 Story 39 of the Fairy Ring This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Lars Rolander The Fairy Ring, edited by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith Story 39 The Table, the As, and the Stick Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a tailor and his three sons. But they only had one goat, which, as it had to give milk enough for all, had to feed well every day. The sons had to lead it to pasture in turns, and one morning, when it was the turn of the eldest, he took it into the church yard, where grew the richest grass, and let it eat its fill. In the evening, when it was time to return, he said, "'Goat, have you eaten well?' and the goat answered, "'He said that enough is as good as a feast, and I've had enough for a wise little beast.' "'Then we will go home,' said the youth, and he led the goat home by its halter, and tied it up in the stable for the night. "'Well,' said the tailor, "'has the goat eaten well?' "'It has eaten as much as it can,' answered the boy. But the father wanted to make sure, so he went into the stable and stroked the goat, saying, "'Goat, have you eaten well?' The wicked goat replied, "'How can I have eaten well? I wondered whether dead lie, but nothing found to feed upon.' "'What do you say?' cried the tailor, and running into his son he cried, "'Oh, you wicked boy, you told me the goat had eaten well, and I find him shivering in the stable almost famished, and ceasing his yard-measure, he chased the boy out of the house in great gruff. The next day it was the second son's turn, and he chose a place under the hedge in the garden where there grew some fine-rich grass, which the goat was not long in eating up completely. When the evening came, and it was time to go home, this lad, too, asked the goat if it had had enough, and it answered as before. "'He said that enough is as good as a feast, and I've had enough for a wise little beast.' "'Then we will go home,' said the boy, and he took it to the stable and tied it up. He went into the house, the tailor met him, and asked him, "'Has the goat eaten well?' "'It has eaten as much as it can,' answered his son. But the tailor would make sure for all that, and nothing would satisfy him, but that he should go to the stable and ask the goat for himself. "'How can I have eaten well? I roamed all day long along the hedge, and nothing found to feed upon,' answered the goat. "'You bad rascal, to starve such a splendid animal,' cried the tailor, running back to the house and catching up his yard-measure. Then with cuffs and blows he chased his second son out of the house. The next day it was the third boy's turn, and he found a spot where there was some lovely young grass, and when it was time to go home he asked the goat the same question and obtained the same answer. "'He said that enough is as good as a feast, and I've had enough for a wise little beast.' So the lad led the goat home, and he put it in the stable, and soon the tailor came and asked if the goat had had enough. "'Yes,' replied the boy, but the old man would go and make sure for all that. "'How can I have eaten well? I sought all day among the leaves, and nothing found to feed upon,' was the wicked goat's answer. "'The scamp,' cried the tailor in a fury, "'is as bad as the others, and out he shall go,' and he drew the poor boy out for the yard-measure, dealing him fearful blows. Now the tailor was left alone to look after the goat, and next day he went to it and said, "'Come, pretty creature, I will take you myself to pasture,' and he took it to the lettuce-bed, and there it fed all day. When night came he asked it, as the boys had done, if it had eaten well, and it said, "'He said that enough is as good as a feast, and I've had enough for a wise little beast.' So they went home and he put it in the stable, but as he was going he said once more, "'Goat, have you eaten well?' The wicked animal, not thinking for the moment to whom he was replying, answered with this usual complaint, "'How can I have eaten well? I only frisked about the bed, and nothing found to feed upon.' When the old man heard this he was horrified, for he saw at once how things had stood all the time, and that he had driven his boys away for no reason whatever. "'Oh, you brute!' he said, "'You too shall be driven out, and I will take care that you never dare to appear among honest tailors again.' So he rushed into the house for his razor and shaved the goat's head as smooth as your face, and because the yard-measure was too good to use upon him he fetched his whip and gave the goat such a sound thrashing that it was only too glad to scamper out the stable and make off as fast as its legs could carry it. When the tailor returned into his house he was overcome with sorrow for the three sons whom he had driven from home and who were wondering no one knew where. However, the eldest boy had apprenticed himself to a carpenter and he worked with him well and merrily till his time was out. Then his master gave him a table, which though it looked only like an ordinary common wooden one, yet, if its owner stood before it and said, "'Table, table, spread yourself!' it at once became covered with all sorts of good things, meat and wine and everything necessary for a splendid meal. "'Now I shall never want again,' the young man said to himself, and he went on journeying merrily, never traveling himself whether his lodging was good or bad or whether there was anything to eat or not. Sometimes he did not go to an inn at all, but just stopped where he was, under a hedge or in a wood, and there he would put down his table and cry, "'Table, table, spread yourself!' and then in the twinkle of an eye he had before him as much as he liked to eat and drink. One day he made up his mind to turn his steps homeward as his father's anger he knew was sure to have died down by then, and they could live very comfortably together with his lucky table. It happened that one evening he came to an inn that was full of people who invited him to eat in their company. "'No, not a mouthful unless you consent to be my guests,' answered the boy. The people, of course, laughed and thought he was joking, but their mirth soon changed to wonder when he set down his table in their midst and saw that at his command, "'Table, table, spread yourself!' it at once covered itself with all sorts of delicious things quite as good as the host could have given them and smelling very tempting to the hungry guests. "'Pray be seated, friends,' said the carpenter cheerily, and the people seeing he really meant it sat down at once and began to ply their knives and forks very merrily. The thing that surprised them the most was that whenever they emptied one dish another full one always appeared immediately in its place. "'And the innkeeper who was looking on,' said himself, "'my friend, you could do very well with such a table as that in your own kitchen,' but he kept his own counsel. The guests sat up very late that night, but at last they went to bed. The carpenter lay down, too, with his madic table beside him. Now the landlord couldn't get to sleep that night at all for thinking and wishing, till suddenly he remembered that in the lumber-room there was a table that he didn't use and which was as like the one he coveted as two pins. Breathlessly and very cautiously he made his way to the garret and fetched it and put it beside the lad's bed in place of the lucky table which he carried away and hid in a safe place. The next day the carpenter paid for his lodging and went on his way, not noticing any difference in the table which he hoisted on his back. At midday he reached his home and his father was overjoyed to see him. "'Well, my dear boy,' said the old man, "'what have you been doing all these months?' "'I have been apprenticed to a carpenter,' answered the lad. "'And a very good trade, too, and what have you brought home with you?' "'The most wonderful thing I ever set eyes on,' said his son, setting down the table. "'I don't think much of that. "'It looks a very common piece of furniture,' said the father, looking at it all around. "'But,' cried the boy, "'it's a magic table, "'and when I say, table, table, spread yourself, "'it is at once covered with good things "'which will make your mouth water. "'Inbite all our friends in, "'and you will see what a feast there will be.' When the guests had all arrived he fetched his table and placing it in the middle of the room he commanded it to spread itself. But the table remained just like any other table which takes no notice when you speak to it. And the poor lad saw at once that somebody had robbed him. Of course the guests thought he was an impostor and laughed at him and went home without any feast to the poor carpenter's shame. So the tailor had to take up his needle again and stitch away as fast as ever and the boy had to leave home again and work for another carpenter. Meantime the second son had taken service with the miller and when he learned everything his master said, "'Because you have worked for me faithfully, "'I will give you this ass, "'which, though it can neither draw nor carry, "'is a clever beast nevertheless.' "'What can it do then?' said the boy. "'Why, if you only pat it and cry, "'brickly bit, gold will drop out of its mouth "'like potatoes into a sack,' replied the miller. "'That is grand,' said the boy, "'so thanking his master, he started on his journey. "'Now he was rich, for he only had to say, "'brickly bit, and a torrent of gold pieces "'came out of the ass's mouth "'and were there for the picking up. "'Wherever he went he ordered the best of everything "'and the more he had to pay for it "'the better he was pleased. "'Soon he got tired of wondering about the world "'and thought he would like to go home "'and see his father, whose anger "'had no doubt died down by this time, "'or if not it certainly would "'when he saw what a rich ass "'he had brought home with him. "'Now it's chance that he came to the very same inn "'where his brother had lost his table, "'and when the landlord came out "'and offered to take the animal to the stable, "'he said, No, I will take him myself "'for I want to see where he goes. "'The landlord was surprised "'but thought that one who would look "'after his own beast must be a poor man. "'But the boy putting his hand in his pocket "'drew out two gold pieces "'and ordered the best the house contained. "'The landlord was very much astonished indeed "'and ran and fetched him the best of everything. "'He had eaten his fill, the boy asked what more he owed "'and the landlord, being a greedy man, "'said that two more gold pieces would pay the bill. "'The youth put his hand in his pocket "'and found it empty. "'Wait a moment, my friend, "'and I will fetch some gold,' he said carelessly, "'and picking up the tablecloth he went out. "'The landlord didn't at all "'understand what was going on. "'But being inquisitive, "'he crept out after the youth "'and as the stable door was bolted carefully, "'the landlord had to glue his eye to a hole in the wall. "'Then he saw the boy spread out the cloth "'and say, Bricklebit, "'and immediately gold began to drop out "'of the ass's mouth in showers, "'as if it were hailing. "'Thunder and lightning,' gasped the landlord, "'running back to the house. "'Did one ever see the like of this? "'Why, that is the finest "'and fattest purse I ever set eyes on, "'and I must see what I can do to obtain it.' Later in the evening the lad paid his bill and went to bed. But when he was well asleep the wicked landlord crept into the stable and took away the ass and tied up an ordinary one in its stead. The next day the youth went on his way with the ass, which he never noticed had been changed and arrived at midday at his father's house. His father was delighted to see him again and asked what trade he had learnt. The boy told him that he was a miller. "'And what have you brought home with