 CHAPTER 27 OF THE CRIMSON FAIRY-BOOK RECORDED BY PATRICK RINEHART THE CRIMSON FAIRY-BOOK EDITED BY ANGEL LANG NEELS AND THE GIANTS On one of the great moors over a newtland, where trees won't grow because the soil is so sandy and the wind so strong, there once lived a man and his wife, who had a little house and some sheep, and two sons who helped them to herd them. The elder of the two was called Rasmus, and the younger, Neels. Rasmus was quite content to look after sheep as his father had done before him, but Neels had a fancy to be a hunter, and was not happy till he got hold of a gun and learned to shoot. It was only an old muzzle-loading flintlock after all, but Neels thought it a great prize and went about shooting at everything he could see. So much did he practice that in the long run he became a wonderful shot, and was heard of even where he had never been seen. Some people said there was very little in him beyond this, but that was an idea they found reason to change in the course of time. The parents of Rasmus and Neels were good Catholics, and when they were getting old the mother took it into her head that she would like to go to Rome and see the pope. The others didn't see much use in this, but she had her way in the end. They sold all the sheep, shut up the house, and set out for Rome on foot. Neels took his gun with him. What do you want with that? said Rasmus. We have plenty to carry without it. But Neels could not be happy without his gun, and took it all the same. It was in the hottest part of summer that they began their journey, so hot that they could not travel at all in the middle of the day, and they were afraid to do it by night lest they might lose their way or fall into the hands of robbers. One day, a little before sunset, they came to an inn which lay at the edge of a forest. We had better stay here for the night, said Rasmus. What an idea, said Neels, who was growing impatient at the slow progress they were making. We can't travel by day for the heat, and we remain where we are all night. It will be long enough before we get to Rome if we go on at this rate. Rasmus was unwilling to go on, but the two old people sided with Neels, who said, The nights aren't dark, and the moon will soon be up. We can ask at the inn here, and find out which way we ought to take. So they held on for some time, but at last they came to a small opening in the forest, and here they found that the road split in two. There was no signpost to direct them, and the people in the inn had not told them which of the two roads to take. What's to be done now, said Rasmus. I think we had better have stayed at the inn. There's no harm done, said Neels. The night is warm, and we can wait here till morning. One of us will keep watch till midnight, and then wake in the other. Rasmus chose to take the first watch, and the others lay down to sleep. It was very quiet in the forest, and Rasmus could hear the deer and the foxes, and other animals moving about among the rustling leaves. After the moon rose, he could see them occasionally, and when a big star came quite close to him, he got hold of Neels' gun and shot it. Neels was awakened by the report. What's that? He said. I've just shot a stag, said Rasmus, highly pleased with himself. That's nothing, said Neels. I've often shot a sparrow, which is a much more difficult thing to do. It was now close on midnight, so Neels began his watch, and Rasmus went to sleep. It began to get colder, and Neels began to walk about a little to keep himself warm. He soon found that they were not far from the edge of the forest, and when he climbed up one of the trees, there he could see out over the open country beyond. At a little distance he saw a fire, and beside it there sat three giants, busy with broth and beef. They were so huge that the spoons they used were as large as spades, and their forks as big as hay forks. With these they lifted whole bucketfuls of broth and great joints of meat out of an enormous pot which was set on the ground between them. Neels was startled and rather scared at first, but he comforted himself with the thought that the giants were a good way off, and that if they came nearer he could easily hide among the bushes. After watching them for a little, however, he began to get over his alarm, and finally slid down the tree again, resolved to get his gun and play some tricks with him. When he had climbed back to his former position he took good aim and waited till one of the giants was just in the act of putting a large piece of meat into his mouth. Bang! went Neels' gun, and the bullet struck the handle of the forks so hard that the point went into the giant's chin instead of his mouth. None of your tricks riled the giants to the one who sat next to him. What do you mean by hitting my fork like that, and making me prick myself? I never touched your fork, said the other. Don't try to get up a quarrel with me. Look at it then, said the first. Do you suppose I stuck it into my own chin for fun? The two got so angry over the matter that each offered to fight the other there and then, but the third giant acted as peacemaker, and they again fell to their eating. While the quarrel was going on, Neels had loaded the gun again, and just as the second giant was about to put a nice tit-pit into his mouth. Bang! went the gun again, and the fork flew into a dozen pieces. This giant was even more furious than the first had been, and the words were just coming to blows when the third giant again interposed. Don't be fools, he said to them. What's the good of beginning to fight among yourselves when it is so necessary for the three of us to work together and get the upper hand over the king of this country? It will be a hard enough task as it is, but it will be all together hopeless if we don't stick together. Get down again and let us finish our meal. I shall sit between you, and then neither of you can blame the other. Neels was too far away to hear their talk, but from their gestures he could guess what was happening, and thought it good fun. Thrice is lucky, said he to himself. I'll have another shot yet. This time it was the third giant's fork that caught the bullet, and snapped in two. Well, said he, if I were as foolish as you two I would also fly into a rage, but I began to see what time of day it is, and I'm going off this minute to see who it is that's playing these tricks with us. So well had the giant made his observations, that though Neels climbed down the tree as fast as he could, so as to hide among the bushes, he had just got to the ground when the enemy was upon him. Stay where you are, said the giant, or I'll put my foot on you, and there won't be much of you left after that. Neels gave in, and the giant carried him back to his comrades. You don't deserve any mercy at our hands, said his captor, but as you are such a good shot you may be of great use to us, so we shall spare your life if you will do us a service. Afra from here there stands a castle in which the king's daughter lives. We are at war with the king, and want to get the upper hand of him by carrying off the princess. But the castle is so well guarded, that there is no getting into it. By our skill and magic we have cast sleep on every living thing in the castle, except a little black dog, and as long as he is awake we are no better off than before. For as soon as we begin to climb over the wall the little dog will hear us and his barking will awaken all the others again. Having got you we can place you where you will be able to shoot the dog before it begins to bark, and then no one can hinder us from getting the princess into our hands. If you do that we shall not only let you off, but reward you handsomely. Seedniels had to consent, and the giants set out for the castle at once. It was surrounded by a very high rampart, so high that even the giants could not touch the top of it. How am I to get over that, said Neils? Quite easily, said the third giant. I'll throw you up on it. No thanks, said Neils. I might fall down on the other side or break my leg or neck, and then the little dog wouldn't get shot after all. No fear of that, said the giant. The rampart is quite wide on the top and covered with long grass, so that you will come down as softly as though you fell on a feather bed. Neils had to believe him, and allowed the giant