 18 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang There was once a man who had three daughters, and they were all married to trolls, who lived underground. One day the man thought he would pay them a visit, and his wife gave him some dry bread to eat by the way. After he had walked some distance he grew both tired and hungry, so he sat down on the east side of a mound and began to eat his dry bread. The mound then opened, and his youngest daughter came out of it, and said, Why, Father, why are you not coming in to see me? Oh! said he, if I had known that you lived here and had seen any entrance I would have come in. Then he entered the mound along with her. The troll came home soon after this, and his wife told him that her father was come, and asked him to go and buy some beef to make broth with. We can get it easier than that, said the troll. He fixed an iron spike into one of the beams of the roof, and ran his head against this till he had knocked several large pieces off his head. He was just as well as ever after doing this, and they got their broth without further trouble. The troll then gave the old man a sack full of money, and laden with this he betook himself homewards. When he came near his home he remembered that he had a cow about to calf, so he laid down the money on the ground, ran home as fast as he could, and asked his wife whether the cow had calved yet. What kind of hurry is this to come home in, said she. No, the cow has not calved yet. Then you must come out and help me in with a sack full of money, said the man. A sack full of money, cried his wife. Yes, a sack full of money, said he. Is that so very wonderful? His wife did not believe very much what he told her, but she humored him and went out with him. When they came to the spot where he had left it there was no money there. A thief had come along and stolen it. His wife then grew angry and scolded him heartily. Well, well, said he. Hang the money. I know what I have learned. What have you learned? said she. Ah, I know that, said the man. After some time had passed the man had a mind to visit his second eldest daughter. His wife again gave him some dry bread to eat, and when he grew tired and hungry he sat down on the east side of a mound and began to eat it. As he sat there his daughter came up out of the mound and invited him to come inside, which he did very willingly. Soon after this the troll came home. It was dark by that time, and his wife made him go buy some candles. Oh, we sure should get a light, said the troll. With that he dipped his fingers into the fire, and they then gave light without being burned in the least. The old man got two sacks of money here, and plotted away homewards with these. When he was very nearly home he again thought of the cow that was with calf, so he laid down the money, ran home, and asked his wife whether the cow had calved yet. Whatever is a matter with you, said she. You come hurrying as if the whole house was about to fall. You may set your mind at rest. The cow is not calved yet. The man now asked her to come help him with the two sacks of money. She did not believe him very much, but he continued to assure her that it was quite true. Until at last she gave in and went with him. When they came to the spot there had again been a thief there, and taken the money. It was no wonder that the woman was angry about this, but the man only said, Ah, if you only knew what I have learned. The third time the man set out to visit his eldest daughter, when he came to a mound he sat down on the east side of it and ate the dry bread which his wife had given him to take with him. The daughter then came out of the mound and invited her father to come inside. In a little the troll came home, and his wife asked him to go and buy some fish. We can get there much more easily than that, said the troll. Give me your dough trough and your ladle. They seated themselves in the trough and rode out on the lake which was beside the mound. When they had gone out a little way the troll said to his wife, Are my eyes green? No, not yet, said she. He rode on a little further and asked again, Are my eyes not green yet? Yes, said his wife, They are green now. Then the troll sprang into the water and ladled up so many fish that in a short time the trough could hold no more. Then they rode home again and had a good meal off the fish. The old man now got three sacks full of money and sat off home with them. When he was almost home the cow again came into his head and he laid down the money. This time, however, he took his wooden shoes and laid them above the money, thinking that no one would take it after that. Then he ran home and asked his wife whether the cow had calfed. It had not, and she scolded him again for behaving in this way. In the end he persuaded her to go with him to help him with the three sacks of money. When they came to the spot they found only the wooden shoes, for a thief had come along in the meantime and taken all the money. The woman was very angry and broke out upon her husband. But he took it all very quietly and only said, Hang the money, I know what I have learned. What have you learned I should like to know? said his wife. You will see that yet, said the man. One day his wife took a fancy for broth and said to him, Oh, go to the village and buy a piece of beef to make broth. There's no need of that, said he. We can get it an easier way. With that he drove a spike into a beam and ran his head against it, and in consequence had the lie in bed for a long time afterwards. After he had recovered from this his wife asked him one day to go and buy candles as they had none. No, he said. There's no need for that. And he stuck his hand into the fire. This also made him take to bed for a good while. When he had got better again his wife one day wanted fish, and asked him to go and buy some. The man, however, wished again to show what he had learned. So he asked her to come along with him and bring her dough trough and a ladle. They both seated themselves in this and rode upon the lake. When they had gone out a little way the man said, Are my eyes green? No, said his wife. Why should they be? They rode a little further out and he asked again. Are my eyes not green yet? What nonsense is this? said she. Why should they be green? Oh, my dear, said he. Can't you just say that they are green? Very well, said she. They are green. As soon as he heard this he sprang out into the water with the ladle for fishes. But he just got lead to stay there with them. End of I KNOW WHAT I HAVE LEARNED Recording by Elliot Miller www.voiceofee.com Section 19 of The Pink Fairy Book This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Cunning Shoemaker Cecilianeski Mahartan Once upon a time there lived a shoemaker who could get no work to do, and was so poor that he and his wife nearly died of hunger. At last, he said to her, It is no use waiting on here. I can find nothing, so I shall go down to Masculacea, and perhaps there I shall be more lucky. So he went down to Masculacea and walked through the streets crying, Who wants some shoes? And very soon a window was pushed up, and a woman's head was thrust out of it. Here ought a pair for you to patch, she said. And he sat down on her doorstep and sat about patching them. How much do I owe you? she asked when they were done. A shielding. Here is eighteen pence and good luck to you. And he went his way. He turned into the next street and set up his cry again. And it was not long before another window was pushed up and another head appeared. Here ought some shoes for you to patch. And the shoemaker sat down on the doorstep and patched them. How much do I owe you? asked the woman when the shoes were finished. A flooring. Here's a crownpiece and good luck to you. And she shut the window. Well, thought the shoemaker. I have it done finally, but I will not go back to my wife just yet, as if I only go on at this rate I shall soon have enough money to buy a donkey. Having made up his mind what was best to do, he stayed in the town a few days longer till he had four gold pieces safe in his purse. Then he went to the market and for two of them he bought a good strong donkey. And mounting on its back he rode home to Catania. But as he entered a thick wood he saw in the distance a band of robbers who were coming quickly towards him. I am a lost, thought he. They are sure to take from me all the money that I have earned, and I shall be as poor as ever I was. What can I do? However, being a clever little man and full of spirit, he did not lose heart. But, taking five florins, he fastened them out of sight under the donkey's thick mane. Then he rode on. Directly the robber came up to him. They seized him exactly as he had foretold and took away all his money. Oh, dear friends! he cried, wringing his hands. I am only a poor shoemaker, and I have nothing but his donkey left in the world. As he spoke the donkey gave himself a shake and down fell the five florins. Where did that come from? asked the robbers. Ah! replied the shoemaker. You have a guest in my secret. The donkey is a golden donkey, and supplies me with all my money. Sell him to us, said the robbers. We will give you any price you like. The shoemaker at first declared that nothing would induce him to sell him, but at last he agreed to hand him over to the robbers for fifty gold pieces. But to listen to what I tell you, said he, you must each take it in turn to own him for a night and a day, or else you will all be fighting over the money. With these words they parted, the robbers driving the donkey to their cave in the forest and the shoemaker returning home, very pleased with the success of his trick. He just stopped on the way to pick up some good dinner, and the next day spent most of his gains in buying a small vineyard. Meanwhile the robbers had arrived at the cave where they lived, and the captain, calling them all round him, announced that it was his right to have the donkey for the first night. His companions agreed, and then he told his wife to put a mattress in the stable. She asked if he had gone out of his mind, but he answered crossly, What is that to you? Do as you are bid, and tomorrow I will bring you some treasures. Very early the captain awoke and searched the stable, but could find nothing, and guessed that Master Joseph had been making fun of them. Well, he said to himself, If I have been taken in, the others shall not come off any better. So when one of the men arrived and asked him eagerly how much money he had got, he answered gaily, Oh comrade, if you only knew, but I shall say nothing about it till everyone has had his turn. One after another they all took the donkey, but no money was forthcoming for anybody. At length, when all the band had been tricked, they held a council, and resolved to march to the shoemaker's house and punish him well for his cunning. Just as before the shoemaker saw them a long way off, and began to think how he could out with them again. When he had hit upon a plan he called his wife and said to her, Take a bladder and fill it with blood, and bind it round your neck. When the robbers come and demand the money they gave me for the donkey, I shall shout to you and tell you to get it quickly. You must argue with me, and decline to obey me, and then I shall plunge my knife into the bladder, and you must fall to the ground as if you were dead. There you must lie till I play on my guitar, and get up and begin to dance. His wife made haste to do as she was bid, and there was no time to lose, for the robbers were drawing very near to the house. They entered with a great noise, and overwhelmed the shoemaker with reproaches for having deceived them about the donkey. The poor beast must have lost his power owing to the change of masters, said he. But we will not quarrel about it. You shall have back the fifty gold pieces that you gave for him. Aight, he cried to his wife, go quickly to the chest upstairs, and bring down the money for these gentlemen. Wait a little, answered she. I must first bake this fish. It will be spoiled if I leave it now. Go this instant as you are bid, shouted the shoemaker, stamping as if he were in a great passion. But, as she did not stir, he drew his knife and stabbed her in the neck. The blood spurred it out freely, and she fell to the ground as if she was dead. What have you done? asked the robbers, looking at him in dismay. The poor woman was doing nothing. Perhaps I was hasty, but it is easily said right, replied the shoemaker, taking down his guitar and beginning