you?' said the old man. "'Only an ass,' replied the boy. "'Ah, my lad, you had better have brought a goat. "'We have asses enough about already. "'Perhaps so,' retorted the boy. "'But wait till you see what this ass can do. "'I have only to say brickly bit "'and gold drops out of his mouth in heaps. "'Just send for all your friends "'and we will make them rich in a trice.' "'Indeed,' said the tailor, "'that is not a bad idea. "'If what you say is true "'I shall never need to do any more tailoring.' "'And he hurried out and gathered all his friends in. "'They arrived in high excitement, as you may be sure, "'and the youth paid them stand in a circle "'while he spread out a cloth under the ass's head. "'Now,' he said proudly, "'listen to me.' "'And he called, brickly bit. "'But nothing happened "'and it seemed that the ass could not coin gold after all, "'for it is not an easy thing to do, as you will agree.' "'The poor youth was very rueful, "'for he saw that someone had robbed him, "'and he was obliged to apologize to the guests, "'who only sneered and jeered at him "'and departed as poor as they came. "'So the tailor had to take up his needle once more "'and stitch away as fast as ever, "'and the boy had to go and work for another miller.' "'Meantime the third son had apprenticed himself to a turner, "'but it takes a long time to learn to be a turner, "'and he was still with his master "'when his brother sent a message to tell him how they had fared "'and all about the wicked landlord "'who had robbed them of their precious belongings. "'Time went on, and soon he had learnt everything, "'and he took leave of his master, "'who gave him a sack saying, "'In the sack lies a stick. "'I will take the sack, ladly,' said the youth, "'for it will be handy. "'But what use is the stick except to make the sack heavier?' "'This is the use of the stick. "'If you want to punish anything at any time, "'you have only to say, "'Come forth, stick, "'and the stick will slip out of the sack "'and lay about your envious shoulders "'in such a lively fashion "'that he will be as quiet as a tort was for days afterwards, "'and it will not cease beating till you say, "'Stop, stick, and into the sack.' "'The youth thanked him and went on his way, "'and when any rouge interfered with him, "'he only had to cry, "'Come forth, stick,' and out it came "'and gave them a sound thrashing "'until it told it to stop. "'And then it slipped back so quickly "'that nobody saw where it went. "'One night he arrived at the very inn "'where his brothers had been deceived "'and, putting his sack on the table, "'he began to boast of all the curious things he had seen. "'Yes,' he said, "'I have even known of a table "'which covers itself with food and wine in a twinkling. "'But that is not all, "'for I have seen an ass "'which coins gold and scores "'of other wonderful things besides. "'But when all is said and done, "'none have compared with what I carry in my sack.' "'The landlord opened his round eyes, saying, "'I wonder what it is?' "'And he thought to himself, "'The sack must be full of precious stones. "'I must get hold of it, "'for all good luck runs in threes. "'And there is no reason why I should not "'succeed this time as I have done before. "'As soon as it was time to go to bed, "'the youth lay down on a bench "'and pillowed his head on his sack. "'And when the landlord thought he was fast asleep, "'he came creeping softly to his side "'and pulled ever so gently at the sack "'to see if he could exchange it for another, "'which he had already in his hand. "'However, the boy was only waiting for this, "'and suddenly he called out, "'Count forth, stick!' "'Immediately it sprang out "'and beat the landlord right merrily. "'The landlord howled for mercy, "'but the stick only hit the faster "'till at last the rouge fell down exhausted. "'Now,' said the turner, "'ordering the stick to return to its bag, "'if you do not deliver up to me "'the magic table and the lucky ass, "'the stick shall begin again.' "'No, no!' gasped the wretched man. "'I will give them up if you will only spare me. "'I will pardon you if you keep your word,' said the youth. "'But beware if you try to deceive me.' Early next morning the turner went on his way with the ass and the table to his father's house. When he arrived his father was overjoyed to see him and asked him what trade he had learned. "'Dear father,' he said, "'I have become a turner. "'That is a difficult trade. "'And what have you brought home with you? "'A sack and a stick and a very valuable stick, too,' said the son. "'What!' cried the old man. "'A stick? Why? "'You can cut a stick of any tree, "'not a stick like this. "'For I have only to say, "'come forth a stick, "'and it immediately slips out "'and lays about the shoulders of anyone "'who would injure me, "'so that he has to cry for mercy. "'The aid of my stick I have got back "'the magic table and lucky ass, "'which the thief of the landlord "'stole from my brothers. "'Now send for them and call in all your friends, "'and I will give them a feast "'and fill their pockets with money as well.' The old tailor could scarcely believe him, but he did as he was told. Then the youth spread a cloth on the floor and brought in the ass, telling his brother to speak to it. The miller called out, "'Bricklebit!' And immediately the gold pieces began dropping out onto the floor in showers till they all had as much as they could carry. Then the table was brought in and the carpenter said, "'Table, be spread!' And at once it was covered with all sorts of dainties. Then they had such a feast as the tailor had never seen, and they all remained till late at night, making merry. The next day the happy tailor gathered together all his needles and threads and meshes and goose and put them away, and he lived happily with his sons forever after. Now we must see what became of the goat, whose fault it was that the brothers had been driven away. It was so ashamed of its shaven head that it crept into a fox's hole to hide itself. When the fox came home he saw two great eyes glittering out of the blackness, and he was so terrified that he ran away. Soon he met a bear who, noticing how frightened he looked, said, "'What has happened, brother fox, to make you look like that?' "'Oh,' he said, "'In my lair is a fearful monster that rolled flaming eyes at me.' "'We will soon turn him out,' said the brave bear. But when he looked in he also was terrified at the glittering eyes and took to flight. He soon met a bee and, seeing that it was no good to sting him through his thick coat, she said, in friendly fashion. "'You look very sullen, Mr. Bear. What has come over you?' "'Oh,' said the bear, "'In brother fox's lair is a fearful monster which rolls flaming eyes at us and we then drive him out.' "'Well, Mr. Bear,' said the bee, "'I'm sorry for you and I believe I can help, though I'm such a little creature that nobody thinks I can do any good in the world.' So he flew off to the fox's lair and, dropping onto his bald head, stung him so terribly that the poor goat rushed out madly and he has never been heard of since. End of the table, the ass and the stick. Read by Lars Rulander Story 40 at the Fairy Ring This is a Libravox Recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Fairy Ring, edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith. Story 40, The Little Brother and Sister There was once a little brother who took his sister by the hand and said, "'Since our own dear mother's death "'we have not had one happy hour "'our stepmother beats us every day "'and if we come near her, "'kicks us away with her foot. "'Our food is the hard crusts of bread "'which are left and even the dog "'under the table fares better than we. "'He often gets a nice morsel. "'Come, let us wander forth "'into the wide world "'so the whole day long "'they traveled over meadows, fields and stony roads, "'and when it rained, the sister said, "'It is heaven crying in sympathy. "'By evening they came into a large forest "'and were so weary with grief, hunger, "'and their long walk that they laid themselves down "'in a hollow tree and went to sleep. "'When they awoke the next morning, "'the sun had already risen high in the heavens, "'and its beams made the tree so hot "'that the little boy said to his sister, "'I am so thirsty. "'If I knew where there was a brook, "'I would go and drink. "'Ah, I think I hear one running.' "'And so saying he got up "'and taking his sister's hand, "'they went in search of the brook. "'The wicked stepmother, however, was a witch "'and had witnessed the departure of the two children. "'So sneaking after them secretly, "'as is the habit of witches, "'she had enchanted all the springs in the forest. "'Presently they found a brook "'which ran trippingly over the pebbles "'and the brother would have drunk out of it. "'But the sister heard how it said as it ran along, "'who drinks of me will become a tiger. "'So the sister exclaimed, "'I pray you, brother, drink not, "'or you will become a tiger and tear me to pieces.' "'So the brother did not drink, "'although his thirst was so great, "'and he said, I will wait till the next brook. "'As they came to the second, "'the sister heard it say, "'who drinks of me becomes a wolf. "'The sister ran up crying, "'brother, do not pray, do not drink, "'or you will become a wolf and eat me up.' "'Then the brother did not drink, "'saying, I will wait until we come to the next spring. "'But then I must drink. "'You may say what you will. "'My thirst is much too great.' "'Just as they reached the third brook, "'the sister heard the boy saying, "'who drinks of me will become a thorn. "'Who drinks of me will become a thorn.' "'So the sister said, "'Oh, my brother, do not drink, "'or you will be changed to a thorn "'and run away from me.' "'He had already kneeled down "'and drunk of the water. "'And as the first drops passed his lips, "'his shape became that of a thorn. "'At first the sister cried over her little-changed brother "'and he wept too "'and knelt by her very sorrowful. "'But at last the maiden said, "'Be still, dear little thorn, "'and I will never forsake you "'and undoing her golden garter "'she put it around his neck "'and weaving rushes made a white girdle "'to lead him with. "'This she tied to him "'and, taking the other end in her hand, "'she led him away "'and they travelled deeper and deeper "'into the forest. "'After they had walked a long distance, "'they came to a little hut "'and the maiden, peeping in, "'found it empty and thought. "'Here we can stay and dwell.' "'Then she looked for leaves and moss "'to make a soft couch for the thorn, "'and every morning she went out "'and collected roots and berries "'and nuts for herself "'and tender grass for the thorn, "'which he ate out of her hand "'and played happily around her. "'In the evening, when the sister was tired "'and had said her prayers, "'she laid her head upon the back of the thorn, "'which served for a pillow "'on which she slept soundly. "'Had that the brother regained his own proper form, "'their life would have been happy indeed. "'Thus they dwelt in this wilderness "'and some time had elapsed "'when it happened that the king of the country "'held a great hunt in the forest "'and now resounded through the trees "'the blowing of horns, the barking of dogs "'and the lusty cries of hunters "'so that the little thorn heard them "'and wanted very much to join. "'Ah,' said he to his sister, "'let me go to the hunt. "'I cannot restrain myself any longer. "'And he begged so hard "'that at last she consented. "'But,' said she to him, "'return again in the evening, "'for I shall shut my door "'against the wild huntsman, "'and that I may know you. "'Do you knock and say, "'Sister, let me in, "'and if you do not, "'I shall not open the door.' "'As soon as she had said this, "'the little thorn sprung off, "'quite glad and merry in the fresh breeze. "'The king