 CHAPTER XIX. Once upon a time there lived a princess who was so beautiful and so good that everybody loved her. Her father could hardly bear her out of his sight, and he almost died of grief when one day she disappeared, and though the whole kingdom was searched through and through, she could not be found in any corner of it. In despair the king ordered a proclamation to be made that whoever could bring her back to the palace should have her for his wife. This made the young men start afresh on the search, but they were no more successful than before and returned sorrowfully to their homes. Now they're dwelt not far from the palace an old man who had three sons. The two eldest were allowed by their parents to do just as they liked, but the youngest was always obliged to give way to his brothers. When they were all grown up the eldest told his father that he was tired of leading such a quiet life and that he meant to go away and see the world. The old people were very unhappy at the thought that they must part with him, but they said nothing and began to collect all that he would want for his travels and were careful to add a pair of new boots. When everything was ready he bade them farewell and started merrily on his way. For some miles his road lay through a wood and when he left it he suddenly came out on a bare hillside. Here he sat down to rest and pulling out his wallet prepared to eat his dinner. He had only eaten a few mouthfuls when an old man badly dressed passed by and seeing the food asked if the young man could not spare him a little. "'Not I, indeed,' answered he, "'Why, I have scarcely enough for myself. If you want food you must earn it.' And the beggar went on. After the young man had finished his dinner he rose and walked on for several hours till he reached a second hill where he threw himself down on the grass and took some bread and milk from his wallet. While he was eating and drinking there came by an old man, yet more wretched than the first, and begged for a few mouthfuls, but instead of food he only got hard words and limped sadly away. Towards evening the young man reached an open space in the wood and by this time he thought he would like some supper. The birds saw the food and flew round his head in numbers hoping for some crumbs, but he threw stones at them and frightened them off. Then he began to wonder where he should sleep. Not in the open space he was in for that was bare and cold and though he had walked a long way that day and was tired he dragged himself up and went on seeking for a shelter. At length he saw a deep sort of hole or cave under a great rock and as it seemed quite empty he went in and lay down in a corner. About midnight he was awakened by a noise and peeping out he beheld a terrible ogreous approaching. He implored her not to hurt him but to let him stay there for the rest of the night to which she consented, on condition that he should spend the next day in doing any task which she might choose to set him. To this young man willingly agreed and turned over and went to sleep again. In the morning the ogreous bade him sweep the dust out of the cave and to have it clean before her return in the evening, otherwise it would be the worse for him. Then she left the cave. The young man took the spade and began to clean the floor of the cave. But try as he would to move it the dirt still stuck to its place. He soon gave up the task and sat sulkily in the corner, wondering what punishment the ogreous would find for him and why she had set him to do such an impossible thing. He had not long to wait after the ogreous came home before he knew what his punishment was to be. She just gave one look at the floor of the cave then dealt him a blow on the head which cracked his skull and there was an end of him. Meanwhile his next brother grew tired of staying at home and let his parents have no rest till they had consented that he also should be given some food and some new boots and go out to see the world. On his road he also meant the two old beggars who prayed for a little of his bread and milk, but this young man had never been taught to help other people and had made it a rule through his life to keep all he had to himself. So he turned a deaf ear and finished his dinner. By and by he too came to the cave and was bitten by the ogreous to clean the floor, but he was no more successful than his brother and his fate was the same. Anyone would have thought that when the old people had only one son left that at least they would have been kind to him, even if they did not love him, but for some reason they could hardly bear the sight of him, though he tried much harder to make them comfortable than his brothers had ever done. So when he asked their leave to go out into the world they gave it at once and seemed quite glad to be rid of him. They felt it was quite generous of them to provide him with a pair of new boots and some bread and milk for his journey. Besides the pleasure of seeing the world the youth was very anxious to discover what had become of his brothers and he determined to trace as far as he could the way they must have gone. He followed the road that led from his father's cottage to the hill where he sat down to rest saying to himself, I am sure my brothers must have stopped here and I will do the same. He was hungry as well as tired and took out some of the food his parents had given him. He was just going to begin to eat when the old man appeared and asked if he could not spare him a little. The young man at once broke off some of the bread begging the old man to sit down beside him and treating him as if he was an old friend. At last the stranger rose and said to him, if ever you are in trouble call me and I will help you. My name is Tritill. Then he vanished and the young man could not tell where he had gone. However, he felt he had now rested long enough and that he had better be going on his way. At the next hill he met with the second old man and to him also he gave food and drink and when this old man had finished he said, like the first, if you ever want help in the smallest thing call to me. My name is Tritill. The young man walked on till he reached the open space in the wood where he stopped for dinner. In a moment all the birds in the world seemed flying round his head and he crumbled some of his bread for them and watched them as they darted down to pick it up. When they had cleared off every crumb the largest bird with the gayest plumage said to him, if you are in trouble and need help, saying my birds come to me and we will come, then they flew away. Towards evening the young man reached the cave where his brothers admit their debts and like them he thought it would be a good place to sleep in. Looking round he saw some pieces of the dead men's clothes and of their bones. The sight made him shiver but he would not move away and resolved to await the return of the ogres for such he knew she must be. Very soon she came striding in and he asked politely if she would give him a night's lodging. She answered as before that he might stay on condition, that he should do any work that she might set him to next morning. So the bargain being concluded the young man curled himself up in his corner and went to sleep. The dirt lay thicker than ever on the floor of the cave when the young man took the spade and began his work. He could not clear it any more than his brothers had done and at last the spade itself stuck in the earth so that he could not pull it out. The youth stared at it in despair. Then the old beggar's words flashed into his mind and he cried, Tritill, Tritill, come and help me. And Tritill stood beside him and asked what he wanted. The youth told him all his story and when he had finished they danced about the cave till in a short time there was not a speck of dust left on the floor. As soon as it was quite clean Tritill went his way. With a light heart the young man awaited the return of the ogres. When she came in and she looked carefully round and then said to him, You did not do that quite alone. However as the floor is clean I will leave your head on. The following morning the ogres told the young man that he must take all the feathers out of her pillow and spread them to dry in the sun. But if one feather was missing when she came back at night his head should pay for it. The young man fetched the pillows and shook out all the feathers and oh what quantities of them there were. He was thinking to himself as he spread them out carefully how lucky it was that the sun was so bright and that there was no wind when suddenly a breeze sprang up and in a moment the feathers were dancing high in the air. At first the youth tried to collect them again but he soon found that it was no use. And he cried in despair, Tritill, Tritill and all my birds come and help me. He had hardly said the words when there they all were and when the birds had brought all the feathers back again Tritill and Lytill and he put them away in the pillows as the ogres had bitten him. But one little feather they kept out and told the young man that if the ogres missed it he was to thrust it up her nose. Then they all vanished, Tritill, Lytill and the birds. Suddenly the ogres returned home. She flung herself with all her weight on the bed and the whole cave quivered under her. The pillows were soft and full instead of being empty which surprised her. But that did not content her. She got up, shook out the pillow cases one by one and began to count the feathers that were in each. If one is missing I will have your head, she said. And at that the young man drew the feather from his pocket and thrust it up her nose crying. If you want your feather here it is. You did not sort those feathers alone, answered the ogres calmly. However this time I will let that pass. That night the young man slept soundly in his corner and in the morning the ogres told him that his work that day would be to slay one of her great oxen, to cook its heart and to make drinking cups of its horns before she returned home. There are fifty oxen, added she, and you must guess which of the herd I want killed. If you guess right, tomorrow you shall be free to go where you will, and you shall choose besides three things as a reward for your service. But if you slay the wrong ox your head shall pay for it. Left alone the young man stood, thinking for a little. Then he called, Tritile, Latile, come to my help. In a moment he saw them far away, driving the biggest ox the youth had ever seen. When they drew near, Tritile killed it. Latile took out its heart for the young man to cook, and both began quickly to turn the horns into drinking cups. The work went merrily on, and they talked gaily, and the young man told his friends of the payment promised him by the ogres if he had done her bidding. The old man warned him that he must ask her for the chest which stood at the foot of her bed, for whatever lay on the top of the bed and for what lay under the side of the cave. The young man thanked them for their counsel, and Tritile and Latile then took leave of him, saying that for the present he would need them no more. Scarcely had they disappeared when the ogres came back and found everything ready just as she had ordered. Before she sat down to eat the bullock's heart, she turned to the young man and said, You did not do that all alone, my friend, but nevertheless I will keep my word, and tomorrow you shall go your way. So they went to bed and slept till dawn. When the sun rose, the ogres awoke the young man and called to him to choose any three things out of her house. I choose, answered he, the chest which stands at the foot of your bed, whatever lies on the top of the bed, and whatever is under the side of the cave. You did not choose those things by yourself, my friend, said the ogres, but what I have promised, that will I do. And then she gave him his reward. The thing which lay on the top of the bed turned out to be the lost princess. The chest which stood at the foot of the bed proved full of gold and precious stones. And what was under the side of the cave he found to be a great ship, with ores and sails that went of itself as well on land as in the water. You are the luckiest man that ever was born, said the ogres as she went out of the cave as usual. With much difficulty the youth put the heavy chest on his shoulders and carried it on board the ship, the princess walking by his side. Then he took the helm and steered the vessel back to her father's kingdom. The king's joy at receiving back his lost daughter was so great that he almost fainted. But when he recovered himself he made the young man tell him how everything had really happened. You have found her and you shall marry her, said the king. And so it was done. And this is the end of the story. End of Chapter 19. Recorded by Tara Mendoza. Phoenix, Arizona. March, 2011. Chapter 20 of the Crimson Fairy Book. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sherlock 85. The Crimson Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. The Three Roves. Long, long ago a king and queen reigned over a large and powerful country. What their names were, nobody knows. But their son was called Seigert and their daughter Leneck. And these young people were famed throughout the whole kingdom for their wisdom and beauty. There was only a year between them, and they loved each other so much that they could do nothing apart. When they began to grow up, the king gave them a little house of their own to live in, with servants and carriages and everything they could possibly want. For many years, they all lived happily together. And then the queen fell ill and knew that she would never get better. Promise me two things, she said one day to the king. One, that if you will marry again, as indeed you must, you will not choose as your wife a woman from some small state or distant island who knows nothing of the world and will be taken up with thoughts of her grandeur. But rather, seek out a princess of some great kingdom who has been used to courts all her life and holds them at their true worth. The other thing I have to ask is that you will never cease to watch over our children who will soon become your greatest joy. These were the queen's last words, and a few hours later she was dead. The king was so bowed down with sorrow that he would not attend even to the business of the kingdom. And at last his prime minister had to tell him that the people were complaining that they had nobody to right their wrongs. You must rouse yourself, sir, went on the minister, and put aside your own sorrows for the sake of your country. You do not spare me, answered the king. But what you say is just, and your counsel is good. I have heard that men say likewise that it will be for the good of my kingdom for me to marry again, so my heart will never cease to be with my lost wife. But it was her wish also, therefore to you I entrust the duty of finding a lady fitted to share my throne, only see that she comes neither from a small town nor a remote island. So an embassy was prepared, with the minister at its head, to visit the greatest courts in the world and to choose out a suitable princess. But the vessel which carried them had not been gone many days when a thick fog came on, and the captain could see neither to the right nor to the left. For a whole month the ship drifted about in darkness, till at length the fog lifted they beheld a cliff jutting out just in front. On one side of the cliff lay a sheltered bay in which the vessel was soon anchored, and though they did not know where they were, at any rate they felt sure of fresh fruit and water. The minister left the rest of his followers on board the ship, and taking a small boat rode himself to land in order to look about him and to find out if the island was really as deserted as it seemed. He had not gone far when he heard the sound of music, and turning in its direction he saw a woman of marvelous beauty sitting on a low stool playing on a harp while a girl beside her sang. The minister stopped and greeted the lady politely, and she replied with friendliness, asking him why he had come to such an out-of-the-way place. In answer he told her of the object of his journey. I am in the same state as your master, replied the lady. I was married to a mighty king who ruled over this land, and held vikings. Sea robbers came and slew him and put all the people to death. But I managed to escape and hid myself here with my daughter. And the daughter listened and said softly to her mother, Are you speaking the truth now? Remember your promise, answered the mother angrily, giving her a pinch which was on scene by the minister. What is your name, madam? asked he, much touched by the sad story. LaVour, she replied, and my daughter is called LaVour. And then she inquired the name of the minister and of the king his master. After this they talked of many things and the lady showed herself learned and all that a woman should know and even in much that men only were commonly taught. What a wife she would make for the king, thought the minister to himself, and before long he had begged the honor of her hand for his master. She declared at first that she was too unworthy to accept the position offered her, and that the minister would soon repent his choice, but this only made him the more eager and in the end he gained her consent and prevailed on her to return with him at once to his own country. The minister then conducted the mother and daughter back to the ship, the anchor was raised, the sails spread, and a fair wind was behind them. Now that the fog had lifted they could see as they looked back that except just along the shore the island was bare and deserted and not fit for men to live in, but about that nobody cared. They had a quick voyage and in six days they reached the land and at once set out for the capital, a messenger being sent on first by the minister to inform the king of what had happened. When his majesty's eyes fell on the two beautiful women clad in dresses of gold and silver he forgot his sorrows and ordered preparations for the wedding to be made without delay. In his joy he never remembered to inquire in what kind of country the future queen had been found. In fact his head was so turned by the beauty of the two ladies that when the invitations were sent by his orders to all the great people in the kingdom he did not even recollect his two children who remained shut up in their own house. After the marriage the king ceased to have any will of his own and did nothing without consulting his wife. She was present at all his counsels and her opinion was asked before making peace or war. But when a few months had passed the king began to have doubts as to whether the minister's choice had really been a wise one, and he noticed that his children lived more and more in their palace and never came near their stepmother. It always happens that if a person's eyes are once opened they see a great deal more than they ever expected, and soon it struck the king that the members of his court had a way of disappearing one after the other without any reason. At first he had not paid much attention to the fact but merely appointed some fresh person to the vacant place. As however man after man vanished without leaving any trace he began to grow uncomfortable and to wonder if the queen could have anything to do with it. Things were in this state when one day his wife said to him that it was time for him to make a progress through his kingdom and see that his governors were not cheating him of the money that was his due. And you need not be anxious about going. She added, for I will rule the country while you are away as carefully as you could yourself. The king had no great desire to undertake this journey but the queen's will was stronger than his and he was too lazy to make a fight for it. So he said nothing and said about his preparations ordering his finest ship to be ready to carry him round the coast. Still his heart was heavy and he felt uneasy, though he could not have told why, and the night before he was to start he went to the children's palace to take leave of his son and daughter. He had not seen them for some time and they gave him a warm welcome for they loved him dearly and he had always been kind to them. They had much to tell him but after a while he checked their merry talk and said, if I should never come back from this journey, I fear that it may not be safe for you to stay here. So directly there are no more hopes of my turn, go instantly and take the road eastwards till you reach a high mountain which you must cross. Once over the mountain, keep along by the side of a little bay till you come to two trees, one green and the other red, standing in a thicket, and so far back from the road that without looking for them you would never see them. Hide each in the trunk of one of the trees and there you will be safe from all your enemies. With these words the king made them farewell and entered sadly into his ship. For few days the wind was fair and everything seemed going smoothly, then suddenly a gale sprang up in a fearful storm of thunder and lightning such it never happened within the memory of man. In spite of the efforts of the frightened sailors the vessel was driven on the rocks and not a man on board was saved. A very night Prince Cygord had a dream in which he thought his father appeared to him in dripping clothes and taking the crown from his head laded at his son's feet, leaving the room as silent as he had entered it. Hastily the prince awoke his sister Leneck and they agreed that their father must be dead and that they must lose no time in obeying his orders and putting themselves in safety, so they collected their jewels in a few clothes and left the house without being observed by anyone. They hurried on till they arrived at the mountain without once looking back, then Cygord glanced round and saw that their stepmother was following them with an expression on her face which made her uglier than the ugliest old witch. Between her and them lay thick wood and Cygord stopped for a moment to set it on fire, then he and his sister hastened on more swiftly than before till they reached the grove with the red and green trees into which they jumped and felt that at last they were safe. Now at that time the reigned over Greece a king who was very rich and powerful, although his name has somehow been forgotten, he had two children, a son and a daughter who were more beautiful and accomplished than any Greeks had been before. They were the pride of their father's heart. The prince had no sooner grown out of boyhood than he prevailed on his father to make war during the summer months on a neighboring nation so as to give him a chance of making himself famous. After however, when it was difficult to get food and horses in that wild country, the army was dispersed and the prince returned home. During one of these wars he had heard reports of the princess Linux beauty and he resolved to seek her out and to ask her her hand in marriage. All this blavor the queen found out by means of her black arts, and when the prince drew near the capital she put a splendid dress on her own daughter and then went to meet her guest. She bade him welcome to her palace and when they had finished supper she told him of the loss of her husband and how there was no one left to govern the kingdom but herself. But where is the princess Linux? Asked the prince when she had ended her tale. Here answered the queen bringing forward the girl whom she had hitherto kept in the background. The prince looked at her and was rather disappointed. The maiden was pretty enough, but not much out of the common. Oh, you must not wonder at her pale face and heavy eyes, said the queen hastily, for she saw what was passing in his mind. He had never got over the loss of both father and mother. That shows a good heart, thought the prince, and when she is happy her beauty will soon come back, and without any further delay he bathed the queen to consent to their betrothal, for the marriage must take place in his own country. The queen was enchanted, she had hardly expected to succeed so soon, and she at once said about her preparations. Indeed she wished to travel with the young couple to make sure that nothing should go wrong, but here the prince was firm that he would take no one with him but La Four whom he thought was Lanak. They soon took leave of the queen and set sail in a splendid ship, but in a short time a dense fog came on, and in the dark the captain steered out of his course, and they found themselves in a bay which was quite strange to all the crew. The prince ordered a boat to be lowered, and went on shore to look about him, and it was not long before he noticed the two beautiful trees quite different from any that grew in Greece. While in one of the sailors he bade him cut them down and carry them on board the ship, this was done, and as the sky was now clear they put out to sea and arrived in Greece without any more adventures. The news that the prince had brought home a bride had gone before them, and they were greeted with flowery arches and crowns of colored lights. The king and queen met them on the steps of the palace, and conducted the girl to the woman's house, where she would have to remain until her marriage. The prince then went to his own rooms