to play. Hardly had he struck the first notes then his wife sat up, then got to her feet and danced. The robbers stared with open mouths, and at last they said, Master Joseph, you may keep the fifty gold pieces, but tell us what you will take for your guitar, for you must sell it to us. Oh, that is impossible, replied the shoemaker. For every time I have a quarrel with my wife, I just strike her dead, and so give vent to my anger. This has become such a habit with me that I don't think I could break myself of it, and, of course, if I got rid of the guitar, I could never bring her back to life again. However, the robbers would not listen to him, and at last he consented to take forty gold pieces for the guitar. Then they all returned to their cave in the forest, delighted with their new purchase, and longing for a chance of trying its powers. But the captain declared that the first trial run belonged to him, and after that the others might have their turn. That evening he called to his wife and said, What have you got for supper? Macaroni, answered she. Why have you not boiled the fish, he cried, and stabbed her in the neck so that she fell dead. The captain, who was not in the least angry, seized the guitar and began to play. But let him play as loud as he would the dead woman never stirred. Oh, lying shoemaker! Oh, Abonamable's knave! Twice he has got the better of me, but I will pay him out. So he raged and swore, but it did him no good. The fact remained that he had killed his wife and could not bring her back again. The next morning came one of the robbers to fetch the guitar, and to hear what had happened. Well, how have you got on? Oh, splendidly! I stabbed him a wife and then began to play, and now she is as well as ever. Did you really? Then this evening I will attry for myself. Of course, the same thing happened over again, till all the wives had been killed secretly. And when there were no more left they whispered to each other the dreadful tale, and swore to be avenged on the shoemaker. The band lost no time in setting out for his house, and, as before, the shoemaker saw them coming from afar. He called to his wife, who was washing in the kitchen. Listen, Aita, when the robbers come and ask her for me, say I have gone to the vineyard, then tell the dogged to call me, and chase him from the house. When he had given these directions he ran out of the back door and hid behind a barrel. A few minutes later the robbers arrived, and called loudly for the shoemaker. Alas, a good gentleman, he is up in the vineyard, but I will send the dog after him at once. Here, now quickly to the vineyard, and tell your master some gentlemen are here who wish to speak to him. Go as fast as you can. And she opened the door and let the dog out. You can really trust the dogged to call your husband, asked the robbers. Dear me, yes, he understands everything, and will always carry any message I give him. By and by the shoemaker came in and said, Good morning, gentlemen. The dogged tells me you wish to speak to me. Yes, we do, replied the robbers. We have a comment to speak to you about that the guitar. It is your fault that we have murdered all our wives, and, though we played as you told us, none of them ever came back into life. You could not have played properly, said the shoemaker. It was your own fault. Well, we will forget all about it, answered the robbers, if you will only sell us to your dog. Oh, that is impossible. I should never get on without him. But the robbers offered him forty gold pieces, and, at last, he agreed to let them have the dog. So they departed, taking the dog with them, and when they got back to their cave, the captain declared that it was his right to have the first trial. He then called his daughter and said to her, I am going to the inn. If anybody wants me, loose the dog and send him to call me. About an hour after, someone arrived on business, and the girl untied the dog and said, Go to the inn and call him a father. The dog bound it off, but ran straight to the shoemaker. When the robber got home and found no dog, he thought, he must have gone back to his old master, and, though night had already fallen, he went off after him. Master Joseph, is the dog here? Asked he. Ah, yes, the poor beast is so fine with me, you must give him time to get accustomed to new ways. So the captain brought the dog back, and the following morning handed him over to another of the band, just saying that the animal really could do what the shoemaker had said. The second robber carefully kept his own counsel, and fetched the dog secretly back from the shoemaker, and so on through the whole band. At length, when everybody had suffered, they met and told the whole story, and next day they all marched off in fury to the man who had made game of them. After reproaching him with having to see them, they tied him up in a sack, and told him they were going to throw him into the sea. The shoemaker lay quite still, and let them do as they would. They went on till they came to a church, and the robber said, The sun is a hot, and the sack is a heavy. Let us leave it here and go in and arrest. So they put the sack down by the roadside, and went into the church. Now, on a hill nearby, there was a swine herd looking after a great herd of pigs, and whistling merrily. When Master Joseph heard him, he cried out as loud as he could. I won't, I won't, I say. What the won't you do? asked the swine herd. Oh! replied the shoemaker, They wanted me to marry the king's daughter, and I won't to do it. How lucky you are! sighed the swine herd. Now, if it were only me. Oh! if that's all, replied the cunning shoemaker, Then get you into the sack, and let the me out. Then the swine herd opened the sack, and took the place of the shoemaker, who went gaily off driving the pigs before him. When the robbers were arrested, they came out of the church, took up the sack, and carried it to the sea. Where they threw it in, and it sank directly. As they came back, they met the shoemaker, and stared at him with open mouths. Oh! if you only knew how many pigs live in the sea, he cried. And the deeper you go, the more there are. I have just brought up these, and the mean to return for some more. There are still some left there? Oh! more than I could account, replied the shoemaker. I will show you what he must do. Then he led the robbers back to the shore. Now, said he, you must to each of you tie a stone to your necks, so that you may be sure to go deep enough, for I found the pigs that you saw very deep down indeed. Then the robbers all tied stones around their necks, and jumped in. And were drowned. And Master Joseph drove his pigs home, and was a rich man to the end of his days. End of THE CUNNING SHOEMAKER Recording by Elliott Miller www.voiceofee.com Section 20 of THE PINK FAIRY BOOK This LibraVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliott Miller THE PINK FAIRY BOOK By Andrew Lang THE KING WHO WOULD HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WIFE CICILIANISH MARCHIN Fifty years ago there lived a king who was very anxious to get married. But, as he was quite determined that his wife should be as beautiful as the son, the thing was not so easy as it seemed. For no maiden came up to his standard. Then he commanded a trusty servant to search through the length and breadth of the land, till he found a girl fair enough to be queen. And if he had the good luck to discover one, he was to bring her back with him. The servant set out at once on his journey, and sought high and low in castles and cottages. But though pretty maidens were plentiful as blackberries, he felt sure that none of them would please the king. One day he had wandered far and wide, and was feeling very tired and thirsty. By the roadside stood a tiny little house, and here he knocked and asked for a cup of water. Now, in this house dwelt two sisters, and one was eighty and the other ninety years old. They were very poor, and earned their living by spinning. This had kept their hands very soft and white, like the hands of a girl. And when the water was passed through the lattice, and the servant saw the small, delicate fingers, he said to himself, A maiden must indeed be lovely if she has a hand like that. And he made haste back and told the king, Go back at once, said his majesty, and tried to get a sight of her. The faithful servant departed on his errand without losing any time, and again he knocked at the door of the little house and begged for some water. As before, the old woman did not open the door, but pass the water through the lattice. Do you live here alone? asked the man. No, replied she. My sister lives with me. We are poor girls, and have to work for our bread. How old are you? I am fifteen, and she is twenty. Then the servant went back to the king and told him all he knew, and his majesty answered, I will have the fifteen-year-old one. Go and bring her here. The servant returned a third time to the little house and knocked at the door. In reply to his knock, the lattice window was pushed open, and a voice inquired what it was he wanted. The king has desired me to bring back the youngest of you to become his queen, he replied. Tell his majesty I am ready to do his bidding, but since my birth no ray of light has fallen upon my face, if it should ever do so I shall instantly grow black. Therefore beg, I pray you, his most gracious majesty to send this evening a shut carriage, and I will return in it to the castle. When the king heard this he ordered his great golden carriage to be prepared, and in it to be placed some magnificent robes, and the old woman wrapped herself in a thick veil and was driven to the castle. The king was eagerly awaiting her, and when she arrived he begged her politely to raise her veil and let him see her face. But she answered, Here the tapers are too bright and the light too strong. Would you have me turned black under your very eyes? And the king believed her words, and the marriage took place without the veil being once lifted. Afterwards, when they were alone, he raised the corner and knew for the first time that he had wedded a wrinkled old woman. And in a furious burst of anger he dashed open the window and flung her out. But luckily for her, her clothes caught on a nail in the wall and kept her hanging between heaven and earth. While she was thus suspended, expecting every moment to be dashed to the ground, four fairies happened to pass by. Look, sisters, cried one. Surely that is the old woman that the king sent for. Shall we wish that her clothes may give way and that she should be dashed to the ground? Oh, no, no, exclaimed another. Let us wish her something good. I myself will wish her youth, and I beauty, and I wisdom, and I a tender heart. So spake the fairies and went their way, leaving the most beautiful maiden in the world behind them. The next morning, when the king looked from his window, he saw this lovely creature hanging on the nail. Oh, what have I done? Surely I must have been blind last night. And he ordered long ladders to be brought and the maiden to be rescued. Then he fell on his knees before her and prayed her to forgive him, and a great feast was made in her honour. Some days after came the ninety-year-old sister to the palace and asked for the queen. Who is that hideous old witch? said the king. Oh, an old neighbor of mine, who is half-silly, she replied. But the old woman looked at her steadily and knew her again and said, How have you managed to grow so young and beautiful? I should like to be young and beautiful, too. This question she repeated the whole day long, till it lengthed the queen lost patience and said, I had my old head cut off and this new head grew in its place. Then the old woman went to a barber and spoke to him, saying, I will give you all that you ask if you will only cut off my head, so that I may become young and lovely. But, my good woman, if I do that you will die. But the old woman would listen to nothing, and at last the barber took out his knife and struck the first blow at her neck. Oh, she shrieked as she felt the pain. Il faut souffre, pour i te rebelle, said the barber, who had been in France. And at the second blow her head rolled off, and the old woman was dead for good in all, and of the king who would have a beautiful wife. Recording by Elliot Miller, www.voiceofe.com Section 21 of The Pink Fairy Book This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Catherine and Her Destiny Sicilianesh Marchand von Laura Gozenbach Leipzig Ingelman 1870 Long ago there lived a