 Section 182 of Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories. Caliph Chirid of Baghdad was reclining on his divan one pleasant afternoon, smoking his long pipe and sipping coffee from a handsome dish which a slave was holding for him, when his Grand Vizier Mansour entered and told him of a peddler in the court below, whose wares might interest him. The Caliph, being in an affable state of mind, summoned the peddler, who, delighted with the opportunity, displayed all the treasures of his pack. There were pearls, rings, silks and many other rich things. The Caliph selected something for himself, a handsome present for the Vizier, and another for the Vizier's wife. Just as the peddler was putting the things back into his box, the Caliph noticed a small drawer and asked what it contained. Only something of no value which I picked up in a street of Mecca, the peddler replied. He thereupon opened the drawer and showed the Caliph a small box, containing a black powder and a scroll written in characters which neither the Caliph nor his Grand Vizier could make out. The Caliph immediately decided that he wanted this strange scroll, and the peddler was persuaded to part with it for a trifle. Then the Vizier was asked to find someone to decipher its meaning. Near the mosque lived a man called Salim, who was so learned that he knew every language in the world. When the Vizier brought him to interpret the scroll, the Caliph said to him, They tell me that you are a scholar and can read all languages. If you can decipher what is written here, I shall know that it is true, and will give you a robe of honour. But if you fail, I shall have you punished with many strokes because you are falsely named. Salim prostrated himself at the feet of the Caliph, and then took the scroll. He had not looked at it long, when he exclaimed, My Lord and Master, I hope to die if this is not Latin. Well, if so, let us hear what it says, the Caliph impatiently answered. Salim at once began. Let him who finds this box praise Allah. If he snuffs the powder it contains, at the same time pronouncing the word Matterbore, he will be transformed into any creature that he desires, and will understand the language of all animals. When he wishes to return to his own form, let him bow to the East three times, repeating the word Matterbore. But remember, if while he is bird or beast he should laugh, the magic word would be forgotten and the enchantment would be on him for ever. The Caliph was delighted with the knowledge of Salim. He made him a splendid present and told him to keep the secret. When he had dismissed the learned man, he turned to the Grand Vizier and expressed a wish to try the powder. Come to Morro morning early, said he, and we will go together to the country and learn what the animals are talking about. The Vizier came as he was ordered, and they left the palace without attendance. Beyond the town was a large pond where some handsome storks were often seen, and to this place they presently came. A grave and stately stork was hunting for frogs, while another flew about and kept him company. Most gracious Lorde said the Vizier, what think you of these dignified long legs and how would you like to know their chatter? The Caliph replied that the stork had always interested him, and he would very much like a more intimate acquaintance. Taking the box from his girdle he helped himself to a pinch of snuff, and offered it to the Vizier who followed his example. After they cried, matter-bore, and instantly their beards disappeared, and feathers covered their bodies, their necks stretched out long and slender, and their legs shriveled into red and shapeless sticks. The Caliph lifted up his foot to stroke his beard in astonishment, but found a long bill in its place. By the beard of the Prophet, since I have not one of my own to swear by, but we are a pretty pair of birds, Mansour. If I may say so, your Highness, you are equally handsome as a stork, as when you were a Caliph. replied the Vizier. I see our two relations are conversing over there. Shall we join them? When they came near to where the storks were smoothing their feathers and touching bills in the most friendly manner, this was the conversation they overheard. Will you have some of my frog's legs for breakfast, Dame Yellowlegs? No, thank you. I am obliged to practice a dance for my father's guests, and cannot eat. Thereupon Dame Yellowlegs stepped out and began to pose, most gracefully. The Caliph and the Vizier watched her until she stood on one foot, and spread her wings, and they both at the same time burst into such peals of laughter that the two storks flew away. Suddenly however the Vizier ceased his mirth and commenced bowing to the east. The Caliph recovered himself and did the same, but neither could think of the magic word. Mensor, just recall that unholy word, and I will become Caliph once more, and you, my Grand Vizier, I have had enough of being a bird for one day. Most gracious Lord, that dancing stork has undone us, for since laughing at her antics, I cannot remember the word that will restore us to human shape. So at last in despair the two unhappy birds wandered through the meadows. They appeased their hunger with fruits, for they could not bring themselves to eat frogs and lizards. As they dared not return to Baghdad and tell the people their chagrin, they flew over the city and had the satisfaction of seeing signs of mourning and confusion. In a few days however, while sitting on the roof of a house, they saw a splendid procession coming up at the street, and the people welcoming the new ruler, Hale, Hale Mertzer, all of Baghdad they shouted. The procession came nearer, at the head of it the Caliph saw a man dressed in scarlet and gold riding a handsome horse. He at once recognized the new ruler as the son of his worst enemy. Behold, said he, the explanation of our enchantment, this is the son of Qashnur, the magician who is my great enemy, who seeks revenge. Let us not lose hope, but fly to the sacred grave of the Prophet, and pray to be released from the spell. They at once spread their wings and soared away toward Medina, but not being accustomed to such long flights, they soon became fatigued and descended to a ruin which stood in a valley below. The two enchanted birds decided to remain there for the night, then wandered through the deserted rooms and corridors, which gave of evidence a former splendor. Suddenly the vizier stopped and remarked that if it were not ridiculous for a stork to be afraid of ghosts, he would feel decidedly nervous. The Caliph listened and heard a low moaning and sobbing, which seemed to come from a room down the passage. He started to rush toward it, but the vizier held him fast by a wing. He had retained the brave heart that he had possessed when a Caliph, however, and freeing himself from the vizier's bill, he hurried to the room whence came the pitiful sounds. The moon shone through a barred window and showed him a screech-owl sitting on the floor of the ruined chamber, lamenting in a hoarse voice. The vizier had cautiously stolen up beside the Caliph, and at the side of the two storks the screech-owl uttered a cry of pleasure. To their astonishment it addressed them in Arabic in the following words. I have abandoned myself to despair, but I believe my deliverance is near, for it was prophesied in my youth that a stork would bring me good fortune. The Caliph thus appealed to, arched his neck, most gracefully, and replied, Alas, screech-owl, I fear we are unable to aid you, as you will understand when you have heard our miserable story. He then related how the magician Qashnoor had exchanged them into storks and made his own son ruler of Baghdad. The screech-owl became very much excited and exclaimed, How strange that misfortune should come to us through the same man! I am too, sir, the daughter of the king of the Indies. The magician Qashnoor came one day to my father to ask my hand in marriage for his son Murtza. My father ordered him throwing down the stairs, and in revenge he managed to have given me a powder which changed me into this hideous shape. He then conveyed me to this lonely castle, and I swore I should remain here until someone asked me to be his wife, and so freed me from the enchantment. At the conclusion of her story the screech-owl wept anew, and would not be consoled. Suddenly, however, she wiped her eyes on her wing, and said, I have an idea that may lead to our deliverance. Once every month the magician Qashnoor and his companions meet in a large hall at this castle, where they feast and relate their evil deeds. We will listen outside the door, and perhaps you may hear the forgotten word. Then, when you have resumed human form, one of you can ask to marry me, that I too may be freed from this wretched enchantment, and the prophecy that a stork would bring me happiness would be fulfilled. The caliph and the vizier withdrew and consulted over the situation. It is unfortunate, said the caliph, but if we are to meet again I think you will have to ask the screech-owl to marry you. Not so, your highness, I already have a wife, and would rather remain a stork for ever than take another. Besides, I am an old man, while you are young and are married, and much better suited to a beautiful princess. That is it, said the caliph, how do I know that she will not prove to be some old fright? As the vizier was firm, the caliph at last said he would take the chances and do as the screech-owl required. That very night, it so happened that the magicians met at the ruin castle. The screech-owl led the two storks through difficult passages till they came to a hole in the wall, through which they could plainly see all that transpired in the lighted hall. Handsomely carved pillars adorned the room, and a table was spread with many dishes. At the table sat eight men, among whom was their enemy the magician. He entertained the company with many stories, and at last came to his latest, that of turning the caliph and vizier into storks, in relating which she pronounced the magic word. The storks did not wait to hear more, but ran to the door of the castle. The screech-owl followed as fast as she could, and when the caliph saw her, he exclaimed, To prove my gratitude, O our deliverer, I beg you to take me for your husband. Then the two storks faced the rising sun, and bowed their long necks three times, matter-bore they solemnly cried together, and in an instant they were no longer storks, but stood before each other in their natural forms. In their joy they fell on each other's necks, and forgot all about the screech-owl, until they heard a sweet voice beside them, and turning beheld a beautiful princess. When the caliph recovered from his astonishment, he said that he was now indeed enchanted, and hoped to remain so always. They then started at once