and ordered that the trees should be brought into him. The next morning the prince bade his attendants bring his future bride to his own apartments, and when she came he gave her silk, which she was to weave into three robes, one red, one green, and one blue, and these must all be ready before the wedding. The blue one was to be done first in the green last, and this was to be the most splendid of all, for I will wear it at our marriage, said he. Left alone Lafor sat and stared at the heap of shining silk before her. She did not know how to weave, and burst into tears as she thought that everything would be discovered, for Leneck's skill in weaving was as famous as her beauty, and she sat with her face hidden and her body shaken by sobs. Cygarden, his tree herder, and was moved to pity. Leneck, my sister, he called softly, before his weeping help her. I pray you. Have you forgotten the wrongs her mother did to us? answered Leneck, and that it is owing to her that we are banished from home? She was not really on forgiving, and very soon she slid quietly out of her hiding place, and taking the silk from Lafor's hands began to weave it. So quick and clever was she that the blue dress was not only woven but embroidered, and Leneck was safe back in her tree before the prince returned. It is the most beautiful work I have ever seen, said he taking up a bit, and I am sure that the red one will be still better because the stuff is richer, and with a low bow he left the room. Lafor had hoped secretly that when the prince had seen the blue dress finished, he would have let her off the other two. But when she found she was expected to fulfill the whole task, her heart sank. She began to cry loudly, by getting psyched, heard her, and begged Leneck to come to her help, and Leneck, feeling sorry for her distress, woven and embroidered the second dress as she had done the first, mixing gold thread and precious stones till you could hardly see the red of the stuff. When it was done, she glided into her tree just as the prince came in. You are as quick as you are clever, said he admiringly. This looks as if it had been embroidered by the fairies. But as the green robe must outshine the other two, I will give you three days in which to finish it. After it is ready, we will be married at once. Now as he spoke, the rose up in Lafor's mind all the unkind things that she and her mother had done to Leneck. Could she hope that they would be forgotten and that Leneck would come to her rescue for the third time? Then perhaps Leneck, who had not forgotten the past either, might have left her alone to get on as best as she could, had not sigured her brother and poured her to help just once more. So Leneck again slid out of her tree and to Lafor's great relief set herself to work. When the shining green silk was ready, she caught the sun's rays and the moon's beams on the point of her needle and wove them into a pattern such as no man had ever seen. But it took a long time, and on the third morning, just as she was putting the last stitches into the last flower, the prince came in. Leneck jumped up quickly and tried to get past him into her tree, but the folds of the silk were wrapped around her, and she would have fallen had not the prince caught her. I have thought for some time that all was not quite straight here, said he, tell me who you are and where you have come from. Leneck then told her name and her story. When she had ended, the prince turned angrily to Lafor and declared that as a punishment for her wicked lies, she deserved to die a shameful death. But Lafor fell at his feet and begged for mercy. It was her mother's fault. She said it was she and not I who passed me off as a princess Leneck. The only lie I have ever told you is about the robes, and I do not deserve death for that. She was still on her knees when Prince Seigert entered the room. He prayed the prince of Greece to forgive Lafor, which he did, on condition that Leneck would consent to marry him. Not till my stepmother is dead, answered she, for she has brought misery to all that came near her. Then Lafor told them that the Blavor was not the wife of the king, but an ogreess who had stolen her from a neighbouring palace and had brought her up as her daughter. And besides being an ogreess, she was also a witch, and by her black offs had sunk the ship in which the father of Seigert and Leneck had set sail. It was she who had caused the disappearance of the courtiers, for which no one could account by eating them during the night, and she hoped to get rid of all the people in the country and then to fill the land with ogres and ogresses like herself. So Prince Seigert and the prince of Greece collected an army swiftly and marched upon the town where Blavor had her palace. They came so suddenly that no one knew of it, and if they had, Blavor had eaten most of the strong men, and others fearful of something they could not tell what had secretly left the place. Therefore she was easily captured, and the next day was beheaded in the market place. Afterwards the two princes marched back to Greece. Leneck had no longer any reason for putting off her wedding and married the prince of Greece at the same time that Seigert married the princess. The leftful were made with Leneck as her friend and sister, till they found a husband for her and a great nobleman, and all three couples lived happily until they died. End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 The Six Hungry Beasts Once upon a time there lived a man who dwelt with his wife in a little hut, far away from any neighbors. But they did not mind being alone, and would have been quite happy if it had not been for a Martin, who came every night to their poultry yard and carried off one of their fowls. The man laid all sorts of traps to catch the thief, but instead of capturing the foe, it happened that one day he caught himself, and, falling down, struck his head against a stone and was killed. Not long after the Martin came by on the lookout for his supper, seeing the dead man lying there, he said to himself, That is a prize. This time I have done well, and dragging the body with great difficulty to the sled which was waiting for him, drove off with his booty. He had not driven far when he met a squirrel who bowed and said, Good morning, Godfather. What have you got behind you? The Martin laughed and answered, Did you ever hear anything so strange? The old man that you see here set traps about his henhouse, thinking to catch me, but he fell into his own trap and broke his own neck. He is very heavy. I wish you would help me to draw the sledge. The squirrel did as he was asked, and the sledge moved slowly along. By and by a hare came running across a field, but stopped to see what wonderful thing was coming. What have you got there? She asked, and the Martin told the story and begged the hare to help them pull. The hare pulled her hardest, and after a while they were joined by a fox and then by a wolf, and at length a bear was added to the company, and he was of more use than all the other five beasts put together. Besides, when the whole six had soft off the man who was not so heavy to draw, the worst of it was that they soon began to get hungry again, and the wolf, who was hungriest of all, said to the rest, What shall we eat now, my friends, as there is no more man? I suppose we shall have to eat the smallest of us, replied the bear, and the Martin turned round to seize the squirrel who is much smaller than any of the rest, but the squirrel ran up a tree like lightning, and the Martin, remembering just in time that he was the next in size, slipped quick as a thought into a hole in the rocks. What shall we now, asked the wolf again, when he had recovered from his surprise? We must eat the smallest of us, repeated the bear, stretching out a paw towards the hare, but the hare was not a hare for nothing, and before the paw had touched her, she had darted deep into the wood. Now that the squirrel, the Martin, and the hare had all gone, the fox was the smallest of the three who were left, and the wolf and the bear explained that they were very sorry, but they would have to eat him. Michael, the fox, did not run away as the others had done, but smiled in a friendly manner, and remarked, Things taste so stale in a valley, one's appetite is so much better up on a mountain. The wolf and the bear agreed, and they turned out of the hollow where they had been walking, and chose a path that led up the mountain side. The fox trotted cheerfully by his two big companions, but on the way he managed to whisper to the wolf, Tell me, Peter, when I am eaten, what will you have for your next dinner? The simple question seemed to put out the wolf very much. What would they have for their next dinner, and what was more important still? Who would be there to eat it? They had made a rule always to dine off the smallest of the party, and when the fox was gone, why, of course, he was smaller than the bear. These thoughts flashed quickly through his head, and he said hastily, Dear brothers, would it not be better for us to live together as comrades and everyone to hunt for the common dinner? Is not my plan a good one? It is the best thing I have ever heard, answered the fox. And as they were two to one, the bear had to be content, though in his heart he would have much preferred a good dinner at once to any friendship. For a few days all went well. There was plenty of game in the forest, and even the wolf had as much to eat as he could wish. One morning the fox, as usual, was going his round when he noticed a tall slender tree with a magpie's nest in one of the top branches. Now the fox was particularly fond of young magpies, and he set about making a plan by which he could have one for dinner. At last he hit upon something which he thought would do, and accordingly he sat down near the tree and began to stare hard at it. What are you looking at, Michael? Ask the magpie, who is watching him from the bow. I'm looking at this tree. It has just struck me what a good tree it could be to cut my new snowshoes out of. But at this answer the magpie screeched loudly and exclaimed, oh, not this tree, dear brother, I implore you. I have built my nest on it, and my young ones are not yet old enough to fly. It will not be easy to find another tree that would make such good snowshoes, answered the fox, cocking his head on one side and gazing at the tree thoughtfully. But I do not like to be ill-matured. So if you will give me one of your young ones, I will seek my snowshoes elsewhere. Not knowing what to do, the poor magpie had to agree. And flying back with a heavy heart, he threw one of his young ones out of the nest. The fox seized it in his mouth and ran off in triumph while the magpie, though deeply grieved for the loss of his little one, found some comfort in the thought that only a bird of extraordinary wisdom would have dreamed of saving the rest by the sacrifice of the one. But what do you think happened? Why, a few days later, Michael the fox might have been sitting under the very same tree, and a dreadful pang shot through the heart of the magpie as he peeped at him from a hole in the nest. What are you looking at, you asked in the trembling voice? At this tree, I was just thinking what good snowshoes it would make, answered the fox in an absent voice as if he was not thinking of what he was saying. Oh, my brother, my dear little brother, don't do that, cried the magpie, hopping about in his anguish. You know you promised only a few days ago that you would get your snowshoes elsewhere. So I did, but though I have searched through the whole forest, there is not a single tree that is as good as this. I am very sorry to put you out, but really it is not my fault. The only thing I can do for you is to offer to give up my new snowshoes altogether if you will throw me down one of your young ones in exchange. And the poor magpie, in spite of his wisdom, was obliged to throw another of his little ones out of the nest. And this time he was not able to console himself with the thought that he might have been much cleverer than other people. He sat on the edge of his nest, his head drooping, and his feathers all ruffled, looking the picture of misery. Indeed, he was so different from the gay, jaunty magpie whom every creature in the forest knew that a crow who was blind past stopped to inquire what was the matter. Where are the two young ones who are not in the nest? asked he. I had to give them to the fox, replied the magpie in a quivering voice. He has been here twice in the last week, and wanted to cut down my tree for the purpose of making snowshoes out of it. And the only way I could buy him off