rich merchant who, besides possessing more treasures than any king in the world, had in his great hall three chairs—one of silver, one of gold, and one of diamonds. But his greatest treasure of all was his only daughter, who was called Catherine. One day Catherine was sitting in her own room when suddenly the door flew open, and in came a tall and beautiful woman holding in her hands a little wheel. Catherine, she said, going up to the girl, which would you rather have, a happy youth or a happy old age? Catherine was so taken by surprise that she did not know what to answer, and the lady repeated again, which would you rather have, a happy youth or a happy old age? Then Catherine thought to herself, If I say a happy youth, then I shall have to suffer all the rest of my life. No, I would bear trouble now and have something better to look forward to. So she looked up and replied, Give me a happy old age. So be it, said the lady, and turned her wheel as she spoke, vanishing the next moment as suddenly as she had come. Now this beautiful lady was the destiny of poor Catherine. Only a few days after this the merchant heard the news that all his finest ships, laden with the richest merchandise, had been sunk in a storm, and he was left a beggar. The shock was too much for him. He took to his bed and in a short time he was dead of his disappointment. So poor Catherine was left alone in the world without a penny or a creature to help her. But she was a brave girl and full of spirit, and soon made up her mind that the best thing she could do was to go to the nearest town and become a servant. She lost no time in getting herself ready and did not take long over her journey. And as she was passing down this chief street of the town, a noble lady saw her out of the window and, struck by her sad face, said to her, Where are you going all alone, my pretty girl? Ah, my lady, I am very poor and I must go to service to earn my bread. I will take you into my service, said she, and Catherine served her well. Sometime after her mistress said to Catherine, I am obliged to go out for a long while and must lock the house door so that no thief shall get in. So she went away and Catherine took her work and sat down at the window. Suddenly the door burst open and in came her destiny. Oh, so you are here, Catherine. Did you really think I was going to leave you in peace? And as she spoke she walked to the linen press where Catherine's mistress kept all her finest sheets and underclothes, tore everything in pieces and flung them on the floor. Poor Catherine wrung her hands and wept, for she thought to herself, When my lady comes back and sees all this ruin, she will think it is my fault. And starting up she fled through the open door. Then destiny took all the pieces and made them whole again and put them back in the press, and when everything was tidy she too left the house. When the mistress reached home she called Catherine, but no Catherine was there. Can she have robbed me? thought the old lady, and looked hastily round the house. But nothing was missing. She wondered why Catherine should have disappeared like this, but she heard no more of her and in a few days she filled her place. Meanwhile Catherine wandered on and on, without knowing very well where she was going. Till at last she came to another town. Just as before a noble lady happened to see her passing her window, and called out to her, Where are you going all alone, my pretty girl? And Catherine answered, Ah, my lady, I am very poor, and must go to service to earn my bread. I will take you into my service, said the lady, and Catherine served her well, and hoped she might now be left in peace. But, exactly as before, one day the Catherine was left in the house alone, her destiny came again and spoke to her with hard words. What, are you here now? And in a passion she tore up everything she saw. Till in sheer misery poor Catherine rushed out of the house, and so it befell her for seven years, and directly Catherine found a fresh place her destiny came and forced her to leave it. After seven years, however, destiny seemed to get tired of persecuting her, and a time of peace set in for Catherine. When she had been chased away from her last house by destiny's wicked pranks, she had taken service with another lady, who told her that it would be part of her daily work to walk to a mountain that overshadowed the town, and, climbing up to the top, she was to lay on the ground some loaves of freshly baked bread, and cry with a loud voice, Oh, destiny, my mistress, three times. Then her lady's destiny would come and take away the offering. That I would gladly do, said Catherine. So the years went by, and Catherine was still there, and every day she climbed the mountain with her basket of bread on her arm. She was happier than she had been, but sometimes when no one saw her, she would weep as she thought over her old life, and how different it was to the one she was now leading. One day her lady saw her and said, Catherine, what is it? Why are you always weeping? And then Catherine told her story. I've got an idea, exclaimed the lady. Tomorrow, when you take the bread to the mountain, you shall pray my destiny to speak to yours, and entreat her to leave you in peace. Perhaps something may come of it. At these words Catherine dried her eyes, and, next morning, when she climbed the mountain, she told all she had suffered, and cried, Oh, destiny, my mistress, pray I entreat you of my destiny that she may leave me in peace. And destiny answered, Oh my poor girl, know you not your destiny lies buried under seven cover lids, and can hear nothing? But if you will come tomorrow, I will bring her with me. And after Catherine had gone her way, her lady's destiny went to find her sister, and said to her, Dear sister, has not Catherine suffered enough? It is surely time for her good days to begin. And her sister answered, Tomorrow you shall bring her to me, and I will give her something that may help her out of her need. The next morning Catherine set out earlier than usual for the mountain, and her lady's destiny took the girl by the hand and led her to her sister, who lay under the seven cover lids. And her destiny held out to Catherine a ball of silk, saying, Keep this, it may be useful some day. Then pulled the cover rings over her head again. But Catherine walked sadly down the hill, and went straight to her lady, and showed her the silk and ball, which was the end of all her high hopes. What shall I do with it? she asked. It is not worth six pence, and it is no good to me. Take care of it, replied her mistress, who can tell how useful it may be. A little while after this grand preparations were made for the king's marriage, and all the tailors in the town were busy embroidering fine clothes. The wedding garment was so beautiful nothing like it had ever been seen before. But when it was almost finished the tailor found that he had no more silk. The colour was very rare, and none could be found like it, and the king made a proclamation that if any one happened to possess any they should bring it to the court, and he would give them a large sum. Catherine exclaimed the lady, who had been to the tailors and seen the wedding garment. Your ball of silk is exactly the right colour. Bring it to the king, and you can ask what you'd like for it. Then Catherine put on her best clothes, and went to the court, and looked more beautiful than any woman there. May it please your Majesty, she said. I have brought you a ball of silk of the colour you asked for, as no one else has any in the town. Your Majesty, asked one of the courtiers, shall I give the maiden its weight in gold? The king agreed, and a pair of scales were brought, and a handful of gold was placed in one scale and the silk and ball in the other. But lo! let the king lay in the scales as many gold pieces as he could, the silk was always heavier still. Then the king took some larger scales, and heaped up all his treasures on one side, but the silk on the other outweighed them all. At last there was only one thing left that had not been put in, and that was his golden crown. And he took it from his head and set it on top of all, and at last the scale moved and the ball had found its balance. Where got you this silk, asked the king? It was given me, Royal Majesty, by my mistress, replied Catherine. That is not true, said the king, and if you do not tell me the truth, I will have your head cut off this instant. So Catherine told him the whole story, and how she had once been as rich as he. Now there lived at the court a wise woman, and she said to Catherine, You have suffered much, my poor girl, but at length your luck has turned, and I know by the weighing of the scales through the crown that you will die a queen. So she shall, cried the king, who overheard these words, she shall die my queen, for she is more beautiful than all the ladies of the court, and I will marry no one else. And so it fell out. The king sent back the bride he had promised to wed to her own country, and the same Catherine was queen at the marriage feast instead, and lived happily and contented to the end of her life. End of Catherine and Her Destiny Recording by Elliot Miller www.voiceofee.com Section 22 of The Pink Fairy Book This Liber Box recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter Sicilian Ash Martian Long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons. When he felt himself to be dying he divided his property between them, making them share alike both in money and lands. Soon after he died the king set forth a proclamation through the whole country that whoever could build a ship that would float both on land and sea should have his daughter to wife. The eldest brother, when he heard it said to the other, I think I will spend some of my money in trying to build that ship, as I should like to have the king for my father-in-law. So he called together all the shipbuilders in the land and gave them orders to begin the ship without delay. And trees were cut down and great preparations made, and in a few days everybody knew what it was all for, and there was a crowd of old people pressing round the gates of the yard where the young man spent most of his day. Ah, master, give us work, they said, so that we may earn our bread. But he only gave them hard words and spoke roughly to them. You are old and have lost your strength of what use are you, and he drove them away. Then came some boys and prayed him, master, give us work. But he answered them, of what use can you be, weaklings as you are, get you gone, and if any presented themselves that were not skilled workmen, he would have none of them. At last they're knocked at the gate a little old man with a long white beard and said, Will you give me work so that I may earn my bread? But he was only driven away like the rest. The ship took a long while to build and cost a great deal of money, and when it was launched a sudden squall rose and it fell to pieces, and with it all the young man's hopes of winning the princess. By this time he had not a penny left, so he went back to his two brothers and told his tale, and the second brother said to himself as he listened, Certainly he has managed very badly, but I should like to see if I can't do better and win the princess for my own self. So he called together all the ship builders throughout the country, and gave them orders to build a ship which should float on the land as well as the sea. But his heart was no softer than his brothers, and every man that came that was not a skilled workman was chased away with hard words. Last came the white bearded man, but he fared no better than the rest. When the ship was finished the launch took place, and everything seemed going smoothly when a gale sprang up and the vessel was dashed to pieces on the rocks. The young man had spent his whole fortune on it and now it was all swallowed up, was forced to beg shelter from his youngest brother. When he told his story the younger brother said to himself, I am not rich enough to support us all three. I had better take my turn, and if I managed to win the princess there will be her fortune as well as my own for us to live on. So he called together all the ship builders in the kingdom, and gave orders that a new ship should be built. Then all the old people came and asked for work, and he answered cheerfully, oh yes, there is plenty for everybody. And when the boys begged to be allowed to help he found something that they could do. And when the old man with the long white beard