 Story No. 27 of the Ferry Ring. The Ferry Ring, edited by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald-Smith. Story No. 27 The White Cat. There was once a king who had three sons, all handsome, brave and noble of heart. Nevertheless, some wicked courtiers made their father believe they were eager to wear his crown, which, though he was old, he had no mind to resign. He therefore invented a plan to get them out of the kingdom and prevent their carrying out any undutiful projects. Sending for them to a private audience, he conversed with them kindly and said, You must be sensible, my dear children, that my great age prevents me from attending as closely as I have hitherto done to state affairs. I fear this may be injurious to my subjects. I therefore desire to place my crown on the head of one of you, but it is no more than just that in return for such a present, you should procure me some amusement in my retirement, before I leave the capital forever. I cannot help thinking that a little dog, handsome, faithful, engaging, would be the very thing to make me happy, so that, without bestowing a preference on either of you, I declare that he who brings me the most perfect little dog shall be my successor. The princes were much surprised at the fancy of their father to have a little dog. Yet they accepted the proposition with pleasure, and accordingly, after taking leave of the king, who presented them with abundance of money and jewels, and appointed that day twelve months for their return, they set off on their travels. Before separating, however, they took some refreshment together in an old palace about three miles out of town, where they mutually agreed to meet in the same place on that day twelve months and go all together with their presence to court. They also agreed to change their names and travel incognito. Each took a different road, but it is intended to relate the adventures of only the Jungist, who was the most beautiful, aimable, and accomplished prince in the world. As he traveled from town to town, he bought all the handsome dogs that fell in his way, and as soon as he saw one that was handsomer than those he had, he made a present of the rest, for twenty servants would scarcely have been sufficient to take care of all the dogs he was continually purchasing. At length, wondering he knew not wither, he found himself in a forest. Night suddenly came on, and with it a violent storm of thunder, lightning, and rain. To add to his perplexity, he lost his way. After he had groped about for a long time, he perceived a light, which made him suppose that he was not far from some house. He accordingly pursued his way toward it, and in a short time found himself at the gates of the most magnificent palace he had ever beheld. The entrance door was of gold, covered with sapphires, which shone so that scarcely could the strongest eyesight bear to look at it. This was the light the prince had seen from the forest. The walls were of transparent porcelain, variously coloured, and represented the history of all the fairies that had existed from the beginning of the world. The prince, coming back to the golden door, observed a deer's foot fastened to a chain of diamonds. He could not help wondering at the magnificence he beheld, and the security in which the inhabitants seemed to live. For, said he to himself, nothing could be easier than for thieves to steal this chain, and as many of the sapphire stones as would make their fortunes. He pulled the chain and heard a bell, the sound of which was exquisite. In a few moments the door was opened, yet he perceived nothing but twelve hands in the air, each holding a torch. The prince was so astonished that he durst not move a step, when he felt himself gently pushed on by some other hands from behind him. He walked on in great perplexity, till he entered a vestibule inlaid with porphyry and larpistome, where the most melodious voice he had ever heard chanted the following words. Welcome, prince, no danger fear, mirth and love attend your hair. You shall break the magic spell that on a buttress lady fell. Welcome, prince, no danger fear, mirth and love attend your hair. The prince now advanced with confidence, wondering what these words could mean. The hands moved him forward toward a large door of coral, which opened of itself to give him admittance into a splendid apartment built of mother of pearl, paintings and jewels, and so resplendently lighted with thousands of lamps, girondoles and lustres that he imagined he must be in an enchanted palace. When he had passed through sixty apartments, all equally splendid, he was stopped by the hands and a large easy chair advanced of itself toward the fireplace. Then the hands which he observed were extremely white and delicate, took off his wet clothes and supplied their place with the finest linen imaginable, adding a comfortable wrapping gown embroidered with gold and pearls. The hands next brought him an elegant dressing table and combed his hair so very gently that he scarcely felt their touch. They held before him a beautiful basin filled with perfumes for him to wash his face and hands, and afterwards took off the wrapping gown and dressed him in a suit of clothes of still greater splendor. When his toilet was complete, they conducted him to an apartment he had not yet seen, and which also was magnificently furnished. There was a table spread for supper, and everything upon it was of the purest gold adorned with jewels. The prince observed there were two coverset, and was wondering who was to be his companion when his attention was suddenly caught by a small figure, not a foot high, which just then entered the room and advanced toward him. It had on a long black veil and was supported by two cats dressed in mourning and with swords by their sides. They were followed by a numerous retinue of cats, some carrying cages full of rats, and others mousetraps full of mice. The prince was at a loss what to think. The little figure now approached, and throwing aside her veil, he beheld a most beautiful white cat. She seemed young and melancholy, and addressing herself to him, she said, My prince, you are welcome. Your presence affords me the greatest pleasure. Madam, replied he, I would faint thank you for your generosity, nor can I help observing that you must be an extraordinary creature to possess with your present form the gift of speech and the most magnificent palace I have ever seen. All this is very true, answered the beautiful cat, but prince, I am not fond of talking, and least of all do I like compliments, let us therefore sit down to supper. The trunkless hands then placed the dishes on the table, and the prince and white cats seated themselves at it. The first dish was a pie made of young pigeons, and the next was a fricassee of the fattest mice. The view of the one made the prince almost afraid to taste the other, till the white cat, who guessed his thoughts, assured him that there were certain dishes at table which had been dressed on purpose for him, in which there was not a morsel of either rat or mouse. Accordingly he ate heartily of such as she recommended. When supper was over, he perceived that the white cat had a portrait setting gold hanging to one of her feet. He begged her permission to look at it, when, to his astonishment, he saw the portrait of a handsome young man who exactly resembled himself. He thought there was something most extraordinary in all this. Yet, as the white cat sighed and looked very sorrowful, he did not venture to ask any questions. He conversed with her on different subjects, and found her extremely well versed in everything that was passing in the world. When night was far advanced, his hostess wished him a good night, and he was conducted by the hands to his bed-chamber, which was different still from anything he had seen in the palace. Being hung with the wings of butterflies mixed with the most curious feathers, his bed was of course festooned with bunches of the gazed ribbons, and the looking glasses reached from the floor to the ceiling. The prince was undressed and put into the bed by the hands without speaking a word. He, however, slept little, and in the morning was awakened by a confused noise. The hands took him out of the bed and put on him a handsome hunting jacket. He looked into the courtyard and perceived more than five hundred cats visibly employed in preparing for the field, for this was a day of festival. Presently the white cat came to his apartment, and having politely inquired after his help, she invited him to partake of their amusement. The prince willingly exceeded, and mounted a wooden horse, richly Caparisoned, which had been prepared for him, and which he was assured would gallop to admiration. The beautiful white cat mounted a monkey. She wore a dragon's cap, which made her look so fierce that all the rats and mice ran away in the outmost terror. Everything being ready, the horn sounded, and away they went. No hunting was ever more agreeable. The cats ran faster than the hares and rabbits, and when they caught any they turned them out to be hunted in the presence of the white cat, and a thousand cunning tricks were played. Nor were the birds in safety, for the monkey made nothing of climbing up the trees with the white cat on his back to the nests of the young eagles. When the chase was over, the whole retinue returned to the palace. The white cat immediately exchanged her dragon's cap for the veil, and sat down to supper with the prince, who, being very hungry, ate heartily, and afterwards partook with her of the most delicious wines. He then was conducted to his chamber as before, and wakened in the morning to renew the same sort of life, which day after day became so charming to him that he no longer thought of anything but of pleasing the sweet little creature who received him so cautiously. Accordingly, every day was spent in new amusements. The prince had almost forgotten his country and relations, and sometimes even regretted that he was not a cat, so great was his affection for his mewing companions. Alas said he to the white cat, how will it afflict me to leave you, whom I love so much? Either make yourself a lady, or make me a cat. She smiled at the prince's wish, but offered no reply. At length the twelve-month was nearly expired. The white cat, who knew the very day when the prince was to reach his father's palace, reminded him that he had but three days longer to look for a perfect little dog. The prince, astonished at his own forgetfulness, began to afflict himself, when the cat told him not to be so sorrowful, since she would not only provide him with a little dog, but also with a wooden horse, which should convey him safely home in less than twelve hours. Look here, said she, showing him an acorn. This contains what you desire. The prince put the acorn to his ear, and heard the barking of a little dog. Transported with joy, he thanked the cat a thousand times, and the next day, bidding her tenderly adieu, he set out on his return. The prince arrived first at the place of Rang-de-Veux, and was soon joined by his brothers. They mutually embraced and began to give an account of their success, when the juggers show them only a little mongrel-cur, telling them that he thought it could not fail to please the king from its extraordinary beauty. The