 dedication and preface of the yellow fairy book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sarah Jennings the yellow fairy book edited by Andrew Lang dedication and preface dedication to Joan Toddles and Tiny books yellow red and green and blue all true or just as good as true and here's the yellow book for you hard as the path from A to Z and puzzling to a curly head yet leads to books green blue and red for every child should understand that letters from the first were planned to guide us into fairyland so labor at your alphabet for by that learning shall you get to lands where fairies may be met and going where this pathway goes you too at last may find who knows the garden of the singing rose preface the editor thinks that children will readily forgive him for publishing another fairy book we have had the blue the red the green and here's the yellow if children are pleased and they are so kind as to say that they are pleased the editor does not care very much for what other people may say now there is one gentleman who seems to think that it is not quite right to print so many fairy tales with pictures and to publish them in red and blue covers he is named Mr. G. Lawrence gum and he is president of a learned body called the folklore society once a year he makes his address to his subjects of whom the editor is one and Mr. Joseph Jacobs who has published many delightful fairy tales with pretty pictures is another fancy then the dismay of Mr. Jacobs and of the editor when they heard their president say that he did not think it very nice in them to publish very books above all red green and blue fairy books they said that they did not see any harm in it and they were ready to put themselves on their country and be tried by a jury of children and indeed they still see no harm in what they have done nay like Father William in the poem they are ready to do it again and again where is the harm the truth is that the folklore society made up of the most clever learned and beautiful men and women of the country is fond of studying the history and geography of fairyland this is contained in very old tales such as country people tell and savages little sue and little crow little frosty Eskimo these people are thought to know most about fairyland and its inhabitants but in the yellow fairy book and the rest are many tales by persons who are neither savages nor rustics such as Madame Delnoy and her Hong's Christian Anderson the folklore society or its president say that their tales are not so true as the rest and should not be published with the rest but we say that all the stories which are pleasant to read are quite true enough for us so here they are with pictures by Mr. Ford and we do not think that either the pictures or the stories are likely to mislead children as to whether there are really any fairies or not that is a difficult question professor Huxley thinks there are none the editor never saw any himself but he knows several people who have seen them in the highlands and heard their music if ever you are in netherlokkaber go to the fairy hill and you may hear the music yourself as grown-up people have done but you must go on a fine day again if there are really no fairies why do people believe in them all over the world the ancient Greeks believed so did the old Egyptians and the Hindus and the red Indians and is it likely if there are no fairies that so many different peoples would have seen them and heard them the Reverend Mr. Baron Gould saw several fairies when he was a boy and was traveling the land of the troubadours for these reasons the editor thinks there are certainly fairies but they never do anyone any harm and in England they have been frightened away by smoke and school masters as to giants they have died out but real dwarfs are common in the forests of Africa probably a good many stories not perfectly true have been told about fairies but such stories have also been told about Napoleon Claver House Julius Caesar and Joan of Arc all of whom certainly existed a wise child will therefore remember that if he grows up and becomes a member of the folklore society all the tales in this book were not offered to him as absolutely truthful but reprinted merely for his entertainment the exact facts he can learn later or he can leave them alone there are Russian German French Icelandic red Indian and other stories here they were translated by Miss cheap Miss Alma Miss Thyra Allen Miss Seller Mr. Craig he did the Icelandic tales Miss Blackley Mrs. Dent and Mrs. Lang but the red Indian stories are copied from English versions published by the Smithsonian Bureau of Ethnology in America Mr. Ford did the pictures and it is hoped that children will find the book not less pleasing than those which have already been submitted to their consideration the editor cannot say goodbye without advising them as they pursue their studies to read the Rose and the Ring by the late Mr. Thackeray with pictures by the author this book he thinks quite indispensable in every child's library and parents should be urged to purchase it at the first opportunity as without it no education is complete a Lang end of dedication and preface chapter one of the yellow fairy book this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Jennifer the yellow fairy book edited by Andrew Lang chapter one the cat and the mouse in partnership a cat had made acquaintance with a mouse and had spoken so much of the great love and friendship she felt for her that at last the mouse consented to live in the same house with her and to go shares in the housekeeping but we must provide for winter or else we shall suffer hunger said the cat you little mouse cannot venture everywhere in case you run at last into a trap. This good counsel was followed and a little pot of fat was bought but they did not know where to put it at length after long consultation. The cat said I know of no place it could be better put than in the church. No one will trouble to take it away from there. We will hide it in a corner and we won't touch it till we are in want. So the little plot was placed in safety but it was not long before the cat had a great longing for it and said to the mouse hmm. I wanted to tell you little mouse that my cousin has a little son white with brown spots and she wants me to be god mother to it. Let me go out today and do you take care of the house alone. Yes go certainly replied the mouse and when you eat anything good think of me. I should very much like a drop of the red christening wine. But it was all untrue. The cat had no cousin and had not been asked to be god mother. She went straight to the church slumped the little pot of fat began to lick it and licked the top off. Then she took a walk on the roofs of the town looked at the view stretched herself out in the sun and licked her lips whenever she thought of the little pot of fat. As soon as it was evening she went home ah here you are again said the mouse you must certainly have had an enjoyable day. It went off very well answered the cat what was the child's name asked the mouse top off replied the cat dryly top off echoed the mouse it is indeed a wonderful and curious name isn't in your family what is there odd about it said the cat it is not worse than bread thief as your godchild is called not long after this another great longing came over the cat she said to the mouse you must again be kind enough to look after the house alone for I have been asked a second time to stand godmother and as this child has a white ring around its neck I cannot refuse the kind mouse agreed but the cat slunk under the town wall to the church and ate up half of the pot of fat hmm nothing tastes better said she then what one eats by oneself and she was very much pleased with her day's work when she came home the mouse asked what was this child called half gone answered the cat half gone what a name I've never heard it in my life I don't believe it is in the calendar soon the cat's mouth began to water once more after her licking business all good things come in threes she said to the mouse I have again to stand godmother the child is quite black and has very white paws but not a single white hair on its body this only happens once in two years so you will let me go out top off half gone repeated the mouse they are such curious names they make me very thoughtful oh you sit at home in your dark gray coat in your long tail said the cat and you get fanciful that comes of not going out in the day the mouse had a good cleaning out while the cat was gone and made the house tidy but the greedy cat ate the fat every bit up when it is all gone one can be at rest she said to herself and at night she came home sleek and satisfied the mouse asked at once after the third child's name it won't please you any better said the cat he was called clean gone repeated the mouse I do not believe that name has been printed any more than the others clean gone what can it mean she shook her head curled herself up and went to sleep from this time on no one asked the cat to stand godmother but when the winter came and there was nothing to be got outside the mouse remembered their provision and said come cat we will go to our pot of fat which we have stored away it will taste very good yes indeed answered the cat it will taste as good as if you stretched your thin tongue out of the window they started off and when they reached it they found the pot in its place but quite empty ah said the mouse now I know what has happened it has all come out you are a true friend to me you have eaten it all when you stood godmother first the top off then half of it gone then will you be quiet screamed the cat another word and I will eat you up clean gone was already on the poor mouse's tongue and scarcely was it out then the cat made a spring at her seized and swallowed her you see that is the way of the world end of chapter one recording by jennifer hilo huay chapter two of the yellow fairy book this is a liver vox recording all liver vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liver vox dot org recording by jackie right now are the yellow fairy book edited by andrew lang chapter two the six swans a king was once hunting in a great wood and he hunted the game so eagerly that none of his courtiers could follow him when evening came on he stood still and looked around him and he saw that he had quite lost himself he sought a way out but could find none then he saw an old woman with a shaking head coming toward him but she was a witch good woman he said to her can you not show me the way out of the wood oh certainly sir king she replied I can quite well do that but on one condition which if you do not fulfill you will never get out of the wood and will die of hunger what is the condition asked the king I have a daughter said the old woman who is so beautiful that she has not her equal in the world and is well fitted to be your wife if you will make her lady queen I will show you the way out of the wood the king in his anguish of mind consented and the old woman led him to her little house where her daughter was sitting by the fire she received the king as if she were expecting him and he saw that she was certainly very beautiful but she did not please him and he could not look at her without a secret feeling of horror