stood before him, praying that he might earn his bread, he replied, oh father, I could not suffer you to work, but you shall be overseer and look after the rest. Now the old man was a holy hermit, and when he saw how kind-hearted the young was he determined to do all he could for him to gain the wish of his heart. By and by, when the ship was finished, the hermit said to his young friend, now you can go and claim the king's daughter, for the ship will float both by land and sea. Oh good father, cried the young man, you will not forsake me, stay with me, I pray you, and lead me to the king. If you wish it, I will, said the hermit, on condition that you will give me half of anything you get. Oh, if that is all answered he, it is easily promised, and they set out together on the ship. After they had gone some distance they saw a man standing in a thick fog, which he was trying to put into a sack. Oh, good father, exclaimed the youth, what can he be doing? Ask him, said the old man. What are you doing, my fine fellow? I am putting the fog into my sack, this is my business. Ask him if he will come with us, whispered the hermit. And the man answered, if you will give me enough to eat and drink I will gladly stay with you. So they took him on their ship, and the youth said as they started off again, Good father, before we were two, and now we are three. After they had traveled a little further they met a man who had torn up half the forest and was carrying all the trees on his shoulders. Good father, exclaimed the youth, only look, what can he have done that for? Ask him why he has torn up all those trees. And the man replied, Why, I have merely been gathering a handful of brushwood. Bake him to come with us, whispered the hermit. And the strong man answered, Willingly, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink. And he came on the ship. And the youth said to the hermit, Good father, before we were three, and now we are four. The ship traveled on again, and some miles further on they saw a man drinking out of a stream till he had nearly drunk it dry. Good father, said the youth, Just look at that man. Did you ever see anybody drink like that? Ask him why he does it, answered the hermit. Why, there is nothing very odd in taking a mouthful of water, replied the man standing up. Bake him to come with us. And the youth did so. With pleasure, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink. And the youth whispered to the hermit, Good father, before we were four, and now we are five. A little way along they noticed another man in the middle of a stream, who was shooting into the water. Good father, said the youth, What can he be shooting at? Ask him, answered the hermit. Hush, hush, cried the man. Now you are frightened it away. In the underworld sits a quail on a tree, and I wanted to shoot it. That is my business, I hit everything I aim at. Ask him if he will come with us. And the man replied, With all my heart, as long as I get enough to eat and drink. So they took him into the ship, and the young man whispered, Good father, before we were five, and now we are six. Off they went again, and before they had gone far they met a man striding towards them whose steps were so long that while one foot was on the north of the island, the other was right down in the south. Good father, look at him, what long steps he takes. Ask him why he does it, replied the hermit. Oh, I am only going out for a little walk, answered he. Ask him if he will come with us. Gladly, if you will give me as much as I want to eat and drink, said he, climbing up into the ship. And the young man whispered, Good father, before we were six, and now we are seven. But the hermit knew what he was about, and why he gathered these strange people into the ship. After many days, at last they reached the town where lived the king and his daughter. They stopped the vessel right in front of the palace, and the young man went in and bowed low before the king. Oh, Majesty, I have done your bidding, and now is the ship built that can travel over land and sea. Give me my reward, and let me have your daughter to wife. But the king said to himself, What? am I to wed my daughter to a man of whom I know nothing? Not even whether he be rich or poor, a knight or a beggar? And aloud he spake, It is not enough that you have managed to build the ship. You must find a runner who shall take this letter to the ruler of the underworld, and bring me the answer back in an hour. That is not in the bond, answered the young man. Well, do as you like, replied the king, only you will not get my daughter. The young man went out sorely troubled to tell his old friend what had happened. Silly boy, cried the hermit, accept his terms at once, and send off the long-legged man with the letter. He will take it in no time at all. So the youth's heart leapt with joy, and he returned to the king. Majesty, I accept your terms. Here is the messenger who will do what you wish. The king had no choice but to give the man the letter, and he strode off making short work of the distance that lay between the palace and the underworld. He soon found the ruler who looked at the letter and said to him, Wait a little while while I write the answer. But the man was so tired with his quick walk that he went sound asleep and forgot all about his errand. All this time the youth was anxiously counting the minutes till he could get back, and stood with his eyes fixed on the road down which his messenger must come. What can be keeping him? he said to the hermit, when the hour was nearly up. Then the hermit sent for the man who could hit everything he aimed at, and said to him, Just see why the messenger stays so long. Oh, he is sound asleep in the palace of the underworld. However, I can wake him. Then he drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight into the man's knee. The messenger awoke with such a start, and when he saw that the hour had almost run out, he snatched up the answer and rushed back with such speed that the clock had not yet struck when he entered the palace. Now the young man thought he was sure of his bride. But the king said, Still you have not done enough. Before I give you my daughter, you must find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day. That is not in the bond, complained the poor youth. Well, do as you like. Only you will not get my daughter. The young man was sadly out, and asked the hermit what he was to do. Silly boy, said he, why tell the man to do it who drinks up everything. So they sent for the man and said, Do you think you are able to drink half the royal cellar in one day? Oh, dear me, yes, and as much more as you want, answered he. I am never satisfied. The king was not pleased that the young man agreeing so readily, but he had no choice, and ordered the servant to be taken downstairs. Oh, how he enjoyed himself! All day long he drank and drank and drank, till instead of half the cellar he had drunk the whole. And there was not a cast, but what stood empty. And when the king saw this he said to the youth, You have conquered, and I can no longer withhold my daughter. But, as her dowry, I shall only give so much as one man can carry away. But, answered he, let a man be ever so strong he cannot carry more than a hundred weight, and what is that for a king's daughter? Well, do as you like, I have said my say. It is your affair, not mine. The young man was puzzled and did not know what to reply, for though he would gladly have married the princess without a sixpence he had spent all his money in building the ship, and knew he could not give her all she wanted. So he went to the hermit and said to him, The king will only give for her dowry as much as a man can carry. I have no money of my own left, and my brothers have none either. Silly boy, why you only have got to fetch the man who carried half the forest on his shoulders! And the youth was glad and called the strong man, and told him what he must do. Take everything you can till you are bent double, never mind if you leave the palace bare. The strong man promised and nobly kept his word. He piled all he could see on his back, chairs, tables, wardrobes, chests of gold and silver, till there was nothing left to pile. At last he took the king's crown and put it on the top. He carried the burden to the ship and stowed his treasures away. And the youth followed, leading the king's daughter. But the king was left raging in his empty palace, and he called together his army, and got ready his ships of war, in order that he might go after the vessel and bring back what had been taken away. And the king's ship sailed very fast, and soon caught up the little vessel, and the sailors all shouted for joy. Then the hermit looked out and saw how near they were, and said to the youth, Do you see that? The youth shrieked and cried, Oh, good father, it's a fleet of ships and they are chasing us, and in a few moments they'll be upon us. But the hermit made him call the man who had the fog in his sack, and the sack was opened and the fog flew out, and hung right round the king's ships so that they could see nothing. So they sailed back to the palace and told the king what strange things had happened. Meanwhile the young man's vessel reached home in safety. Well, here you are once more, said the hermit. And now you can fulfill the promise you made me to give me half of all you had. That will I do with all my heart, answered the youth, and began to divide all his treasures, putting part on one side for himself, and setting aside the other for his friend. Good father, it is finished, said he at length. There is nothing more left to divide. Nothing more left, cried the hermit, why you have forgotten the best thing of all. What can that be, asked he. We have divided everything. And the king's daughter, said the hermit. Then the young man's heart stood still, for he loved her dearly, but he answered, It is well I have sworn, and I will keep my word, and he drew his sword to cut her in pieces. When the hermit saw that he held his honor dear than his wife, he lifted his hand and cried, Hold, she is yours, and all the treasures too. I give you my help because you had pity on those who were in need, and when you are in need yourself, call upon me, and I will come to you. As he spoke he softly touched their heads and vanished. The next day the wedding took place, and the two brothers came to the house, and they all lived happily together, but they never forgot the holy man who had been such a good friend. End of How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Water of Life Three brothers and one sister lived together in a small cottage, and they loved one another dearly. One day the eldest brother, who had never done anything but amuse himself from sunrise to sunset, said to the rest, Let us all work hard, and perhaps we shall grow rich and be able to build ourselves a palace. And his brothers and sisters answered joyfully, Yes, we will all work. So they fell to working with all their might, till at last they became rich, and were able to build themselves a beautiful palace, and everyone came from miles around to see its wonders, and to say how splendid it was. No one thought of finding any faults, till at length an old woman, who had been walking through the rooms with a crowd of people, suddenly exclaimed, Yes, it is a splendid palace, but there is still something it needs. And what might that be? A church. When they heard this, the brothers set to work again to earn some more money, and when they had got enough they set about building a church, which should be as large and beautiful as the palace itself. And after the church was finished, greater numbers of people than ever flocked to see the palace, and the church, and vast gardens and magnificent halls. But one day, as the brothers were as usual doing the honors to their guests, an old man turned to them and said, Yes, it is almost beautiful, but there is still something it needs. And what may that be? A pitcher of the water of life, a branch of the tree, the smell of whose flowers gives eternal beauty, and the talking bird. And where am I to find all those? Go to the mountain that is far off yonder, and you will find what you seek. After the old man had bowed politely and taken farewell of them, the eldest brother said to the rest, I will go in search of the water of life, and the talking bird, and the tree of beauty. But suppose some evil thing befalls you, asked his sister. How shall we know? You are right, he replied. I had not thought of that. Then they followed the old man and said to him, My eldest brother wishes to seek for the water of life and the tree of beauty, and the talking bird. That you tell him are needful to make our palace perfect. But how shall we know if any evil thing befalls him? So the old man took them a knife and gave it to them, saying, Keep this carefully, and as long as the blade is bright all as well. But if the blade is bloody, then know that evil has befallen him. The brothers thanked him and departed, and went straight to the palace, where they found the young man making ready to set out for the mountain where the treasures he longed for lay hid. And he walked and he walked and he walked, till he had gone a great way, and there he met a giant. Can you tell me how much further I have still to go before I reach that mountain yonder? And why do you wish to go there? I am seeking the water of life, the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty. Many have passed by seeking those treasures, but none have ever come back, and you will never come back, either, unless you mark my words. Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones. Do not stop to look at them, but keep on your way. As you go you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you. It will be the stones that mark. Do not heed them. Above all, do not turn round. If you do, you will become as one of them. Walk straight on till you get to the top, and then take all you wish for. The young man thanked him for his counsel, and walked and walked and walked, till he reached the mountain. And as he climbed he heard behind him scoffs and jeers, but he kept his ears steadily close to them. At last the noise grew so loud that he lost patience, and he stopped to pick up a stone to hurl into the midst of the clamour, when suddenly his arm seemed to stiffen, and the next moment he was a stone himself. That day his sister, who thought her brother's steps were long and returning, took out the knife and found the blade was red as blood. Then she cried out to her brothers that something terrible had come to pass. I will go to find him, said the second, and he went. And he walked and he walked and he walked, till he met the giant, and asked him if he had seen a young man travelling toward the mountain. And the giant answered, Yes, I have seen him pass, but I have not seen him come back. The spell must have worked upon him. Then what can I do to disenchant him and find the water of life, the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty? Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones. Do not stop to look at them, but climb steadily on. Above all, heed not the laughs and scoffs that will arise on all sides, and never turn round, and when you reach the top you can then take all you desire. The young man thanked him for his counsel and set out for the mountain. But no sooner did he reach it than loud jests and jibes broke out on every side, and almost deafened him. For some time he let them rail and pushed boldly on, till he had passed a place which his brother had gained. Then suddenly he thought that among the scoffing sounds he heard his brother's voice. He stopped and looked back, and another stone was added to the number. Meanwhile the sister left at home was counting the days when her two brothers should return to her. The time seemed long, and it would be hard to say how often she took out the knife and looked at its polished blade to make sure that this one, at least, was still safe. The blade was always bright and clear. Each time she looked she had the happiness of knowing that all was well. Till one evening, tired and anxious, as she frequently was at the end of the day, she took it from its drawer, and behold, the blade was red with blood. Her cry of horror brought her youngest brother to her, and, unable to speak, she held out the knife. I will go, he said. So he walked, and he walked, and he walked until he met the giant, and he asked, Have two young men making Friander Mountain pass this way? And the giant answered, Yes, they have passed by, but they never came back, and by this I know that the spell has fallen upon them. Then what must I do to free them, and to get the water of life, and the talking bird, and the branch of the tree of beauty? Go to the mountain, which you will find so thickly covered with stones that you will hardly be able to place your feet, and walk straight forward, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, and paying no heed to the laughs and scoffs which will follow you, till you reach the top, and then you may take all that you desire. The young man thanked the giant for his counsel, and set forth to the mountain, and when he began to climb there burst forth all around him a storm of scoffs and jeers, but he thought of the giant's words, and looked neither to the right hand nor to the left, till the mountain top lay straight before him. A moment now, and he would have gained it, when, through the groans and yells he heard his brother's voices, he turned, and there was one stone the more. And all this while his sister was pacing up and down the palace, hardly letting the knife out of her hand, and dreading what she knew she would see, and what she did see, the blade grew red before her eyes, and she said, Now it is my turn. So she walked, and she walked, and she walked till she came to the giant, and prayed him to tell her if he had seen three young men pass that way, seeking the distant mountain. I have seen them pass, but they have never returned, and by this I know that the spell has fallen upon them. And what must I do to set them free, and to find the water of life, and the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty? You must go to that mountain, which is so full of stones that your feet will hardly find a place to tread, and as you climb you will hear a noise as if all the stones in the world were mocking you. But pay no heed to anything you may hear, and, once you gain the top, you have gained everything. The girl thanked him for his counsel, and set out for the mountain, and scarcely had she gone a few steps upward when cries and screams broke forth around her, and she felt as if each stone she trod on was a living thing. But she remembered the words of the giant, and knew not what had befallen her brothers, and kept her face steadily toward the mountaintop, which grew nearer and nearer every moment. But, as she mounted the clamor increased sevenfold, high above them all rang the voices of her three brothers. But the girl took no heed, and at last her feet stood upon the top. Then she looked round and saw, lying in a hollow, the pool of the water of life. And she took the brazen picture that she had brought with her, and filled it to the brim. But the side of the pool stood the tree of beauty, with the talking bird on one of its bows. And she caught the bird and placed it in a cage, and broke off one of the branches. After that she turned and went joyfully down the hill again, carrying her treasures. But her long climb had tied her out, and the brazen picture was very heavy. And as she walked a few drops of the water spilled upon the stones. And as it touched them, they changed into young men and maidens, crowding about her to give thanks for their deliverance. So she learned by this how the evil spell might be broken. And she carefully sprinkled every stone till there was not one left, only a great company of youths and girls who followed her down the mountain. When they arrived at the palace she did not lose a moment in planting the branch of the tree of beauty, and watering it with the water of life. And the branch shot up into a tree, and was heavy with flowers, and the talking bird nestled in its branches. Now the fame of these wonders was noise abroad, and the people flocked in great numbers to see the three marvels. And the maiden who had won them. And among the sightseers came the king's son, who would not go till everything was shown him, until he had heard how it had all happened. And the prince admired the strangeness and beauty of the treasures in the palace. But more than all he admired the beauty and courage of the maiden who had brought them there. So he went home, and told his parents, and gained their consent to wed her for his wife. Then the marriage was celebrated in the church adjoining the palace, then the bridegroom took her to his own home, where they lived happy forever after. End of THE WATER OF LIFE. Recording by Elliot Miller, www.voiceofe.com. Section 24 of The Pink Fairy Book. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Wounded Lion. Cuentos populares catalans. There was once a girl so poor that she had nothing to live on, and wandered about the world asking for charity. One day she arrived at a thatched cottage, and inquired if they could give her any work. The farmer said he wanted a cowherd, as his own had left him, and if the girl liked the place she might take it. So she became a cowherd. She became a cowherd. One morning she was driving her cows through the meadows when she heard nearby a loud groan that almost sounded human. She hastened to the spot from which the noise came, and found it proceeded from a lion who lay stretched upon the ground. You can guess how frightened she was. But the lion seemed in such pain that she was sorry for him, and drew nearer and nearer till she saw he had a large thorn in one foot. She pulled out the thorn and bound up the place, and the lion was grateful and licked her hand by way of thanks with his big rough tongue. When the girl had finished she went back to the cows, but they had gone, and though she hunted everywhere she never found them, and she had to return home and confess to her master, who scolded her bitterly, and afterwards beat her. Then he said, Now you will have to look after the asses. So every day she had to take the asses to the woods to feed, until one morning exactly a year after she had found the lion she heard a groan which sounded quite human. She went straight to the place from which the noise came, and, to her great surprise, beheld the same lion stretched on the ground with a deep wound across his face. This time she was not afraid at all, and ran towards him, washing the wound and laying soothing her herbs upon it, and when she had bounded up the lion thanked her in the same manner as before. After that she returned to her flock, but they were nowhere to be seen. She searched here and she searched there, but they had vanished completely. Then she had to go home and confess to her master, who first scolded her and afterwards beat her. Now go! he ended, and look after the pigs. So the next day she took out the pigs, and found them such good feeding grounds that they grew fatter every day. Another year passed by, and one morning when the maiden was out with her pigs she heard a groan which sounded quite human. She ran to see what it was, and found her old friend the lion, wounded through and through, fast dying under a tree. She fell on her knees before him and washed his wounds one by one, and laid healing herbs upon them. And the lion licked her hands and thanked her, and asked if she would not stay and sit by him. But the girl said she had her pigs to watch, and she must go and see after them. So she ran to the place where she had left them. But they had vanished as if the earth had swallowed them up. She whistled and called, but only the birds answered her. Then she sank down on the ground and wept bitterly, not daring to return home until some hours had passed away. And when she had had her cry out, she got up and searched all up and down the wood. But it was no use. There was not a sign of the pigs. At last she thought that perhaps if she climbed a tree she might see further. But no sooner was she seated on the highest branch than something happened which put the pigs quite out of her head. This was a handsome young man who was coming down the path, and when he had almost reached the tree he pulled aside a rock and disappeared behind it. The maiden rubbed her eyes and wondered if she had been dreaming. Next she thought, I will not stir from here till I see him come out and discover who he is. Accordingly she waited, and at dawn the next morning the rock moved to one side and a lion came out. When he had gone quite out of sight the girl climbed down from the tree and went to the rock which she pushed aside and entered the opening before her. The path led to a beautiful house. She went in, swept and dusted the furniture, and put everything tidy. Then she ate a very good dinner