last of all was the king with his attendants, very nervous + and ill at ease. So the army started. + </p> + <p> + They had not very far to go, but Moti’s little pony, weighted with a heavy + man and two big rocks, soon began to lag behind the cavalry, and would + have lagged behind the infantry too, only they were not very anxious to be + too early in the fight, and hung back so as to give Moti plenty of time. + The young man jogged along more and more slowly for some time, until at + last, getting impatient at the slowness of the pony, he gave him such a + tremendous thwack with his staff that the pony completely lost his temper + and bolted. First one stone became untied and rolled away in a cloud of + dust to one side of the road, whilst Moti nearly rolled off too, but + clasped his steed valiantly by its ragged mane, and, dropping his staff, + held on for dear life. Then, fortunately the other rock broke away from + his other leg and rolled thunderously down a neighbouring ravine. + Meanwhile the advanced cavalry had barely time to draw to one side when + Moti came dashing by, yelling bloodthirsty threats to his pony: + </p> + <p> + ‘You wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring your + neck! I’ll break every bone in your body!’ The cavalry thought that this + dreadful language was meant for the enemy, and were filled with admiration + of his courage. Many of their horses too were quite upset by this + whirlwind that galloped howling through their midst, and in a few minutes, + after a little plunging and rearing and kicking, the whole troop were + following on Moti’s heels. + </p> + <p> + Far in advance, Moti continued his wild career. Presently in his course he + came to a great field of castor-oil plants, ten or twelve feet high, big + and bushy, but quite green and soft. Hoping to escape from the back of his + fiery steed Moti grasped one in passing, but its roots gave way, and he + dashed on, with the whole plant looking like a young tree flourishing in + his grip. + </p> + <p> + The enemy were in battle array, advancing over the plain, their king with + them confident and cheerful, when suddenly from the front came a desperate + rider at a furious gallop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire!’ he cried, ‘save yourself! the enemy are coming!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sire!’ panted the messenger, ‘fly at once, there is no time to lose. + Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop. He flourishes + a tree for a club and is wild with anger, for as he goes he cries, “You + wait till I get hold of you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll wring your neck! + I’ll break every bone in your body!” Others ride behind, and you will do + well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes upon you.’ + </p> + <p> + Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw Moti + approaching at a hard gallop, looking indeed like a giant compared with + the little beast he rode, whirling his castor-oil plant, which in the + distance might have been an oak tree, and the sound of his revilings and + shoutings came down upon the breeze! Behind him the dust cloud moved to + the sound of the thunder of hoofs, whilst here and there flashed the + glitter of steel. The sight and the sound struck terror into the king, + and, turning his horse, he fled at top speed, thinking that a regiment of + yelling giants was upon him; and all his force followed him as fast as + they might go. One fat officer alone could not keep up on foot with that + mad rush, and as Moti came galloping up he flung himself on the ground in + abject fear. This was too much for Moti’s excited pony, who shied so + suddenly that Moti went flying over his head like a sky rocket, and + alighted right on the top of his fat foe. + </p> + <p> + Quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round his head + and to shout: + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are your men? Bring them up and I’ll kill them. My regiments! Come + on, the whole lot of you! Where’s your king? Bring him to me. Here are all + my fine fellows coming up and we’ll each pull up a tree by the roots and + lay you all flat and your houses and towns and everything else! Come on!’ + </p> + <p> + But the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees with his + hands together, gasping. At last, when he got his breath, Moti sent him + off to bring his king, and to tell him that if he was reasonable his life + should be spared. Off the poor man went, and by the time the troops of + Moti’s side had come up and arranged themselves to look as formidable as + possible, he returned with his king. The latter was very humble and + apologetic, and promised never to make war any more, to pay a large sum of + money, and altogether do whatever his conqueror wished. + </p> + <p> + So the armies on both sides went rejoicing home, and this was really the + making of the fortune of clumsy Moti, who lived long and contrived always + to be looked up to as a fountain of wisdom, valour, and discretion by all + except his relations, who could never understand what he had done to be + considered so much wiser than anyone else. + </p> + <p> + A Pushto Story. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Enchanted Deer + </h2> + <p> + A young man was out walking one day in Erin, leading a stout cart-horse by + the bridle. He was thinking of his mother and how poor they were since his + father, who was a fisherman, had been drowned at sea, and wondering what + he should do to earn a living for both of them. Suddenly a hand was laid + on his shoulder, and a voice said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you sell me your horse, son of the fisherman?’ and looking up he + beheld a man standing in the road with a gun in his hand, a falcon on his + shoulder, and a dog by his side. + </p> + <p> + ‘What will you give me for my horse?’ asked the youth. ‘Will you give me + your gun, and your dog, and your falcon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give them,’ answered the man, and he took the horse, and the youth + took the gun and the dog and the falcon, and went home with them. But when + his mother heard what he had done she was very angry, and beat him with a + stick which she had in her hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘That will teach you to sell my property,’ said she, when her arm was + quite tired, but Ian her son answered her nothing, and went off to his + bed, for he was very sore. + </p> + <p> + That night he rose softly, and left the house carrying the gun with him. + ‘I will not stay here to be beaten,’ thought he, and he walked and he + walked and he walked, till it was day again, and he was hungry and looked + about him to see if he could get anything to eat. Not very far off was a + farm-house, so he went there, and knocked at the door, and the farmer and + his wife begged him to come in, and share their breakfast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, you have a gun,’ said the farmer as the young man placed it in a + corner. ‘That is well, for a deer comes every evening to eat my corn, and + I cannot catch it. It is fortune that has sent you to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will gladly remain and shoot the deer for you,’ replied the youth, and + that night he hid himself and watched till the deer came to the cornfield; + then he lifted his gun to his shoulder and was just going to pull the + trigger, when, behold! instead of a deer, a woman with long black hair was + standing there. At this sight his gun almost dropped from his hand in + surprise, but as he looked, there was the deer eating the corn again. And + thrice this happened, till the deer ran away over the moor, and the young + man after her. + </p> + <p> + On they went, on and on and one, till they reached a cottage which was + thatched with heather. With a bound the deer sprang on the roof, and lay + down where none could see her, but as she did so she called out, ‘Go in, + fisher’s son, and eat and drink while you may.’ So he entered and found + food and wine on the table, but no man, for the house belonged to some + robbers, who were still away at their wicked business. + </p> + <p> + After Ian, the fisher’s son, had eaten all he wanted, he hid himself + behind a great cask, and very soon he heard a noise, as of men coming + through the heather, and the small twigs snapping under their feet. From + his dark corner he could see into the room, and he counted four and twenty + of them, all big, cross-looking men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some one has been eating our dinner,’ cried they, ‘and there was hardly + enough for ourselves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the man who is lying under the cask,’ answered the leader. ‘Go and + kill him, and then come and eat your food and sleep, for we must be off + betimes in the morning.’ + </p> + <p> + So four of them killed the fisher’s son and left him, and then went to + bed. + </p> + <p> + By sunrise they were all out of the house, for they had far to go. And + when they had disappeared the deer came off the roof, to where the dead + man lay, and she shook her head over him, and wax fell from her ear, and + he jumped up as well as ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘Trust me and eat as you did before, and no harm shall happen to you,’ + said she. So Ian ate and drank, and fell sound asleep under the cask. In + the evening the robbers arrived very tired, and crosser than they had been + yesterday, for their luck had turned and they had brought back scarcely + anything. + </p> + <p> + ‘Someone has eaten our dinner again,’ cried they. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the man under the barrel,’ answered the captain. ‘Let four of you + go and kill him, but first slay the other four who pretended to kill him + last night and didn’t because he is still alive.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Ian was killed a second time, and after the rest of the robbers had + eaten, they lay down and slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were their faces touched with the sun’s rays than they were up + and off. Then the deer entered and dropped the healing wax on the dead + man, and he was as well as ever. By this time he did not mind what befell + him, so sure was he that the deer would take care of him, and in the + evening that which had happened before happened again—the four + robbers were put to death and the fisher’s son also, but because there was + no food left for them to eat, they were nearly mad with rage, and began to + quarrel. From quarrelling they went on to fighting, and fought so hard + that by and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor. + </p> + <p> + Then the deer entered, and the fisher’s son was restored to life, and + bidding him follow her, she ran on to a little white cottage where dwelt + an old woman and her son, who was thin and dark. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I must leave you,’ said the deer, ‘but to-morrow meet me at midday + in the church that is yonder.’ And jumping across the stream, she vanished + into a wood. + </p> + <p> + Next day he set out for the church, but the old woman of the cottage had + gone before him, and had stuck an enchanted stick called ‘the spike of + hurt’ in a crack of the door, so that he would brush against it as he + stepped across the threshold. Suddenly he felt so sleepy that he could not + stand up, and throwing himself on the ground he sank into a deep slumber, + not knowing that the dark lad was watching him. Nothing could waken him, + not even the sound of sweetest music, nor the touch of a lady who bent + over him. A sad look came on her face, as she saw it was no use, and at + last she gave it up, and lifting his arm, wrote her name across the side—‘the + daughter of the king of the town under the waves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will come to-morrow,’ she whispered, though he could not hear her, and + she went sorrowfully away. + </p> + <p> + Then he awoke, and the dark lad told him what had befallen him, and he was + very grieved. But the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was + written underneath his arm. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the fisher’s son again went to the church, + determined that he would not go to sleep, whatever happened. But in his + hurry to enter he touched with his hand the spike of hurt, and sank down + where he stood, wrapped in slumber. A second time the air was filled with + music, and the lady came in, stepping softly, but though she laid his head + on her knee, and combed his hair with a golden comb, his eyes opened not. + Then she burst into tears, and placing a beautifully wrought box in his + pocket she went her way. + </p> + <p> + The next day the same thing befell the fisher’s son, and this time the + lady wept more bitterly than before, for she said it was the last chance, + and she would never be allowed to come any more, for home she must go. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the lady had departed the fisher’s son awoke, and the dark lad + told him of her visit, and how he would never see her as long as he lived. + At this the fisher’s son felt the cold creeping up to his heart, yet he + knew the fault had not been his that sleep had overtaken him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will search the whole world through till I find her,’ cried he, and the + dark lad laughed as he heard him. But the fisher’s son took no heed, and + off he went, following the sun day after day, till his shoes were in holes + and his feet were sore from the journey. Nought did he see but the birds + that made their nests in the trees, not so much as a goat or a rabbit. On + and on and on he went, till suddenly he came upon a little house, with a + woman standing outside it. + </p> + <p> + ‘All hail, fisher’s son!’ said she. ‘I know what you are seeking; enter in + and rest and eat, and to-morrow I will give you what help I can, and send + you on your way.’ + </p> + <p> + Gladly did Ian the fisher’s son accept her offer, and all that day he + rested, and the woman gave him ointment to put on his feet, which healed + his sores. At daybreak he got up, ready to be gone, and the woman bade him + farewell, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel. It is a + long road, and it would take you a year and a day to reach it, but put on + these old brown shoes with holes all over them, and you will be there + before you know it. Then shake them off, and turn their toes to the known, + and their heels to the unknown, and they will come home of themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + The fisher’s son did as the woman told him, and everything happened just + as she had said. But at parting the second sister said to him, as she gave + him another pair of shoes: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to my third sister, for she has a son who is keeper of the birds of + the air, and sends them to sleep when night comes. He is very wise, and + perhaps he can help you.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the young man thanked her, and went to the third sister. + </p> + <p> + The third sister was very kind, but had no counsel to give him, so he ate + and drank and waited till her son came home, after he had sent all the + birds to sleep. He thought a long while after his mother had told him the + young man’s story, and at last he said that he was hungry, and the cow + must be killed, as he wanted some supper. So the cow was killed and the + meat cooked, and a bag made of its red skin. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now get into the bag,’ bade the son, and the young man got in and took + his gun with him, but the dog and the falcon he left outside. The keeper + of the birds drew the string at the top of the bag, and left it to finish + his supper, when in flew an eagle through the open door, and picked the + bag up in her claws and carried it through the air to an island. There was + nothing to eat on the island, and the fisher’s son thought he would die of + food, when he remembered the box that the lady had put in his pocket. He + opened the lid, and three tiny little birds flew out, and flapping their + wings they asked, + </p> + <p> + ‘Good master, is there anything we can do for thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves,’ he answered, and one + little bird flew on to his head, and the others perched on each of his + shoulders, and he shut his eyes, and in a moment there he was in the + country under the sea. Then the birds flew away, and the young man looked + about him, his heart beating fast at the thought that here dwelt the lady + whom he had sought all the world over. + </p> + <p> + He walked on through the streets, and presently he reached the house of a + weaver who was standing at his door, resting from his work. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a stranger here, that is plain,’ said the weaver, ‘but come in, + and I will give you food and drink.’ And the young man was glad, for he + knew not where to go, and they sat and talked till it grew late. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay with me, I pray, for I love company and am lonely,’ observed the + weaver at last, and he pointed to a bed in a corner, where the fisher’s + son threw himself, and slept till dawn. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day,’ remarked the weaver, + ‘and the winner is to have the king’s daughter to wife.’ The young man + trembled with excitement at the news, and his voice shook as he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be a prize indeed, I should like to see the race.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, that is quite easy—anyone can go,’ replied the weaver. ‘I would + take you myself, but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a pity,’ returned the young man politely, but in his heart he + rejoiced, for he wished to be alone. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the house, he entered a grove of trees which stood behind, and + took the box from his pocket. He raised the lid, and out flew the three + little birds. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good master, what shall we do for thee?’ asked they, and he answered, + ‘Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen, and the grandest dress, and + glass shoes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are here, master,’ said the birds, and so they were, and never had + the young man seen anything so splendid. + </p> + <p> + Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were + assembling for the great race, and took his place among them. Many good + beasts were there which had won many races, but the horse of the fisher’s + son left them all behind, and he was first at the winning post. The king’s + daughter waited for him in vain to claim his prize, for he went back to + the wood, and got off his horse, and put on his old clothes, and bade the + box place some gold in his pockets. After that he went back to the + weaver’s house, and told him that the gold had been given him by the man + who had won the race, and that the weaver might have it for his kindness + to him. + </p> + <p> + Now as nobody had appeared to demand the hand of the princess, the king + ordered another race to be run, and the fisher’s son rode into the field + still more splendidly dressed than he was before, and easily distanced + everybody else. But again he left the prize unclaimed, and so it happened + on the third day, when it seemed as if all the people in the kingdom were + gathered to see the race, for they were filled with curiosity to know who + the winner could be. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he will not come of his own free will, he must be brought,’ said the + king, and the messengers who had seen the face of the victor were sent to + seek him in every street of the town. This took many days, and when at + last they found the young man in the weaver’s cottage, he was so dirty and + ugly and had such a strange appearance, that they declared he could not be + the winner they had been searching for, but a wicked robber who had + murdered ever so many people, but had always managed to escape. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it must be the robber,’ said the king, when the fisher’s son was led + into his presence; ‘build a gallows at once and hang him in the sight of + all my subjects, that they may behold him suffer the punishment of his + crimes.’ + </p> + <p> + So the gallows was built upon a high platform, and the fisher’s son + mounted the steps up to it, and turned at the top to make the speech that + was expected from every doomed man, innocent or guilt. As he spoke he + happened to raise his arm, and the king’s daughter, who was there at her + father’s side, saw the name which she had written under it. With a shriek + she sprang from her seat, and the eyes of the spectators were turned + towards her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop! stop!’ she cried, hardly knowing what she said. ‘If that man is + hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also.’ And running + up to where the fisher’s son was standing, she took him by the hand, + saying, + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, this is no robber or murderer, but the victor in the three races, + and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then, without waiting for a reply, she conducted him into the palace, and + he bathed in a marble bath, and all the dirt that the fairies had put upon + him disappeared like magic, and when he had dressed himself in the fine + garments the princess had sent to him, he looked a match for any king’s + daughter in Erin. He went down into the great hall where she was awaiting + him, and they had much to tell each other but little time to tell it in, + for the king her father, and the princes who were visiting him, and all + the people of the kingdom were still in their places expecting her return. + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you find me out?’ she whispered as they went down the passage. + </p> + <p> + ‘The birds in the box told me,’ answered he, but he could say no more, as + they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people. There + the princes stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘O kings!’ she said, turning towards them, ‘if one of you were killed + to-day, the rest would fly; but this man put his trust in me, and had his + head cut off three times. Because he has done this, I will marry him + rather than one of you, who have come hither to wed me, for many kings + here sought to free me from the spells, but none could do it save Ian the + fisher’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + From ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Fish Story + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps you think that fishes were always fishes, and never lived anywhere + except in the water, but if you went to Australia and talked to the black + people in the sandy desert in the centre of the country, you would learn + something quite different. They would tell you that long, long ago you + would have met fishes on the land, wandering from place to place, and + hunting all sorts of animals, and if you consider how fishes are made, you + will understand how difficult this must have been and how clever they were + to do it. Indeed, so clever were they that they might have been hunting + still if a terrible thing had not happened. + </p> + <p> + One day the whole fish tribe came back very tired from a hunting + expedition, and looked about for a nice, cool spot in which to pitch their + camp. It was very hot, and they thought that they could not find a more + comfortable place than under the branches of a large tree which grew by + the bank of a river. So they made their fire to cook some food, right on + the edge of a steep bank, which had a deep pool of water lying beneath it + at the bottom. While the food was cooking they all stretched themselves + lazily out under the tree, and were just dropping off to sleep when a big + black cloud which they had never noticed spread over the sun, and heavy + drops of rain began to fall, so that the fire was almost put out, and + that, you know, is a very serious thing in savage countries where they + have no matches, for it is very hard to light it again. To make matters + worse, an icy wind began to blow, and the poor fishes were chilled right + through their bodies. + </p> + <p> + ‘This will never do,’ said Thuggai, the oldest of the fish tribe. ‘We + shall die of cold unless we can light the fire again,’ and he bade his + sons rub two sticks together in the hope of kindling a flame, but though + they rubbed till they were tired, not a spark could they produce. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me try,’ cried Biernuga, the bony fish, but he had no better luck, + and no more had Kumbal, the bream, nor any of the rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is no use,’ exclaimed Thuggai, at last. ‘The wood is too wet. We must + just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries it.’ Then a very + little fish indeed, not more than four inches long and the youngest of the + tribe, bowed himself before Thuggai, saying, ‘Ask my father, Guddhu the + cod, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic more than most fishes.’ So + Thuggai asked him, and Guddhu stripped some pieces of bark off a tree, and + placed them on top of the smouldering ashes. Then he knelt by the side of + the fire and blew at it for a long while, till slowly the feeble red glow + became a little stronger and the edges of the bark showed signs of curling + up. When the rest of the tribe saw this they pressed close, keeping their + backs towards the piercing wind, but Guddhu told them they must go to the + other side, as he wanted the wind to fan his fire. By and by the spark + grew into a flame, and a merry crackling was heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘More wood,’ cried Guddhi, and they all ran and gathered wood and heaped + it on the flames, which leaped and roared and sputtered. + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall soon be warm now,’ said the people one to another. ‘Truly Guddhu + is great’; and they crowded round again, closer and closer. Suddenly, with + a shriek, a blast of wind swept down from the hills and blew the fire out + towards them. They sprang back hurriedly, quite forgetting where they + stood, and all fell down the bank, each tumbling over the other, till they + rolled into the pool that lay below. Oh, how cold it was in that dark + water on which the sun never shone! Then in an instant they felt warm + again, for the fire, driven by the strong wind, had followed them right + down to the bottom of the pool, where it burned as brightly as ever. And + the fishes gathered round it as they had done on the top of the cliff, and + found the flames as hot as before, and that fire never went out, like + those upon land, but kept burning for ever. So now you know why, if you + dive deep down below the cold surface of the water on a frosty day, you + will find it comfortable and pleasant underneath, and be quite sorry that + you cannot stay there. + </p> + <p> + Australian Folk Tale. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Wonderful Tune. + </h2> + <p> + Maurice Connor was the king, and that’s no small word, of all the pipers + in Munster. He could play jig and reel without end, and Ollistrum’s March, + and the Eagle’s Whistle, and the Hen’s Concert, and odd tunes of every + sort and kind. But he knew one far more surprising than the rest, which + had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing. + </p> + <p> + In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty + cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune. At the very + first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon the feet of all how + heard it—old or young, it mattered not—just as if the shoes + had the ague; then the feet began going, going, going from under them, and + at last up and away with them, dancing like mad, whisking here, there, and + everywhere, like a straw in a storm—there was no halting while the + music lasted. + </p> + <p> + Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a feast in the seven parishes round, was + counted worth the speaking of without ‘blind Maurice and his pipes.’ His + mother, poor woman, used to lead him about from one place to another just + like a dog. + </p> + <p> + Down through Iveragh, Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their + rounds. Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for stormy coasts and + steep mountains, as proper a spot it is as any in Ireland to get yourself + drowned, or your neck broken on the land, should you prefer that. But, + notwithstanding, in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of ground, well + fitted for diversion, and down from it, towards the water, is a clean + smooth piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer’s sea on a + moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it. + </p> + <p> + Here is was that Maurice’s music had brought from all parts a great + gathering of the young men and the young women; for ‘twas not every day + the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe. The + dance began; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced. ‘Brave + music,’ said everybody, ‘and well done,’ when Maurice stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the bellows,’ cried + Paddy Dorman, a hump-backed dancing master, who was there to keep order. + ‘’Tis a pity,’ said he, ‘if we’d let the piper run dry after such music; + ‘twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, that didn’t come on it since the week of + the three Sundays.’ So, as well became him, for he was always a decent + man, says he, ‘Did you drink, piper?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, sir,’ said Maurice, answering the question on the safe side, for + you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink. + </p> + <p> + ‘What will you drink, Maurice?’ says Paddy. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m no ways particular,’ says Maurice; ‘I drink anything, barring raw + water; but if it’s all the same to you, Mister Dorman, may be you wouldn’t + lend me the loan of a glass of whisky.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve no glass, Maurice,’ said Paddy; ‘I’ve only the bottle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let that be no hindrance,’ answered Maurice; ‘my mouth just holds a glass + to the drop; often I’ve tried it sure.’ + </p> + <p> + So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle—more fool was he; and, + to his cost, he found that though Maurice’s mouth might not hold more than + the glass at one time, yet, owing to the hole in his throat, it took many + a filling. + </p> + <p> + ‘That was no bad whisky neither,’ says Maurice, handing back the empty + bottle. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the holy frost, then!’ says Paddy, ‘’tis but cold comfort there’s in + that bottle now; and ‘tis your word we must take for the strength of the + whisky, for you’ve left us no sample to judge by’; and to be sure Maurice + had not. + </p> + <p> + Now I need not tell any gentleman or lady that if he or she was to drink + an honest bottle of whisky at one pull, it is not at all the same thing as + drinking a bottle of water; and in the whole course of my life I never + knew more than five men who could do so without being the worse. Of these + Maurice Connor was not one, though he had a stiff head enough of his own. + Don’t think I blame him for it; but true is the word that says, ‘When + liquor’s in sense is out’; and puff, at a breath, out he blasted his + wonderful tune. + </p> + <p> + ‘Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing. Maurice + himself could not keep quiet; staggering now on one leg, now on the other, + and rolling about like a ship in a cross sea, trying to humour the tune. + There was his mother, too, moving her old bones as light as the youngest + girl of them all; but her dancing, no, nor the dancing of all the rest, is + not worthy the speaking about to the work that was going on down upon the + strand. Every inch of it covered with all manner of fish jumping and + plunging about to the music, and every moment more and more would tumble + in and out of the water, charmed by the wonderful tune. Crabs of monstrous + size spun round and round on one claw with the nimbleness of a dancing + master, and twirled and tossed their other claws about like limbs that did + not belong to them. It was a sight surprising to behold. But perhaps you + may have heard of Father Florence Conry, as pleasant a man as one would + wish to drink with of a hot summer’s day; and he had rhymed out all about + the dancing fishes so neatly that it would be a thousand pities not to + give you his verses; so here they are in English: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The big seals in motion, + Like waves of the ocean, + Or gouty feet prancing, + Came heading the gay fish, + Crabs, lobsters, and cray-fish, + Determined on dancing. + + The sweet sounds they followed, + The gasping cod swallow’d— + ‘Twas wonderful, really; + And turbot and flounder, + ‘Mid fish that were rounder, + Just caper’d as gaily. + + John-dories came tripping; + Dull hake, by their skipping, + To frisk it seem’d given; + Bright mackrel went springing, + Like small rainbows winging + Their flight up to heaven. + + The whiting and haddock + Left salt water paddock + This dance to be put in; + Where skate with flat faces + Edged out some old plaices; + But soles kept their footing. + + Sprats and herrings in powers + Of silvery showers + All number out-numbered; + And great ling so lengthy + Was there in such plenty + The shore was encumber’d. + + The scallop and oyster + Their two shells did roister, + Like castanets flitting; + While limpets moved clearly, + And rocks very nearly + With laughter were splitting. +</pre> + <p> + Never was such a hullabaloo in this world, before or since; ‘twas as if + heaven and earth were coming together; and all out of Maurice Connor’s + wonderful tune! + </p> + <p> + In the height of all these doings, what should there be dancing among the + outlandish set of fishes but a beautiful young woman—as beautiful as + the dawn of day! She had a cocked hat upon her head; from under it her + long green hair—just the colour of the sea—fell down behind, + without hindrance to her dancing. Her teeth were like rows of pearls; her + lips for all the world looked like red coral; and she had a shining gown + pale green as the hollow of the wave, with little rows of purple and red + seaweeds settled out upon it; for you never yet saw a lady, under the + water or over the water, who had not a good notion of dressing herself + out. + </p> + <p> + Up she danced at last to Maurice, who was flinging his feet from under him + as fast as hops—for nothing in this world could keep still while + that tune of his was going on—and says she to him, chanting it out + with a voice as sweet as honey: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I’m a lady of honour + Who live in the sea; + Come down, Maurice Connor, + And be married to me. + Silver plates and gold dishes + You shall have, and shall be + The king of the fishes, + When you’re married to me. +</pre> + <p> + Drink was strong in Maurice’s head, and out he chanted in return for her + great civility. It is not every lady, may be, that would be after making + such an offer to a blind piper; therefore ‘twas only right in him to give + her as good as she gave herself, so says Maurice: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I’m obliged to you, madam: + Off a gold dish or plate, + If a king, and I had ‘em, + I could dine in great state. + With your own father’s daughter + I’d be sure to agree, + But to drink the salt water + Wouldn’t do so with me! +</pre> + <p> + The lady looked at him quite amazed, and swinging her head from side to + side like a great scholar, ‘Well,’ says she, ‘Maurice, if you’re not a + poet, where is poetry to be found?’ + </p> + <p> + In this way they kept on at it, framing high compliments; one answering + the other, and their feet going with the music as fast as their tongues. + All the fish kept dancing, too; Maurice heard the clatter and was afraid + to stop playing lest it might be displeasing to the fish, and not knowing + what so many of them may take it into their heads to do to him if they got + vexed. + </p> + <p> + Well, the lady with the green hair kept on coaxing Maurice with soft + speeches, till at last she over persuaded him to promise to marry her, and + be king over the fishes, great and small. Maurice was well fitted to be + their king, if they wanted one that could make them dance; and he surely + would drink, barring the salt water, with any fish of them all. + </p> + <p> + When Maurice’s mother saw him with that unnatural thing in the form of a + green-haired lady as his guide, and he and she dancing down together so + lovingly to the water’s edge, through the thick of the fishes, she called + out after him to stop and come back. ‘Oh, then,’ says she, ‘as if I was + not widow enough before, there he is going away from me to be married to + that scaly woman. And who knows but ‘tis grandmother I may be to a hake or + a cod—Lord help and pity me, but ‘tis a mighty unnatural thing! And + my be ‘tis boiling and eating my own grandchild I’ll be, with a bit of + salt butter, and I not knowing it! Oh, Maurice, Maurice, if there’s any + love or nature left in you, come back to your own ould mother, who reared + you like a decent Christian!’ Then the poor woman began to cry and sob so + finely that it would do anyone good to hear her. + </p> + <p> + Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water. There he kept + playing and dancing on as if nothing was the matter, and a great + thundering wave coming in towards him ready to swallow him up alive; but + as he could not see it, he did not fear it. His mother it was who saw it + plainly through the big tears that were rolling down her cheeks; and + though she saw it, and her heart was aching as much as ever mother’s heart + ached for a son, she kept dancing, dancing all the time for the bare life + of her. Certain it was she could not help it, for Maurice never stopped + playing that wonderful tune of his. + </p> + <p> + He only turned his ear to the sound of his mother’s voice, fearing it + might put him out in his steps, and all the answer he made back was, + ‘Whisht with you mother—sure I’m going to be king over the fishes + down in the sea, and for a token of luck, and a sign that I’m alive and + well, I’ll send you in, every twelvemonth on this day, a piece of burned + wood to Trafraska.’ Maurice had not the power to say a word more, for the + strange lady with the green hair, seeing the wave just upon them, covered + him up with herself in a thing like a cloak with a big hood to it, and the + wave curling over twice as high as their heads, burst upon the strand, + with a rush and a roar that might be heard as far as Cape Clear. + </p> + <p> + That day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in Trafraska. It + was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending all the way from the + bottom of the sea. A gown or a pair of shoes would have been something + like a present for his poor mother; but he had said it, and he kept his + word. The bit of burned wood regularly came ashore on the appointed day + for as good, ay, and better than a hundred years. The day is now + forgotten, and may be that is the reason why people say how Maurice Connor + has stopped sending the luck-token to his mother. Poor woman, she did not + live to get as much as one of them; for what through the loss of Maurice, + and the fear of eating her own grandchildren, she died in three weeks + after the dance. Some say it was the fatigue that killed her, but + whichever it was, Mrs. Connor was decently buried with her own people. + </p> + <p> + Seafaring people have often heard, off the coast of Kerry, on a still + night, the sound of music coming up from the water; and some, who have had + good ears, could plainly distinguish Maurice Connor’s voice singing these + words to his pipes— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Beautiful shore, with thy spreading strand, + Thy crystal water, and diamond sand; + Never would I have parted from thee, + But for the sake of my fair ladie. +</pre> + <p> + From ‘Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Rich Brother and the Poor Brother + </h2> + <p> + There was once a rich old man who had two sons, and as his wife was dead, + the elder lived with him, and helped him to look after his property. For a + long time all went well; the young man got up very early in the morning, + and worked hard all day, and at the end of every week his father counted + up the money they had made, and rubbed his hands with delight, as he saw + how big the pile of gold in the strong iron chest was becoming. ‘It will + soon be full now, and I shall have to buy a larger one,’ he said to + himself, and so busy was he with the thought of his money, that he did not + notice how bright his son’s face had grown, nor how he sometimes started + when he was spoken to, as if his mind was far away. + </p> + <p> + One day, however, the old man went to the city on business, which he had + not done for three years at least. It was market day, and he met with many + people he knew, and it was getting quite late when he turned into the inn + yard, and bade an ostler saddle his horse, and bring it round directly. + While he was waiting in the hall, the landlady came up for a gossip, and + after a few remarks about the weather and the vineyards she asked him how + he liked his new daughter-in-law, and whether he had been surprised at the + marriage. + </p> + <p> + The old man stared as he listened to her. ‘Daughter-in-law? Marriage?’ + said he. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about! I’ve got no + daughter-in-law, and nobody has been married lately, that I ever heard + of.’ + </p> + <p> + Now this was exactly what the landlady, who was very curious, wanted to + find out; but she put on a look of great alarm, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, dear! I hope I have not made mischief. I had no idea—or, of + course, I would not have spoken—but’—and here she stopped and + fumbled with her apron, as if she was greatly embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + ‘As you have said so much you will have to say a little more,’ retorted + the old man, a suspicion of what she meant darting across him; and the + woman, nothing loth, answered as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son has been + coming to town every week these many months past. And not by the shortest + way, either! No, it was over the river he rode, and across the hill and + past the cottage of Miguel the vine-keeper, whose daughter, they say, is + the prettiest girl in the whole country side, though she is too white for + my taste,’ and then the landlady paused again, and glanced up at the + farmer, to see how he was taking it. She did not learn much. He was + looking straight before him, his teeth set. But as she ceased to talk, he + said quietly, ‘Go on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is not much more to tell,’ replied the landlady, for she suddenly + remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry men who always + stopped at the inn on market days, before starting for home, ‘but one fine + morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill, and were + married. My cousin is servant to the priest, and she found out about it + and told me. But good-day to you, sir; here is your horse, and I must + hurry off to the kitchen.’ + </p> + <p> + It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road, for his + bridle hung loose on his neck, and his master took no heed of the way he + was going. When the farm-house was reached, the man led the animal to the + stable, and then went to look for his son. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know everything—you have deceived me. Get out of my sight at once—I + have done with you,’ he stammered, choking with passion as he came up to + the young man, who was cutting a stick in front of the door, whistling + gaily the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘But, father—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are no son of mine; I have only one now. Begone, or it will be the + worse for you,’ and as he spoke he lifted up his whip. + </p> + <p> + The young man shrank back. He feared lest his father should fall down in a + fit, his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head. But + it was no use staying: perhaps next morning the old man might listen to + reason, though in his heart the son felt that he would never take back his + words. So he turned slowly away, and walked heavily along a path which + ended in a cave on the side of his hill, and there he sat through the + night, thinking of what had happened. + </p> + <p> + Yes, he had been wrong, there was no doubt of that, and he did not quite + know how it had come about. He had meant to have told his father all about + it, and he was sure, quite sure, that if once the old man had seen his + wife, he would have forgiven her poverty on account of her great beauty + and goodness. But he had put it off from day to day, hoping always for a + better opportunity, and now this was the end! + </p> + <p> + If the son had no sleep that night, no more had the father, and as soon as + the sun rose, he sent a messenger into the great city with orders to bring + back the younger brother. When he arrived the farmer did not waste words, + but informed him that he was now his only heir, and would inherit all his + lands and money, and that he was to come and live at home, and to help + manage the property. + </p> + <p> + Though very pleased at the thought of becoming such a rich man—for + the brothers had never cared much for each other—the younger would + rather have stayed where he was, for he soon got tired of the country, and + longed for a town life. However, this he kept to himself, and made the + best of things, working hard like his brother before him. + </p> + <p> + In this way the years went on, but the crops were not so good as they had + been, and the old man gave orders that some fine houses he was building in + the city should be left unfinished, for it would take all the savings to + complete them. As to the elder son, he would never even hear his name + mentioned, and died at last without ever seeing his face, leaving to the + younger, as he had promised, all his lands, as well as his money. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and poorer. + He and his wife were always looking out for something to do, and never + spent a penny that they could help, but luck was against them, and at the + time of his father’s death they had hardly bread to eat or clothes to + cover them. If there had been only himself, he would have managed to get + on somehow, but he could not bear to watch his children becoming weaker + day by day, and swallowing his pride, at length he crossed the mountains + to his old home where his brother was living. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time for long that the two men had come face to face, and + they looked at each other in silence. Then tears rose in the eyes of the + elder, but winking them hastily away, he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother, it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am; you can + see that for yourself. I have not come to beg for money, but only to ask + if you will give me those unfinished houses of yours in the city, and I + will make them watertight, so that my wife and children can live in them, + and that will save our rent. For as they are, they profit you nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + And the younger brother listened and pitied him, and gave him the houses + that he asked for, and the elder went away happy. + </p> + <p> + For some years things went on as they were, and then the rich brother + began to feel lonely, and thought to himself that he was getting older, + and it was time for him to be married. The wife he chose was very wealthy, + but she was also very greedy, and however much she had, she always wanted + more. She was, besides, one of those unfortunate people who invariably + fancy that the possessions of other people must be better than their own. + Many a time her poor husband regretted the day that he had first seen her, + and often her meanness and shabby ways put him to shame. But he had not + the courage to rule her, and she only got worse and worse. + </p> + <p> + After she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go into the + city and buy herself some new dresses. She had never been there before, + and when she had finished her shopping, she thought she would pay a visit + to her unknown sister-in-law, and rest for a bit. The house she was + seeking was in a broad street, and ought to have been very magnificent, + but the carved stone portico enclosed a mean little door of rough wood, + while a row of beautiful pillars led to nothing. The dwelling on each side + were in the same unfinished condition, and water trickled down the walls. + Most people would have considered it a wretched place, and turned their + backs on it as soon as they could, but this lady saw that by spending some + money the houses could be made as splendid as they were originally + intended to be, and she instantly resolved to get them for herself. + </p> + <p> + Full of this idea she walked up the marble staircase, and entered the + little room where her sister-in-law sat, making clothes for her children. + The bride seemed full of interest in the houses, and asked a great many + questions about them, so that her new relations liked her much better than + they expected, and hoped they might be good friends. However, as soon as + she reached home, she went straight to her husband, and told him that he + must get back those houses from his brother, as they would exactly suit + her, and she could easily make them into a palace as fine as the king’s. + But her husband only told her that she might buy houses in some other part + of the town, for she could not have those, as he had long since made a + gift of them to his brother, who had lived there for many years past. + </p> + <p> + At this answer the wife grew very angry. She began to cry, and made such a + noise that all the neighbours heard her and put their heads out of the + windows, to see what was the matter. ‘It was absurd,’ she sobbed out, + ‘quite unjust. Indeed, if you came to think of it, the gift was worth + nothing, as when her husband made it he was a bachelor, and since then he + had been married, and she had never given her consent to any such thing.’ + And so she lamented all day and all night, till the poor man was nearly + worried to death; and at last he did what she wished, and summoned his + brother in a court of law to give up the houses which, he said, had only + been lent to him. But when the evidence on both sides had been heard, the + judge decided in favour of the poor man, which made the rich lady more + furious than ever, and she determined not to rest until she had gained the + day. If one judge would not give her the houses another should, and so + time after time the case was tried over again, till at last it came before + the highest judge of all, in the city of Evora. Her husband was heartily + tired and ashamed of the whole affair, but his weakness in not putting a + stop to it in the beginning had got him into this difficulty, and now he + was forced to go on. + </p> + <p> + On the same day the two brothers set out on their journey to the city, the + rich one on horseback, with plenty of food in his knapsack, the poor one + on foot with nothing but a piece of bread and four onions to eat on the + way. The road was hilly and neither could go very fast, and when night + fell, they were both glad to see some lights in a window a little distance + in front of them. + </p> + <p> + The lights turned out to have been placed there by a farmer, who had + planned to have a particularly good supper as it was his wife’s birthday, + and bade the rich man enter and sit down, while he himself took the horse + to the stable. The poor man asked timidly if he might spend the night in a + corner, adding that he had brought his own supper with him. Another time + permission might have been refused him, for the farmer was no lover of + humble folk, but now he gave the elder brother leave to come in, pointing + out a wooden chair where he could sit. + </p> + <p> + Supper was soon served, and very glad the younger brother was to eat it, + for his long ride had made him very hungry. The farmer’s wife, however, + would touch nothing, and at last declared that the only supper she wanted + was one of the onions the poor man was cooking at the fire. Of course he + gave it to her, though he would gladly have eaten it himself, as three + onions are not much at the end of a long day’s walk, and soon after they + all went to sleep, the poor man making himself as comfortable as he could + in his corner. + </p> + <p> + A few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans of his + wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I feel so ill, I’m sure I’m going to die,’ wept she. ‘It was that + onion, I know it was. I wish I had never eaten it. It must have been + poisoned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If the man has poisoned you he shall pay for it,’ said her husband, and + seizing a thick stick he ran downstairs and began to beat the poor man, + who had been sound asleep, and had nothing to defend himself with. + Luckily, the noise aroused the younger brother, who jumped up and snatched + the stick from the farmer’s hand, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit. Come too, and accuse him + there if he has attempted to rob you or murder you, but don’t kill him + now, or you will get yourself into trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, perhaps you are right,’ answered the farmer, ‘but the sooner that + fellow has his deserts, the better I shall be pleased,’ and without more + words he went to the stables and brought out a horse for himself and also + the black Andalusian mare ridden by the rich man, while the poor brother, + fearing more ill-treatment, started at once on foot. + </p> + <p> + Now all that night it had rained heavily, and did not seem likely to stop, + and in some places the road was so thick with mud that it was almost + impossible to get across it. In one spot it was so very bad that a mule + laden with baggage had got stuck in it, and tug as he might, his master + was quite unable to pull him out. The muleteer in despair appealed to the + two horseman, who were carefully skirting the swamp at some distance off, + but they paid no heed to his cries, and he began to talk cheerfully to his + mule, hoping to keep up his spirits, declaring that if the poor beast + would only have a little patience help was sure to come. + </p> + <p> + And so it did, for very soon the poor brother reached the place, + bespattered with mud from head to foot, but ready to do all he could to + help with the mule and his master. First they set about finding some stout + logs of wood to lay down on the marsh so that they could reach the mule, + for by this time his frantic struggles had broken his bridle, and he was + deeper in than ever. Stepping cautiously along the wood, the poor man + contrived to lay hold of the animal’s tale, and with a desperate effort + the mule managed to regain his footing on dry ground, but at the cost of + leaving his tail in the poor man’s hand. When he saw this the muleteer’s + anger knew no bounds, and forgetting that without the help given him he + would have lost his mule altogether, he began to abuse the poor man, + declaring that he had ruined his beast, and the law would make him pay for + it. Then, jumping on the back of the mule, which was so glad to be out of + the choking mud that he did not seem to mind the loss of his tail, the + ungrateful wretch rode on, and that evening reached the inn at Evora, + where the rich man and the farmer had already arrived for the night. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along, wondering what other + dreadful adventures were in store for him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall certainly be condemned for one or other of them,’ thought he + sadly; ‘and after all, if I have to die, I would rather choose my own + death than leave it to my enemies,’ and as soon as he entered Evora he + looked about for a place suitable for carrying out the plan he had made. + At length he found what he sought, but as it was too late and too dark for + him to make sure of success, he curled himself up under a doorway, and + slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + Although it was winter, the sun rose in a clear sky, and its rays felt + almost warm when the poor man got up and shook himself. He intended it to + be the day of his death, but in spite of that, and of the fact that he was + leaving his wife and children behind him, he felt almost cheerful. He had + struggled so long, and was so very, very tired; but he would not have + minded that if he could have proved his innocence, and triumphed over his + enemies. However, they had all been too clever for him, and he had no + strength to fight any more. So he mounted the stone steps that led to the + battlements of the city, and stopped for a moment to gaze about him. + </p> + <p> + It happened that an old sick man who lived near by had begged to be + carried out and to be laid at the foot of the wall so that the beams of + the rising sun might fall upon him, and he would be able to talk with his + friends as they passed by to their work. Little did he guess that on top + of the battlements, exactly over his head, stood a man who was taking his + last look at the same sun, before going to his death that awaited him. But + so it was; and as the steeple opposite was touched by the golden light, + the poor man shut his eyes and sprang forward. The wall was high, and he + flew rapidly through the air, but it was not the ground he touched, only + the body of the sick man, who rolled over and died without a groan. As for + the other, he was quite unhurt, and was slowly rising to his feet when his + arms were suddenly seized and held. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have killed our father, do you see? do you see?’ cried two young men, + ‘and you will come with us this instant before the judge, and answer for + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your father? but I don’t know him. What do you mean?’ asked the poor man, + who was quite bewildered with his sudden rush through the air, and could + not think why he should be accused of this fresh crime. But he got no + reply, and was only hurried through the streets to the court-house, where + his brother, the muleteer, and the farmer had just arrived, all as angry + as ever, all talking at once, till the judge entered and ordered them to + be silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will hear you one by one,’ he said, and motioned the younger brother to + begin. + </p> + <p> + He did not take long to state his case. The unfinished houses were his, + left him with the rest of the property by his father, and his brother + refused to give them up. In answer, the poor man told, in a few words, how + he had begged the houses from his brother, and produced the deed of gift + which made him their owner. + </p> + <p> + The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he gave his + verdict. + </p> + <p> + ‘The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were given, + and to whom they belong. And as you,’ he added, turning to the younger + brother, ‘brought this accusation knowing full well it was wicked and + unjust, I order you, besides losing the houses, to pay a thousand pounds + damages to your brother.’ + </p> + <p> + The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart, the poor man with + surprise and gratitude. But he was not safe yet, for now it was the turn + of the farmer. The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story, and + inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house, and + received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done + that he had not waited to see. Then the poor man told his tale, and once + more judgment was given in his favour, while twelve hundred pounds was + ordered to be paid him. As for the muleteer, he was informed very plainly + that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that had been + given him, and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a fine of fifty + pounds, and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown again. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there came the two sons of the sick man. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the wretch who killed our father,’ they said, ‘and we demand that + he should die also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you kill him?’ asked the judge, turning to the accused, and the + poor man told how he had leaped from the wall, not knowing that anyone was + beneath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, this is my judgment,’ replied the judge, when they had all spoken: + ‘Let the accused sit under the wall, and let the sons of the dead man jump + from the top and fall on him and kill him, and if they will not to this, + then they are condemned to pay eight hundred pounds for their false + accusation.’ + </p> + <p> + The young men looked at each other, and slowly shook their heads. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will pay the fine,’ said they, and the judge nodded. + </p> + <p> + So the poor man rode the mule home, and brought back to his family enough + money to keep them in comfort to the end of their days. + </p> + <p> + Adapted from the Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The One-Handed Girl + </h2> + <p> + An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees, and they + had one son and one daughter. They were all very happy together for many + years, and then the father became very ill, and felt he was going to die. + He called his children to the place where he lay on the floor—for no + one had any beds in that country—and said to his son, ‘I have no + herds of cattle to leave you—only the few things there are in the + house—for I am a poor man, as you know. But choose: will you have my + blessing or my property?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your property, certainly,’ answered the son, and his father nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you?’ asked the old man of the girl, who stood by her brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have blessing,’ she answered, and her father gave her much + blessing. + </p> + <p> + That night he died, and his wife and son and daughter mourned for him + seven days, and gave him a burial according to the custom of his people. + But hardly was the time of mourning over, than the mother was attacked by + a disease which was common in that country. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going away from you,’ she said to her children, in a faint voice; + ‘but first, my son, choose which you will have: blessing or property.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Property, certainly,’ answered the son. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you, my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have blessing,’ said the girl; and her mother gave her much + blessing, and that night she died. + </p> + <p> + When the days of mourning were ended, the brother bade his sister put + outside the hut all that belonged to his father and his mother. So the + girl put them out, and he took them away, save only a small pot and a + vessel in which she could clean her corn. But she had no corn to clean. + </p> + <p> + She sat at home, sad and hungry, when a neighbour knocked at the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘My pot has cracked in the fire, lend me yours to cook my supper in, and I + will give you a handful of corn in return.’ + </p> + <p> + And the girl was glad, and that night she was able to have supper herself, + and next day another woman borrowed her pot, and then another and another, + for never were known so many accidents as befell the village pots at that + time. She soon grew quite fat with all the corn she earned with the help + of her pot, and then one evening she picked up a pumpkin seed in a corner, + and planted it near her well, and it sprang up, and gave her many + pumpkins. + </p> + <p> + At last it happened that a youth from her village passed through the place + where the girl’s brother was, and the two met and talked. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news is there of my sister?’ asked the young man, with whom things + had gone badly, for he was idle. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is fat and well-liking,’ replied the youth, ‘for the women borrow her + mortar to clean their corn, and borrow her pot to cook it in, and for al + this they give her more food than she can eat.’ And he went his way. + </p> + <p> + Now the brother was filled with envy at the words of the man, and he set + out at once, and before dawn he had reached the hut, and saw the pot and + the mortar were standing outside. He slung them over his shoulders and + departed, pleased with his own cleverness; but when his sister awoke and + sought for the pot to cook her corn for breakfast, she could find it + nowhere. At length she said to herself, + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, some thief must have stolen them while I slept. I will go and see + if any of my pumpkins are ripe.’ And indeed they were, and so many that + the tree was almost broken by the weight of them. So she ate what she + wanted and took the others to the village, and gave them in exchange for + corn, and the women said that no pumpkins were as sweet as these, and that + she was to bring every day all that she had. In this way she earned more + than she needed for herself, and soon was able to get another mortar and + cooking pot in exchange for her corn. Then she thought she was quite rich. + </p> + <p> + Unluckily someone else thought so too, and this was her brother’s wife, + who had heard all about the pumpkin tree, and sent her slave with a + handful of grain to buy her a pumpkin. At first the girl told him that so + few were left that she could not spare any; but when she found that he + belonged to her brother, she changed her mind, and went out to the tree + and gathered the largest and the ripest that was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this one,’ she said to the slave, ‘and carry it back to your + mistress, but tell her to keep the corn, as the pumpkin is a gift.’ + </p> + <p> + The brother’s wife was overjoyed at the sight of the fruit, and when she + tasted it, she declared it was the nicest she had ever eaten. Indeed, all + night she thought of nothing else, and early in the morning she called + another slave (for she was a rich woman) and bade him go and ask for + another pumpkin. But the girl, who had just been out to look at her tree, + told him that they were all eaten, so he went back empty-handed to his + mistress. + </p> + <p> + In the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off, and found + his wife in tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I sent a slave with some grain to your sister to buy some pumpkins, but + she would not sell me any, and told me there were none, though I know she + lets other people buy them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, never mind now—go to sleep,’ said he, ‘and to-morrow I will + go and pull up the pumpkin tree, and that will punish her for treating you + so badly.’ + </p> + <p> + So before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister’s house, and found + her cleaning some corn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she wanted + one?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old ones are finished, and the new ones are not yet come,’ answered + the girl. ‘When her slave arrived two days ago, there were only four left; + but I gave him one, and would take no corn for it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not believe you; you have sold them all to other people. I shall go + and cut down the pumpkin,’ cried her brother in a rage. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you cut down the pumpkin you shall cut off my hand with it,’ exclaimed + the girl, running up to her tree and catching hold of it. But her brother + followed, and with one blow cut off the pumpkin and her hand too. + </p> + <p> + Then he went into the house and took away everything he could find, and + sold the house to a friend of his who had long wished to have it, and his + sister had no home to go to. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile she had bathed her arm carefully, and bound on it some healing + leaves that grew near by, and wrapped a cloth round the leaves, and went + to hide in the forest, that her brother might not find her again. + </p> + <p> + For seven days she wandered about, eating only the fruit that hung from + the trees above her, and every night she climbed up and tucked herself + safely among the creepers which bound together the big branches, so that + neither lions nor tigers nor panthers might get at her. + </p> + <p> + When she woke up on the seventh morning she saw from her perch smoke + coming up from a little town on the edge of the forest. The sight of the + huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than before. She longed + desperately for a draught of milk from a gourd, for there were no streams + in that part, and she was very thirsty, but how was she to earn anything + with only one hand? And at this thought her courage failed, and she began + to cry bitterly. + </p> + <p> + It happened that the king’s son had come out from the town very early to + shoot birds, and when the sun grew hot he left tired. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will lie here and rest under this tree,’ he said to his attendants. + ‘You can go and shoot instead, and I will just have this slave to stay + with me!’ Away they went, and the young man fell asleep, and slept long. + Suddenly he was awakened by something wet and salt falling on his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that? Is it raining?’ he said to his slave. ‘Go and look.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, master, it is not raining,’ answered the slave. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then climb up the tree and see what it is,’ and the slave climbed up, and + came back and told his master that a beautiful girl was sitting up there, + and that it must have been her tears which had fallen on the face of the + king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why was she crying?’ inquired the prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell—I did not dare to ask her; but perhaps she would tell + you.’ And the master, greatly wondering, climbed up the tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter with you?’ said he gently, and, as she only sobbed + louder, he continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you a woman, or a spirit of the woods?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a woman,’ she answered slowly, wiping her eyes with a leaf of the + creeper that hung about her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why do you cry?’ he persisted. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have many things to cry for,’ she replied, ‘more than you could ever + guess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come home with me,’ said the prince; ‘it is not very far. Come home to my + father and mother. I am a king’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why are you here?’ she said, opening her eyes and staring at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest,’ he + answered, ‘but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest. And you—what + are you doing up in this tree?’ + </p> + <p> + At that she began to cry again, and told the king’s son all that had + befallen her since the death of her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot come down with you, for I do not like anyone to see me,’ she + ended with a sob. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I will manage all that,’ said the king’s son, and swinging himself to + a lower branch, he bade his slave go quickly into the town, and bring back + with him four strong men and a curtained litter. When the man was gone, + the girl climbed down, and hid herself on the ground in some bushes. Very + soon the slave returned with the litter, which was placed on the ground + close to the bushes where the girl lay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now go, all of you, and call my attendants, for I do not wish to say here + any longer,’ he said to the men, and as soon as they were out of sight he + bade the girl get into the litter, and fasten the curtains tightly. Then + he got in on the other side, and waited till his attendants came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, O son of a king?’ asked they, breathless with + running. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I am ill; I am cold,’ he said, and signing to the bearers, he + drew the curtains, and was carried through the forest right inside his own + house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell my father and mother that I have a fever, and want some gruel,’ said + he, ‘and bid them send it quickly.’ + </p> + <p> + So the slave hastened to the king’s palace and gave his message, which + troubled both the king and the queen greatly. A pot of hot gruel was + instantly prepared, and carried over to the sick man, and as soon as the + council which was sitting was over, the king and his ministers went to pay + him a visit, bearing a message from the queen that she would follow a + little later. + </p> + <p> + Now the prince had pretended to be ill in order to soften his parent’s + hearts, and the next day he declared he felt better, and, getting into his + litter, was carried to the palace in state, drums being beaten all along + the road. + </p> + <p> + He dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up, a great parasol + being held over his head by a slave. Then he entered the cool, dark room + where his father and mother were sitting, and said to them: + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw a girl yesterday in the forest whom I wish to marry, and, unknown + to my attendants, I brought her back to my house in a litter. Give me your + consent, I beg, for no other woman pleases me as well, even though she has + but one hand!’ + </p> + <p> + Of course the king and queen would have preferred a daughter-in-law with + two hands, and one who could have brought riches with her, but they could + not bear to say ‘No’ to their son, so they told him it should be as he + chose, and that the wedding feast should be prepared immediately. + </p> + <p> + The girl could scarcely believe her good fortune, and, in gratitude for + all the kindness shown her, was so useful and pleasant to her husband’s + parents that they soon loved her. + </p> + <p> + By and bye a baby was born to her, and soon after that the prince was sent + on a journey by his father to visit some of the distant towns of the + kingdom, and to set right things that had gone wrong. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had he started than the girl’s brother, who had wasted all the + riches his wife had brought him in recklessness and folly, and was now + very poor, chanced to come into the town, and as he passed he heard a man + say, ‘Do you know that the king’s son has married a woman who has lost one + of her hands?’ On hearing these words the brother stopped and asked, + ‘Where did he find such a woman?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the forest,’ answered the man, and the cruel brother guessed at once + it must be his sister. + </p> + <p> + A great rage took possession of his soul as he thought of the girl whom he + had tried to ruin being after all so much better off than himself, and he + vowed that he would work her ill. Therefore that very afternoon he made + his way to the palace and asked to see the king. + </p> + <p> + When he was admitted to his presence, he knelt down and touched the ground + with his forehead, and the king bade him stand up and tell wherefore he + had come. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived, O king,’ said he. + ‘Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand. Do you know why she had + lost it? She was a witch, and has wedded three husbands, and each husband + she has put to death with her arts. Then the people of the town cut off + her hand, and turned her into the forest. And what I say is true, for her + town is my town also.’ + </p> + <p> + The king listened, and his face grew dark. Unluckily he had a hasty + temper, and did not stop to reason, and, instead of sending to the town, + and discovering people who knew his daughter-in-law and could have told + him how hard she had worked and how poor she had been, he believed all the + brother’s lying words, and made the queen believe them too. Together they + took counsel what they should do, and in the end they decided that they + also would put her out of the town. But this did not content the brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kill her,’ he said. ‘It is no more than she deserves for daring to marry + the king’s son. Then she can do no more hurt to anyone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We cannot kill her,’ answered they; ‘if we did, our son would assuredly + kill us. Let us do as the others did, and put her out of the town. And + with this the envious brother was forced to be content. + </p> + <p> + The poor girl loved her husband very much, but just then the baby was more + to her than all else in the world, and as long as she had him with her, + she did not very much mind anything. So, taking her son on her arm, and + hanging a little earthen pot for cooking round her neck, she left her + house with its great peacock fans and slaves and seats of ivory, and + plunged into the forest. + </p> + <p> + For a while she walked, not knowing whither she went, then by and bye she + grew tired, and sat under a tree to rest and to hush her baby to sleep. + Suddenly she raised her eyes, and saw a snake wriggling from under the + bushes towards her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a dead woman,’ she said to herself, and stayed quite still, for + indeed she was too frightened to move. In another minute the snake had + reached her side, and to her surprise he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Open your earthen pot, and let me go in. Save me from sun, and I will + save you from rain,’ and she opened the pot, and when the snake had + slipped in, she put on the cover. Soon she beheld another snake coming + after the other one, and when it had reached her it stopped and said, ‘Did + you see a small grey snake pass this way just now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ she answered, ‘it was going very quickly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I must hurry and catch it up,’ replied the second snake, and it + hastened on. + </p> + <p> + When it was out of sight, a voice from the pot said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Uncover me,’ and she lifted the lid, and the little grey snake slid + rapidly to the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am safe now,’ he said. ‘But tell me, where are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell you, for I do not know,’ she answered. ‘I am just wandering + in the wood.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Follow me, and let us go home together,’ said the snake, and the girl + followed his through the forest and along the green paths, till they came + to a great lake, where they stopped to rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘The sun is hot,’ said the snake, ‘and you have walked far. Take your baby + and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch far over + the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I will,’ answered she, and they went in. The baby splashed and + crowed with delight, and then he gave a spring and fell right in, down, + down, down, and his mother could not find him, though she searched all + among the reeds. + </p> + <p> + Full of terror, she made her way back to the bank, and called to the + snake, ‘My baby is gone!—he is drowned, and never shall I see him + again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go in once more,’ said the snake, ‘and feel everywhere, even among the + trees that have their roots in the water, lest perhaps he may be held fast + there.’ + </p> + <p> + Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand, even + putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies, where a crab could hardly + have taken shelter. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he is not here,’ she cried. ‘How am I to live without him?’ But the + snake took no notice, and only answered, ‘Put in your other arm too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of that?’ she asked, ‘when it has no hand to feel with?’ + but all the same she did as she was bid, and in an instant the wounded arm + touched something round and soft, lying between two stones in a clump of + reeds. + </p> + <p> + ‘My baby, my baby!’ she shouted, and lifted him up, merry and laughing, + and not a bit hurt or frightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you found him this time?’ asked the snake. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, oh, yes!’ she answered, ‘and, why—why—I have got my hand + back again!’ and from sheer joy she burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + The snake let her weep for a little while, and then he said— + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we will journey on to my family, and we will all repay you for the + kindness you showed to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand,’ replied the + girl; but the snake only smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be quick, lest the sun should set,’ he answered, and began to wriggle + along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him. + </p> + <p> + By and bye they arrived at the house in a tree where the snake lived, when + he was not travelling with his father and mother. And he told them all his + adventures, and how he had escaped from his enemy. The father and mother + snake could not do enough to show their gratitude. They made their guest + lie down on a hammock woven of the strong creepers which hung from bough + to bough, till she was quite rested after her wanderings, while they + watched the baby and gave him milk to drink from the cocoa-nuts which they + persuaded their friends the monkeys to crack for them. They even managed + to carry small fruit tied up in their tails for the baby’s mother, who + felt at last that she was safe and at peace. Not that she forgot her + husband, for she often thought of him and longed to show him her son, and + in the night she would sometimes lie awake and wonder where he was. + </p> + <p> + In this manner many weeks passed by. + </p> + <p> + And what was the prince doing? + </p> + <p> + Well, he had fallen very ill when he was on the furthest border of the + kingdom, and he was nursed by some kind people who did not know who he + was, so that the king and queen heard nothing about him. When he was + better he made his way home again, and into his father’s palace, where he + found a strange man standing behind the throne with the peacock’s + feathers. This was his wife’s brother, whom the king had taken into high + favour, though, of course, the prince was quite ignorant of what had + happened. + </p> + <p> + For a moment the king and queen stared at their son, as if he had been + unknown to them; he had grown so thin and weak during his illness that his + shoulders were bowed like those of an old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you forgotten me so soon?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of his voice they gave a cry and ran towards him, and poured + out questions as to what had happened, and why he looked like that. But + the prince did not answer any of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘How is my wife?’ he said. There was a pause. + </p> + <p> + Then the queen replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘She is dead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dead!’ he repeated, stepping a little backwards. ‘And my child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is dead too.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man stood silent. Then he said, ‘Show me their graves.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the king, who had been feeling rather uncomfortable, took + heart again, for had he not prepared two beautiful tombs for his son to + see, so that he might never, never guess what had been done to his wife? + All these months the king and queen had been telling each other how good + and merciful they had been not to take her brother’s advice and to put her + to death. But now, this somehow did not seem so certain. + </p> + <p> + Then the king led the way to the courtyard just behind the palace, and + through the gate into a beautiful garden where stood two splendid tombs in + a green space under the trees. The prince advanced alone, and, resting his + head against the stone, he burst into tears. His father and mother stood + silently behind with a curious pang in their souls which they did not + quite understand. Could it be that they were ashamed of themselves? + </p> + <p> + But after a while the prince turned round, and walking past them in to the + palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning. For seven days no one saw + him, but at the end of them he went out hunting, and helped his father + rule his people. Only no one dared to speak to him of his wife and son. + </p> + <p> + At last one morning, after the girl had been lying awake all night + thinking of her husband, she said to her friend the snake: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have all shown me much kindness, but now I am well again, and want to + go home and hear some news of my husband, and if he still mourns for me!’ + Now the heart of the snake was sad at her words, but he only said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, thus it must be; go and bid farewell to my father and mother, but if + they offer you a present, see that you take nothing but my father’s ring + and my mother’s casket.’ + </p> + <p> + So she went to the parent snakes, who wept bitterly at the thought of + losing her, and offered her gold and jewels as much as she could carry in + remembrance of them. But the girl shook her head and pushed the shining + heap away from her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never forget you, never,’ she said in a broken voice, ‘but the + only tokens I will accept from you are that little ring and this old + casket.’ + </p> + <p> + The two snakes looked at each other in dismay. The ring and the casket + were the only things they did not want her to have. Then after a short + pause they spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you want the ring and casket so much? Who has told you of them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nobody; it is just my fancy,’ answered she. But the old snakes shook + their heads and replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so; it is our son who told you, and, as he said, so it must be. If + you need food, or clothes, or a house, tell the ring and it will find them + for you. And if you are unhappy or in danger, tell the casket and it will + set things right.’ Then they both gave her their blessing, and she picked + up her baby and went her way. + </p> + <p> + She walked for a long time, till at length she came near the town where + her husband and his father dwelt. Here she stopped under a grove of palm + trees, and told the ring that she wanted a house. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is ready, mistress,’ whispered a queer little voice which made her + jump, and, looking behind her, she saw a lovely palace made of the finest + woods, and a row of slaves with tall fans bowing before the door. Glad + indeed was she to enter, for she was very tired, and, after eating a good + supper of fruit and milk which she found in one of the rooms, she flung + herself down on a pile of cushions and went to sleep with her baby beside + her. + </p> + <p> + Here she stayed quietly, and every day the baby grew taller and stronger, + and very soon he could run about and even talk. Of course the neighbours + had a great deal to say about the house which had been built so quickly—so + very quickly—on the outskirts of the town, and invented all kinds of + stories about the rich lady who lived in it. And by and bye, when the king + returned with his son from the wars, some of these tales reached his ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is really very odd about that house under the palms,’ he said to the + queen; ‘I must find out something of the lady whom no one ever sees. I + daresay it is not a lady at all, but a gang of conspirators who want to + get possession of my throne. To-morrow I shall take my son and my chief + ministers and insist on getting inside.’ + </p> + <p> + Soon after sunrise next day the prince’s wife was standing on a little + hill behind the house, when she saw a cloud of dust coming through the + town. A moment afterwards she heard faintly the roll of the drums that + announced the king’s presence, and saw a crowd of people approaching the + grove of palms. Her heart beat fast. Could her husband be among them? In + any case they must not discover her there; so just bidding the ring + prepare some food for them, she ran inside, and bound a veil of golden + gauze round her head and face. Then, taking the child’s hand, she went to + the door and waited. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes the whole procession came up, and she stepped forward and + begged them to come in and rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Willingly,’ answered the king; ‘go first, and we will follow you.’ + </p> + <p> + They followed her into a long dark room, in which was a table covered with + gold cups and baskets filled with dates and cocoa-nuts and all kinds of + ripe yellow fruits, and the king and the prince sat upon cushions and were + served by slaves, while the ministers, among whom she recognised her own + brother, stood behind. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I owe all my misery to him,’ she said to herself. ‘From the first he + has hated me,’ but outwardly she showed nothing. And when the king asked + her what news there was in the town she only answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have ridden far; eat first, and drink, for you must be hungry and + thirsty, and then I will tell you my news.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak sense,’ answered the king, and silence prevailed for some time + longer. Then he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, lady, I have finished, and am refreshed, therefore tell me, I pray + you, who you are, and whence you come? But, first, be seated.’ + </p> + <p> + She bowed her head and sat down on a big scarlet cushion, drawing her + little boy, who was asleep in a corner, on to her knee, and began to tell + the story of her life. As her brother listened, he would fain have left + the house and hidden himself in the forest, but it was his duty to wave + the fan of peacock’s feathers over the king’s head to keep off the flies, + and he knew he would be seized by the royal guards if he tried to desert + his post. He must stay where he was, there was no help for it, and luckily + for him the king was too much interested in the tale to notice that the + fan had ceased moving, and that flies were dancing right on the top of his + thick curly hair. + </p> + <p> + The story went on, but the story-teller never once looked at the prince, + even through her veil, though he on his side never moved his eyes from + her. When she reached the part where she had sat weeping in the tree, the + king’s son could restrain himself no longer. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is my wife,’ he cried, springing to where she sat with the sleeping + child in her lap. ‘They have lied to me, and you are not dead after all, + nor the boy either! But what has happened? Why did they lie to me? and why + did you leave my house where you were safe?’ And he turned and looked + fiercely at his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me finish my tale first, and then you will know,’ answered she, + throwing back her veil, and she told how her brother had come to the + palace and accused her of being a witch, and had tried to persuade the + king to slay her. ‘But he would not do that,’ she continued softly, ‘and + after all, if I had stayed on in your house, I should never have met the + snake, nor have got my hand back again. So let us forget all about it, and + be happy once more, for see! our son is growing quite a big boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what shall be done to your brother?’ asked the king, who was glad to + think that someone had acted in this matter worse than himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Put him out of the town,’ answered she. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Swaheli Tales,’ by E. Steere. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Bones of Djulung + </h2> + <p> + In a beautiful island that lies in the southern seas, where chains of gay + orchids bind the trees together, and the days and nights are equally long + and nearly equally hot, there once lived a family of seven sisters. Their + father and mother were dead, and they had no brothers, so the eldest girl + ruled over the rest, and they all did as she bade them. One sister had to + clean the house, a second carried water from the spring in the forest, a + third cooked their food, while to the youngest fell the hardest task of + all, for she had to cut and bring home the wood which was to keep the fire + continually burning. This was very hot and tiring work, and when she had + fed the fire and heaped up in a corner the sticks that were to supply it + till the next day, she often threw herself down under a tree, and went + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + One morning, however, as she was staggering along with her bundle on her + back, she thought that the river which flowed past their hut looked so + cool and inviting that she determined to bathe in it, instead of taking + her usual nap. Hastily piling up her load by the fire, and thrusting some + sticks into the flame, she ran down to the river and jumped in. How + delicious it was diving and swimming and floating in the dark forest, + where the trees were so thick that you could hardly see the sun! But after + a while she began to look about her, and her eyes fell on a little fish + that seemed made out of a rainbow, so brilliant were the colours he + flashed out. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like him for a pet,’ thought the girl, and the next time the + fish swam by, she put out her hand and caught him. Then she ran along the + grassy path till she came to a cave in front of which a stream fell over + some rocks into a basin. Here she put her little fish, whose name was + Djulung-djulung, and promising to return soon and bring him some dinner, + she went away. + </p> + <p> + By the time she got home, the rice for their dinner was ready cooked, and + the eldest sister gave the other six their portions in wooden bowls. But + the youngest did not finish hers, and when no one was looking, stole off + to the fountain in the forest where the little fish was swimming about. + </p> + <p> + ‘See! I have not forgotten you,’ she cried, and one by one she let the + grains of rice fall into the water, where the fish gobbled them up + greedily, for he had never tasted anything so nice. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is all for to-day,’ she said at last, ‘but I will come again + to-morrow,’ and biding him good-bye she went down the path. + </p> + <p> + Now the girl did not tell her sisters about the fish, but every day she + saved half of her rice to give him, and called him softly in a little song + she had made for herself. If she sometimes felt hungry, no one knew of it, + and, indeed, she did not mind that much, when she saw how the fish enjoyed + it. And the fish grew fat and big, but the girl grew thin and weak, and + the loads of wood felt heavier every day, and at last her sisters noticed + it. + </p> + <p> + Then they took counsel together, and watched her to see what she did, and + one of them followed her to the fountain where Djulung lived, and saw her + give him all the rice she had saved from her breakfast. Hastening home the + sister told the others what she had witnessed, and that a lovely fat fish + might be had for the catching. So the eldest sister went and caught him, + and he was boiled for supper, but the youngest sister was away in the + woods, and did not know anything about it. + </p> + <p> + Next morning she went as usual to the cave, and sang her little song, but + no Djulung came to answer it; twice and thrice she sang, then threw + herself on her knees by the edge, and peered into the dark water, but the + trees cast such a deep shadow that her eyes could not pierce it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Djulung cannot be dead, or his body would be floating on the surface,’ + she said to herself, and rising to her feet she set out homewards, feeling + all of a sudden strangely tired. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter with me?’ she thought, but somehow or other she + managed to reach the hut, and threw herself down in a corner, where she + slept so soundly that for days no one was able to wake her. + </p> + <p> + At length, one morning early, a cock began to crow so loud that she could + sleep no longer and as he continued to crow she seemed to understand what + he was saying, and that he was telling her that Djulung was dead, killed + and eaten by her sisters, and that his bones lay buried under the kitchen + fire. Very softly she got up, and took up the large stone under the fire, + and creeping out carried the bones to the cave by the fountain, where she + dug a hole and buried them anew. And as she scooped out the hole with a + stick she sang a song, bidding the bones grow till they became a tree—a + tree that reached up so high into the heavens that its leaves would fall + across the sea into another island, whose king would pick them up. + </p> + <p> + As there was no Djulung to give her rice to, the girl soon became fat + again, and as she was able to do her work as of old, her sisters did not + trouble about her. They never guessed that when she went into the forest + to gather her sticks, she never failed to pay a visit to the tree, which + grew taller and more wonderful day by day. Never was such a tree seen + before. Its trunk was of iron, its leaves were of silk, its flowers of + gold, and its fruit of diamonds, and one evening, though the girl did not + know it, a soft breeze took one of the leaves, and blew it across the sea + to the feet of one of the king’s attendants. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a curious leaf! I have never beheld one like it before. I must show + it to the king,’ he said, and when the king saw it he declared he would + never rest until he had found the tree which bore it, even if he had to + spend the rest of his life in visiting the islands that lay all round. + Happily for him, he began with the island that was nearest, and here in + the forest he suddenly saw standing before him the iron tree, its boughs + covered with shining leaves like the one he carried about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what sort of a tree is it, and how did it get here?’ he asked of the + attendants he had with him. No one could answer him, but as they were + about to pass out of the forest a little boy went by, and the king stopped + and inquired if there was anyone living in the neighbourhood whom he might + question. + </p> + <p> + ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his + finger to where the sun was setting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy + ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels + round his neck, had sent for them. + </p> + <p> + Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but + the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed + behind, to finish the work she was doing. The king welcomed the girls + eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as + they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing. + ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no + one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all + that the king wanted of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘But the boy told me there were seven of you, and there are only six + here,’ said the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, the youngest is at home, but she is always half asleep, and is of no + use except to cut wood for the fire,’ replied they in a breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be, but perhaps she dreams,’ answered the king. ‘Anyway, I will + speak to her also.’ Then he signed to one of his attendants, who followed + the path that the boy had taken to the hut. + </p> + <p> + Soon the man returned, with the girl walking behind him. And as soon as + she reached the tree it bowed itself to the earth before her, and she + stretched out her hand and picked some of its leaves and flowers and gave + them to the king. + </p> + <p> + ‘The maiden who can work such wonders is fitted to be the wife of the + greatest chief,’ he said, and so he married her, and took her with him + across the sea to his own home, where they lived happily for ever after. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Folk Lore,’ by A. F. Mackenzie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Sea King’s Gift + </h2> + <p> + There was once a fisherman who was called Salmon, and his Christian name + was Matte. He lived by the shore of the big sea; where else could he live? + He had a wife called Maie; could you find a better name for her? In winter + they dwelt in a little cottage by the shore, but in spring they flitted to + a red rock out in the sea and stayed there the whole summer until it was + autumn. The cottage on the rock was even smaller than the other; it had a + wooden bolt instead of an iron lock to the door, a stone hearth, a + flagstaff, and a weather-cock on the roof. + </p> + <p> + The rock was called Ahtola, and was not larger than the market-place of a + town. Between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four alder + bushes. Heaven only knows how they ever came there; perhaps they were + brought by the winter storms. Besides that, there flourished some tufts of + velvety grass, some scattered reeds, two plants of the yellow herb called + tansy, four of a red flower, and a pretty white one; but the treasures of + the rock consisted of three roots of garlic, which Maie had put in a + cleft. Rock walls sheltered them on the north side, and the sun shone on + them on the south. This does not seem much, but it sufficed Maie for a + herb plot. + </p> + <p> + All good things go in threes, so Matte and his wife fished for salmon in + spring, for herring in summer, and for cod in winter. When on Saturdays + the weather was fine and the wind favourable, they sailed to the nearest + town, sold their fish, and went to church on Sunday. But it often happened + that for weeks at a time they were quite alone on the rock Ahtola, and had + nothing to look at except their little yellow-brown dog, which bore the + grand name of Prince, their grass tufts, their bushes and blooms, the sea + bays and fish, a stormy sky and the blue, white-crested waves. For the + rock lay far away from the land, and there were no green islets or human + habitations for miles round, only here and there appeared a rock of the + same red stone as Ahtola, besprinkled day and night with the ocean spray. + </p> + <p> + Matte and Maie were industrious, hard-working folk, happy and contented in + their poor hut, and they thought themselves rich when they were able to + salt as many casks of fish as they required for winter and yet have some + left over with which to buy tobacco for the old man, and a pound or two of + coffee for his wife, with plenty of burned corn and chicory in it to give + it a flavour. Besides that, they had bread, butter, fish, a beer cask, and + a buttermilk jar; what more did they require? All would have gone well had + not Maie been possessed with a secret longing which never let her rest; + and this was, how she could manage to become the owner of a cow. + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you do with a cow?’ asked Matte. ‘She could not swim so far, + and our boat is not large enough to bring her over here; and even if we + had her, we have nothing to feed her on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass,’ rejoined Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, of course,’ laughed Matte, ‘and we have also three plants of garlic. + Garlic would be fine feeding for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Every cow likes salt herring,’ rejoined his wife. ‘Even Prince is fond of + fish.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be,’ said her husband. ‘Methinks she would soon be a dear cow if + we had to feed her on salt herring. All very well for Prince, who fights + with the gulls over the last morsel. Put the cow out of your head, mother, + we are very well off as we are.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie sighed. She knew well that her husband was right, but she could not + give up the idea of a cow. The buttermilk no longer tasted as good as + usual in the coffee; she thought of sweet cream and fresh butter, and of + how there was nothing in the world to be compared with them. + </p> + <p> + One day as Matte and his wife were cleaning herring on the shore they + heard Prince barking, and soon there appeared a gaily painted boat with + three young men in it, steering towards the rock. They were students, on a + boating excursion, and wanted to get something to eat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring us a junket, good mother,’ cried they to Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! if only I had such a thing!’ sighed Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘A can of fresh milk, then,’ said the students; ‘but it must not be skim.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, if only I had it!’ sighed the old woman, still more deeply. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! haven’t you got a cow?’ + </p> + <p> + Maie was silent. This question so struck her to the heart that she could + not reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have no cow,’ Matte answered; ‘but we have good smoked herring, and + can cook them in a couple of hours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, then, that will do,’ said the students, as they flung + themselves down on the rock, while fifty silvery-white herring were + turning on the spit in front of the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean?’ asked + one of them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahtola,’ answered the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King’s + dominion.’ + </p> + <p> + Matte did not understand. He had never read Kalevala and knew nothing of + the sea gods of old, but the students proceeded to explain to him.[FN#2: + Kalevala is a collection of old Finnish songs about gods and heroes.] + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahti,’ said they, ‘is a mighty king who lives in his dominion of Ahtola, + and has a rock at the bottom of the sea, and possesses besides a treasury + of good things. He rules over all fish and animals of the deep; he has the + finest cows and the swiftest horses that ever chewed grass at the bottom + of the ocean. He who stands well with Ahti is soon a rich man, but one + must beware in dealing with him, for he is very changeful and touchy. Even + a little stone thrown into the water might offend him, and then as he + takes back his gift, he stirs up the sea into a storm and drags the + sailors down into the depths. Ahti owns also the fairest maidens, who bear + the train of his queen Wellamos, and at the sound of music they comb their + long, flowing locks, which glisten in the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ cried Matte, ‘have your worships really seen all that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have as good as seen it,’ said the students. ‘It is all printed in a + book, and everything printed is true.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m not so sure of that,’ said Matte, as he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + But the herring were now ready, and the students ate enough for six, and + gave Prince some cold meat which they happened to have in the boat. Prince + sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed like a pussy cat. When all was + finished, the students handed Matte a shining silver coin, and allowed him + to fill his pipe with a special kind of tobacco. They then thanked him for + his kind hospitality and went on their journey, much regretted by Prince, + who sat with a woeful expression and whined on the shore as long as he + could see a flip of the boat’s white sail in the distance. + </p> + <p> + Maie had never uttered a word, but thought the more. She had good ears, + and had laid to heart the story about Ahti. ‘How delightful,’ thought she + to herself, ‘to possess a fairy cow! How delicious every morning and + evening to draw milk from it, and yet have no trouble about the feeding, + and to keep a shelf near the window for dishes of milk and junkets! But + this will never be my luck.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you thinking of?’ asked Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ said his wife; but all the time she was pondering over some + magic rhymes she had heard in her childhood from an old lame man, which + were supposed to bring luck in fishing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What if I were to try?’ thought she. + </p> + <p> + Now this was Saturday, and on Saturday evenings Matte never set the + herring-net, for he did not fish on Sunday. Towards evening, however, his + wife said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us set the herring-net just this once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said her husband, ‘it is a Saturday night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Last night was so stormy, and we caught so little,’ urged his wife; + ‘to-night the sea is like a mirror, and with the wind in this direction + the herring are drawing towards land.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But there are streaks in the north-western sky, and Prince was eating + grass this evening,’ said the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely he has not eaten my garlic,’ exclaimed the old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘No; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset,’ rejoined + Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ said his wife, ‘we will set only one net close to the + shore, and then we shall be able to finish up our half-filled cask, which + will spoil if it stands open so long.’ + </p> + <p> + The old man allowed himself to be talked over, and so they rowed out with + the net. When they reached the deepest part of the water, she began to hum + the words of the magic rhyme, altering the words to suit the longing of + her heart: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + Finest treasures have I heard, + And glittering fish belong to thee. + The richest pearls beyond compare + Are stored up in thy realm below, + And Ocean’s cows so sleek and fair + Feed on the grass in thy green meadow. + + King of the waters, far and near, + I ask not of thy golden store, + I wish not jewels of pearl to wear, + Nor silver either, ask I for, + But one is odd and even is two, + So give me a cow, sea-king so bold, + And in return I’ll give to you + A slice of the moon, and the sun’s gold. +</pre> + <p> + ‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, only the words of an old rhyme that keeps running in my head,’ + answered the old woman; and she raised her voice and went on: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give one onto me. +</pre> + <p> + ‘That’s a stupid sort of song,’ said Matte. ‘What else should one beg of + the sea-king but fish? But such songs are not for Sunday.’ + </p> + <p> + His wife pretended not to hear him, and sang and sang the same tune all + the time they were on the water. Matte heard nothing more as he sat and + rowed the heavy boat, while thinking of his cracked pipe and the fine + tobacco. Then they returned to the island, and soon after went to bed. + </p> + <p> + But neither Matte nor Maie could sleep a wink; the one thought of how he + had profaned Sunday, and the other of Ahti’s cow. + </p> + <p> + About midnight the fisherman sat up, and said to his wife: + </p> + <p> + ‘Dost thou hear anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill,’ said he; + ‘we shall have a storm.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it is nothing but your fancy,’ said his wife. + </p> + <p> + Matte lay down, but soon rose again. + </p> + <p> + ‘The weathercock is squeaking now,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just fancy! Go to sleep,’ said his wife; and the old man tried to. + </p> + <p> + For the third time he jumped out of bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ho! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice, as if it + had a fire inside it! We are going to have a tempest, and must bring in + the net.’ + </p> + <p> + Both rose. The summer night was as dark as if it had been October, the + weather-cock creaked, and the storm was raging in every direction. As they + went out the sea lay around them as white as now, and the spray was + dashing right over the fisher-hut. In all his life Matte had never + remembered such a night. To launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the + net was a thing not to be thought of. The fisherman and his wife stood + aghast on the doorstep, holding on fast by the doorpost, while the foam + splashed over their faces. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I not tell thee that there is no luck in Sunday fishing?’ said Matte + sulkily; and his wife was so frightened that she never even once thought + of Ahti’s cows. + </p> + <p> + As there was nothing to be done, they went in. Their eyes were heavy for + lack of slumber, and they slept as soundly as if there had not been such a + thing as an angry sea roaring furiously around their lonely dwelling. When + they awoke, the sun was high in the heavens, the tempest had cased, and + only the swell of the sea rose in silvery heavings against the red rock. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can that be?’ said the old woman, as she peeped out of the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘It looks like a big seal,’ said Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘As sure as I live, it’s a cow!’ exclaimed Maie. And certainly it was a + cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if it had been + fed all its days on spinach. It wandered peacefully up and down the shore, + and never so much as even looked at the poor little tufts of grass, as if + it despised such fare. + </p> + <p> + Matte could not believe his eyes. But a cow she seemed, and a cow she was + found to be; and when the old woman began to milk her, every pitcher and + pan, even to the baler, was soon filled with the most delicious milk. + </p> + <p> + The old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there, and + sallied forth to seek for his lost net. He had not proceeded far when he + found it cast up on the shore, and so full of fish that not a mesh was + visible. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all very fine to possess a cow,’ said Matte, as he cleaned the + fish; ‘but what are we going to feed her on?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall find some means,’ said his wife; and the cow found the means + herself. She went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in great + abundance near the shore, and always kept in good condition. Every one + Prince alone excepted, thought she was a clever beast; but Prince barked + at her, for he had now got a rival. + </p> + <p> + From that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets, and every net + was filled with fish. Matte and Maie grew fat on this fine living, and + daily became richer. She churned quantities of butter, and he hired two + men to help him in his fishing. The sea lay before him like a big fish + tank, out of which he hauled as many as he required; and the cow continued + to fend for herself. In autumn, when Matte and Maie went ashore, the cow + went to sea, and in spring, when they returned to the rock, there she + stood awaiting them. + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall require a better house,’ said Maie the following summer; ‘the + old one is too small for ourselves and the men.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Matte. So he built a large cottage, with a real lock to the + door, and a store-house for fish as well; and he and his men caught such + quantities of fish that they sent tons of salmon, herring, and cod to + Russian and Sweden. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am quite overworked with so many folk,’ said Maie; ‘a girl to help me + would not come amiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get one, then,’ said her husband; and so they hired a girl. + </p> + <p> + Then Maie said: ‘We have too little milk for all these folk. Now that I + have a servant, with the same amount of trouble she could look after three + cows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, then,’ said her husband, somewhat provoked, ‘you can sing a + song to the fairies.’ + </p> + <p> + This annoyed Maie, but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on Sunday night + and sang as before: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Ahti, with the long, long beard, + Who dwellest in the deep blue sea, + A thousand cows are in thy herd, + I pray thee give three unto me. +</pre> + <p> + The following morning, instead of one, three cows stood on the island, and + they all ate seaweed and fended for themselves like the first one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Art thou satisfied now?’ said Matte to his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said his wife, ‘if only I had two servants + to help, and if I had some finer clothes. Don’t you know that I am + addressed as Madam?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ said her husband. So Maie got several servants and clothes + fit for a great lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better dwelling + for summer. You might build us a two-storey house, and fetch soil to make + a garden. Then you might make a little arbour up there to let us have a + sea-view; and we might have a fiddler to fiddle to us of an evening, and a + little steamer to take us to church in stormy weather.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything more?’ asked Matte; but he did everything that his wife wished. + The rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that all the sea-urchins + and herring were lost in wonderment. Even Prince was fed on beefsteaks and + cream scones till at last he was as round as a butter jar. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you satisfied now?’ asked Matte. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be quite satisfied,’ said Maie, ‘if only I had thirty cows. At + least that number is required for such a household.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to the fairies,’ said Matte. + </p> + <p> + His wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king. Next morning + thirty cows stood on the shore, all finding food for themselves. + </p> + <p> + ‘Know’st thou, good man, that we are far too cramped on this wretched + rock, and where am I to find room for so many cows?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rubbish!’ said his wife. ‘Who can pump out the sea?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Try with thy new steamer, there is a pump in it.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her, but still her + mind was set upon the same subject. ‘I never could pump the sea out,’ + thought she, ‘but perhaps I might fill it up, if I were to make a big dam. + I might heap up sand and stones, and make our island as big again.’ + </p> + <p> + Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea. The fiddler was with + her, and fiddled so finely that Ahti and Wellamos and all the sea’s + daughters rose to the surface of the water to listen to the music. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that shining so brightly in the waves?’ asked Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine,’ answered the fiddler. + </p> + <p> + ‘Throw out the stones,’ said Maie. + </p> + <p> + The people in the boat began to throw out the stones, splash, splash, + right and left, into the foam. One stone hit the nose of Wellamos’s chief + lady-in-waiting, another scratched the sea queen herself on the cheek, a + third plumped close to Ahti’s head and tore off half of the sea-king’s + beard; then there was a commotion in the sea, the waves bubbled and + bubbled like boiling water in a pot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence comes this gust of wind?’ said Maie; and as she spoke the sea + opened and swallowed up the steamer. Maie sank to the bottom like a stone, + but, stretching out her arms and legs, she rose to the surface, where she + found the fiddler’s fiddle, and used it as a float. At the same moment she + saw close beside her the terrible head of Ahti, and he had only half a + beard!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you throw stones at me?’ roared the sea-king. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, your majesty, it was a mistake! Put some bear’s grease on your beard + and that will soon make it grow again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dame, did I not give you all you asked for—nay, even more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly, truly, your majesty. Many thanks for the cows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the moon that + you promised me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, your majesty, they have been scattered day and night upon the sea, + except when the sky was overcast,’ slyly answered Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll teach you!’ roared the sea-king; and with that he gave the fiddle + such a ‘puff’ that it sent the old woman up like a sky-rocket on to her + island. There Prince lay, as famished as ever, gnawing the carcase of a + crow. There sat Matte in his ragged grey jacket, quite alone, on the steps + of the old hut, mending a net. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heavens, mother,’ said he, ‘where are you coming from at such a whirlwind + pace, and what makes you in such a dripping condition?’ + </p> + <p> + Maie looked around her amazed, and said, ‘Where is our two-storey house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What house?’ asked her husband. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our big house, and the flower garden, and the men and the maids, and the + thirty beautiful cows, and the steamer, and everything else?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are talking nonsense, mother,’ said he. ‘The students have quite + turned your head, for you sang silly songs last evening while we were + rowing, and then you could not sleep till early morning. We had stormy + weather during the night, and when it was past I did not wish to waken + you, so rowed out alone to rescue the net.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I’ve seen Ahti,’ rejoined Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve been lying in bed, dreaming foolish fancies, mother, and then in + your sleep you walked into the water.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But there is the fiddle,’ said Maie. + </p> + <p> + ‘A fine fiddle! It is only an old stick. No, no, old woman, another time + we will be more careful. Good luck never attends fishing on a Sunday.’ + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Raspberry Worm + </h2> + <p> + ‘Phew!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ugh!’ cried Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘What now?’ cried the big sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘A worm!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘On the raspberry!’ cried Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kill it!’ cried Otto. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a fuss over a poor little worm!’ said the big sister scornfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘It crept out from that very large one,’ put in Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then they would have eaten the worm, too,’ said Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what harm?’ said Otto. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eat a worm!’ cried Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘And kill him with one bite!’ murmured Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just think of it!’ said Otto laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now it is crawling on the table,’ cried Aina again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Blow it away!’ said the big sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tramp on it!’ laughed Otto. + </p> + <p> + But Lisa took a raspberry leaf, swept the worm carefully on to the leaf + and carried it out into the yard. Then Aina noticed that a sparrow sitting + on the fence was just ready to pounce on the poor little worm, so she took + up the leaf, carried it out into the wood and hid it under a raspberry + bush where the greedy sparrow could not find it. Yes, and what more is + there to tell about a raspberry worm? Who would give three straws for such + a miserable little thing? Yes, but who would not like to live in such a + pretty home as it lives in; in such a fresh fragrant dark-red cottage, far + away in the quiet wood among flowers and green leaves! + </p> + <p> + Now it was just dinner time, so they all had a dinner of raspberries and + cream. ‘Be careful with the sugar, Otto,’ said the big sister; but Otto’s + plate was like a snowdrift in winter, with just a little red under the + snow. + </p> + <p> + Soon after dinner the big sister said: ‘Now we have eaten up the + raspberries and we have none left to make preserve for the winter; it + would be fine if we could get two baskets full of berries, then we could + clean them this evening, and to-morrow we could cook them in the big + preserving pan, and then we should have raspberry jam to eat on our + bread!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, let us go to the wood and pick,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, let us,’ said Aina. ‘You take the yellow basket and I will take the + green one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t get lost, and come back safely in the evening,’ said the big + sister. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greetings to the raspberry worm,’ said Otto, mockingly. ‘Next time I meet + him I shall do him the honour of eating him up.’ + </p> + <p> + So Aina and Lisa went off to the wood. Ah! how delightful it was there, + how beautiful! It was certainly tiresome sometimes climbing over the + fallen trees, and getting caught in the branches, and waging war with the + juniper bushes and the midges, but what did that matter? The girls climbed + well in their short dresses, and soon they were deep in the wood. + </p> + <p> + There were plenty of bilberries and elder berries, but no raspberries. + They wandered on and on, and at last they came... No, it could not be + true!... they came to a large raspberry wood. The wood had been on fire + once, and now raspberry bushes had grown up, and there were raspberry + bushes and raspberry bushes as far as the eye could see. Every bush was + weighted to the ground with the largest, dark red, ripe raspberries, such + a wealth of berries as two little berry pickers had never found before! + </p> + <p> + Lisa picked, Aina picked. Lisa ate, Aina ate, and in a little while their + baskets were full. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we shall go home,’ said Aina. ‘No, let us gather a few more,’ said + Lisa. So they put the baskets down on the ground and began to fill their + pinafores, and it was not long before their pinafores were full, too. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we shall go home,’ said Lina. ‘Yes, now we shall go home,’ said Aina. + Both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her apron in the other + and then turned to go home. But that was easier said than done. They had + never been so far in the great wood before, they could not find any road + nor path, and soon the girls noticed that they had lost their way. + </p> + <p> + The worst of it was that the shadows of the tress were becoming so long in + the evening sunlight, the birds were beginning to fly home, and the day + was closing in. At last the sun went down behind the pine tops, and it was + cool and dusky in the great wood. + </p> + <p> + The girls became anxious but went steadily on, expecting that the wood + would soon end, and that they would see the smoke from the chimneys of + their home. + </p> + <p> + After they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark. At last + they reached a great plain overgrown with bushes, and when they looked + around them, they saw, as much as they could in the darkness, that they + were among the same beautiful raspberry bushes from which they had picked + their baskets and their aprons full. Then they were so tired that they sat + down on a stone and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so hungry,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Aina, ‘if we had only two good meat sandwiches now.’ + </p> + <p> + As she said that, she felt something in her hand, and when she looked + down, she saw a large sandwich of bread and chicken, and at the same time + Lisa said: ‘How very queer! I have a sandwich in my hand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I, too,’ said Aina. ‘Will you dare to eat it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course I will,’ said Lisa. ‘Ah, if we only had a good glass of milk + now!’ + </p> + <p> + Just as she said that she felt a large glass of milk between her fingers, + and at the same time Aina cried out, ‘Lisa! Lisa! I have a glass of milk + in my hand! Isn’t it queer?’ + </p> + <p> + The girls, however, were very hungry, so they ate and drank with a good + appetite. When they had finished Aina yawned, stretched out her arms and + said: ‘Oh, if only we had a nice soft bed to sleep on now!’ + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her side, and + there beside Lisa was one too. This seemed to the girls more and more + wonderful, but tired and sleepy as they were, they thought no more about + it, but crept into the little beds, drew the coverlets over their heads + and were soon asleep. + </p> + <p> + When they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, the wood was beautiful in + the summer morning, and the birds were flying about in the branches and + the tree tops. + </p> + <p> + At first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that they had + slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes. They looked at each other, + they looked at their beds, which were of the finest flax covered over with + leaves and moss. At last Lisa said: ‘Are you awake, Aina?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Aina. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I am still dreaming,’ said Lisa. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Aina, ‘but there is certainly some good fairy living among + these raspberry bushes. Ah, if we had only a hot cup of coffee now, and a + nice piece of white bread to dip into it!’ + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she finished speaking when she saw beside her a little silver + tray with a gilt coffee-pot, two cups of rare porcelain, a sugar basin of + fine crystal, silver sugar tongs, and some good fresh white bread. The + girls poured out the beautiful coffee, put in the cream and sugar, and + tasted it; never in their lives had they drunk such beautiful coffee. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this,’ said Lisa + gratefully. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have, my little girls,’ said a voice just then from the bushes. + </p> + <p> + The children looked round wonderingly, and saw a little kind-looking old + man, in a white coat and a red cap, limping out from among the bushes, for + he was lame in his left foot; neither Lisa nor Aina could utter a word, + they were so filled with surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be afraid, little girls,’ he said smiling kindly at them; he could + not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked. ‘Welcome to my kingdom! + Have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed we have,’ said both the girls, ‘but tell us...’ and they + wanted to ask who the old man was, but were afraid to. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you who I am,’ said the old man; ‘I am the raspberry king, + who reigns over all this kingdom of raspberry bushes, and I have lived + here for more than a thousand years. But the great spirit who rules over + the woods, and the sea, and the sky, did not want me to become proud of my + royal power and my long life. Therefore he decreed that one day in every + hundred years I should change into a little raspberry worm, and live in + that weak and helpless form from sunrise to sunset. During that time my + life is dependent on the little worm’s life, so that a bird can eat me, a + child can pick me with the berries and trample under foot my thousand + years of life. Now yesterday was just my transformation day, and I was + taken with the raspberry and would have been trampled to death if you had + not saved my life. Until sunset I lay helpless in the grass, and when I + was swept away from your table I twisted one of my feet, and my mouth + became crooked with terror; but when evening came and I could take my own + form again, I looked for you to thank you and reward you. Then I found you + both here in my kingdom, and tried to meet you both as well as I could + without frightening you. Now I will send a bird from my wood to show you + the way home. Good-bye, little children, thank you for your kind hearts; + the raspberry king can show that he is not ungrateful.’ The children shook + hands with the old man and thanked him, feeling very glad that they had + saved the little raspberry worm. They were just going when the old man + turned round, smiled mischievously with his crooked mouth, and said: + ‘Greetings to Otto from me, and tell him when I meet him again I shall do + him the honour of eating him up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, please don’t do that,’ cried both the girls, very frightened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, for your sake I will forgive him,’ said the old man, ‘I am not + revengeful. Greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect a gift from + me, too. Good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + The two girls, light of heart, now took their berries and ran off through + the wood after the bird; and soon it began to get lighter in the wood and + they wondered how they could have lost their way yesterday, it seemed so + easy and plain now. + </p> + <p> + One can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home. Everyone had + been looking for them, and the big sister had not been able to sleep, for + she thought the wolves had eaten them up. + </p> + <p> + Otto met them; he had a basket in his hand and said: ‘Look, here is + something that an old man has just left for you.’ + </p> + <p> + When the girls looked into the basket they saw a pair of most beautiful + bracelets of precious stones, dark red, and made in the shape of a ripe + raspberry and with an inscription: ‘To Lisa and Aina’; beside them there + was a diamond breast pin in the shape of a raspberry worm: on it was + inscribed ‘Otto, never destroy the helpless!’ + </p> + <p> + Otto felt rather ashamed: he quite understood what it meant, but he + thought that the old man’s revenge was a noble one. + </p> + <p> + The raspberry king had also remembered the big sister, for when she went + in to set the table for dinner, she found eleven big baskets of most + beautiful raspberries, and no one knew how they had come there, but + everyone guessed. + </p> + <p> + And so there was such a jam-making as had never been seen before, and if + you like to go and help in it, you might perhaps get a little, for they + must surely be making jam still to this very day. + </p> + <p> + From Z. Topelius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Stones of Plouhinec + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps some of you may have read a book called ‘Kenneth; or the + Rear-Guard of the Grand Army’ of Napoleon. If so, you will remember how + the two Scotch children found in Russia were taken care of by the French + soldiers and prevented as far as possible from suffering from the horrors + of the terrible Retreat. One of the soldiers, a Breton, often tried to + make them forget how cold and hungry they were by telling them tales of + his native country, Brittany, which is full of wonderful things. The best + and warmest place round the camp fire was always given to the children, + but even so the bitter frost would cause them to shiver. It was then that + the Breton would begin: ‘Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the + sea,’ and would continue until Kenneth or Effie would interrupt him with + an eager question. Then he forgot how his mother had told him the tale, + and was obliged to begin all over again, so the story lasted a long while, + and by the time it was ended the children were ready to be rolled up in + what ever coverings could be found, and go to sleep. It is this story that + I am going to tell to you. + </p> + <p> + Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea. Around it stretches + a desolate moor, where no corn can be grown, and the grass is so coarse + that no beast grows fat on it. Here and there are scattered groves of fir + trees, and small pebbles are so thick on the ground that you might almost + take it for a beach. On the further side, the fairies, or korigans, as the + people called them, had set up long long ago two rows of huge stones; + indeed, so tall and heavy were they, that it seemed as if all the fairies + in the world could not have placed them upright. + </p> + <p> + Not far off them this great stone avenue, and on the banks of the little + river Intel, there lived a man named Marzinne and his sister Rozennik. + They always had enough black bread to eat, and wooden shoes or sabots to + wear, and a pig to fatten, so the neighbours thought them quite rich; and + what was still better, they thought themselves rich also. + </p> + <p> + Rozennik was a pretty girl, who knew how to make the best of everything, + and she could, if she wished, have chosen a husband from the young men of + Plouhinec, but she cared for none of them except Bernez, whom she had + played with all her life, and Bernez, though he worked hard, was so very + very poor that Marzinne told him roughly he must look elsewhere for a + wife. But whatever Marzinne might say Rozennik smiled and nodded to him as + before, and would often turn her head as she passed, and sing snatches of + old songs over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Christmas Eve had come, and all the men who worked under Marzinne or on + the farms round about were gathered in the large kitchen to eat the soup + flavoured with honey followed by rich puddings, to which they were always + invited on this particular night. In the middle of the table was a large + wooden bowl, with wooden spoons placed in a circle round it, so that each + might dip in his turn. The benches were filled, and Marzinne was about to + give the signal, when the door was suddenly thrown open, and an old man + came in, wishing the guests a good appetite for their supper. There was a + pause, and some of the faces looked a little frightened; for the new-comer + was well known to them as a beggar, who was also said to be a wizard who + cast spells over the cattle, and caused the corn to grow black, and old + people to die, of what, nobody knew. Still, it was Christmas Eve, and + besides it was as well not to offend him, so the farmer invited him in, + and gave him a seat at the table and a wooden spoon like the rest. + </p> + <p> + There was not much talk after the beggar’s entrance, and everyone was glad + when the meal came to an end, and the beggar asked if he might sleep in + the stable, as he should die of cold if he were left outside. Rather + unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave, and bade Bernez take the key and + unlock the door. There was certainly plenty of room for a dozen beggars, + for the only occupants of the stable were an old donkey and a thin ox; and + as the night was bitter, the wizard lay down between them for warmth, with + a sack of reeds for a pillow. + </p> + <p> + He had walked far that day, and even wizards get tired sometimes, so in + spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep, when midnight + struck from the church tower of Plouhinec. At this sound the donkey raised + her head and shook her ears, and turned towards the ox. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my dear cousin,’ said she, ‘and how have you fared since last + Christmas Eve, when we had a conversation together?’ + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering at once, the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of + disgust. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of talking,’ he replied roughly, ‘when a good-for-nothing + creature like that can hear all we say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you mustn’t lose time in grumbling,’ rejoined the donkey gaily, ‘and + don’t you see that the wizard is asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His wicked pranks do not make him rich, certainly,’ said the ox, ‘and he + isn’t even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might + befall him a week hence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What piece of luck?’ asked the donkey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, don’t you know,’ inquired the ox, ‘that once very hundred years the + stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river, and that while + they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I remember now,’ replied the donkey, ‘but the stones return so + quickly to their places, that you certainly would be crushed to death + unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved + trefoil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, but that is not enough,’ said the ox; ‘even supposing you get safely + by, the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust if you + do not give in exchange a baptised soul. It is needful that a Christian + should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec.’ + </p> + <p> + The donkey was about to ask some further questions, when she suddenly + found herself unable to speak: the time allowed them for conversation was + over. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my dear creatures,’ thought the beggar, who had of course heard + everything, ‘you are going to make me richer than the richest men of + Vannes or Lorient. But I have no time to lose; to-morrow I must begin to + hunt for the precious plants.’ + </p> + <p> + He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec, lest somebody who knew the + story might guess what he was doing, so he went away further towards the + south, where the air was softer and the plants are always green. From the + instant it was light, till the last rays had faded out of the sky, he + searched every inch of ground where the magic plants might grow; he + scarcely gave himself a minute to eat and drink, but at length he found + the crowsfoot in a little hollow! Well, that was certainly a great deal, + but after all, the crowsfoot was of no use without the trefoil, and there + was so little time left. + </p> + <p> + He had almost give up hope, when on the very last day before it was + necessary that he should start of Plouhinec, he came upon a little clump + of trefoil, half hidden under a rock. Hardly able to breathe from + excitement, he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which he had + torn up. Leaf after leaf he threw aside in disgust, and he had nearly + reached the end when he gave a cry of joy—the five-leaved trefoil + was in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The beggar scrambled to his feet, and without a pause walked quickly down + the road that led northwards. The moon was bright, and for some hours he + kept steadily on, not knowing how many miles he had gone, nor even feeling + tired. By and bye the sun rose, and the world began to stir, and stopping + at a farmhouse door, he asked for a cup of milk and slice of bread and + permission to rest for a while in the porch. Then he continued his + journey, and so, towards sunset on New Year’s Eve, he came back to + Plouhinec. + </p> + <p> + As he was passing the long line of stones, he saw Bernez working with a + chisel on the tallest of them all. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing there?’ called the wizard, ‘do you mean to hollow out + for yourself a bed in that huge column?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ replied Bernez quietly, ‘but as I happened to have no work to do + to-day, I thought I would just carve a cross on this stone. The holy sign + can never come amiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik,’ laughed the old + man. + </p> + <p> + Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, so you know about that,’ replied he; ‘unluckily Marzinne wants a + brother-in-law who has more pounds than I have pence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And suppose I were to give you more pounds than Marzinne ever dreamed + of?’ whispered the sorcerer glancing round to make sure that no one + overheard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what am I to do to gain the money,’ inquired Bernez, who knew quite + well that the Breton peasant gives nothing for nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What I want of you only needs a little courage,’ answered the old man. + </p> + <p> + ‘If that is all, tell me what I have got to do, and I will do it,’ cried + Bernez, letting fall his chisel. ‘If I have to risk thirty deaths, I am + ready.’ + </p> + <p> + When the beggar knew that Bernez would give him no trouble, he told him + how, during that very night, the treasures under the stones would be + uncovered, and how in a very few minutes they could take enough to make + them both rich for life. But he kept silence as to the fate that awaited + the man who was without the crowsfoot and the trefoil, and Bernez thought + that nothing but boldness and quickness were necessary. So he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Old man, I am grateful, indeed, for the chance you have given me, and + there will always be a pint of my blood at your service. Just let me + finish carving this cross. It is nearly done, and I will join you in the + fir wood at whatever hour you please.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must be there without fail an hour before midnight,’ answered the + wizard, and went on his way. + </p> + <p> + As the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec, Bernez entered the + wood. He found the beggar already there with a bag in each hand, and a + third slung round his neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are punctual,’ said the old man, ‘but we need not start just yet. You + had better sit down and think what you will do when your pockets are + filled with gold and silver and jewels.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, it won’t take me long to plan out that,’ returned Bernez with a + laugh. ‘I shall give Rozennik everything she can desire, dresses of all + sorts, from cotton to silk, and good things of all kinds to eat, from + white bread to oranges.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The silver you find will pay for all that, and what about the gold?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik’s relations and every friend of + hers in the parish,’ replied he. + </p> + <p> + ‘So much for the gold; and the jewels?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ cried Bernez, ‘I will divide the jewels amongst everybody in the + world, so that they may be wealthy and happy; and I will tell them that it + is Rozennik who would have it so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! it is close on midnight—we must go,’ whispered the wizard, + and together they crept to the edge of the wood. + </p> + <p> + With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the silent heath, + and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the two watchers. The next + moment by the light of the moon they beheld the huge stones near them + leave their places and go down the slope leading to the river, knocking + against each other in their haste. Passing the spot where stood Bernez and + the beggar, they were lost in the darkness. It seemed as if a procession + of giants had gone by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quick,’ said the wizard, in a low voice, and he rushed towards the empty + holes, which even in the night shone brightly from the treasures within + them. Flinging himself on his knees, the old man began filling the wallets + he had brought, listening intently all the time for the return of the + stones up the hill, while Bernez more slowly put handfuls of all he could + see into his pockets. + </p> + <p> + The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet, and was beginning to wonder + if he could carry away any more treasures when a low murmur as of a + distant storm broke upon his ears. + </p> + <p> + The stones had finished drinking, and were hastening back to their places. + </p> + <p> + On they came, bent a little forward, the tallest of them all at their + head, breaking everything that stood in their way. At the sight Bernez + stood transfixed with horror, and said, + </p> + <p> + ‘We are lost! They will crush us to death.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not me!’ answered the sorcerer, holding up the crowsfoot and the + five-leaved trefoil, ‘for these will preserve me. But in order to keep my + riches, I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the stones, and an evil + fate threw you in my way.’ And as he spoke he stretched out the magic + herbs to the stones, which were advancing rapidly. As if acknowledging a + power greater than theirs, the monstrous things instantly parted to the + right and left of the wizard, but closed their ranks again as they + approached Bernez. + </p> + <p> + The young man did not try to escape, he knew it was useless, and sank on + his knees and closed his eyes. But suddenly the tall stone that was + leading stopped straight in front of Bernez, so that no other could get + past. + </p> + <p> + It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross, and it was now a + baptized stone, and had power to save him. + </p> + <p> + So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had taken their + places, and then, darting like a bird to its own hole, came upon the + beggar, who, thinking himself quite safe, was staggering along under the + weight of his treasures. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the stone approaching, he held out the magic herbs which he + carried, but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the spells that + bound the rest, and passed straight on its way, leaving the wizard crushed + into powder in the heather. + </p> + <p> + Then Bernez went home, and showed his wealth to Marzinne, who this time + did not refuse him as a brother-in-law, and he and Rozennik were married, + and lived happy for ever after. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Royer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Castle of Kerglas + </h2> + <p> + Peronnik was a poor idiot who belonged to nobody, and he would have died + of starvation if it had not been for the kindness of the village people, + who gave him food whenever he chose to ask for it. And as for a bed, when + night came, and he grew sleepy, he looked about for a heap of straw, and + making a hole in it, crept in, like a lizard. Idiot though he was, he was + never unhappy, but always thanked gratefully those who fed him, and + sometimes would stop for a little and sing to them. For he could imitate a + lark so well, that no one knew which was Peronnik and which was the bird. + </p> + <p> + He had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours, and when + evening approached, he suddenly felt very hungry. Luckily, just at that + place the trees grew thinner, and he could see a small farmhouse a little + way off. Peronnik went straight towards it, and found the farmer’s wife + standing at the door holding in her hands the large bowl out of which her + children had eaten their supper. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am hungry, will you give me something to eat?’ asked the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you can find anything here, you are welcome to it,’ answered she, and, + indeed, there was not much left, as everybody’s spoon had dipped in. But + Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty appetite, and thought that he + had never tasted better food. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is made of the finest flour and mixed with the richest milk and + stirred by the best cook in all the countryside,’ and though he said it to + himself, the woman heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor innocent,’ she murmured, ‘he does not know what he is saying, but I + will cut him a slice of that new wheaten loaf,’ and so she did, and + Peronnik ate up every crumb, and declared that nobody less than the + bishop’s baker could have baked it. This flattered the farmer’s wife so + much that she gave him some butter to spread on it, and Peronnik was still + eating it on the doorstep when an armed knight rode up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas?’ cried the woman, turning + pale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; and in order to get there I have come from a country so far off that + it has taken me three months’ hard riding to travel as far as this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why do you want to go to Kerglas?’ said she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which are in the + castle,’ he answered. Then Peronnik looked up. + </p> + <p> + ‘The basin and the lance are very costly things,’ he said suddenly. + </p> + <p> + ‘More costly and precious than all the crowns in the world,’ replied the + stranger, ‘for not only will the basin furnish you with the best food that + you can dream of, but if you drink of it, it will cure you of any illness + however dangerous, and will even bring the dead back to life, if it + touches their mouths. As to the diamond lance, that will cut through any + stone or metal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And to whom do these wonders belong?’ asked Peronnik in amazement. + </p> + <p> + ‘To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle,’ answered the woman. + ‘Every day he passes along here, mounted on a black mare, with a colt + thirteen months old trotting behind. But no one dares to attack him, as he + always carries his lance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is true,’ said the knight, ‘but there is a spell laid upon him which + forbids his using it within the castle of Kerglas. The moment he enters, + the basin and lance are put away in a dark cellar which no key but one can + open. And that is the place where I wish to fight the magician.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never overcome him, Sir Knight,’ replied the woman, shaking her + head. ‘More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house bent on + the same errand, and not one has ever come back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know that, good woman,’ returned the knight, ‘but then they did not + have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what did the hermit tell you?’ asked Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘He told me that I should have to pass through a wood full of all sorts of + enchantments and voices, which would try to frighten me and make me lose + my way. Most of those who have gone before me have wandered they know not + where, and perished from cold, hunger, or fatigue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, suppose you get through safely?’ said the idiot. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I do,’ continued the knight, ‘I shall then meet a sort of fairy armed + with a needle of fire which burns to ashes all it touches. This dwarf + stands guarding an apple-tree, from which I am bound to pluck an apple.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And next?’ inquired Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Next I shall find the flower that laughs, protected by a lion whose mane + is formed of vipers. I must pluck that flower, and go on to the lake of + the dragons and fight the black man who holds in his hand the iron ball + which never misses its mark and returns of its own accord to its master. + After that, I enter the valley of pleasure, where some who conquered all + the other obstacles have left their bones. If I can win through this, I + shall reach a river with only one ford, where a lady in black will be + seated. She will mount my horse behind me, and tell me what I am to do + next.’ + </p> + <p> + He paused, and the woman shook her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never be able to do all that,’ said she, but he bade her + remembered that these were only matters for men, and galloped away down + the path she pointed out. + </p> + <p> + The farmer’s wife sighed and, giving Peronnik some more food, bade him + good-night. The idiot rose and was opening the gate which led into the + forest when the farmer himself came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want a boy to tend my cattle,’ he said abruptly, ‘as the one I had has + run away. Will you stay and do it?’ and Peronnik, though he loved his + liberty and hated work, recollected the good food he had eaten, and agreed + to stop. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise he collected his herd carefully and led them to the rich + pasture which lay along the borders of the forest, cutting himself a hazel + wand with which to keep them in order. + </p> + <p> + His task was not quite so easy as it looked, for the cows had a way of + straying into the wood, and by the time he had brought one back another + was off. He had gone some distance into the trees, after a naughty black + cow which gave him more trouble than all the rest, when he heard the noise + of horse’s feet, and peeping through the leaves he beheld the giant Rogear + seated on his mare, with the colt trotting behind. Round the giant’s neck + hung the golden bowl suspended from a chain, and in his hand he grasped + the diamond lance, which gleamed like fire. But as soon as he was out of + sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path he had taken. + </p> + <p> + This happened not only once but many times, till Peronnik grew so used to + him that he never troubled to hide. But on each occasion he saw him the + desire to possess the bowl and the lance became stronger. + </p> + <p> + One evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest, when a + man with a white beard stopped beside him. ‘Do you want to know the way to + Kerglas?’ asked the idiot, and the man answered ‘I know it well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been there without being killed by the magician?’ cried + Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! he had nothing to fear from me,’ replied the white-bearded man, ‘I am + Rogear’s elder brother, the wizard Bryak. When I wish to visit him I + always pass this way, and as even I cannot go through the enchanted wood + without losing myself, I call the colt to guide me.’ Stooping down as he + spoke he traced three circles on the ground and murmured some words very + low, which Peronnik could not hear. Then he added aloud: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Colt, free to run and free to eat. + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, +</pre> + <p> + and instantly the colt appeared, frisking and jumping to the wizard, who + threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back. + </p> + <p> + Peronnik kept silence at the farm about this adventure, but he understood + very well that if he was ever to get to Kerglas he must first catch the + colt which knew the way. Unhappily he had not heard the magic words + uttered by the wizard, and he could not manage to draw the three circles, + so if he was to summon the colt at all he must invent some other means of + doing it. + </p> + <p> + All day long, while he was herding the cows, he thought and thought how he + was to call the colt, for he felt sure that once on its back he could + overcome the other dangers. Meantime he must be ready in case a chance + should come, and he made his preparations at night, when everyone was + asleep. Remembering what he had seen the wizard do, he patched up an old + halter that was hanging in a corner of the stable, twisted a rope of hemp + to catch the colt’s feet, and a net such as is used for snaring birds. + Next he sewed roughly together some bits of cloth to serve as a pocket, + and this he filled with glue and lark’s feathers, a string of beads, a + whistle of elder wood, and a slice of bread rubbed over with bacon fat. + Then he went out to the path down which Rogear, his mare, and the colt + always rode, and crumbled the bread on one side of it. + </p> + <p> + Punctual to their hour all three appeared, eagerly watched by Peronnik, + who lay hid in the bushes close by. Suppose it was useless; suppose the + mare, and not the colt, ate the crumbs? Suppose—but no! the mare and + her rider went safely by, vanishing round a corner, while the colt, + trotting along with its head on the ground, smelt the bread, and began + greedily to lick up the pieces. Oh, how good it was! Why had no one ever + given it that before, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing about + after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up till it + felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, and—in + another moment—some one on its back. + </p> + <p> + Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into one of the + wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat trembling at the strange + sights he saw. Sometimes the earth seemed to open in front of them and he + was looking into a bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst into flames + and he found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the act of crossing + a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him away; and again, at + the foot of a mountain, great rocks would roll towards him, as if they + would crush him and his colt beneath their weight. To his dying day + Peronnik never knew whether these things were real or if he only imagined + them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so as to cover his eyes, and + trusted the colt to carry him down the right road. + </p> + <p> + At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain + where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and + found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though a + thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men + scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what + were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they—could + they be—wolves? + </p> + <p> + But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and very + soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a single + apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight of its + fruit. In front was the korigan—the little fairy man—holding + in his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched. + At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his + sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, + though he took care to remain at a little distance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not be alarmed, my prince,’ said Peronnik, ‘I am just on my way to + Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Begged you to come!’ repeated the dwarf, ‘and who, then, are you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,’ answered + Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know at all,’ rejoined the korigan sulkily, ‘and you may be a + robber for all I can tell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am so sorry,’ replied Peronnik, ‘but I may be wrong in calling myself a + servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay me, I pray, for + his highness the magician expects me, and, as you see, has lent me his + colt so that I may reach the castle all the quicker.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on the colt, + which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, and began to think + that the young man was speaking the truth. After examining the horse, he + studied the rider, who had such an innocent, and indeed vacant, air that + he appeared incapable of inventing a story. Still, the dwarf did not feel + quite sure that all was right, and asked what the magician wanted with a + bird-catcher. + </p> + <p> + ‘From what he says, he wants one very badly,’ replied Peronnik, ‘as he + declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his garden at Kerglas are + eaten up by the birds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?’ inquired the + korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, and remarked + that no bird could possible escape from it. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what I should like to be sure of,’ answered the korigan. ‘My + apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes. Lay your snare, + and if you can manage to catch them, I will let you pass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a fair bargain,’ and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down and + fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end of the net + to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the korigan to hold the + other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf did as he was bid, when + suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over his neck and drew it close, and the + korigan was held as fast as any of the birds he wished to snare. + </p> + <p> + Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only pulled the + knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, and Peronnik had + been careful to fix the net on the other side of the tree, so that it was + now easy for him to pluck an apple and to mount his horse, without being + hindered by the dwarf, whom he left to his fate. + </p> + <p> + When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found + themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of all + sorts of sweet-smelling things—roses of every colour, yellow broom, + pink honeysuckle—while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet + pansy whose face bore a strange expression. This was the flower that + laughs, and no one who looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik’s + heart beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second + trial, and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers + twisting and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove. + </p> + <p> + The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was, he + knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a cap is + more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all kinds of + good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was on the + right road to Kerglas. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is your business at Kerglas?’ asked the lion with a growl, and + showing his teeth. + </p> + <p> + ‘With all respect,’ answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened, + ‘I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and sends + him some larks for a pasty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Larks?’ cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. ‘Why, it must be a + century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As many as this bag will hold,’ replied Peronnik, opening, as he spoke, + the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to prove what he + said, he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a + lark. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come,’ exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, ‘show me the birds! I + should like to see if they are fat enough for my master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would do it with pleasure,’ answered the idiot, ‘but if I once open the + bag they will all fly away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,’ said the lion, drawing a + little nearer. + </p> + <p> + Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held the bag + while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside, so that + he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the mass of feathers and glue + stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik had + drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie. Then, + quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as the colt + could take him. + </p> + <p> + The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim across. + The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the water without + hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik they + approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him. + </p> + <p> + This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he threw the + beads he carried with him into the water, as you throw black corn to a + duck, and with each bead that he swallowed a dragon turned on his back and + died, so that the idiot reached the other side without further trouble. + </p> + <p> + The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him, and from afar + Peronnik beheld him, chained by one foot to a rock at the entrance, and + holding the iron ball which never missed its mark and always returned to + its master’s hand. In his head the black man had six eyes that were never + all shut at once, but kept watch one after the other. At this moment they + were all open, and Peronnik knew well that if the black man caught a + glimpse of him he would cast his ball. So, hiding the colt behind a + thicket of bushes, he crawled along a ditch and crouched close to the very + rock to which the black man was chained. + </p> + <p> + The day was hot, and after a while the man began to grow sleepy. Two of + his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a third eye shut, + and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily, and then + those of the fifth and the sixth. The black man was asleep altogether. + </p> + <p> + Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led over soft + moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a delicious garden full + of fruits that dangled before your mouth, fountains running with wine, and + flowers chanting in soft little voices. Further on, tables were spread + with food, and girls dancing on the grass called to him to join them. + </p> + <p> + Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a + slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, and raised his + head the better to see the dancers. Another instant and he would have + stopped altogether and been lost, like others before him, when suddenly + there came to him like a vision the golden bowl and the diamond lance. + Drawing his whistle from his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown the + sweet sounds about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon to + still the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on the + ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers. + </p> + <p> + In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at length + perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between them which had + only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old man had told him? Yes, + surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in a black satin dress, and her + face the colour of a Moorish woman’s. The idiot rode up, and took off his + cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to cross the + river. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was waiting for you to help me do so,’ answered she. ‘Come near, that I + may get up behind you.’ + </p> + <p> + Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped nimbly + on to the back of the colt. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know how to kill the magician?’ asked the lady, as they were + crossing the ford. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no one could + kill him,’ replied Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that is not + enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the plague,’ answered + she. + </p> + <p> + ‘But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the diamond lance + that are hidden in the cellar without a key?’ rejoined Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all darkness,’ said + the lady; and as she spoke, they reached the further bank, and advanced + towards the castle. + </p> + <p> + In front of the entrance was a sort of tent supported on poles, and under + it the giant was sitting, basking in the sun. As soon as he noticed the + colt bearing Peronnik and the lady, he lifted his head, and cried in a + voice of thunder: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it is surely the idiot, riding my colt thirteen months old!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Greatest of magicians, you are right,’ answered Peronnik. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how did you manage to catch him?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge of the + forest,’ replied the idiot. ‘I just said— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Colt, free to run and free to eat, + Colt, gallop fast until we meet, +</pre> + <p> + and it came directly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know my brother, then?’ inquired the giant. ‘Tell me why he sent you + here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To bring you two gifts which he has just received from the country of the + Moors,’ answered Peronnik: ‘the apple of delight and the woman of + submission. If you eat the apple you will not desire anything else, and if + you take the woman as your servant you will never wish for another.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, give me the apple, and bid the woman get down,’ answered Rogear. + </p> + <p> + The idiot obeyed, but at the first taste of the apple the giant staggered, + and as the long yellow finger of the woman touched him he fell dead. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the magician where he lay, Peronnik entered the palace, bearing + with him the flower that laughs. Fifty doors flew open before him, and at + length he reached a long flight of steps which seemed to lead into the + bowels of the earth. Down these he went till he came to a silver door + without a bar or key. Then he held up high the flower that laughs, and the + door slowly swung back, displaying a deep cavern, which was as bright as + the day from the shining of the golden bowl and the diamond lance. The + idiot hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck from the chain + which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. As he did so, + the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful rumbling the palace + disappeared, and Peronnik found himself standing close to the forest where + he led the cattle to graze. + </p> + <p> + Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering the + farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the duke of + Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he stopped at a tailor’s + shop, and bought a beautiful costume of brown velvet and a white horse, + which he paid for with a handful of gold that he had picked up in the + corridor of the castle of Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the city of + Nantes, which at that moment was besieged by the French. + </p> + <p> + A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For miles round + the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt + every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able to + grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine. He was still gazing + with horror, when a trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after blowing a + loud blast, announced that the duke would adopt as his heir the man who + could drive the French out of the country. + </p> + <p> + On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and the last + time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, answered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You need blow no more,’ said he, ‘for I myself will free the town from + her enemies.’ And turning to a soldier who came running up, waving his + sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he fell dead on the spot. + The men who were following stood still, amazed. Their comrade’s armour had + not been pierced, of that they were sure, yet he was dead, as if he had + been struck to the heart. But before they had time to recover from their + astonishment, Peronnik cried out: + </p> + <p> + ‘You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my friends,’ + and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth of the + soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his horse across the + trench, he entered the gate of the city, which had opened wide enough to + receive him. + </p> + <p> + The news of these marvels quickly spread through the town, and put fresh + spirit into the garrison, so that they declared themselves able to fight + under the command of the young stranger. And as the bowl restored all the + dead Bretons to life, Peronnik soon had an army large enough to drive away + the French, and fulfilled his promise of delivering his country. + </p> + <p> + As to the bowl and the lance, no one knows what became of them, but some + say that Bryak the sorcerer managed to steal them again, and that any one + who wishes to possess them must seek them as Peronnik did. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par Emile Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Battle of the Birds + </h2> + <p> + There was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the earth and + the birds of the air. News of it went abroad, and the son of the king of + Tethertown said that when the battle was fought he would be there to see + it, and would bring back word who was to be king. But in spite of that, he + was almost too late, and every fight had been fought save the last, which + was between a snake and a great black raven. Both struck hard, but in the + end the snake proved the stronger, and would have twisted himself round + the neck of the raven till he died had not the king’s son drawn his sword, + and cut off the head of the snake at a single blow. And when the raven + beheld that his enemy was dead, he was grateful, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘For thy kindness to me this day, I will show thee a sight. So come up now + on the root of my two wings.’ The king’s son did as he was bid, and before + the raven stopped flying, they had passed over seven bens and seven glens + and seven mountain moors. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see that house yonder?’ said the raven at last. ‘Go straight for + it, for a sister of mine dwells there, and she will make you right + welcome. And if she asks, “Wert thou at the battle of the birds?” answer + that thou wert, and if she asks, “Didst thou see my likeness?” answer that + thou sawest it, but be sure thou meetest me in the morning at this place.’ + </p> + <p> + The king’s son followed what the raven told him and that night he had meat + of each meat, and drink of each drink, warm water for his feet, and a soft + bed to lie in. + </p> + <p> + Thus it happened the next day, and the next, but on the fourth meeting, + instead of meeting the raven, in his place the king’s son found waiting + for him the handsomest youth that ever was seen, with a bundle in his + hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there a raven hereabouts?’ asked the king’s son, and the youth + answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘I am that raven, and I was delivered by thee from the spells that bound + me, and in reward thou wilt get this bundle. Go back by the road thou + camest, and lie as before, a night in each house, but be careful not to + unloose the bundle till thou art in the place wherein thou wouldst most + wish to dwell.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the king’s son set out, and thus it happened as it had happened + before, till he entered a thick wood near his father’s house. He had + walked a long way and suddenly the bundle seemed to grow heavier; first he + put it down under a tree, and next he thought he would look at it. + </p> + <p> + The string was easy to untie, and the king’s son soon unfastened the + bundle. What was it he saw there? Why, a great castle with an orchard all + about it, and in the orchard fruit and flowers and birds of very kind. It + was all ready for him to dwell in, but instead of being in the midst of + the forest, he did wish he had left the bundle unloosed till he had + reached the green valley close to his father’s palace. Well, it was no use + wishing, and with a sigh he glanced up, and beheld a huge giant coming + towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house, king’s son,’ said the + giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘True; it is not here that I wish to be,’ answered the king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle?’ asked the + giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘What reward dost thou ask?’ answered the king’s son. + </p> + <p> + ‘The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old,’ said the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I have a boy thou shalt get him,’ answered the king’s son, and as he + spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the bundle again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now take thy road, and I will take mine,’ said the giant. ‘And if thou + forgettest thy promise, I will remember it.’ + </p> + <p> + Light of heart the king’s son went on his road, till he came to the green + valley near his father’s palace. Slowly he unloosed the bundle, fearing + lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags. But no! all was + as it had been before, and as he opened the castle door there stood within + the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Enter, king’s son,’ said she, ‘all is ready, and we will be married at + once,’ and so they were. + </p> + <p> + The maiden proved a good wife, and the king’s son, now himself a king, was + so happy that he forgot all about the giant. Seven years and a day had + gone by, when one morning, while standing on the ramparts, he beheld the + giant striding towards the castle. Then he remembered his promise, and + remembered, too, that he had told the queen nothing about it. Now he must + tell her, and perhaps she might help him in his trouble. + </p> + <p> + The queen listened in silence to his tale, and after he had finished, she + only said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave thou the matter between me and the giant,’ and as she spoke, the + giant entered the hall and stood before them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring out your son,’ cried he to the king, ‘as you promised me seven + years and a day since.’ + </p> + <p> + The king glanced at his wife, who nodded, so he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let his mother first put him in order,’ and the queen left the hall, and + took the cook’s son and dressed him in the prince’s clothes, and led him + up to the giant, who held his hand, and together they went out along the + road. They had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched out a + stick to the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘If your father had that stick, what would he do with it?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘If my father had that stick, he would beat the dogs and cats that steal + the king’s meat,’ replied the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the cook’s son!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy mother’; and + turning his back he strode straight to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you seek to trick me this time, the highest stone will soon be the + lowest,’ said he, and the king and queen trembled, but they could not bear + to give up their boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘The butler’s son is the same age as ours,’ whispered the queen; ‘he will + not know the difference,’ and she took the child and dressed him in the + prince’s clothes, and the giant let him away along the road. Before they + had gone far he stopped, and held out a stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thy father had that rod, what would he do with it?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king’s glasses,’ answered + the boy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the son of the butler!’ cried the giant. ‘Go home to thy + mother’; and turning round he strode back angrily to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring out thy son at once,’ roared he, ‘or the stone that is highest will + be lowest,’ and this time the real prince was brought. + </p> + <p> + But though his parents wept bitterly and fancied the child was suffering + all kinds of dreadful things, the giant treated him like his own son, + though he never allowed him to see his daughters. The boy grew to be a big + boy, and one day the giant told him that he would have to amuse himself + alone for many hours, as he had a journey to make. So the boy wandered to + the top of the castle, where he had never been before. There he paused, + for the sound of music broke upon his ears, and opening a door near him, + he beheld a girl sitting by the window, holding a harp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Haste and begone, I see the giant close at hand,’ she whispered + hurriedly, ‘but when he is asleep, return hither, for I would speak with + thee.’ And the prince did as he was bid, and when midnight struck he crept + back to the top of the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow,’ said the girl, who was the giant’s daughter, ‘to-morrow thou + wilt get the choice of my two sisters to marry, but thou must answer that + thou wilt not take either, but only me. This will anger him greatly, for + he wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green City, whom I + like not at all.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they parted, and on the morrow, as the girl had said, the giant + called his three daughters to him, and likewise the young prince to whom + he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, O son of the king of Tethertown, the time has come for us to part. + Choose one of my two elder daughters to wife, and thou shalt take her to + your father’s house the day after the wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the youngest instead,’ replied the youth, and the giant’s face + darkened as he heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Three things must thou do first,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Say on, I will do them,’ replied the prince, and the giant left the + house, and bade him follow to the byre, where the cows were kept. + </p> + <p> + ‘For a hundred years no man has swept this byre,’ said the giant, ‘but if + by nightfall, when I reach home, thou has not cleaned it so that a golden + apple can roll through it from end to end, thy blood shall pay for it.’ + </p> + <p> + All day long the youth toiled, but he might as well have tried to empty + the ocean. At length, when he was so tired he could hardly move, the + giant’s youngest daughter stood in the doorway. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay down thy weariness,’ said she, and the king’s son, thinking he could + only die once, sank on the floor at her bidding, and fell sound asleep. + When he woke the girl had disappeared, and the byre was so clean that a + golden apple could roll from end to end of it. He jumped up in surprise, + and at that moment in came the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou cleaned the byre, king’s son?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have cleaned it,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since thou wert so active to-day, to-morrow thou wilt thatch this + byre with a feather from every different bird, or else thy blood shall pay + for it,’ and he went out. + </p> + <p> + Before the sun was up, the youth took his bow and his quiver and set off + to kill the birds. Off to the moor he went, but never a bird was to be + seen that day. At last he got so tired with running to and fro that he + gave up heart. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is but one death I can die,’ thought he. Then at midday came the + giant’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art tired, king’s son?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am,’ answered he; ‘all these hours have I wandered, and there fell but + these two blackbirds, both of one colour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay down thy weariness on the grass,’ said she, and he did as she bade + him, and fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + When he woke the girl had disappeared, and he got up, and returned to the + byre. As he drew near, he rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was dreaming, + for there it was, beautifully thatched, just as the giant had wished. At + the door of the house he met the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou thatched the byre, king’s son?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have thatched it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since thou hast been so active to-day, I have something else for + thee! Beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows a fir tree. On + the top of the fir tree is a magpie’s nest, and in the nest are five eggs. + Thou wilt bring me those eggs for breakfast, and if one is cracked or + broken, thy blood shall pay for it.’ + </p> + <p> + Before it was light next day, the king’s son jumped out of bed and ran + down to the loch. The tree was not hard to find, for the rising sun shone + red on the trunk, which was five hundred feet from the ground to its first + branch. Time after time he walked round it, trying to find some knots, + however small, where he could put his feet, but the bark was quite smooth, + and he soon saw that if he was to reach the top at all, it must be by + climbing up with his knees like a sailor. But then he was a king’s son and + not a sailor, which made all the difference. + </p> + <p> + However, it was no use standing there staring at the fir, at least he must + try to do his best, and try he did till his hands and knees were sore, for + as soon as he had struggled up a few feet, he slid back again. Once he + climbed a little higher than before, and hope rose in his heart, then down + he came with such force that his hands and knees smarted worse than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is no time for stopping,’ said the voice of the giant’s daughter, as + he leant against the trunk to recover his breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! I am no sooner up than down,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Try once more,’ said she, and she laid a finger against the tree and bade + him put his foot on it. Then she placed another finger a little higher up, + and so on till he reached the top, where the magpie had built her nest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make haste now with the nest,’ she cried, ‘for my father’s breath is + burning my back,’ and down he scrambled as fast as he could, but the + girl’s little finger had caught in a branch at the top, and she was + obliged to leave it there. But she was too busy to pay heed to this, for + the sun was getting high over the hills. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ she said. ‘This night my two sisters and I will be dressed + in the same garments, and you will not know me. But when my father says + ‘Go to thy wife, king’s son,’ come to the one whose right hand has no + little finger.’ + </p> + <p> + So he went and gave the eggs to the giant, who nodded his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make ready for thy marriage,’ cried he, ‘for the wedding shall take place + this very night, and I will summon thy bride to greet thee.’ Then his + three daughters were sent for, and they all entered dressed in green silk + of the same fashion, and with golden circlets round their heads. The + king’s son looked from one to another. Which was the youngest? Suddenly + his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one, and there was no little + finger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast aimed well this time too,’ said the giant, as the king’s son + laid his hand on her shoulder, ‘but perhaps we may meet some other way’; + and though he pretended to laugh, the bride saw a gleam in his eye which + warned her of danger. + </p> + <p> + The wedding took place that very night, and the hall was filled with + giants and gentlemen, and they danced till the house shook from top to + bottom. At last everyone grew tired, and the guests went away, and the + king’s son and his bride were left alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘If we stay here till dawn my father will kill thee,’ she whispered, ‘but + thou art my husband and I will save thee, as I did before,’ and she cut an + apple into nine pieces, and put two pieces at the head of the bed, and two + pieces at the foot, and two pieces at the door of the kitchen, and two at + the big door, and one outside the house. And when this was done, and she + heard the giant snoring, she and the king’s son crept out softly and stole + across to the stable, where she led out the blue-grey mare and jumped on + its back, and her husband mounted behind her. Not long after, the giant + awoke. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Are you asleep?’ asked he. +</pre> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ answered the apple at the head of the bed, and the giant turned + over, and soon was snoring as loudly as before. By and bye he called + again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ said the apple at the foot of the bed, and the giant was + satisfied. After a while, he called a third time, ‘Are you asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ replied the apple in the kitchen, but when in a few minutes, he + put the question for the fourth time and received an answer from the apple + outside the house door, he guessed what had happened, and ran to the room + to look for himself. + </p> + <p> + The bed was cold and empty! + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl, ‘put thy hand + into the ear of the mare, and whatever thou findest there, throw it behind + thee.’ And in the mare’s ear there was a twig of sloe tree, and as he + threw it behind him there sprung up twenty miles of thornwood so thick + that scarce a weasel could go through it. And the giant, who was striding + headlong forwards, got caught in it, and it pulled his hair and beard. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is one of my daughter’s tricks,’ he said to himself, ‘but if I had + my big axe and my wood-knife, I would not be long making a way through + this,’ and off he went home and brought back the axe and the wood-knife. + </p> + <p> + It took him but a short time to cut a road through the blackthorn, and + then he laid the axe and the knife under a tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will leave them there till I return,’ he murmured to himself, but a + hoodie crow, which was sitting on a branch above, heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou leavest them,’ said the hoodie, ‘we will steal them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will,’ answered the giant, ‘and I must take them home.’ So he took + them home, and started afresh on his journey. + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl at midday. ‘Put + thy finger in the mare’s ear and throw behind thee whatever thou findest + in it,’ and the king’s son found a splinter of grey stone, and threw it + behind him, and in a twinkling twenty miles of solid rock lay between them + and the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘My daughter’s tricks are the hardest things that ever met me,’ said the + giant, ‘but if I had my lever and my crowbar, I would not be long in + making my way through this rock also,’ but as he had got them, he had to + go home and fetch them. Then it took him but a short time to hew his way + through the rock. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will leave the tools here,’ he murmured aloud when he had finished. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou leavest them, we will steal them,’ said a hoodie who was perched + on a stone above him, and the giant answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Steal them if thou wilt; there is no time to go back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father’s breath is burning my back,’ cried the girl; ‘look in the + mare’s ear, king’s son, or we are lost,’ and he looked, and found a tiny + bladder full of water, which he threw behind him, and it became a great + lock. And the giant, who was striding on so fast, could not stop himself, + and he walked right into the middle and was drowned. + </p> + <p> + The blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind, and the next day the king’s + son came in sight of his father’s house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get down and go in,’ said the bride, ‘and tell them that thou hast + married me. But take heed that neither man nor beast kiss thee, for then + thou wilt cease to remember me at all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do thy bidding,’ answered he, and left her at the gate. All who + met him bade him welcome, and he charged his father and mother not to kiss + him, but as he greeted them his old greyhound leapt on his neck, and + kissed him on the mouth. And after that he did not remember the giant’s + daughter. + </p> + <p> + All that day she sat on a well which was near the gate, waiting, waiting, + but the king’s son never came. In the darkness she climbed up into an oak + tree that shadowed the well, and there she lay all night, waiting, + waiting. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, at midday, the wife of a shoemaker who dwelt near the well + went to draw water for her husband to drink, and she saw the shadow of the + girl in the tree, and thought it was her own shadow. + </p> + <p> + ‘How handsome I am, to be sure,’ said she, gazing into the well, and as + she stopped to behold herself better, the jug struck against the stones + and broke in pieces, and she was forced to return to her husband without + the water, and this angered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast turned crazy,’ said he in wrath. ‘Go thou, my daughter, and + fetch me a drink,’ and the girl went, and the same thing befell her as had + befallen her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the water?’ asked the shoemaker, when she came back, and as she + held nothing save the handle of the jug he went to the well himself. He + too saw the reflection of the woman in the tree, but looked up to discover + whence it came, and there above him sat the most beautiful woman in the + world. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come down,’ he said, ‘for a while thou canst stay in my house,’ and glad + enough the girl was to come. + </p> + <p> + Now the king of the country was about to marry, and the young men about + the court thronged the shoemaker’s shop to buy fine shoes to wear at the + wedding. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast a pretty daughter,’ said they when they beheld the girl sitting + at work. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pretty she is,’ answered the shoemaker, ‘but no daughter of mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would give a hundred pounds to marry her,’ said one. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I,’ ‘And I,’ cried the others. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is no business of mine,’ answered the shoemaker, and the young men + bade him ask her if she would choose one of them for a husband, and to + tell them on the morrow. Then the shoemaker asked her, and the girl said + that she would marry the one who would bring his purse with him. So the + shoemaker hurried to the youth who had first spoken, and he came back, and + after giving the shoemaker a hundred pounds for his news, he sought the + girl, who was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it thou?’ inquired she. ‘I am thirsty, give me a drink from the well + that is yonder.’ And he poured out the water, but he could not move from + the place where he was; and there he stayed till many hours had passed by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take away that foolish boy,’ cried the girl to the shoemaker at last, ‘I + am tired of him,’ and then suddenly he was able to walk, and betook + himself to his home, but he did not tell the others what had happened to + him. + </p> + <p> + Next day there arrived one of the other young men, and in the evening, + when the shoemaker had gone out and they were alone, she said to him, ‘See + if the latch is on the door.’ The young man hastened to do her bidding, + but as soon as he touched the latch, his fingers stuck to it, and there he + had to stay for many hours, till the shoemaker came back, and the girl let + him go. Hanging his head, he went home, but he told no one what had + befallen him. + </p> + <p> + Then was the turn of the third man, and his foot remained fastened to the + floor, till the girl unloosed it. And thankfully, he ran off, and was not + seen looking behind him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take the purse of gold,’ said the girl to the shoemaker, ‘I have no need + of it, and it will better thee.’ And the shoemaker took it and told the + girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up to the castle. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would fain get a sight of the king’s son before he marries,’ sighed + she. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come with me, then,’ answered he; ‘the servants are all my friends, and + they will let you stand in the passage down which the king’s son will + pass, and all the company too.’ + </p> + <p> + Up they went to the castle, and when the young men saw the girl standing + there, they led her into the hall where the banquet was laid out and + poured her out some wine. She was just raising the glass to drink when a + flame went up out of it, and out of the flame sprang two pigeons, one of + gold and one of silver. They flew round and round the head of the girl, + when three grains of barley fell on the floor, and the silver pigeon dived + down, and swallowed them. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I cleaned the byre, thou wouldst have given + me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon, and as he spoke three more grains + fell, and the silver pigeon ate them as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I thatched the byre, thou wouldst have given + me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon again; and as he spoke three more + grains fell, and for the third time they were eaten by the silver pigeon. + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie’s nest, thou wouldst have + given me my share,’ cooed the golden pigeon. + </p> + <p> + Then the king’s son understood that they had come to remind him of what he + had forgotten, and his lost memory came back, and he knew his wife, and + kissed her. But as the preparations had been made, it seemed a pity to + waste them, so they were married a second time, and sat down to the + wedding feast. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Tales of the West Highlands.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Lady of the Fountain. + </h2> + <p> + In the centre of the great hall in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, king + Arthur sat on a seat of green rushes, over which was thrown a covering of + flame-coloured silk, and a cushion of red satin lay under his elbow. With + him were his knights Owen and Kynon and Kai, while at the far end, close + to the window, were Guenevere the queen and her maidens embroidering white + garments with strange devices of gold. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am weary,’ said Arthur, ‘and till my food is prepared I would fain + sleep. You yourselves can tell each other tales, and Kai will fetch you + from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat.’ + </p> + <p> + And when they had eaten and drunk, Kynon, the oldest among them, began his + story. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was the only son of my father and mother, and much store they set by + me, but I was not content to stay with them at home, for I thought no deed + in all the world was too mighty for me. None could hold me back, and after + I had won many adventures in my own land, I bade farewell to my parents + and set out to see the world. Over mountains, through deserts, across + rivers I went, till I reached a fair valley full of trees, with a path + running by the side of a stream. I walked along that path all the day, and + in the evening I came to a castle in front of which stood two youths + clothed in yellow, each grasping an ivory bow, with arrows made of the + bones of the whale, and winged with peacock’s feathers. By their sides + hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of the whale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Near these young men was a man richly dressed, who turned and went with + me towards the castle, where all the dwellers were gathered in the hall. + In one window I beheld four and twenty damsels, and the least fair of them + was fairer than Guenevere at her fairest. Some took my horse, and others + unbuckled my armour, and washed it, with my sword and spear, till it all + shone like silver. Then I washed myself and put on a vest and doublet + which they brought me, and I and the man that entered with me sat down + before a table of silver, and a goodlier feast I never had. + </p> + <p> + ‘All this time neither the man nor the damsels had spoken one word, but + when our dinner was half over, and my hunger was stilled, the man began to + ask who I was. Then I told him my name and my father’s name, and why I + came there, for indeed I had grown weary of gaining the mastery over all + men at home, and sought if perchance there was one who could gain the + mastery over me. And at this the man smiled and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘“If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee what thou + seekest.” His words made me sorrowful and fearful of myself, which the man + perceived, and added, “If thou meanest truly what thou sayest, and + desirest earnestly to prove thy valour, and not to boast vainly that none + can overcome thee, I have somewhat to show thee. But to-night thou must + sleep in the this castle, and in the morning see that thou rise early and + follow the road upwards through the valley, until thou reachest a wood. In + the wood is a path branching to the right; go along this path until thou + comest to a space of grass with a mound in the middle of it. On the top of + the mound stands a black man, larger than any two white men; his eye is in + the centre of his forehead and he has only one foot. He carries a club of + iron, and two white men could hardly lift it. Around him graze a thousand + beasts, all of different kinds, for he is the guardian of that wood, and + it is he who will tell thee which way to go in order to find the adventure + thou art in quest of.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So spake the man, and long did that night seem to me, and before dawn I + rose and put on my armour, and mounted my horse and rode on till I reached + the grassy space of which he had told me. There was the black man on top + of the mound, as he had said, and in truth he was mightier in all ways + than I had thought him to be. As for the club, Kai, it would have been a + burden for four of our warriors. He waited for me to speak, and I asked + him what power he held over the beasts that thronged so close about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“I will show thee, little man,” he answered, and with his club he struck + a stag on the head till he brayed loudly. And at his braying the animals + came running, numerous as the stars in the sky, so that scarce was I able + to stand among them. Serpents were there also, and dragons, and beasts of + strange shapes, with horns in places where never saw I horns before. And + the black man only looked at them and bade them go and feed. And they + bowed themselves before him, as vassals before their lord. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Now, little man, I have answered thy question and showed thee my power,” + said he. “Is there anything else thou wouldest know?” Then I inquired of + him my way, but he grew angry, and, as I perceived, would fain have + hindered me; but at the last, after I had told him who I was, his anger + passed from him. + </p> + <p> + ‘“Take that path,” said he, “that leads to the head of this grassy glade, + and go up the wood till thou reachest the top. There thou wilt find an + open space, and in the midst of it a tall tree. Under the tree is a + fountain, and by the fountain a marble slab, and on the slab a bowl of + silver, with a silver chain. Dip the bowl in the fountain, and throw the + water on the slab, and thou wilt hear a might peal of thunder, till heaven + and earth seem trembling with the noise. After the thunder will come hail, + so fierce that scarcely canst thou endure it and live, for the hailstones + are both large and thick. Then the sun will shine again, but every leaf of + the tree will by lying on the ground. Next a flight of birds will come and + alight on the tree, and never didst thou hear a strain so sweet as that + which they will sing. And at the moment in which their song sounds + sweetest thou wilt hear a murmuring and complaining coming towards thee + along the valley, and thou wilt see a knight in black velvet bestriding a + black horse, bearing a lance with a black pennon, and he will spur his + steed so as to fight thee. If thou turnest to flee, he will overtake thee. + And if thou abidest were thou art, he will unhorse thee. And if thou dost + not find trouble in that adventure, thou needest not to seek it during the + rest of thy life.” + </p> + <p> + ‘So I bade the black man farewell, and took my way to the top of the wood, + and there I found everything just as I had been told. I went up to the + tree beneath which stood the fountain, and filling the silver bowl with + water, emptied it on the marble slab. Thereupon the thunder came, louder + by far than I had expected to hear it, and after the thunder came the + shower, but heavier by far than I had expected to feel it, for, of a truth + I tell thee, Kai, not one of those hailstones would be stopped by skin or + by flesh till it had reached the bone. I turned my horse’s flank towards + the shower, and, bending over his neck, held my shield so that it might + cover his head and my own. When the hail had passed, I looked on the tree + and not a single leaf was left on it, and the sky was blue and the sun + shining, while on the branches were perched birds of very kind, who sang a + song sweeter than any that has come to my ears, either before or since. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thus, Kai, I stood listening to the birds, when lo, a murmuring voice + approached me, saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘“O knight, what has brought thee hither? What evil have I done to thee, + that thou shouldest do so much to me, for in all my lands neither man nor + beast that met that shower has escaped alive.” Then from the valley + appeared the knight on the black horse, grasping the lance with the black + pennon. Straightway we charged each other, and though I fought my best, he + soon overcame me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the knight seized + the bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me where I was, + without even despoiling me of my armour. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade where + the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel that I did not + melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. That night I slept at the + castle where I had been before, and I was bathed and feasted, and none + asked me how I had fared. The next morning when I arose I found a bay + horse saddled for me, and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my own + court. The horse is still in the stable, and I would not part with it for + any in Britain. + </p> + <p> + ‘But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much to his + own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other man have I ever + met that knew of the black man, and the knight and the shower.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would it not be well,’ said Owen, ‘to go and discover the place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By the hand of my friend,’ answered Kai, ‘often dost thou utter that with + thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In truth,’ said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the tale, ‘thou + wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards a man like Owen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I meant nothing, lady,’ replied Kai; ‘thy praise of Owen is not greater + than mine.’ And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not slept + for a little. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, lord,’ answered Owen, ‘certainly thou hast slept.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it time for us to go to meat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is, lord,’ answered Owen. + </p> + <p> + Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that the king + and his household sat down to eat. And when they had finished, Owen left + them, and made ready his horse and his arms. + </p> + <p> + With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled through deserts + and over mountains and across rivers, and all befell him which had + befallen Kynon, till he stood under the leafless tree listening to the + song of the birds. Then he heard the voice, and turning to look found the + knight galloping to meet him. Fiercely they fought till their lances were + broken, and then they drew their swords, and a blow from Owen cut through + the knight’s helmet, and pierced his skull. + </p> + <p> + Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen pursued him + till they came to a splendid castle. Here the knight dashed across the + bridge that spanned the moat, and entered the gate, but as soon as he was + safe inside, the drawbridge was pulled up and caught Owen’s horse in the + middle, so that half of him was inside and half out, and Owen could not + dismount and knew not what to do. + </p> + <p> + While he was in this sore plight a little door in the castle gate opened, + and he could see a street facing him, with tall houses. Then a maiden with + curling hair of gold looked through the little door and bade Owen open the + gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘By my troth!’ cried Owen, ‘I can no more open it from here than thou art + able to set me free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said she, ‘I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt do as I + tell thee. Take this ring and put it on with the stone inside thy hand, + and close thy fingers tight, for as long as thou dost conceal it, it will + conceal thee. When the men inside have held counsel together, they will + come to fetch thee to thy death, and they will be much grieved not to find + thee. I will stand on the horse block yonder and thou canst see me though + I cannot see thee. Therefore draw near and place thy hand on my shoulder + and follow me wheresoever I go.’ + </p> + <p> + Upon that she went away from Owen, and when the men came out from the + castle to seek him and did not find him they were sorely grieved, and they + returned to the castle. + </p> + <p> + Then Owen went to the maiden and placed his hand on her shoulder, and she + guided him to a large room, painted all over with rich colours, and + adorned with images of gold. Here she gave him meat and drink, and water + to wash with and garments to wear, and he lay down upon a soft bed, with + scarlet and fur to cover him, and slept gladly. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry, and he jumped + up and clothed himself and went into the hall, where the maiden was + standing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ he asked, and she answered that the knight who owned the + castle was dead, and they were bearing his body to the church. Never had + Owen beheld such vast crowds, and following the dead knight was the most + beautiful lady in the world, whose cry was louder than the shout of the + men, or the braying of the trumpets. And Owen looked on her and loved her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is she?’ he asked the damsel. ‘That is my mistress, the countess of + the fountain, and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily,’ said Owen, ‘she is the woman that I love best.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She shall also love thee not a little,’ said the maiden. + </p> + <p> + Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of her + mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘What aileth thee, mistress?’ inquired the maiden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?’ answered the + countess, and in her turn the damsel asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for anything + that is gone from thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no man in the world equal to him,’ replied the countess, her + cheeks growing red with anger. ‘I would fain banish thee for such words.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be not angry, lady,’ said Luned, ‘but listen to my counsel. Thou knowest + well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, therefore seek some one + to help thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how can I do that?’ asked the countess. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell thee,’ answered Luned. ‘Unless thou canst defend the fountain + all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain except a knight of + Arthur’s court. There will I go to seek him, and woe betide me if I return + without a warrior that can guard the fountain, as well as he who kept it + before.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then,’ said the countess, ‘and make proof of that which thou hast + promised.’ + </p> + <p> + So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of journeying to + King Arthur’s court, but instead of doing that she hid herself for as many + days as it would have taken her to go and come, and then she left her + hiding-place, and went into the countess. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news from the court?’ asked her mistress, when she had given Luned a + warm greeting. + </p> + <p> + ‘The best of news,’ answered the maiden, ‘for I have gained the object of + my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has + returned with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow at midday,’ said the countess, ‘and I will cause all the people + in the town to come together.’ + </p> + <p> + Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and over it + he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather shoes fastened + with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the chamber of her mistress. + </p> + <p> + Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely at Owen + and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What harm is there in that, lady?’ answered Luned. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am persuaded,’ said the countess, ‘that this man and no other chased + the soul from the body of my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Had he not been stronger than thy lord,’ replied the damsel, ‘he could + not have taken his life, and for that, and for all things that are past, + there is no remedy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me, both of you,’ said the countess, ‘and I will take counsel.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they went out. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in the + courtyard of the castle, and told them that now that her husband was dead + there was none to defend her lands. + </p> + <p> + ‘So choose you which it shall be,’ she said. ‘Either let one of you take + me for a wife, or give me your consent to take a new lord for myself, that + my lands be not without a master.’ + </p> + <p> + At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner and took + counsel together, and after a while the leader came forward and said that + they had decided that it was best, for the peace and safety of all, that + she should choose a husband for herself. Thereupon Owen was summoned to + her presence, and he accepted with joy the hand that she offered him, and + they were married forthwith, and the men of the earldom did him homage. + </p> + <p> + From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him had done, + and every knight that came by was overthrown by him, and his ransom + divided among his barons. In this way three years passed, and no man in + the world was more beloved than Owen. + </p> + <p> + Now at the end of the three years it happened that Gwalchmai the knight + was with Arthur, and he perceived the king to be very sad. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord, has anything befallen thee?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Gwalchmai, I am grieved concerning Owen, whom I have lost these three + years, and if a fourth year passes without him I can live no longer. And + sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son of Clydno caused me to lose + him. I will go myself with the men of my household to avenge him if he is + dead, to free him if he is in prison, to bring him back if he is alive.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in quest of + Owen, and took Kynon for their guide. When Arthur reached the castle, the + youths were shooting in the same place, and the same yellow man was + standing by, and as soon as he beheld Arthur he greeted him and invited + him in, and they entered together. So vast was the castle that the king’s + three thousand men were of no more account than if they had been twenty. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise Arthur departed thence, with Kynon for his guide, and reached + the black man first, and afterwards the top of the wooded hill, with the + fountain and the bowl and the tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ said Kai, ‘let me throw the water on the slab, and receive the + first adventure that may befall.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou mayest do so,’ answered Arthur, and Kai threw the water. + </p> + <p> + Immediately all happened as before; the thunder and the shower of hail + which killed many of Arthur’s men; the song of the birds and the + appearance of the black knight. And Kai met him and fought him, and was + overthrown by him. Then the knight rode away, and Arthur and his men + encamped where they stood. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to + overcome him, which Arthur granted. But once more he was unhorsed, and the + black knight’s lance broke his helmet and pierced the skin even to the + bone, and humbled in spirit he returned to the camp. + </p> + <p> + After this every one of the knights gave battle, but none came out victor, + and at length there only remained Arthur himself and Gwalchmai. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, let me fight him, my lord,’ cried Gwalchmai, as he saw Arthur taking + up his arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, fight then,’ answered Arthur, and Gwalchmai threw a robe over + himself and his horse, so that none knew him. All that day they fought, + and neither was able to throw the other, and so it was on the next day. On + the third day the combat was so fierce that they fell both to the ground + at once, and fought on their feet, and at last the black knight gave his + foe such a blow on his head that his helmet fell from his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not know it was thee, Gwalchmai,’ said the black knight. ‘Take my + sword and my arms.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ answered Gwalchmai, ‘it is thou, Owen, who art the victor, take thou + my sword’; but Owen would not. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me your swords,’ said Arthur from behind them, ‘for neither of you + has vanquished the other,’ and Owen turned and put his arms round Arthur’s + neck. + </p> + <p> + The next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to go + back whence they came, but Owen stopped him. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘during the three years that I have been absent from + thee I have been preparing a banquet for thee, knowing full well that thou + wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me, therefore, for a while, thou and + thy men.’ + </p> + <p> + So they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain, and spent + three months in resting and feasting. And when it was time for them to + depart Arthur besought the countess that she would allow Owen to go with + him to Britain for the space of three months. With a sore heart she + granted permission, and so content was Owen to be once more with his old + companions that three years instead of three months passed away like a + dream. + </p> + <p> + One day Owen sat at meat in the castle of Caerleon upon Usk, when a damsel + on a bay horse entered the hall, and riding straight up to the place where + Owen sat she stooped and drew the ring from off his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thus shall be treated the traitor and the faithless,’ said she, and + turning her horse’s head she rode out of the hall. + </p> + <p> + At her words Owen remembered all that he had forgotten, and sorrowful and + ashamed he went to his own chamber and made ready to depart. At the dawn + he set out, but he did not go back to the castle, for his heart was heavy, + but he wandered far into wild places till his body was weak and thin, and + his hair was long. The wild beasts were his friends, and he slept by their + side, but in the end he longed to see the face of a man again, and he came + down into a valley and fell asleep by a lake in the lands of a widowed + countess. + </p> + <p> + Now it was the time when the countess took her walk, attended by her + maidens, and when they saw a man lying by the lake they shrank back in + terror, for he lay so still that they thought he was dead. But when they + had overcome their fright, they drew near him, and touched him, and saw + that there was life in him. Then the countess hastened to the castle, and + brought from it a flask full of precious ointment and gave it to one of + her maidens. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take that horse which is grazing yonder,’ she said, ‘and a suit of men’s + garments, and place them near the man, and pour some of this ointment near + his heart. If there is any life in him that will bring it back. But if he + moves, hide thyself in the bushes near by, and see what he does.’ + </p> + <p> + The damsel took the flask and did her mistress’ bidding. Soon the man + began to move his arms, and then rose slowly to his feet. Creeping forward + step by step he took the garments from off the saddle and put them on him, + and painfully he mounted the horse. When he was seated the damsel came + forth and greeted him, and glad was he when he saw her and inquired what + castle that was before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It belongs to a widowed countess,’ answered the maiden. ‘Her husband left + her two earldoms, but it is all that remains of her broad lands, for they + have been torn from her by a young earl, because she would not marry him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a pity,’ replied Owen, but he said no more, for he was too weak + to talk much. Then the maiden guided him to the castle, and kindled a + fire, and brought him food. And there he stayed and was tended for three + months, till he was handsomer than ever he was. + </p> + <p> + At noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle, and he + asked of the maiden what it was. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the earl of whom I spoke to thee,’ she answered, ‘who has come with + a great host to carry off my mistress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Beg of her to lend me a horse and armour,’ said Owen, and the maiden did + so, but the countess laughed somewhat bitterly as she answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but I will give them to him, and such a horse and armour and weapons + as he has never had yet, though I know not what use they will be to him. + Yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my enemies.’ + </p> + <p> + The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him, + and they saw the great host encamped before them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is the earl?’ said he, and the pages answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘In yonder troop where are four yellow standards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Await me,’ said Owen, ‘at the gate of the castle, and he cried a + challenge to the earl, who came to meet him. Hard did they fight, but Owen + overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and into the + hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam,’ said he, as he bade the earl + kneel down before her, and made him swear that he would restore all that + he had taken from her. + </p> + <p> + After that he departed, and went into the deserts, and as he was passing + through a wood he heard a loud yelling. Pushing aside the bushes he beheld + a lion standing on a great mound, and by it a rock. Near the rock was a + lion seeking to reach the mound, and each time he moved out darted a + serpent from the rock to prevent him. Then Owen unsheathed his sword, and + cut off the serpent’s head and went on his way, and the lion followed and + played about him, as if he had been a greyhound. And much more useful was + he than a greyhound, for in the evening he brought large logs in his mouth + to kindle a fire, and killed a fat buck for dinner. + </p> + <p> + Owen made his fire and skinned the buck, and put some of it to roast, and + gave the rest to the lion for supper. While he was waiting for the meat to + cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him, and he said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Who are thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Luned,’ replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and green + hanging plants that Owen had not seen it. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what dost thou here?’ cried he. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who married the + countess and left her, for the pages spoke ill of him, and because I told + them that no man living was his equal they dragged me here and said I + should die unless he should come to deliver me by a certain day, and that + is no further than the day after to-morrow. His name is Owen the son of + Urien, but I have none to send to tell him of my danger, or of a surety he + would deliver me.’ + </p> + <p> + Owen held his peace, but gave the maiden some of the meat, and bade her be + of good cheer. Then, followed by the lion, he set out for a great castle + on the other side of the plain, and men came and took his horse and placed + it in a manger, and the lion went after and lay down on the straw. + Hospitable and kind were all within the castle, but so full of sorrow that + it might have been thought death was upon them. At length, when they had + eaten and drunk, Owen prayed the earl to tell him the reason of their + grief. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yesterday,’ answered the earl, ‘my two sons were seized, while thy were + hunting, by a monster who dwells on those mountains yonder, and he vows + that he will not let them go unless I give him my daughter to wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall never be,’ said Owen; ‘but what form hath this monster?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In shape he is a man, but in stature he is a giant,’ replied the earl, + ‘and it were better by far that he should slay my sons than that I should + give up my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + Early next morning the dwellers in the castle were awakened by a great + clamour, and they found that the giant had arrived with the two young men. + Swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to meet the giant, and the + lion followed at his heels. And when the great beast beheld the hard blows + which the giant dealt his master he flew at his throat, and much trouble + had the monster in beating him off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ said the giant, ‘I should find no difficulty in fighting thee, if + it were not for that lion.’ When he heard that Owen felt shame that he + could not overcome the giant with his own sword, so he took the lion and + shut him up in one of the towers of the castle, and returned to the fight. + But from the sound of the blows the lion knew that the combat was going + ill for Owen, so he climbed up till he reached the top of the tower, where + there was a door on to the roof, and from the tower he sprang on to the + walls, and from the walls to the ground. Then with a loud roar he leaped + upon the giant, who fell dead under the blow of his paw. + </p> + <p> + Now the gloom of the castle was turned into rejoicing, and the earl begged + Owen to stay with him till he could make him a feast, but the knight said + he had other work to do, and rode back to the place where he had left + Luned, and the lion followed at his heels. When he came there he saw a + great fire kindled, and two youths leading out the maiden to cast her upon + the pile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ he cried, dashing up to them. ‘What charge have you against her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She boasted that no man in the world was equal to Owen,’ said they, ‘and + we shut her in a cave, and agreed that none should deliver her but Owen + himself, and that if he did not come by a certain day she should die. And + now the time has past and there is no sign of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In truth he is a good knight, and had he but known that the maid was in + peril he would have come to save her,’ said Owen; ‘but accept me in his + stead, I entreat you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We will,’ replied they, and the fight began. + </p> + <p> + The youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen, and when the lion saw + that he came to help his master. But the youths made a sign for the fight + to stop, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Chieftain, it was agreed we should give battle to thee alone, and it is + harder for us to contend with yonder beast than with thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been in + prison, and blocked up the front with stones. But the fight with the giant + had sorely tried him, and the youths fought well, and pressed him harder + than before. And when the lion saw that he gave a loud roar, and burst + through the stones, and sprang upon the youths and slew them. And so Luned + was delivered at the last. + </p> + <p> + Then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of the + fountain. And he took the lady with him to Arthur’s court, where they + lived happily till they died. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Four Gifts + </h2> + <p> + In the old land of Brittany, once called Cornwall, there lived a woman + named Barbaik Bourhis, who spent all her days in looking after her farm + with the help of her niece Tephany. Early and late the two might be seen + in the fields or in the dairy, milking cows, making butter, feeding fowls; + working hard themselves and taking care that others worked too. Perhaps it + might have been better for Barbaik if she had left herself a little time + to rest and to think about other things, for soon she grew to love money + for its own sake, and only gave herself and Tephany the food and clothes + they absolutely needed. And as for poor people she positively hated them, + and declared that such lazy creatures had no business in the world. + </p> + <p> + Well, this being the sort of person Barbaik was, it is easy to guess at + her anger when one day she found Tephany talking outside the cowhouse to + young Denis, who was nothing more than a day labourer from the village of + Plover. Seizing her niece by the arm, she pulled her sharply away, + exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you not ashamed, girl, to waste your time over a man who is as poor + as a rat, when there are a dozen more who would be only too happy to buy + you rings of silver, if you would let them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Denis is a good workman, as you know very well,’ answered Tephany, red + with anger, ‘and he puts by money too, and soon he will be able to take a + farm for himself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense,’ cried Barbaik, ‘he will never save enough for a farm till he + is a hundred. I would sooner see you in your grave than the wife of a man + who carries his whole fortune on his back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What does fortune matter when one is young and strong?’ asked Tephany, + but her aunt, amazed at such words, would hardly let her finish. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does fortune matter?’ repeated Barbaik, in a shocked voice. ‘Is it + possible that you are really so foolish as to despise money? If this is + what you learn from Denis, I forbid you to speak to him, and I will have + him turned out of the farm if he dares to show his face here again. Now go + and wash the clothes and spread them out to dry.’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany did not dare to disobey, but with a heavy heart went down the path + to the river. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is harder than these rocks,’ said the girl to herself, ‘yes, a + thousand times harder. For the rain at least can at last wear away the + stone, but you might cry for ever, and she would never care. Talking to + Denis is the only pleasure I have, and if I am not to see him I may as + well enter a convent.’ + </p> + <p> + Thinking these thoughts she reached the bank, and began to unfold the + large packet of linen that had to be washed. The tap of a stick made her + look up, and standing before her she saw a little old woman, whose face + was strange to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘You would like to sit down and rest, granny?’ asked Tephany, pushing + aside her bundle. + </p> + <p> + ‘When the sky is all the roof you have, you rest where you will,’ replied + the old woman in trembling tones. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you so lonely, then?’ inquired Tephany, full of pity. ‘Have you no + friends who would welcome you into their houses?’ + </p> + <p> + The old woman shook her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘They all died long, long ago,’ she answered, ‘and the only friends I have + are strangers with kind hearts.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl did not speak for a moment, then held out the small loaf and some + bacon intended for her dinner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this,’ she said; ‘to-day at any rate you shall dine well,’ and the + old woman took it, gazing at Tephany the while. + </p> + <p> + ‘Those who help others deserve to be helped,’ she answered; ‘your eyes are + still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you to speak to the + young man from Plover. But cheer up, you are a good girl, and I will give + you something that will enable you to see him once every day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You?’ cried Tephany, stupefied at discovering that the beggar knew all + about her affairs, but the old woman did not hear her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take this long copper pin,’ she went on, ‘and every time you stick it in + your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave the house in order to + go and count her cabbages. As long as the pin is in your dress you will be + free, and your aunt will not come back until you have put it in its case + again.’ Then, rising, she nodded to Tephany and vanished. + </p> + <p> + The girl stood where she was, as still as a stone. If it had not been for + the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming. But by that + token she knew it was no common old woman who had given it to her, but a + fairy, wise in telling what would happen in the days to come. Then + suddenly Tephany’s eyes fell on the clothes, and to make up for lost time + she began to wash them with great vigour. + </p> + <p> + Next evening, at the moment when Denis was accustomed to wait for her in + the shadow of the cowhouse, Tephany stuck the pin in her dress, and at the + very same instant Barbaik took up her sabots or wooden shoes and went + through the orchard and past to the fields, to the plot where the cabbages + grew. With a heart as light as her footsteps, the girl ran from the house, + and spent her evening happily with Denis. And so it was for many days + after that. Then, at last, Tephany began to notice something, and the + something made her very sad. + </p> + <p> + At first, Denis seemed to find the hours that they were together fly as + quickly as she did, but when he had taught her all the songs he knew, and + told her all the plans he had made for growing rich and a great man, he + had nothing more to say to her, for he, like a great many other people, + was fond of talking himself, but not of listening to any one else. + Sometimes, indeed, he never came at all, and the next evening he would + tell Tephany that he had been forced to go into the town on business, but + though she never reproached him she was not deceived and saw plainly that + he no longer cared for her as he used to do. + </p> + <p> + Day by day her heart grew heavier and her cheeks paler, and one evening, + when she had waited for him in vain, she put her water-pot on her shoulder + and went slowly down to the spring. On the path in front of her stood the + fairy who had given her the pin, and as she glanced at Tephany she gave a + little mischievous laugh and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before, in spite + of meeting her lover whenever she pleases.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has grown tired of me,’ answered Tephany in a trembling voice, ‘and he + makes excuses to stay away. Ah! granny dear, it is not enough to be able + to see him, I must be able to amuse him and to keep him with me. He is so + clever, you know. Help me to be clever too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that what you want?’ cried the old woman. ‘Well, take this feather and + stick it in your hair, and you will be as wise as Solomon himself.’ + </p> + <p> + Blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather into the + blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the country. In a + moment she heard Denis whistling gaily, and as her aunt was safely + counting her cabbages, she hurried out to meet him. The young man was + struck dumb by her talk. There was nothing that she did not seem to know, + and as for songs she not only could sing those from every part of + Brittany, but could compose them herself. Was this really the quiet girl + who had been so anxious to learn all he could teach her, or was it + somebody else? Perhaps she had gone suddenly mad, and there was an evil + spirit inside her. But in any case, night after night he came back, only + to find her growing wiser and wiser. Soon the neighbours whispered their + surprise among themselves, for Tephany had not been able to resist the + pleasure of putting the feather in her hair for some of the people who + despised her for her poor clothes, and many were the jokes she made about + them. Of course they heard of her jests, and shook their heads saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘She is an ill-natured little cat, and the man that marries her will find + that it is she who will hold the reins and drive the horse.’ + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Denis began to agree with them, and as he always + liked to be master wherever he went, he became afraid of Tephany’s sharp + tongue, and instead of laughing as before when she made fun of other + people he grew red and uncomfortable, thinking that his turn would come + next. + </p> + <p> + So matters went on till one evening Denis told Tephany that he really + could not stay a moment, as he had promised to go to a dance that was to + be held in the next village. + </p> + <p> + Tephany’s face fell; she had worked hard all day, and had been counting on + a quiet hour with Denis. She did her best to persuade him to remain with + her, but he would not listen, and at last she grew angry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I know why you are so anxious not to miss the dance,’ she said; ‘it + is because Aziliez of Pennenru will be there.’ + </p> + <p> + Now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round, and she and Denis had + known each other from childhood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, Aziliez will be there,’ answered Denis, who was quite pleased to + see her jealous, ‘and naturally one would go a long way to watch her + dance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go then!’ cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the door + behind her. + </p> + <p> + Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the red + embers. Then, flinging the feather from her hair, she put her head on her + hands, and sobbed passionately. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want? That is + what I ought to have asked for. But it is too late, Denis will never come + back.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Since you wish it so much you shall have beauty,’ said a voice at her + side, and looking round she beheld the old woman leaning on her stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fasten this necklace round your neck, and as long as you wear it you will + be the most beautiful woman in the world,’ continued the fairy. With a + little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace, and snapping the clasp ran + to the mirror which hung in the corner. Ah, this time she was not afraid + of Aziliez or of any other girl, for surely none could be as fair and + white as she. And with the sight of her face a thought came to her, and + putting on hastily her best dress and her buckled shoes she hurried off to + the dance. + </p> + <p> + On the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated in it. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a lovely maiden!’ he exclaimed, as Tephany approached. ‘Why, there + is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her. She, and no + other, shall be my bride.’ + </p> + <p> + The carriage was large and barred the narrow road, so Tephany was forced, + much against her will, to remain where she was. But she looked the young + man full in the face as she answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Go your way, noble lord, and let me go mine. I am only a poor peasant + girl, accustomed to milk, and make hay and spin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peasant you may be, but I will make you a great lady,’ said he, taking + her hand and trying to lead her to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t want to be a great lady, I only want to be the wife of Denis,’ + she replied, throwing off his hand and running to the ditch which divided + the road from the cornfield, where he hoped to hide. Unluckily the young + man guessed what she was doing, and signed to his attendants, who seized + her and put her in the coach. The door was banged, and the horses whipped + up into a gallop. + </p> + <p> + At the end of an hour they arrived at a splendid castle, and Tephany, who + would not move, was lifted out and carried into the hall, while a priest + was sent for to perform the marriage ceremony. The young man tried to win + a smile from her by telling of all the beautiful things she should have as + his wife, but Tephany did not listen to him, and looked about to see if + there was any means by which she could escape. It did not seem easy. The + three great doors were closely barred, and the one through which she had + entered shut with a spring, but her feather was still in her hair, and by + its aid she detected a crack in the wooden panelling, through which a + streak of light could be dimly seen. Touching the copper pin which + fastened her dress, the girl sent every one in the hall to count the + cabbages, while she herself passed through the little door, not knowing + whither she was going. + </p> + <p> + By this time night had fallen, and Tephany was very tired. Thankfully she + found herself at the gate of a convent, and asked if she might stay there + till morning. But the portress answered roughly that it was no place for + beggars, and bade her begone, so the poor girl dragged herself slowly + along the road, till a light and the bark of a dog told her that she was + near a farm. + </p> + <p> + In front of the house was a group of people; two or three women and the + sons of the farmer. When their mother heard Tephany’s request to be given + a bed the good wife’s heart softened, and she was just going to invite her + inside, when the young men, whose heads were turned by the girl’s beauty, + began to quarrel as to which should do most for her. From words they came + to blows, and the women, frightened at the disturbance, pelted Tephany + with insulting names. She quickly ran down the nearest path, hoping to + escape them in the darkness of the trees, but in an instant she heard + their footsteps behind her. Wild with fear her legs trembled under her, + when suddenly she bethought herself of her necklace. With a violent effort + she burst the clasp and flung it round the neck of a pig which was + grunting in a ditch, and as she did so she heard the footsteps cease from + pursuing her and run after the pig, for her charm had vanished. + </p> + <p> + On she went, scarcely knowing where she was going, till she found herself, + to her surprise and joy, close to her aunt’s house. For several days she + felt so tired and unhappy that she could hardly get through her work, and + to make matters worse Denis scarcely ever came near her. + </p> + <p> + ‘He was too busy,’ he said, ‘and really it was only rich people who could + afford to waste time in talking.’ + </p> + <p> + As the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler, till everybody noticed + it except her aunt. The water-pot was almost too heavy for her now, but + morning and evening she carried it to the spring, though the effort to + lift it to her shoulder was often too much for her. + </p> + <p> + ‘How could I have been so foolish,’ she whispered to herself, when she + went down as usual at sunset. ‘It was not freedom to see Denis that I + should have asked for, for he was soon weary of me, nor a quick tongue, + for he was afraid of it, nor beauty, for that brought me nothing but + trouble, but riches which make life easy both for oneself and others. Ah! + if I only dared to beg this gift from the fairy, I should be wiser than + before and know how to choose better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be satisfied,’ said the voice of the old woman, who seemed to be standing + unseen at Tephany’s elbow. ‘If you look in your right-hand pocket when you + go home you will find a small box. Rub your eyes with the ointment it + contains, and you will see that you yourself contain a priceless + treasure.’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany did not in the least understand what she meant, but ran back to + the farm as fast as she could, and began to fumble joyfully in her + right-hand pocket. Sure enough, there was the little box with the precious + ointment. She was in the act of rubbing her eyes with it when Barbaik + Bourhis entered the room. Ever since she had been obliged to leave her + work and pass her time, she did not know why, in counting cabbages, + everything had gone wrong, and she could not get a labourer to stay with + her because of her bad temper. When, therefore, she saw her niece standing + quietly before her mirror, Barbaik broke out: + </p> + <p> + ‘So this is what you do when I am out in the fields! Ah! it is no wonder + if the farm is ruined. Are you not ashamed, girl, to behave so?’ + </p> + <p> + Tephany tried to stammer some excuse, but her aunt was half mad with rage, + and a box on the ears was her only answer. At this Tephany, hurt, + bewildered and excited, could control herself no longer, and turning away + burst into tears. But what was her surprise when she saw that each + tear-drop was a round and shining pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this + marvel, uttered a cry of astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to + pick them up from the floor. + </p> + <p> + She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pearls! Are they really pearls?’ he asked, falling on his knees also, and + looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more beautiful rolling + down the girl’s cheeks. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,’ said + Barbaik. ‘Of course you shall have your share, but nobody else shall get a + single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,’ she continued to Tephany. It is for + your good as well as ours,’ and she held out her apron to catch them, and + Denis his hat. + </p> + <p> + But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at the sight + of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, and though Barbaik + caught her arm to prevent this, and said all sorts of tender words which + she thought would make the girl weep the more, Tephany with a violent + effort forced back her tears, and wiped her eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is she finished already?’ cried Barbaik, in a tone of disappointment. + ‘Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would do any good to beat her a + little?’ she added to Denis, who shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and find out + the value of each pearl.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I will go with you,’ said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone and was + afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving Tephany behind them. + </p> + <p> + She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly together, as + if she was forcing something back. At last she raised her eyes, which had + been fixed on the ground, and beheld the fairy standing in a dark corner + by the hearth, observing her with a mocking look. The girl trembled and + jumped up, then, taking the feather, the pin, and the box, she held them + out to the old woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here they are, all of them,’ she cried; ‘they belong to you. Let me never + see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they taught me. Others + may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me I desire nothing but to be + the poor peasant girl I always was, working hard for those she loves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, you have learned your lesson,’ answered the fairy, ‘and now you + shall lead a peaceful life and marry the man you love. For after all it + was not yourself you thought of but him.’ + </p> + <p> + Never again did Tephany see the old woman, but she forgave Denis for + selling her tears, and in time he grew to be a good husband, who did his + own share of work. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Groac’h of the Isle of Lok + </h2> + <p> + In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in Brittany, + there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man named Houarn Pogamm + and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were cousins, and as their mothers + were great friends, and constantly in and out of each other’s houses, they + had often been laid in the same cradle, and had played and fought over + their games. + </p> + <p> + ‘When they are grown up they will marry,’ said the mothers; but just as + every one was beginning to think of wedding bells, the two mothers died, + and the cousins, who had no money, went as servants in the same house. + This was better than being parted, of course, but not so good as having a + little cottage of their own, where they could do as they liked, and soon + they might have been heard bewailing to each other the hardness of their + lots. + </p> + <p> + ‘If we could only manage to buy a cow and get a pig to fatten,’ grumbled + Houarn, ‘I would rent a bit of ground from the master, and then we could + be married.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ answered Bellah, with a deep sigh; ‘but we live in such hard times, + and at the last fair the price of pigs had risen again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall have long to wait, that is quite clear,’ replied Houarn, turning + away to his work. + </p> + <p> + Whenever they met they repeated their grievances, and at length Houarn’s + patience was exhausted, and one morning he came to Bellah and told her + that he was going away to seek his fortune. + </p> + <p> + The girl was very unhappy as she listened to this, and felt sorry that she + had not tried to make the best of things. She implored Houarn not to leave + her, but he would listen to nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘The birds,’ he said, ‘continue flying until they reach a field of corn, + and the bees do not stop unless they find the honey-giving flowers, and + why should a man have less sense than they? Like them, I shall seek till I + get what I want—that is, money to buy a cow and a pig to fatten. And + if you love me, Bellah, you won’t attempt to hinder a plan which will + hasten our marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl saw it was useless to say more, so she answered sadly: + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, go then, since you must. But first I will divide with you all that + my parents left me,’ and going to her room, she opened a small chest, and + took from it a bell, a knife, and a little stick. + </p> + <p> + ‘This bell,’ she said, ‘can be heard at any distance, however far, but it + only rings to warn us that our friends are in great danger. The knife + frees all it touches from the spells that have been laid on them; while + the stick will carry you wherever you want to go. I will give you the + knife to guard you against the enchantments of wizards, and the bell to + tell me of your perils. The stick I shall keep for myself, so that I can + fly to you if ever you have need of me.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they cried for a little on each other’s necks, and Houarn started for + the mountains. + </p> + <p> + But in those days, as in these, beggars abounded, and through every + village he passed they followed Houarn in crowds, mistaking him for a + gentleman, because there were no holes in his clothes. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no fortune to be made here,’ he thought to himself; ‘it is a + place for spending, and not earning. I see I must go further,’ and he + walked on to Pont-aven, a pretty little town built on the bank of a river. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting on a bench outside an inn, when he heard two men who were + loading their mules talking about the Groac’h of the island of Lok. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is a Groac’h?’ asked he. ‘I have never come across one.’ And the men + answered that it was the name given to the fairy that dwelt in the lake, + and that she was rich—oh! richer than all the kings in the world put + together. Many had gone to the island to try and get possession of her + treasures, but no one had ever come back. + </p> + <p> + As he listened Houarn’s mind was made up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will go, and return too,’ he said to the muleteers. They stared at him + in astonishment, and besought him not to be so mad and to throw away his + life in such a foolish manner; but he only laughed, and answered that if + they could tell him of any other way in which to procure a cow and a pig + to fatten, he would think no more about it. But the men did not know how + this was to be done, and, shaking their heads over his obstinacy, left him + to his fate. + </p> + <p> + So Houarn went down to the sea, and found a boatman who engaged to take + him to the isle of Lok. + </p> + <p> + The island was large, and lying almost across it was a lake, with a narrow + opening to the sea. Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away, and then + proceeded to walk round the lake. At one end he perceived a small skiff, + painted blue and shaped like a swan, lying under a clump of yellow broom. + As far as he could see, the swan’s head was tucked under its wing, and + Houarn, who had never beheld a boat of the sort, went quickly towards it + and stepped in, so as to examine it the better. But no sooner was he on + board than the swan woke suddenly up; his head emerged from under his + wing, his feet began to move in the water, and in another moment they were + in the middle of the lake. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise, he prepared to + jump into the lake and swim to shore. But the bird had guessed his + intentions, and plunged beneath the water, carrying Houarn with him to the + palace of the Groac’h. + </p> + <p> + Now, unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the wonders that + lie there, you can never have an idea what the Groac’h’s palace was like. + It was all made of shells, blue and green and pink and lilac and white, + shading into each other till you could not tell where one colour ended and + the other began. The staircases were of crystal, and every separate stair + sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it. Round the palace + were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in the sea, with + diamonds for flowers. + </p> + <p> + In a large hall the Groac’h was lying on a couch of gold. The pink and + white of her face reminded you of the shells of her palace, while her long + black hair was intertwined with strings of coral, and her dress of green + silk seemed formed out of the sea. At the sight of her Houarn stopped, + dazzled by her beauty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ said the Groac’h, rising to her feet. ‘Strangers and handsome + youths are always welcome here. Do not be shy, but tell me how you found + your way, and what you want.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My name is Houarn,’ he answered, ‘Lanillis is my home, and I am trying to + earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to fatten.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you can easily get that,’ replied she; ‘it is nothing to worry + about. Come in and enjoy yourself.’ And she beckoned him to follow her + into a second hall whose floors and walls were formed of pearls, while + down the sides there were tables laden with fruit and wines of all kinds; + and as he ate and drank, the Groac’h talked to him and told him how the + treasures he saw came from shipwrecked vessels, and were brought to her + palace by a magic current of water. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not wonder,’ exclaimed Houarn, who now felt quite at home—‘I + do not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say about you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The rich are always envied.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For myself,’ he added, with a laugh, ‘I only ask for the half of your + wealth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You can have it, if you will, Houarn,’ answered the fairy. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ cried he. + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband, Korandon, is dead,’ she replied, ‘and if you wish it, I will + marry you.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man gazed at her in surprise. Could any one so rich and so + beautiful really wish to be his wife? He looked at her again, and Bellah + was forgotten as he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer. I can only accept it + with joy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then the sooner it is done the better,’ said the Groac’h, and gave orders + to her servants. After that was finished, she begged Houarn to accompany + her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the garden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come lawyer, come miller, come tailor, come singer!’ cried she, holding + out a net of steel; and at each summons a fish appeared and jumped into + the net. When it was full she went into a large kitchen and threw them all + into a golden pot; but above the bubbling of the water Houarn seemed to + hear the whispering of little voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is it whispering in the golden pot, Groac’h?’ he inquired at last. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is nothing but the noise of the wood sparkling,’ she answered; but it + did not sound the least like that to Houarn. + </p> + <p> + ‘There it is again,’ he said, after a short pause. + </p> + <p> + ‘The water is getting hot, and it makes the fish jump,’ she replied; but + soon the noise grew louder and like cries. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked Houarn, beginning to feel uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just the crickets on the hearth,’ said she, and broke into a song which + drowned the cries from the pot. + </p> + <p> + But though Houarn held his peace, he was not as happy as before. Something + seemed to have gone wrong, and then he suddenly remembered Bellah. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon? What a wretch I am!’ he + thought to himself; and he remained apart and watched the Groac’h while + she emptied the fish into a plate, and bade him eat his dinner while she + fetched wine from her cellar in a cave. + </p> + <p> + Houarn sat down and took out the knife which Bellah had given him, but as + soon as the blade touched the fish the enchantment ceased, and four men + stood before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Houarn, save us, we entreat you, and save yourself too!’ murmured they, + not daring to raise their voices. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just now!’ + exclaimed Houarn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it was us,’ they answered. ‘Like you, we came to the isle of Lok to + seek our fortunes, and like you we consented to marry the Groac’h, and no + sooner was the ceremony over than she turned us into fishes, as she had + done to all our forerunners, who are in the fish-pond still, where you + will shortly join them.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this Houarn leaped into the air, as if he already felt himself + frizzling in the golden pot. He rushed to the door, hoping to escape that + way; but the Groac’h, who had heard everything, met him on the threshold. + Instantly she threw the steel net over his head, and the eyes of a little + green frog peeped through the meshes. + </p> + <p> + ‘You shall go and play with the rest,’ she said, carrying him off to the + fish-pond. + </p> + <p> + It was at this very moment that Bellah, who was skimming the milk in the + farm dairy, heard the fairy bell tinkle violently. + </p> + <p> + At the sound she grew pale, for she knew it meant that Houarn was in + danger; and, hastily, changing the rough dress she wore for her work, she + left the farm with the magic stick in her hand. + </p> + <p> + Her knees were trembling under her, but she ran as fast as she could to + the cross roads, where she drove her stick into the ground, murmuring as + she did so a verse her mother had taught her: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Little staff of apple-tree, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, +</pre> + <p> + and immediately the stick became a smart little horse, with a rosette at + each ear and a feather on his forehead. He stood quite still while Bellah + scrambled up, then he started off, his pace growing quicker and quicker, + till at length the girl could hardly see the trees and houses as they + flashed past. But, rapid as the pace was, it was not rapid enough for + Bellah, who stooped and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘The swallow is less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift than the + lightning. But you, my horse, if you love me, must be swifter than them + all, for there is a part of my heart that suffers—the best part of + my heart that is in danger.’ + </p> + <p> + And the horse heard her, and galloped like a straw carried along by a + tempest till they reached the foot of a rock called the Leap of the Deer. + There he stopped, for no horse or mule that ever was born could climb that + rock, and Bellah knew it, so she began to sing again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Horse of Leon, given to me, + Over the earth and over the sea, + Up in the air be guide to me, + Everywhere to wander free, +</pre> + <p> + and when she had finished, the horse’s fore legs grew shorter and spread + into wings, his hind legs became claws, feathers sprouted all over his + body, and she sat on the back of a great bird, which bore her to the + summit of the rock. Here she found a nest made of clay and lined with + dried moss, and in the centre a tiny man, black and wrinkled, who gave a + cry of surprise at the sight of Bellah. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To save you!’ repeated Bellah. ‘But who are you, my little friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am the husband of the Groac’h of the isle of Lok, and it is owing to + her that I am here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what are you doing in this nest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sitting on six eggs of stone, and I shall not be set free till they + are hatched.’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this Bellah began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor little cock!’ she said, ‘and how am I to deliver you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By delivering Houarn, who is in the power of the Groac’h.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! tell me how I can manage that, and if I have to walk round the whole + of Brittany on my bended knees I will do it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, first you must dress yourself as a young man, and then go and seek + the Groac’h. When you have found her you must contrive to get hold of the + net of steel that hangs from her waist, and shut her up in it for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But where am I to find a young man’s clothes?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will show you,’ he replied, and as he spoke he pulled out three of his + red hairs and blew them away, muttering something the while. In the + twinkling of an eye the four hairs changed into four tailors, of whom the + first carried a cabbage, the second a pair of scissors, the third a + needle, and the fourth an iron. Without waiting for orders, they sat down + in the nest and, crossing their legs comfortably, began to prepare the + suit of clothes for Bellah. + </p> + <p> + With one of the leaves of the cabbage they made her a coat, and another + served for a waistcoat; but it took two for the wide breeches which were + then in fashion. The hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage, and a pair + of shoes from the thick stem. And when Bellah had put them all on you + would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet, lined with + white satin. + </p> + <p> + She thanked the little men gratefully, and after a few more instructions, + jumped on the back of her great bird, and was borne away to the isle of + Lok. Once there, she bade him transform himself back into a stick, and + with it in her hand she stepped into the blue boat, which conducted her to + the palace of shells. + </p> + <p> + The Groac’h seemed overjoyed to see her, and told her that never before + had she beheld such a handsome young man. Very soon she led her visitor + into the great hall, where wine and fruit were always waiting, and on the + table lay the magic knife, left there by Houarn. Unseen by the Groac’h, + Bellah hid it in a pocket of her green coat, and then followed her hostess + into the garden, and to the pond which contained the fish, their sides + shining with a thousand different colours. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! what beautiful, beautiful creatures!’ said she. ‘I’m sure I should + never be tired of watching them.’ And she sat down on the bank, with her + elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, her eyes fixed on the + fishes as they flashed past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you not like to stay here always?’ asked the Groac’h; and Bellah + answered that she desired nothing better. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you have only to marry me,’ said the Groac’h. ‘Oh! don’t say no, for + I have fallen deeply in love with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I won’t say “No,”’ replied Bellah, with a laugh, ‘but you must + promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in your net.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not so easy as it looks,’ rejoined the Groac’h, smiling, ‘but take + it, and try your luck.’ + </p> + <p> + Bellah took the net which the Groac’h held out, and, turning rapidly, + flung it over the witch’s head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Become in body what you are in soul!’ cried she, and in an instant the + lovely fairy of the sea was a toad, horrible to look upon. She struggled + hard to tear the net asunder, but it was no use. Bellah only drew it the + tighter, and, flinging the sorceress into a pit, she rolled a great stone + across the mouth, and left her. + </p> + <p> + As she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes advancing + to meet her, crying in hoarse tones: + </p> + <p> + ‘This is our lord and master, who has saved us from the net of steel and + the pot of gold!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who will restore you to your proper shapes,’ said Bellah, drawing the + knife from her pocket. But just as she was going to touch the foremost + fish, her eyes fell on a green frog on his knees beside her, his little + paws crossed over his little heart. Bellah felt as if fingers were + tightening round her throat, but she managed to cry: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this you, my Houarn? Is this you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I,’ croaked the little frog; and as the knife touched him he was a + man again, and, springing up, he clasped her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘But we must not forget the others,’ she said at last, and began to + transform the fishes to their proper shapes. There were so many of them + that it took quite a long time. Just as she had finished there arrived the + little dwarf from the Deer’s Leap in a car drawn by six cockchafers, which + once had been the six stone eggs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I am!’ he exclaimed. ‘You have broken the spell that held me, and + now come and get your reward,’ and, dismounting from his chariot, he led + them down into the caves filled with gold and jewels, and bade Bellah and + Houarn take as much as they wanted. + </p> + <p> + When their pockets were full, Bellah ordered her stick to become a winged + carriage, large enough to bear them and the men they had rescued back to + Lanillis. + </p> + <p> + There they were married the next day, but instead of setting up + housekeeping with the little cow and pig to fatten that they had so long + wished for, they were able to buy lands for miles round for themselves, + and gave each man who had been delivered from the Groac’h a small farm, + where he lived happily to the end of his days. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Escape of the Mouse + </h2> + <p> + Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers, for the + brother of Manawyddan had been slain, and his throne taken from him. Very + sorrowful was Manawyddan, but Pryderi was stout of heart, and bade him be + of good cheer, as he knew a way out of his trouble. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what may that be?’ asked Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the fair + lands that I will give her for dowry. Never did any lady have more wit + than she, and in her youth none was more lovely; even yet she is good to + look upon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art the best friend that ever a man had,’ said Manawyddan. ‘Let us + go now to seek Rhiannon, and the lands where she dwells.’ + </p> + <p> + Then they set forth, but the news of their coming ran swifter still, and + Rhiannon and Kieva, wife of Pryderi, made haste to prepare a feast for + them. And Manawyddan found that Pryderi had spoken the truth concerning + his mother, and asked if she would take him for her husband. Right gladly + did she consent, and without delay they were married, and rode away to the + hunt, Rhiannon and Manawyddan, Kieva and Pryderi, and they would not be + parted from each other by night or by day, so great was the love between + them. + </p> + <p> + One day, when they were returned, they were sitting out in a green place, + and suddenly the crash of thunder struck loudly on their ears, and a wall + of mist fell between them, so that they were hidden one from the other. + Trembling they sat till the darkness fled and the light shone again upon + them, but in the place where they were wont to see cattle, and herds, and + dwellings, they beheld neither house nor beast, nor man nor smoke; neither + was any one remaining in the green place save these four only. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whither have they gone, and my host also?’ cried Manawyddan, and they + searched the hall, and there was no man, and the castle, and there was + none, and in the dwellings that were left was nothing save wild beasts. + For a year these four fed on the meat that Manawyddan and Pryderi killed + out hunting, and the honey of the bees that sucked the mountain heather. + For a time they desired nothing more, but when the next year began they + grew weary. + </p> + <p> + ‘We cannot spend our lives thus,’ said Manawyddan at last, ‘let us go into + England and learn some trade by which we may live.’ So they left Wales, + and went to Hereford, and there they made saddles, while Manawyddan + fashioned blue enamel ornaments to put on their trappings. And so greatly + did the townsfolk love these saddles, that no others were bought + throughout the whole of Hereford, till the saddlers banded together and + resolved to slay Manawyddan and his companions. + </p> + <p> + When Pryderi heard of it, he was very wroth, and wished to stay and fight. + But the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed, and they moved by night to + another city. + </p> + <p> + ‘What craft shall we follow?’ asked Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will make shields,’ answered Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘But do we know anything of that craft?’ answered Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will try it,’ said Manawyddan, and they began to make shields, and + fashioned them after the shape of the shields they had seen; and these + likewise they enamelled. And so greatly did they prosper that no man in + the town bought a shield except they had made it, till at length the + shield-makers banded together as the saddlers had done, and resolved to + slay them. But of this they had warning, and by night betook themselves to + another town. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us take to making shoes,’ said Manawyddan, ‘for there are not any + among the shoemakers bold enough to fight us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know nothing of making shoes,’ answered Pryderi, who in truth despised + so peaceful a craft. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I know,’ replied Manawyddan, ‘and I will teach thee to stitch. We + will buy the leather ready dressed, and will make the shoes from it. + </p> + <p> + Then straightway he sought the town for the best leather, and for a + goldsmith to fashion the clasps, and he himself watched till it was done, + so that he might learn for himself. Soon he became known as ‘The Maker of + Gold Shoes,’ and prospered so greatly, that as long as one could be bought + from him not a shoe was purchased from the shoemakers of the town. And the + craftsmen were wroth, and banded together to slay them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan, when he had received news of it, ‘we will not + remain in England any longer. Let us set forth to Dyved.’ + </p> + <p> + So they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth. There they + gathered their dogs round them, and hunted for a year as before. + </p> + <p> + After that a strange thing happened. One morning Pryderi and Manawyddan + rose up to hunt, and loosened their dogs, which ran before them, till they + came to a small bush. At the bush, the dogs shrank away as if frightened, + and returned to their masters, their hair brisling on their backs. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must see what is in that bush,’ said Pryderi, and what was in it was a + boar, with a skin as white as the snow on the mountains. And he came out, + and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him, driven on by the men. Long he + stood at bay; then at last he betook himself to flight, and fled to a + castle which was newly built, in a place where no building had ever been + known. Into the castle he ran, and the dogs after him, and long though + their masters looked and listened, they neither saw nor heard aught + concerning dogs or boar. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs,’ said Pryderi at + last. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘thou wouldst do unwisely, for whosoever has + cast a spell over this land has set this castle here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot give up my dogs,’ replied Pryderi, and to the castle he went. + </p> + <p> + But within was neither man nor beast; neither boar nor dogs, but only a + fountain with marble round it, and on the edge a golden bowl, richly + wrought, which pleased Pryderi greatly. In a moment he forgot about his + dogs, and went up to the bowl and took hold of it, and his hands stuck to + the bowl, and his feet to the marble slab, and despair took possession of + him. + </p> + <p> + Till the close of day Manawyddan waited for him, and when the sun was fast + sinking, he went home, thinking that he had strayed far. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are thy friend and thy dogs?’ said Rhiannon, and he told her what + had befallen Pryderi. + </p> + <p> + ‘A good friend hast thou lost,’ answered Rhiannon, and she went up to the + castle and through the gate, which was open. There, in the centre of the + courtyard, she beheld Pryderi standing, and hastened towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What dost thou here?’ she asked, laying her hand on the bowl, and as she + spoke she too stuck fast, and was not able to utter a word. Then thunder + was heard and a veil of darkness descended upon them, and the castle + vanished and they with it. + </p> + <p> + When Kieva, the wife of Pryderi, found that neither her husband nor his + mother returned to her, she was in such sorrow that she cared not whether + she lived or died. Manawyddan was grieved also in his heart, and said to + her: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not fitting that we should stay here, for he have lost our dogs and + cannot get food. Let us go into England—it is easier for us to live + there.’ So they set forth. + </p> + <p> + ‘What craft wilt thou follow?’ asked Kieva as they went along. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall make shoes as once I did,’ replied he; and he got all the finest + leather in the town and caused gilded clasps to be made for the shoes, + till everyone flocked to buy, and all the shoemakers in the town were idle + and banded together in anger to kill him. But luckily Manawyddan got word + of it, and he and Kieva left the town one night and proceeded to Narberth, + taking with him a sheaf of wheat, which he sowed in three plots of ground. + And while the wheat was growing up, he hunted and fished, and they had + food enough and to spare. Thus the months passed until the harvest; and + one evening Manawyddan visited the furthest of his fields of wheat; and + saw that it was ripe. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ said he; but on the morrow when he went to + reap the wheat he found nothing but the bare straw. + </p> + <p> + Filled with dismay he hastened to the second field, and there the corn was + ripe and golden. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow I will reap this,’ he said, but on the morrow the ears had + gone, and there was nothing but the bare straw. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, there is still one field left,’ he said, and when he looked at it, + it was still fairer than the other two. ‘To-night I will watch here,’ + thought he, ‘for whosoever carried off the other corn will in like manner + take this, and I will know who it is.’ So he hid himself and waited. + </p> + <p> + The hours slid by, and all was still, so still that Manawyddan well-nigh + dropped asleep. But at midnight there arose the loudest tumult in the + world, and peeping out he beheld a mighty host of mice, which could + neither be numbered nor measured. Each mouse climbed up a straw till it + bent down with its weight, and then it bit off one of the ears, and + carried it away, and there was not one of the straws that had not got a + mouse to it. + </p> + <p> + Full of wrath he rushed at the mice, but he could no more come up with + them than if they had been gnats, or birds of the air, save one only which + lingered behind the rest, and this mouse Manawyddan came up with. Stooping + down he seized it by the tail, and put it in his glove, and tied a piece + of string across the opening of the glove, so that the mouse could not + escape. When he entered the hall where Kieva was sitting, he lighted a + fire, and hung the glove up on a peg. + </p> + <p> + ‘What hast thou there?’ asked she. + </p> + <p> + ‘A thief,’ he answered, ‘that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy glove?’ said + Kieva. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I will tell thee,’ he replied, and then he showed her how his fields + of corn had been wasted, and how he had watched for the mice. + </p> + <p> + ‘And one was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove. To-morrow + I will hang it, and I only wish I had them all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a marvel, truly,’ said she, ‘yet it would be unseemly for a man of + thy dignity to hang a reptile such as this. Do not meddle with it, but let + it go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Woe betide me,’ he cried, ‘if I would not hang them all if I could catch + them, and such as I have I will hang.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily,’ said she, ‘there is no reason I should succour this reptile, + except to prevent discredit unto thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I knew any cause that I should succour it, I would take thy counsel,’ + answered Manawyddan, ‘but as I know of none, I am minded to destroy it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do so then,’ said Kieva. + </p> + <p> + So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top, and while he was + doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him, whose clothes were + tattered. Now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast in + that place, and the sight amazed him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day to thee, my lord,’ said the scholar. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good greeting to thee, scholar. Whence dost thou come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From singing in England; but wherefore dost thou ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because for seven years no man hath visited this place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wander where I will,’ answered the scholar. ‘And what work art thou + upon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What manner of thief is that?’ inquired the scholar. ‘I see a creature in + thy hand like upon a mouse, and ill does it become a man of thy rank to + touch a reptile like this. Let it go free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it go free,’ cried Manawyddan. ‘I caught it robbing me, + and it shall suffer the doom of a thief.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord!’ said the scholar, ‘sooner than see a man like thee at such a work, + I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it go + free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it go free, neither will I sell it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As thou wilt, lord,’ answered the scholar, and he went his way. + </p> + <p> + Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks, where the + mouse was to hang, when a priest rode past. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-day to thee, lord; and what art thou doing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What manner of thief, lord?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A creature in the form of a mouse. It has been robbing me, and it shall + suffer the doom of a thief.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord,’ said the priest, ‘sooner than see thee touch this reptile, I would + purchase its freedom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will neither sell it nor set it free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see thee defile + thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee three + pounds for it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it deserves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.’ And the priest went his way. + </p> + <p> + Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse’s neck, and was about to + draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and horses bearing + huge packs, came by. + </p> + <p> + ‘What work art thou upon?’ asked the bishop, drawing rein. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?’ asked the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; that is the thief,’ answered Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will ransom it of + thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy rank touch it. Loose + it, and let it go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not let it loose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free,’ said the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set it free for as much again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the horses + thou seest and the seven loads of baggage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set it free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it, and I will give it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi,’ said Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be done.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not yet will I loose the mouse. The charm that has been cast over all + my lands must be taken off likewise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This shall be done also.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is my wife,’ answered the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore came she to me?’ asked Manawyddan. + </p> + <p> + ‘To despoil thee,’ replied the bishop, ‘for it is I who cast the charm + over thy lands, to avenge Gwawl the son of Clud my friend. And it was I + who threw the spell upon Pryderi to avenge Gwawl for the trick that had + been played on him in the game of Badger in the Bag. And not only was I + wroth, but my people likewise, and when it was known that thou wast come + to dwell in the land, they besought me much to change them into mice, that + they might eat thy corn. The first and the second nights it was the men of + my own house that destroyed thy two fields, but on the third night my wife + and her ladies came to me and begged me to change them also into the shape + of mice, that they might take part in avenging Gwawl. Therefore I changed + them. Yet had she not been ill and slow of foot, thou couldst not have + overtaken her. Still, since she was caught, I will restore thee Pryderi + and Rhiannon, and will take the charm from off thy lands. I have told thee + who she is; so now set her free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set her free,’ answered Manawyddan, ‘till thou swear that no + vengeance shall be taken for his, either upon Pryderi, or upon Rhiannon, + or on me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will grant thee this boon; and thou hast done wisely to ask it, for on + thy head would have lit all the trouble. Set now my wife free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Behold, here they come,’ said the bishop. + </p> + <p> + Then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and Rhiannon, and + they seated themselves joyfully on the grass. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, lord, hast thou not received all thou didst ask?’ said the bishop. + ‘Set now my wife free!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I will gladly,’ answered Manawyddan, unloosing the cord from her + neck, and as he did so the bishop struck her with his staff, and she + turned into a young woman, the fairest that ever was seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look around upon thy land,’ said he, ‘and thou wilt see it all tilled and + peopled, as it was long ago.’ And Manawyddan looked, and saw corn growing + in the fields, and cows and sheep grazing on the hill-side, and huts for + the people to dwell in. And he was satisfied in his soul, but one more + question he put to the bishop. + </p> + <p> + ‘What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace hung about him, and + Rhiannon has carried the collars of my asses around her neck,’ said the + bishop with a smile. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Believing Husbands + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there dwelt in the land of Erin a young man who was + seeking a wife, and of all the maidens round about none pleased him as + well as the only daughter of a farmer. The girl was willing and the father + was willing, and very soon they were married and went to live at the farm. + By and bye the season came when they must cut the peats and pile them up + to dry, so that they might have fires in the winter. So on a fine day the + girl and her husband, and the father and his wife all went out upon the + moor. + </p> + <p> + They worked hard for many hours, and at length grew hungry, so the young + woman was sent home to bring them food, and also to give the horses their + dinner. When she went into the stables, she suddenly saw the heavy + pack-saddle of the speckled mare just over her head, and she jumped and + said to herself: + </p> + <p> + ‘Suppose that pack-saddle were to fall and kill me, how dreadful it would + be!’ and she sat down just under the pack-saddle she was so much afraid + of, and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + Now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can have become of her?’ asked they, and at length the mother + declared that she would wait no longer, and must go and see what had + happened. + </p> + <p> + As the bride was nowhere in the kitchen or the dairy, the old woman went + into the stable, where she found her daughter weeping bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, my dove?’ and the girl answered, between her sobs: + </p> + <p> + ‘When I came in and saw the pack-saddle over my head, I thought how + dreadful it would be if it fell and killed me,’ and she cried louder than + before. + </p> + <p> + The old woman struck her hands together: ‘Ah, to think of it! if that were + to be, what should I do?’ and she sat down by her daughter, and they both + wrung their hands and let their tears flow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Something strange must have occurred,’ exclaimed the old farmer on the + moor, who by this time was not only hungry, but cross. ‘I must go after + them.’ And he went and found them in the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ replied his wife, ‘when our daughter came home, did she not see the + pack-saddle over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it + were to fall and kill her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, to think of it!’ exclaimed he, striking his hands together, and he + sat down beside them and wept too. + </p> + <p> + As soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger, and there + they were, all crying together in the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘When thy wife came home,’ answered the farmer, ‘she saw the pack-saddle + over her head, and she thought how dreadful it would be if it were to fall + and kill her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, but it didn’t fall,’ replied the young man, and he went off to the + kitchen to get some supper, leaving them to cry as long as they liked. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he got up with the sun, and said to the old man and to + the old woman and to his wife: + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell: my foot shall not return to the house till I have found other + three people as silly as you,’ and he walked away till he came to the + town, and seeing the door of a cottage standing open wide, he entered. No + man was present, but only some women spinning at their wheels. + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not belong to this town,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak truth,’ they answered, ‘nor you either?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not,’ replied he, ‘but is it a good place to live in?’ + </p> + <p> + The women looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + ‘The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe anything + we please,’ said they. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, here is a gold ring,’ replied he, ‘and I will give it to the one + amongst you who can make her husband believe the most impossible thing,’ + and he left them. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art sick!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, thou art,’ she answered; ‘take off thy clothes and lie down.’ + </p> + <p> + So he did, and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art dead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, am I?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou art,’ said she; ‘shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor foot.’ + </p> + <p> + And dead he felt sure he was. + </p> + <p> + Soon the second man came home, and his wife said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are not my husband!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, am I not?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, it is not you,’ answered she, so he went away and slept in the wood. + </p> + <p> + When the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper, and after that he + went to bed, just as usual. The next morning a boy knocked at the door, + bidding him attend the burial of the man who was dead, and he was just + going to get up when his wife stopped him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Time enough,’ said she, and he lay still till he heard the funeral + passing the window. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now rise, and be quick,’ called the wife, and the man jumped out of bed + in a great hurry, and began to look about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where are my clothes?’ asked he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Silly that you are, they are on your back, of course,’ answered the + woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are they?’ said he. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are,’ said she, ‘and make haste lest the burying be ended before you + get there.’ + </p> + <p> + Then off he went, running hard, and when the mourners saw a man coming + towards them with nothing on but his nightshirt, they forgot in their + fright what they were there for, and fled to hide themselves. And the + naked man stood alone at the head of the coffin. + </p> + <p> + Very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I,’ answered the naked man. ‘I do not know you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why are you naked?’ asked the first man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I naked? My wife told me that I had all my clothes on,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + ‘And my wife told me that I myself was dead,’ said the man in the coffin. + </p> + <p> + But at the sound of his voice the two men were so terrified that they ran + straight home, and the man in the coffin got up and followed them, and it + was his wife that gained the gold ring, as he had been sillier than the + other two. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Hoodie-Crow. + </h2> + <p> + Once there lived a farmer who had three daughters, and good useful girls + they were, up with the sun, and doing all the work of the house. One + morning they all ran down to the river to wash their clothes, when a + hoodie came round and sat on a tree close by. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, thou farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the eldest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I won’t wed thee,’ she answered, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ + And the bird, much offended, spread his wings and flew away. But the + following day he came back again, and said to the second girl: + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I will not,’ answered she, ‘an ugly brute is the hoodie.’ And the + hoodie was more angry than before, and went away in a rage. However, after + a night’s rest he was in a better temper, and thought that he might be + more lucky the third time, so back he went to the old place. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wilt thou wed me, farmer’s daughter?’ he said to the youngest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed I will wed thee; a pretty creature is the hoodie,’ answered she, + and on the morrow they were married. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have something to ask thee,’ said the hoodie when they were far away in + his own house. ‘Wouldst thou rather I should be a hoodie by day and a man + by night, or a man by day and a hoodie by night?’ + </p> + <p> + The girl was surprised at his words, for she did not know that he could be + anything but a hoodie at all times. + </p> + <p> + Still she said nothing of this, and only replied, ‘I would rather thou + wert a man by day and a hoodie by night,’ And so he was; and a handsomer + man or a more beautiful hoodie never was seen. The girl loved them both, + and never wished for things to be different. + </p> + <p> + By and bye they had a son, and very pleased they both were. But in the + night soft music was heard stealing close towards the house, and every man + slept, and the mother slept also. When they woke again it was morning, and + the baby was gone. High and low they looked for it, but nowhere could they + find it, and the farmer, who had come to see his daughter, was greatly + grieved, as he feared it might be thought that he had stolen it, because + he did not want the hoodie for a son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + The next year the hoodie’s wife had another son, and this time a watch was + set at every door. But it was no use. In vain they determined that, come + what might, they would not close their eyes; at the first note of music + they all fell asleep, and when the farmer arrived in the morning to see + his grandson, he found them all weeping, for while they had slept the baby + had vanished. + </p> + <p> + Well, the next year it all happened again, and the hoodie’s wife was so + unhappy that her husband resolved to take her away to another house he + had, and her sisters with her for company. So they set out in a coach + which was big enough to hold them, and had not gone very far when the + hoodie suddenly said: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are sure you have not forgotten anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have forgotten my coarse comb,’ answered the wife, feeling in her + pocket, and as she spoke the coach changed into a withered faggot, and the + man became a hoodie again, and flew away. + </p> + <p> + The two sisters returned home, but the wife followed the hoodie. Sometimes + she would see him on a hill-top, and then would hasten after him, hoping + to catch him. But by the time she had got to the top of the hill, he would + be in the valley on the other side. When night came, and she was tired, + she looked about for some place to rest, and glad she was to see a little + house full of light straight in front of her, and she hurried towards it + as fast as she could. + </p> + <p> + At the door stood a little boy, and the sight of him filled her heart with + pleasure, she did not know why. A woman came out, and bade her welcome, + and set before her food, and gave her a soft bed to lie on. And the + hoodie’s wife lay down, and so tired was she, that it seemed to her but a + moment before the sun rose, and she awoke again. From hill to hill she + went after the hoodie, and sometimes she saw him on the top; but when she + got to the top, he had flown into the valley, and when she reached the + valley he was on the top of another hill—and so it happened till + night came round again. Then she looked round for some place to rest in, + and she beheld a little house of light before her, and fast she hurried + towards it. At the door stood a little boy, and her heart was filled with + pleasure at the sight of him, she did not know why. After that a woman + bade her enter, and set food before her, and gave her a soft bed to lie + in. And when the sun rose she got up, and left the house, in search of the + hoodie. This day everything befell as on the two other days, but when she + reached the small house, the woman bade her keep awake, and if the hoodie + flew into the room, to try to seize him. + </p> + <p> + But the wife had walked far, and was very tired, and strive as she would, + she fell sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + Many hours she slept, and the hoodie entered through a window, and let + fall a ring on her hand. The girl awoke with a start, and leant forward to + grasp him, but he was already flying off, and she only seized a feather + from his wing. And when dawn came, she got up and told the woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has gone over the hill of poison,’ said she, ‘and there you cannot + follow him without horse-shoes on your hands and feet. But I will help + you. Put on this suit of men’s clothes, and go down this road till you + come to the smithy, and there you can learn to make horse-shoes for + yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + The girl thanked her, and put on the cloths and went down the road to do + her bidding. So hard did she work, that in a few days she was able to make + the horse-shoes. Early one morning she set out for the hill of poison. On + her hands and feet she went, but even with the horse-shoes on she had to + be very careful not to stumble, lest some poisoned thorns should enter + into her flesh, and she should die. But when at last she was over, it was + only to hear that her husband was to be married that day to the daughter + of a great lord. + </p> + <p> + Now there was to be a race in the town, and everyone meant to be there, + except the stranger who had come over the hill of poison—everyone, + that is, but the cook, who was to make the bridal supper. Greatly he loved + races, and sore was his heart to think that one should be run without his + seeing it, so when he beheld a woman whom he did not know coming along the + street, hope sprang up in him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you cook the wedding feast in place of me?’ he said, ‘and I will pay + you well when I return from the race.’ + </p> + <p> + Gladly she agreed, and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked into the + great hall, where the company were to eat it. After that she watched the + seat where the bridegroom was sitting, and taking a plateful of the broth, + she dropped the ring and the feather into it, and set if herself before + him. + </p> + <p> + With the first spoonful he took up the ring, and a thrill ran through him; + in the second he beheld the feather and rose from his chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who has cooked this feast?’ asked he, and the real cook, who had come + back from the race, was brought before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘He may be the cook, but he did not cook this feast,’ said the bridegroom, + and then inquiry was made, and the girl was summoned to the great hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my married wife,’ he declared, ‘and no one else will I have,’ and + at that very moment the spells fell off him, and never more would he be a + hoodie. Happy indeed were they to be together again, and little did they + mind that the hill of poison took long to cross, for she had to go some + way forwards, and then throw the horse-shoes back for him to put on. + Still, at last they were over, and they went back the way she had come, + and stopped at the three houses in order to take their little sons to + their own home. + </p> + <p> + But the story never says who had stolen them, nor what the coarse comb had + to do with it. + </p> + <p> + From ‘West Highland Tales.