to throw him up. He came down on his feet, quite unhurt. But the little blank dog heard the dump and rushed out of its kennel at once. It was just opening its mouth to bark. Then Neils fired, and it fell dead on the spot. Go down on the inside now, said the giant, and see if you can open the gate to us. Neils made his way down into the courtyard, but on his way to the outer gate he found himself the entrance to the large hall of the castle. The door was open and the hall was brilliantly lighted, though there was no one to be seen. Neils went in here and looked round him, on the wall there hung a huge sword without a sheath, and beneath it was a large drinking-horn mounted with silver. Neils went closer to look at these, and saw that the horn had letters engraved on the silver rim. When he took it down and turned it round, he found that the inscription was, "'Whoever drinks the wine I hold can wield the sword that hangs above, then let him use it for the right, and win a royal maiden's love.'" Neils took out the silver stopper of the horn, and drank some of the wine, but when he tried to take down the sword he found himself unable to move it, so he hung up the horn again, and went further into the castle. "'The giants can wait a little,' he said. Before long he came to an apartment in which a beautiful princess lay asleep in a bed, and on a table by her side there lay a gold-hemmed handkerchief. Neils tore this in two, and put one half in his pocket, leaving the other half on the table. On the floor he saw a pair of gold embroidered slippers, and one of these he also put in his pocket. After that he went back to the hall, and took down the horn again. "'Perhaps I have to drink all that is in it before I can move the sword,' he thought. So he put it to his lips again, and drank till it was quite empty. When he had done this he could wield the sword with the greatest of ease, and felt himself strong enough to do anything, even to find the giants he had left outside, who were, no doubt, wondering why he had not opened the gate to them before this time. To kill the giants, he thought, would be using the sword for the right. But as to winning the love of the princess, that was a thing which the son of a poor sheep-farmer need not hope for. When Niels came to the gate of the castle he found that there was a large door and a small one. So he opened the letter. "'Can't you open the big door?' said the giants. "'We shall hardly be able to get in at this one.' "'The bars are too heavy for me to draw,' said Niels. "'If you stoop a little you can quite well come in here.' The first giant accordingly bent down and entered in a stooping posture. But before he had time to straighten his back again, Niels made a sweep with the sword and off went the giant's head. To push the body aside as it fell was quite easy for Niels, so strong had the wine made him, and a second giant, as he entered, met the same reception. The third was slower in coming, so Niels called out to him. "'Be quick,' he said. "'You are surely the oldest of the three, since you are so slow in your movements. But I can't wait here long. I must get back to my own people as soon as possible.' So the third also came in and was served in the same way. It appears from the story that giants were not given fair play. By this time day was beginning to break, and Niels thought that his folks might already be searching for him. So instead of waiting to see what took place at the castle, he ran off to the forest as fast as he could, taking the sword with him. He found the others still asleep, so he woke them up, and they again set out on their journey. Of the night's adventures he said not a word, and when they asked him where he got the sword he only pointed in the direction of the castle and said, over that way. They thought he had found it, and asked no more questions. When Niels left the castle he shut the door behind him, and it closed with such a bang that the porter woke up. He could scarcely believe's eyes when he saw the three headless giants lying in a heap in the courtyard, and could not imagine what had taken place. The whole castle was soon aroused, and then everybody wondered at the affair. It was soon seen that the bodies were those of the king's great enemies, but how they came to be there, and in that condition was a perfect mystery. Then it was noticed that the drinking-horn was empty and the sword gone, while the princess reported that half of her handkerchief and one of her slippers had been taken away. How the giants had been killed seemed a little clearer now, but who had done it was as great a puzzle as before. The old king, who had charged of the castle, said that in his opinion it must have been some young knight who had immediately set off to the king to claim the hand of the princess. This sounded likely, but the messenger who was sent to the court returned with the news that no one there knew anything about the matter. "'We must find him, however,' said the princess, for if he is willing to marry me I cannot in honour refuse him after what my father put on the horn. She took counsel with her father's wisest men as to what ought to be done, and among other things they advised her to build a house beside the highway, and put over the door this inscription. Whoever will tell the story of his life may stay here three nights for nothing. This was done, and many strange tales were told to the princess, but none of the travelers said a word about the three giants. In the meantime Niels and the others tramped on towards Rome. Autumn passed and winter was just beginning when they came to the foot of a great range of mountains towering up to the sky. "'Must we go over these?' said they. "'We shall be frozen to death or buried in the snow.' "'Here comes a man,' said Niels. "'Let us ask him the way to Rome.' They did so, and were told that there was no other way.' "'And is it far yet?' said the old people, who were beginning to be worn out by the long journey. The man held up his foot so that they could see the soul of his shoe. It was worn as thin as paper, and there was a hole in the middle of it. "'These shoes were quite new when I left Rome,' he said. "'And look at them now. That will tell you whether you're far from it or not.' This discouraged the old people so much that they gave up all thought of finishing the journey, and only wished to get back to Denmark as quickly as they could. What with the winter and bad roads, they took longer to return than they had taken to go. But in the end they found themselves in sight of the forest where they had slept before. "'What's this?' said Rasmus. "'Here's a big house built since we passed this way before.' "'So it is,' said Niels. "'Let's stay all night in it.' "'No, we can't afford that,' said the people. "'It will be too dear for the like of us.' However, when they saw what was written above the door, they were all well pleased to get at night's lodging for nothing. They were well received and had so much attention given to them that the old people were quite put out by it. After they had got time to rest themselves, the princesses steward came to hear their story. "'You saw what was written above the door,' he said to the father. "'Tell me who you are and what your history has been.' "'Dear me, I have nothing of any importance to tell you,' said the old man. "'And I am sure we should never have made so bold as to trouble you at all, if it hadn't been for the youngest of our two sons here.' "'Never mind that,' said the steward. "'You are very welcome if you will only tell me the story of your life.' "'Well, well, I will,' said he. "'But there is nothing to tell about it. I and my wife have lived all our days on Amor in North Utland until this last year. When she took a fancy to go to Rome, we set out with our two sons, but turned back long before we got there, and are now on our way home again. That's all my own story, and our two sons have lived with us all their days, so there is nothing more to be told about them either.' "'Yes, there is,' said Rasmus. When we were on our way south, we slamped in the wood near here one night, and I shot a stag. The steward was so much accustomed to hearing stories of no importance that he thought there was no use going further with this, but reported to the princess that the newcomers had nothing to