brothers trod on each other's toes under the table, as much to say, we have little to fear from this sorry-looking animal. The next day they went together to the palace. The dogs of the two elder brothers were lying on cushions, and so curiously wrapped around with embroidered quilts that one would scarcely venture to touch them. The juggist produced his cur, and all wondered how the prince could hope to receive a crown for such a shabby present. The king examined the two little dogs of the elder princes, and declared he thought them so equally beautiful that he knew not to which, with justice, he could give the preference. They accordingly began to dispute, when the juggist prince, taking his acorn from his pocket, soon ended their contention. For a little dog appeared, which could, with ease, go through the smallest ring, and was besides a miracle of beauty. The king could not possibly hesitate in declaring his satisfaction. Yet, as he was not more inclined than the year before to part with his crown, he told his sons that he was extremely obliged to them for the pains they had taken, and since they had succeeded so well, he wished they would make a second attempt. He therefore begged they would take another year in order to procure a piece of cambrick, fine enough to be drawn through the eye of a small needle. The three princes thought this very hard, yet they set out, in obedience to the king's command. The two eldest took different roads, and the juggist remounted his wooden horse, and in a short time arrived at the palace of his beloved white cat, who received him with the greatest joy, while the trunkless hands helped him to dismount, and provided him with immediate refreshment. Afterwards, the prince gave the white cat an account of the admiration which had been bestowed on the beautiful little dog, and informed her of the further injunction of his father. Make yourself perfectly easy, dear prince, said she. I have in my palace some cats who are perfect adepts in making such cambrick as the king requires, so you have nothing to do but to give me the pleasure of your company, while it is making, and I will procure you all the amusement possible. She accordingly ordered the most curious fireworks to be played off inside of the window of the apartment, in which they were sitting, and nothing but festivity and rejoicing was heard throughout the palace for the prince's return. As the white cat frequently gave proofs of an excellent understanding, the prince was by no means tired of her company. She talked with him of state affairs, of theatres, of fashions. In short, she was at a loss on no subject whatever, so that when the prince was alone he had plenty of amusement in thinking how it could possibly be that a small white cat should be endowed with all the attraction of the very best and most charming of women. The twelve month in this manner again passed insensibly away, but the cat took care to remind the prince of his duty in proper time. For once my prince said she, I will have the pleasure of equipping you as suits your high rank. And looking into the courtyard he saw a superb car ornamented all over with gold, silver, pearls, and diamonds, drawn by twelve horses as white as snow, and harnessed in the most sumptuous strappings. And behind the car a thousand guards, richly apparelled, were waiting to attend on the prince's person. She then presented him with a nut. You will find in it, said she, the peace of Cambric I promised you. Do not break the shell till you are in the presence of the king, your father. Then to prevent the acknowledgments which the prince was about to offer, she hastily bade him a jeer. Nothing could exceed the speed with which the snow white horses conveyed this fortunate prince to his father's palace where his brothers had just arrived before him. They embraced each other and demanded an immediate audience of the king who received them with the greatest of kindness. The prince is hastened to place at the feet of his majesty the cures present he had required them to procure. The eldest produced a piece of Cambric so extremely fine that his friends had no doubt of its passing through the eye of a needle, which was now delivered to the king having been kept locked up in the custody of his majesty's treasurer all the time. But when the king tried to draw the Cambric through the eye of the needle it would not pass though it failed but very little. Then came the second prince who made a sure of obtaining the crown as his brother had done, but alas with no better success for though his peace of Cambric was exquisitely fine yet it could not be drawn through the eye of the needle. It was now the turn of the jungles prince who accordingly advanced and opening an elegant little box inlaid with jewels took out a walnut and cracked the shell imagining he should immediately perceive his peace of Cambric. But what was his astonishment to see nothing but a filbert? He did not however lose his hopes he cracked the filbert and it presented him with a cherry stone. The lords of the court who had assembled to witness this extraordinary trial could not any more than the prince's brothers refrain from laughing to think he should be so silly as to claim the crown on no better pretensions. The prince however cracked the cherry stone which was filled with a kernel he divided it and found in the middle a grain of wheat and in that a grain of millet seed. He was now absolutely confounded and could not help muttering between his teeth. Oh white cat, white cat, thou hast deceived me. At this instant he felt his hands scratched by the claw of a cat upon which he again took courage and opening the grain of millet seed. To the astonishment of all present he drew forth a piece of Cambric four hundred yards long and fine enough to be threaded with perfect ease through the eye of the needle. When the king found he had no pretext left for refusing the crown to his youngest son he sighed deeply and it was easy to be seen that he was sorry for the prince's success. My sons he said it is so gratifying to the heart of a father to receive proofs of his children's love and obedience that I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of requiring of you one thing more. You must undertake another expedition that one of you who by the end of the year brings me the most beautiful lady shall marry her and obtain my crown. So they again took leave of the king and of each other and set out without delay and in less than twelve hours our young prince arrived in his splendid car at the palace of his dear white cat. Everything went on as before till the end of another year at length only one day remained of the year when the white cat thus addressed him. Tomorrow my prince you must present yourself at the palace of your father and give him a proof of your obedience. It depends only on yourself to conduct either the most beautiful princess ever yet beheld for the time is come when the enchantment by which I am bound may be ended. You must cut off my head and tail, continued she, and throw them into the fire. I said the prince hastily I cut off your head and tail you surely mean to try my affection which believe me beautiful cat is truly yours you mistake me generous prince said she I do not doubt your regard but if you wish to see me in any other form than that of a cat you must consent to do as I desire when you will have done me a service I shall never be able sufficiently to repay the princess eyes filled with tears as she spoke yet he considered himself obliged to undertake the dreadful task and the cat continuing to press him with the greatest eagerness with a trembling hand he drew his sword cut off her head and tail and threw them into the fire no sooner was this done than the most beautiful lady his eyes had ever seen stood before him and here he had sufficiently recovered from his surprise to speak to her a long train of attendance who at the same moment as their mistress were changed to their natural shapes came to offer their congratulations to the queen and inquire her commands she received them with the greatest kindness and ordering them to withdraw thus addressed the astonished prince do not imagine dear prince that I have always been a cat or that I am of obscure birth my father was the monarch of six kingdoms he tenderly loved my mother and left her always at liberty to follow her own inclinations her prevailing passion was to travel and a short time before my birth having heard of some fairies who were in possession of the largest garden filled with the most delicious fruits she had so strong a desire to eat some of them that she set out for the country where they lived she arrived at their abode which he found to be a magnificent palace glittering on all sides with gold and precious stones she knocked a long time at the gates but no one came nor could she perceive the least sign that it had any inhabitant the difficulty however did but increase the violence of my mother's longing for she saw the tops of the trees above the garden walls loaded with the most luscious fruits the queen in despair ordered her attendance to place tents close to the door of the palace but having waited six weeks without seeing anyone past the gates she felt sick of vexation and her life was disbared of one night as she lay half asleep she turned herself about and opening her eyes perceived a little old woman very ugly and deformed seated in the easy chair by her bedside i and my sister fairies said she take it very ill that your majesty should so obstinately persisting getting some of our fruit but since so precious a life is at stake we consent to give you as much as you can carry away provided you will give us in return what we shall ask ah kind fairy cried the queen i will give you anything that i possess even my very kingdoms on condition that i eat of your fruit the old fairy then informed the queen that what they required was that she should give them the child she was going to have as soon as it should be born adding that every possible care should be taken of it and that it should become the most accomplished princess the queen replied that however cruel the conditions she must accept them since nothing but the fruit could save her life in short dear prince continued the lady my mother instantly got out of bed was stressed by her attendance entered the palace and satisfied her longings having eaten her fill she ordered four thousand mules to be procured and loaded with a fruit which had the virtue of continuing all the year round in a state of perfection thus provided she returned to the king my father who with the whole court received her with rejoicings as it was before imagined she would die of disappointment all this time the queen said nothing to my father of the promise she had made to give her daughter to the fairies so that when the time was come that she expected my birth she grew very melancholy till at length being pressed by the king she declared to him the truth nothing could exceed his affliction when he heard that his only child when born was to be given to the fairies he bore it however as well as he could for fear of adding to my mother's grief and also believing he should find some means of keeping me in a place of safety which the fairies would not be able to approach as soon therefore as i was born he had