was by giving him two of my young ones. Oh, you fool, cried the crow. The fox was only trying to frighten you. He could not have cut down the tree, for he is neither axe nor knife. Dear me, to think that you have sacrificed your young ones for nothing. Dear, dear, how could you be so very foolish? And the crow flew away, leaving the magpie overcome with shame and sorrow. The next morning, the fox came to his usual place in front of the tree, for he was hungry, and a nice young magpie would have suited him very well for dinner. But this time there was no cowering timid magpie to do his bidding, but a bird with his head erect and a determined voice. My good fox said the magpie, putting his hand on one side and looking very wise. My good fox, if you take my advice, you will go home as fast as you can. There is no use you're talking about making snowshoes out of the tree, when you have neither knife nor axe to cut it down with. Who has been teaching you wisdom, asked the fox, forgetting his manners and his surprise at this new turn of affairs. The crow, who paid me a visit yesterday, answered the magpie. The crow was it, said the fox. Well, the crow had better not meet me for the future, or it may be the worst for him. As Michael, the cunning beast, had no desire to continue the conversation, he left the forest. But when he came to the high road, he laid himself at full length on the ground, stretching himself out, just as if he was dead. Very soon he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that the crow was flying towards him, and he kept stiller and stiffer than ever, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. The crow, who wanted to suffer very badly, hopped quickly towards him, and was stooping forward to peck at his tongue when the fox gave a snap, and caught him by the wing. The crow knew that it was of no use struggling, so he said, Oh, brother, if you are really going to eat me, do it, I beg of you, in good style. Throw me first over this precipice so that my feathers may be strone here and there, and that all who see them may know that your cunning is greater than mine. This idea pleased the fox, for he had not yet forgiven the crow for depriving him of the young magpies, so he carried the crow to the edge of the precipice and threw him over, intending to go round by a packing mule, and pick him up at the bottom. But no sooner had the fox let the crow go, then he soared up into the air, and hovering just out of reach of his enemy's claws, he cried with a laugh, Oh, fox, you know well how to catch, but you cannot keep. With his tail between his legs, the fox slumped into the forest. He did not know where to look for a dinner, as he guessed that the crow would have flown back before him and put everyone on their guard. The notion of going to bed supperless was very unpleasant to him, and he was wondering what in the world he should do when he chanced to meet his old friend the bear. This poor animal had just lost his wife, and was going to get someone to mourn over her, for he felt her loss greatly. He had hardly left his comfortable cave when he had come across the wolf who inquired where he was going. I'm going to find a mourner, answered the bear, and told his story. Oh, let me mourn for you, cried the wolf. Do you understand how to howl, said the bear. Oh, certainly God bothers certainly, replied the wolf. But the bear said he should like to have a specimen of his howling to make sure that he knew his business. So the wolf broke forth in his song of lament. Hoo, hoo, hoo, hum, ho, he shouted, and made such a noise that the bear put up his paws to his ears and begged him to stop. You have no idea how it is done. Be off with you, he said angrily. A little further down the road, the hare was resting in a ditch. But when she saw the bear, she came out and spoke to him and inquired why he looked so sad. The bear told her of the loss of his wife and of his search for a mourner that could lament over her in the proper style. The hare instantly offered her services, but the bear took care to ask her to give him a proof of her talents before she accepted them. Hoo, hoo, hoo, hum, ho, types the hare. But this time, her voice was so small that the bear could hardly hear her. That is not what I want, he said. I will bid you good morning. It was after this that the fox came up, and he also was struck with the bear's altered looks and stopped. What does the matter with you, God bother, ST? And where are you going? I am going to find a mourner for my wife, answers the bear. Oh, do choose me, cried the fox, and the bear looked at him thoughtfully. Can you howl well, he said? Yes, beautifully, just listen. And the fox lifted up his voice and sang weeping. Hoo, hoo, hoo, the famous spinner, the baker of good cakes, the prudent housekeeper is torn from her husband. Hoo, hoo, hoo, she is gone, she is gone. Now at last I have found someone who knows the art of lamentation, exclaimed the bear, quite delighted. And he led the fox back to his cave and bade him begin his lament over the dead wife who was lying stretched out on her bed of gray moss. But this did not suit the fox at all. One cannot well properly in this cave, he said. It is much too damp. You would better take the body to the storehouse. It will sound much finer there. So the bear carried his wife's body to the storehouse, while he himself went back to the cave to cook some path for the mourner. From time to time he paused and listened for the sound of wailing, but he heard nothing. At last he went to the door of the storehouse and called to the fox. Why don't you howl, Godfather? What are you about? And the fox, who instead of weeping over the dead bear, had been quietly eating her, answered, there only remain now her legs in the soles of her feet. Give me five minutes more and they will be gone also. When the bear heard that, he ran back for the kitchen ladle to give the trader the beating he deserved. But as he opened the door of the storehouse, Michael was ready for him and slipping between his legs dashed straight off into the forest. The bear, seeing that the trader had escaped, flung the ladle after him, and it just caught the tip of his tail. And that is how there comes to be a spot of white on the tails of all foxes. How the beggar boy turned into Count Pyro! Once upon a time there lived a man who had only one son, a lazy, stupid boy who would never do anything he was told. When the father was dying he sent for his son and told him that he would soon be left alone in the world, with no possessions but the small cottage they lived in, and a pear-tree which grew behind it, and that whether he'd liked it or not he would have to work, or else he would starve. Then the old man died. But the boy did not work, instead he idled about as before, contending himself with eating the pears off his tree, which, unlike other pear-trees, before or since, bore fruit the whole year round. Indeed the pears were so much finer than any you could get, even in the autumn, that one day, in the middle of the winter, they attracted the notice of a fox who was creeping by. Dear me, what lovely pears, he said to the youth, do give me a basket of them. It will bring you luck. Ah, little fox, but if I give you a basketful, what am I to eat? asked the boy. Oh, trust me, and do what I tell you, said the fox. I know it will bring you luck. So the boy got up and picked some of the ripest pears and put them into a rush-basket. The fox thanked him, and, taking the basket in his mouth, trotted off to the king's palace, and made his way straight to the king. Your majesty, my master sends you a few of his best pears, and begs you will graciously accept them, he said, laying the basket at the feet of the king. Pears! At this season, cried the king, peering down to look at them. And pray, who is your master? The Count Pyro answered the fox. But how does he manage to get pears in midwinter? asked the king. Oh, he has everything he wants, replied the fox. He is richer even than you are, your majesty. Then what can I send him in return for his pears? said the king. Nothing, your majesty, or you would hurt his feelings, answered the fox. Well, tell him how heartily I thank him, and how much I shall enjoy them. And the fox went away. He trotted back to the cottage with his empty basket and told his tale, but the youth did not seem as pleased to hear as the fox was to tell. But, my dear little fox, said he, you have brought me nothing in return, and I am so hungry. Let me alone, replied the fox. I know what I am doing. You will see, and it will bring you luck. A few days after this the fox came back again. I must have another basket of pears, said he. Ah, little fox, what shall I eat if you take away all my pears? answered the youth. Be quiet, it will be all right, said the fox. And taking a bigger basket than before, he filled it quite full of pears. Then he picked it up in his mouth, and trotted off to the palace. Your majesty, as you seem to like the first basket of pears, I have brought you some more, said he, with my master, the Count Pyro's humble respects. Now, surely it is not possible to grow such pears with deep snow on the ground, cried the king. Oh, that never affects them, answered the fox lightly. He is rich enough to do anything. But today he sends me to ask if you will give him your daughter in marriage. If he is so much richer than I am, said the king, I shall be obliged to refuse. My honor would not permit me to accept his offer. Oh, your majesty, you must not think that, replied the fox, and do not let the question of a dowry trouble you. The Count Pyro would not dream of asking anything but the hand of the princess. Is he really so rich that he can do without a dowry, asked the king. Did I not tell your majesty that he was richer than you? answered the fox reproachfully. Well, beg him to come here, that we may talk together, said the king. So the fox went back to the young man and said, I have told the king that he will count Pyro, and have asked his daughter in marriage. Oh, little fox, what have you done? cried the youth in dismay. When the king sees me, he will order my head to be cut off. Oh, no, he won't, replied the fox. Just do as I tell you. And he went off to the town, and stopped at the house of the best tailor. My master, the Count Pyro, begs that he will send him at once the finest coat that you have in your shop, said the fox, putting on his grandest heir, and if it fits him I will call and pay for it tomorrow. Indeed as he is in a great hurry, perhaps it might be as well if I took it round myself. The tailor was not accustomed to serve counts, and he at once got out all the coats he had ready. The fox chose out a beautiful one of white and silver, bade the tailor tie it up in a parcel, and carrying the string in his teeth he left the shop, and went to a horse-dealer's, whom he persuaded to send his finest horse round to the cottage, saying that the king had bitten his master to the palace. Very unwittingly the young man put on the coat, and mounted the horse, and rode up to meet the king, with the fox running before him. What am I to say to His Majesty, little fox? He asked anxiously. You know that I have never spoken to a king before. Say nothing, answered the fox, but leave the talking to me. Good morning, Your Majesty, will be all that is necessary for you. By this time they had reached the palace, and the king came to the door to receive Count Pyro, and led him to the great hall where a feast was spread. The princess was already seated at the table, but was as dumb as Count Pyro himself. The count speaks very little, the king said at last to the fox, and the fox answered. He has so much to think about in the manage of his property that he cannot afford to talk like ordinary people. The king was quite satisfied, and they finished dinner, after which Count Pyro and the fox took leave. The next morning the fox came round again. Give me another basket of pears, he said. Very well, little fox, but remember it may cost me my life, answered the youth. Oh, leave it to me, and do as I tell you, and you will see that in the end it will bring you luck, answered the fox, and plucking the pears he took them up to the king. My master, Count Pyro, sends you these pears, he said, and asks for an answer to his proposal. Tell the count that the wedding can take place whenever he pleases, answered the king, and filled with pride the fox trotted back to deliver his message. But I can't bring the princess here, little fox, cried the young man in dismay. You leave everything to me, answered the fox. Have I not managed well so far? End up at the palace preparations were made for a grand wedding, and the youth