and his huntsman "'perceived the beautiful animal "'and pursued him, "'but they could not catch him, "'and when they thought they had him for certain, "'he sprung away over the bushes "'and got out of sight. "'Just as it was getting dark, "'he ran up to the hut "'and knocking, said, "'Sister, mine, let me in. "'Then she undid the little door "'and he went in "'and rested all night long "'upon his soft couch. "'The next morning the hunt "'was commenced again, "'and as soon as the little thorn "'heard the horns and the tally-ho "'of the sportsman, "'he could not rest, "'and said, "'Sister, dear, open the door. "'I must be off.' "'The sister opened it, saying, "'Return at evening, mine, "'and say the words as before. "'When the king and his huntsman "'saw again the thorn "'with the golden necklace, "'they followed him closely, "'but he was too nimble and quick for them. "'The whole day long "'they kept up with him. "'But toward evening "'the huntsman made a circle around him. "'One wounded him slightly "'in the hind foot "'so that he could only run slowly. "'Then one of them slipped after him "'to the little hut "'and heard him say, "'Sister, dear, open the door, "'and saw that the door was opened "'and immediately shut behind. "'The huntsman, having observed all this, "'went and told the king "'what he had seen and heard, "'and said, "'On the morrow I will once more pursue him. "'The sister, however, "'was terribly frightened "'when she saw that her thorn was wounded "'and washing off the blood "'put herbs upon the foot "'and said, "'Go and rest upon your bed, dear thorn, "'that the wound may heal. "'It was so slight "'that the next morning he felt nothing of it. "'And when he heard the hunting cries "'outside, he exclaimed, "'I cannot stop away. "'I must be there, "'and none shall catch me so easily again.' "'The sister wept very much "'and told him, "'Soon they will kill you "'and I shall be here all alone "'in this forest, "'forsaken by all the world. "'I cannot let you go. "'I shall die here in vexation "'and to the thorn. "'If you do not, "'for when I hear the horn "'I shall jump out of my skin. "'The sister, finding she could not prevent him, "'open the door with a heavy heart, "'and the thorn jumped out, "'quite delighted into the forest. "'As soon as the king perceived him, "'he said to his huntsman, "'follow him all day long "'till the evening, "'but let no one do him an injury. "'When the sun had set, "'the king asked his huntsman "'to show him the hut. "'And as they came to it, "'he knocked at the door and said, "'Let me in, dear sister.' "'Then the door was open "'and stepping in, the king saw a maiden "'more beautiful than he had ever before seen. "'She was frightened when she saw not her thorn, "'but a man stepped in "'who had a golden crown upon his head. "'But the king, looking at her "'with a friendly glance, "'reached her his hand, "'say, Will you go with me to my castle "'and be my dear wife?' "'Oh, yes,' replied the maiden, "'but the thorn must go too, "'him I will never forsake.' "'The king replied, "'he shall remain with you "'as long as you live, "'and shall want for nothing. "'In the meantime the thorn had come in "'and the sister, "'binding the girdle to him, "'again took it in her hand "'and led him away with her out of the hut. "'The king took the beautiful maiden "'upon his horse "'and rode to his castle "'where the wedding was celebrated "'with great splendour, "'and she became queen "'and they lived together a long time, "'and the thorn was taken care of "'and lived well, "'playing about the castle garden. "'The wicked stepmother, however, "'on whose account the children "'had wandered forth into the world, "'supposed that long ago the sister "'had been torn in pieces "'by the wild beasts, "'and the little brother hunted to death "'in his thorns shaped by the hunters. "'As soon, therefore, "'she heard how happy they had become "'and how everything prospered with them, "'envy and jealousy were roused in her heart "'and left her no peace, "'and she was always thinking "'in what way she could work misfortune to them. "'Her own daughter, who was as ugly as night "'and had but one eye, "'for which she was continually reproached, said, "'the luck of being a queen "'has never yet happened to me. "'Be quiet now,' said the old woman, "'and make yourself contented. "'When the time comes, I shall be at hand.' "'As soon, then, as the time came, "'when the queen brought into the world "'a beautiful little boy, "'which happened when the king was out hunting. "'The old witch took the form of a chambermaid "'and got into the room where the queen was lying "'and said to her, "'The bath is ready, which will restore you "'and give you fresh strength. "'Be quick before it gets cold.' "'Her daughter, being at hand, "'they carried the weak queen between them "'into the room "'and laid her in the bath, "'and then, shutting the door, "'they ran off. "'But first they had made an immense fire in the stove, "'which must soon suffocate the young queen. "'When this was done, "'the old woman took her daughter "'and putting a cap on her, "'laid her in the bed in the queen's place. "'She gave her, too, "'the form and appearance of the real queen "'as far as she could, "'but she could not restore the lost eye "'and so that the king might not notice it. "'She turned upon that side where there was no eye. "'When he came home at evening "'and heard that a son was born to him, "'he was much delighted "'and prepared to go to his wife's bedside "'to see how she did. "'So the old woman called out in a great hurry, "'for your life do not undraw the curtains. "'The queen must not yet see the light "'and must be kept quiet. "'So the king went away "'and did not discover that a false queen "'was laid in the bed. "'When midnight came and everyone was asleep, "'the nurse, who sat by herself, "'wide awake near the cradle in the nursery, "'saw the door open and the true queen come in. "'She took the child in her arms "'and rocked it awhile "'and then, shaking up its pillow, "'laid it down in its cradle "'and covered it over again. "'She did not forget the thorn either, "'but going to the corner where he was "'stroked his back "'and then went silently out at the door. "'The nurse asked in the morning of the guards "'if anyone had passed into the castle during the night, "'but they answered, No, we have seen nobody. "'For many nights afterwards "'she came constantly "'and never spoke a word "'and the nurse saw her always "'but she would not trust herself to speak about it to anyone. "'When some time had passed away, "'the queen one night began to speak "'and said, How fares my child? "'How fares my fawn? "'Twice more will I come, but never again. "'The nurse made no reply, "'but when she had disappeared "'went to the king and told him all. "'The king exclaimed, Oh, heavens, what does this mean? "'The next night I will watch myself by the child. "'In the evening he went into the nursery "'and about midnight the queen appeared and said, "'How fares my child? "'How fares my fawn? "'Once more will I come, but never again. "'And she nursed the child as she was used to "'and then disappeared. "'The king dared not speak, "'but he watched the following night "'and this time she said, "'How fares my child? "'How fares my fawn? "'This time have I come, but never again. "'At these words the king could hold back no longer "'but sprung up and said, "'You can be no other than my dear wife. "'Then she answered, Yes, I am your dear wife. "'And at that moment her life was restored by God's mercy "'and she was again as beautiful and charming as ever. "'She told the king the fraud which the witch "'and her daughter had practised upon him "'and he had them both tried "'and sentence pronounced against them. "'The daughter was taken into the forest "'where the wild beasts tore her in pieces, "'but the old witch was led to the fire "'and miserably burned. "'And as soon as she was reduced to ashes "'the little fawn was unbewitched "'and received again his human form. "'And the brother and sister lived happily together "'to the end of their days. "'End of the little brother and sister.'" Here was once a king, but where he reigned and how he was called, I had no nothing about. He had no son, only a daughter, who was always ill and no doctor could cure her. But it was prophesized to the king that his daughter would eat herself well with another child. He had no son, only a daughter, who was always ill and no doctor could cure her. That his daughter would eat herself well with an apple. So he made it known all over the kingdom that whoever brought his daughter some apples with which she could eat herself well should marry her and be king. Now a peasant who had three sons heard of it and he said to the eldest, "'Go to the garden, take a basket full "'of those beautiful apples with the red cheeks "'and carry them to the court. "'Perhaps the king's daughter will be able "'to eat herself well with them "'and then you can marry her and be king.'" The chap did as he was bid and took to the road. When he had walked a little while he met quite a little iron man who asked him what he had in his basket. So Healy, for that was his name, said, "'Shog's legs.'" The little man then said, "'Well, so it shall be and remain.'" And then went on. Alas Healy came to the castle and had it announced that he had some apples which would cure the princes if she ate them. At that the king was mightily pleased and received Healy in court. Oh dear, when he opened it instead of apples he had frogs legs in the basket and they were kicking about still. The king flew into a great rage and had him kicked out of the castle. When he got home he told his father how he had fared. Then the father sent his next son whose name was Saimi but he went just the same with him as with Healy. The little iron man met him very soon and asked him what he had in the basket and Saimi said, "'So, thistles,' and the little man said, "'Well, so it shall be and remain.'" When he arrived at the king's castle and said he had apples with which the king's daughter could eat herself well they would not let him in and told him there had already been one who had made fools of them. But Saimi insisted he had really searched apples. They should only let him in. At last they believed him and took him before the king. But when he opened the basket he had nothing but sotles. That annoyed the king most dreadfully so that he had Saimi whipped out of the castle. When he got home he told them what had happened to him and then came the youngest boy whom they had always called Stupid Jack and asked the father whether he too might go with apples. "'Yes,' said the father, "'you are just the right sort of fellow if the clever ones can't succeed what will you be able to do?' The boy did not believe it. "'Well, father, I will go too.' "'Get away, you stupid chap,' said the father. "'You must wait till you grow wiser.' And then he turned his back upon him but the boy tucked at his mark from behind and said, "'Now, father, I will go too.' "'Well, just as you like, go. You will be sure to come back,' he answered in a spiteful way. The boy was beyond measure delighted and jumped for joy. "'Ey, there! Act like a fool. You get stupider from one day to the next,' said the father. That did not affect Jack a bit who would not be disturbed in his joy. As night soon came on he thought he would wait till the next morning. Anyhow he would not be able to get to core that day. He could not sleep that night in bed and when he only slumbered a little he dreamed of beautiful maidens of castles, gold, silver and all that sort of thing. Early next morning he went his way and soon the little man in his iron dress met him and asked him what he had in the basket. "'Apples,' he answered, with which the king's daughter can eat herself well.' "'Well,' said the little man, said it shall be and remain. But, I quote, they would not let Jack