me conveyed to a tower in the palace to which there were 20 flights of stairs and a door to each of which my father kept the key so that none came near me without his consent when the fairies heard of what had been done they sent first to demand me and on my father's refusal they let loose a monstrous dragon which devoured men women and children and which by the breath of its nostrils destroyed everything it came near so that even the trees and plants began to die the grief of the king was excessive and finding that his whole kingdom would in short time be reduced to famine he consented to give me into their hands i was accordingly laid in a cradle of mother of pearl ornamented with gold and jewels and carried to their palace when the dragon immediately disappeared the fairies placed me in a tower elegantly furnished but to which there was no door so that whoever approached was obliged to come by the windows which were a great height from the ground from these i had the liberty of getting out into a delightful garden in which were baths and every sort of cooling fruit in this place was i educated by the fairies who behaved to me with the greatest kindness my clothes were splendid and i was instructed in every kind of accomplishment in short prince if i had never seen anyone but themselves i should have remained very happy one day however as i was talking at the window with my parrot i perceived a young gentleman who was listening to our conversation as i had never seen a man but in pictures i was not sorry for the opportunity of gratifying my curiosity i thought him a very pleasing object and he at length bowed in the most respectful manner without daring to speak for he knew that i was in the palace of the fairies when it began to grow dark he went away and i vainly endeavored to see which road he took the next morning as soon as it was light i again placed myself at the window and had the pleasure of seeing that the gentleman had returned to the same place he now spoke to me through a speaking trumpet and informed me he thought me a most charming lady and that he should be very unhappy if he did not pass his life in my company i resolved to find some means of escaping from my tower and was not long in devising the means for the execution of my project i begged the fairies to bring me a netting needle a mesh and some cord saying i wish to make some nets to amuse myself with catching birch at my window this they ready complied with and in a short time i completed a ladder long enough to reach the ground i now sent my para to the prince to beg he would come to the usual place as i wish to speak with him he did not fail and finding the ladder mounted it and quickly entered my tower this at first alarmed me but the charms of his conversation had restored me to tranquility when all at once the window opened and the fairy violent mounted on the dragon's back rushed into the tower my beloved prince thought of nothing but how to defend me from their fury for i had had time to relate to him my story previous to this cruel interruption but their numbers overpowered him and the fairy violent had the barbarity to command the dragon to devour my lover before my eyes in my despair i would have thrown myself also into the mouth of the horrible monster but this they took care to prevent saying my life should be preserved for a greater punishment the fairy then touched me with her wand and instantly i became a white cat she next conducted me to this palace which belonged to my father and gave me a train of cats for my attendance together with the twelve hands that waited on your highness she then informed me of my birth and the death of my parents and pronounced upon me what she imagined the greatest of maledictions that i should not be restored to my natural figure until a young prince the perfect resemblance of him i had lost should cut off my head and tail you are the perfect resemblance and accordingly you ended the enchantment i need not add that i already love you more than my life let us therefore hasten to the palace of the king your father and obtain his approbation to our marriage the prince and princess accordingly set out side by side in a car of still greater splendor than before and reached the palace just as the two brothers had arrived with two beautiful princesses the king hearing that each of his sons had succeeded in finding what he had required again began to think of some new expedient to delay the time of his resigning the crown but when the whole court with the king was assembled to pass judgment the princess who accompanied the jungist perceiving his thoughts by his countenance stepped majestically forward and thus addressed him it is a pity that your majesty who is so capable of governing should think of resigning the crown i am fortunate enough to have six kingdoms in my possession permit me to bestow one on each of the eldest princess and to enjoy the remaining four in the society of the jungist and may it please your majesty to keep your own kingdom and make no decision concerning the beauty of the three princesses who without such a proof of your majesties preference will no doubt live happily together the air resounded with the applause of the assembly the young prince and princess embraced the king and next their brothers and sisters the three weddings immediately took place and the kingdoms were divided as the princess had proposed end of the story the white cat read by loge roulander story 28 of the fairy ring 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 linda fergusson the fairy ring edited by kate douglas wigan and norah archibald smith story 28 prince cherry long ago there lived a monarch who was such a very honest man that his subjects entitled him the good king one day when he was out hunting a little white rabbit which had been half killed by his hounds leaped right into his majesties arms said he caressing it this poor creature has put itself under my protection and i will allow no one to injure it so he carried it to his palace had prepared for it a neat little rabbit hutch with the abundance of the daintiest food such as rabbit's love and there he left it the same night when he was alone in his chamber there appeared to him a beautiful lady she was dressed neither in gold nor silver nor brocade but her flowing rose were white as snow and she wore a garland of white roses on her head the good king was greatly astonished at the sight for his door was locked and he wondered how so dazzling a lady could possibly enter but she soon removed his doubts i am the fairy candied said she with a smiling and gracious air passing through the wood where you are hunting i took a desire to know if you were as good as men say you are i therefore changed myself into a white rabbit and took refuge in your arms you saved me and now i know that those who are merciful to dumb beasts will be ten times more so to human beings you merit the name your subjects give you you are the good king i thank you for your protection and shall be always one of your best friends you have but to say what you most desire and i promise you your wish will be granted madam replied the king if you are a fairy you must know without my telling you the wish of my heart i have one well beloved son prince cherry whatever kindly feeling you have toward me extended to him willingly said candied i will make him the handsomest richest or most powerful prince in the world choose whichever you desire for him none of the three returned the father i only wish him to be good the best prince in the whole world of what use would riches power or beauty be to him if he were an evil man you are right said the fairy but i cannot make him good he must do that himself i can only change his external fortunes for his personal character the utmost i can promise is to give him good counsel approve him for his faults and even punish him if he will not punish himself you mortals can do the same with your children ah yes said the king sighing still he felt that the kindness of a fairy was something gained for his son and died not long after content and at peace prince cherry mourned deeply for he dearly loved his father and would gladly have given all his kingdoms and treasures to keep him in life a little longer two days after the king was no more prince cherry was sleeping in his chamber when he saw the same dazzling vision of the fairy candied i promised your father said she to be your best friend and in pledge of this take what i now give you and she placed a small gold ring upon his finger poor as it looks it is more precious than diamonds for whenever you do ill it will prick your finger if after that warning you still continue in evil you will lose my friendship and i shall become your diast enemy so saying she disappeared leaving cherry in such amazement that he would have believed it all a dream save for the ring on his finger he was for a long time so good that the ring never pricked him at all and this made him so cheerful and pleasant in his humour that everybody called him happy prince cherry but one unlucky day he was out hunting and found no sport which vexed him so much that he showed his ill temper by his looks and his ways he fancied his ring felt very tight and uncomfortable but as it did not prick him he took no heed of this until re-entering his palace his little pet dog bibby jumped up upon him and was sharply told to get away the creature accustomed to nothing but caresses tried to attract his attention by pulling at his garments when prince cherry turned and gave it a severe kick at this moment he felt in his finger a prick like a pin what nonsense said he to himself the fairy must be making game of me why what great evil have i done i the master of a great empire cannot i kick my own dog a voice replied or else prince cherry imagined it no sire the master of a great empire has a right to do good but not evil i a fairy am as much above you as you are above your dog i might punish you kill you if i choose but i prefer leaving you to mend your ways you have been guilty of three faults today bad temper passion cruelty do better tomorrow the prince promised and kept his word awhile but he had been brought up by a foolish nurse who indulged him in every way and was always telling him that he would be a king one day when he might do as he liked in all things he found out now that even a king cannot always do that it vexed him and made him angry his ring began to prick him so often that his little finger was continually bleeding he disliked this as was natural and soon began to consider whether it would not be easier to throw the ring away altogether than to be constantly annoyed by it it was such a queer thing for a king to have always a spot of blood on his finger at last unable to put up with it anymore he took his ring off and hid it where he would never see it and believed himself the happiest of men for he could now do exactly what he liked he did it and became every day more and more miserable one day he saw a young girl so beautiful that being always accustomed to have his own way he immediately determined to espouse her he never doubted that she would be only too glad to be made a queen for she was very poor but zealia that was her name answered to his great astonishment that she would rather not marry him do i displease you ask the