tell. "'Did you question them all?' she said. "'Well, no, not directly,' said he. But the father said that none of them could tell me any more than he had done. "'You are getting careless,' said the princess. I shall go and talk to them myself.' Niels knew the princess again as soon as she entered the room, and it was greatly alarmed, for he immediately supposed that all this was a device to discover the person who had run away with the sword, the slipper, and the half of the handkerchief, and that it would fare badly with him if he were discovered. So he told his story much the same as the others did. Niels was not very particular, and thought he had escaped all further trouble when Rasmus put in his word. "'You've forgotten something, Niels?' he said. "'You remember you found a sword near here that night I shot this stag.' "'Where is the sword?' said the princess. "'I know,' said the steward. "'I saw where he laid it down when they came in.' And off he went to fetch it, while Niels wondered whether he could make his escape in the meantime. Before he had made up his mind, however, the steward was back with the sword, which the princess recognized at once. "'Where did you get this?' she said to Niels. Niels was silent, and wondered what the usual penalty was for poor sheep-farmer's son, who was so unfortunate as to deliver a princess and carry off things from her bedroom. "'See what else he has about him,' said the princess to the steward, and Niels had to submit to be searched. Out of one pocket came a gold embroidered slipper, and out of another the half of a gold-hemmed handkerchief. "'That is enough,' said the princess. "'Now we needn't ask any more questions.' "'Send for my father the king at once.' "'Please let me go,' said Niels. "'I did you as much good as harm at any rate.' "'Why, who said anything about doing harm?' said the princess. "'You must stay here till my father comes.' The way in which the princess smiled when she said this gave Niels some hope that things might not be bad for him after all, and he was yet more encouraged when he thoughtful the words engraved on the horn, though the last line still seemed too good to be true. However, the arrival of the king soon settled the matter. The princess was willing, and so was Niels, and in few days the wedding bells were ringing. Niels was made an earl by that time, and looked as handsome as any of them when dressed in all his robes. Before long the old king died, and Niels reigned after him. But whether his father and mother stayed with him, or went back to the Moor in Newtland, or were sent to Rome in a carriage and fore, is something that all the historians of his reign have forgotten to mention. A shepherd was taking his flock out to pasture when he found a little baby lying in a meadow left there by some wicked person who thought it was too much trouble to look after it. The shepherd was fond of children, so he took the baby home with him and gave it plenty of milk, and by the time the boy was fourteen he could tear up oaks as if they were weeds. Then Paul, as the shepherd had called him, grew tired of living at home, and went out into the world to try his luck. He walked on for many miles, seeing nothing that surprised him, but in an open space of the wood he was astonished at finding a man combing trees as another man would comb flax. Good morning, friend, said Paul. Upon my word you must be a strong man. The man stopped his work and laughed. I am tree-comer, he answered proudly, and the greatest wish of my life is to wrestle with shepherd Paul. May all your wishes be fulfilled as easily, for I am shepherd Paul, and can wrestle with you at once, replied the lad, and he seized tree-comer and flung him with such force to the ground that he sank up to his knees in the earth. However, in a moment he was up again, and catching hold of Paul threw him so that he sank up to his waist. But then it was Paul's turn again, and this time the man was buried up to his neck. That is enough, cried he. I see you are a smart fellow. Let us become friends. Very good, answered Paul, and they continued their journey together. By and by they reached a man who was grinding stones to powder in his hands as if they had been nuts. Good morning, said Paul politely. Upon my word you must be a strong fellow. I am stone-crusher, answered the man, and the greatest wish of my life is to wrestle with shepherd Paul. May all your wishes be as easily fulfilled, for I am shepherd Paul, and will wrestle with you at once, and the sport began. After a short time the man declared himself beaten, and begged leave to go with him, so they all three traveled together. A little further on they came upon a man who was kneading iron as if it had been dough. Good morning, said Paul. You must be a strong fellow. I am iron-needer, and should like to fight shepherd Paul, answered he. Let us begin at once, then, replied Paul, and on this occasion also Paul got the better of his foe, and they all four continued their journey. At midday they entered a forest, and Paul stopped suddenly. We three will go and look for game, he said, and you, tree-comer, will stay behind and prepare a good supper for us. So tree-comer set to work to boil and roast, and when dinner was nearly ready a little dwarf with a pointed beard strolled up to the place. What are you cooking? asked he. Give me some of it. I'll give you some on your back if you like, answered tree-comer rudely. The dwarf took no notice, but waited patiently till the dinner was cooked. Then suddenly throwing tree-comer on the ground he ate up the contents of the saucepan, and vanished. Tree-comer felt rather ashamed of himself and said about boiling some more vegetables, but they were still very hard when the hunters returned, and though they complained of his bad cooking, he did not tell them about the dwarf. Next day stone crusher was left behind, and after him iron kneader, and each time the dwarf appeared, and they fared no better than tree-comer had done. The fourth day Paul said to them, My friends, there must be some reason why your cooking has always been so bad. Now you shall go and hunt, and I will stay behind. So they went off, amusing themselves by thinking what was in store for Paul. He set to work at once, and had just got all his vegetables simmering in the pot when the dwarf appeared as before, and asked to have some of the stew. Be off, cried Paul, snatching up the saucepan as he spoke. The dwarf tried to get hold of his collar, but Paul seized him by the beard and tied him to a big tree that he could not stir, and went on quietly with his cooking. The hunters came back early, longing to see how Paul had got on, and to their surprise dinner was quite ready for them. You are great, useless creatures, said he, who couldn't even outwit that little dwarf. When we have finished supper, I will show you what I've done with him. But when they reached the place where Paul had left the dwarf, neither he nor the tree was to be seen. For the little fellow had pulled it up by the roots and run away, dragging it after him. The four friends followed the track of the tree, and found that it ended in a deep hole. He must have gone down here, said Paul, and I will go after him. See, there is a basket that will do for me to sit in, and a cord to lower me with. But when I pull the cord again, lose no time in drawing the basket up. And he stepped into the basket, which was lowered by his friends. At last it touched the ground, and he jumped out and looked about him. He was in a beautiful valley, full of meadows and streams, with a splendid castle standing by. As the door was open he walked in, but a lovely maiden met him and implored him to go back, for the owner of the castle was a dragon with six heads who had stolen her from her home and brought her down to this underground spot. But Paul refused to listen to all her entreaties, and declared that he was not afraid of the dragon, and did not care how many heads he had, and he sat down calmly to wait for him. In a little while the dragon came in, and all the long teeth in his six heads chattered with anger at the sight of the stranger. I am shepherd Paul, said the young man, and I have come to fight you, and as I am in a hurry we had better begin at once. Very good, answered the dragon. I am sure of my supper, but let us have a mouth full of