in at all for that there had been two who had said they brought apples and one had frog's legs and the other salty souls. But Jack insisted tremendously he had no frog's legs but the most beautiful apples that grew in the kingdom. As he spoke so nicely the dark keeper thought he could not be telling a lie and let him in. And they did quite right too for when Jack uncovered the basket before the king apples as yellow as gold came tumbling out. The king was delighted and had some of them taken to his daughter at once and waited in anxious expectations until they should bring him word what effect they had. Not long after news was brought him but what think it was? It was a daughter herself as soon as she had eaten of those apples she had jumped out of bed quite well. What the king's delight was cannot be described. But now the king would not give Jack his daughter to marry and said that he must first make him a boat that would seem better on land than in water. Jack agreed to the condition and went home and told his adventures. So the father sent Healy into the wood to make such a boat. He walked away diligently and whistled awhile. A midday when the sun was at the highest came the little Ironman and asked what he was making. Wooden bowls answered he the little man answered well so we shall be and remain. In the evening Healy thought he had made the boat but when he was going to get into it he turned to wooden bowls. The next day Saimi went into the wood but he met with exactly the same fate as his brother. On the third day stupid Jack went. He worked very hard so that the wood resounded all through with his heavy blows and he sang and whistled besides right merrily. The little man came to him at midday and it was very warm and asked him what he was making. A boat that will swim better on dry land than in the water he answered and that when he had done it she should marry the king's daughter. Well said the little man such and one it shall be and remain. In the evening when the sun was setting like a ball of gold Jack made ready his boat and all things belonging to it but the boat went as fast as the wind. The king saw it a long way off but would not give Jack his daughter yet and said he must first take a hundred hairs out grazing from early morning to late in the evening and if one were missing he should not have his daughter. Jack was quite contented and the next day went out with his herd to the meadow and kept a sharp lookout that none should stray away. Not many hours had passed when a maid came from the castle and said Jack was to give her her hair directly as some visitors had arrived. But Jack saw through that well enough and said he would not give her one the king might treat his visitors to hair-pepper but the maid would not heed him and at last said to scolding. So Jack said that if the king's daughter came herself he would give her her hair. The maid told them in the castle and the king's daughter did go herself but in the meantime the little man had come again to Jack and asked him what he was doing there. Oh! he had to water a hundred hairs so that none ran away and then he might marry the king's daughter and be king. Good said the little man there's a whistle for you and when one runs away only just whistle and he will come back again. When the king's daughter came Jack put a hair into her apron but when she had gone about a hundred steps off Jack whistled and the hair jumped out of the cloth and jump jump was back to the hair directly. In the evening the hair heard whistled again and looked to see they were all right and drove them to the castle. The king wondered how Jack had been able to take care of a hundred hairs so that none should run off but he would not yet give him his daughter so easily but said he must first get him a feather from the old griffin's tail. Jack started at once and marched right briskly on. In the evening he arrived at a castle where he asked for a night's lodging for at that time there were no such things as hotels and the master of the castle greeted him very civilly and asked him where he was going to. Jack answered to the old griffin Oh! indeed to the old griffin they say he knows everything and I have lost the key to an iron money chest perhaps you would be good enough to ask him where it is certainly said Jack that I will. Early the next morning he started off again on his road and arrived at another castle where he again passed a night. When the people learned that he was going to the old griffin they said the daughter was ill in the house they had already tried every possible remedy but without effect would he be kind enough to ask old griffin what would cure her? Jack said he would do it with pleasure and went on again. He arrived at a lake and instead of a ferry boat there was a big man who had to carry everybody over the man asked him where he was bound for to the old griffin said Jack when you get to him said the man just ask him why I am obliged to carry everybody over the water yes to be sure said Jack goodness gracious yes willingly the man then took him up on his shoulder and carried him over at last Jack arrived at the old griffin's house and only found the wife at home not old griffin the woman asked him what he wanted so he told her he must have a feather from old griffin's tail in that in a castle they had lost the key to the money chest and he was to ask the griffin where he was and then in another castle the daughter was ill and he was to know what would make her well again they're not far from there but the water and the man who was obliged to carry everybody over and he should very much like to know why the man was obliged to carry everybody over but said the woman look you my good friend no Christian can speak with a griffin he eats them all up but if you like they're under his bed and at night when he's fast asleep you can reach up and pull a feather out of his tail and as to those things that you won't know I will ask him myself Jack was quite satisfied with the arrangement and got under the bed in the evening old griffin came home and when he stepped into the room he said wife I smell a Christian yes the wife there has been one here today he went away again so would griffin said no more in the middle of the night when griffin was gnawing away lustily Jack reached up and pulled a feather out of his tail the griffin jumped up suddenly and cried wife I smell a Christian and it was just as if someone had been plucking at my tail the wife said you have no doubt been dreaming I have told you already that one has been here today he went away again he told me all sorts of things that in one castle they had lost the key of the money chest and could not find it oh the foals exclaimed the griffin the key lies in the wood shed behind the door under a log of wood and further he said that in another castle the daughter is ill and they knew no means to cure her oh the foals said the griffin under the cellar stairs a toad has made his nest of her hair and if she got the hair back again she would be well and then again he said at a certain place there was a lake and a man who was obliged to carry everybody over oh the foals said the old griffin if you were only to put somebody in the middle he need not carry any more over early next morning the old griffin got up and went out and Jack kept on under the bed with a beautiful feather having heard what the griffin had said about the key the daughter and the man repeated it all to him so that he should not forget and then he started off toward home he came to the man at the water first and he asked him directly what the griffin had said but Jack said he must carry him over first and then he would tell him so he carried him over and when they got there Jack told him he had only to put somebody in the middle and then he need carry no more the man was delighted beyond measure and told Jack that out of gratitude he should like to carry him over and back once more but Jack said nay he would save him the trouble he was quite contented with him already and then went on next he arrived at the castle where the daughter was ill he took her on his shoulder for she was not able to walk and carried him down the cellar stairs and then took the toad's nest from under the bottom step and put it into the daughter's hand and all at once she jumped off his shoulder up the stairs before him strong and well now the father and mother were delighted indeed and made Jack presence of gold and silver and whatever he wanted they gave him when Jack arrived at the other castle he went straight to the wood shed and found the key right behind the door under the log of wood and took it to the master he was not a little pleased and gave Jack in return a great deal of gold that was in the box there were all sorts of things besides such as cows and sheep and goats when Jack returned to the king with all these things with the money and gold and silver and the cows, sheep and goats the king asked him how he had come by at all so Jack said the old griffin would give one as much as one liked the king thought he could find the use for that kind of gifts himself and so he started off to the griffin but when he got to the water he happened to be the first who had crossed over since Jack and the men put him in the middle of the stream and walked off and the king was drowned so Jack married the king's daughter and became king and of the old griffin the fairy ring edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith Story 42 The Three Feathers once upon a time there lived a king who had three sons two of whom were bright youths but the youngest never had anything to say for himself so he was set down by everyone as a simpleton years went on and the king felt himself growing old and he thought it was time to decide which of his sons was to succeed him this was not so easy so he told the youth that whoever should bring him the most beautiful carpet should be his heir and lest they should all want to go in the same direction and quarrel he went up to the roof of the palace and blew three feathers up into the air saying one feather flew east another west and the third went in a straight line between the two for a little way and suddenly to the ground so one brother went east and another west and poor Dumbling was left to follow the third feather which had gone no distance at all where his brothers were much amused Dumbling sat down beside his feather feeling very sad and docile and he was just thinking that all chance of the kingdom was at an end for him when he discovered that all the time he was staring at a trap door in the ground he lifted it and found steps leading down into the earth so he went down the stairs so he came to a door and then he knocked immediately he heard a voice singing little frog so green and cold I pretty open and behold who it is that knocks so bold and the door opened and he saw a large frog squatting in the middle of a circle of little ones the big one bowed to him as he entered and asked him what he sought please said Dumbling taking off his cap and returning the bow I want to know if you can help me to get the most beautiful carpet in the world the frog rolled her eyes for a minute and then turning to one of the little ones at her side said go bring me hither the big casket and the little frog hopped away and came back dragging a large box then the mother frog took a key that hung around her neck on a chain and opened the box and drew for the most beautiful carpet that was ever seen Dumbling was delighted with it and thanking her very heartily he hurried up the steps eager to take it to the palace meanwhile the two brothers never thinking that Dumbling was clever enough to find any sort of carpet at all said to each other let us buy the shawl of the first peasant woman we meet that should be good enough to win us the kingdom so they bought a common old shawl at the first opportunity in the palace arriving