prince into whose mind it had never entered that he could displease anybody not at all my prince said the honest peasant maiden you are very handsome very charming but you are not like your father the good king i will not be your queen for you would make me miserable at these words the prince's love seemed all to turn to hatred he gave orders to his guards to convey zealia to a prison near the palace and then took counsel with his foster brother the one of all his evil companions who most incited him to do wrong sire said this man if i were in your majesty's place i would never vex myself about a poor silly girl feed her on bread and water till she comes to her senses and if she still refuses you let her die in torment as a warning to your other subjects should they venture to dispute your will you will be disgraced should you suffer yourself to be conquered by a simple girl but said prince cherry shall i not be disgraced if i harm a creature so perfectly innocent no one is innocent who disputes your majesty's authority said the courtier bowing and it is better to commit an injustice than allow it to be supposed you can ever be contradicted with impunity this touch cherry on his weak point his good impulses faded he resolved once more to ask zealia if she would marry him and if she again refused to sell her as a slave arrived at the cell in which she was confined what was his astonishment to find her gone he knew not whom to accuse for he had kept the key in his pocket the whole time at last the foster brother suggested that the escape of zealia might have been contrived by an old man sulliman by name the prince's former tutor who was the only one who now ventured to blame him for anything that he did cherry sent immediately and ordered his old friend to be brought to him loaded heavily with irons then full of fury he went to shut himself up in his own chamber where he went raging to and fro till startled by a noise like a clap of thunder the fairy can deed stood before him prince said she in a severe voice i promised your father to give you good councils and to punish you if you refuse to follow them my councils were forgotten my punishments despised under the figure of a man you have been no better than the beast you chase like a lion and fury a wolf in gluttony a serpent in revenge and a bull in brutality take therefore in your new form the likeness of all these animals scarcely had prince cherry heard these words than to his horror he found himself transformed into what the fairy had named he was a creature with the head of a lion the horns of a wool the feet of a wolf the tail of a serpent at the same time he felt himself transported to a distant forest where standing on the bank of a stream he saw reflected in the water his own frightful shape and heard a voice saying look at thyself and know that thy soul has become a thousand times uglier even than thy body cherry recognized the voice of candied and in his rage would have sprung upon her and devoured her but he saw nothing and the same voice said behind him cease thy feeble fury and learn to conquer thy pride by being in submission to thine own subjects hearing no more he soon quitted the stream hoping at least to get rid of the sight of himself but he had scarcely gone twenty paces when he tumbled into a pitfall that was laid to catch bears the bear hunters descending from some trees hard by caught him chained him and only two delighted to get hold of such a curious looking animal let him along with them to the capital of his own kingdom there great rejoicings were taking place and the bear hunters asking what it was all about were told that it was because prince cherry the torment of his subjects had just been struck dead by a thunderbolt just punishment of all his crimes four courtiers his wicked companions had wished to divide his throne between them but the people had risen up against them and offered the crown to sullaman the old tutor whom cherry had ordered to be arrested all this the poor monster heard he even saw sullaman sitting upon his own throne and trying to calm the populace by representing to them that it was not certain prince cherry was dead that he might return one day to reassume with honor the crown which sullaman only consented to wear as a sort of viceroy i knew his heart said the honest and faithful old man it is tainted but not corrupt if alive he may yet reform and be all his father over again to you his people whom he has a cause to suffer so much these words touched the poor beast so deeply that he ceased to beat himself against the iron bars of the cage in which the hunters carried him about becoming gentle as a lamb and suffered himself to be taken quietly to a menagerie where were kept all sorts of strange and ferocious animals a place which he had often visited as a boy but in which he never thought he should be shut up himself however he owned he had deserved it all and began to make amends by showing himself very obedient to his keeper this man was almost as great a brute as the animals he had charged off and when he was in ill humor he used to beat them without rhyme or reason one day while he was sleeping a tiger broke loose and leaped upon him eager to devour him chariot first felt a thrill of pleasure at the thought of being revenged then seeing how helpless the man was he wished himself free that he might defend him immediately the doors of his cage opened the keeper waking up saw the strange beast leap out and imagined of course that he was going to be slain at once instead he saw the tiger lying dead and the strange beast creeping up and laying itself at his feet to be caressed but as he lifted up his hand to stroke it a voice was heard saying good actions never go unrewarded and instead of a frightful monster there crouched on the ground nothing but a pretty little dog cherry delighted to find himself thus metamorphosed caressed the keeper in every possible way till last the man took him up in his arms and carried him to the king to whom he related this wonderful story from beginning to end the queen wished to have the charming little dog and cherry would have been exceedingly happy could he have forgotten that he was originally a man and a king he was lodged most elegantly had the richest of collars to adorn his neck and heard himself praised continually but his beauty rather brought him into trouble for the queen afraid lest he might grow too large for a pet took advice of dog doctors who ordered that he should be fed entirely upon bread and that very sparingly so poor cherry was sometimes nearly starved one day when they gave him his crust for breakfast a fancy seized him to go and eat it in the palace garden so he took the bread in his mouth and trotted away toward a stream which he knew and where he sometimes stopped to drink but instead of the stream he saw a splendid palace glittering with gold and precious stones entering the doors was a crowd of men and women magnificently dressed and within there was singing and dancing and good cheer of all sorts yet however grandly and gaily the people went in cherry noticed that those who came out were pale thin ragged half naked covered with wounds and sores some of them dropped dead at once others dragged themselves on a little way and then lay down dying of hunger and vainly begged a morsel of bread from others who were entering in who never took the least notice of them cherry perceived one woman who was trying feebly to gather and eat some green herbs poor thing said he to himself i know what it is to be hungry and i want my breakfast badly enough but still it will not kill me to wait till dinner time and my crust may save the life of this poor woman so the little dog ran up to her and dropped his bread at her feet she picked it up and ate it with avidity soon she looked quite recovered and cherry delighted was trotting back again to his kennel when he heard loud cries and saw a young girl dragged by four men to the door of the palace which they were trying to compel her to enter oh how he wished himself a monster again as when he slew the tiger for the young girl was no other than his beloved zealia alas what could a poor little dog do to defend her but he ran forward embarked at the men and bit their heels until at last they chased him away with heavy blows and then he lay down outside the palace door determined to watch and see what had become of zealia conscience pricked him now what thought he i'm furious against these wicked men who are carrying her away and did i not do the same myself did i not cast her into prison and intend to sell her as a slave who knows how much more wickedness i might not have done to her and others if heavens justice had not stopped me in time while he lay thinking and repenting he heard a window open and saw zealia throw out of it a bit of dainty meat cherry who felt hungry enough by this time was just about to eat it when the woman to whom he had given his crust snatched him up in her arms poor little beast cried she patting him every bit of food in that palace is poisoned you shall not touch a morsel at the same time the voice in the air repeated again good actions never go unrewarded and cherry found himself changed into a beautiful white pigeon he remembered with joy that white was the color of the fairy candied and began to hope that she was taking him into favor again so he stretched his wings delighted that he might now have a chance of approaching his fair zealia he flew up to the palace windows and finding one of them open entered and sought everywhere but he could not find zealia then in despair he flew out again resolved to go over the world until he beheld her once more he took flight at once traversed many countries swiftly as a bird can but found no trace of his beloved at length in a desert sitting beside an old hermit in his cave and partaking with him his frugal repast cherry saw a poor peasant girl and recognized zealia transported with joy he flew in perched on her shoulder and expressed his delight and affection by a thousand caresses she charmed with the pretty little pigeon caressed it in her turn and promised it that if it would stay with her she would love it always what have you done zealia said the hermit smiling and while he spoke the white pigeon vanished and there stood prince cherry in his own natural form your enchantment ended prince when zealia promised to love you indeed she has loved you always but your many faults constrained her to hide her love these are now amended and you may both live happy if you will because your union is founded upon mutual esteem cherry and zealia threw themselves at the feet of the hermit whose form also began to change his soiled garments became of dazzling whiteness and his long beard and withered face grew into the flowing hair and lovely countenance of the fairy candied rise up my children said she i must now transport you to your palace and restore to prince cherry his father's crown of which he is now worthy she had scarcely see speaking when they found themselves in the chamber of sullaman who delighted to find again his beloved pupil and master willingly resigned the throne and became the most faithful of his subjects king cherry and queen zealia reigned together for many years and it is said that the former was so blameless and strict in all his duties that though he