for the gate of Baghdad, and when they arrived the people were overjoyed, for they had believed their ruler dead. The magician was taken to the room and castle and hanged, and his son was given the choice of the black powder or death. Choosing the powder, he was changed into a stork and was kept in the palace gardens. Both chariot and the princess were married, and when their children grew old enough, the caliph often amused them with imitations of the grand vizier when he was a stork, while Mansour sat smiling and pulling his long beard. End of section 182. Section 183 of Childhoods, Favorites and Fairy Stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Children's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors. Section 183, Persevere and Prosper. Persevere and Prosper, adapted by A. R. Montalba. He that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be opened, says an old Arab proverb. I will try that, said a youth one day. To carry out his intention, he journeyed to Baghdad, where he presented himself before the vizier. Lord said he, for many years I have lived a quiet and solitary life, the monotony of which wearies me. I have never permitted myself earnestly to will anything. But as my teacher daily repeated to me, he that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be opened. So have I now come to the resolution with might and heart to will, and the resolution of my will is nothing less than to have the Caliph's daughter for my wife. The vizier thought the poor man was mad, and told him to call again some other time. Perseveringly, he daily returned, and never felt disconcerted at the same often repeated answer. One day, the Caliph called on the vizier, as the youth was repeating his statement. Full of astonishment, the Caliph listened to the strange demand, and being in no humor for having the poor youth's head taken off, but on the contrary, being rather inclined for pleasantry. His mightiness condescendingly said, for the great, the wise, or the brave, to request a princess for wife, is a moderate demand. But what are your claims? To be the possessor of my daughter, you must distinguish yourself by one of these attributes, or else by some great undertaking. Ages ago, a carbuncle of inestimable value was lost in the Tigris. He who finds it shall have the hand of my daughter. The youth, satisfied with the promise of the Caliph, went to the shores of the Tigris. With a small vessel, he went every morning to the river, scooping out the water, and throwing it on the land. After having for hours, thus employed himself, he knelt down and prayed. The fishes became at last uneasy at his perseverance, and being fearful that, in the course of time, he might exhaust the waters, they assembled in great council. What is the purpose of this man? demanded the monarch of the fishes. The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the bottom of the Tigris, was the reply. I advise you then, said the aged monarch, to give it up to him, for if he has the steady will and has positively resolved to find it, he will work until he is drained the last drop of water from the Tigris, rather than deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose. The fishes out of fear threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the youth, and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the Caliph for his wife. He who onusly wills can do much. End of Section 183, Persevere and Prosper, recording by Ross Clement. Section 184 of Childhood Favorites and Fairy Stories. 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 Ralph Snelson. Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors. Section 184 The Most Frugal of Men. A man who was considered the most frugal of all the dwellers in a certain kingdom heard of another man who was the most frugal in the whole world. He said to his son thereupon, We indeed live upon little, but if we were more frugal still we might live upon nothing at all. It will be well worth while for us to get instructions in economy from the most frugal of men. The son agreed and the two decided that the son should go and inquire whether the master in economic science would take pupils. An exchange of presents being a necessary preliminary to closer intercourse the father told the son to take the smallest of coins, one farthing, and to buy a sheet of paper of the cheapest sort. The boy, by bargaining, got two sheets of paper for the farthing. The father put away one sheet, cut the other sheet in halves, and on one half drew a picture of a pig's head. This he put into a large covered basket, as if it were the thing which it represented. The usual gift sent in token of great respect. The son took the basket, and after a long journey reached the abode of the most frugal man in the world. The master of the house was absent, but his son received the traveller, learned his errand, and accepted the offering. Having taken from the basket the picture of the pig's head, he said courteously to his visitor, I am sorry that we have nothing in the house that is worthy to take the place of the pig's head in your basket. I will, however, signify our friendly reception of it by putting in four oranges for you to take home with you, thereupon the young man, without having any oranges at hand, made the motions necessary for putting the fruit into the basket. The son of the most frugal man in the kingdom then took the basket and went to his father to tell a thrift, surpassing his own. When the most frugal man in the world returned home, his son told him that a visitor had been there, having come from a great distance to take lessons in economy. The father inquired what offering he brought as an introduction, and the son showed the small outline of the pig's head on thin brown paper. The father looked at it and then asked his son what he had sent as a return present. The son told him he had merely made the motions necessary for transferring four oranges, and showed how he had clasped the imaginary fruit and deposited it in the visitor's basket. The father immediately flew into a terrible rage and boxed the boy's ears, exclaiming, you extravagant wretch, with your fingers thus far apart you appeared to give him large oranges. Why didn't you measure out small ones? of the most frugal of men. A little boy had a cake that a big boy coveted. Designing to get the cake without making the little boy cry so loud as to attract his mother's attention, the big boy remarked that the cake would be prettier if it were more like the moon. The little boy thought that a cake like the moon must be desirable, and on being assured by the big boy that he had made many such, he handed over his cake for manipulation. The big boy took out a mouthful, leaving a crescent with a jagged edge. The little boy was not pleased by the change, and began to whimper, whereupon the big boy pacified him by saying that he would make the cake into a half-moon. So he nibbled off the horns of the crescent, and nod the edge smooth. But when the half-moon was made, the little boy perceived that there was hardly any cake left, and he again began to snivel. The big boy again diverted him by telling him that if he did not like so small a moon, he should have one that was just the size of the real orb. He then took the cake and explained that, just before the new moon is seen, the old moon disappears. Then he swallowed the rest of the cake and ran off, leaving the little boy waiting for the new moon. End of Section 185 section 186 of childhoods, favorites, and fairy stories. 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 Alma Molina. Childhoods, Favorites, and Fairy Stories by various authors. Section 186, The Ladle That Fell from the Moon Once there was an old woman who lived on what she got by while from her relatives and neighbors. Her husband's brother lived alone with his only son in a house near hers, and when the son brought home a wife, the old woman went to call on the bride. During the call she inquired of the bride whether she had not, since her arrival in the house, heard a scratching at night among the boxes containing her wedding outfit. The bride said she had not. A few days later the old woman came again, and during the visit the bride remarked that, before the matter was mentioned, she had heard no scratching among her boxes, but that since that time she had listened for it and had heard it every night. The old woman advised her to look carefully after her clothing, saying that there were evidently many mice in the house, and that she would be likely at any time to find her best garments nibbled into shreds. The old woman knew there was no cat in the house, but she inquired whether there was one, and on hearing that there was not, she offered to lend the young woman her own black and white cat, saying that it would soon extirpate all the mice. The bride accepted the loan, and the old woman brought the cat and left it in the bride's apartment. After a few hours the cat disappeared, and the bride supposing it to have gone home made no search for it. It did indeed go home, and the old woman secretly disposed of it, but several days later she came to the young woman and said that, when she lent the cat, her house had been free from mice. But that, as soon as the cat was gone, the mice came into multiplied so fast that now everything was overrun by them, and she would be obliged to take the cat home again. The young woman told her that the cat went away the same day that it came, and she had supposed it had gone home. The old woman said it had not, and that nothing could compensate her for the loss of it, for she had reared it herself. That there was never before seen such a cat for catching mice. That a cat spotted as that one was was seldom found. And that it was of the rare breed which gave rise to the common saying, a cold black cat with snowy loins is worth its weight in silver coins. And that the weight of her cat was two hundred ounces. The young woman was greatly surprised by this estimate of the value of the lost cat, and went to her father-in-law and related all that had occurred. The father-in-law, knowing the character of the old woman, could neither eat nor sleep so harassed with he by the expectation that she would worry his daughter-in-law till the two hundred ounces of silver should be paid. The young woman, being a newcomer, thought that lightly of the matter, till the old woman came again and again to make mention of the cat. When it became apparent that she must defend herself, the young woman asked her father-in-law if he had ever lent anything to the old woman. And when he said he could not remember having lent anything, she begged him to think carefully, and see if he could not recall the loan of a tool, a dish, or a faggot. He finally recollected that he had lent to her an old wooden ladle, but he said