just at the same moment as Dumbling the king was astonished when the carpets were spread out before him and he saw the lovely thing Dumbling had brought the prize said he should buy rights belong to my youngest son but the others were so angry at this and roared their father so much that for very peace he had to consent to a new test so the king gave out that whoever should bring him the most beautiful ring should be king when he died and he blew up the feathers as before and bathed the youths follow them the two eldest went east and west but Dumbling's feather did as it did the first time and fell to earth just by the trap door so he pulled it up once again and went down the steps when the door was opened he told the big frog that he wanted the most beautiful ring in the world so she sent one of her little attendants hopping for her jewel casket and when it was come she took out of it a ring that fairly blazed with diamonds and other jewels and finer than the finest workmanship that could be obtained you may imagine Dumbling thanked her very warmly for the ring and hurried off back to the palace as fast as his legs could carry him he found his brothers had just arrived with rings they had taken no more pains to make than to beat two rusty nails into circlates as soon as the king saw Dumbling's jewel he cried out the kingdom belongs to him but the brothers again flew into a passion at this and said that a youth who had as little wit as Dumbling could not possibly reign over the land so they worried the father at last to make just one more condition and this time he said that whoever should bring home the most beautiful woman in the world should succeed to the throne a third time he blew the feathers into the air and the you set out after them Dumbling's feather floated and fell just as before and again he pulled up his trapdoor and went down into the presence of the old frog and told her that this time he wanted the most beautiful maiden in all the world hmmm said the frog it is not everyone who gets that still I will do my best for you nevertheless but first take this and she gave Dumbling little toy a cart made of a hollow carrot to which were harnessed six beautiful white mice the youth looked at this rather doubtfully and asked the mother frog what he was to do with it I will tell you she said take one of my little frog attendants and set her on the carrot so Dumbling picked up the one that happened to be nearest him and puts her on the carrot and lo and behold no sooner was she seated changed into a beautiful maiden and the carrot and the mice into a grand chariot drawn by six prancing horses as soon as he could stop robbing his eyes from wonder Dumbling kissed the maiden and drove off in triumph to the palace meanwhile the brothers as usual had taken no trouble whatever and at the moment Dumbling drove up in his glory they appeared with two peasant girls who were not even pretty of course the king had nothing for it but to award the kingdom to his youngest son and of course the elder brothers still grumbled and made such a fuss that at last a poor king had to consent to yet another trial to prove which was the best wife of the three he decided that they should all jump through a hoop in the hall and the one who did it most prettily was to be the winner and now all the court was gathered together in the hall to see the contest the girls jumped but were so plump that they fell heavily and broke their arms and legs then Dumbling's lovely maiden sprang lightly and gracefully through the ring and landed safely on the other side so at last the brothers had to be content and in time Dumbling came to the throne and ruled wisely and well for many many years end of the three feathers story 43 of the fairy ring this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Carol Struppling the fairy ring edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith story 43 the house in the wood there was once a poor woodcutter who lived with his wife and three daughters in a little hut on the edge of a large forest one morning when he went out to his usual work he said to his wife let my dinner brought by our eldest daughter I shall not be ready to come home and that she may not lose her way I will take with me a bag of seeds and strew them on my path so when the sun was risen to the center of the heavens the maiden set out on her way carrying a jug of soup but the field and wood sparrows, the larks blackbirds, gold finches and green finches had many hours ago picked up the seeds so that the maiden could find no trace of the way so she walked on trusting to fortune till the sun set and night came the trees soon began to rustle in the darkness the stools to who to the girl began to feel frightened all at once perceived a light shining at a distance among the trees people must dwell there she thought who will keep me during the night and she walked toward the light in a short time she came to a cottage where the windows were all lighted up and when she knocked at the door a hoarse voice called from within come in the girl opened the door and perceived a hoary old man sitting at a table with his face buried in his hands and his white beard flowing down over the table onto the ground on the hearth lay three animals hen, a cock and a brindled cow the girl told the old man her adventures and begged for a night's lodging the man said pretty hen, pretty cock brindled cow what have you to say to that Clark said the animals and as that meant they were satisfied the old man said to the maiden here is abundance and to spare go now into the kitchen and cook some supper for us the girl found plenty of everything in the kitchen and cooked a good meal but thought nothing about the animals when she had finished she carried a full dish into the room and sitting down opposite the old man ate till she had satisfied her hunger when she had done she said I am very tired, where is my bed where I shall lie down and sleep the animals replied you have eaten with him you have drunk too with him and yet you have not thought of us still you may pass the night here upon the old man said step down yon stair and you will come to a room containing two beds shake them up and cover them with white sheets and then I will come and lie down to sleep myself the maiden stepped down the stair and as soon as she had shaken up the beds and covered them afresh she laid herself down in one bed without waiting for the old man but after some time the old man came and after looking at the girl with a light shook his head when he saw she was fast asleep and then opening a trap door dropped her down into the cellar below late in the evening the woodcutter arrived at home and scolded his wife because she had let him hunger all day long it's not my fault she replied the girl was sent out with your dinner she must have lost her way but tomorrow she will return no doubt at daybreak the woodcutter got up to go into the forest and desired that the second daughter should bring him his meal this time I will take a bag of peas he said they are larger than corn seed and the girl will therefore see them better and not lose my track at noon day accordingly the girl set out with her father's dinner but the peas had all disappeared for the woodbirds had picked them all up as they had on the day before and not one was left so the poor girl wandered about in the forest till it was quite dark and then she also arrived at the old man's hut was invited in and begged food and a night's lodging the man of the white beard asked his animals again pretty hen and pretty cock and pretty brindled cow what have you to say to that they answered again clack and everything thereupon occurred the same as on the previous day the girl cooked a good meal ate and drank with the old man but never thought of the animals and when she asked for her bed they made answer you have eaten with him you have drunk too with him and yet you have not thought of us still you may pass the night here as soon as she was gone to sleep the old man came and after looking at her and shaking his head as before dropped her into the cellar below meanwhile the third morning arrived and the woodcutter told his wife to send their youngest child with his dinner for she is always obedient and good she will keep in the right path and not run about like those idle hussies but the mother refused and said shall I lose my youngest child too be not afraid of that said her husband the girl will not miss her way she is too steady and prudent but for more precaution I will take beans to strew they are larger still peas and will show her the way better but by and by when the girl went out with her basket on her arm the wood pigeons had eaten up all the beans and she knew not which way to turn she was full of trouble thought with grief how her father would want his dinner and how her dear mother would grieve when she did not return at length when it became quite dark she also perceived the lighted cottage and, entering it begged very politely to be allowed to pass the night there the old man asked the animals a third time the same words pretty hen pretty cock and pretty brindled cow what have you to say to that clock clock said they thereupon the maiden stepped up to the fire near which they lay and fondled a pretty hen and cock smoothing their plumage down with her hands while she stroked the cow between her horns afterwards when she had got ready a good supper at the old man's request and had placed the dishes on the table she thought to herself I must not appease my hunger till I have fed these good creatures there is an abundance in the kitchen I will serve them first thus thinking she went and fetched some corn and strewed it before the fowls and then she brought an armful of hay and gave it to the cow now eat away you good creatures said she to them and when you were thirsty you shall have a nice fresh draught so sane she brought in a pale full of water and the hen and cock perched themselves on its edge put their beaks in and then drew their heads up as birds do when drinking the cow also took a hearty draught when the animals were thus fed the maiden sat down at table with the old man and ate what was left for her a short while the hen and cock began to fold their wings over their heads and the brindled cow blinked with both eyes then the maiden asked shall we not also take our rest the old man replied as before pretty hen pretty cock and pretty brindled cow what have you to say to that clark clark replied the animals meaning you have eaten with us you have drunk too with us you have thought of us kindly too and we wish you a good night's rest so the maiden went down the stairs and shook up the feather beds and laid on clean sheets and when they were ready the old man came and lay down in one with his white beard stretching down to his feet the girl then lay down in the other bed first saying her prayers before she went to sleep she slept quietly till midnight and at that hour there began such a tumult in the house that it awakened her presently it began to crack and rumble in every corner of the room and the doors were slammed back against the wall and then beams groaned as if they were being driven away from their fascinings and the stairs fell down and at last it seemed soon after that all was quiet but the maiden took no harm and went quietly off again to sleep when however the bright light of the morning sun awoke her what a sight met her eyes she found herself lying in a large chamber with everything around belonging to regal pomp on the walls were represented gold flowers growing on a green silk ground the bed was of ivory and the curtains of red velvet and on a stool close by was placed pair of slippers ornamented with pearls the maiden thought it was all a dream but presently in came three servants dressed in rich liveries who asked her what were her commands leave me replied the maiden I will get up at