constantly wore the ring which candied had restored to him it never once pricked his finger enough to make it bleed end of prince cherry recording by linda ferguson story 29 of the fairy ring this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org recording by linda ferguson the fairy ring edited by kate douglas wigan and norah archibald smith story 29 the 12 months there was once a woman who was left a widow with two children the elder who was only her stepdaughter was named debronka the younger who was as wicked as her mother was called katinka the mother worshipped her daughter but she hated debronka simply because she was as beautiful as her sister was ugly debronka did not even know that she was pretty and she could not understand why her stepmother flew into a rage at the mere sight of her the poor child was obliged to do all the work of the house she had to sweep cook wash so spin weave cut the grass and take care of the cow while katinka lived like a princess that is to say did nothing debronka worked with a good will and took her approaches and blows with the gentleness of a lamb but nothing soothed her stepmother for every day added to the beauty of the older sister and the ugliness of the younger they are growing up thought the mother and suitors will soon appear who will refuse my daughter when they see this hateful debronka who grows beautiful on purpose despite me i must get rid of her cost what it may one day in the middle of january katinka took a fancy for some violets she called debronka and said go to the forest and bring me a bunch of violets that i may put them in my bosom and enjoy their fragrance a sister what an idea answered debronka as if there were any violets under the snow hold your tongue stupid lass returned her sister and do as i bid you if you do not go to the forest and bring me back a bunch of violets i will beat you to a jelly upon this the mother took debronka by the arm put her out of the door and drew the bolt on her the poor girl went to the forest weeping bitterly everything was covered with snow there was not even a footpath she lost her way and wondered about till famishing with hunger and perishing with cold she entreated god to take her from this wretched life all at once she saw a light in the distance she went on climbing higher and higher until at last she reached the top of a huge rock upon which a great fire was built around the fire were twelve stones and on each stone set a motionless figure wrapped in a large mantle his head covered with a hood which fell over his eyes three of these mantles were white like the snow three were green like the grass of the meadows three were golden like the sheaves of ripe wheat and three were purple like the grapes of the vine these twelve figures gazing at the fire in silence were the twelve months of the year debronka knew january by his long white beard he was the only one that had a staff in his hand the poor girl was terribly frightened she drew near saying in a timid voice my good sirs please let me warm myself by your fire i am freezing with cold january not at his head why have you come here my child he asked what are you looking for i am looking for violets replied debronka this is not the season for them there are no violets in the time of snow said january in his gruff voice i know it replied debronka sadly but my sister and mother will beat me to a jelly if i do not bring them some my good sirs please tell me where i can find them old january rose and turning to a young man in a green mantle put his staff in his hand and said to him brother march this is your business march rose in turn stirred the fire with the staff when behold the flames rose the snow melted the buds put forth on the trees the grass turned green under the bushes the flowers peeped through the verger and the violets opened it was spring make haste my child and gather your violets said march debronka gathered a large bouquet thanked the twelve months and joyfully ran home you can imagine the astonishment of katinka and the stepmother the fragrance of the violets filled the whole house where did you find these fine things asked katinka in a disdainful voice up yonder on the mountain answered her sister it looked like a great blue carpet under the bushes katinka put the bouquet in her bosom and did not even thank the poor child the next morning the wicked sister as she sat idling by the stove took her fancy for some strawberries go to the forest and bring me some strawberries said she to debronka oh sister what an idea as if there were any strawberries under the snow hold your tongue stupid lass and do as i bid you if you don't go to the forest and bring me back a basket of strawberries i will beat you to a jelly the mother took debronka by the arm put her out of the door and drew the bolt on her the poor girl returned to the forest looking with all her eyes for the light that she had seen the day before she was fortunate enough to spy it and she reached the fire trembling and almost frozen the twelve months were in their places motionless and silent my good sirs said debronka please let me warm myself by your fire i'm almost frozen with cold why have you returned asked january what are you looking for i'm looking for strawberries answered she this is not the season for them return january in his graph voice there are no strawberries under the snow i know it replied debronka sadly but my mother and sister will beat me to a jelly if i do not bring them some my good sirs please tell me where i can find them old january rose and turning to a man in a golden mantle he put his staff in his hand saying brother june this is your business june rose in turn and stirred the fire with the staff went behold the flames rose the snow melted the earth grew green the trees were covered with leaves the birds sang and the flowers opened it was summer thousands of little white stars enameled the turf then turned to red strawberries looking in their green cups like rubies set in emeralds make haste my child and gather your strawberries said june debronka filled her apron thanked the twelve months and joyfully ran home you may imagine the astonishment of katinka and the stepmother the fragrance of the strawberries filled the whole house where did you find these fine things asked katinka in a disdainful voice up yonder on the mountain answered her sister there were so many of them that they looked like blood poured on the ground katinka and her mother devoured the strawberries without even thanking the poor child the third day the wicked sister took a fancy for some red apples the same threats the same insults and the same violence followed debronka ran to the mountain and was fortunate enough to find the twelve months warming themselves motionless and silent you hear again my child said old january making room for her by the fire debronka told him with tears how if she did not bring home some red apples her mother and sister would beat her to death old january repeated the ceremonies of the day before brother september said he to a gray bearded man in a purple mantle this is your business september rose and stirred the fire with the staff when behold the flames ascended the snow melted and the trees put forth a few yellow leaves which fell one by one before the wind it was autumn the only flowers were a few late pinks daisies and immortels debronka saw but one thing an apple tree with its rosy fruit may case my child shake the tree said september she shook it and an apple fell she shook it again and a second apple followed may case debronka may case home cried september in an imperious voice the good child thanked the twelve months and joyfully ran home you may imagine the astonishment of katinka and the stepmother fresh plucked apples in january where did you get these apples asked katinka up yonder on the mountain there is a tree there that is as red with them as a cherry tree in july why did you bring only two you ate the rest on the way oh sister i did not touch them i was only permitted to shake the tree twice and but two apples fell be gone you wretch cried katinka striking her sister who ran away crying the wicked girl tasted one of the apples she had never eaten anything so delicious in her life neither had her mother how they regretted not having any more mother said katinka give me my fur cloak i will go to the forest and find the tree and whether i am permitted or not i will shake it so hard that all the apples will be ours the mother tried to stop her a spoiled child listens to nothing katinka wrapped herself in her fur cloak drew the hood over her head and hastened to the forest everything was covered with snow there was not even a footpath katinka lost her way but she pushed on spurred by pride and covetousness she spied a light in the distance she climbed and climbed until she reached the place and found the twelve months each seated on his stone motionless and silent without asking their permission she approached the fire why have you come here what do you want where are you going asked old january gruffly what matters it to you old fool answered katinka it is none of your business where i come from or wither i am going she plunged into the forest january frowned and raised his staff above his head in the twinkling of an eye the sky was overcast the fire went out the snow fell and the wind blew katinka could not see the way before her she lost herself and vainly tried to retrace her steps the snow fell and the wind blew she called her mother she called her sister she prayed to god the snow fell and the wind blew katinka froze her limbs stiffened and she fell motionless the snow still fell and the wind still blew the mother went without ceasing from the window to the door from the door to the window the hours passed and katinka did not return i must go and look for my daughter said she the child has forgotten herself with those heatful apples she took her fur cloak and hood and hastened to the mountain everything was covered with snow there was not even a footpath she plunged into the forest calling her daughter the snow fell and the wind blew she walked on with feverish anxiety shouting at the top of her voice the snow still fell and the wind still blew debronka waited through the evening in the night but no one returned in the morning she took her wheel and spun a whole disturb full there was still no news what can have happened said the good girl weeping the sun was shining through an icy mist and the ground was covered with snow debronka prayed for her mother and sister they did not return and it was not till spring that a shepherd found the two bodies in the forest debronka remained the sole mistress of the house the cow and the garden to say nothing of a piece of meadow adjoining the house but when a good and pretty girl has a field under her window the next thing that follows is a young farmer who offers her his heart and hand debronka was soon married the twelve months did not abandon their child more than once when the north wind blew fearfully and the winds shook in their frames old january stopped up all the crevices of the house with snow so that the cold might not enter this peaceful abode debronka lived to a good old age always virtuous and happy having according to the proverb winter at the door summer in the barn autumn in the cellar and spring