as soon as he had lifted the maiden onto his horse the old woman showed him the way and the king reached his palace where the wedding was celebrated the king had already been married once and had by his first wife seven children six boys and one girl whom he loved more than anything in the world and now because he was afraid that their stepmother might not treat them well and might do them harm he put them in a lonely castle that stood in the middle of a wood it lay so hidden and the way to it was so hard to find that he himself could not have found it out had not a wise woman given him a reel of thread which possessed a marvelous property when he threw it before him it unwound itself and showed him the way but the king went so often to his dear children that the queen was offended at his absence she grew curious and wanted to know what he had to do quite alone in the wood she gave his servants a great deal of money and they betrayed the secret to her and also told her of the reel which alone could point out the way she had no rest now so she had found out where the king guarded the reel and then she made some little white shirts and as she had learned from her witch mother so did an enchantment in each of them and when the king had written off she took the little shirts and went into the wood and the reel showed her the way the children who saw someone coming in the distance thought it was their dear father coming to them and sprang to meet him very joyfully then she threw over each one a little shirt which when it had touched their bodies changed them into swans and they flew away over the forest the queen went home quite satisfied and thought she had got rid of her step-children but the girl had not run to meet her with her brothers and she knew nothing of her the next day the king came to visit his children but he found no one but the girl where are your brothers asked the king alas dear father she answered they have gone away and left me all alone and she told him that looking out of her little window she had seen her brothers flying over the wood in the shape of swans and she showed him the feathers which they had let fall in the yard and which she had collected the king mourned but he did not think that the queen had done the wicked deed and as he was afraid the maiden would also be taken from him he wanted to take her with him but she was afraid of the stepmother and begged the king to let her stay just one night more in the castle in the wood the poor maiden thought my home is no longer here i will go and seek my brothers and when night came she fled away into the forest she ran all through the night and the next day till she could go no farther for weariness then she saw a little hut went in and found a room with six little beds she was afraid to lie down on one so she crept under one of them lay on the hard floor and was going to spend the night there but when the sun had set she heard a noise and saw six swans flying in at the window they stood on the floor and blew at one another and blew all their feathers off and their swan skin came off like a shirt then the maiden recognized her brothers and overjoyed she crept out from under the bed her brothers were not less delighted than she to see their little sister again but their joy did not last long you cannot stay here they said to her this is a den of robbers if they were to come here and find you they would kill you could you not protect me asked the little sister no they answered for we can only lay aside our swan skins for quarter of an hour every evening for this time we regain our human forms but then we are changed into swans again then the little sister cried and said can you not be freed oh no they said the conditions are too hard you must not speak or laugh for six years and must make in that time six shirts for us out of star flowers if a single word comes out of your mouth all your labor is in vain and when the brothers had said this the quarter of an hour came to an end and they flew away out of the window as swans but the maiden had determined to free her brothers even if it should cost her her life she left the hut went into the forest climbed a tree and spent the night there the next morning she went out collected star flowers and began to sew she could speak to no one and she had no wish to laugh so she sat there looking only at her work when she had lived there some time it happened that the king of the country was hunting in the forest and his hunters came to the tree on which the maiden sat they called to her and said who are you but she gave no answer come down to us they said we will do you no harm but she shook her head silently as they pressed her further with questions she threw them the golden chain from her neck but they did not leave off and she threw them her girdle and when this was no use her garters and then her dress the huntsman would not leave her alone but climbed the tree lifted the maiden down and led her to the king the king asked who are you what are you doing up that tree but she answered nothing he asked her in all the languages he knew but she remained as dumb as a fish because she was so beautiful however the king's heart was touched and he was seized with a great love for her he wrapped her up in his cloak placed her before him on his horse and brought her to his castle there he had her dressed in rich clothes and her beauty shown out as bright as day but not a word could be drawn from her he set her at table by his side and her modest ways and behavior pleased him so much that he said I will marry this maiden and none other in the world and after some days he married her but the king had a wicked mother who was displeased with the marriage and said wicked things of the young queen who knows who this girl is she said she cannot speak and is not worthy of a king after a year when the queen had her first child the old mother took it away from her then she went to the king and said that the queen had killed it the king would not believe it and would not allow any harm to be done her but she sat quietly sewing at the shirts and troubling herself about nothing the next time she had a child the wicked mother did the same thing but the king could not make up his mind to believe her he said she is too sweet and good to do such a thing as that as she were not dumb and could defend herself her innocence would be proved but when the third child was taken away and the queen was again accused and could not utter a word in her own defense the king was obliged to give her over to the law which decreed that she must be burnt to death when the last day came on which the sentence was to be executed it was the last day of the six years in which she must not speak or laugh and now she had freed her dear brothers from the power of the enchantment the six shirts were done there was only the left sleeve wanting to the last when she was led to the stake she laid the shirts on her arm and as she stood on the pile and the fire was about to be lighted she looked around her and saw six swans flying through the air then she knew that her release was at hand and her heart danced for joy the swans fluttered around her and hovered low so that she could throw the shirts over them when they had touched them the swan's skin fell off and her brothers stood before her living well and beautiful only the youngest had a swan's wing instead of his left arm they embraced and kissed each other and the queen went to the king who was standing by in great astonishment and began to speak to him saying dearest husband now I can speak and tell you openly that I am innocent and have been falsely accused she told him of the old woman's deceit and how she had taken the three children away and hidden them then they were fetched to the great joy of the king and the wicked mother came to no good end but the king and the queen with their six brothers lived many years in happiness and peace end of chapter two recorded by Jackie right now are chapter three of the yellow fairy book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the yellow fairy book edited by Andrew Lang chapter three the dragon of the north de Nordlandstrache from Eastnische Märchen Kreuzwald very long ago as old people have told me they lived a terrible monster who came out of the north and laid waste whole tracts of country devouring both men and beasts and this monster was so destructive that it was feared that unless help came no living creature would be left on the face of the earth it had a body like an ox and legs like a frog two short forelegs and two long ones behind and besides that it had a tail like a serpent ten fathoms and length when it moved it jumped like a frog and with every spring it covered half a mile of ground fortunately its habit was to remain for several years in the same place and not to move on till the whole neighborhood was eating up nothing could hunt it because its whole body was covered with scales which were harder than stone or metal its two great eyes shone by night and even by day like the brightest lamps and anyone who had the ill luck to look into those eyes became as it were bewitched and was obliged to rush of his own accord into the monster's jaws in this way the dragon was able to feed upon both men and beasts without the least trouble to itself as it needed not to move from the spot where it was lying all the neighboring kings had offered rich rewards to anyone who should be able to destroy the monster either by force or enchantment many had tried their luck but all had miserably failed once a great forest in which the dragon lay had been set on fire the forest was burnt down but the fire did not do the monster the least harm however there was a tradition among the wise men of the country that the dragon might be overcome by one who possessed King Solomon's signet ring upon which his secret writing was engraved this inscription would enable anyone who was wise enough to interpret it to find out how the dragon could be destroyed only no one knew where the ring was hidden nor was there any sorcerer or learned man to be found who would be able to explain the inscription at last a young man with a good heart and plenty of courage set out to search for the ring he took his way towards the sun rising because he knew that all the wisdom of all time comes from the east after some years he met with a famous eastern magician and asked for his advice in the matter the magician answered mortal men have but little wisdom and can give you no help but the birds of the air would be better guides to you if he could learn their language I can help you to understand it if you'll stay with me a few days the youth thankfully accepted the magician's offer and said I cannot now offer you any reward for your kindness but should my undertaking succeed your trouble shall be richly repaid then the magician brewed a powerful potion out of nine sorts of herbs which he had gathered himself all alone by moonlight and he gave the youth nine spoonfuls of it daily for three days which made him able to understand the language of birds at parting the magician said to him if you ever find Solomon's ring and get possession of it then come back to me that I may explain the inscription on the ring to you for there is no one else in the world who can do this from that