something first, just to give us an appetite. Whereupon he began to eat some huge boulders as if they had been cakes, and when he had quite finished he offered Paul one. Paul was not fond of boulders, but he took a wooden knife and cut one and two, then he snatched up both halves in his hands and threw them with all his strength at the dragon, so that two out of the six heads were smashed in. At this the dragon was a mighty roar, rushed upon Paul, but he sprang on one side, and with a swinging blow cut off two of the other heads. Then, seizing the monster by the neck, he dashed the remaining heads against the rock. When the maiden heard that the dragon was dead, she thanked her deliverer with tears in her eyes, but told him that her two younger sisters were in the power of the dragon still fiercer, and more horrible than this one. He vowed that his sword should never rest in its sheath till they were set free, and made the girl come with him and show him the way. The maiden gladly consented to go with him, but first she gave him a golden rod and made him strike the castle with it. He did so, and it instantly changed into a golden apple, which he put in his pocket. After that, they started on their search. They had not gone far before they reached the castle where the second girl was confined by the power of the dragon with 12 heads, who had stolen her from her home. She was overjoyed at the sight of her sister and of Paul, and brought him a shirt belonging to the dragon, which made everyone who wore it twice as strong as they were before. Scarcely had he put it on when the dragon came to the castle, and the fight began. Long and hard was the struggle, but Paul's sword and his shirt helped him, and the 12 heads lay dead upon the ground. Then Paul changed the castle into an apple, which he put into his pocket, and set out with the two girls in search of the third castle. It was not long before they found it, and within the walls was the third sister, who was younger, and had prettier than either of the other two. Her husband had 18 heads, but when he quitted the lower regions for the surface of the earth, he left them all at home, except one, which he changed for the head of little dwarf with a pointed beard. The moment that Paul knew that this terrible dragon was no other than the dwarf whom he had tied to the tree, he longed more than ever to fly to his throat. But the thought of the 18 heads warned him to be careful, and the third sister brought him a silk shirt, which would make him 10 times stronger than he was before. He had scarcely put it on when the whole castle began to shake violently, and the dragon flew up the steps into the hall. Well, my friend, so we meet once more. Have you forgotten me? I am Shepard Paul, and I have come to wrestle with you, and to free your wife from your clutches. Ah, I am glad to see you again, said the dragon. Those were my two brothers whom you killed, and now your blood shall pay for them. And he went into his room to look for his shirt, and to drink some magic wine. But the shirt was on Paul's back, and as for the wine, the girl had given a cupful to Paul, and then had allowed the rest to run out of the cask. At this the dragon grew rather frightened, but in a moment had recollected his 18 heads, and was bold again. Come on, he cried, rearing himself up and preparing to dart all his heads at once at Paul. But Paul jumped underneath, and gave an upward cut, so that six of the heads went rolling down. They were the best heads, too, and very soon the other twelve lay beside them. Then Paul changed the castle into an apple, and put it in his pocket. Afterwards he and the three girls set off for the opening, which led upwards to the earth. The basket was still there, dangling from the rope, but it was only big enough to hold the three girls. So Paul sent them up, and told them to be sure and let down the basket for him. Unluckily, at the sight of the maiden's beauty, so far beyond anything they had ever seen, the friends forgot all about Paul, and carried the girls straight away into a far country, so that they were not much better off than before. Mad with rage the ingratitude of the three sisters vowed he would be revenged upon them, and set about finding some way of getting back to earth, but it was not very easy, and for months and months and months he wandered about underground, and at the end seemed no nearer to fulfilling his purpose than he was at the beginning. At length, one day, he happened to pass the nest of a huge griffin who had left her young ones all alone. Just as Paul came along a cloud containing fire instead of rain burst overhead, and all the little griffins would certainly have been killed had not Paul spread his cloak over the nest and saved them. When their father returned the young ones told him what Paul had done, and he lost no time in flying after Paul and asking how he could reward him for his goodness. By carrying me up to the earth, answered Paul, and the griffin agreed, but first went to get some food to eat on the way, as it was a long journey. Now get on my back, he said to Paul, and when I turned my head to the right, cut a slice off the bullock that hangs on that side, and put it in my mouth, and when I turned my head to the left, draw a cup full of wine from the cask that hangs on that side, and pour it down my throat. For three days and three nights Paul and the griffin flew upwards, and on the fourth morning it touched the ground just outside the city where Paul's friends had gone to live. Then Paul thanked him and bade him farewell, and he returned home again. At first Paul was too tired to do anything but sleep, but as soon as he was rested he started off in search of the three faithless ones who almost died from fright at the sight of him, for they had thought he would never come back to reproach them for their wickedness. You know what to expect, Paul said to them quietly. You shall never see me again, off with you! He next took the three apples out of his pocket and placed them all in the prettiest places he could find, after which he tapped them with his golden rod, and they became castles again. He gave two of the castles to the eldest sisters, and kept the other for himself and the youngest, whom he married, and there they are living still. END OF CHAPTER XXVIII CHAPTER XXVIX. CHAPTER XXIX. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND VOLUNTEER, PLEASE VISIT LIBROVOX.org. RECORDING BY ELLE. THE CHAPTER XXIX. The hunters had hunted the wood for so many years that no wild animal was any more to be found in it. You might walk from one end to the other without ever seeing a hare or a deer or a boar or hearing the cooing of the doves in the nest. If they were not dead, they had flown elsewhere. Only three creatures remained alive, and they had hidden themselves in the sickest part of the forest, higher up in the mountain. These were the gray third-long-tailed tanooki, his wife the fox, who was one of his own family and their little son. The fox and the tanooki were very clever broden beasts, and they also were skillful in magic, and by this means they escaped the fate of their unfortunate friends. If they heard the twang of an arrow or saw the glitter of his spear ever so far off, they lay very still and were not to be tempted from the hiding place, if their hunger was ever so great or they gave him ever so delicious. We are not foolish as to risk our lives, they said to each other proudly. But at length they came a day when, in spite of their prudence, they seemed likely to die of starvation, for no more food was to be had. Something had to be done, but they did not know what. Suddenly a bright sort struck the tanooki. I have got the plan, he cried joyfully to his wife. I will pretend to be dead, and you must change yourself into a man and take me to the village for sale. It will be easy to find the buyer. Tanooki's skins are always wanted, then buy some food with the money and come home again. I will manage to escape somehow, so do not worry about me. The fox laughed with delight and rubbed her paws together with satisfaction. Well, next time I will go, she said, and you can sell me. And then she changed herself into a man and picking up the stiff body of the tanooki set off towards the village. She found him rather heavy, but it would never have done to let