once and cook some breakfast for the old man pretty him the pretty cock and the brindled cow she spoke thus because she thought the old man was already up but when she looked round at his bed she a stranger to her lying to sleep in it while she was looking at him and saw that he was both young and handsome he awoke and starting up said to the maiden I am a king's son who was long ago changed by a wicked old witch old man and condemned to live alone the wood with nobody to bear me company but my three servants in the form of a hen a cock and a brindled cow and the enchantment was not to end until a maiden should come so kind hearted that she should behave as well to my animals as she did to me and such a one you have been and therefore this last midnight we were saved through you and the old wooden hut has again become my royal palace when he had thus spoken the girl and he arose and the prince told his three servants to fetch to the palace the father and mother of the maiden that they might witness her marriage but where are my two sisters she asked I have put them in the cellar replied the prince and there they must remain till tomorrow morning in the forest and bound a servants to a collier until they have reformed their tempers and learned not to let poor animals suffer hunger end of the house in the wood Story 44 of the Fairy Ring this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Ann Cheng the Fairy Ring edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith Story 44 Rapunzel there was once a man and his wife who had long wished in vain for a child when at last they had reason to hope that heaven would grant their wish there was a little window in the back of their house which overlooked a beautiful garden full of lovely flowers and shrubs it was however surrounded by a high wall and nobody dared to enter it because it belonged to a powerful witch who was feared by everyone one day the woman standing at this window and looking into the garden saw a bed planted with beautiful corn salad it looked so fresh and green that it made her long to eat some of it this longing increased every day and as she knew it would never be satisfied she began to look pale and miserable and to pine away and as she knew it would never be satisfied she began to look miserable and to pine away then her husband became alarmed and said what ails you my dear wife alas she answered if I cannot get any of the corn salad from the garden behind our house to eat I shall die her husband who loved her thought before you let your wife die you must fetch her some of that corn salad cost what it may so in the twilight he reached his garden hastily picked a hand from the corn salad and took it back to his wife she immediately dressed it and ate it up very eagerly it was so very very nice that the next day her longing for it increased threefold she could have no peace unless her husband fetched her some more so in the twilight he set out again but when he got over the wall he was terrified to see the witch before him there you come into my garden like a thief and steal my corn salad she said with angry looks it shall disagree with you alas he answered be merciful to me I am only here from necessity my wife sees your corn salad from the window and she has such a longing for it that she would die if she could not get some of it the anger of a witch abated and she said to him if it tears as you say I will allow you to take away with you as much corn salad as you like but on one condition you must give me the child which your wife is about to bring into the world I will care for it like a mother and all will be well with it in this fear the man consented to everything and when the baby was born the witch appeared gave it the name of Rapunzel corn salad Rapunzel was the most beautiful child under the sun after twelve years old the witch shut her up in a tower which stood in a wood it had neither staircase nor doors and only a little window quite high up in the wall when the witch wanted to enter the tower she stood at the foot of it and cried Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair Rapunzel had splendid long hair as fine as spun gold as soon as she heard the voice of the witch she clapped and twisted them around a hook by the window they fell twenty L's downward and the witch climbed up by them it happened a couple of years later that the king's son rode through the forest and came close to the tower from thence he heard a song so lovely that he stopped to listen it was Rapunzel who in her loneliness made her sweet voice resound to pass away the time the king's son wanted to join her and he sought for the door of the tower but there was none to find he rode home but the song had touched his heart so deeply that he went into the forest every day to listen to it once when he was hidden behind the tree he saw a witch come to the tower and call out Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair then Rapunzel lowered her plaits of hair and the witch climbed up to her if that is the ladder by which one ascends I will try my luck myself and the next day when it began to grow dark went to the tower and cried Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair the hair fell down at once and the king's son climbed up by it at first Rapunzel was terrified for she had never set eyes on a man before but the king's son talked to her in a friendly way and told her that his heart had been so deeply touched by her song that he had no peace and he was obliged to see her then Rapunzel lost her fear and when he asked if she would have him for her husband and she saw that he was young and handsome she thought he would love me better than old mother Gothel so she said yes and laid her hand in his she said I will gladly go with you but I do not know how to get down from this tower when you come will you bring a skein of silk with you every time I will twist it into a ladder and when it is long enough I will descend by it and you can take me away with you on your horse she arranged with him that he should come and see her every evening for the old witch came in the daytime the witch discovered nothing till suddenly Rapunzel said to her tell me mother Gothel how can it be that you are so much heavier to draw up than the young prince who will be here in a moment oh you wicked child what do you say I thought I had separated you from all the world and yet you have deceived me in her rage she sees Rapunzel's beautiful hair twisted it twice around her left hand snatched up a pair of shears and cut off the plaques which fell to the ground she was so merciless that she took poor Rapunzel away into a wilderness where she forced her to live in the greatest grief and misery Rapunzel the witch fastened the plaques as she had cut off to the hook by the window and when the prince came and called Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair she lowered the hair the prince climbed up but there he found not his beloved Rapunzel but the witch looked at him with angry and wicked eyes ah she cried mockingly you have come to fetch your lady love but the pretty bird is no longer in her nest and she can sing no more for the cat has seized her and it will scratch your own eyes out too Rapunzel has lost you you will never see her again the prince was beside himself with grief and in his despair he sprang out of the window he was not killed but his eyes were scratched out by the thorns among which he fell he wandered about blind in the wood and had nothing but roots and berries to eat he did nothing but weep and lament over the loss of his beloved wife Rapunzel in this way he wandered about for some years till at last he reached the wilderness where Rapunzel had been living in great poverty with the twins a boy and a girl who had been born to her he heard a voice which seemed very familiar to him and he went toward it the voice was Rapunzel's and she knew him at once and fell weeping upon his neck on his eyes and they immediately grew quite clear and he could see as well as ever he took her to his kingdom where he was received with joy and they lived long and happily together end of Rapunzel story 45 of the fairy ring this is a Libravox recording all Libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libravox.org the fairy ring edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith story 45 the queen bee once upon a time two princes started off in search of adventure and falling into a wild free mode of life did not come home again the third brother who was called the Blockhead set out to look for the other two but when at last he found them they mocked him for thinking of making his way in the world with his simplicity while they who were so much cleverer could not get on they all went on together till they came to an anteep the two elder princes wanted to disturb it to see how the little ants crept away carrying their eggs but the Blockhead said leave the little creatures alone I will not allow you to disturb them then they went on farther till they came to a lake in which a great many ducks were swimming about the two wanted to catch and roast a pear but the Blockhead would not allow it and said leave the creatures alone you shall not kill them at last they came to a bee's nest containing such a quantity of honey that it flowed around the trunk of the tree the two princes wanted to set fire to the tree and suffocate the bees so as to remove the honey but the Blockhead stopped them again and said leave the creatures alone I will not let you burn them at last the three brothers came to a castle where the stables were full of stone horses but not a soul was to be seen they went through all the rooms till they came to a door quite at the end fastened with three bolts in the middle of the door was a lattice through which one could see into the room there they saw a little grey man sitting at a table they called to him once twice but he did not hear them finally when they had called him the third time he stood up and opened the door and came out he said not a word but led them to a richly spread table and when they had eaten and drunk they took them each to a bedroom the next morning the little grey man came to the eldest prince beckoned and led him to a stone tablet where upon were inscribed three tasks by means of which the castle should be freed from enchantment this was the first task in the wood under the moss lay the princesses pearls a thousand in number these had all to be found and if at sunset a single one were missing the seeker would be turned to stone the eldest went away and searched all day but when evening came he had only found the first hundred and it happened as the inscription foretold he was turned to stone the next day the second brother undertook the quest that he fared no better than the first that he found only two hundred pearls and he too was turned to stone at last came the blockheads turn he searched in the moss but the pearls were hard to find and he got on but slowly then he sat down on a rock and cried and as he was sitting there the aunt king whose life he had saved came up with five thousand ants and it was not long before the little creatures had found all the pearls and laid them in a heap now the second task was to get the key at the princesses room out of the lake when the blockhead came to the lake the ducks which he had once saved dived and brought up the key from the depths but the third task was the hardest the prince had to find out which was the youngest and prettiest of the princesses while they were asleep they were exactly alike and could not be distinguished in any way except that before going to sleep each had eaten a different kind of sweet the eldest a piece of sugar the second a little syrup and the third a spoonful of honey then the queen of the bees whom the blockhead had saved from burning came and tried the lips of all three finally she settled on the mouth of the