time the youth never felt lonely as he walked along he always had company because he understood the language of birds and in this way he learned many things which me a human knowledge could never have taught him but time went on and he heard nothing about the ring it happened one evening when he was hot and tired with walking and it sat down under a tree in forest to eat a supper that he saw two gaily plumaged birds that were strange to him sitting at the top of the tree talking to one another about him the first bird said I know that wandering soul under the tree there who has come so far without finding what he seeks he is trying to find King Solomon's lost ring the other bird answered he will have to seek help from the witch maiden who will doubtless be able to put him on the right track if she is not got the ring herself she knows well enough who has it but where is he to find the witch maiden said the first bird she has no settled dwelling but is here today and gone tomorrow he might as well try to catch the wind the other replied I do not know certainly where she is at present but in three nights from now she will come to the spring to wash her face as she does every month when the moon is full in order that she may never grow old nor wrinkled but may always keep the bloom of youth well said the first bird the spring is not far from here shall we go and see how it is she does it willingly if you like said the other the youth immediately resolved to follow the birds to the spring only two things made him uneasy first lest you might be asleep when the birds went and secondly lest you might lose sight of them since he had not wings to carry him along so swiftly he was too tired to keep awake all night yet his anxiety prevented him from sleeping soundly and when with the earliest dawn he looked up to the treetop he was glad to see his feathered companion still asleep with the heads under their wings he ate his breakfast and waited until the birds should start but they did not leave the place all day they hopped about from one tree to another looking for food all day long until the evening when they went back to their old purge to sleep the next day the same thing happened but on the third morning one bird said to the other today we must go to the spring to see the witchmaiden wash her face they remained on the tree till noon then they flew away and went towards the south the young man's heart beat with anxiety lest he should lose sight of his guides but he managed to keep the birds in view until they again perched upon a tree the young man ran after them until he was quite exhausted and out of breath and after three short rests the birds at length reached a small open space in the forest on the edge of which they placed themselves on the top of a high tree when the youth had overtaken them he saw that there was a clear spring in the middle of the space he sat down at the foot of the tree upon which the birds were perched and listened attentively to what they were saying to each other the sun is not down yet set the first bird we must wait yet a while till the moon rises and the maiden comes to the spring do you think she will see that young man sitting under the tree nothing is likely to escape her eyes certainly not a young man said the other bird will the youth have the sense not to let himself be caught in her toils we will wait said the first bird and see how they get on together the evening lighted quite faded and the full moon was already shining down upon the forest when the young man had a slight rustling sound after a few moments they came out of the forest a maiden gliding over the grass so lightly that her feet seemed scarcely to touch the ground and stood beside the spring the youth could not turn away his eyes from the maiden for he had never in his life seen a woman so beautiful without seeming to notice anything she went to the spring looked up to the full moon then knelt down and bathed her face nine times then looked up to the moon again and walked nine times round the well and as she walked she sang this song full faced moon was light and shaded let my beauty near be faded never let my cheek grow pale while the moon is waning nightly may the maiden bloom more brightly may her freshness never fail then she dried her face with her long hair and was about to go away when her eyes suddenly fell upon the spot where the young man was sitting and she turned towards the tree the youth rose and stood waiting then the maiden said you ought to have a heavy punishment because you have presumed to watch my secret doings in the moonlight but i will forgive you this time because you are a stranger and you know better but you must tell me truly who you are and how you came to this place where no mortal has ever set foot before the youth answered humbly forgive me beautiful maiden if i have unintentionally offended you i chance to come here after long wandering and found a good place to sleep under this tree at your coming i did not know what to do but stayed where i was because i thought my silent watching could not offend you the maiden answered kindly come and spend this night with us you will sleep better on a pillow than on damp moss the youth hesitated for a little but presently he heard the birds saying from the top of the tree go where she calls you but take care to give no blood or you will sell your soul so the youth went with her and soon they reached a beautiful garden wasted a splendid house which glittered in the moonlight as if it was all built out of gold and silver when the youth entered he found many splendid chambers each one finer than the last hundreds of tapers burned upon golden candlesticks and shed a light like the brightest day at length they reached a chamber where a table was spread with the most costly dishes at the table were placed two chairs one of silver the other of gold the maiden seated herself upon the golden chair and offered the silver one to her companion they were served by maidens dressed in white whose feet make no sound as they moved about and not a word was spoken during the meal afterwards the youth and the witch maiden conversed pleasantly together until a woman dressed in red came in to remind them that it was bedtime the youth was now shown into another room containing a silken bed with down cushions where he slept delightfully yet he seemed to hear a voice near his bed which repeated to him remember to give no blood the next morning the maiden asked him whether he would not like to stay with her always in this beautiful place and as he did not answer immediately she continued, you see how I always remain young and beautiful and I am under no one's orders but can do just what I like so that I've never thought of marrying before but from the moment I saw you I took a fancy to you so if you agree we might be married and might live together like princess because I have great riches the youth could not but be tempted with a beautiful maiden's offer but he remembered how the birds had called her the witch and their warning always sounded in his ears therefore he answered cautiously do not be angry dear maiden if I do not decide immediately on this important matter give me a few days to consider before we come to an understanding why not answer the maiden take some weeks to consider if you like and take counsel with your own heart and to make the time pass pleasantly she took the youth over every part of her beautiful dwelling and showed him all her splendid treasures but these treasures were all produced by enchantment for the maiden could make anything she wished appear by the help of King Solomon's signet ring only none of these things remained fixed they passed away like the wind without leaving a trace behind but the youth did not know this he thought they were all real one day the maiden took him into a secret chamber where a little gold box was standing on a silver table pointing to the box she said here's my greatest treasure whose like is not to be found in the whole world it is a precious gold ring when you marry me I will give you this ring as a marriage gift and it will make you the happiest of mortal men but in order that her love may last forever you must give me for the ring three drops of blood from the little finger of your left hand when the youth heard these words a cold shudder ran over him for he remembered that his soul was at stake he was cunning enough however to conceal his feelings and to make no direct answer but he only asked the maiden as of carelessly what was remarkable about the ring she answered no mortal is able entirely to understand the power of this ring because no one thoroughly understands the secret signs engraved upon it but even with my half knowledge I can work great wonders if I put the ring upon the little finger of my left hand then I can fly like a bird through the air wherever I wish to go if I put it on the third finger of my left hand I am invisible and I can see everything that passes around me though no one can see me if I put the ring upon the middle finger of my left hand then neither fire nor water nor any sharp weapon can hurt me if I put it on the fourth finger of my left hand then I can with its help produce whatever I wish I can in a single moment build houses or anything I desire finally as long as I wear the ring on the thumb of my left hand that hand is so strong that it can break down rocks and walls besides these the ring has other secret signs which as I said no one can understand no doubt it contains secrets of great importance the ring formerly belonged to king Solomon the wisest of kings during whose reign the wisest men lived but it is not known whether this ring was ever made by mortal hands it is supposed that an angel gave it to the wise king when the youth heard all this he determined to try and get possession of the ring though he did not quite believe in all its wonderful gifts he wished the maiden would let him have it in his hand but he did not quite like to ask her to do so and after a while she put it back into the box a few days after they were again speaking of the magic ring and the youth said I did not think it possible that the ring can have all the power you say it has then the maiden opened the box and took the ring out and it glittered as she held it like the clearest sunbeam she put it on the middle finger of her left hand and told the youth to take a knife and try as hard as you could to cut her with it for you would not be able to hurt her he was unwilling at first but the maiden insisted then he tried at first only in play and then seriously to strike her with a knife but an invisible wall of iron seemed to be between them and the maiden stood before him laughing and unhurt then she put the ring on her third finger and in an instant she had vanished from his eyes presently she was beside him again laughing at holding the ring between her fingers do let me try said the youth whether i can do these wonderful things the maiden suspecting no treachery gave him the magic ring the youth pretended to have forgotten what to do and asked what finger he must put the ring on so that no sharp weapon could hurt him oh the middle finger of your left hand the maiden answered laughing she took the knife and tried to strike the youth and he even tried to cut himself with