him walk through the wood and risk his being seen by somebody. As the tanooki had foretold, buyers were many, and the fox handed him over to the person who offered the largest price and hired to get some food with the money. The buyer took the tanooki back to his house and threw him into a corner went out. Directly the tanooki found he was alone. He crept cautiously as red chink in the window, sinking as he did so how lucky it was that he was at the fox and was able to climb. Once a time he hid himself in a ditch till he could ask, and then galloped the way into the forest. While the food lasted, the wolves reared as happy as kings, but there soon arrived the day when the ladder was as empty as ever. It is my turn now to pretend to be dead, cried the fox. So the tanooki changed himself into a peasant and started for the village with his wife's body hanging over his shoulder. The buyer was not longing coming forward, and while they were making the bargain a wicked thought darted into the tanooki's mind that if he got rid of the fox there would be more food for him and his son. So as he put the money in his pocket he whispered softly to the buyer that the fox was not really dead and that if he did not take care she might run away from him. The man did not need twice telling. He gave the poor fox a blow on the head which put an end to her and the wicked tanooki went smiling to the nearest job. In the former times he had been very fond of his little son, but since he had betrayed his wife he seemed to have changed all in a moment, for he would not give him as much as a bite, and the poor little fellow would have starved had he not found nuts and berries to eat, and he waited on always hoping that his mother would come back. That lengthy notion of the truth began to dawn on him, but he was careful to let the old tanooki see nothing, though in his own mind he turned over blends from morning till night, wondering how best he might avenge his mother. One morning as the little tanooki was sitting with his father he remembered with his dad that his mother had taught him all she knew of magic and that he could work spares as well as his father or perhaps better. I misquoted the visit as you, he said suddenly, and he called chill and threw the tanooki as he heard him, though he laughed and pretended to think of the joke. But the little tanooki stuck to his point, and at last the father proposed they should have a wager. Change yourself into any shape you like, said he, and I will undertake to know you. I will go and wait on the bread shoes or the river to the village, and you shall transform yourself into anything you please, but I will no use for any disguise. The little tanooki cried and went down the road which his father had pointed out. But instead of transforming himself into a different shape, he just hid himself in the corner of the bridge, where he could see this up being seen. He had not been there long when his father arrived and took up his place near the middle of the bridge, and soon after the king came by followed by a troop of guards and all of his court. Ah, he thinks that now he has changed himself into a king, I shall not know him, sought the old tanooki, and as the king passed in his plain carriage borne by his servants he jumped upon it crying, I found my wager, you cannot deceive me, but in reality it was he who had deceived himself. The soldiers, conceiving that the king was being attacked, seized the tanooki by their legs and flung him over into the river, and the water closed over him, and the little tanooki saw it all and rejoiced that his mother's death had been avenged. Then he went back to the forest, and if he has not found it too lonely, he is probably living there still, from his panicky mirk. End of how the wicked tanooki was panished, Recording by Ellie, July 2010 Chapter 30 of The Crimson Fairy Book This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Bree The Crimson Fairy Book Edited by Andrew Lang Chapter 30 The Crab and the Monkey There once was a crab who lived in a hole on the shady side of a mountain. She was a very good housewife, and so careful and industrious that there was no creature in the whole country whose hole was so neat and clean as hers, and she took great pride in it. One day she saw lying near the mouth of her hole a handful of cooked rice, which some pilgrim must have let fall when he was stopping to eat his dinner. Delighted at this discovery she hastened to the spot, and was carrying the rice back to her hole when a monkey, who lived in some trees nearby, came down to see what the crab was doing. His eyes shone at the sight of the rice, for it was his favorite food, and, like the sly fellow he was, he proposed a bargain to the crab. She was to give him half the rice in exchange for the kernel of a sweet red cocky fruit which he had just eaten. He half expected that the crab would laugh at his face at this impudent proposal, but instead of doing so she only looked at him for a moment with her head on one side, and then said that she would agree to the exchange. So the monkey went off with his rice, and the crab returned to her hole with the kernel. For some time the crab saw no more of the monkey, who had gone to pay a visit on the sunny side of the mountain. But one morning he happened to pass by her hole, and found her sitting under the shadow of a beautiful cocky tree. Good day! he said politely. You have some very fine fruit there! I am very hungry. Could you spare me one or two? Oh, certainly! replied the crab. But you must forgive me if I cannot get them for you myself. I am no tree climber. Pray do not apologize! answered the monkey. Now that I have your permission I can get them myself quite easily. And the crab consented to let him go up, merely saying that he must throw her down half the fruit. In another moment he was swinging himself from branch to branch, eating all the ripest cockies and filling his pockets with the rest, and the poor crab saw to her disgust that the few he threw down to her were either not ripe at all, or else quite rotten. You are a shocking rogue! she called in a rage, but the monkey took no notice and went on eating as fast as he could. The crab understood that it was no use her scolding, so she resolved to try what cunning would do. Sir Monkey! she said. You are certainly a very good climber, but now that you have eaten so much I am quite sure you would never be able to turn one of your somersaults. The monkey prided himself on turning better somersaults than any of his family, so instantly went head over heel three times on the bow on which he was sitting, and all the beautiful cockies that he had in his pockets rolled to the ground. Quick as lightning the crab picked them up and carried a quantity of them into her house, but when she came up for another the monkey sprang on her and treated her so badly that he left her for dead. When he had beaten her till his arm ached he went his way. It was a lucky thing for the poor crab that she had some friends to come to her help, or she certainly would have died then and there. The wasp flew to her and took her back to bed and looked after her, and then he consulted with a rice mortar and an egg which had fallen out of a nest nearby, and they agreed that when the monkey returned, as he was sure to do, to steal the rest of the fruit, that they would punish him severely for the manner in which he had behaved to the crab. So the mortar climbed up to the beam over the front door, and the egg lay quite still on the ground, while the wasp set down the water bucket in a corner. Then the crab dug itself a deep hole in the ground so that not even the tip of her claws might be seen. Soon after everything was ready the monkey jumped down from his tree and, creeping to the door, began a long hypocritical speech asking pardon for all he had done. He waited for an answer of some sort, but none came. He listened, but all was still. Then he peeped and saw no one. Then he went in. He peered about for the crab, but in vain. However his eyes fell on the egg, which he snatched up and set on the fire. But in a moment the egg had burst into a thousand pieces, and its sharp shell struck him in the face and scratched him horribly. Smarting with the pain, he ran to the bucket and stooped down to throw some water over his head. As he stretched