was married to the princess. After a week of feasting the fox said to the king, my master wishes to take his young bride home to his own castle. Very well, I will accompany them, replied the king, and he ordered his courtiers and attendants to get ready, and the best horses in his stable to be brought out for himself, Count Pyro and the princess. So they all set out and rode across the plain, the little fox running before them. He stopped at the sight of a great flock of sheep, which was feeding peacefully on the rich grass. To whom do these sheep belong, asked he of the shepherd? To an ogre, replied the shepherd. Hush! said the fox in a mysterious manner. Do you see that crowd of armed men riding along? If you were to tell them that those sheep belonged to an ogre, they would kill them, and then the ogre would kill you. If they ask, just say the sheep belonged to Count Pyro, and it will be better for everybody. And the fox ran hastily on, as he did not wish to be seen talking to the shepherd. Very soon the king came up. That beautiful sheep, he said, drawing up his horse. I have none so fine in my pastures. Whose are they? Count Pyro's, answered the shepherd, who did not know the king. Well, he must be a very rich man, thought the king to himself, and rejoiced that he had such a wealthy son-in-law. Meanwhile the fox had met with a huge herd of pigs, snuffling about the roots of some trees. To whom do these pigs belong? He asked of the swine-herd. To an ogre, replied he. Hush! whispered the fox, though nobody could hear him. Do you see that troop of armed men riding toward us? If you tell them that the pigs belonged to the ogre, they will kill them, and then the ogre will kill you. If they ask, just say that the pigs belonged to Count Pyro, it will be better for everybody. And he ran hastily on. Soon after the king rode up. What fine pigs! he said, raining in his horse. They are fatter than any eye have got on my farms. Whose are they? Count Pyro's, answered the swine-herd, who did not know the king, and again the king felt he was lucky to have such a rich son-in-law. This time the fox ran faster than before, and in a flowery meadow he found a troop of horses feeding. Whose horses are these? He asked of the man who was watching them. An ogre's, replied he. Hush! whispered the fox. Do you see that crowd of armed men coming toward us? If you tell them the horses belonged to an ogre, they will drive them off, and then the ogre will kill you. If they ask, just say they are Count Pyro's. It will be better for everybody. And he ran on again. In a few minutes the king rode up. Oh, what lovely creatures! How I wish they were mine! he exclaimed. Whose are they? Count Pyro's, answered the man, who did not know the king, and the king's heart leapt, as he thought that if they belonged to his rich son-in-law they were as good as his. At last the fox came to the castle of the ogre himself. He ran up the steps, with tears falling from his eyes and crying, Oh, you poor, poor people! What a sad fate is yours! What has happened? asked the ogre, trembling with fright. Do you see that troop of horsemen who are riding along the road? They are sent by the king to kill you. Oh, dear little fox! Help us! We implore you! cried the ogre and his wife. Well, I will do what I can, answered the fox. The best place is for you both to hide in the big oven, and when the soldiers have gone by I will let you out. The ogre and ogre's scrambled into the oven as quick as thought, and the fox banged the door on them, just as he did so the king came up. Do us the honour to dismount your majesty, said the fox, bowing low. This is the palace of Count Pyro. Why, it is more splendid than my own, exclaimed the king, looking round on all the beautiful things that filled the hall. But why are there no servants? His Excellency the Count Pyro wished the princess to choose them for herself, answered the fox, and the king nodded his approval. He then rode on, leaving the bridal pair in the castle. But when it was dark and all was still, the fox crept downstairs and lit the kitchen fire, and the ogre and his wife were burned to death. The next morning the fox said to Count Pyro, Now that you are rich and happy, you have no more need of me, but before I go there is one thing I must ask of you in return. When I die promise me that you will give me a magnificent coffin and bury me with due honours. Oh, little, little fox, don't talk of dying, cried the princess, nearly weeping, for she had taken a great liking to the fox. After some time the fox thought he would see if the Count Pyro was really grateful to him for all he had done, and went back to the castle, where he lay down on the doorstep, and pretended to be dead. The princess was just going out for a walk, and directly she saw him lying there she burst into tears and fell on her knees beside him. My dear little fox, you are not dead, she wailed, you poor, poor little creature, you shall have the finest coffin in the world. A coffin for an animal? said Count Pyro. What nonsense! Just take him by the leg and throw him into the ditch. Then the fox sprang up and cried, you wretched, thankless anger, have you forgotten that you owe all your riches to me? Count Pyro was frightened when he heard these words, as he thought that perhaps the fox might have power to take away the castle, and leave him as poor as when he had nothing to eat but the pears off his tree. So he tried to soften the fox's anger, saying that he had only spoken in joke, as he had known quite well that he was not really dead. For the sake of the princess, the fox let himself be softened, and he lived in the castle for many years, and played with Count Pyro's children. And when he actually did die, his coffin was made of silver, and Count Pyro and his wife followed him to the grave. End of CHAPTER XXII. CHAPTER XXIII OF THE CRIMSON FAIRY BOOK. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Tim Ferrera. The Crimson Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang. CHAPTER XXIII THE ROGUE AND THE HERDSMAN. In a tiny cottage near the king's palace there once lived an old man, his wife and his son, a very lazy fellow, who would never do a stroke of work. He could not be got even to look after their one cow, but left her to look after herself while he lay on a bank and went to sleep in the sun. For a long time his father bore with him, hoping that as he grew older he might gain more sense, but at last the old man's patience was worn out, and he told his son that he should not stay at house in idleness, and must go out into the world to seek his fortune. The young man saw that there was no help for it, and he set out with a wallet full of food over his shoulder. At length he came to a large house at the door of which he knocked. What do you want? asked the old man who opened it. And the youth told him how his father had turned him out of his house because he was so lazy and stupid, and he needed shelter for the night. That you shall have, replied the man, but tomorrow I shall give you some work to do, for you must know that I am the chief herdsman of the king. The youth made no answer to this. He felt, if he was to be made to work at all, that he might as well have stayed where he was, but as he did not see any other way of getting a bed he went slowly in. The herdsman's two daughters and their mother were sitting at supper, and invited him to join them. Nothing more was said about work, and when the meal was over they all went to bed. In the morning when the young man was dressed the herdsman called to him and said, Now listen, and I will tell you what you have to do. What is it? asked the youth, sulkily. Nothing less than to look after two hundred pigs, was the reply. Oh, I am used to that, answered the youth. Yes, but this time you will have to do it properly, said the herdsman, and he took the youth to the place where the pigs were feeding, and he told him to drive them to the woods on the side of the mountain. This the young man did, but as soon as they reached the outskirts of the mountain they grew quite wild, and would have run away altogether had they not luckily gone toward a narrow ravine, from which the youth easily drove them home to his father's cottage. Where do all these pigs come from, and how did you get them? asked the old man in surprise, when his son knocked at the door of the hut he had left only the day before. They belonged to the king's chief herdsman, answered his son. He gave them to me to look after, but I knew I could not do it, so I drove them straight to you. Now make the best of your good fortune, and kill them, and hang them up at once. What are you talking about? cried the father, pale with horror. We should certainly both be put to death if I did any such thing. No, no, do as I tell you, and I will get out of it somehow, replied the young man. And in the end he had his way. The pigs were killed, and laid side by side in a row. Then he cut off the tails and tied them together with a piece of cord, and swinging the bundle over his back he returned to the place where they should have been feeding. Here there was a small swamp, which was just what he wanted, and finding a large stone he fastened the rope to it and sank it in the swamp, after which he arranged to the tails carefully one by one so that only their points were seen sticking out of the water. When everything was in order he hastened home to his master with such a sorrowful face that the herdsman saw at once that something dreadful had happened. Where are the pigs? asked he. Oh, don't speak of them, answered the young man. I really can hardly tell you. The moment they got into the field they became quite mad, and each ran in a different direction. I ran too, hither and thither, but as fast as I caught one another was off, till I was in despair. At last, however, I collected them all and was about to drive them back, when suddenly they rushed down the hill into the swamp where they vanished completely, leaving only the points of their tails which you can see for yourself. You have made up that story very well, replied the herdsman. No, it's the real truth. Come with me and I'll prove it. And they went together to the spot, and there sure enough were the points of the tails sticking up out of the water. The herdsman laid hold of the nearest and pulled at it with all his might, but it was no use, for the stone and the rope held them all fast. He called to the young man to help him, but the two did not succeed any better than the one had done. Yes, your story was true after all. It is a wonderful thing, said the herdsman. But I see it is no fault of yours, and I must put up with my loss as well as I can. Now let us return home for it is time for supper. Next morning the herdsman said to the young man, I've got some other work for you to do. Today you must take a hundred sheep to graze, but be careful that no harm befalls them. I will do my best, replied the youth, and he opened the gate of the fold where the sheep had been all night and drove them out into the meadow. But in a short time they grew as wild as the pigs had done and scattered in all directions. The young man could not collect them, try as he would, and he thought to himself that this was the punishment for his laziness in refusing to look after his father's one cow. At last, however, the sheep seemed tired of running about, and then the youth managed to gather them together and drove them, as before, straight to his father's house. Who's sheep are these, and what are they doing here? asked the old man in wonder, and his son told him. But when the tale was ended the father shook his head. Give up these bad ways and take them back to your master, said he. No, no, answered the youth. I am not so stupid as that. We will kill them and have them for dinner. You will lose your life if you do, replied the father. Oh, I am not sure of that, said the son. And anyway, I will have my will for once. And he killed all the sheep and laid them on the grass, but he cut off the head of the ram which always led the flock and had bells around its horns. Then he took back to the place where they should have been feeding, for here he had noticed a high rock with a patch of green grass in the middle, and two or three thick bushes growing on the edge. Up this rock he climbed with great difficulty and fastened the ram's head to the bushes with a cord, leaving only the tips of the horns with the bells visible. As there was a soft breeze blowing, the bushes to which the head was tied moved gently, and the bells rang. When all was done to his liking he hastened quickly back to his master. Where are the sheep? Asked the herdsman as the young man panting ran up the