one who had eaten the honey and so the prince recognized the right one then the charm was broken and everything in the castle was set free and those who had been turned to stone took human form again and the blockhead married the youngest and sweetest princess and became king after her father's death while his two brothers married the other sisters End of Story The Queen Bee Story 46 of the Fairy Ring This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jonathan Cook The Fairy Ring edited by Kate Douglas-Wigan and Nora Archibald-Smith Story 46 The Many-Fird Creature There was once upon a time a king who had a wife with golden hair and she was so beautiful that you couldn't find anyone like her in the world It happened that she fell ill and when she felt that she must soon die she sent for the king and said If you want to marry after my death make no one queen unless she is just as beautiful as I am and has just such golden hair as I have Promise me this After the king had promised her this she closed her eyes and died For a long time the king was not to be comforted and he did not even think of taking a second wife At last his counselor said The king must marry again so that we may have a queen So messengers were sent far and wide to seek for a bride equal to the late queen in beauty But there was no one in the wide world and if there had been she could not have had such golden hair Then the messengers came home again not having been able to find a queen Now, the king had a daughter who was just as beautiful as her dead mother and had just such golden hair One day when she had grown up her father looked at her and saw that she was exactly like her mother So he said to his counselors I will marry my daughter to one of you and she shall be queen for she is exactly like her dead mother and when I die her husband shall be king But when the princess heard of her father's decision she was not at all pleased and said to him Before I do your bidding I must have three dresses one as golden as the sun one as silver as the moon and one as shining as the stars Besides these I want a cloak made of a thousand different kinds of skin Every animal in your kingdom must give a bit of its skin to it But she thought to herself This will be quite impossible and I shall not have to marry someone I do not care for The king however was not to be turned from his purpose and he commanded his old maidens and his kingdom to weave the three dresses one as golden as the sun and one as silver as the moon and one as shining as the stars and he gave orders to all his huntsmen to catch one of every kind of beast in the kingdom and to get a bit of its skin to make the cloak of a thousand pieces of fur At last when all was ready the king commanded the cloak to be brought to him and he spread it out before the princess and said tomorrow shall be your wedding day when the princess saw that there was no more hope of changing her father's resolution she determined to flee away In the night when everyone else was sleeping she got up and took three things from her treasures a gold ring a little gold spinning wheel and a gold reel she put the sun, moon and star dresses in a nutshell drew on the cloak of many skins and made her face and hands black with soot Then she commended herself to God and went out and traveled the whole night till she came to a large forest and she was very much tired and she sat down inside a hollow tree and fell asleep The sun rose and still she slept on and on although it was nearly noon Now it happened that the king to whom this wood belonged was hunting in it when his dogs came to the tree they sniffed and ran round and round at barking the king said to his huntsmen see what sort of a wild beast is in there and the huntsmen went in and then came back and said in the hollow tree there lies a wonderful animal that we don't know and we have never seen one like it its skin is made of a thousand pieces of fur but it is lying down asleep the king said see if you can catch it alive and then fasten it to the cart and we will take it with us when the huntsmen seized the maiden she awoke and was frightened and cried out to them I am a poor child, forsaken by father and mother take pity on me and let me go with you and they said to her many furred creature you can work in the kitchen come with us and sweep the ashes together so they put her in the cart and went back to the palace there they showed her a tiny room under the stairs where no daylight came and said to her many furred creature you can live and sleep here then she was sent into the kitchen where she carried wood and water poked the fire, washed vegetables plucked fowls, swept up the ashes and did all the dirty work the creature lived for a long time in great poverty ah, beautiful king's daughter what is going to befall you now it happened once when a great feast was being held in the palace that she said to the cook can I go upstairs for a little bit and look on? I will stand outside the doors the cook replied yes you can go up but in half an hour you must be back here to sweep up the ashes then she took her little oil lamp and went into her little room and washed off the soot from her face and hands so that her beauty shone forth and it was as if one sunbeam after another were coming out of a black cloud then she opened the nut and took out the dress as golden as the sun and when she had done this she went up to the feast and everyone stepped out of her way for nobody knew her and they thought she must be a king's daughter but the king came toward her and gave her his hand and danced with her thinking to himself my eyes have never beheld anyone so fair when the dance was ended she curtsied to him and when the king looked around she had disappeared no one knew with her the guards who were standing before the palace were called and questioned but no one had seen her she had run to her little room and had quickly taken off her dress made her face and hands black put on the fur cloak and was once more the many furred creature when she came into the kitchen and was setting about her work of sweeping the ashes together the cook said to her and just cook the king's soup for me I want to have a little peep at the company upstairs but be sure that you do not let a hair fall into it otherwise you will get nothing to eat in the future so the cook went away and the many furred creature cooked the soup for the king she made a bread soup as well as she possibly could and when it was done she fetched her gold ring from her little room and laid it in the terrine in which the soup was to be served up when the dance was ended the king had his soup brought to him and ate it and it was so good he had thought he never tasted such soup in his life but when he came to the bottom of the dish he saw a gold ring lying there he could not imagine how it got in then he commanded the cook to be brought before him the cook was terrified when he heard the command and said to the many furred creature you must have let a hair fall into the soup and if you have you deserve a good beating when he came before the king the king asked who had cooked the soup I cooked it but the king said that's not true for it was quite different and much better soup than you have ever cooked then the cook said I must confess I did not cook the soup the many furred creature did let her be brought before me said the king when the many furred creature came the king asked her who she was I am a poor child without father or mother then he asked her what do you do in my palace I am of no use except to have boots thrown at my head then how did you get the ring which was in the soup he asked I know nothing at all about the ring she answered so the king could find out nothing and was obliged to send her away after a time there was another feast and the many furred creature begged the cook again to let her go and look on he answered yes but come back in half an hour and cook the king the bread soup that he likes so much so she ran away to her little room washed herself quickly out of the nut the dress is silver as the moon and put it on then she went upstairs looking just like a king's daughter and the king came toward her delighted to see her again and as the dance had just begun they danced together but when the dance was ended she disappeared again so quickly that the king could not see which way she went she ran to her little room and changed herself once more into the many furred creature and went into the kitchen to cook the bread soup when the cook was upstairs she fetched the golden spinning wheel and put it in the dish so that the soup was poured over it it was brought to the king who ate it and liked it as much as the last time he had the cook sent to him and again he had to confess that the many furred creature had cooked the soup then the many furred creature came before the king but she said again that she was of no use except to have boots thrown at her head and that she knew nothing at all of the golden spinning wheel when the king had a feast for the third time things did not turn out quite the same as they had before the cook said you must be a witch many furred creature for you always put something in the soup so that it is much better and tastes nicer to the king than any that I cook but because she begged hard he let her go up for the third time now she put on the dress as shining as the stars and stepped into the hall in it the king danced again with the beautiful maiden and thought she had never looked so beautiful and while he was dancing he put a gold ring on her finger without her seeing it and he commanded that the dance should last longer than usual when it was finished he wanted to keep her hands in his but she broke from him and sprang so quickly away among the people that she vanished from his sight she ran as fast as she could to her little room under the stairs but because she had stayed too long beyond the half hour she could not stop to take off the beautiful dress but only through the fur cloak over it and in her haste did not make herself quite black with the soot one finger remained white the many furred creature and now ran into the kitchen cooked the king's bread soup and when the cook had gone she laid the golden reel in the dish when the king found the reel at the bottom he had the many furred creature brought to him and then he saw the white finger and the ring which he had put on her hand in the dance then he took her hand and held her tightly and as she was trying to get away she undid the fur cloak a little bit and the star dress showed out the king seized the cloak and tore it off her her golden hair came down she could not blend her and could not hide herself away anymore and when the soot and ashes had been washed from her face she looked more beautiful than anyone in the world but the king said you are my dear bride and we will never be separated from each other so the wedding was celebrated and they lived happily ever after End of the Many Furred Creature Recording by Jonathan Cook Story 47 of the Fairy Ring This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Sarah Jennings The Fairy Ring Edited by Kate Douglas Wigan and Nora Archibald Smith Story 47 Snow White and Rose Red A poor widow once lived in a little cottage with a garden in front of it in which grew two rose trees one bearing white roses and the other red She had two children who were just like the two rose trees One was called Snow White and the other Rose Red and they were the sweetest and best children in the world always diligent and always cheerful but Snow White was quieter and more gentle than Rose Red Rose Red loved to run about the fields and meadows and to pick flowers and catch butterflies but Snow White sat at home with her mother and helped in the household or read aloud to her when there was no work to do The two children loved each other so dearly that they always walked about