out his hand up started the wasp and stung him on the nose. The monkey shrieked and ran to the door, but as he passed through down fell the mortar and struck him dead. After that the crab lived happily for many years and at length died in peace under her own cocky tree. End of Chapter 30 The Crab and the Monkey Recording by Brie, Richmond, Virginia Chapter 31 of The Crimson Fairy Book This is a LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jefferson Montoya The Crimson Fairy Book Edited by Andrew Lane Chapter 31 The Horse Gullfaxi And the Sword Goonfoter Many, many years ago there lived the king and queen who had only one son called Sigurd. When the little boy was only 10 years old, the queen, his mother, fell ill and died. And the king, who loved her dearly, built a splendid monument to his wife's memory. And day after day he sat by it and bewailed his sad loss. One morning as he sat by the grave he noticed a richly dressed lady close to him. He asked her name and she answered that it was Ingeborg and seemed surprised to see the king there all alone. Then he told her how he had lost his queen and how he came daily to weep at her grave. In return the lady informed him that she had lately lost her husband and suggest that they might both find it a comfort if they made friends. This pleased the king so much that he invited her to his palace where they saw each other often and after a time he married her. After the wedding was over he soon regained his good spirits and used to ride out hunting as in old days. But Sigurd, who was very fond of his stepmother, always stayed at home with her. One evening Ingeborg said to Sigurd, tomorrow your father is going out hunting and you must go with him. But Sigurd said he would much rather stay at home and the next day when the king rode off Sigurd refused to accompany him. The stepmother was very angry but he would not listen. And at last she assured him that he would be sorry for his disobedience and that in future he had better do as he was told. After the hunting party had started she hid Sigurd under her bed and bade him be sure to lie there till she called him. Sigurd lay very still for a long while and was just thinking it was no good staying there anymore when he felt the floor shake under him as if there were an earthquake and peeping out he saw a great giantess wading along ankle deep through the ground and plowing it up as she walked. Good morning sister Ingeborg, cried she as she entered the room. Is Prince Sigurd at home? No, said Ingeborg. He rode off to the forest with his father this morning and she laid the table for her sister and set food before her. After they had both done eating the giantess said thank you sister for your good dinner. The best lamb, the best can of beer, the best drink I have ever had. But is not Prince Sigurd at home? Ingeborg again said no and the giantess took leave of her and went away. When she was quite out of sight Ingeborg told Sigurd to come out of his hiding place. The king returned home at night but his wife told him nothing of what had happened and the next morning she again begged the prince to go hunting with his father. Sigurd however replied as before that he would much rather stay at home. So once more the king rode off alone. This time Ingeborg hid Sigurd under the table and scolded him well for not doing as she bade him. For some time he lay quite still then suddenly the floor began to shake and a giantess came along waiting halfway to her knees through the ground. As she entered the house she asked as the first had done well sister Ingeborg is Prince Sigurd at home? No answered Ingeborg. He rode off hunting with his father this morning and going to the cupboard she laid the table for her sister. When they had finished their meal the giantess rose and said thank you for all these nice dishes and for the best lamb the best can of beer and the nicest drink I've ever had but is Prince Sigurd really not at home? No certainly not replied Ingeborg and with that they took leave of each other. When she was well out of sight Sigurd crept from under the table and his stepmother declared that it was most important that he should not stay at home the next day but he said he did not see what harm could come of it and he did not mean to go out hunting and the next morning when the king prepared to start Ingeborg implored Sigurd to accompany his father but he was all no use. He was quite obstinate and would not listen to a word she said you will have to hide me again said he so no sooner had the king gone than Ingeborg hid Sigurd between the wall and the paneling and by and by there was heard once more a sound like an earthquake as a great giantess waiting knee deep through the ground came in at the door Good day sister Ingeborg she cried in a voice like thunder is Prince Sigurd at home? Oh no answered Ingeborg he is enjoying himself out there in the forest I expect it will be quite dark before he comes back again that's a lie shouted the giantess and they squabbled about it till they were tired after which Ingeborg laid the table and when the giantess had done eating she said well I must thank you for all these good things and for the best lamb the best can of beer and the best drink I have had for a long time but are you quite sure Prince Sigurd is not at home? White said Ingeborg I've told you already that he rode off with his father this morning to hunt in the forest at this the giantess roared out with a terrible voice if he is near enough to hear my words I lay this spell upon him let him be half scorched and half withered and make him neither have rest nor peace until he finds me with these words she stalked off for a moment Ingeborg stood as if turned to stone then she fetched Sigurd from his hiding place and to her horror there he was half scorched and half withered now you see what has happened through your own obstinacy she said but we must lose no time for your father will soon be coming home going quickly into the next room she opened a chest and took out a ball of string and three gold rings and gave them to Sigurd saying if you throw this ball on the ground it will roll along till it reaches some high cliffs there you will see a giantess looking out over the rocks she will call down to you and say ah this is just what I wanted here is Prince Sigurd he shall go into the pot tonight but don't be frightened by her she will draw you up with a long boat hook and you must greet her from me and give her the smallest ring as a present this will please her and she will ask you to wrestle with her when you are exhausted she will offer you a horn to drink out of and though she does not know it the wine will make you so strong that you will easily be able to conquer her after that she will let you stay there all night the same thing will happen with my two other sisters but above all remember this should my little dog come to you and lay his paws on you with tears running down his face then hurry home for my life will be in danger now goodbye and don't forget your stepmother then Ingeborg dropped the ball on the ground and Sigurd bade her farewell that same evening the ball stopped rolling at the foot of some high rocks and on glancing up Sigurd saw the giantess looking out at the top ah just what I wanted she cried out when she saw him here is Prince Sigurd he shall go into the pot tonight come up my friend and wrestle with me with these words she reached out a long boat hook and hauled him up the cliff at first Sigurd was rather frightened but he remembered what Ingeborg had said and gave the giantess her sister's message and the ring the giantess was delighted and challenged him to wrestle with her Sigurd was fond of all games and began to wrestle with joy but he was no match for the giantess and as she noticed that he was getting faint she gave him a horn to drink out of which was very foolish on her part as it made Sigurd so strong that soon he overthrew her you may stay here tonight she said and he was glad of the rest next morning Sigurd threw down the ball again and away it rolled for some time till it stopped at the foot of another high rock then he looked up and saw another giantess even bigger and uglier than the first one who called out to him this is just what I wanted here is prince Sigurd he shall go into the pot tonight come up quickly and wrestle