it originally cost but a few far things, and was certainly not worth speaking about. The next time the old woman came to Dunn for the amount to do for her cat, the young woman asked her to return the borrowed ladle. The old woman said that the ladle was old and valueless, that she had allowed the children to play with it, and that they had dropped it in the dirt, where it had lain until she had picked it up and used it for kindlings. The bride responded, you expect to enrich yourself and your family by means of your cat. I and my family also want money. Since you cannot give back the ladle, we will both go before the magistrate and present our cases. If your cat is a judge to be worth more than my ladle, I will pay you the excess. And if my ladle be worth more than your cat, then you must pay me. Being sure that the cat would, by any judge, be considered of greater value than the ladle, the old woman agreed to the proposition, and the two went before the magistrate. The young woman courteously gave precedence to the elder and allowed her to make the accusation. The old woman set forth her case and claimed two hundred ounces of silver as a compensation for the loss of the cat. When she had concluded her statement, the judge called on the young woman for her defense. She said she could not disprove this statement, but that the claim was offset by a ladle that had been borrowed by the plaintiff. There was a common saying, in the moon overhead at its full, you can see the trunk, the branch, and leaf of a cinnamon tree. A branch from this tree had one night been blown down before her father-in-law's door, and he had had a ladle made from the wood. Whatever the ladle was put into never diminished by use. Whether wine, oil, rice, or money, the bulk remained the same if no ladle, beside this one, were used in dipping it. A foreign innkeeper hearing of this ladle came and offered her father-in-law three thousand ounces of silver for it, but the offer was refused, and this ladle was a one that the plaintiff had borrowed and destroyed. The magistrate, on hearing this defense, understood that the cap had been a pretext for extortion, and decided that the two claims offset each other so that no payment was due from either one. End of section 186, recording by Alma Molina. Section 187 of Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories. 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 Neve. Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories by various authors, section 187. The Young Head of the Family. There was once a family consisting of a father, his three sons, and his two daughters-in-law. The two daughters-in-law, wives of the two elder sons, had but recently been brought into the house and were both from one village a few miles away. Having no mother-in-law living, they are obliged to appeal to their father-in-law whenever they wish to visit their former homes, and as they were lonesome and homesick, they perpetually bothered the old man by asking leave of absence. Vexed by these constant petitions, he set himself to invent a method of putting an end to them, and at last gave them leave in this wise. You are always begging me to allow you to go and visit your mothers, and thinking that I am very hard-hearted because I do not let you go. Now you may go, but only upon condition that when you come back, you will each bring me something I want. The one shall bring me some fire-wraps and paper, and the other some wind in a paper. Unless you promise to bring me these, you are never to ask me to let you go home, and if you go and fail to get these for me, you are never to come back. The old man did not suppose that these conditions will be accepted, but the girls were young and thoughtless, and in their anxiety to get away did not consider the impossibility of obtaining the articles required, so they made ready with speed, and in greatly started off on foot to visit their mothers. After they had walked a long distance, chatting about what they should do and whom they should see in their native village, the high heel of one of them slipped from under her foot and she fell down. Owing to this mishap, both stopped to adjust them as place fuckier, and while doing this, the conditions under which alone they could return to their husbands came to mind, and they began to cry. While they sapped their crying by the roadside, a young girl came riding along from the fields on a water buffalo. She stopped and asked them what was the matter and whether she could help them. They told her she could do them no good, but she persisted in offering her sympathy and inviting their confidence till they told their story, and then she at once said that if they would go home with her, she would show them away out of their trouble. Their case seemed so hopeless themselves, and the child was so sure of her own power to help them that they finally accompanied her to her father's house where she showed them how to comply with their father-in-law's demand. For the first, a paper lantern only would be needed. When lighted, it would be a fire and its paper surface would compass the blaze so that it would truly be some fire wrapped in paper. For the second, a paper fan that suffice. When flapped, wind would issue from it and the wind wrapped in paper could thus be carried to the old man. The two young women tanked the wise child and went on their way rejoicing. After a pleasant visit to their old homes, they took a lantern and a fan and returned to their father-in-law's house. As soon as he saw them, he began to vent his anger at their light regard for his commands. They assured him that they perfectly obeyed him and showed him that what they had brought fulfilled the conditions prescribed. Much astonished, he inquired how it was that they had suddenly become so astute and they told him the story of their journey and of the little girl who had so opportunely come to their relief. He inquired whether the little girl was already bethrozed and finding that she was not, engaged to go between to see if he could get her for a wife or his youngest son. Having succeeded in securing the girl's daughter-in-law, he brought her home and told all the rest of the family that as there was no mother in the house and as this girl had shown herself to be possessed of extraordinary wisdom, she should be the head of the household. The wedding festivities being over, the sons of the old man made ready to return to their usual occupations on the farm, but according to their father's order, they came to the young bride for instructions. She told them that they were never to go to or from the fields empty-handed. When they went, they must carry first-lisers of some sort for the land and when they returned, they must bring bundles of sticks for fuel. They obeyed and soon had the land in fine condition and so much fuel gathered that none needed to be bought. When there were no more sticks, roots or weeds to bring, she told them to bring stones instead and they soon accumulated an immense pile of stones which were heaped in a yard near their house. One day, an expert in the discovery of precious stones came along and found this pile a block of jade of great value. In order to get possession of this stone at a small cost, he undertook to buy the whole heap, pretending that he wished to use it in building. The little head of the family asked him exorbitant price for them and as he could not induce her to take less, he promised to pay her the sum, she asked, and to come two days later to bring the money and to remove the stones. That night, the girls thought about the reason for the buyers being willing to pay so large a sum for the stones and concluded that the heap must contain a gem. The next morning, she sent her father-in-law to invite the buyer to supper and she instructed the men of her family in regard to his entertainment. The best of wine was to be provided and the father-in-law was to induce him to talk off precious stones and to gavel him into telling in what way they were to be distinguished from other stones. The head of the family, listening behind a curtain, heard how the valuable stone in her heap could be discovered. She hastened to find and remove it from the pile and when her guests had recovered from the effect of the banquet, he saw that the value had departed from his purchase. He went to negotiate again with the seller and she conducted the conference with such skill that she obtained the price originally agreed upon for the heap of stones and a large sum besides for the one in her possession. The family, having become wealthy, built an ancestral hall of fine design and elaborate workmanship and put the words, no sorrow, as an inscription over the entrance. Soon after, a mind run passed that way and noticing this remarkable inscription had his sedan chair set down that he might inquire, who are the people that professed to have no sorrow? He sent for the head of the family, was much surprised on seeing so young a woman disappear and remarked, here's is a singular family. I've never before seen one without sorrow nor one with so young a head. I will find you for your impudence. Don't weave me a piece of cloth as long as this road. Very well, responded the little woman. So soon as your excellency shall have found the two ends of the road and inform me as to the number of feet in its length. I will at once begin the weaving. Finding them self at fault, the mind run at it and I will also find you as much oil as there is water in the sea. Certainly, responded the woman. As soon as you shall have measured the sea and sent me correct information as to the number of gallons, I will at once begin to preside the oil for my beans. Indeed, said the manager. Since you are so sharp, perhaps you can penetrate my thoughts. If you can, I will find you no more. I hold this pet quail in my hand. Now tell me whether I mean to squeeze it to death or let it fly in the air. Well, said the woman, I am an obscure commoner and you are a famed magistrate. If you are no more knowing than I, you have no right to find me at all. Now I stand with one foot on one side of my threshold and the other foot on the other side. Tell me whether I mean to go in or come out. If you cannot guess my riddle, you should not require me to guess yours. Being unable to guess or intention, the mangeon took his departure and the family lived long in opulence and good repute under its chosen head. End of section 187. Recording by Neve. Section 188 of Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories. 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 Neve. Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories by various authors. Section 188. A Dreadful Boar. A poor old woman who lived with her one little granddaughter in a wood was outgathering sticks for fuel and found a green stalk of sugar cane which she added to her bundle. She presently met an elf in the form of a wild boar that asked her for the cane, but she declined giving it in, saying that at her age, to stoop and rise again, was to earn what she picked up. And that she was going to take the cane home and let her little granddaughter suck its sap. The boar, angry at her refusal, said that he would, during the coming night, eat her granddaughter instead of the cane and went off into the wood. When the old woman reached her cabin, she sat down by the door and wailed for she knew she had no means of defending herself against the boar. While she sat crying, a vendor of needles came along and asked her what was the matter. She told him and he said that all he could do for her was to give her a box of needles. This he did and went on his way. The old woman stuck the needles thickly over the lower half for a door on its outer side. And then she went on crying. Just then, a man came along with a basket of crabs, hurt her lamentations and stopped to inquire what ailed her. She told him and he said he knew no help for her, but he would do the best he could for her by giving her half his crabs. The old woman put the crabs in her water jar behind her door and again sat down and cried. A farmer soon came along from the fields leading his ox and he also asked the calls of her distress and heard her sad story. He said he was sorry he could not think of any way of preventing the evil she expected but that he would leave his ox to stay all night with her as it might be a sort of company for her in her loneliness. She led the ox into her cabin, tied to the head of her bedstead, gave it some straw and then cried again. A courier returning on horseback from a neighboring town next passed her door and dismounted to acquire what troubled her. Having heard her tale, he said he would leave his horse to stay with her and make the ox more contented. So she tied the horse to the foot of her bed and thinking how surely evil was coming upon her with the night, she burst out crying and knew. A boy just then came along with a snapping turtle that he had caught and started to ask what had happened to her. I'm learning the cause of her weeping. He said it was of no use to contend against sprites but that he would give her a snapping turtle as a proof of his sympathy. She took the turtle, tied it in front of her bedstead and continued to cry. Some men who were carrying millstones then came along, inquired into her trouble and expressed their compassion by giving her a millstone, which they rolled into her backyard. A little later, a man arrived carrying hose and a pickaxe and asked her why she was crying so hard. She told him her grief and he said he would gladly help her if he could but he was only a well digger and could do nothing for her. He was bothered then to dig her a well. She pointed out a place in the middle of her backyard and he went to work and quickly dug a well. On his departure, the old woman cried again until a paper seller came and inquired what was the matter. When she told him, he gave her a large sheet of white paper as a token of pity and she laid it smoothly over the mouth of the well. Nightfall came. The old woman shut and barred her door, put her granddaughter snuggly on the wall side of the bed and then lay down beside her to await the foe. At midnight, the bore came and threw himself against the door to break it in. The needles wounded him sorely so that when he had gained an entrance, he was heated and thirsty and went to the water jack to drink. When he thrust in his night, the crabs attacked him, clung to his bristles and pinched his ears while he rolled over and over to disencomber himself. Then in a rage, he approached the front of the bed but the snapping turtle nipped his tail and made him retreat under the feet of the horse who kicked him over to the ox who tossed him back to the horse and thus beset. He was glad to escape to the backyard to take a rest and to consider the situation. Seeing a clean paper spread on the ground, he went to lie upon it and fell into the well. The old woman heard the foal, rushed out, rolled the millstone down on him and crushed him. End of section 188, A Dreadful Boar, recording by Neve. Section 189 of Children's Favorites and Fairy Stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Children's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors. King Kojata, 189. King Kojata ruled over a mighty kingdom and was beloved by his subjects, but because he had no heir to his crown, both he and the Queen lamented. Once while traveling through his territories, he came to a well that was filled to the brim with clear cold water and being very thirsty, he stopped to drink. On the top of the water floated a golden vessel, which the king attempted to seize, but just as his hand touched it, away it floated to the other side of the well. He went around to where the vessel rested and tried again with the same result. Every time the king touched the basin, it glided from his grasp. At last losing patience, he gave up trying to seize the vessel and bending over the well he began to drink. His long beard had fallen into the water and when he had slaked his thirst in attempt to derise, he found himself held fast by it. After vainly pulling and jerking for some time, he looked down into the water and saw a hideous face grinning at him. Its eyes were green and shining, its teeth showed from ear to ear and it held him by the beard with two bony claws. In horror the king tried to extricate himself, but a terrible voice came from the depths of the well. You cannot get away, King Kojata, so do not make me pull your beard too hard. There is something at the palace of which you do not know. Promise to give it to me and I will release you. The king did not know of anything that could have arrived at the palace during his absence, worth the discomfort he was experiencing. So he very readily gave his promise and was freed. When he had shaken the water from his beard, he looked in the well for the ugly monster which had held him captive, but he was nowhere to be seen. Summoning his attendants, he had once set out for home, where he arrived in a few days. The people along the way hailed him with delight and when he reached the palace, the queen led him to the royal chamber and showed him a beautiful son that had been born during his absence. His joy was so great that he forgot all else, but after a time he recalled with horror his compact with the monster of the well and the meaning was all plain to him. The thought of what he had promised haunted him day and night and the fear that something would happen to his little son tortured him. But as days and months passed and the little prince grew more beautiful all the time, the king at last forgot his fears and became happy once more. Years went by without anything happening to disturb his peace of mind and the prince grew to be a beautiful youth who was the joy and pride of the king and queen. One day he went with the hunters to the forest and while pursuing a wild boar became separated from them. He got farther and farther away from his companions and at last found himself alone in a dark part of the wood where he never before had been. Not knowing in which direction his pathway, he called again and again to the hunters. At last a horse voice answered him and from the hollow trunk of a lime tree appeared a hideous man with green eyes and terrible teeth. I've waited for you a long time, Prince Milan said he. Who on earth may you be, asked the prince? Your father will tell you who I am. Just give my greetings to his majesty and tell him that I am ready to claim the debt he owes me. The green eyed man then disappeared into the hollow tree from which he came and when the prince reached home he related his experience to his father. The king turned white and cried. At last it has come. Then he explained to the prince what had occurred at the well and added, now my happiness is at an end for you my son will be taken from me. The prince told the king not to despair. For though he might go away he was certain to return to him. His father provided him with a handsome horse with golden stirrups and the queen gave him a cross to wear about his neck. When he had said farewell to his unhappy parents he mounted his horse and rode for two days without stopping. On the third day he came to a lake on whose smooth surface 30 ducks were swimming while spread about upon the grass were 30 white garments. The prince dismounted and taking up one of the garments he seated himself behind a bush and waited to see what would happen. The ducks dived under the water and desported themselves for a time then came ashore and putting on the little white garments they became beautiful maidens and disappeared. But there was one little duck that remained on the lake and swam about in the most distracted manner uttering piteous cries. The prince came from behind the bush and the little duck begged him to give back a garment. He had no sooner done so than before him stood the loveliest maiden he had ever seen. Thank you, Prince Milan, for restoring my garment, said she. My name is Hia Cynthia and I am one of the 30 daughters of a king of the underworld to whose castle I will lead you for he has waited long for you. Approach him on your knees and do not fear him or I will be there to help you, whatever happens. She tapped her little foot on the ground which opened and they were immediately transported to the palace of her father in the underworld which was carved from a single car-bunkle. When his eyes became accustomed to the radiant light the prince saw the magician of the lime tree sitting on a dazzling throne. His green eyes looked out from under a golden crown and his hideous claws clutched the air with rage when he saw the prince. Remembering what the maiden had told him Prince Milan walked boldly up to the throne and knelt at the feet of the magician who cursed in a voice that shook the underworld. As the youth was not at all frightened the magician at last stopped swearing. Laughing at his courage he welcomed him to his palace and showed him to a beautiful chamber which he was to occupy. On the following day he sent for him and said you are very brave Prince Milan but you must pay the penalty for keeping me waiting so long for you. Tonight build me a palace of gold and marble with windows of crystal and about it the most beautiful gardens in the world or tomorrow I shall cut off your head. The prince went back to his chamber and sadly awaited his doom. That evening a small bee flew in through his window and as soon as it entered the room it became higher Cynthia. Why are you sad Prince Milan? she asked. He told her of her father's impossible command and added naturally I am not happy at the thought of losing my head. Do not be