in the heart end of the twelve months recording by linda fergusson story 30 of the fairy ring this is a libra vox recording or libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org reading by lars rolander the fairy ring edited by kate doglas wiggin and norah archibald smith story 30 the story of cockerico once upon a time there was a handsome hen who lived like a great lady in the poultry yard of a rich farmer surrounded by numerous family that clucked about her and none of which clamored more loudly or picked up the corn faster than a poor little deformed and crippled chicken this was precisely the one that the mother loved best it is the way with all mothers the weakest and most unsightly are always the favorites this mishapened creature had but one eye one wing and one leg in good condition it might have been thought that Solomon had executed his memorable sentence on cockerico for that was the name of the wretched chicken and cut him in two with his famous sword when a person is one eyed lame and one armed he may reasonably be expected to be modest but our castilian ragamuffin was prouder than his father the best spurred most elegant bravest and the most gallant cock to be seen from borgos to madrid he thought himself a phoenix of grace and beauty and passed the best part of the day in admiring himself in the brook if one of his brothers ran against him by accident he abused him called him envious and jealous and risked his only remaining eye in battle if the hens clucked on seeing him he said it was to hide their spite because he did not condescend to look at them one day when he was more puffed up with vanity than usual he resolved no longer to remain in such a narrow swear but to go out into the world where he would be better appreciated my lady mother said i am tired of spain i'm going to roam to see the pope and cardinals what are you thinking of my poor child cridis mother who has put such a folly into your head never has one of our family been known to quit his country and for this reason we are the honor of our race and are proud of our genealogy where will you find a poultry yard like this mulberry trees to shade you a whitewashed hen roost a magnificent dung hill worms and corn everywhere brothers that love you and three great dogs to guard you from the foxes do you not think that at roam itself you will regret the ease and plenty of such a life cockerico shrug this crippled wing in token of disdain you are a simple woman my good mother said he everything is accounted worthy of admiration by him who has never quitted his dung hill but i have wit enough to see that my brothers have no ideas and that my cousins are nothing but rustics my genius is stifling in this hole i wish to roam the world and seek my fortune but my son have you never looked in the brook resume the poor hen don't you know that you lack an eye a leg and a wing to make your fortune you need the eyes of a fox the legs of a spider and the wings of a vulture once outside these walls you are lost my good mother replied cockerico when a hen hatches a duck she's always frightened on seeing it run to the water you know me no better it is my nature to succeed by my wit and talent i must have a public capable of appreciating the charms of my person my place is not among inferior people my son said the hen seeing all her consuls useless my son listen at least to your mother's last words if you go to Rome take care to avoid st peter's church the saint it is said dislikes cocks especially when they crow shun moreover certain personages called cooks and scallions you will know them by their paper caps and their tucked up sleeves and their great knives which they wear at their sides they are licensed assassins who track our steps without pity and cut our throats without giving us time to cry mercy and now my child she added raising her claw receive my blessing may saint James the patron saint of pilgrims protect thee cockerico pretended not to see the tear that trembled in his mother's eye nor did he trouble himself anymore about his father who bristled his plumage and seemed about to call him back without caring for those whom he left behind he glided through the half open door and once outside flapped his only wing and crowed three times to celebrate his freedom as he half flew half hopped over the fields he came to the bed of a brook which had been dried up by the sun in the middle of the sands however still trickled a tiny thread of water so small that it was choked by a couple of dead leaves that had fallen into it my friend exclaimed the streamlet at the site of our traveler my friend you see my weakness i have not even the strength to carry away these leaves which obstruct my passage much less to make a circuit so completely am i exhausted with the stroke of your beak you can restore me to life i am not an ingrate if you oblige me you may count on my gratitude the first rainy day when the water from heaven shall have restored my strength you are justing said cockerico do i look like one host business it is to sweep the brooks apply to those of your own sort and with his sound leg he leaped across the streamlet you will remember me when you least expect it murmur the brook but with so feeble a voice that it was lost on the proud cock a little farther on cockerico saw the wind lying breathless on the ground till cockerico come to my aid it cried here on earth we should help each other you see to what i am reduced by the heat of the day i who in former times uprooted the olive trees and lashed the waves to frenzy lie here well nice slain by the dog star i suffered myself to be lulled to sleep by the perfume of the roses with which i was playing and lo here i am stretched almost lifeless upon the ground if you will raise me a couple of inches with your beak and fan me a little with your wing i shall have the strength to mount to yonder white clouds which i see in the distance where i shall receive aid enough from my family to keep me alive till i gain fresh strength from the next whirlwind my lord answered the spiteful cockerico your excellency has more than once amused himself by playing tricks at my expense it is not a week since your lordship glided like a traitor behind me and diverted himself by opening my tail like a fan and covering me with confusion in the face of nations have patience therefore my worthy friend mockers always have their turn it does them good to repent and to learn to respect those whose birth wit and beauty shall screen them from the gist of a fool and cockerico bristling his plumage crowd three times in his shrillest voice and proudly strutted onward a little farther on he came to a newly moon field where the farmers had piled up the weeds in order to burn them cockerico approached a smoking heap hoping to find some stray kernels of corn and saw a little flame which was charing the green stalks without being able to set them on fire my good friend cried the flame to the newcomer you are just in time to save my life i'm dying for want of air i cannot imagine what has become of my cousin the wind who cares for nothing but his own amusement bring me a few dry straws to rekindle my strength and you will not have obliged an ingrate wait a moment said cockerico and i will serve you as you deserve insolent fellow that dares ask my help and behold he leaped on the heap of dried weeds and trampled it down till he smothered both flame and smoke after which he exultingly shouted three times cockadoodle do and flapped his wings as if he had done a great deed proudly strutting onward and crowing cockerico at last arrived at Rome the place to which all roads lead scarcely had he reached the city when he hastened to the great church of saint peter grand and beautiful as it was he did not stop to admire it but planting himself in front of the main entrance where he looked like a fly among the great columns he raised himself on tiptoe and began to shout only to enrage the saint and disobey his mother he had not yet ended his song when one of the pope's guards who chanced to hear him laid hands on the insolent wretch who dared thus to insult the saint and carried him home in order to roast him for supper quick he said to his wife on entering the house give me some boiling water here is a sinner to be punished pardon pardon madam water cried cockerico oh good and gentle water the best and purest thing in the world do not scold me i pray you did you have pity on me when i implored your aid ungrateful wretch answered the water boiling with indignation and with a single gush it inundated him from head to foot and left not a bit of down on his body the unhappy cockerico stripped of all his feathers the soldier took him and laid him on the grid iron oh fire do not burn me cried he in an agony of terror oh beautiful and brilliant fire the brother of the sun and the cussing of the diamond spare an unhappy creature restrain thy ardor and soften thy flame do not roast me did you have pity on me when i implored your aid ungrateful wretch answered the fire and fiercely blazing with anger in an instant it burned cockerico to a cold the soldier seeing his roast chicken in this deplorable condition took him by the leg and threw him out of the window the wind bore the unhappy fowl to a dung hill where it left him for a moment oh wind murmured cockerico who still breathed oh kindly suffer protecting breeze behold me cure of my vain follies let me rest on the paternal dung hill let you rest roared the wind wait and i will teach you how i treat ingrates and with one blast it sent him so high in the air that as he fell back he was transfixed by a steep fall there st peter was awaiting him with his own hand he nailed him to the highest steeple in rome where he is still shown to travelers however high placed he may be all despise him because he turns with the slightest wind black dried up stripped of his feathers and beaten by the rain he's no longer called cockerico but weathercock and thus expiates and must expiate eternally his disobedience vanity and wickedness end of the story the story of cockerico from the fairy ring edited by kato gloss wigan and norah archable smith read by los rolander story 31 at the fairy ring this is a lubrovox recording all lubrovox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lubrovox.org the fairy ring edited by kate douglas wigan and norah archable smith story 31 the bird cage maker in a town of the ancient kingdom of castile there lived in former ages a youth called batolo who tried to eck out a living by making cages for birds and taking them round to sell at the neighboring villages but his trade was a poor one and he judged himself in luck if he saw one cage in the day and as may be supposed he knew what sorrow and probation were one day as he was proceeding to a village he heard sounds of reverie the buzz of many people and the strains of a band of music this merry making was a possession of children dressed in white carrying in their midst a beautiful child crowned with roses in a chariot covered with white satin and ornamented with acacia and myrtle this possession was in honor of maya the personification of spring and took place to announce the entry of spring in front of the little chariot some children danced and held in their hands tin platters for contributions and as may be imagined all or nearly