it but found it impossible then he asked the maiden to show him how to split stones and rocks with the help of the ring so she led him into a courtyard wasted a great boulder stone now she said put the ring upon the thumb of your left hand and you will see how strong that hand has become the youth did so and found to his astonishment that with a single blow of his fist the stone flew into a thousand pieces then the youth besought him that he who does not use his luck when he has it is a fool and that this was a chance which one's lost might never return so while they stood laughing at the shattered stone he placed the ring as if in play upon the third finger of his left hand now said the maiden you are invisible to me until you take the ring off again but the youth had no mind to do that on the contrary he went further off and put the ring on the little finger of his left hand and soared into the air like a bird when the maiden saw him flying away she thought at first that he was still in play and cried come back friend for now you see I have told you the truth but the young man never came back then the maiden saw that she was deceived and bitterly repented that she had ever trusted him with the ring the young man never halted in his flight until he reached the dwelling of the wise magician who had taught him the speech of birds the magician was delighted to find that his search had been successful and it once said to work to interpret the secret signs engraved upon the ring but it took him seven weeks to make them out clearly then he gave the youth the following instructions how to overcome the dragon of the north you must have an iron horse cast which must have little wheels under each foot you must also be armed with a spear two fathoms long which you will be able to wield by means of the magic ring upon your left thumb the spear must be as thick in the middle as a large tree and both its ends must be sharp in the middle of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms and length as soon as the dragon has made himself fast to the spear which you must thrust through his jaws you must spring quickly from the iron horse and fasten the ends of the chains firmly to the ground with iron stakes so that he cannot get away from them after two or three days the monster strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able to come near him then you can put Solomon's ring upon your left thumb and give him the finishing stroke but keep the ring on your third finger until you have come close to him so that the monster cannot see you else he might strike you dead with this long tail but when all is done take care you do not lose the ring and that no one takes it from you by cunning the young man thanked the magician for his directions and promised should they succeed to reward him but the magician answered i have profited so much by the wisdom the ring has taught me that i desire no other reward then they parted and the youth quickly flew home through the air after remaining in his own home for some weeks he heard people say that the terrible dragon of the north was not far off and might shortly be expected in the country the king announced publicly that he would give his daughter in marriage as well as a large part of his kingdom to whosoever should free the country from the monster the youth then went to the king and told him that he had good hopes of subduing the dragon if the king would grant him all he desired for the purpose the king willingly agreed and the iron horse the great spear and the chains were all prepared as the youth requested when all was ready it was found that the iron horse was so heavy that a hundred men could not move it from the spot so the youth found there was nothing for it but to move it with his own strength by means of the magic ring the dragon was now so near that in a couple of springs he would be over the frontier the youth now began to consider how he should act for if he had to push the iron horse from behind he could not ride upon it as the sorcerer had said he must but a raven unexpectedly gave him this advice ride upon the horse and push the spear against the ground as if you were pushing off a boat from the land the youth did so and found that in this way he could easily move forwards the dragon had his monstrous jaws wide open all ready for his expected prey a few paces nearer and man and horse would have been swallowed up by them the youth trembled with horror and his blood ran cold yet he did not lose his courage but holding the iron spear upright in his hand he brought it down with all his might right through the monster's lower jaw then quick as lightning he sprang from his horse before the dragon had time to shut his mouth a fearful clap like thunder which could be heard for miles around now warned him that the dragon's jaws had closed upon the spear when the youth turned round he saw the point of the spear sticking up high above the dragon's upper jaw and knew that the other end must be fastened firmly to the ground but the dragon had got his teeth fixed in the iron horse which was now useless the youth now hastened to fasten down the chains to the ground by means of the enormous iron pegs which he had provided the death struggle of the monster lasted three days and three nights in his writhing he beat his tail so violently against the ground that at ten miles distance the earth trembled as if with an earthquake when he at length lost power to move his tail the youths with the help of the ring took up a stone which twenty ordinary men could not have moved and beat the dragon so hard about the head with it that very soon the monster lay lifeless before him he can fancy how great was the rejoicing when the news was spread broad that the terrible monster was dead his conqueror was received into the city with as much pomp as if he had been the mightiest of kings the old king did not need to urch his daughter to marry the slayer of the dragon he found her already willing to bestow her hand upon this hero who had done all alone what whole armies had tried and vain to do in a few days a magnificent wedding was celebrated at which the rejoicings lasted four whole weeks for all the neighboring kings had met together to thank the man who had freed the world from their common enemy but everyone forgot amid the general joy that they ought to have buried the dragon's monstrous body for it began now to have such a bad smell that no one could live in the neighborhood and before long the whole air was poisoned and a pestilence broke out which destroyed many hundreds of people in this distress the king's son-in-law resolved to seek help once more from the eastern magician to whom he at once traveled through the air like a bird by the help of the ring but there is a proverb which says that ill-gotten gains never prosper and the prince found that the stolen ring brought him ill luck after all the witch maiden had never rested night nor day until she had found out where the ring was as soon as she had discovered by means of magical arts that the prince in the form of a bird was on his way to the eastern magician she changed herself into an eagle and watched in the air until the bird she was waiting for came in sight for she knew him at once by the ring which was hung round his neck by a ribbon then the eagle pounced upon the bird and the moment she seized him and her talents she tore the ring from his neck before the man and bird's shape had time to prevent her then the eagle flew down to the earth with her prey and the two stood face to face once more in human form now villain you are in my power cried the witch maiden i favored you with my love and you repaid me with treachery and theft you stole my most precious jewel from me and you expect to live happily as the king's son-in-law now the tables are turned you are in my power and i will be revenged on you for your crimes forgive me forgive me cried the prince i know too well how deeply i have wronged you and most heartily do i repent it the maiden answered your prayers and your repentance come too late and if i would spare you everyone would think me a fool you have doubly wronged me first you scorned my love and then you stole my ring and you must bear the punishment with these words she put the ring upon her left thumb lifted the young man with one hand and walked away with him under her arm this time she did not take him to a splendid palace but to a deep cave in a rock whether were chains hanging from the wall the maiden now chained the young man's hands and feet so that he could not escape then she said in an angry voice here you shall remain chained up until you die i will bring you every day enough food to prevent you dying of hunger but you need never hope for freedom anymore with these words she left him the old king and his daughter waited anxiously for many weeks for the prince's return but no news of him arrived the king's daughter often dreamed that her husband was going through some great suffering she therefore begged her father to summon all the enchantas and magicians that they might try to find out where the prince was and how he could be set free but the magicians with all their arts could find out nothing except that he was still living and undergoing great suffering but none could tell where he was to be found at last celebrated magician from Finland was brought before the king who had found out that the king's son-in-law was imprisoned in the east not by men but by some more powerful being the king now sent messengers to the east to look for his son-in-law and they by good luck met with the old magician who had interpreted the signs on king Solomon's ring and thus was possessed of more wisdom than anyone else in the world the magician soon found out what he wished to know and pointed out the place where the prince was imprisoned but said he is kept there by enchantment and cannot be set free without my help I will therefore go with you myself so they all set out guided by birds and after some days came to the cave where the unfortunate prince had been chained up for nearly seven years he recognized the magician immediately but the old man did not know him he had grown so thin however he undid the chains by the help of magic and took care of the prince until he recovered and became strong enough to travel when he reached home he found that the old king had died that morning so that he was now raised to the throne and now after his long suffering came prosperity which lasted to the end of his life but he never got back the magic ring nor has it ever again been seen by mortal eyes now if you had been the prince would you not rather have stayed with a pretty witchmaiden end of chapter three chapter four of the yellow fairy book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Miranda Stinson the yellow fairy book edited by Andrew Lang chapter four story of the emperor's new clothes Anderson many years ago there lived an emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on them in order to be beautifully dressed he did not care about his soldiers he did not care about the theater he only liked to go out walking and show off his new clothes he had a coat for every hour of the day and just as they say of a king he is in the council chamber they always said here the emperor is in the