with me and she lost no time hauling him up the prince gave her his stepmother's message and the second largest ring the giantess was greatly pleased when she saw the ring and at once challenge Sigurd to wrestle with her they struggled for a long time till at last Sigurd grew faint so she handed him a horn to drink from and when he had drunk he became so strong that he threw her down with one hand on the third morning Sigurd once more laid down his ball and it rolled far away till at last it stopped under a very high rock indeed over the top of which the most hideous giantess that ever was seen looked down when she saw who was there she cried out this is just what I wanted here comes prince Sigurd into the pot he goes this very night come up here my friend and wrestle with me and she hauled him up just as her sisters had done Sigurd then gave her his stepmother's message in the last and largest ring the side of the red gold delighted the giantess and she challenged Sigurd to a wrestling match this time the fight was fierce and long but when at length Sigurd's strength was failing the giantess gave him something to drink and after he had drunk it he soon brought her to her knees you have beaten me she gasped so now listen to me not far from here is a lake go there and you will find a little girl playing with a boat try to make friends with her and give her this little gold ring you're stronger than you ever were and I wish you good luck with these words they took leave of each other and Sigurd wandered on till he reached the lake where he found the little girl playing with the boat just as he'd been told he went up to her and asked what her name was she was called Helga she answered and she lived nearby so Sigurd gave her the little gold ring and proposed that they should have a game the little girl was delighted where she had no brothers or sisters and they played together all the rest of the day when evening came Sigurd asked leave to go home with her but Helga at first forbade him as no stranger had ever managed to enter their house without being found out by her father who was a very fierce giant however Sigurd persisted and at length she gave way but when they came near the door she held her glove over him and Sigurd was at once transformed into a bundle of wool Helga took the bundle under her arm and threw it on the bed in her room at almost the same moment her father rushed in and hunted around in every corner crying out this place smells of men what's that you threw on the bed Helga a bundle of wool she said oh well perhaps it was that I smelt said the old man and troubled himself no more the following day Helga went out to play and took the bundle of wool with her under her arm when she reached the lake she held her glove over it again and Sigurd resumed his own shape they played the whole day and Sigurd taught Helga all sorts of games she had never even heard of as they walked home in the evening she said we shall be able to play better still tomorrow for my father will have to go to the town so we can stay at home when they were near the house Helga again held her glove over Sigurd and once more he was turned into a bundle of wool and she carried him in without his being seen the very next morning Helga's father went to the town and as soon as he was well out of the way the girl held up her glove and Sigurd was himself again then she took him all over the house to amuse him and opened every room for her father had given her the keys before he left but when they came to the last room Sigurd noticed one key on the bunch which had not been used and asked which room it belonged to Helga grew red and did not answer I suppose you don't mind my seeing the room which it opens as Sigurd and as he spoke he saw a heavy iron door and begged Helga to unlock it for him but she told him she dared not do so at least if she did open the door it must only be a very tiny cheek and Sigurd declared that that would do quite well the door was so heavy that it took Helga some time to open it and Sigurd was so impatient that he pushed it wide open and walked in there he saw a splendid horse already saddled and just above it hung a richly ornamented sword on the handle of which was engraved these words he who rides this horse and wears this sword will find happiness at the side of the horse Sigurd was so filled with wonder that he was not able to speak but at last he gasped out oh do let me mount him and ride him around the house just once I promised not to ask anymore ride him around the house cried Helga growing pale at the mere idea ride gold faxie why father would never never forgive me if I let you do that but it can't do him any harm argued Sigurd you don't know how careful I will be I've ridden all sorts of horses at home and never fallen off not once oh Helga do well perhaps if you come back directly replied Helga doubtfully but you must be very quick or father will find out but instead of mounting gold faxie as she expected Sigurd stood still and the sword he said looking fondly up at the place where it hung my father is a king but he has not got any sword as beautiful as that why the jewels and the scabbard are more splendid than the big ruby in his crown has it got a name some swords have you know it is called gunfjorder the battle plume answered Helga and gold faxie means golden mane I don't suppose if you are to get on the horse at all it would matter you're taking the sword too and if you take the sword you'll have to carry the stick and the stone and the twig as well they are easily carried said Sigurd gazing at them with scorn what wretched dried up things why in the world do you keep them father says that he would rather lose gold faxie than lose them replied Helga for if the man who rides the horse is pursued he has only to throw the twig behind him and it will turn into a forest so thick that even a bird could hardly fly through but if his enemy happens to know magic and can throw down the forest the man has only to strike the stone with the stick and hailstones as large as pigeons eggs will rain down from the sky and will kill everyone for 20 miles around having said all this she allowed Sigurd to ride just once round the house taking the sword and the other things with him but when he had ridden round instead of dismounting he suddenly turned the horse's head and galloped away soon after this Helga's father came home and found his daughter in tears he asked what was the matter and when he heard all that had happened he rushed off as fast as he could to pursue Sigurd now as Sigurd happened to look behind him he saw the giant coming after him with great strides and in all hasty threw the twig behind him immediately such a thick wood sprang up at once between him and his enemy and the giant was obliged to run home for an axe with which to cut his way through next time Sigurd glanced around the giant was so near that he almost touched Gullfax's tail in an agony of fear Sigurd turned quickly in his saddle and hit the stone with the stick no sooner had he done this than a terrible hailstorm burst behind and the giant was killed on the spot but had Sigurd struck the stone without turning around the hail would have driven right into his face and killed him instead after the giant was dead Sigurd rode on towards his home and on the way he suddenly met his stepmother's little dog running to meet him with tears pouring down its face he galloped as hard as he could and on arriving found nine men servants in the act of tying Queen Ingeborg to a post in the courtyard of the palace where they intended to burn her wild with anger Prince Sigurd sprang from his horse and sword in hand fell on the men and killed them all then he released his stepmother and went in with her to see his father the king lay in bed sick with sorrow and neither eating nor drinking or he thought his son had been killed by the queen he could hardly believe his own eyes for joy when he saw the prince and Sigurd told him all his adventures after that Prince Sigurd rode back to Fetchhelga and a great feast was made which lasted three days and everyone said no bride was ever seen so beautiful as Helga and they lived happily for many many years and everybody loved them from Icelandish Martian End of Chapter 31 Recording by Jefferson Montoya Las Vegas, Nevada recorded in August 2011 Chapter 