distressed about that said she but trust in me. In the morning he looked out of the window and saw a wonderful marble palace with a roof of gold. When the magician beheld it he exclaimed you have accomplished a great wonder but I cannot let you off so easily. Tomorrow I will place my thirty daughters in a row and if you cannot tell me which one is the youngest you will lose your head. The prince however was not cast down at this for he thought he would have no trouble in recognising higher Cynthia. That evening the little bee entered the room and told him that this task was quite as difficult as the first because the sisters were all exactly alike. But you will know me said she by a little fly which you will discover on my cheek. The next day the magician summoned him to his presence and showed him the thirty daughters standing in a row. The prince passed before them twice without daring to choose but he saw the little fly pink cheek of one of the maidens. This is higher Cynthia exclaimed he. The magician was greatly astonished but not yet satisfied he required of the prince still another task. If before this candle burns to the bottom said he you make me a pair of boots reach into my knees I will let you go but if you fail you will lose your head. Then we must fly for I love you dearly said higher Cynthia. When the magician told her of this new task she breathed on the window pane and straight away it was covered with frost. Then leading Prince Milan from the chamber she locked the door and they fled through the passage by which they had entered the underworld. Beside the smooth leg his horse was still grazing and mountain it they were born swiftly away. When the magician sent for the prince to come to him the frozen breath replied to the messengers and so delayed the discovery of his escape. At last the magician lost patience and ordered the door burst open the frozen breath mocked at him and he hastened in pursuit of the fugitives. I hear the sound of horses feet behind us said higher Cynthia the prince dismounted and putting his ear to the ground answered yes they are near higher Cynthia thereupon changed herself into a river and the prince became a bridge and his horse a blackbird their pursuers no longer finding their footprints were obliged to return to the magician who cursed them and again sent them forth I hear the sound of horses feet behind us again said higher Cynthia the prince put his ear to the earth and said yes they are nearly upon us thereupon higher Cynthia changed herself the prince and the horse all into a dense forest in which many paths crossed so that the followers were bewildered and they again returned to the magician I hear horses feet behind us said higher Cynthia a third time and this time it was the magician himself higher Cynthia took the little cross from the neck of the prince and changed herself into a church the prince into a monk and the horse into the belfry so that when the magician came up he lost all trace of them and was obliged to return to the underworld in great chagrin when he had departed the prince and higher Cynthia mounted the horse and rode till they came to a beautiful town we must not enter, said she for we may not come out again but the prince would not take her advice and insisted upon passing through the gates then sadly replied the maiden when the king and queen of the town come out to meet you do not kiss the little child or you will forget me and never come back as for me I will become a milestone and wait for you here it was all as higher Cynthia had said the king and queen came out to greet him and when the lovely little child ran up to him for a caress he kissed its pretty face and forgot higher Cynthia the first and second day went by and when the third day came higher Cynthia wept and became a little blue flower by the roadside an old man came along and digging up the flower carried it home with him and planted it in his garden he watered and tended it carefully and one day the little flower became a beautiful maiden why did you not leave me to die by the roadside she asked and told the man her story tomorrow is prince Milan's wedding day said the old man higher Cynthia once dried her tears and presented herself at the palace dressed like a peasant she went to the cook and asked to be allowed to make the wedding cake the cook was so struck with her beauty that he could not refuse the request when the guests were all seated about the table prince Milan was called upon to cut the cake as soon as he had done so out flew two beautiful doves which circled about his head dear mate cried one of the doves do not leave me as prince Milan left higher Cynthia the prince who suddenly recollected all he had forgotten ran from the room and at the door found higher Cynthia and his horse awaiting him they mounted and rode swiftly away to the kingdom of King Kojata where the king and queen received them with tears of joy and they all lived in happiness to the end of their days end of section 189 section 190 of Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors section 190 The Story of King Frost a shrewish peasant woman had a daughter on whom she lavished everything she could get the stepdaughter whom she neglected and ill-treated in the mother's eyes the daughter had no faults while the stepdaughter was always blamed and, try as she might the poor girl never could please so unhappy was she made that her eyes were often red from weeping the sight of her tear-stained face only angered the stepmother the more and caused her to say to the girl's father send her away, old man my eyes are tired of the sight of her and my ears of the sound of her voice send her out of the house the father begged to have his daughter remain but the shrew was determined to be rid of her and gave him no peace at last when he could gain seher no longer he placed his daughter in a sledge and drove her to the open fields here he left her with nothing to shield her from the bitter cold kissing her goodbye he drove away not daring to look back at her left alone by her father the girl wandered across the bleak fields to the edge of the forest she sat down under a fir tree and wept a crackling sound caused her to look up and she saw King Frost springing from one tree to another when he reached the fir tree he jumped down beside her with a bound snapping his fingers in her lovely face he asked do you know who I am I will tell you I am King Frost hail to you great king smiled the maiden have you come for me are you warm fair maiden he asked an answer yes quite warm king frost the maiden replied although she was shivering king frost bent over her and snapped his fingers about her until the air seemed full of needles again he asked are you still warm dear maiden her lips could scarcely move to utter the words quite warm king frost he snapped his teeth and cracked his fingers till all the air was filled with stinging things his eyes glistened and for the last time he asked are you warm now beautiful maiden are you still warm my dear she was now scarcely able to speak but managed to gasp still warm king frost the gentle girl's patience and uncomplaining endurance caused king frost to take pity on her suffering he arrayed her in a robe embroidered in silver and gold and decked her with sparkling diamonds she glittered and shone and was dazzling to behold then placing her in his sleigh he wrapped her in furs and six white horses bore them swiftly away the stepmother at home was baking pancakes for the girl's funeral feast go in the field she said to her husband and bring your daughter's body home so we can bury her the old man rose to obey when the little dog barked your daughter shall not die hers cold and stiff shall lie the woman kicked the dog then tried to coax it with a pancake telling it to say her daughter shall have gold his be frozen stiff and cold when the little dog had swallowed the pancake he barked his daughter shall be wed hers shall be frozen dead the woman beat the dog then coaxed it with more pancakes but the blows could not terrify it nor food persuade it was always the same suddenly the door opened and a huge chest was thrust into the room followed by the radiant stepdaughter in a dress that dazzled them with its beauty as soon as the stepmother recovered from her astonishment she ordered her husband to yoke the horses to the sledge and take her own daughter to the field take care you leave her in the same place the old woman cautioned the father left the girl as he was bitten and returned to his home she was not long alone when King Frost came by are you warm maiden he asked you must be a fool not to see that my hands and feet are nearly frozen she angrily replied the king danced in front of her and cracked his fingers are you warm maiden he asked her over and over she cried with rage and called him rude names until he froze the words on her lips and she was dead the mother waited for her daughter's return until she became impatient then she told her husband to take the sledge and go for her but don't lose the chest she added the dog under the table barked your daughter frozen cold will never need a chest of gold the old woman was scolding the dog for telling lies when the door opened rushing out to welcome her daughter and her treasures she clasped the frozen body in her arms and the chill of it killed her End of Section 190 Recording by John Chase Edmonton Section 191 of Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories 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 Clarica Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors Section 191 Tell Us a Tale by Edward Shirley Tell us a tale, dear mother a fairy tale do please take baby brother on your lap we'll sit beside your knees we will not speak we will not stir until the tale is told and we'll be oh so comfy and just as good as gold what shall it be my children Aladdin and his lamp or shall I tell the story of puss in boots the scamp or would you like to hear the tale of Bluebeard, Fierce and Grim or Jack who climbed the bean-stock I think you're fond of him or shall I tell you children about Red Riding Hood or what befell those little babes who wandered in the wood or how sweet Cinderella went so gaily to the ball yes yes we cried and clapped our hands we want to hear them all End of Section 191 Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors Section 192 Little Red Hen This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer contact LibriVox.org Reading by Father Xyle Little Red Hen Little Red Hen found a grain of wheat Who will plant this? she asked Not I, said the cat Not I, said the goose Not I, said the rat Then I will, said Little Red Hen Little Red Hen So she buried the wheat in the ground After a while it grew up yellow and ripe The wheat is ripe now, said Little Red Hen Who will cut and thresh it? Not I, said