which was on a shelf in the corner, and once more clambered up to the top of her tree. As the sun set she saw the same young man walking gaily down the path, and as before he pushed aside the rock and disappeared behind it. Next morning out came the lion. He looked sharply about him on all sides but saw no one, and then vanished into the forest. The maiden then came down from the tree and did exactly as she had done the day before. Thus three days went by, and every day she went and tidied up the palace. At length when the girl found she was no nearer to discovering the secret she resolved to ask him, and in the evening when she caught sight of him coming through the wood she came down from the tree and begged him to tell her his name. The young man looked very pleased to see her, and said he thought it must be she who had secretly kept his house for so many days, and he added that he was a prince enchanted by a powerful giant, but was only allowed to take his own shape at night. For all day he was forced to appear as the lion whom she had so often helped, and, more than this, it was the giant who had stolen the oxen and the asses and the pigs in revenge for her kindness. And the girl asked him, What can I do to disenchant you? But he said he was afraid it was very difficult, because the only way was to get a lock of hair from the head of a king's daughter, to spin it and to make from it a cloak for the giant, who lived up on the top of a high mountain. Very well, answered the girl, I will go to the city and knock at the door of the king's palace and ask the princess to take me as a servant. So they parted, and when she arrived at the city she walked about the streets crying, Who will hire me for a servant? Who will hire me for a servant? But, though many people liked her looks, for she was clean and neat, the maiden would listen to none, and still continued crying, Who will hire me for a servant? Who will hire me for a servant? At last there came the waiting maid of the princess. What can you do? she said, and the girl was forced to confess that she could do very little. Then you will have to do scullions work and wash up dishes, said she, and they went straight back to the palace. Then the maiden dressed her hair afresh and made herself look very neat and smart, and everyone admired and praised her till, by and by, it came to the ears of the princess, and she sent for the girl, and when she saw her and how beautifully she addressed her hair, the princess told her she was to come and comb out hers. Now the hair of the princess was very thick and long and shone like the sun, and the girl combed it and combed it till it was brighter than ever, and the princess was pleased and made her come every day and comb her hair, till at length the girl took courage and begged leave to cut off one of the long thick locks. The princess, who was very proud of her hair, did not like the idea of parting with any of it, so she said no, but the girl could not give up hope, and each day she entreated to be allowed to cut off just one tress. At length the princess lost patience and exclaimed, You may have it, then, on condition that you shall find the handsomest prince in the world to be my bridegroom. And the girl answered that she would, and cut off the lock and wove it into a coat that glittered like silk, and brought it to the young man, who told her to carry it straight to the giant, but that she must be careful to cry out a long way off what she had with her or else he would spring upon her and run her through with his sword. So the maiden departed and climbed up the mountain, but before she reached the top the giant heard her footsteps, and rushed out breathing fire and flame, having a sword in one hand and a club in the other. But she cried loudly that she had brought him the coat, and then he grew quiet, and invited her to come into his house. He tried on the coat, but it was too short, and he threw it off and declared it was no use, and the girl picked it up sadly and returned quite in despair to the king's palace. The next morning, when she was combing the princess hair, she begged leave to cut off another lock. At first the princess said no, but the girl begged so hard that at length she gave in on condition that she should find her a prince as a bridegroom. The maiden told her that she had already found him and spun the lock into shining stuff, and fastened it onto the end of the coat, and when it was finished she carried it to the giant. Well, this time it fitted him, and he was quite pleased, and asked her what he could give her in return, and she said that the only reward he could give her was to take the spell off the lion and bring him back to his own shape. For a long time the giant would not hear of it, but in the end he gave in, and told her exactly how it must all be done. She was to kill the lion herself and cut him up very small, and then she must burn him and cast his ashes into the water, and out of the water the prince would come free from a chairman forever. But the maiden went away weeping, lest the giant should have deceived her, and that after she had killed the lion she would find she had also slain the prince. Weeping she came down the mountain, and a weeping she joined the prince, who was awaiting her at the bottom, and when he had heard the story he comforted her, and bade her be of good courage, and to do the bidding of the giant. And the maiden believed what the prince told her, and in the morning when he put on his lion's form she took a knife and slew him, and cut him up very small, and burned him and cast his ashes into the water. And out of the water came the prince, beautiful as the day, and as glad to look upon as the sun himself. Then the young man thanked the maiden for all she had done for him, and said she should be his wife and none other. But the maiden only wept sore, and answered that she could never be, for she had given her promise to the princess when she cut off her hair that the prince should wet her and her only. But the prince replied, If it is the princess we must go quickly, come with me. So they went together to the king's palace, and when the king and queen and princess saw the young man a great joy filled their hearts, for they knew him for the eldest son, who had long ago been enchanted by a giant and lost to them. And he asked his parents' consent that they might marry the girl who had saved him, and a great feast was made, and the maiden became a princess, and in due time a queen, and she richly deserved all the honors showered upon her. THE MAN WITHOUT A HEART Once upon a time there were seven brothers, who were orphans, and they had no sister. Therefore they were all obliged to do all their own housework. This they did not like at all, so after much deliberation they decided to get married. There were, unfortunately, no young girls to be found in the place where they lived, but the elder brothers agreed to go out into the world and seek for brides, promising to bring back a very pretty wife for the youngest also, if he would, meanwhile, stay at home and take care of the house. He consented willingly, and the six young men set off in good spirits. On their way they came to a small cottage standing quite by itself in a wood, and before the door stood an old, old man, who accosted the brother, saying, Hello, you young fellows, we're away so fast and cheerly. We're going to find bonnie brides for ourselves, and one for our youngest brother at home, they replied. Oh dear youth, said the old man, I am terribly lonely here, play bring a bride for me also, only remember she must be young and pretty. What does a shriveled old gray thing like that want with a pretty young bride, thought the brothers, and went on their way. Presently they came to a town where there were seven sisters, as young and as lovely as anyone could wish. Each brother chose one, and the youngest they kept for their brother at home. Then the whole party set out on the return journey, and again their path led through the wood and past the old man's cottage. There he stood before the door and cried, Oh, you fine fellows, what a charming bride you have brought me. She is not for you, said the young men. She is for our youngest brother, as we promised. What? said the old man. Promised? I'll make you eat your promises. And with that he took his magic wand and, murmuring a charm, he touched both brothers and brides, and immediately they were turned into gray stones. Only the youngest sister he had not bewitched. He took her into the cottage, and from that time she was obliged to keep house for him. She was not very unhappy, but one thought troubled her. What if the old man should die and leave her there alone in the solitary cottage deep in the heart of the wood? She would be as terribly lonely as he had formerly been. One day she told him of her fear. Don't be anxious, he said. You need neither fear my death nor desire it, for I have no heart in my breast. However, if I should die you will find my wand above the door, and with it you can free your sisters and their lovers. Then you will surely have company enough. Where in the world do you keep your heart if not in your breast? asked the girl. Do you want to know everything? her husband said. Well, if you must know, my heart is in the bed cover. When the old man had gone out about his business his bride passed her time in embroidering beautiful flowers on the bed quilt to make his heart happy. The old man was much amused. He laughed and said to her, You are a good child, but I was only joking. My heart is really in—in— Now where is it to your husband? It is in the doorway, he replied. Next day, while he was out, the girl decorated the door with gay feathers and fresh flowers and hung garlands upon it, and on his return the old fellow asked what it all meant. I did it to show my love for your heart, said the girl. And again the old man smiled, saying, You are a dear child, but my heart is not in the doorway. Then the poor young bride was very vexed and said, Ah, my dear, you really have a heart somewhere, so you may die and leave me all alone. The old man did his best to comfort her by repeating all he had said before, but she begged him afresh to tell her truly where his heart was, and at last he told her. Far, far from here, said he, In a lonely spot stands a great church, as old as old can be. Its doors are of iron, and around it runs a deep moat spanned by no bridge. Within that church is a bird, which flies up and down. It never eats, and never drinks, and never dies. No one can catch it, and while that bird lives, so shall I, for in it is my heart. It made the little bride quite sad to think she could do nothing to show her love for the old man's heart. She used to think about it as she sat all alone during the long days, for her husband was almost always out. One day a young traveller came past the house and, seeing such a pretty girl, he wished her, good day. She returned his greeting, and as he drew near she asked him once he came and where he was going. Alas! sighed the youth. I am very sorrowful. I had six brothers, who went away to find brides for themselves, and one for me. But they have never come home, so now I am going to look for them. Oh, good friend, said the girl, you need go no further. Come sit down, eat and drink, and afterwards I'll tell you all about it. She gave him food, and when he had finished his meal, she told him how his brothers had come to the town where she lived with her sisters, how they had each chosen a bride and, taking herself with them, had started for home. She wept as she told how the others were turned to stone, and how she was kept as the old man's bride. She left out nothing, even telling him the story of her husband's heart. When the young man heard this, he said, I shall go in search of the bird. It may be that God will help me to find and catch it. Yes, do go, she said. It will be a good deed, for then you can set your brothers and my sisters free. Then she hid the young man, for it was now late, and her husband would soon be home. Next morning, when the old man had gone out, she prepared a supply of provisions for her guest, and set him off on his travels, wishing him good luck and success. He walked on and on till he thought it must be time for a breakfast. So he opened his knapsack, and was delighted to find such a store of good things. What a feast, he exclaimed! Will anyone come and share it? Sounded close behind him, and looking round he saw a great red ox which said, I have much pleasure in accepting your