wardrobe in the great city in which he lived there was always something going on every day many strangers came there one day two imposters arrived who gave themselves out as weavers and said that they knew how to manufacture the most beautiful cloth imaginable not only were the texture and pattern uncommonly beautiful but the clothes which were made up of the stuff possessed this wonderful property that they were invisible to anyone who was not fit for his office or who was unpardonably stupid those must indeed be splendid clothes thought the emperor if i had them on i could find out which men in my kingdom are unfit for the offices they hold i could distinguish the wise from the stupid yes this cloth must be woven for me at once and he gave both the imposters much money so that they might begin their work they placed two weaving looms and began to do as if they were working but they had not the least thing on the looms they also demanded the finest silk and the best gold which they put in their pockets and worked at the empty looms till late into the night i should like very much to know how far they have got on with the cloth thought the emperor but he remembered when he thought about it that whoever was stupid or not fit for his office would not be able to see it now he certainly believed that he had nothing to fear for himself but he wanted first to send somebody else in order to see how he stood with regard to his office everybody in the whole town knew what a wonderful power the cloth had and they were all curious to see how bad or stupid their neighbor was i will send my honored minister to the weavers thought the emperor he can best judge what the cloth is like for he has intellect and no one understands his office better than he now the good old minister went into the hall where the two imposters sat working at the empty weaving looms dear me thought the old minister opening his eyes wide i can see nothing but he did not say so both the imposters begged him to be so kind as to step closer and ask them if it were not a beautiful texture and lovely colors they pointed to the empty loom and the poor old minister went forward rubbing his eyes but he could see nothing for nothing was there dear dear thought he can i be stupid i have never thought that and nobody must know it can i be not fit for my office no i must certainly not say that i cannot see the cloth have you nothing to say about it asked one of the men who was weaving oh it is lovely most lovely answered the old minister looking through his spectacles what a texture what colors yes i will tell the emperor that it pleases me very much now we are delighted that said both the weavers and there upon they named the colors and explained the make of the texture the old minister paid great attention so that he could tell the same to the emperor when he came back to him which he did the imposters now wanted more money more silk and more gold to use in their weaving they put it all in their own pockets and there came no threads on the loom but they went on as they had done before working at the empty loom the emperor soon sent another worthy statement to see how the weaving was getting on and whether the cloth would soon be finished it was the same with him as the first one he looked and looked but because there was nothing on the empty loom he could see nothing is it not a beautiful piece of cloth asked the two imposters and they pointed to and described the splendid material which was not there stupid I am not thought the man so it must be my good office for which I am not fitted it is strange certainly but no one must be allowed to notice it and so he praised the cloth which he did not see and expressed to them his delight at the beautiful colors and the splendid texture yes it is quite beautiful he said to the emperor everybody in the town was talking of the magnificent cloth now the emperor wanted to see it himself while it was still on the loom with a great crowd of select followers amongst whom were both the worthy statesmen who had already been there before he went to the cunning imposters who were now weaving with all their might but without fiber or thread is it not splendid said both the old statesmen who had already been there see your majesty what a texture what colors and then they pointed to the empty loom for they believed that the others could see the cloth quite well what thought the emperor I can see nothing this is indeed horrible am I stupid am I not fit to be emperor that were the most dreadful thing that could happen to me oh it is very beautiful he said it has my gracious approval and then he nodded pleasantly and examined the empty loom for he would not say that he could see nothing so the emperor went along in the procession under the splendid canopy and all the people in the streets and at the windows said how matchless are the emperor's new clothes that train fastened to his dress how beautifully it hangs no one wished it to be noticed that he could see nothing for then he would have been unfit for his office or else very stupid none of the emperor's clothes had met with such approval as these had but he has nothing on said a little child at last just listen to the innocent child said the father and each one whispered to his neighbor what the child has said but he has nothing on the whole of the people cried out at last this struck the emperor for it seemed to him as if they were right but he thought to himself I must go on with the procession now and the chamberlains walked along still more uprightly holding the train which was not there at all end of chapter four recording by Miranda Stinson this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Yellow Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang Chapter 5 The Golden Crab Prince Krebs from Griechische Merchen Schmidt once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three children every morning he used to go out fishing and whatever fish he caught he sold to the king one day among the other fishes he caught a golden crab when he came home he put all the fishes together into a great dish but he kept the crab separate because it shone so beautifully and placed it upon a high shelf in the cupboard now when the old woman his wife was cleaning the fish and had tucked up her gown so that her feet were visible she suddenly heard a voice which said let down let down thy petticoat that lets thy feet be seen she turned round in surprise and then she saw the little creature the golden crab what you can speak can you you ridiculous crab she said for she was not quite pleased at the crab's remarks then she took him up and placed him on a dish when her husband came home and they sat down to dinner they presently heard the crab's little voice saying give me some too they were all very much surprised but they gave him something to eat when the old man came to take away the plate which had contained the crab's dinner he found it full of gold and as the same thing happened every day he soon became very fond of the crab one day the crab said to the fisherman's wife go to the king and tell him i wish to marry his younger daughter the old woman went accordingly and laid the matter before the king who laughed a little at the notion of his daughter marrying a crab but did not decline the proposal altogether because he was a prudent monarch and knew that the crab was likely to be a prince in disguise he said therefore to the fisherman's wife go old woman and tell the crab i will give him my daughter if by tomorrow morning he can build a wall in front of my castle much higher than my tower upon which all the flowers of the world must grow and bloom the fisherman's wife went home and gave this message then the crab gave her a golden rod and said go and strike with this rod three times upon the ground on the place which the king showed you and tomorrow morning the wall will be there the old woman did so and went away again the next morning when the king awoke what do you think he saw the wall stood there before his eyes exactly as he had bespoken it then the old woman went back to the king and said to him your majesty's orders have been fulfilled that is all very well said the king but i cannot give away my daughter until there stands in front of my palace a garden in which there are three fountains of which the first must play gold the second diamonds and the third brilliance so the old woman had to strike again three times upon the ground with the rod and the next morning the garden was there the king now gave his consent and the wedding was fixed for the very next day then the crab said to the old fisherman now take this rod go and knock with it on a certain mountain then a black man footnote i'm more end of footnote will come out and ask you what you wish for answer him thus your master the king has sent me to tell you that you must send him his golden garment that is like the sun make him give you besides the queenly robes of gold and precious stones which are like the flowery meadows and bring them both to me and bring with me also the golden cushion the old man went and did his errand when he had brought the precious robes the crab put on the golden garment and then crept upon the golden cushion and in this way the fisherman carried him to the castle where the crab presented the other garment to his bride now the ceremony took place and when the married pair were alone together the crab made himself known to his young wife and told her how he was the son of the greatest king in the world and how he was enchanted and that he became a crab by day and was a man only at night and he could also change himself into an eagle as often as he wished no sooner had he said this than he shook himself and immediately became a handsome youth but the next morning he was forced to creep back again into his crab shell and the same thing happened every day but the princess's affection for the crab and the polite attention with which she behaved to him surprised the royal family very much they suspected some secret but though they spied and spied they could not discover it thus a year passed away and the princess had a son whom she called Benjamin but her mother still thought the whole matter very strange at last she said to the king that he ought to ask his daughter whether she would not like to have another husband instead of the crab but when the daughter was questioned she only answered I am married to the crab and him only will I have then the king said to her I will appoint a tournament in your honor and I will invite all the princes in the world to it and if any one of them pleases you you shall marry him in the evening the princess told this to the crab who said to her take this rod go to the garden gate and knock with it then a black man will come out and say to you why have you called me when what do you require of me answer him thus your master the king has sent me hither to tell you to send him his golden armor and his steed and the silver apple and bring them to me the princess did so and brought him what he desired the following evening the prince dressed himself for the tournament before he went he said to his wife now mind you do not say when you see me that I am the crab for if you do this evil will come of it place yourself at the window with your sisters I