the cat Not I, said the goose Not I, said the rat Then I will, said Little Red Hen So she cut it with her bill and threshed it with her wings Then she asked Who will take this wheat to the mill? Not I, said the cat Not I, said the goose Not I, said the rat Then I will, said Little Red Hen So she took the wheat to the mill where it was ground Then she carried the flour home Who will make me some bread with this flour? She asked Not I, said the goose Then she asked Not I, said the cat Not I, said the goose Not I, said the rat Then I will, said Little Red Hen So she made and baked the bread Then she said Now we shall see Who will eat this bread We will, said Cat, goose, and rat I am quite sure you would, said Little Red Hen If you could get it Then she called her chicks and they ate up all the bread There was none left at all for the cat for the goose for the rat End of section 192 Section 193 of Childhoods, Favorites, and Fairy Stories This is a LibriVox recording Old LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information Please visit LibriVox.org Childhoods, Favorites, and Fairy Stories by various authors Section 193 In Search of a Baby by F. Tapsil Please, I'm lost These words and a thump-thump on the door were what Mrs. Stone heard as she sat at supper in a tiny house in the wood She went to open the door Dear little girl about three years old Please, I'm lost Again came the words and two fat little fists went up to a pair of big blue eyes Come on, little girl and tell me all about it said the woman Maybe I can help you to find your way The child let herself be led into the room Then all at once the two tiny fists came down from the two blue eyes Are you having supper? She said May I have supper too? I'm ever so hungry Yes dear, of course you also have some Was the reply? See, you shall sit on this chair by my side Now, what will you have? I think I would like some bread and butter with sugar on it Brown sugar, you know And soon the little girl was as happy as could be What is your name, dear? Asked Mrs. Stone When supper was over and the little girl had begun to think once more about how she was to find her way home Meg was the reply But you're of the name For you must have two names No, my name is just Meg Of course, I don't have any other name She said, a look of wonder in the big blue eyes Do you know where you live? Yes, I live in the nursery Didn't you know that? She was so sure that it did not seem any good to say any more about it So Mrs. Stone only asked Where were you going when you came to my house? To find a baby, was the reply Rob said that if I went to a house in the wood they would give me one Have you got a baby to give me? No, dear, I'm afraid I have not But why do you want a baby? I'm sure you have lots of dolls Yes, of course I have But then you see, dolls are not alive I want a real baby to play with Enid won't play with me much now but she says I'm too small and robbers at school all the time Why, who is that? said a voice and a man came in with a bag of tools Then the two little fists again went up to the blue eyes for the little maid was shy of this great big man Well wife, so you have a friend I see he said, who is the little lass? I don't know, said his wife It seems she was lost and came here to ask her away She says she came to find a baby Come here little one, and don't be afraid said the man There never was a child yet who would not come to me and as he spoke he drew her onto his knee Now then, tell me all about it After one glance at the man's kind face Meg nistled up to him and began Nurse was so busy she could not be in the room with me So I put on my hat and came to look for a baby but I got lost on the way At last I came to the wood and saw this house She could not give me a baby as Rob said she would but she gave me some tea and bread and butter with sugar on it We only have that on Sunday at home Is this Sunday? No little miss, said the man But I expect you had it just for a treat as you had got lost But just then steps were heard on the path and there was a sharp knock on the door The latch was lifted and a voice said Have you seen a little girl in a white frock past this way? Why? That must be Nurse! cried Meg In spite of being cross at Meg's having run away Nurse had to laugh then she bent down and said But what made you run away like this miss Meg? Rob told me that if I came to the house in the wood I should find a real live baby But he was wrong for she, with a smile at Mrs Stone is very nice but she has not got a baby to give me Of course not child but do you know I have some news for you What is it? Do tell me! cried the little girl While you were away in the wood to look for a baby we have found the baby at home You have a new baby brother come home with me now and you shall see him A new little brother said Meg her eyes wide open with wonder He must have known I had gone out to look for one So now I have got two new friends and a baby too Come along quick Goodbye! she said to her new friends Thank you ever so much for being so kind and for the supper I am coming to have supper with you again soon and then I will bring the new baby with me You will give me and baby bread and butter with sugar on it won't you? And Meg trotted off as happy as a little queen End of section 193 in search of a baby Recording by Ross Clement Section 194 of Childhoods, favourites and fairy stories This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Childhoods, favourites and fairy stories by various authors Section 194 Jock and I and the others First of all I must tell you who I am My name is Penelope But Jock always calls me Pen I am 8 years old, Jock is half past 6 We live with mother and father and Rover and Tibbie in a house not very far from a large city Mother is the nicest person I know in all the world Father is a very big man He always has lots of money in his pocket He goes to business in a train every day We have a real farm quite near to our house where they keep cows, chickens, pigs, horses and geese Jock and I often go to see them all One day in summer we went to see the farmer I had my blue dress on so that the cows would not be angry when they saw me We met the farmer near the stable Come, he said I have something to show you today What is it? We both said at the same time Come and see was all that he would say Then he took us into the stable where he keeps Nobby the big brown horse who likes sugar Now, Nobby was not there but in the straw were 7 little puppy dogs oh so sweet and gudly Jock danced round and round the farmer May we have one? He said Ask mother said the farmer and off we ran at once Mother was at the garden gate We ran up to her Jock was first but it was nearly a dead heat Mother opened the gate and said Well, what have you seen today? Oh mother said Jock out of breath Oh mother dear I said out of breath also Farmer has such lovely puppies We both said at once May we have one to keep By this time we both had our arms around mother's waist and she was laughing Yes we can I said for I knew If father says yes said mother you must ask him when he comes home So we went to the station to meet him Jock took his bag and I took his paper parcel to carry it home for him On the way home I asked him if he liked dogs and he said of course Then Jock said Little dogs Oh yes Puppy dogs When is the time is all right One puppy dog with brown spots on white Jock went on Where is it? asked father and his eyes were laughing You could not see his mouth for his beard Then we told him and he said Yes just at the garden gate So that was how we got Rover Rover was very soft and downy when he first came to us but he soon grew to be a big dog Jock and I taught him many tricks and he can beg very nicely if we let him get on the couch in the dining room we put sugar on his nose and he waits until we count one, two, three then he throws the sugar into the air and catches it End of section 194 Jock and I and the others Recording by Ross Clement Section 195 Childhood's favourites and fairy stories 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 Porick Childhood's favourites and fairy stories by various authors Section 195 Dolly Dimple by F. Tapsle Oh dear I'm so lonely and it is so dark I do want my dear Dolly Dimple I think I will go and fetch her and little four-year-old Babs got out of bed and fell her way to the door The door was just a wee crack open As she peeped in Babs saw that there was a light in the room and the sight which met her eyes almost made her cry out On the floor stood Dolly Dimple in her very best frock and Mr. Jollyman was asking her to dance with him Teddy Bear was at work on the big drum and the clown was turning the organ to make music for the dolls to dance to The tin soldiers on the backs of cows, pigs and sheep from the Noah's Ark were having a sham fight The dolls from the dolls' house were going for a ride in the big horse and cart It's too bad of them to go and have a good time like this when I'm in bed, thought Babs and I am going to take Dolly Dimple away with me all the same But when she tried to pick up the doll and carry her off Mr. Jollyman flew at her in a fury He began to kick her bare legs till Babs thought she would have no shins left at all but she would not run away I want Dolly Dimple, she said She's my doll and you've no right to try and keep her away from me She's yours in the day, but not at night Was the reply How do you think we toys could live if we'd know life but the one we endure at your hands It is in the night that we live and have our good times for we know you're safe in bed then I don't care what you say, I will have her cried Babs, very angry now She tried once more to get hold of Dolly Dimple but before she could do so Mr. Jollyman turned to the soldiers and said the one word Charge! There was a great noise and a rush and right down upon the little girl came camels, horses, lions, tigers, sheep and pigs But just as she thought her last hour was come she heard the word halt and then the sound of Dolly Dimple saying No, don't kill her, she's very good to me most of the time The rest of the dolls had begun to dance once more but Dolly Dimple came up to the little girl and took hold of her arm I am queen here in the night She said I will not hurt you as you have been good to me and I know you love me If you like I will come and stay with you till you go to sleep Pick me up So Babs picked up the doll and took it back to bed with her and hugged it in her arms End of section 195 Section 196 of childhood's favourites and fairy stories This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Childhood's favourites and fairy stories by various authors Section 196 The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Once upon a time there were four little rabbits and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter They lived