kind invitation. I'm delighted to see you. Pray help yourself. All I have is at your service, said the hospitable youth, and the ox lay down comfortably, licking his lips, and made a hearty meal. Many thanks to you, said the animal as it rose up, when you are in danger, or necessity call me, even if only by thought. And it disappeared among the bushes. The young man packed up all the food that was left, and wandered on till the shortening shadows, and his own hunger warned him that it was midday. He laid the cloth on the ground, and spread out his provisions, saying at the same time, dinner is ready, and anyone who wishes to share it is welcome. Then there was a great rustling in the undergrowth, and out ran a wild boar grunting. Someone said dinner was ready. What was it you, and did you mean me to come? My all means help yourself to what I have, said the young traveller, and the two enjoyed their meal together. Afterwards the boar got up, saying, Thank you. When in need you be, you must quickly call for me. And he rolled off. For a long time the youth walked on. By evening he was miles away. He felt hungry again, and, having still some provisions left, thought he had better make ready his supper. When it was all spread out he cried as before. Anyone who cares to share my meal is welcome. He heard a sound overhead like a flapping of wings, and a shadow was cast upon the ground. Then a huge griffin appeared, saying, I heard someone giving an invitation to eat. Is there anything for me? Why not, said the youth. Come down and take all you want. There won't be much left after this. So the griffin alighted and ate his fill, saying, as he flew away, Call me if you need me. What a hurry he was in, you said to himself. He might have been able to direct me to the church, for I shall never find it alone. He gathered up his things and started to walk a little farther before resting. He had not gone far when all of a sudden he saw the church. He soon came to it, or rather to the wide and deep moat which surrounded it, without a single bridge by which to cross. It was too late to attempt anything now, and, besides, the poor youth was very tired, so he lay down on the ground and fell fast asleep. Next morning, when he awoke, he began to wish himself over the moat. And the thought occurred to him that, if only the red ox were there, and thirsty enough to drink up all the water in the moat, he might walk across a dry shot. Scarcely had the thought crossed his brain before the ox appeared and began to drink up the water. The grateful youth hastened to cross as soon as the moat was dry, but found it impossible to penetrate the thick walls and strong iron doors of the church. I believe that big bore would be of more use here than I am, he thought, and lo! at the wish the wild boar came and began to push hard against the wall. He managed to loosen one stone with his tusks, and, having made a beginning, stone after stone was poked out till he had made quite a large hole. Big enough to let a man go through. The young man quickly entered the church, and saw a bird flying about, but he could not catch it. Oh! he exclaimed, if only the griffon were here, he would soon catch it. At these words the griffon appeared, and, seizing the bird, gave it to the youth, who carried it off carefully while the griffon flew away. The young man hurried home as fast as possible, and reached the cottage before evening. He told his story to the little bride, who, after giving him some food and drink, hid him with his bird beneath the bed. Presently the old man came home, and complained of feeling ill. Nothing, he said, would go well with him any more. His heart-bird was caught. The youth under the bed heard this and thought, this old fellow has done me no particular harm, but then he has bewitched my brothers and their brides, and has kept my bride for himself, and not is certainly bad enough. So he pinched the bird, and the old man cried, Oh! I feel death gripping me, child, I am dying! With these words he fell fainting from his chair, and, as the youth, before he knew what he was doing, had squeezed the bird to death, the old man died also. Out crept the young man from under the bed, and the girl took the magic wand, which she found where the old man had told her, and, touching the twelve gray stones, transformed them at once into the six brothers and their brides. Then there was great joy, and kissing and embracing, and there lay the old man quite dead, and no magic wand could restore him to life, even had they wished it. After that they all went away and were married, and lived many years happily together. End of The Man Without a Heart Recording by Elliot Miller, www.voiceofe.com Two brothers. Both of them were very handsome, and both so very poor that they seldom had anything to eat but the fish which they caught. One day they had been out in their boats in sunrise without a single bite, and were just thinking of putting up their lines and going home to bed when they felt a little feeble tug, and, drawing in hastily, they found a tiny fish at the end of the hook. What a wretched little creature, cried one brother. However, it is better than nothing, and I will bake him with breadcrumbs and have him for supper. Oh, do not kill me yet, begged the fish. I will bring you good luck, indeed I will. You silly thing, said the young man. I've caught you, and I shall eat you. But his brother was sorry for the fish, and put in a word for him. Let the poor little fellow live. He would hardly make one bite, and, after all, how do we know we're not throwing away our luck? Put him back into the sea. It will be much better. If you will let me live, said the fish, you will find on the sands tomorrow morning two beautiful horses, splendidly saddled and bridled, and on them you can go through the world as night-seeking adventures. Oh, dear, what nonsense, exclaimed the elder. And besides, what proof have we that you're speaking the truth? But again the younger brother interposed. Oh, do let him live. You know if he is lying to us we can always catch him again. It is quite worth while trying. And last the young man gave in, and threw the fish back into the sea, and both brothers went supperless to bed, and wondered what fortune the next day would bring. At the first streaks of dawn they were both up, and in a very few minutes were running down to the shore, and there, just as the fish had said, stood two magnificent horses, saddled and bridled, and on their backs lay suits of armor and underdresses, two swords and two purses of gold. There, said the youngest brother, are you not thankful you did not eat the fish? He has brought us good luck, and there is no knowing how great we may become. Now we will each seek our own adventures. If you will take one road, I will go the other. Very well, replied the elder, but how shall we let each other know if we are both living? Do you see this fig tree, said the younger? Well, whenever we want news of each other, we have only to come here and make a slit with our swords in the back. If milk flows, it is a sign that we are well and prosperous, but if, instead of milk, there is blood, then we are either dead or in great danger. Then the two brothers put on their armor, buckled their swords, and pocketed their purses, and after taking a tender farewell of each other, they mounted their horses and went their various ways. The elder brother rode straight on till he reached the borders of a strange kingdom. He crossed the frontier and soon found himself on the banks of a river, and before him, in the middle of the stream, a beautiful girl set chain to a rock and weeping bitterly. For in this river dwelt a serpent with seven heads, who threatened to lay waste the whole land by breathing fire and flame from his nostrils, unless the king sent him every morning a man for his breakfast. This had gone on for so long that now there were no men left, and he had been obliged to send his own daughter instead, and the poor girl was waiting till the monster got hungry and felt inclined to eat her. When the young man saw the maiden weeping bitterly, he said to her, What is the matter, my poor girl? Oh, she answered, I am chained here till a horrible serpent with seven heads comes to eat me. Oh, sir, do not linger here, or he will eat you too. I shall stay, replied the young man, for I mean to set you free. That is impossible. You do not know what a fearful monster the serpent is. You can do nothing against him. That is my affair, beautiful captive, answered he. Only tell me. Which way will the serpent come? Well, if you resolve the freemy, listen to my advice. Stand a little on one side, and then, when the serpent rises to the surface, I will say to him, O serpent, today you can eat two people, but you had better begin first with the young man, for I am chained and cannot run away. When he hears this, most likely he will attack you. So the young man stood carefully on one side, and by and by he heard a great rushing in the water, and a horrible monster came up to the surface and looked out for the rock where the king's daughter was chained, for it was getting late and he was hungry. But she cried out, O serpent, today you can eat two people, and you had better begin with the young man, for I am chained and cannot run away. Then the serpent made a rush at the youth with wide open jaws to swallow him at one gulp. But the young man leapt aside and drew his sword, and fought till he had cut off all the seven heads. And when the great serpent lay dead at his feet, he loosed the bonds of the king's daughter, and she flung herself into his arms and said, You have saved me from that monster, and now you shall be my husband, for my father has made a proclamation that whoever could slay the serpent should have his daughter to wife. But he answered, I cannot become your husband yet, for I have still far to travel, but wait for me seven years and seven months. Then, if I do not return, you are free to marry whom you will, and in case you should have forgotten, I will take these seven tongues with me so that when I bring them forth you may know that I am really he who slew the serpent. So, saying, he cut out the seven tongues, and the princess gave him a thick cloth to wrap them in, and he mounted his horse and rode away. Not long after he had gone, there arrived at the river a slave who had been sent by the king to learn the fate of his beloved daughter. And when the slave saw the princess standing free and safe before him, with the body of the monster lying at her feet, a wicked plan came into his head and he said, unless you promise to tell your father it was I who slew the serpent, I will kill you and bury you in this place, and no one will ever know what befell. What could the poor girl do? This time there was no night to come to her aid, so she promised to do as the slave wished, and he took up the seven heads and brought the princess to her father. Oh, how enchanted the king was to see her again, and the whole town shared his joy. And the slave was called upon to tell how he had slain the monster, and when he had ended, the king declared that he should have the princess to wife. But she flung herself at her father's feet and prayed him to delay. You have passed your royal word, and can I go back from it, yet grant me this grace, and let seven years and seven months go by before you wed me. When they are over I will marry the slave. And the king listened to her, and seven years and seven months she looked for her bride-room, and wept for him night and day. All this time the young man was riding through the world, and when the seven years and seven months were over he came back to the town where the princess lived, only a few days before the wedding. And he stood before the king and said to him, Give me your daughter, oh king, for I slew the seven headed serpent, and as a sign that my words are true, look on these seven tongues which I cut from his seven heads, and on this embroidered cloth which was given me by your daughter. Then the princess lifted up her voice and said, Yes, dear father, he has spoken the truth, it is he who is my real bride-room, yet pardon the slave for he was sorely tempted. But the king answered, Such treachery can no man pardon, quick, away with him and off with his head. So the false slave was put to death, that none might follow in his footsteps, and the wedding feast was held, and the hearts of all rejoiced that the true bride-room had come at last. These two lived happily and contentedly for a long while, when, one evening, as