all the spectators dropped their coins into them batolo moved away in a desponding mood saying to himself as he walked on is this the justice of the world there they are flinging their money into these platters just because these children come in possession to announce to them that it is the month of may as though they could not know it by looking in an almanac they barter and grind me down to the lowest price for my cages even when i chance to sell one full of bitter thoughts he walked on sadly for the boisters of two important enemies were making themselves heard within him these were hunger and thirst the one clamored for food and the other for drink batolo had nothing in his wallet but his clasp knife and had had nought for his breakfast but hopes and these made him sharp and active he had reached a plantation when he perceived a well-dressed individual coming toward him pressed by hunger batolo taking his cap of respectfully approached and said excuse me sir but could you kindly give me a trifle i promise i will return it as soon as i earn some money don't you think that it is a shameful thing for a man like you young and with a good healthy appearance to be demanding charity of people does it not strike you that you have a duty to earn your living by working at your trade yes sir certainly but my trade does not fulfill its own duty most people like to see the birds flying about free rather than in cages and therefore day by day i find myself poorer than before at first the stranger doubted what he had heard but the bird cage maker gave him so detailed an account of his work and the small profits he derived that he became interested and sympathized with his ill fortune batolo was a man who always knew how to excite great interest in himself come come the stranger said smiling i will do something for you as i cannot find customers for your cages i will afford you a powerful means by which you shall never more be in want he then blew a whistle and batolo saw flying before him a bird blew as the sky which came and perched on one of his cages see here added the stranger what will compensate for all your past misery from this day forward you have only to formulate a wish and say slowly and distinctly bluest of blue birds do your duty and your wish will be granted to you by my faith cried the bird cage maker but i will try it at once for the last 20 years i have wished to kill hunger bluest of blue birds do your duty scarcely were the words out of his mouth then he saw suddenly spread before him on the grass a breakfast fit got a prince laid on a service of exquisite silver and glass and the whitest of cloths batolo astonished flung himself on his knees before he's been affected to thank him but he raised him up saying i am the good genius of the honest working men of castile sit down and eat without fear take advantage of your lucky star and then suddenly disappeared batolo reverently bent down and kissed the spot upon which he had stood unable to find adequate expression of his gratitude he then sat down and ate his breakfast after his meal batolo judged that a man who had feasted in such an elegant manner ought to have other better clothing than his well-worn working suit and lifting his staff he cried to the bird bluest of blue birds do your duty in an instant his old suit became transformed into one of riches velvet embroidered in gold and silver and his rough staff into a splendid horse fully imprisoned and having round its neck a collar of silver bells more astonished than ever batolo suspended to the saddle the cage with the blue bird leaped on the horse and went his way as proud of his dress as the donkey of its ears setting spurs to his horse he soon reached the gates of a splendid castle some feast was taking place within the guests were all seated under a shady bower deploring that they had been disappointed at the minstrels who were to have played batolo on learning this advanced to the bower and after elegantly saluting the lord and lady at the castle in a most refined voice said if it be right for a simple night to offer his services to such a distinguished company of rank and beauty i think i could promise to provide what you are requiring oh do at once please cried all the ladies who were longing to dance bluest of bluebirds do your duty said batolo suddenly in the distance was heard the noise of many feet and a troop of musicians with their instruments appeared to the great delight of the company the lord of the castle thanked the stranger and desired him to open the ball with his eldest daughter a maiden fair and lovely like a snowbird when the ball was at its height the bird cage maker ordered an elegant banquet to be served during which the bluest of bluebirds were commanded to sing some songs which were very much admired games of chance followed and batolo taking advantage of his good fortune distributed among the ladies pearls bracelets and rings of precious stones all those present were surprised beyond measure because the lord of the castle was known to be extremely niggardly and mean the lord of the castle who knew how all this had been done through the agency of the bird and being himself of an inordinately aberritious nature thought he might do a fine stroke of business were he to buy the creature hence calling his unknown guest away to his study he proposed to him to purchase the bird for what price he should quote you would never give me my price replied batolo for it i would give my castle with its nine forests said the lord of the castle it is not enough very well i will add my olive plantations and vineyards this is still insufficient cried batolo i will add the orchards gardens and houses i want something else what still more why man you must want paradise itself not so i want what you can give me this very moment i want your daughter with whom i dance just now let her be my bride what my daughter cried the old miser in an ecstasy of joy by my faith we shall soon conclude the bargain why did you not say so before he went to seek the girl and told her at the engagement he had entered into but his daughter in utter amazement cried out but what if he be a wicked elf and all he does be witchcraft you have an amulet of coral hanging from your neck it is an antidote against all witchery and what if he be satan himself i will give you a piece of blessed candle and he will have no power over you replied the unrelenting father taking her hand he led her to the stranger who was already on his horse and assisted her to mount behind her future husband taking the cage with the bluest of birds he watched the retreating forms of the pair as the horse carried them away swifter than the wind and when out of sight he proceeded to join his guests the company were all gathered in knots discussing the extraordinary powers of the bird and all the events which had taken place piece piece cried the lords of the castle as he entered i will perform more marvelous things than ever he did i have given him my daughter to wed in exchange for the bird and this blue bird will render me more wealthy than the king of aragon approach and see the wonders i will work with it he took the cage and lifted it up to look at the bird was astonished to find that it was not blue at all but a large gray bird which turned to stare at him in an insolent manner gave a fierce peck at the door of the cage with its beak plung it open and flew out of the window uttering a terrible screech the lord of the castle stood with open mouth not knowing what to do or say his guests broke out in peels of laughter at his disconfiture and the well-deserved punishment for his unseemly avarice in exchanging his beautiful daughter for a worthless bird meanwhile Bartolo was galloping on with his bride to the nearest town to be married and when he arrived at the first hostelary he wished to dismount and engage the most splendid suite of apartments for his intended wife but he found himself utterly penniless he had not calculated that imparting with the bird he had parted with his luck and therefore as soon as he dismounted the horse disappeared and his elegant dress became changed for the shabby one he had worn before he met the kind individual who had wished to befriend him when the beautiful daughter of the lord of the castle beheld the transformation which had taken place she ran back to her father as fast as she could fright lending wings to her feet Bartolo had to return to his old life of making cages and to his miserable existence end of the bird cage maker story 32 of the fair ring this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander the fairy ring edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith story 32 the bee the harp the mouse and the bum clock once there was a widow and she had one son called Jack Jack and his mother owned just three cows they lived well and happy for a long time but at last hard times came down on them and the crops failed and poverty looked in at the door and things got so sore against the poor widow that for want of money and for want of necessities she had to make up her mind to sell one of the cows Jack she said one night go over in the morning to the fair to sell the brand new cow well and good in the morning my brave Jack was up early and took a stick in his fist and turned out the cow and off to the fair he went with her and when Jack came into the fair he saw a great crowd gathered in a ring in the street he went into the crowd to see what they were looking at and there in the middle of them he saw a man with a wee wee harp a mouse and a bum clock and a bee to play the harbour and when the man put them down on the ground and whistled the bee began to play the harp and the mouse and the bum clock stood up on their hind legs and took hold of each other and began to waltz and as soon as the harp began to play and the mouse and the bum clock to dance and there wasn't a man or a woman or a thing in the fair that didn't begin to dance also and the pots and pans and the wheels and reels jumped and jigged all over the town and Jack himself and the brandy cow were as bad as the next there was never a town in such a state before or since and after a while the man picked up the bee the harp and the mouse and the bum clock and put them into his pocket and the men and women Jack and the cow the pots and pans wheels and reels that had hopped and jigged now stopped and everyone began to laugh as if to break its heart then the man turned to Jack Jack says he how would you like to be master of all these animals why sis jack i should like it fine well then sister man how will you and me make a bargain about them i have no money sis jack but you have a fine cow sister man i will give you the bee and the harp for it oh but jack says says he my poor mother at home is very sad and sorrowful entirely and i have this cow to sell and lift her heart again and better than this she cannot get says the man for when she sees the bee play the harp she will laugh if she never laughed in her life before well says jack says he that will be grand he made the bargain the man took the cow and jack started home with the bee and the harp in his pocket and when he came home his mother welcomed him back and jack says she i see you have sold the cow i have done that says jack did you do well says the mother i did well and very well says