steps. Oh, don't speak of them, answered he. It's only by a miracle that I am here myself. Tell me at once what has happened, said the herdsman sternly. The youth began to sob and stammered out. I hardly know how to tell you. They were so troublesome that I could not manage them at all. They ran about in all directions, and I ran after them and nearly died of fatigue. Then I heard a noise which I thought was the wind, but it was the sheep which, before my very eyes, were carried straight up, up into the air. I stood watching them as if I was turned to stone, and there kept ringing in my ears the sound of the bells on the ram which led them. That is nothing but a lie from beginning to end, said the herdsman. No, it is as true as that there is a sun in heaven, answered the young man. Then give me a proof of it, cried his master. Well, come with me, said the youth. By this time it was evening and the dusk was falling. The young man brought the herdsman to the foot of the great rock, but it was so dark you could hardly see. Still the sound of sheep bells rang softly from above, and the herdsman knew them to be those he had hung on the horns of his ram. Do you hear? asked the youth. Yes, I hear. You have spoken the truth, and I cannot blame you for what has happened. I must bear the loss as best as I can. He turned and went home, followed by the young man who felt highly pleased with his own cleverness. I should not be surprised if the tasks I set you were too difficult and that you retired of them, said the herdsman next morning. But today I have something quite easy for you to do. You must look after forty oxen, and be sure you are very careful, for one of them has gold-tipped horns and hoofs, and the king reckons it among his greatest treasures. The young man drove out the oxen into the meadow, and no sooner had they got there than, like the sheep and the pigs, they began to scamper in all directions, the precious bull being the wildest of all. As the youth stood watching them, not knowing what to do next, it came into his head that his father's cow was put out to grass at no great distance, and he forthwith made such a noise that he quite frightened the oxen, who were easily persuaded to take the path he wished. When they heard the cow lowing, they galloped all the faster, and soon they all arrived at his father's house. The old man was standing before the door of his hut when the great herd of animals dashed round a corner of the road with his son and his own cow at their head. Who's cattle are these, and why are they here? he asked, and his son told him the story. Take them back to your master as soon as you can, said the old man, but the son only laughed and said, no, no, they're present for you, they'll make you fat. For a long while the old man refused to have anything to do with such a wicked scheme, but his son talked him over in the end, and they killed the oxen as they had killed the sheep and the pigs. Last of all they came to the king's cherished ox. The son had a rope ready to cast round its horns and throw it to the ground, but the ox was stronger than the rope and soon tore it in pieces. Then it dashed away to the wood, the youth following, over hedges and ditches they both went till they reached the rocky pass which bordered the herdsmen's land. Here the ox, thinking itself safe, stopped to rest, and thus gave the young man a chance to come up with it. Not knowing how to catch it he collected all the wood he could find and made a circle of fire around the ox, who by this time had fallen asleep, and did not wake till the fire had caught its head, and it was too late for it to escape. Then the young man, who had been watching, ran home to his master. You've been away a long while, said the herdsmen. Where are the cattle? The young man gasped, and seemed as if he was unable to speak. At last he answered. It's always the same story. The oxen are gone—gone—gone, cried the herdsmen. Scoundrel! You lie! I'm telling you the exact truth, answered the young man. Directly we came to the meadow. They grew so wild that I could not keep them together. Then the big ox broke away, and the others followed till they all disappeared down a deep hole into the earth. It seemed to me that I heard sounds of bellowing, and I thought I recognized the voice of the golden horned ox, but when I got to the place from which the sounds had come, I could neither see nor hear anything in the hole itself, though there were traces of fire all around it. Wretch! cried the herdsmen, when he had heard this story. Even if you did not lie before, you were lying now. No, master, I am speaking the truth. Come and see for yourself. If I find you have deceived me, you are a dead man, said the herdsmen, and they went out together. What do you call that? asked the youth, and the herdsmen looked and saw the traces of a fire which seemed to have sprung up from under the earth. Wonder upon wonder, he exclaimed. So you really did speak the truth after all. Well, I cannot reproach you, though I shall have to pay heavily to my royal master for the value of that ox. But come, let us go home. I will never set you to herd cattle again. Henceforward I will give you something easier to do. I have thought of exactly the thing for you, said the herdsmen, as they walked along, and it is so simple that you cannot make a mistake. Just make me ten skithes, one for every man, for I want the grass-moon and one of my meadows tomorrow. At these words the youth's heart sank, for he had never been trained either as a smith or a joiner. However, he dared not say so, but smiled and nodded. Slowly and sadly he went to bed, but he could not sleep, for wondering how the skithes were to be made. All the skill and cunning he had shown before was of no use to him now. After thinking about the skithes for many hours there seemed only one way open to him. So listening to make sure that all was still, he stole away to his parents and told them the whole story. When they had heard everything they hid him where no one could find him. Time passed away and the young man stayed at home doing all his parents bade him, and showing himself very different from what he had been before he went out to see the world. But one day he said to his father that he should like to marry and have a house of his own. When I served the king's chief herdsman, added he, I saw his daughter and I am resolved to try if I cannot win her from my wife. It will cost you your life if you do, answered the father, shaking his head. Well, I will do my best, replied his son, but first give me the sword which hangs over your bed. The old man did not understand what good the sword would do, however he took it down and the young man went his way. Late in the evening he arrived at the house of the herdsman and knocked at the door which was opened by a little boy. I want to speak to your master, said he. So it is you, cried the herdsman when he had received the message. Well, you can sleep here tonight, if you wish. I have come for something else besides a bed, replied the young man, drawing his sword, and if you do not promise to give me your youngest daughter as my wife I will stab you through the heart. What could the poor man do but promise? And he fetched his youngest daughter who seemed quite pleased at the proposed match and gave the youth her hand. Then the young man went home to his parents and bade them get ready to welcome his bride. And when the wedding was over he told his father-in-law the herdsman what he had done with the sheep, and pigs, and cattle. By and by the story came to the king's ears, and he thought that a man who was so clever was just the man to govern the country. So he made him his minister, and after the king himself there was no one so great as he. From Island-Eesh, March-En. End of Chapter 23 Chapter 24. Once upon a time there lived an old man who had only one son, whom he loved dearly, but they were very poor and often had scarcely enough to eat. Then the old man fell ill and things grew worse than ever, so he called his son and said to him, My dear boy, I have no longer any food to give you, and you must go into the world and get it for yourself. It does not matter what work you do, but remember if you do it well and are faithful to your master you will always have your reward. So Peter put a piece of black bread in his knapsack and strapping it on his back took a stout stick in his hand and set out to seek his fortune. For a long while he traveled on and on and nobody seemed to want him, but one day he met an old man, and being a polite youth he took off his hat and said, Good morning in a pleasant voice. Good morning, answered the man, And where are you going? I am wandering through the country trying to get work, replied Peter. Then stay with me, for I can give you plenty, said the old man, and Peter stayed. His work did not seem hard, for he had only two horses and a cow to see after, and though he had been hired for a year, the year consisted of but three days so that it was not long before he received his wages. In payments the old man gave him the nut and offered to keep him for another year, but Peter was homesick and besides, he would rather have been paid ever so small a piece of money than a nut, for, thought he, nuts grow on every tree, and I can gather as many as I like. However, he did not say this to the old man who had been kind to him, but just bade him farewell. The nearer Peter drew to his father's house the more ashamed he felt at having brought back such poor wages. What could one nut do for him? Why, it would not buy even a slice of bacon. It was no use taking it home. He might as well eat it, so he sat down on the stone and cracked it with his teeth, and then took it out of his mouth to break off the shell. But who would ever guess what came out of that nut? Why, horses and oxen and sheep stepped out in such numbers that they seemed as if they would stretch to the world's end. The sight gave Peter such a shock that he rung his hands in dismay. What was he to do with all these creatures? Where was he to put them? He stood and gazed in terror, and at this moment Eisenkopf came by. What is the matter, young man, asked he? Oh, my friend, there is plenty the matter, answered Peter. I have gained a nut as my wages, and when I cracked it this crowd of beasts came out, and I don't know what to do with them all. Listen to me, my son, said Eisenkopf. You will promise never to marry. I will drive them all back into the nut again. And at a whistle from the stranger, the animals all began crowding into the nut again, nearly tumbling over each other in their haste. When the last foot had got inside, the two halves of the shell shut closed. Then Peter put it in his pocket and went on to the house. No sooner had he reached it than he cracked his nut for the second time, and out came the horses, sheep, and oxen again. Indeed, Peter thought that there were even more of them than before. The old man could not believe his eyes when he saw the multitudes of horses, oxen, and sheep standing before his door. How did you come by all these, he gasped, as soon as he could speak, and the son told him the whole story, and of the promise he had given Eisenkopf. The next day some of the cattle were driven to market and sold, and with the money the old man was able to buy some of the fields and gardens around his house. And in a few months had grown the richest and most prosperous man in the whole village. Everything seemed to turn gold in his hands till one day, when he and his son were sitting in the orchard watching their herds of cattle grazing in the meadows. He suddenly said, Peter, my boy, it is time that you were thinking of marrying. But my dear father, I told you I could never marry because of the promise I gave to Eisenkopf. Oh, one promises here and promises there, but no one ever thinks of keeping such promises. If Eisenkopf does not like your marrying, he will have to put up with it all the same. Besides, there stands in the stable a gray horse which is saddled night and day, and if Eisenkopf should show his face, you have only got to jump on the horses back and ride away, and nobody on earth can catch you. When all is safe, you will come back again, and we will live it happily as two fish in the sea. And so it all happened. The young man found a pretty brown-skinned girl who was willing to have him for a husband, and the whole village came to the wedding feast. The music was at its gayest, and the dance at its merriest when Eisenkopf looked in at the window. Oh, ho, my brother, what is going on here? It has the air of being a wedding feast. Yet I fancied, was I mistaken, that you would give me a promise that you would never