the young man was looking from the window, he saw on a mountain that lay out beyond the town a great bright light. What can it be, he said to his wife. Oh, do not look at it, she answered, for it comes from the house of a wicked witch whom no man can manage to kill. But the princess had better have kept silence, for her words made her husband's heart burn within him, and he longed to try his strength against the witches cunning, and all day long the feeling grew stronger. Till the next morning he mounted his horse, and in spite of his wife's tears he rode off to the mountain. The distance was greater than he thought, and it was dark before he reached the foot of the mountain. Indeed, he could not have found the road at all had it not been for the bright light which shone like the moon on his path. At length he came to the door of a fine castle which had a blaze streaming from every window. He mounted a flight of steps and entered a hall where a hideous old woman was sitting on a golden chair. She scowled at the young man and said, with a single one of those hairs out of my head, I can turn you into stone. Oh, at nonsense, cried he, be quiet, old woman, what could you do with one hair? But the witch pulled out a hair and laid it on his shoulder, and his limbs grew cold and heavy, and he could not stir. Now, at this very moment the younger brother was thinking of him, and wondering how he had gone on during all the years since they had parted. I will go to the fig tree, he said to himself, to see whether he is alive or dead. So he rode through the forest till he came where the fig tree stood, and cut a slit in the bark and waited. In a moment a little gurgling noise was heard, and out came a stream of blood running fast. Oh, woe is me, he cried bitterly. My brother is dead or dying. Shall I ever reach him in time to save his life? Then, leaping on his horse, he shouted, Now my steed, fly like the wind! And they rode right through the world till one day they came to the town where the young man and his wife lived. Here the princess had been sitting every day since the morning that her husband had left her, weeping bitter tears and listening for his footsteps. And when she saw his brother ride under the balcony she mistook him for her own husband, for they were so alike that no man might tell the difference. And her heart bounded and, leaning down, she called to him, At last, at last, how long have I waited for thee? When the younger brother heard these words he said to himself, So it was here that my brother lived, and this beautiful woman is my sister-in-law. But he kept silence and let her believe he was indeed her husband. Full of joy the princess led him to the old king, who welcomed him as his own son and offered a feast to be made for him. And the princess was beside herself with gladness, but when she would have put her arms around him and kissed him he held up his hand to stop her, saying, Touch me not, at which she marveled greatly. In this manner several days went by, and one evening as the young man leaned from the balcony he saw a bright light shining on the mountain. What can that be, he said to the princess. Oh, come away, she cried. Has not that light already proved your bane? Do you wish to fight a second time with that old witch? He marked her words, though she knew it not. And they taught him where his brother was, and what had befallen him. So before sunrise he stole out early, saddled his horse, and rode off to the mountain. But the way was further than he thought, and on the road he met a little old man who asked him whether he was going. Then the young man told him his story and added, Somehow or other I must free my brother, who has fallen into the power of an old witch. I will tell you what you must do, said the old man. The witch's power lies in her hair. So when you see her spring on her and seize her by the hair, and then she cannot harm you, be careful never to let her hair go. Bid her lead you to your brother, and force her to bring him back to life, for she has an ointment that will heal all wounds, and even wake the dead. And when your brother stands safe and well before you, then cut off her head, for she is a wicked woman. The young man was grateful for these words, and promised to obey them. Then he rode on and soon reached the castle. He walked boldly up the steps and entered the hall. With a hideous old witch came to meet him. She grinned horribly at him and cried out, With one hair of my head I can change you into stone. Can you indeed, said the young man, seizing her by the hair? You old wretch, tell me what you have done with my brother, or I will cut your head off this very instant. Now the witch's strength was all gone from her, and she had to obey. I will take you to your brother, she said, hoping to get the better of him by cunning. But leave me alone. You hold me so tight that I cannot walk. You must manage somehow, he answered, and held her tighter than ever. She led him into a large hall filled with stone statues, which once had been men, and pointing out once she said, There is your brother. The young man looked at them all and shook his head. My brother is not here. Take me to him, or it will be the worst for you. But she tried to put him off with other statues, though it was no good, and it was not until they had reached the last hall of all that he saw his brother lying on the ground. That is my brother, said he. Now give me the ointment that will restore him to life. Very unwillingly the old witch opened a cupboard close by filled with bottles and jars, and took down one and held it out to the young man. But he was on the watch for trickery, and examined it carefully and saw that it had no power to heal. This happened many times, till at length she found it was no use, and gave him the one he wanted. And when he had it safe he made her stoop down and smeared over her brother's face, taking care all the while never to lose her hair. And when the dead man opened his eyes the youth drew his sword and cut off her head with a single blow. Then the elder brother got up and stretched himself and said, Oh, how long have I slept? And where am I? The old witch had enchanted you, but now she is dead and you're free. We will wake up the other nights that she laid under her spells, and then we will go. This they did, and after sharing amongst them the jewels and gold they had found in the castle, each man went his way. The two brothers remained together, the elder tightly grasping the ointment which had brought him back to life. They had much to tell each other as they rode along, and at last the younger man exclaimed, Oh, fool, to leave such a beautiful wife to go and fight a witch! She took me for her husband, and I did not say her nay. When the elder brother heard this a great rage filled his heart, and without saying one word he drew his sword and slew his brother, and his body rolled in the dust. Then he rode on till he reached his home, where his wife was still sitting weeping bitterly. When she saw him she sprang up with a cry and threw herself into his arms. Oh, how long I have waited for thee! Never, never must you leave me any more! When the old king heard the news he welcomed him as a son, and made him ready a feast, and all the court sat down. And in the evening, when the young man was alone with his wife, she said to him, Why would you not let me touch you when you came back, but always thrust me away when I tried to put my arms round you or kiss you? Then the young man understood how true his brother had been to him, and he sat down and wept and wrung his hands because of the wicked murder that he had done. Suddenly he sprang to his feet, for he remembered the ointment which lay hidden in his garments, and he rushed to the place where his brother still lay. He fell on his knees beside the body, and, taking out the sav, he rubbed it over the neck where the wound was gaping wide. And the skin healed and the sinews grew strong, and the dead man sat up and looked round him. And the two brothers embraced each other, and the elder asked forgiveness for his wicked blow. And they went back to the palace together, and were never parted any more. THE PINK FAIRY BOOK By Andrew Lang Master and Pupil From the Danish There was once a man who had a son who was very clever at reading, and took great delight in it. He went out into the world to seek service somewhere, and, as he was walking between some mounds, he met a man who asked him where he was going. I am going about seeking for service, said the boy. Will you serve me? asked the man. Oh yes, just as readily you as anyone else, said the boy. But can you read? asked the man. As well as the priest, said the boy. Then I can't have you, said the man. In fact, I was just wanting a boy who couldn't read. His only work would be to dust my old books. The man then went on his way and left the boy looking after him. It was a pity I didn't get that place, thought he. That was just the very thing for me. Making up his mind to get the situation if possible, he hid himself behind one of the mounds, and turned his jacket outside in so that the man would not know him again so easily. Then he ran along behind the mounds and met the man at the other end of them. Where are you going, my little boy? said the man, who did not notice that it was the same one he had met before. I am going about seeking for service, said the boy. Boy, will you serve me? asked the man. Oh yes, just as readily you as anyone else, said the boy. But can you read? said the man. No, I don't know a single letter, said the boy. The man then took him into his service, and all the work he had to do was to dust his master's books. But as he did this, he had plenty of time to read them as well, and he read away at them until at last he was just as wise as his master, who was a great wizard, and could perform all kinds of magic. Among other feats, he could change himself into the shape of any animal, or any other thing that he pleased. When he had learned all this he did not think it worth while staying there any longer, so he ran away home to his parents again. Soon after this there was a market in the next village, and the boy told his mother that he had learned how to change himself into the shape of any animal he chose. Now, said he, I shall change myself into a horse, and father can take me to market and sell me. I shall come home again all right. His mother was frightened at the idea, but the boy told her that she need not be alarmed. All would be well. So he changed himself into a horse, such a fine horse too, that his father got a high price for it at the market. But after the bargain was made, and the money paid, the boy changed again into his own shape, when no one was looking, and went home. The story spread all over the country about the fine horse that had been sold and then had disappeared, and at last the news came to the ears of the wizard. Aha! said he. This is that boy of mine who befooled me and ran away, but I shall have him yet. The next time that there was a market the boy again changed himself into a horse, and was taken dither by his father. The horse soon found a purchaser, and while the two were inside drinking the luck penny the wizard came along and saw the horse. He knew at once that it was not an ordinary one, so he also went inside, and offered the purchaser far more than he had paid for it, so the latter sold it to him. The first thing the wizard now did was to lead the horse away to a smith, to get a red-hot nail driven into its mouth, because after that it could not change its shape again. When the horse saw this it changed itself to a dove, and flew up into the air. The wizard had once changed himself into a hawk and flew up after it. The dove now turned into a gold ring, and fell into a girl's lap. The hawk now turned into a man and offered the girl a great sum of money for the gold ring, but she would not part with it, seeing that it had fallen down to her as it were from heaven. However the wizard kept on offering her more and more for it, until at last the gold ring grew frightened, and changed itself into a grain of barley, which fell on the ground. The man then turned into a hen, and began to search for the grain of barley, but this again changed itself to a pole cat, and took off the hen's head with a single snap. The wizard was now dead, the pole cat put on human shape, and the youth afterwards married the girl, and from that time forward let all his magic arts alone. End of Master and Pupil, Recording by Elliot Miller, www.voiceofe.com