jack how much did you get for her says the mother oh says he it was not for money at all i sold her but for something far better oh jack jack says she what have you done just wait till you see mother says he and you will soon say i have done well out of his pocket he takes the bee and the harp and sets them in the middle of the floor and whistles to them and as soon as he did this the bee began to play the harp and the mother she looked at them and let a big great laugh out of her and she and jack began to dance the pots and pans the wheels and reels began to jig and dance over the floor and the house itself hopped about also when jack picked up the bee and the harp again the dancing all stopped and the mother laughed for a long time but when she came to herself she got very angry entirely with jack and she told him he was a silly foolish fellow that there was neither food nor money in the house and now he had lost one of her good cows also we must do something to live says she over to the fair you must go tomorrow morning and take the black cow with you and sell her and off in the morning at an early hour brave jack started and never halted until he was in the fair when he came into the fair he saw a big crowd gathered in a ring in the street said jack to himself i wonder what they are looking at into the crowd he pushed and saw the wee man this day again with a mouse and a bump clock and he put them down in the street and whistled the mouse and the bump clock stood up on their hind legs and got hold of each other and began to dance there and jig and as they did there was not a man or woman in the street who didn't begin to jig also and jack and the black cow and the wheels and the reels and the pots and pans all of them were jigging and dancing all over the town and the houses themselves for jumping and hopping about and such a place jack or anyone else never saw before when the man lifted the mouse and the bump clock into his pocket they all stopped dancing and settled down and everybody laughed right hearty the man turned to jack jack said he i'm glad to see you how would you like to have these animals i should like well to have them says jack says he only i cannot why cannot you says the man oh says jack says he i have no money and my poor mother is very downhearted she sent me to the fair to sell this cow and bring some money to lift her heart oh says the man says he if you want to lift your mother's heart i will sell you the mouse and when you set the beat to play the harp and the mouse to dance to it your mother will laugh if she ever laughed in her life before but i have no money says jack says he to buy your mouse i don't mind says the man says he i will take your cow for it poor jack was so taken with the mouse and had his mind so set on it that he thought it was a grand bargain entirely and he gave the man his cow and took the mouse and started off her home and when he got home his mother welcomed him jack says she i see you have sold the cow i did that says jack did you sell her well says she very well indeed says jack says he how much did you get for her i didn't get money says he but i got value oh jack jack says she what do you mean i will soon show you that mother says he taking the mouse out of his pocket and the harp and the bee and setting all on the floor and when he began to whistle the bee began to play and the mouse got up on its hind legs and began to dance and jig and the mother gave such a hearty laugh as she never laughed in her life before to dancing and jigging herself and jack fell and the pots and pans and the wheels and reeds began to dance and jig all over the floor and the house jigged also and when they were tired of this jack lifted the harp and the mouse and the bee and put them in his pocket and his mother she laughed for a long time but when she got over that she got very downhearted and very angry entirely with jack and oh jack she says you are a stupid good for nothing fellow we have neither money nor meat in the house and here you have lost two of my good cows and i have only one left now tomorrow morning says she you must be up early and take this cow to the fair and sell her see you get something to lift my heart up i will do that says jack says he so he went to his bed and early in the morning he was up and turned out the spotty cow and went to the fair when jack got to the fair he saw a crowd gathered in a ring in the street i wonder what they are looking at anyhow says he he pushed through the crowd and there he saw the same wee man he had seen before with a bum clock and when he put the bum clock on the ground he whistled and the bum clock began to dance and the men women and children in the street and jack and the spotty cow began to dance and jig also and everything on the street and about it the wheels and reels the pots and pans began to jig and the houses themselves began to dance likewise and when the man lifted the bum clock and put it in his pocket everybody stopped jigging and dancing and everyone laughed aloud the wee man turned and saw jack jack my brave boy says he you will never be right fixed until you have this bum clock for it is a very fancy thing to have oh but says jack says he i have no money no matter for that says the man you have a cow and that is as good as money to me well says jack i have a poor mother who is very downhearted at home and she sent me to the fair to sell this cow and raise some money and lift her heart oh but jack says the wee man this bum clock is the very thing to lift her heart for when you put down your harp and bee and mouse on the floor and put the bum clock along with them she will laugh if she never laughed in her life before well that is surely true says jack says he and i think i will make a swap with you so jack gave the cow to the man and took the bum clock himself and started for home his mother was glad to see jack back and says she jack i see that you have sold the cow i did that mother says jack did you sell her well jack says the mother very well indeed mother says jack how much did you get for her says the mother i didn't take any money for her mother but value says jack and he takes out of his pocket the bum clock and the mouse and set them on the floor and began to whistle and the bee began to play the harp and the mouse and the bum clock stood up on their hind legs and began to dance and jack's mother laughed very hearty and everything in the house the wheels and the reels and the pots and pans were jigging and hopping over the floor and the house itself went jigging and hopping about likewise when jack lifted up the animals and put them in his pocket everything stopped and the mother laughed for a good while but after a while when she came to herself and saw what jack had done and how they were now without either money or food or a cow she got very very angry at jack and scolded him hard and then sat down and began to cry poor jack when he looked at himself confessed that he was a stupid fool entirely and what says he shall i now do for my poor mother he went out along the road thinking and thinking and he met a wee woman who said good morrow to your jack says she how is it you are not trying for the king's daughter of ireland what do you mean says jack says she didn't you hear what the whole world has heard that the king of ireland has a daughter who hasn't laughed for seven years and he has promised to give her in marriage and to give the kingdom along with her to any man who will take three laughs out of her if that is so says jack says he it is not here i should be back to the house he went and gathers together the bee the harp the mouse and the bump clock and putting them into his pocket he bade his mother goodbye and told her it wouldn't belong till she got good news from him and off he hurries when he reached the castle there was a ring of spikes all around the castle and men's heads on nearly every spike there what heads are these jack asked one of the king's soldiers any man that comes here trying to win the king's daughter and fails to make her laugh three times loses his head and has he stuck on a spike these are the heads of the men that failed says he a mighty big crowd says jack says he then jack sent word to tell the king's daughter and the king that there was a new man who had come to win her in a very little time the king and the king's daughter and the king's court all came out and set themselves down on golden silver chairs in front of the castle and ordered jack to be brought in until he should have his trial jack before he went took out of his pocket the bee the harp the mouse and the bump clock and gave the harp to the bee and he tied a string to one of the other and took the end of the string himself and marched into the castle yard before all the court with his animals coming on a string behind him when the queen and the king and the court and the princess saw poor ragged jack with his bee and mouse and bump clock hopping behind him on a string they set up one roar of laughter that was long and loud enough and when the king's daughter herself lifted her head and looked to see what they were laughing at and so jack and his paraphernalia she opened her mouth and she gave such a laugh as was never heard before then jack dropped a low courtesy and said thank you my lady i have one of the three parts of you one then he drew up his animals in a circle and began to whistle and the minute he did the bee began to play the harp and the mouse and the bump clock stood up on their hind legs got hold of each other and began to dance and the king and the king's court and jack himself began to dance and jig and everything about the king's castle pots and pans wheels and reels and the castle itself began to dance also and the king's daughter when she saw this opened her mouth again and let out of her a laugh twice louder than she did before and jack in the middle of his jigging drops another courtesy and says thank you my lady that is two of the three parts of you one jack and his ministry went on playing and dancing but jack could not get the third laugh out of the king's daughter and the poor fellow saw his big head in danger of going on the spike then the brave mouse came to jack's help and wheeled round upon its heel and as it did so its tails swept into the bump clock's mouth and the bump clock began to cough and cough and cough and when the king's daughter saw this she opened her mouth again and she laughed the loudest and hardest and merriest laugh that was ever heard before or since and thank you my lady says jack dropping another courtesy I have all of you one then when jack stopped his menagerie the king took himself and the menagerie within the castle he was washed and combed and dressed in a suit of silk and satin with all kinds of gold and silver ornaments and then was led before the king's daughter and true enough she confessed that a handsomer and finer fellow than jack she had never seen and she was very willing to be his wife jack sent for his poor old mother and brought her to the wedding which lasted nine days and nine nights every night better than the other all the lords and ladies and gentry of island were at the wedding I was at it too and got brooks broth and slippers of bread and came cheeking home on my head end of the bee the hop the mouse and the bum clock read by lars rolander