hand in hand whenever they went out together and when Snow White said we will never desert each other Rose Red answered, no, not as long as we live and the mother added whatever one gets she shall share with the other They often roamed about in the woods gathering berries and no beast offered to hurt them on the contrary they came up to them in the most confiding manner and a cabbage leaf from their hands the deer grazed beside them the stag would bound past them merrily and the birds remained on the branches and sang to them with all their might no evil ever befell them if they tarried late in the wood and night overtook them they lay down together on the moss and slept till morning and their mother knew that they were quite safe and never felt anxious about them once when they had slept in the night in the wood and had been wakened by the morning sun a beautiful child in a shining white robe sitting close to their resting place the figure rose up looked at them kindly but said nothing and vanished into the wood and when they looked round about them they became aware that they had slept quite close to a precipice over which they would certainly have fallen had they gone on a few steps further in the darkness and when they told their mother of their adventure she said what they had seen must have been the angel that guards good children Snow White and Rose Red kept their mother's cottage so beautifully clean and neat that it was a pleasure to go into it in summer Rose Red looked after the house and every morning before her mother awoke she placed a bunch of flowers before the bed and a rose from each tree in winter Snow White lit the fire and put on the kettle which was made of brass but so beautifully polished that it shone like gold in the evening when the snowflakes fell their mother said Snow White and Rose Red shudders and they drew round the fire while the mother put on her spectacles and read aloud from a big book and the two girls listened and sat and spun beside them on the ground lay a little lamb and behind them perched a little white dove with its head tucked under its wings one evening as they sat thus cosily together someone knocked at the door as though he desired admittance the mother said Rose Red opened the door quickly to the darkening shelter Rose Red hastened to unbar the door and thought she saw a poor man standing in the darkness outside but it was no such thing only a bear who poked his thick black head through the door Rose Red screamed aloud and sprang back in terror the lamb began to bleed the dove flapped its wings and Snow White ran and hid behind her mother's bed but the bear began to speak and said don't be afraid I won't hurt you I'm half frozen and only wish to warm myself a little my poor bear said the mother lie down by the fire only take care you don't burn your fur then she called out Snow White and Rose Red come out the bear will do you no harm he is a good honest creature so they both came out of their hiding places and gradually the lamb and dove drew near too and they all forgot their fear the bear asked the children to beat the snow out of his fur and they fetched a brush and scrubbed him till he was dry the beast stretched himself in front of the fire and growled quite happily and comfortably the children soon grew quite at their ease with him and led their hapless guest a fearful life they tugged his fur with their hands put their small feet on his back and rolled him about here and there or took a hazel wand and beat him with it and if he growled they only laughed the bear submitted to everything a good nature only when they went too far he cried oh children spare my life Snow White and Rose Red don't beat your lover dead when it was time to retire for the night and the others went to bed the mother said to the bear you can lie there on the hearth in heaven's name it will be shelter for you from the cold and wet as soon as day dawned the children let him out and he trotted over the snow into the wood from this time on and lay down by the hearth and let the children play what pranks they liked with him and they grew so accustomed to him that the door was never shut till their black friend had made his appearance when spring came and all outside was green the bear said one morning to Snow White now I must go away and not return the whole summer where are you going to dear bear asked Snow White I must go to the wood and protect my treasure from the wicked dwarfs in winter when the earth is frozen hard they are obliged to remain underground for they can't work their way through but now when the sun has thawed and warmed the ground they break through and come up above to spy the land and steal what they can what once falls into their hands and into their caves is not easily brought back to light Snow White was quite sad over their friend's departure and when she unbarred the door for him the bear, stepping out a piece of fur in the door-knocker and Snow White thought she caught sight of glittering gold beneath it but she couldn't be certain of it and the bear ran hastily away and soon disappeared behind the trees a short time after this the mother sent the children into the wood to collect faggots they came in their wanderings upon a big tree which lay felled on the ground and on the trunk among the long grass they noticed something jumping up and down but what it was they couldn't distinguish when they approached nearer they perceived a dwarf with a wizened face and a beard a yard long the end of the beard was jammed into a cleft of the tree and the little man sprang about like a dog on a chain and didn't seem to know what he was to do he glared at the girls with his fiery red eyes and screamed out what are you standing there for can't you come and help me what were you doing little man asked Rose Red you stupid inquisitive goose reply the dwarf I wanted to split the tree in order to get little chips of wood for our kitchen fire those thick logs that served to make fires for coarse greedy people like yourselves quite burn up all the little food we need I had successfully driven in the wedge and all was going well but the horrid wood was so slippery that it suddenly sprang out and the tree closed up so rapidly that I had no time to take my beautiful white beard out so here I am stuck fast and I can't get away and you silly smooth faced milk and water girls to stand and laugh what wretches you are the children did all in their power but they couldn't get the beard out it was wedged in far too firmly I will run and fetch somebody said Rose Red crazy block heads snapped the dwarf what's the good of calling anyone else you're already too too many for me does nothing better occur to you than that don't be so impatient said Snow White I'll see you get help and taking her scissors out of her pocket she cut off the end of his beard as soon as the dwarf felt himself free he seized a bag full of gold which was hidden among the roots of the tree lifted it up and muttered aloud cursed these rude wretches cutting off a piece of my splendid beard with these words he swung the bag over his back and disappeared without as much as looking at the children again shortly after this Snow White and Rose Red went out to get a dish of fish as they approached the stream they saw something which looked like an enormous grasshopper swinging toward the water as if it were going to jump they ran forward and recognized their old friend the dwarf where are you going to ask Rose Red you're surely not going to jump into the water I am not such a fool screamed the dwarf don't you see that horrid fish is trying to drag me in the little man had been sitting on the bank fishing when unfortunately the wind had entangled his beard in the line and when immediately afterwards a big fish bit the feeble little creature had no strength to pull it out the fish had the upper fin and dragged the dwarf toward him he clung on with all his might to every Russian blade of grass but it didn't help him much he had to follow every movement of the fish and was in great danger of being drawn into the water the girls came up just at the right moment held him firm and did all they could to disentangle his beard from the line but in vain, beard and line were in a hopeless muddle nothing remained but to produce the scissors and cut the beard by which a small part of it was sacrificed when the dwarf perceived what they were about he yelled to them do you call that in manners you toadstools to disfigure a fellow's face it wasn't enough that you shortened my beard before but you must now needs cut off the best of it I can't appear like this before my own people I wish you'd been at Jericho first then he fetched a sack of pearls that lay among the rushes and without saying another word he dragged it away and disappeared behind a stone it happened that soon after this the mother sent the two girls to the town to buy needles, thread, laces and ribbon their road lay over a heath where a huge boulders of rock lay scattered here and there while trudging along they saw a big bird hovering in the air circling slowly above them but always descending lower till at last it settled on a rock not far from them immediately afterwards they heard a sharp piercing cry they ran forward and saw with horror that the eagle had pounced on their old friend the dwarf and was about to carry him off the tenderhearted children seized hold of the little man and struggled so long with the bird that at last he let go his prey when the dwarf had recovered from the first shock he screamed in his squeaking voice couldn't you have dreaded me more carefully you have torn my thin little coat all to shreds, useless, awkward hussies that you are then he took a bag of precious stones and vanished under the rocks into his cave the girls were accustomed to his ingratitude and went on their way and did their business in town on their way home as they were again passing the heath they surprised the dwarf pouring out his precious stones on an open space for he had thought no one would pass by it so late an hour the evening sun shone on the glittering stones and they glanced and gleamed so beautifully that the children stood still and gazed on them what are you standing there gaping for screamed the dwarf and his ashen gray face became scarlet with rage he was about to go off with these angry words when a sudden growl was heard and a black bear trotted out of the wood the dwarf jumped up in a great fright but he hadn't time to reach his place of retreat for the bear was already close to him then he cried in terror dear Mr. Bear, spare me I'll give you all my treasure look at these beautiful precious stones lying there spare my life what pleasure would you get from a poor feeble little fellow like me you won't feel me between your teeth there lay hold of these two wicked girls they will be a tender morsel for you as fat as young quails eat them up for heaven's sake but the bear, paying no attention to his words gave the evil little creature one blow with his paw and he never moved again the girls had run away but the bear called after them snow white and rose red don't be afraid wait and I'll come with you then they recognized his voice and stood still and when the bear was quite close to them his skin suddenly fell off and a beautiful man stood beside them all dressed in gold I am a king's son, he said and have been doomed by that unholy little dwarf who had stolen my treasure to roam about the woods as a wild bear till his death should set me free now he has received his well merited punishment snow white married him and rose red his brother and they divided the great treasure the dwarf had collected in his cave between them the old mother lived for many years peacefully with her children and she carried the two rose trees with her and they stood in front of her window and every year they bore the finest red and white roses end of snow white and rose red