marry? But Pater had not waited for the end of this speech. Scarcely had he seen Eisenkopf that he darted like the wind to the stable and flung himself on the horse's back, and another moment he was away over the mountain, with Eisenkopf running fast behind him. On they went through thick forests where the sun never shone, over a river so wide that it took a whole day to sail across them, up hills whose sides were all of glass. On they went through seven times seven countries till Pater raided in his horse before the house of an old woman. Good day, mother, said he, jumping down and opening the door. Good day, my son, answered she, and what are you doing here at the world's end? I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world which is beyond all worlds, for Eisenkopf is at my heels. Come in and rest, then, and have some food, for I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off. So Pater went in and warmed himself and ate and drank until suddenly the dog began to howl. Quick, my son, quick, you must go, cried the old woman, and the lightning itself was not quicker than Pater. Stop a moment, cried the old woman again, just as he was mounting his horse. Take this napkin and this cake and put them in your bag where you can get hold of them easily. Pater took them and put them into his bag and waving his thanks for her kindness, he was off like the wind. Round and round he rode through seven times seven countries through forests still thicker and rivers still wider and mountains still more slippery than the others he had passed. Till at length he reached a house where dwelt another old woman. Good day, mother, said he, good day, my son, what are you seeking here at the world's end? I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world that is beyond all worlds for Eisenkopf is at my heels. Coming, my son, and have some food, I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off. So lie on this bed and rest yourself in peace. Then she went to the kitchen and baked a number of cakes more than Pater could have eaten in a whole month. He had not finished a quarter of them when the dog began to howl. Now, my son, you must go, cried the old woman, but first put these cakes in this napkin in your bag where you can easily get at them. So Pater thanked her and was off like the wind. On he rode through seven times seven countries till he came to the house of a third old woman who welcomed him as the others had done. But when the dog howled and Pater sprang up to go, she said, as she gave him the same gifts for his journey, you have now three cakes and three napkins for I know that my sisters have each given you one. Listen to me and do what I tell you. Ride seven days and nights straight before you and on the eighth morning, you will see a great fire. Strike it three times with the three napkins and it will pardon two. Then ride into the opening and when you are in the middle of the opening, throw the three cakes behind your back with your left hand. Pater thanked her for her counsel and was careful to do exactly all the old woman had told him. On the eighth morning, he reached a fire so large that he could see nothing else on either side. But when he struck it with the napkins apart and stood on each hand like a wall, as he rode through the opening, he threw the cakes behind him. From each cake, they're spraying a huge dog and he gave them the names of World Weight, Iron Strong and Quick Ear. They bade with joy at the sight of him and as Pater turned to pat them, he beheld Eisencup at the edge of the fire but the opening had closed up behind Pater and he could not get through. Stop, you promised breaker, shriek tea. You have slipped through my hands once but wait till I catch you again. Then he laid down by the fire and watched to see what would happen. When Pater knew he had nothing more to fear from Eisencup, he rode on slowly till he came to a small white house. Here he entered and found himself in a room where a gray-haired woman was spinning and a beautiful girl was sitting on the window combing her golden hair. What brings you here, my son? asked the old woman. I am seeking for a place, mother, answered Pater. Stay with me then for I need a servant, said the old woman. With pleasure, mother, replied he. After that, Pater's life was a very happy one. He sewed and plowed all day except now and then when he took his dogs and went to hunt. And whatever game he brought back, the maiden with the golden hair knew how to dress it. One day the old woman had gone to the town to buy some flour and the Pater and the maiden were left alone in the house. They fell into talk and she asked him where his home was and how he had managed to come through the fire. Pater then told her the whole story and of his striking the flames with the three napkins as he had been told to do. The maiden listened attentively and wondered in herself whether what he had said was true. So after Pater had gone out to the fields, she crept up to his room and stole the napkins and then set off as fast as she could to the fire by a path she knew of over the hill. At the third blow she gave, the flames divided, and Eisenkopf, who had been watching and hoping for a chance of this kind, ran down the opening and stood before her. At this site, the maiden was almost frightened to death. With a great effort, she recovered herself and ran home as fast as her legs would carry her, closely pursued by Eisenkopf. Panting for breath, she rushed into the house and felt fainting on the floor, but Eisenkopf entered behind her and hid himself in the kitchen under the heart. The next morning, Pater locked up his dogs and went out into the forest alone. Eisenkopf, however, had seen him go and followed so closely at his heels that Pater had barely time to clamor up a tall tree where Eisenkopf could not reach him. Come down at once, you gallows bird, he cried. Have you forgotten your promise that you would never marry? Oh, I know it is all up with me, answered Pater, but let me call out three times. You can call 100 times if you like, returned Eisenkopf. For now I have got you in my power and you shall pay for what you have done. Iron strong, world weight, quick ear, fly to my help, cried Pater. And quick ear heard and said to his brothers, listen, our master is calling us. You're a dreaming fool, answered world weight, why he has not finished his breakfast. And he gave quick ear a slap with his paw for he was young and needed to be taught sense. Iron strong, world weight, quick ear, fly to my help, cried Pater again. This time world weight heard also and he said, oh, now our master is really calling. How silly you are, answered Iron strong. You know that at this hour he is always eating and he gave world weight a cuff because he was old enough to know better. Pater sat trembling on the tree, dreading less his dog said never heard or else that having heard, they had refused to come. It was his last chance so making a mighty effort he shrieked once more. Iron strong, world weight, quick ear, fly to my help or I am a dead man. And Iron strong heard and said, yes, he is certainly calling, we must go at once. And in an instant he had burst open the door and all three were bounding away in the direction of the voice. When they reached the foot of the tree, Pater just said, at him. And in a few minutes there was nothing left of Eisenclaw. As soon as his enemy was dead, Pater got down and returned to the house where he bade farewell to the woman and her daughter who gave him a beautiful ring all set with diamonds. It was really a magic ring, but neither Pater nor the maiden knew that. Pater's heart was heavy as he set out for home. He had ceased to love the wife whom he had left at his wedding feast and his heart had gone out the golden haired girl. However, it was no use thinking of that so he rode forward steadily. The fire had to be passed through before he had gone very far. And when he came to it, Pater shook the napkins three times in the flames and a passage opened for trim. But then a curious thing happened. The three dogs who had followed at his heels all the way now became three cakes again which Pater put into his bag with the napkins. After that he stopped at the houses of the three old women and gave each one back her napkin and her cake. Where is my wife asked Pater when he reached home? Oh my dear son, why did you ever leave us? After you had vanished, no one knew where, your poor wife grew more and more wretched and would neither eat nor drink. Little by little she faded away and a month ago we later in her grave to hide her sorrows under the earth. At this news Pater began to weep for he had loved his wife before he went away and had seen the golden-haired maiden. He went sorrowfully about his work for the space of half a year. When one night he dreamed that he moved the diamond ring given him by the maiden for his right hand and put it on the wedding finger of the left. The dream was so real that he awoke at once and changed the ring from one hand to the other. And as he did so, guess what he saw? Why the golden-haired girl standing before him and he sprang up and kissed her and said, now you are mine forever and ever and when we die we will both be buried in one grave and so they were. End of Eisenclaw. Recorded by Mary Beth Blackburn at goldawardadventures.logspot.com. Chapter 25 of the Crimson Fairy Book. This is a library of acts recording. All library of acts recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit libraryvox.org. Recording by, imagine, the Crimson Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang, the death of Abu Nawaz and of his wife. Once upon a time there lived a man whose name was Abu Nawaz and he was a great favorite with the Sultan of the country who had a palace in the same town where Abu Nawaz dwell. One day, Abu Nawaz came whipping into the hall of the palace where the Sultan was sitting and said to him, oh mighty Sultan, my wife is dead. That is bad news, replied the Sultan. I must get you another wife and he bade his Grand Vizier send for the Sultan. This poor Abu Nawaz has lost his wife, said he when she entered the hall. Oh, then we must get him another, answered the Sultan. I have a girl that will shoot him exactly and clapped her hands loudly. At this signal, a maiden appeared and stood before her. I have got a husband for you, said the Sultan. Who is he? asked the girl. Abu Nawaz, the jester, replied the Sultan. I will take him, answered the maid. And as Abu Nawaz made no objection, it was all arranged. The Sultan had the most beautiful clothes made for the bride and the Sultan gave the bridegroom his wedding suit and a thousand gold pieces into the parquet and soft carpets for the house. So Abu Nawaz took his wife home and for some time they were very happy and spent the money freely which the Sultan had given them, never thinking what they should do for more when that was gone. But come to an end it did and they had to sell their fine things one by one. Till a clamp nothing was left but a cloak apiece and one blanket to cover them. We have run through our fortune, said Abu Nawaz. What are we to do now? I'm afraid to go back to the Sultan for he will command his servants to turn me from the door. But you shall return to your mistress and throw yourself at her feet and weep and perhaps she will help us. Oh you had much better go, said the wife. I shall not know what to say. Well then stay at home if you like, answered Abu Nawaz, answered Abu Nawaz. And I will ask to be at meet to the Sultan's presence and I will tell him with subs that my wife is dead and that I have no money for her burial. When he hears that perhaps he will give us something. Yes, that is a good plan, said the wife. And Abu Nawaz set out. The Sultan was sitting in the hall of justice when Abu Nawaz entered. His eyes streaming with tears for he had dropped some pepper into them. They marched dreadfully and he could hardly see to walk straight and everyone wondered what was the matter with him. Abu Nawaz, what has happened? cried the Sultan. Oh Nabil Sultan, my wife is dead, wept he. We must all die, answered the Sultan. But this was not the reply from which Abu Nawaz had hoped. True, O Sultan, but I have neither shrug to wrap her in nor money to bury her with. Went on Abu Nawaz, in a wise abashed, by the way the Sultan had received his news. Well, give him a hundred pieces of gold, said the Sultan, turning to the Grand Vizier. And when the money was counted out, Abu Nawaz bowed low and left the hall. His tears still flowing, but with joy in his heart. Have you got anything? cried his wife, who was waiting for him anxiously. Yes, a hundred gold pieces, said he, throwing