will ride by and throw you the silver apple take it in your hand but if they ask you who I am say that you do not know so saying he kissed her repeated his warning once more and went away the princess went with her sisters to the window and looked on at the tournament presently her husband rode by and threw the apple up to her she caught it in her hand and went with it to her room and by and by her husband came back to her but her father was much surprised that she did not seem to care about any of the princess he therefore appointed a second tournament the crab then gave his wife the same directions as before only this time the apple which she received from the black man was of gold but before the prince went to the tournament he said to his wife now I know you will betray me today but she swore to him that she would not tell who he was he then repeated his warning and went away in the evening while the princess with her mother and sisters was standing at the window the prince suddenly galloped past on his steed and threw her the golden apple then her mother flew into a passion gave her a box on the air and cried out does not even that prince please you you fool the princess in her fright exclaimed well that is the crab himself her mother was still more angry because she had not been told sooner ran into her daughter's room where the crab shell was still lying took it up and threw it into the fire then the poor princess cried bitterly but it was of no use her husband did not come back now we must leave the princess and turn to other persons in the story one day an old man went to a stream to dip in a crust of bread which he was going to eat when a dog came out of the water snatched the bread from his hand and ran away the old man ran after him but the dog reached a door pushed it open and ran in the old man following him he did not overtake the dog but found himself above a staircase which he descended then he saw before him a stately palace and entering he found in a large hall a table set for twelve persons he hid himself in the hall behind a great picture that he might see what would happen at noon he heard a great noise so that he trembled with fear when he took courage to look out from behind the picture he saw twelve eagles flying in at this site his fear became still greater the eagles flew to the basin of a fountain that was there and bathed themselves when suddenly they were changed into twelve handsome youths now they seated themselves at the table and one of them took up a goblet filled with wine and said a health to my father and another said a health to my mother and so the health went round and one of them said a health to my dearest lady long may she live and well but a curse on the cruel mother that burnt my golden shell and so saying he wept bitterly then the youths rose from the table went back to the great stone fountain turned themselves into eagles again and flew away then the old man went away to return to the light of day and went home soon after he heard that the princess was ill and that the only thing that did her good was having stories told to her he therefore went to the royal castle obtained an audience of the princess and told her about the strange things he had seen in the underground palace no sooner had he finished than the princess asked him whether he could find the way to that palace yes he answered certainly and now she desired him to guide her thither at once the old man did so and when they came to the palace he hid her behind the great picture and advised her to keep quite still and he placed himself behind the picture also presently the eagles came flying in and changed themselves into young men and in a moment the princess recognized her husband amongst them all and tried to come out of her hiding place but the old man held her back the youths seated themselves at the table and now the prince said again while he took up the cup of wine a health to my dearest lady long may she live and well but a curse on the cruel mother that burnt my golden shell then the princess could restrain herself no longer but ran forward and threw her arms around her husband and immediately he knew her again and said do you remember how i told you that day that you would betray me now you see that i spoke the truth but all that time is past now listen to me i must still remain enchanted for three months will you stay here with me until that time is over so the princess stayed with him and said to the old man go back to the castle and tell my parents that i am staying here her parents were very much vexed when the old man came back and told them this but as soon as the three months of the princess enchantment were over he ceased to be an eagle and became once more a man and they returned home together and then they lived happily and we who hear the story are happier still end of chapter five chapter six of the yellow fairy book this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org the yellow fairy book edited by andrew lang chapter six the iron stove footnote grim end of footnote once upon a time when wishes came true there was a king's son who was enchanted by an old witch so that he was obliged to sit in a large iron stove in a wood there he lived for many years and no one could free him at last a king's daughter came into the wood she had lost her way and could not find her father's kingdom again she had been wandering round and round for nine days and she came at last to the iron case a voice came from within and asked her where do you come from and where do you want to go she answered i've lost my way to my father's kingdom and i shall never get home again then the voice from the iron stove said i will help you find your home again and that in a very short time if you will promise to do what i ask you i am a greater prince than you are a princess and i will marry you then she grew frightened and thought what can a young lassie do with an iron stove but as she wanted very much to go home to her father she promised to do what he wished he said you must come again and bring a knife with you to scrape a hole in the iron then he gave her someone for a guide who walked near her and said nothing but he brought her in two hours to her house there was great joy in the castle when the princess came back and the old king fell on her neck and kissed her but she was very much troubled and said dear father listen to what has befallen me i should never have come home again out of the great wild wood if i had not come to an iron stove to whom i have had to promise that i will go back to free him and marry him the old king was so frightened that he nearly fainted for she was his only daughter so they consulted together and determined that the miller's daughter who was very beautiful should take her place they took her there gave her a knife and said she must scrape at the iron stove she scraped for 24 hours but did not make the least impression when the day broke a voice called from the iron stove it seems to me that it is day outside then she answered it seems to me i think i hear my father's mill rattling so you are a miller's daughter then go away at once and tell the king's daughter to come then she went away and told the old king that the thing inside the iron stove would not have her but wanted the princess the old king was frightened and his daughter wept but they had a swine herds daughter who was even more beautiful than the miller's daughter and they gave her a piece of gold to go to the iron stove instead of the princess then she was taken out and had to scrape for four and twenty hours but she could make no impression as soon as the day broke the voice from the stove called out it seems to be daylight outside then she answered it seems so to me too i think i hear my father blowing his horn so you are a swine herds daughter go away at once and let the king's daughter come and say to her that what i foretell shall come to pass and if she does not come everything in the kingdom shall fall into ruin and not one stone shall be left upon another when the princess heard this she began to cry but it was no good she had to keep her word she took leave of her father put a knife in her belt and went to the iron stove in the wood as soon as she reached it she began to scrape and the iron gave way and before two hours had passed she had made a little hole then she peeped in and saw such a beautiful youth all shining with gold and precious stones that she fell in love with him on the spot so she scraped away harder than ever and made the hole so large that he could get out then he said you are mine and i am thine you are my bride and have set me free he wanted to take her with him to his kingdom but she begged him just to let her go once more to her father and the prince let her go but told her not to say more than three words to her father then to come back again so she went home but alas she said more than three words and immediately the iron stove vanished and went away over a mountain of glass and sharp swords but the prince was free and no longer shut up in it then she said goodbye to her father and took a little money with her and went again to the great wood to look for the iron stove but she could not find it she sought it for nine days and then her hunger became so great that she did not know how she could live any longer and when it was evening she climbed a little tree and wished that the night would not come because she was afraid of the wild beasts when midnight came she saw far off a little light and thought ah if i could only reach that then she got down from the tree and went towards the light she came to a little old house with a great deal of grass growing round and stood in front of a little heap of wood she thought alas what am i coming to and she peeped through the window but she saw nothing inside except big and little toads and a table beautifully spread with roast meats and wine and all the dishes and drinking cups were of silver then she took heart and knocked then a fat toad called out little green toad with leg like crook open wide the door and look who it was the latch that shook and a little toad came forward and let her in when she entered they all been her welcome and made her sat down they asked her how she came there and what she wanted then she told everything that had happened to her and how because she had exceeded her permission only to speak three words the stove had disappeared with the prince and how she had searched a very long time and must wander over mountain and valley till she found him then the old toad said little green toad whose leg doth twist go to the corner of which you wist and bring to me the large old kiss and the little toad went and brought out a great chest then they gave her food and drink and led her to a beautifully made bed of silk and samite on which she lay down and slept soundly when the day dawned she arose and the old toad gave her three things out of the huge chest to take with her she would have need of them for she had to cross a high glass mountain three cutting swords and a great lake when she had passed these she would find her lover again so she was given three large needles a plow wheel and three nuts which she was to take great care of she set out with these things and when she came to the glass mountain