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Brownie of the Lake + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm Riou. You + might have walked a whole day without meeting anyone happier or more + contented, for he had a large farm, plenty of money, and above all, a + daughter called Barbaik, the most graceful dancer and the best-dressed + girl in the whole country side. When she appeared on holidays in her + embroidered cap, five petticoats, each one a little shorter than the + other, and shoes with silver buckles, the women were all filled with envy, + but little cared Barbaik what they might whisper behind her back as long + as she knew that her clothes were finer than anyone else’s and that she + had more partners than any other girl. + </p> + <p> + Now amongst all the young men who wanted to marry Barbaik, the one whose + heart was most set on her was her father’s head man, but as his manners + were rough and he was exceedingly ugly she would have nothing to say to + him, and, what was worse, often made fun of him with the rest. + </p> + <p> + Jegu, for that was his name, of course heard of this, and it made him very + unhappy. Still he would not leave the farm, and look for work elsewhere, + as he might have done, for then he would never see Barbaik at all, and + what was life worth to him without that? + </p> + <p> + One evening he was bringing back his horses from the fields, and stopped + at a little lake on the way home to let them drink. He was tired with a + long day’s work, and stood with his hand on the mane of one of the + animals, waiting till they had done, and thinking all the while of + Barbaik, when a voice came out of the gorse close by. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter, Jegu? You mustn’t despair yet.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man glanced up in surprise, and asked who was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I, the brownie of the lake,’ replied the voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘But where are you?’ inquired Jegu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look close, and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a little + green frog. I can take,’ he added proudly, ‘any shape I choose, and even, + which is much harder, be invisible if I want to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family generally + appear,’ replied Jegu. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly, if you wish,’ and the frog jumped on the back of one of the + horses, and changed into a little dwarf, all dressed in green. + </p> + <p> + This transformation rather frightened Jegu, but the brownie bade him have + no fears, for he would not do him any harm; indeed, he hoped that Jegu + might find him of some use. + </p> + <p> + ‘But why should you take all this interest in me?’ asked the peasant + suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because of a service you did me last winter, which I have never + forgotten,’ answered the little fellow. ‘You know, I am sure, that the + korigans[FN#3: The spiteful fairies.] who dwell in the White Corn country + have declared war on my people, because they say that they are the friends + of man. We were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant lands, and to + hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes. Since that time, + partly from habit and partly to amuse ourselves, we have continued to + transform ourselves, and it was in this way that I got to know you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How?’ exclaimed Jegu, filled with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the river, three + months ago, you found a robin redbreast caught in a net? + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ answered Jegu, ‘I remember it very well, and I opened the net and + let him go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I was that robin redbreast, and ever since I have vowed to be your + friend, and as you want to marry Barbaik, I will prove the truth of what I + say by helping you to do so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my little brownie, if you can do that, there is nothing I won’t give + you, except my soul.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then let me alone,’ rejoined the dwarf, ‘and I promise you that in a very + few months you shall be master of the farm and of Barbaik.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how are you going to do it?’ exclaimed Jegu wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my affair. Perhaps I may tell you later. Meanwhile you just eat + and sleep, and don’t worry yourself about anything.’ + </p> + <p> + Jegu declared that nothing could be easier, and then taking off his hat, + he thanked the dwarf heartily, and led his horses back to the farm. + </p> + <p> + Next morning was a holiday, and Barbaik was awake earlier than usual, as + she wished to get through her work as soon as possible, and be ready to + start for a dance which was to be held some distance off. She went first + to the cow-house, which it was her duty to keep clean, but to her + amazement she found fresh straw put down, the racks filled with hay, the + cows milked, and the pails standing neatly in a row. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course, Jegu must have done this in the hope of my giving him a + dance,’ she thought to herself, and when she met him outside the door she + stopped and thanked him for his help. To be sure, Jegu only replied + roughly that he didn’t know what she was talking about, but this answer + made her feel all the more certain that it was he and nobody else. + </p> + <p> + The same thing took place every day, and never had the cow-house been so + clean nor the cows so fat. Morning and evening Barbaik found her earthen + pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly churned, ornamented with + leaves. At the end of a few weeks she grew so used to this state of + affairs that she only got up just in time to prepare breakfast. + </p> + <p> + Soon even this grew to be unnecessary, for a day arrived when, coming + downstairs, she discovered that the house was swept, the furniture + polished, the fire lit, and the food ready, so that she had nothing to do + except to ring the great bell which summoned the labourers from the fields + to come and eat it. This, also, she thought was the work of Jegu, and she + could not help feeling that a husband of this sort would be very useful to + a girl who liked to lie in bed and to amuse herself. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be satisfied. If the + wind was cold or the sun was hot and she was afraid to go out lest her + complexion should be spoilt, she need only to run down to the spring close + by and say softly, ‘I should like my churns to be full, and my wet linen + to be stretched on the hedge to dry,’ and she need never give another + thought to the matter. + </p> + <p> + If she found the rye bread too hard to bake, or the oven taking too long + to heat, she just murmured, ‘I should like to see my six loaves on the + shelf above the bread box,’ and two hours after there they were. + </p> + <p> + If she was too lazy to walk all the way to market along a dirty road, she + would say out loud the night before, ‘Why am I not already back from + Morlaix with my milk pot empty, my butter bowl inside it, a pound of wild + cherries on my wooden plate, and the money I have gained in my apron + pocket?’ and in the morning when she got up, lo and behold! there were + standing at the foot of her bed the empty milk pot with the butter bowl + inside, the black cherries on the wooden plate, and six new pieces of + silver in the pocket of her apron. And she believed that all this was + owing to Jegu, and she could no longer do without him, even in her + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + When things had reached this pass, the brownie told the young man that he + had better ask Barbaik to marry him, and this time the girl did not turn + rudely away, but listened patiently to the end. In her eyes he was as ugly + and awkward as ever, but he would certainly make a most useful husband, + and she could sleep every morning till breakfast time, just like a young + lady, and as for the rest of the day, it would not be half long enough for + all she meant to do. She would wear the beautiful dresses that came when + she wished for them, and visit her neighbours, who would be dying of envy + all the while, and she would be able to dance as much as she wished. Jegu + would always be there to work for her and save for her, and watch over + her. So, like a well-brought-up girl, Barbaik answered that it should be + as her father pleased, knowing quite well that old Riou had often said + that after he was dead there was no one so capable of carrying on the + farm. + </p> + <p> + The marriage took place the following month, and a few days later the old + man died quite suddenly. Now Jegu had everything to see to himself, and + somehow it did not seem so easy as when the farmer was alive. But once + more the brownie stepped in, and was better than ten labourers. It was he + who ploughed and sowed and reaped, and if, as happened, occasionally, it + was needful to get the work done quickly, the brownie called in some of + his friends, and as soon as it was light a host of little dwarfs might + have been seen in the fields, busy with hoe, fork or sickle. But by the + time the people were about all was finished, and the little fellows had + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + And all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of broth. From + the very day of her marriage Barbaik had noted with surprise and rage that + things ceased to be done for her as they had been done all the weeks and + months before. She complained to Jegu of his laziness, and he only stared + at her, not understanding what she was talking about. But the brownie, who + was standing by, burst out laughing, and confessed that all the good + offices she spoke of had been performed by him, for the sake of Jegu, but + that now he had other business to do, and it was high time that she looked + after her house herself. + </p> + <p> + Barbaik was furious. Each morning when she was obliged to get up before + dawn to milk the cows and go to market, and each evening when she had to + sit up till midnight in order to churn the butter, her heart was filled + with rage against the brownie who had caused her to expect a life of ease + and pleasure. But when she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face, + squinting eyes, and untidy hair, her anger was doubled. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it had not been for you, you miserable dwarf!’ she would say between + her teeth, ‘if it had not been for you I should never have married that + man, and I should still have been going to dances, where the young men + would have brought me present of nuts and cherries, and told me that I was + the prettiest girl in the parish. While now I can receive no presents + except from my husband. I can never dance, except with my husband. Oh, you + wretched dwarf, I will never, never forgive you!’ + </p> + <p> + In spite of her fierce words, no one knew better than Barbaik how to put + her pride in her pocket when it suited her, and after receiving an + invitation to a wedding, she begged the brownie to get her a horse to ride + there. To her great joy he consented, bidding her set out for the city of + the dwarfs and to tell them exactly what she wanted. Full of excitement, + Barbaik started on her journey. It was not long, and when she reached the + town she went straight to the dwarfs, who were holding counsel in a wide + green place, and said to them, ‘Listen, my friends! I have come to beg you + to lend me a black horse, with eyes, a mouth, ears, bridle and saddle.’ + </p> + <p> + She had hardly spoken when the horse appeared, and mounting on his back + she started for the village where the wedding was to be held. + </p> + <p> + At first she was so delighted with the chance of a holiday from the work + which she hated, that she noticed nothing, but very soon it struck her as + odd that as she passed along the roads full of people they all laughed as + they looked at her horse. At length she caught some words uttered by one + man to another. ‘Why, the farmer’s wife has sold her horse’s tail!’ and + turned in her saddle. Yes; it was true. Her horse had no tail! She had + forgotten to ask for one, and the wicked dwarfs had carried out her orders + to the letter! + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, at any rate, I shall soon be there,’ she thought, and shaking the + reins, tried to urge the horse to a gallop. But it was of no use; he + declined to move out of a walk; and she was forced to hear all the jokes + that were made upon her. + </p> + <p> + In the evening she returned to the farm more angry than ever, and quite + determined to revenge herself on the brownie whenever she had the chance, + which happened to be very soon. + </p> + <p> + It was the spring, and just the time of year when the dwarfs held their + fete, so one day the brownie asked Jegu if he might bring his friends to + have supper in the great barn, and whether he would allow them to dance + there. Of course, Jegu was only too pleased to be able to do anything for + the brownie, and he ordered Barbaik to spread her best table-cloths in the + barn, and to make a quantity of little loaves and pancakes, and, besides, + to keep all the milk given by the cows that morning. He expected she would + refuse, as he knew she hated the dwarfs, but she said nothing, and + prepared the supper as he had bidden her. + </p> + <p> + When all was ready, the dwarfs, in new green suits, came bustling in, very + happy and merry, and took their seats at the table. But in a moment they + all sprang up with a cry, and ran away screaming, for Barbaik had placed + pans of hot coals under their feet, and all their poor little toes were + burnt. + </p> + <p> + ‘You won’t forget that in a hurry,’ she said, smiling grimly to herself, + but in a moment they were back again with large pots of water, which they + poured on the fire. Then they joined hands and danced round it, singing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Wicked traitress, Barne Riou, + Our poor toes are burned by you; + Now we hurry from your hall— + Bad luck light upon you all. +</pre> + <p> + That evening they left the country for ever, and Jegu, without their help, + grew poorer and poorer, and at last died of misery, while Barbaik was glad + to find work in the market of Morlaix. + </p> + <p> + From ‘Le Foyer Breton,’ par E. Souvestre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Winning of Olwen + </h2> + <p> + There was once a king and queen who had a little boy, and they called his + name Kilweh. The queen, his mother, fell ill soon after his birth, and as + she could not take care of him herself she sent him to a woman she knew up + in the mountains, so that he might learn to go out in all weathers, and + bear heat and cold, and grow tall and strong. Kilweh was quite happy with + his nurse, and ran races and climbed hills with the children who were his + playfellows, and in the winter, when the snow lay on the ground, sometimes + a man with a harp would stop and beg for shelter, and in return would sing + them songs of strange things that had happened in the years gone by. + </p> + <p> + But long before this changes had taken place in the court of Kilweh’s + father. Soon after she had sent her baby away the queen became much worse, + and at length, seeing that she was going to die, she called her husband to + her and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Never again shall I rise from this bed, and by and bye thou wilt take + another wife. But lest she should make thee forget thy son, I charge thee + that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my + grave.’ And this he promised her. Then she further bade him to see to her + grave that nothing might grow thereon. This likewise he promised her, and + soon she died, and for seven years the king sent a man every morning to + see that nothing was growing on the queen’s grave, but at the end of seven + years he forgot. + </p> + <p> + One day when the king was out hunting he rode past the place where the + queen lay buried, and there he saw a briar growing with two blossoms on + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is time that I took a wife,’ said he, and after long looking he found + one. But he did not tell her about his son; indeed he hardly remembered + that he had one till she heard it at last from an old woman whom she had + gone to visit. And the new queen was very pleased, and sent messengers to + fetch the boy, and in his father’s court he stayed, while the years went + by till one day the queen told him that a prophecy had foretold that he + was to win for his wife Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr. + </p> + <p> + When he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy. Surely he must be a man + now, he thought, or there would be no talk of a wife for him, and his mind + dwelt all day upon his promised bride, and what she would be like when he + beheld her. + </p> + <p> + ‘What aileth thee, my son?’ asked his father at last, when Kilweh had + forgotten something he had been bidden to do, and Kilweh blushed red as he + answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘My stepmother says that none but Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden + Penkawr, shall be my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be easily fulfilled,’ replied his father. ‘Arthur the king is + thy cousin. Go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy hair, and to + grant thee this boon.’ + </p> + <p> + Then the youth pricked forth upon a dapple grey horse of four years old, + with a bridle of linked gold, and gold upon his saddle. In his hand he + bore two spears of silver with heads of steel; a war-horn of ivory was + slung round his shoulder, and by his side hung a golden sword. Before him + were two brindled white-breasted greyhounds with collars of rubies round + their necks, and the one that was on the left side bounded across to the + right side, and the one on the right to the left, and like two + sea-swallows sported round him. And his horse cast up four sods with his + four hoofs, like four swallows in the air about his head, now above, now + below. About him was a robe of purple, and an apple of gold was at each + corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of a hundred cows. + And the blades of grass bent not beneath him, so light were his horse’s + feet as he journeyed toward the gate of Arthur’s palace. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there a porter?’ cried Kilweh, looking round for someone to open the + gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is; and I am Arthur’s porter every first day of January,’ answered + a man coming out to him. ‘The rest of the year there are other porters, + and among them Pennpingyon, who goes upon his head to save his feet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, open the portal, I say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, that I may not do, for none can enter save the son of a king or a + pedlar who has goods to sell. But elsewhere there will be food for thy + dogs and hay for thy horse, and for thee collops cooked and peppered, and + sweet wine shall be served in the guest chamber.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will not do for me,’ answered Kilweh. ‘If thou wilt not open the + gate I will send up three shouts that shall be heard from Cornwall unto + the north, and yet again to Ireland.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatsoever clamour thou mayest make,’ spake Glewlwyd the porter, ‘thou + shalt not enter until I first go and speak with Arthur.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Glewlwyd went into the hall, and Arthur said to him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Hast thou news from the gate?’ and the porter answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Far have I travelled, both in this island and elsewhere, and many kingly + men have I seen; but never yet have I beheld one equal in majesty to him + who now stands at the door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If walking thou didst enter here, return thou running,’ replied Arthur, + ‘and let everyone that opens and shuts the eye show him respect and serve + him, for it is not meet to keep such a man in the wind and rain.’ So + Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode in upon his charger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting unto thee, O ruler of this land,’ cried he, ‘and greeting no + less to the lowest than to the highest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting to thee also,’ answered Arthur. ‘Sit thou between two of my + warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee and all that belongs + to one born to be a king, while thou remainest in my palace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not come,’ replied Kilweh, ‘for meat and drink, but to obtain a + boon, and if thou grant it me I will pay it back, and will carry thy + praise to the four winds of heaven. But if thou wilt not grant it to me, + then I will proclaim thy discourtesy wherever thy name is known.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What thou askest that shalt thou receive,’ said Arthur, ‘as far as the + wind dries and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves and the sea + encircles and the earth extends. Save only my ship and my mantle, my word + and my lance, my shield and my dagger, and Guinevere my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would that thou bless my hair,’ spake Kilweh, and Arthur answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be granted thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Forthwith he bade his men fetch him a comb of gold and a scissors with + loops of silver, and he combed the hair of Kilweh his guest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me who thou art,’ he said, ‘for my heart warms to thee, and I feel + thou art come of my blood.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Kilweh, son of Kilydd,’ replied the youth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then my cousin thou art in truth,’ replied Arthur, ‘and whatsoever boon + thou mayest ask thou shalt receive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The boon I crave is that thou mayest win for me Olwen, the daughter of + Yspaddaden Penkawr, and this boon I seek likewise at the hands of thy + warriors. From Sol, who can stand all day upon one foot; from Ossol, who, + if he were to find himself on the top of the highest mountain in the + world, could make it into a level plain in the beat of a bird’s wing; from + Cluse, who, though he were buried under the earth, could yet hear the ant + leave her nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai and from Bedwyr + and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O Kilweh,’ said Arthur, ‘never have I heard of the maiden of whom thou + speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send messengers to seek her if + thou wilt give me time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I grant + thee,’ replied Kilweh; but when the end of the year came and the + messengers returned Kilweh was wroth, and spoke rough words to Arthur. + </p> + <p> + It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot—he + would could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days beneath the + water—that answered him: + </p> + <p> + ‘Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come with us, + and we will not part company till we have won that maiden, or till thou + confess that there is none such in the world.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilweh. There + was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai’s comrade and brother in arms, the swiftest + man in Britain save Arthur; there was Kynddelig, who knew the paths in a + land where he had never been as surely as he did those of his own country; + there was Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and Gwalchmai the son of + Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what he sought; and last of + all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over them so that none might + see them, while they could see everyone. + </p> + <p> + So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain in + which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close it was not until + the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it, and in + front of it a flock of sheep was spread, so many in number that there + seemed no end to them. A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them, and + by his side was a dog, as large as a horse nine winters old. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose is this castle, O herdsmen?’ asked the knights. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stupid are ye truly,’ answered the herdsman. ‘All the world knows that + this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who art thou?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he treated me. + And who are you, and what do you here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden,’ + but at this news the shepherd gave a cry: + </p> + <p> + ‘O men, be warned and turn back while there is yet time. Others have gone + on that quest, but none have escaped to tell the tale,’ and he rose to his + feet as if to leave them. Then Kilweh held out to him a ring of gold, and + he tried to put it on his finger, but it was too small, so he placed it in + his glove, and went home and gave it to his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence came this ring?’ asked she, ‘for such good luck is not wont to + befall thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the evening,’ + answered the shepherd; ‘he is Kilweh, son of Kilydd, cousin to king + Arthur, and he has come to seek Olwen.’ And when the wife heard that she + knew that Kilweh was her nephew, and her heart yearned after him, half + with joy at the thought of seeing him, and half with sorrow for the doom + she feared. + </p> + <p> + Soon they heard steps approaching, and Kai and the rest entered into the + house and ate and drank. After that the woman opened a chest, and out of + it came a youth with curling yellow hair. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a pity to hid him thus,’ said Gwrhyr, ‘for well I know that he has + done no evil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain, and I have no more hope + of saving this one,’ replied she, and Kai was full of sorrow and answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him come with me and be my comrade, and he shall never be slain + unless I am slain also.’ And so it was agreed. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is your errand here?’ asked the woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘We seek Olwen the maiden for this youth,’ answered Kai; ‘does she ever + come hither so that she may be seen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She comes every Saturday to wash her hair, and in the vessel where she + washes she leaves all her rings, and never does she so much as send a + messenger to fetch them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will she come if she is bidden?’ asked Kai, pondering. + </p> + <p> + ‘She will come; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will not harm + her I will not fetch her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We pledge it,’ said they, and the maiden came. + </p> + <p> + A fair sight was she in a robe of flame-coloured silk, with a collar of + ruddy gold about her neck, bright with emeralds and rubies. More yellow + was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than + the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands than the blossoms of the + wood anemone. Four white trefoils sprang up where she trod, and therefore + was she called Olwen. + </p> + <p> + She entered, and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh, and he spake to her: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, maiden, since first I heard thy name I have loved thee—wilt + thou not come away with me from this evil place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I cannot do,’ answered she, ‘for I have given my word to my father + not to go without his knowledge, for his life will only last till I am + betrothed. Whatever is, must be, but this counsel I will give you. Go, and + ask me of my father, and whatsoever he shall required of thee grant it, + and thou shalt win me; but if thou deny him anything thou wilt not obtain + me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All this I promise,’ said he. + </p> + <p> + So she returned to the castle, and all Arthur’s men went after her, and + entered the hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘Greeting to thee, Yspaddaden Penkawr,’ said they. ‘We come to ask thy + daughter Olwen for Kilweh, son of Kilydd.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come hither to-morrow and I will answer you,’ replied Yspaddaden Penkawr, + and as they rose to leave the hall he caught up one of the three poisoned + darts that lay beside him and flung it in their midst. But Bedwyr saw and + caught it, and flung it back so hard that it pierced the knee of + Yspaddaden. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ he cried, writhing with pain. ‘I shall ever + walk the worse for this rudeness. Cursed be the smith who forged it, and + the anvil on which it was wrought!’ + </p> + <p> + That night the men slept in the house of Custennin the herdsman, and the + next day they proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her dower. + And unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her four great grandmothers and her four great grandfathers yet live,’ + answered Yspaddaden Penkawr; ‘it is needful that I take counsel with + them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be it so; we will go to meat,’ but as they turned he took up the second + dart that lay by his side and cast it after them. And Menw caught it, and + flung it at him, and wounded him in the chest, so that it came out at his + back. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly!’ cried Yspaddaden, ‘the iron pains me like + the bite of a horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, and + the smith who formed it!’ The third day Arthur’s men returned to the + palace into the presence of Yspaddaden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shoot not at me again,’ said he, ‘unless you desire death. But lift up my + eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see my son-in-law.’ + Then they arose, and as they did so Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third + poisoned dart and cast it at them. And Kilweh caught it, and flung it + back, and it passed through his eyeball, and came out on the other side of + his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gentle son-in-law, truly! Cursed be the fire in which it was forged and + the man who fashioned it!’ + </p> + <p> + The next day Arthur’s men came again to the palace and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Shoot not at us any more unless thou desirest more pain than even now + thou hast, but give us thy daughter without more words.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is he that seeks my daughter? Let him come hither so that I may see + him.’ And Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face to face with him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it thou that seekest my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I,’ answered Kilweh. + </p> + <p> + ‘First give me thy word that thou wilt do nothing towards me that is not + just, and when thou hast won for me that which I shall ask, then thou + shalt wed my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I promise right willingly,’ said Kilweh. ‘Name what thou wilt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Seest thou yonder hill? Well, in one day it shall be rooted up and + ploughed and sown, and the grain shall ripen, and of that wheat I will + bake the cakes for my daughter’s wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest deem it will + not be easy,’ answered Kilweh, thinking of Ossol, under whose feet the + highest mountain became straightway a plain, but Yspaddaden paid no heed, + and continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘Seest thou that field yonder? When my daughter was born nine bushels of + flax were sown therein, and not one blade has sprung up. I require thee to + sow fresh flax in the ground that my daughter may wear a veil spun from it + on the day of her wedding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not compass. For + thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir which will give meat to + the whole world. It is for thy wedding feast. Thou must also fetch me the + drinking-horn that is never empty, and the harp that never ceases to play + until it is bidden. Also the comb and scissors and razor that lie between + the two ears of Trwyth the boar, so that I may arrange my hair for the + wedding. And though thou get this yet there is that which thou wilt not + get, for Trwyth the boar will not let any man take from him the comb and + the scissors, unless Drudwyn the whelp hunt him. But no leash in the world + can hold Drudwyn save the leash of Cant Ewin, and no collar will hold the + leash except the collar of Canhastyr.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou mayest think it will + not be easy,’ Kilweh answered him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou wilt not + get. Throughout the world there is none that can hunt with this dog save + Mabon the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when three nights + old, and it is not know where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead, + and though thou find him yet the boar will never be slain save only with + the sword of Gwrnach the giant, and if thou obtain it not neither shalt + thou obtain my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Horses shall I have, and knights from my lord Arthur. And I shall gain + thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.’ + </p> + <p> + The speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr was ended. + </p> + <p> + Then Arthur’s men set forth, and Kilweh with them, and journeyed till they + reached the largest castle in the world, and a black man came out to meet + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whence comest thou, O man?’ asked they, ‘and whose is that castle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is the castle of Gwrnach the giant, as all the world knows,’ + answered the man, ‘but no guest ever returned thence alive, and none may + enter the gate except a craftsman, who brings his trade.’ But little did + Arthur’s men heed his warning, and they went straight to the gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘Open!’ cried Gwrhyr. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not open,’ replied the porter. + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore?’ asked Kai. + </p> + <p> + ‘The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is + revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the giant, and save for a craftsman who + brings his trade the gate will not be opened to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily, then, I may enter,’ said Kai, ‘for there is no better burnisher + of swords than I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This will I tell Gwrnach the giant, and I will bring thee his answer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bid the man come before me,’ cried Gwrnach, when the porter had told his + tale, ‘for my sword stands much in need of polishing,’ so Kai passed in + and saluted Gwrnach the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it true what I hear of thee, that thou canst burnish swords?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true,’ answered Kai. Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall it be burnished white or blue?’ said Kai, taking a whetstone from + under his arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘As thou wilt,’ answered the giant, and speedily did Kai polish half the + sword. The giant marvelled at his skill, and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a companion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a companion, noble sir, but he has no skill in this art.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is his name?’ asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him how he may know him. The + head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and + descend upon its shaft again.’ So the porter opened the gate and Bedwyr + entered. + </p> + <p> + Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when the gate + closed upon Bedwyr, and Goreu, son of Custennin, prevailed with the + porter, and he and his companions got in also and hid themselves. + </p> + <p> + By this time the whole of the sword was polished, and Kai gave it into the + hand of Gwrnach the giant, who felt it and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Thy work is good; I am content.’ + </p> + <p> + Then said Kai: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me that I may + take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones.’ And he took the + scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other, and came and stood behind + the giant, as if he would have sheathed the sword in the scabbard. But + with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant, and it rolled from his + body. After that they despoiled the castle of its gold and jewels, and + returned, bearing the sword of the giant, to Arthur’s court. + </p> + <p> + They told Arthur how they had sped, and they all took counsel together, + and agreed that they must set out on the quest for Mabon the son of + Modron, and Gwrhyr, who knew the languages of beasts and of birds, went + with them. SO they journeyed until they came to the nest of an ousel, and + Gwrhyr spoke to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken + when three nights old from between his mother and the wall.’ + </p> + <p> + And the ousel answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘When I first came here I was a young bird, and there was a smith’s anvil + in this place. But from that time no work has been done upon it, save that + every evening I have pecked at it, till now there is not so much as the + size of a nut remaining thereof. Yet all that time I have never once heard + of the man you name. Still, there is a race of beasts older than I, and I + will guide you to them.’ + </p> + <p> + So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of Redynvre; but + when they inquired of the stag whether he knew aught of Mabon he shook his + head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the plain was bare save for one oak + sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches. All that is + left of that oak is a withered stump, but never once have I heard of the + man you name. Nevertheless, as you are Arthur’s men, I will guide you to + the place where there is an animal older than I’; and the stag ran before + them till he reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. But when they inquired of the + owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the valley was a wooded glen; then a + race of men came and rooted it up. After that there grew a second wood, + and then a third, which you see. Look at my wings also—are they not + withered stumps? Yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you name. + Still, I will guide you to the oldest animal in the world, and the one + that has travelled most, the eagle of Gwern Abbey.’ And he flew before + them, as fast as his old wings would carry him, till he reached the eagle + of Gwern Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he knew aught + of Mabon he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I first came hither,’ said the eagle, ‘there was a rock here, and + every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it. Now, behold, it is + not even a span high! But only once have I heard of the man you name, and + that was when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. I swooped down + upon a salmon, and struck my claws into him, but he drew me down under + water till scarcely could I escape him. Then I summoned all my kindred to + destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty fish spears from + his back. Unless he may know something of the man whom you seek I cannot + tell who may. But I will guide you to the place where he is.’ + </p> + <p> + So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high was he in + the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight. At length he stopped above + a deep pool in a river. + </p> + <p> + ‘Salmon of Llyn Llyw,’ he called, ‘I have come to thee with an embassy + from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of + Modron.’ And the salmon answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go up the river, + till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as + I never found elsewhere. And that you may see that what I say is true let + two of you go thither on my shoulders.’ So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon the + shoulders of the salmon, and were carried under the walls of the prison, + from which proceeded the sound of great weeping. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and fighting?’ + asked Gwrhyr again. + </p> + <p> + ‘By fighting alone shall I be set free,’ said Mabon. + </p> + <p> + Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was found, and + he brought all his warriors to the castle of Gloucester and fell fiercely + upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went on the shoulders of the salmon to the + gate of the dungeon, and broke it down and carried away Mabon. And he now + being free returned home with Arthur. + </p> + <p> + After this, on a certain day, as Gwythyr was walking across a mountain he + heard a grievous cry, and he hastened towards it. In a little valley he + saw the heather burning and the fire spreading fast towards the anthill, + and all the ants were hurrying to and fro, not knowing whither to go. + Gwythyr had pity on them, and put out the fire, and in gratitude the ants + brought him the nine bushels of flax seed which Yspaddaden Penkawr + required of Kilweh. And many of the other marvels were done likewise by + Arthur and his knights, and at last it came to the fight with Trwyth the + board, to obtain the comb and the scissors and the razor that lay between + his ears. But hard was the boar to catch, and fiercely did he fight when + Arthur’s men gave him battle, so that many of them were slain. + </p> + <p> + Up and down the country went Trwyth the boar, and Arthur followed after + him, till they came to the Severn sea. There three knights caught his feet + unawares and plunged him into the water, while one snatched the razor from + him, and another seized the scissors. But before they laid hold of the + comb he had shaken them all off, and neither man nor horse nor dog could + reach him till he came to Cornwall, whither Arthur had sworn he should not + go. Thither Arthur followed after him with his knights, and if it had been + hard to win the razor and the scissors, the struggle for the comb was + fiercer still, but at length Arthur prevailed, and the boar was driven + into the sea. And whether he was drowned or where he went no man knows to + this day. + </p> + <p> + In the end all the marvels were done, and Kilweh set forward, and with him + Goreu, the son of Custennin, to Yspaddaden Penkawr, bearing in their hands + the razor, the scissors and the comb, and Yspaddaden Penkawr was shaved by + Kaw. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is thy daughter mine now?’ asked Kilweh. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is thine,’ answered Yspaddaden, ‘but it is Arthur and none other who + has won her for thee. Of my own free will thou shouldst never have had + her, for now I must lose my life.’ And as he spake Goreu the son of + Custennin cut off his head, as if had been ordained, and Arthur’s hosts + returned each man to his own country. + </p> + <p> + From the ‘Mabinogion.’ + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 3454-h.htm or 3454-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/5/3454/ + +Produced by J.C. Byers, L.M. 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