with their mother in a sandbank underneath the root of a very big fir tree Now my dears said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning You may go into the fields all down the lane but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden Your father had an accident there He was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor Now run along and don't get into mischief I am going out Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella and went through the wood to the bakers She bought a loaf of brown bread and five current buns Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail who were good little bunnies went down the lane to gather blackberries But Peter, who was very naughty ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden and squeezed under the gate First he ate some lettuces and some French beans and then he ate some radishes and then, feeling rather sick he went to look for some parsley But round the end of the cucumber frame whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting out young cabbages But he jumped up and ran after Peter waving a rake and calling out Stop thief! Peter was most dreadfully frightened He rushed all over the garden that he had forgotten the way back to the gate He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages and the other shoe amongst the potatoes After losing them he ran on four legs and went faster so that I think he might have got away altogether if he had not, unfortunately, run into a gooseberry net and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket It was a blue jacket with brass buttons quite new Peter gave himself up for lost and shed big tears His sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows who flew to him in great excitement and implored him to exert himself Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve which he intended to pop upon the top of Peter But Peter wriggled out just in time leaving his jacket behind him and rushed into the tool shed and jumped into a can It would have been a beautiful thing to hide in if it had not had so much water in it Mr. McGregor was quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool shed perhaps hidden under a flower pot He began to turn them over carefully looking under each Presently Peter sneezed Mr. McGregor was after him in no time and tried to put his foot upon Peter who jumped out of a window upsetting three plants The window was too small for Mr. McGregor and he was tired of running after Peter He went back to his work Peter sat down to rest He was out of breath and trembling with fright and he had not the least idea which way to go Also he was very damp with sitting in that can After a time he began to wonder about going lippity lippity not very fast and looking all around He found a door in a wall but it was locked and there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath An old mouse was running in and out of the stone doorstep carrying peas and beans to her family in the wood Peter asked her the way to the gate that she had such a large pea in her mouth that she could not answer She only shook her head at him Peter began to cry He tried to find his way straight across the garden but he became more and more puzzled Presently he came to a pond where Mr. McGregor filled his water cans A white cat was staring at some goldfish She sat very very still but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were alive Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her He had heard about cats from his cousin Little Benjamin Bunny He went back toward the tool shed but suddenly quite close to him he heard the noise of a hoe screech scratch scratch scratch Peter scuttered underneath the bushes but presently as nothing happened he came out and climbed upon a wheelbarrow and peaked over The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions His back was turned toward Peter and beyond him was the gate Peter got down very quietly off the wheelbarrow and started running as fast as he could go along a straight walk behind some black current bushes Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner but Peter did not care He slipped underneath the gate and was safe at last in the wood outside the garden Mr. McGregor hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scarecrow to frighten the blackbirds Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to the big third tree He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor at the rabbit hole and shut his eyes His mother was busy cooking She wondered what he had done with his clothes It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening His mother put him to bed and made some chamomile tea and she gave a dose of it to Peter One table spoonful to be taken at bedtime But flopsie, mobsie and cotton tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper End of Section 196 Section 197 of Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories by various authors Section 197 The miller, his son and their ass Once upon a time there was a miller who lived in a little house beside his mill All day long he worked hard But at night he went home to his wife and his little boy One day this miller made up his mind that he would take his ass to the fair and sell it So he and his boy said farewell to the dame and started off They had not gone far when they met a number of girls coming from the town Look said one of them Did you ever see such stupid fellows? They are walking when one of them might be riding When the miller heard this he made the boy get up on the ass while he tramped along merrily by its side Soon they came to a number of old men standing by the side of the road talking together Look at that said one of them Look at that young rascal riding while his poor father has to walk Get down you idle fellow and let your father ride Upon this the son got down from the ass and the miller took his place They had not gone very far when they met two women coming home from market You lazy old man they cried at once How dare you ride when your poor little boy is walking and can hardly keep pace with you Then the miller who was a good natured man took his son up behind him and in this way they went to the town My good fellow said a townsman whom they met Is that ass your own? Yes replied the miller I should not have thought so By the way you load him said the man Why you two are better able to carry the beast than he is to carry you Well said the miller we can but try So he and his son got down and tied the legs at the ass together Then they slung him on a pole and carried him on their shoulders There was such a funny sight that the people laughed and cheered at them The poor ass was very uncomfortable and tried hard to get off the pole At last as they were passing over a bridge he pulled his legs out of the rope and tumbled to the ground He was so frightened that he jumped off the bridge into the river and was drowned Do you know what this story teaches you? If you tried to please everybody you will please nobody End of Section 197 Section 198 of childhoods favourites and fairy stories This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Childhoods favourites and fairy stories by various authors Section 198 The Visit to Santa Claus Land Jack and Margaret were growing more excited each day because Christmas was so near They talked of nothing but Santa Claus Don't you wish you could see him? They stared over and over One night just before Christmas Mother tucked them in bed and left them to go to sleep But Jack wiggled, Margaret wiggled At last they both set up in bed Jack, Margaret whispered, are you asleep? No, said Jack, I can't go to sleep Margaret, don't you wish you could see Santa Claus? What's that? They both listened and they heard a little tap tap on the window They looked and there, right in the window they saw a funny little brownie What's that, I heard you say You want to see Santa Claus? Well, I am one of his brownies I am on my way back to Santa Claus Land I'll take you with me if you want to go Jack and Margaret scrambled from their beds Come on, show us the way They cried in great excitement No, indeed, said the brownie No one must know the way to Santa Claus Land Kindly wait a moment Then the brownie took something soft and thick and dark and tied it around Jack's eyes Next he took something soft and thick and dark and tied it around Margaret's eyes How many fingers before you, he asked Both of them shook their heads They could not see a wink Very well, now we're off, said the brownie He took Jack's hand on one side and Margaret's on the other It seemed as if they flew through the window They went on swiftly for a little while Then the brownie whirled them round and round until they were dizzy and off they went again The children could not tell whether they were going north, south, east or west After a time, they stopped Here we are, said the brownie He uncovered their eyes and the children saw that they were standing before a big, thick gate The brownie knocked and the gate was swung open They went through it, right into Santa Claus' garden It was a very clear garden There were rows and rows of Christmas trees all glittering with balls and cobwebby tinsel and instead of flower beds there were beds of every kind of toy in the world Margaret at once ran over to a bed of dolls Let's see if any of them are ripe, said the brownie Ripe, said Margaret, in great surprise Why, of course, said the brownie Now, if this one is ripe, it will shut its eyes The brownie picked a little doll from the bed and laid it in Margaret's arms Its eyes went half shut and then stuck No, it's not ripe yet, said the brownie Try this one He picked another one and this one shut its eyes just as if it had gone to sleep We'll take that one, he said and he dropped it into a big sack he was carrying Now, this one cries if it's ripe He said as he picked a lovely infant doll The brownie gave it a squeeze and the doll made a funny squeaking noise Not quite ripe, he said and he put it back into the bed He tried several others and he picked a good many Some of them cried, some said Mama and Papa and some danced when they were wound up Oh, do come over here, Margaret, Jack called Margaret ran over to another bed and there were drums, big drums little drums and middle sized drums yellow drums, blue drums green drums, red drums Can we gather some of these, said Jack, to the brownie Why, of course, let's see if this one is ripe The brownie took up a little red drum and gave it a thump with the drum stick but it made such a queer sound that Jack and Margaret both laughed out loud The little red drum was put back into the bed and the brownie tried another big one It went boom, boom, boom, boom, boom and Jack and Margaret marched all along the bed keeping step to it When they had finished picking drums they