down the bed. But that will not last us any time. Now you must go to the Sultanah, clothed in sackcloth and robes of mourning, and tell her that your husband, Abu Nawaz, is dead, and you have no money for his burial. When she hears that, she will be sure to ask you what has become of the money and the fine clothes they gave us on her marriage. And you will answer, before he died, he sold everything. The wife, did as she was told, and wrapping herself in sackcloth, went up to the Sultanah's own place. And as she was known to have been one of Subira's favorite attendants, she was taken without difficulty into the private apartments. What is the matter? inquired the Sultanah, at the sight of the dismayed figure. My husband lays dead at home, and he has spent all our money, and sold everything, and I have nothing left to bury him with, sobbed the wife. Then Subira took up a purse containing two hundred gold pieces, and said, your husband served us long and faithfully. You must see that he has a fine funeral. The wife took the money, and, kissing the feet of the Sultanah, she joyfully hastened home. They spent some happy hours planning how they should spend it, and thinking how clever they had been. When the Sultanah goes this evening to Subira's place, said Abu Nawaz, she will be sure to tell him that Abu Nawaz is dead. Not Abu Nawaz, it is his wife, he will reply, and they will quarrel over it, and all the time we shall be sitting here enjoying ourselves. Oh, if they only knew how angry they would be. As Abu Nawaz had foreseen, the Sultan went in the evening after his business was over to pay his usual visit to the Sultanah. Poor Abu Nawaz is dead, said Subira, when he entered the room. It is not Abu Nawaz, but his wife who is dead answered the Sultan. No, really, you are quite wrong. She came to tell me herself only a couple of hours ago, replied Subira, and as he had spent all their money, I gave her something to bury him with. You must be dreaming, exclaimed the Sultan. Soon after midday, Abu Nawaz came into the hall, his eyes streaming with tears, and when I asked him the reason, he answered that his wife was dead, and they had sold everything they had, and he had nothing left, not so much as would bury her as well, far less for her burial. For a long time they talked, and neither would listen to the other. Till the Sultan sent for the doorkeeper, and made him go instantly to the house of Abu Nawaz, and see if it was the man or his wife who was dead. But Abu Nawaz happened to be sitting with his wife behind the lattice window, which looked on the street, and he saw the man coming and sprang up at once. There is the Sultan's doorkeeper, they have sent him here to find out the truth, throw yourself on the bed and pretend that you are dead, and in a moment the wife was stretched out stiffly, with the linen sheet spread across her like a corpse. She was only just in time, for the sheet was hardly drawn across her when the door opened and the porter came in. Has anything happened? asked she. My poor wife is dead, replied Abu Nawaz. Look, she is laid out here, and the porter approached the bed, which was in the corner of the room, and saw the stiff form lying underneath. We must all die, said he, and went back to the Sultan. Well, have you found out which of them is dead? asked the Sultan. Yes, noble Sultan, it is the wife, replied the porter. He only says that to please you, cried Subida in a ring, and calling to her chamberlain, she ordered him to go at once to the dwelling of Abu Nawaz, and see which of the two was dead. And be sure you tell the truth about it, at the jeep, or it will be the worst for you. As her chamberlain drew near the house, Abu Nawaz cut sight of him. There is the Sultan as chamberlain, he exclaimed in fright. Now it is my turn to die. Be quick and spread the sheet over me, and he laid himself on the bed, and he held his breath when the chamberlain came in. What are you weeping for? asked the man, finding the wife in tears. My husband is dead, answered she, pointing to the bed, and the chamberlain drew back the sheet, and beheld Abu Nawaz lying stiff and motionless. Then he gently replaced the sheet, and returned to the palace. Well, have you found out this time? asked the Sultan. My lord, it is the husband who is dead. But I tell you, he was with me only a few hours ago, cried the Sultan angrily. I must get to the bottom of this before he sleep. Let my golden coach be brought round at once. The coach was before the door in another five minutes, and the Sultan and the Sultana both got in. Abu Nawaz had seized being a dead man, and was looking to the street when he saw the coach coming. Quick, quick, he called to his wife. The Sultan will be here directly, and we must both be dead to receive him. So they laid themselves down, and spread the sheet over them, and held their breath. At that instant the Sultan entered, followed by the Sultana and the Chamberlain, and he went up to the bed, and found the corpses stiff and motionless. I would give a thousand gold pieces to anyone who would tell me the truth about this, cried he, and at those words Abu Nawaz set up. Give them to me then, said he, holding out his hand. You cannot give them to anyone who needs them more. Oh Abu Nawaz, you impudent dog, exclaimed the Sultan, bursting into a laugh in which the Sultan adjoined. I might have known it was one of your tricks, but he sent Abu Nawaz the gold he had promised, and let us hope that it did not fly so fast as the last had done. And of the death of Abu Nawaz and of his wife. Recording by Imagine. Chapter 26 of The Crimson Fairy Book. Once upon a time in a very hot country, a man lived with his wife in a little hut, which was surrounded by grass and flowers. They were perfectly happy together till, by and by, the woman fell ill and refused to take any food. The husband tried to persuade her to eat all sorts of delicious fruits that he had found in the forest, but she would have none of them, and grew so thin he feared she would die. Is there nothing you would like? he said at last in despair. Yes, I think I could eat some wild honey, answered she. The husband was overjoyed, for he thought this sounded easy enough to get, and he went off at once in search of it. He came back with a wooden pan quite full and gave it to his wife. I can't eat that, she said, turning away in disgust. Look, there are some dead bees in it. I want honey that is quite pure. And the man threw the rejected honey on the grass, and started off to get some fresh. When he got back he offered it to his wife, who treated it as she had done the first bowlful. That honey has got ants in it, throw it away, she said, and when he brought her some more, she declared it was full of earth. In the fourth journey he managed to find some that she would eat, and then she begged him to get her some water. This took him some time, but at length he came to a lake whose waters were sweetened with sugar. He filled a panic in quite full, and carried it home to his wife, who drank it eagerly, and said that she now felt quite well. When she was up and had dressed herself, her husband lay down in her place, saying, You have given me a great deal of trouble, and now it is my turn. What is the matter with you? asked the wife. I am thirsty and want some water, answered he. And she took a large pot and carried it to the nearest spring, which was a good way off. Here is the water, she said to her husband, lifting the heavy pot from her head, but he turned away and discussed. You have drawn it from the pool that is full of frogs and willows. You must get me some more. So the woman set out again and walked still further to another lake. This water tastes of rushes, he exclaimed. Go and get some fresh. But when she brought back a third supply, he declared that it seemed made up of water, Lilys, and that he must have water that was pure and not spoiled by willows or frogs or rushes. So for the fourth time she put the jug on her head, and passing all the lakes she had hitherto tried, she came to another where the water was golden like honey. She stooped down to drink when a horrible head bobbed up on the surface. How dare you steal my water! cried the head. It is my husband who has sent me, she replied, trembling all over. But do not kill me, you shall have my baby if you will only let me go. How am I to know which is your baby? asked the ogre. Oh, that is easily managed. I will shave both sides of his head and hang some white beads around his neck, and when you come to the hut, you have only to call Modykotika, and he will run to meet you and you can eat him. Very well, said the ogre, you can go home. And after filling the pot, she returned and told her husband of the dreadful danger she had been in. Now, though his mother did not know it, the baby was a magician, and he had heard all that his mother had promised the ogre, and he laughed to himself as he planned how to outwit her. The next morning she shaved his head on both sides and hung the white beads around his neck and said to him, I am going to the fields to work, but you must stay at home. Be sure you do not go outside, or some wild beast may eat you. Very well, answered he. As soon as the mother was out of sight, the baby took out some magic bones and placed them in a row before him. You are my father, he told one bone, and you are my mother. You were the biggest, he said to the third, so you shall be the ogre who wants to eat me, and you, to another, are very little, therefore you shall be me. Now, then, tell me what I am to do. Collect all the babies in the village the same size as yourself, answered the bones. Shave the sides of their heads, and hang white beads around their necks, and tell them that when anyone calls, Modika Tikka, they are to answer to it, and be quick for you have no time to lose. Modika Tikka went out directly and brought back quite a crowd of babies, and shaved their heads and hung white beads around their little black necks. And just as he had finished, the ground began to shake, and the huge ogre came striding along, crying, Modika Tikka, Modika Tikka. Here we are, here we are, answered the babies, all running to meet him. It is Modika Tikka I want, said the ogre. We are all Modika Tikka, they replied. And the ogre sat down in bewilderment, for he dared not eat the children of people who had done him no wrong, or a heavy punishment would befall him. The children waited for a little, wondering, and then they went away. The ogre remained where he was till the evening when the woman returned from the fields. I have not seen Modika Tikka, said he. But why did you not call him by his name, as I told you, she asked. I did, but all the babies in the village seemed to be named Modika Tikka, answered the ogre. You cannot think the number who came running to me. The woman did not know what to make of it, so, to keep him in a good temper, she entered the hut and prepared a bowl of maize, which she brought him. I do not want maize, I want the baby, grumbled he. And I will have him. Have patience, answered she. I will call him, and you can eat him at once. And she went out into the hut and cried, Modika Tikka! I am coming, mother, replied he. But first he took out his bones, and, crouching down on the ground behind the hut, asked them how he should escape the ogre. Change yourself into a mouse, said the bones. And so he did, and the ogre grew tired of waiting and told the woman she must invent some other plan. Tomorrow I will send him into the field to pick some beans for me, and you will find him there and can eat him. Very well, replied the ogre. And this time I will take care to have him, and he went back to his lake. Next morning Modika Tikka was sent out with a basket and told to pick some beans for dinner. On the way to the field he took out his bones, and asked them what he was to do to escape from the ogre. Change yourself into a bird and snap off the beans, said the bones. And the ogre chased away the bird, not knowing that it was Modika Tikka. The ogre went back to the hut and told the woman that she had deceived him again, and that he would not be put off any longer. Return here this evening, answered she, and you will find him in bed under this white coverlet. Then you can carry him away and eat him at once. But the boy heard and consulted his bones, which said, take the red coverlet from your father's bed and put yours on his, and so he did. And when the ogre came he seized Modika Tikka's father, and carried him outside the hut and ate him. When his wife found out the mistake she cried bitterly, but Modika Tikka said, it is only just that he should be eaten and not I, for it was he and not I who sent you to fetch the water.