which was so slippery she stuck the three needles behind her feet and then in front and so got over it and when she was on the other side put them carefully away then she reached the three cutting swords and got on her plow wheel and rolled over them at last she came to a great lake and when she had crossed that arrived at a beautiful castle she went in and gave herself out as a servant a poor maid who would gladly be engaged but she knew that the prince whom she had freed from the iron stove in the great wood was in the castle so she was taken on as a kitchen maid for very small wages now the prince was about to marry another princess for he thought she was dead long ago in the evening when she had washed up and was ready she felt in her pocket and found the three nuts which the old toad had given her she cracked one and was going to eat the kernel when behold there was a beautiful royal dress inside it when the bride heard of this she came and begged for the dress and wanted to buy it saying that it was not a dress for a serving maid then she said she would not sell it unless she was granted one favor namely to sleep by the prince's door the bride granted her this because the dress was so beautiful and she had so few like it when it was evening she said to her bridegroom that stupid maid wants to sleep by your door if you are contented I am he said but she gave him a glass of wine in which she had poured a sleeping draft then they both went to his room but he slept so soundly that she could not wake him the maid wept all night long and said I freed you in the wild wood out of the iron stove I have sought you and have crossed a glassy mountain three sharp swords and a great lake before I found you and you will not hear me now the servants outside heard how she cried the whole night and they told their master in the morning when she had washed up the next evening she bit the second nut and there was a still more beautiful dress inside when the bride saw it she wanted to buy it also but the maid did not want money and asked that she should sleep again by the prince's door the bride however gave him a sleeping draft and he slept so soundly that he heard nothing but the kitchen maid wept the whole night long and said I have freed you in a wood and from an iron stove I sought you and have crossed a glassy mountain three sharp swords and a great lake to find you and now you will not hear me the servants outside heard how she cried the whole night and in the morning they told their master and when she had washed up on the third night she bit the third nut and there was a still more beautiful dress inside that was made of pure gold when the bride saw it she wanted to have it but the maid would only give it to her on condition that she should sleep for the third time by the prince's door but the prince took care not to drink the sleeping draft when she began to weep and to say dearest sweetheart I freed you in the horrible wild wood and from an iron stove he jumped up and said you are right you are mine and I am thine though it was still night he got into a carriage with her and they took the false bride's clothes away so that she could not follow them when they came to the great lake they rode across and when they reached the three sharp swords they sat on the plow wheel and on the glassy mountain they stuck the three needles in so they arrived at last at the little old house but when they stepped inside it turned into a large castle the toads were all freed and were beautiful king's children running about for joy there they were married and they remained in the castle which was much larger than that of the princess's fathers but because the old man did not like being left alone they went and fetched him so they had two kingdoms and lived in great wealth a mouse has run my story is done end of chapter six chapter seven of the yellow fairy book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Jennifer the yellow fairy book edited by Andrew Lang chapter seven the dragon and his grandmother there was once a great war and the king had a great many soldiers but he gave them so little pay that they could not live upon it then three of them took council together and determined to desert one of them said to the others if we are caught we shall be hanged on the gallows how shall we set about it the other said do you see that large cornfield there if we were to hide ourselves in that no one could find us the army cannot come into it and tomorrow it is to march on they crept into the corn but the army did not march on but remained encamped close around they sat for two days and two nights in the corn and grew so hungry that they nearly died but if they were to venture out it was certain death they said at last what use was it our deserting we must perish here miserably whilst they were speaking a fiery dragon came flying through the air it hovered near them and asked why they were hidden there they answered we are three soldiers and have deserted because our pay was so small now if we remain here we shall die of hunger and if we move out we shall be strung up on the gallows if you will serve me for seven years said the dragon i will lead you through the midst of the army so that no one shall catch you we have no choice and must take your offer said they then the dragon seized them in his claws took them through the air over the army and set them down on the earth a long way from it he gave them a little whip saying whip and slash with this and as much money as you want we'll jump up before you you can then live as great lords keep horses and drive about in carriages but after seven years you are mine then he put a book before them which he made all three of them sign i will then give you a riddle he said if you guess it you shall be free and out of my power the dragon then flew away and they journeyed on with their little whip they had as much money as they wanted wore grand clothes and made their way into the world wherever they went they lived in merry making and splendor drove about with horses and carriages ate and drank but did nothing wrong the time passed quickly by and when the seven years were nearly ended two of them grew terribly anxious and frightened but the third made light of it saying don't be afraid brothers i wasn't born yesterday i will guess the riddle they went into a field sat down and the two pulled long faces an old woman passed by and asked them why they were so sad alas what of you to do with it you cannot help us who knows she answered only confide your trouble in me then they told her that they had become the servants of the dragon for seven long years and how he had given them money as plentifully as blackberries but as they had signed their names they were his unless when the seven years had passed they could guess a riddle the old woman said if you would help yourselves one of you must go into the wood and there he will come upon a tumbledown building of rocks which looks like a little house he must go in and there he will find help the two melancholy ones thought that won't save us and they remained where they were but the third and merry one jumped up and went into the wood till he found the rock hut in the hut sat a very old woman who was the dragon's grandmother she asked him how he came and what was his business there he told her all that happened and because she was pleased with him she took compassion on him and said she would help him she lifted up a large stone which lay under the cellar saying hide yourself there you can hear all that is spoken in this room only sit still and don't stir when the dragon comes I will ask him what the riddle is for he tells me everything then listen carefully what he answers at midnight the dragon flew in and asked for a supper his grandmother laid the table and brought out food and drink till he was satisfied and they ate and drank together then in the course of the conversation she asked him what he had done in the day and how many souls he had conquered I haven't had much left today he said but I have a tight hold on three soldiers indeed three soldiers said she who cannot escape you they are mine answered the dragon scornfully for I should only give them one riddle which they will never be able to guess what sort of riddle is it she asked I will tell you this in the north sea lies a dead sea cat that shall be their roast meat and the rib of a whale that shall be their silver spoon and the hollow foot of a dead horse that shall be their wine glass when the dragon had gone to bed his old grandmother pulled up the stone and let out the soldier did you pay attention to everything yes he replied I know enough and can help myself splendidly then he went by another way through the window secretly and in all haste back to his comrades he told them how the dragon had been outwitted by his grandmother and how he had heard from his own lips the answer to the riddle then they were all delighted and in high spirits took out their whip and cracked so much money that it came jumping up from the ground when the seven years had quite gone the fiend came with his book and pointing at the signatures said I will take you underground with me you shall have a meal there if you can tell me what you will get for your roast meat you shall be free and shall also keep the whip then said the first soldier in the north sea lies a dead sea cat that shall be the roast meat the dragon was much annoyed and hummed and haught a good deal and asked the second but what shall be your spoon the rib of whale shall be our silver spoon the dragon made a face and growled again three times hmm hmm hmm and said to the third do you know what your wine glass shall be and old horses who have shall be our wine glass then the dragon flew away with a loud shriek and had no more power over them but the three soldiers took the little whip whipped as much money as they wanted and lived happily to their lives and end of chapter seven recording by jennifer hilo hawaii chapter eight of the yellow fairy book this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org the yellow fairy book edited by andrew lang chapter eight the donkey cabbage there was once a young hunter who went boldly into the forest he had a merry and light heart and as he went whistling along there came an ugly old woman who said to him good day dear hunter you are very merry and contented but i suffer hunger and thirst so give me a trifle the hunter was sorry for the poor old woman and he felt in his pocket and gave her all he could spare he was going on then but the old woman stopped him and said listen dear hunter do what i say because of your kind heart i will make you a present go on your way and in a short time you will come to a tree on which sit nine birds who have a cloak in their claws and are quarreling over it then take aim with your gun and shoot in the middle of them they will let the cloak fall but one of the birds will be hit and will drop down dead take the cloak with you it is a wishing cloak and when you throw it on your shoulders you have only to wish yourself at a certain place and in the twinkling of an eye you are there take the heart out of the dead bird and swallow it whole and early every morning when you get up you will find a gold piece under your pillow the hunter thanked the wise