went over to a bed filled with horns That was the most fun of all Some of them made very queer noises and on some the brownie played jolly little tunes The next bed they came to was filled with toys which could be wound up There were trains, automobiles dancing dolls, climbing monkeys hopping birds, funny wobbling ducks and every kind of toy you could think of The children stayed at this bed for a long time At last Margaret said but where is Santa Claus? We want to see him Oh, to be sure, said the brownie come along and he led them down a long winding walk to the edge of the garden Then he pointed to a hill in the distance Do you see that large white house? There is where he lives The children stared at it It was so white that it seemed to shine in the distance Walk right across here, said the brownie then up the hill to Santa Claus's house Oh, must we walk across there, said Margaret She stared down at the deep dark chasm between the garden and the hill Across it was stretched a narrow plank Walk carefully, said the brownie and mind you don't look down for if you do, I'm afraid you won't see Santa Claus tonight We'll be very careful, said Jack Come along, Margaret and he took his little sister's hand and they started across the plank They had almost reached the middle of it when Jack looked down Oh, he said, and gave Margaret a pull She looked down, too, and cried Uh-uh, and down, down, down they went Suddenly they landed with a thump They sat up and rubbed their eyes There they were, right in their own beds at home Mother opened the door Are you awake, children, she said Oh, mother, we haven't been asleep We've been to Santa Claus land and we nearly saw Santa Claus Then they told her all about it and mother just smiled End of Section 198 Section 199 of Childhoods Favorites and Fairy Stories This is a LubriVox recording All LubriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LubriVox.org Childhoods Favorites and Fairy Stories by various authors Section 199 The Greedy Brownie There was once a little brownie who lived in a hollow tree stump He had been busy all the day playing pranks His pranks had taken him far away from home to the house of a very important lead Into the lead's cup of wine he had dropped some sour berries which he had picked on his way He also put tistles into his boots so that when the lead had drawn them on he had screamed out with pain The brownie had been away all the day so that when at last he turned to go back to his home he felt really very tired On his way back to the wood he passed by a cosy looking farmhouse The door of the dairy was open The brownie thought this would be a very nice cool place in which to rest for a few moments So he slipped into the dairy and cooled himself up underneath the bench to have a nice little dose He was so weary that once he had fallen asleep he never woke up again until it was quite dark When he was disturbed by two lassies who had come into the dairy One was carrying a candle in her hand and by its light the pair inspired a big bowl of cream on the shelf The naughty girls thought that they would drink it for supper They could only find one spoon on the shelf so they decided they would each have a spoonful in turn Lassie Jean took the bowl and carried it to a bench in the corner and Lassie Meg followed it with the candle No sooner had the two girls settled themselves than the brownie who was now wide awake and who was himself feeling that some supper might not be out of place crept up behind them and blew out the candle The lassies at first were very much concerned at being in the dark Nevertheless they determined they would drink the cream all the same Lassie Jean filled the spoon with the rich delicacy She was about to raise it to her lips when the naughty brownie poked his head over her shoulder and leapt it out of the spoon before it had reached her mouth Lassie Meg believing that Lassie Jean had already swallowed some cream while she had had none stretched out her hand to take away the spoon from her friend Lassie Jean was not willing to give it up since she said she had not yet tasted any cream Lassie Meg was unwilling to believe her for she declared she had heard her lapping the cream Without waiting for Lassie Jean to explain she snatched the spoon out of her friend's hand She filled it with cream from the bowl and was about to raise it to her lips when the brownie jumped from behind Lassie Jean and settling himself behind Lassie Meg's shoulders poked forward his head and again leapt up the cream from out of the spoon Lassie Jean in her turn snatched back the spoon from Lassie Meg Thus they went on for every time one or the other raised the spoon full of cream to her lips it was leapt up by the brownie this continued until the bowl was emptied the brownie was full of cream but the poor Lassie's had not so much as tasted one drop although each believed the other had drunk at all the Lassie's were still quarrelling when the door of the dairy was opened and the farmer's wife entered carrying a lighted candle in her hand the moment that she did so the brownie hopped under the bench and the Lassie's started up guiltily the farmer's wife caught sight of the empty basin she was very angry with them indeed when they tried hastily to explain each blaming the other the farmer's wife would not listen but only grew the more angry she told them that since they had sucked so well they should have none of the scones and eggs which she had prepared for the evening meal in the kitchen when the farmer's wife had entered she had left the door open so while she was busily scolding the Lassie's the brownie slipped out from under the bench and made his escape as he ran chuckling down the road he could still hear her angry voice drowning the attempted explanations at the bewildered Lassie's when the little fellow curled himself up sometime later in the tree trunk he was still laughing end of section 199 section 200 of Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories this is a Lubberbox recording all Lubberbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Lubberbox.org Childhood's Favourites and Fairy Stories by various authors section 200 The Fairies Passage by James Clarence Mangan tap tap tap rap get up Gaffer Ferriman ah who's there the cock strikes three get up do Gaffer you are the very man we have been long long longing to see the ferryman rises growling and grumbling and goes fumbling and stumbling and tumbling over the wares on his way to the door but he sees no more than he saw before till a voice is heard oh ferryman dear here we are waiting all of us here we are a we we colony we some 200 in all all three ferry us over the river Lee er dawn of day and we will pay the most we may in our own wee way who are you whence came you what place are you going to oh we have dwelt over long in this land the people get cross and are growing so knowing too nothing at all but they now understand we are daily vanishing under the thunder of some huge engine or iron wonder that iron are it has entered our souls your souls oh girls you queer little drolls do you mean good Gaffer do aid us with speed for our time like our stature indeed and a very long way we have to go 8 or 10,000 miles or so hither and thither and to and fro with our pots and pans and little gold pans but our light caravans runs wifter than man's well well you may come said the ferryman at family Patrick turn out and get ready the barge then again to the little folk though you seem laughably small I don't mind if your coppers be large oh dear what a rushing what pushing what crushing the waterman making vain efforts at hushing the hubbub the wile there followed these words what clapping of boards what strapping of cords what stowing away of children and wives and platters and mugs and spoons and knives till all had safely got into the boat and the ferryman clad in his tip top coat and his wee little fairies were safely afloat then ding ding ding and cling cling cling how the coppers did ring in the tin pictureling of then went the boat at first very pleasantly smoothly and so forth but after a while it swayed and it sagged this and that way and presently chest after chest and pile after pile of the little folk's goods began tossing and rolling and pitching like fun beyond ferry controlling oh man if the hubbub were great before it was now some two or three million times more crush went the wee crocs and the clocks and the locks of each little wee box were stowed in by hard knocks and then there were oaths and prayers and cries take care see there oh dear my eyes I am killed I am drowned with groans and sighs till to land they drew yo ho pull to till a rope throw and throw and all throw to new now jump upon shore you queer little oddities eh what is this where are they at all where are they and where are they tiny commodities well as I live he looks blank as a wall poor ferryman round him and round him he gazes but only gets deeplier lost in the mazes of utter bewilderment oh all are gone and he stands alone like a statue of stone in a doldrum of wonder he turns to steer and a tinkling laugh salutes his ear with other odd sounds ha ha ha ha pollol seed sizzle wee ba ba fizzy gig giggity shh shasha oh ye seeves, ye seeves ye rascally seeves the good man cries he turns to his picture and there alas to his horror perceives that the little folk's mode of making him richer has been to pay him with withered leaves end of section 200 section 201 of child's favorites and fairy stories 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 Vera Unreal child's favorites and fairy stories by various authors the world the world is back what is in water is mostly bought oh not at all set the little fly it's full of spiders and very dry the world is dark set them off for light with ready windows and bowls of light my poor young friend you have much to learn though all the screens set the swing fun oh listen to me set the little lamp it's wet and dry and it's green and dark to think that's all would be very wrong I flew and it's filled with song end of section 201 section 202 of child's favorites and fairy stories 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 ManuVox child's favorites and fairy stories by various authors section 202 white magic blind folks see the fairies oh better far than we who miss the shining of their wings because our eyes are filled with things we do not wish to see they need not seek enchantment from solemn printed books for all about them as they go the fairies flutter too and throw but smiling friendly looks therefore hear the fairies however soft their song this we who lose the honey sound aim it the claim all are around that beats the wall day long but they with gentle faces sit widely apart what room have they for sorrowing while fairy minstrel sit and sing close to each listening heart