woman and thought to himself these are splendid things she has promised me if only they come to pass so he walked on about a hundred yards and then he heard above him in the branches such a screaming and chirping that he looked up and there he saw a heap of birds tearing a cloth with their beaks and feet shrieking tugging and fighting as if each wanted it for himself well said the hunter this is wonderful it is just as the old woman said and he took his gun on his shoulder pulled the trigger and shot into the midst of them so that their feathers flew about then the flock took flight with much screaming but one fell dead and the cloak fluttered down then the hunter did as the old woman had told him he cut open the bird found its heart swallowed it and took the cloak home with him the next morning when he awoke he remembered the promise and wanted to see if it had come true but when he lifted up his pillow there sparkled the gold piece and the next morning he found another and so on every time he got up he collected a heap of gold but at last he thought to himself well what good is all my gold to me if I stay home I will travel and look a bit about me in the world so he took leave of his parents slung his hunting knapsack and his gun round him and journeyed into the world it happened that one day he went through a thick wood and when he came to the end of it there lay in the plane before him a large castle at one of the windows in it stood an old woman with a most beautiful maiden by her side looking out but the old woman was a witch and she said to the girl there comes one out of the wood who has a wonderful treasure in his body which we must manage to possess ourselves of darling daughter we have more right to it than he he has a bird's heart in him and so every morning there lies a gold piece under his pillow she told her how they could get ahold of it and how she was to coax it from him and at last threatened her angrily saying and if you do not obey me you shall repent it when the hunter came nearer he saw the maiden and said to himself I've traveled so far now that I will rest and turn into this beautiful castle money I have in plenty but the real reason was that he had caught sight of the lovely face he went into the house and was kindly received and hospitably entertained it was not long before he was so much in love with the witch maiden that he thought of nothing else and only looked in her eyes and whatever she wanted that he gladly did then the old witch said now we must have the bird heart he will not feel when it is gone she prepared a drink and when it was ready she poured it into a goblet and gave it to the maiden who had to hand it to the hunter drink to me now my dearest she said then he took the goblet and when he had swallowed the drink the bird heart came out of his mouth the maiden had to get hold of it secretly and then swallow it herself for the old witch wanted to have it thanks forward he found no more gold under his pillow and it lay under the maidens but he was so much in love and so much bewitched that he thought of nothing except spending all of his time with the maiden then the old witch said we have the bird heart but we must also get the wishing cloak from him the maiden answered we will leave him that he has already lost his wealth the old witch grew angry and said such a cloak is a wonderful thing it is seldom to be had in the world and have it I must and will she beat the maiden and said that if she did not obey it would go ill with her so she did her mother's bidding and standing one day by the window she looked away into the far distance as if she were very sad why are you standing there looking so sad asked the hunter alas my love she replied over there lies the granite mountain where the costly precious stones grow I have a great longing to go there so that when I think of it I am very sad for who can fetch them only the birds who fly a man never if you have no other trouble said the hunter that one I can easily remove from your heart so he wrapped her round in his coat and wished themselves to the granite mountain and in an instant they were there sitting on it the precious stones sparkled so brightly on all sides that it was a pleasure to see them and they collected the most beautiful and costly together but now the old witch had through her caused the hunter's eyes to become heavy he said to the maiden we'll sit down now for a while and rest I'm so tired that I can hardly stand on my feet so they sat down and he laid his head on her lap and fell asleep as soon as he was sound asleep she unfastened the cloak from his shoulders threw it on her own left the granite and stones and wished herself home again but when the hunter had finished his sleep and awoke he found that his love had betrayed him and left him alone on the wild mountain oh said he why is faithlessness so great in the world and he sat down in sorrow and trouble not knowing what to do but the mountain belonged to fierce and huge giants who lived on it and traded there and he had not sat long before he saw three of them striding towards him so he lay down as if he'd fallen into a deep sleep the giants came up and the first pushed him with his foot and said what sort of an earthworm is that the second said crush him dead but the third said contemptuously it is not worth the trouble let him live he cannot remain here and if he goes higher up the mountain the clouds will take him and carry him off talking thus they went away but the hunter had listened to their talk and as soon as they had gone he rose and climbed to the summit when he had sat there a little while a cloud swept by and seizing him carried him away it traveled for a time in the sky and then it sank down and hovered over a large vegetable garden surrounded by walls so that he came safely to the ground amidst cabbages and vegetables the hunter then looked about him saying if only i had something to eat i am so hungry and it will go badly with me in the future for i see here not an apple or pear or fruit of any kind nothing but vegetables everywhere at last he thought at a pinch i can eat a salad it does not taste particularly nice but it will refresh me so he looked about for a good head and ate it but no sooner had he swallowed a couple of mouthfuls than he felt very strange and found himself wonderfully changed four legs began to grow on him a thick head and two long ears and he saw with horror that he had changed into a donkey but as he was still very hungry and this juicy salad tasted very good to his present nature he went on eating with still greater appetite at last he got a hold of another kind of cabbage but scarcely had swallowed it when he felt another change and he once more regained his human form the hunter now lay down and slept off his weariness when he awoke the next morning he broke off ahead of the bad and ahead of the good cabbage thinking this will help me to regain my own and to punish faithlessness then he put the heads in his pockets climbed the wall and started off to seek the castle of his love when he had wandered about for a couple of days he found it quite easily then he browned his face quickly so that his own mother would not have known him and went into the castle where he begged for a lodging i'm so tired he said i can go no farther the witch asked countrymen who are you and what is your business he answered i am a messenger of the king and have been sent to seek the finest salad that grows under the sun i've been so luckiest to find it and i'm bringing it with me but the heat of the sun is so great that the tender cabbage threatens to grow soft and i do not know if i shall be able to bring it any farther when the old witch heard of the fine salad she wanted to eat it and said dear countryman just let me taste the wonderful salad why not he answered i have brought two heads with me and will give you one so saying he opened his sack and gave her the bad one the witch suspected no evil and her mouth watered to taste the new dish so that she went into the kitchen to prepare it herself when it was ready she could not wait till it was served at the table but she immediately took a couple of leaves and put them in her mouth no sooner however had she swallowed them then she lost human form and ran into the courtyard in the shape of a donkey now the servant came into the kitchen and when she saw the salad standing there ready cooked she was about to carry it up but on the way according to her old habit she tasted it and ate a couple of leaves immediately the charm worked and she became a donkey and ran out to join the old witch and the dish with the salad in it fell to the ground in the meantime the messenger was sitting with the lovely maiden and as no one came with the salad and she wanted very much to taste it she said i don't know where the salad is then thought the hunter the cabbage must have already begun to work and he said i will go to the kitchen and fetch it myself when he came there he saw the two donkeys running about in the courtyard but the salad was lying on the ground that's all right said he two have had their share and lifting the remaining leaves up he laid them on the dish and brought them to the maiden i am bringing you the delicious food my own self he said so that you do not need to wait any longer then she ate and as the others had done she once lost her human form and ran as a donkey into the yard when the hunter had washed his face so that the changed ones might know him he went into the yard saying now you shall receive a reward for your faithlessness he tied them all three with a rope and drove them away till he came to a mill he knocked at the window and the miller put his head out and asked what he wanted i have three tiresome animals he answered which i don't want to keep any longer if you'll take them give them food and stabling and do as i tell you with them i will pay you as much as you want the miller replied why not what shall i do with them then the hunter said that to the old donkey which was the witch three beatings and one meal to the younger one which was the servant one beating and three meals and to the youngest one which was the maiden no beating and three meals for he could not find it in his heart to let the maiden be beaten then he went back into the castle and he found there all that he wanted after a couple of days the miller came and said that he must tell him that the old donkey which was to have three beatings and only one meal had died the two others he added are certainly not dead and get their three meals every day but they are so sad that they cannot last much longer then the hunter took pity on them laid aside his anger and told the miller to drive them back again and when they came he gave them some of the good cabbage to eat so that they became human again then the beautiful maiden fell on her knees before him saying oh my dearest forgive me the ill i have done you my mother compelled me to do it it was against my will for i love you dearly your wishing cloak is hanging in a cupboard and as for the bird heart i will make a drink and give it back to you but he changed his mind and said keep it it makes no difference for i will take you to be my own dear true wife and the wedding was celebrated and they lived happy together till death end of chapter 8