32 of the Crimson Fairy Book This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recorded by Patrick Reinhardt The Crimson Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang The Story of the Sham Prince or The Ambitious Taylor Once upon a time there lived a respectable young Taylor called Labakan who worked for a clever master in Alexandria No one could call Labakan either stupid or lazy for he could work extremely well and quickly when he chose but there was something not altogether right about him Sometimes he would stitch away as fast as if he had a red hot needle and a burning thread and at other times he would sit lost in thought and with such a queer look about him that his fellow workmen used to say Labakan has got on his aristocratic face today On Fridays he would put on his fine robe which he had bought with the money he had managed to save up and go to the mosque As he came back after prayers if he met any friend who said good day or how are you friend Labakan he would wave his hand graciously or nod in a condescending way and if his master happened to say to him as he sometimes did really Labakan you look like a prince he was delighted and would answer have you noticed it too or well so I have long thought Things went on like this for some time and the master put up with Labakan's absurdities because he was on the whole a good fellow and a clever workman one day the sultan's brother happened to be passing through Alexandria and wanted to have one of his state robes altered so he sent for the master tailor who handed the robe over to Labakan as his best workman in the evening when everyone had left the workshop and gone home a great longing drove Labakan back to the place where the royal robe hung he stood a long time gazing at it admiring the rich material and the splendid embroidery in it at last he could hold out no longer he felt he must try it on and lo and behold it fitted as though it had been made for him am not I as good a prince as any other he asked himself as he proudly paced up and down the room has not the master often said that I seemed born to be a prince? it seemed to him that he must be the son of some unknown monarch and at last he determined to set out at once and travel in search of his proper rank he felt as if the splendid robe had been sent him by some kind fairy and he took care not to neglect such a precious gift he collected all his savings and concealed by the darkness of the night he passed through the gates of Alexandria the new prince excited a good deal of curiosity wherever he went for his splendid robe and majestic manner did not seem quite suitable to a person traveling on foot if anyone asked questions he only replied with an important air of mystery that he had his own reasons for not riding however he soon found out that walking made him ridiculous so alas he bought a quiet steady old horse which he managed to get cheap one day as he was ambling along upon Merva that was the horse's name a horseman overtook him and asked to leave to join him so that they might both beguile the journey with pleasant talk the newcomer was a bright cheerful good-looking young man who soon plunged into conversation and asked many questions he told Lava Khan that his own name was Omar that he was a nephew of Elphi Bay and was traveling in order to carry out a command given him by his uncle on his deathbed Lava Khan was not quite so open in his confidences but hinted that he too was of noble birth and was traveling for pleasure the two young men took a fancy to each other and rode on together on the second day of their journey Lava Khan questioned Omar as to the orders he had to carry out and to his surprise heard this tale Elphi Bay, Pacha of Cairo, had brought up Omar from his earliest childhood and the boy had never known his parents on his deathbed Elphi Bay called Omar to him and then told him that he was not his nephew but the son of a great king who, having been warned of coming dangers by astrologers, had sent the young prince away and made a vow not to see him till his 22nd birthday Elphi Bay did not tell Omar his father's name but expressly desired him to be at a great pillar four days journey east of Alexandria on the fourth day of the coming month on which day he would be 22 years old here he would meet some men to whom he was to hand a dagger which Elphi Bay gave him and to say here am I for whom you seek if they answered praise be the prophet who has preserved you he was to follow them and they would take him to his father Lava Khan was greatly surprised and interested by the story but after hearing it he could not help looking on prince Omar with envious eyes angry that his friend should have the position he himself longed so much for he began to make comparisons between the prince and himself and was obliged to confess that he was a fine looking young man with very good manners and a pleasant expression at the same time he felt sure that had he been in the prince's place any royal father might have been glad to own him these thoughts haunted him all day and he dreamt them all night he woke very early and as he saw Omar sleeping quietly with a happy smile on his face a wish arose in his mind to take by force or by cunning the things which an unkind fate had denied him the dagger which was to act as a passport was sticking in Omar's girdle Lava Khan drew it gently out and hesitated for a moment whether or not to plunge it into the heart of the sleeping prince however he shrank from the idea of murder so he contented himself with placing the dagger in his own belt and saddling Omar's swift horse for himself was many miles away before the prince woke up to realize his losses for two days Lava Khan rode on steadily fearing less after all Omar might reach the meeting place before him at the end of the second day he saw the great pillar at a distance it stood on a little hill in the middle of a plane and could be seen a very long way off Lava Khan's heart beat fast at the sight though he had had some time in which to think over the part he meant to play his conscience made him rather uneasy however the thought that he must certainly have been born to be a king supported him and he bravely rode on the neighborhood was quite barren desert and it was a good thing that the new prince had brought food for some time with him as two days were still wanting till the appointed time towards the middle of the next day he saw a long procession of horses and camels coming towards him it halted at the bottom of the hill and some splendid tents were pitched everything looked like the escort of some great man Lava Khan made a shrewd guess that all these people had come here on his account but he checked his impatience knowing that only on the fourth day could his wishes be fulfilled the first rays of the rising sun woke the happy tailor as he began to saddle his horse and prepare to ride to the pillar he could not help having some remorseful thoughts of the trick he had played and the blighted hopes of the real prince but the die was cast and his vanity whispered that he was as fine looking a young man as the proudest king might wish his son to be and that moreover what had happened had happened with these thoughts he summoned up all his courage sprang on his horse and in less than a quarter of an hour was at the foot of the hill here he dismounted tied the horse to a bush and drawing out prince Omar's dagger climbed up the hill at the foot of the pillar stood six men round a tall and stately person his superb robe of cloth of gold was girt round him by a white cashmere shawl and his white richly jeweled turban showed that he was a man of wealth and high rank love icon went straight up to him and bending low handed him the dagger saying here am I whom you seek praised be the prophet who has preserved you reply the old man with tears of joy embrace me my dear son Omar the proud tailor was deeply moved by these solemn words and with mingled shame and joy sank into the old king's arms but his happiness was not long unclouded as he raised his head he saw a horseman who seemed trying to urge a tired or unwilling horse across the plane only too soon lava con recognized his own old horse merva and the real prince Omar but having once told a lie he made up his mind not to own his deceit at last the horseman reached the foot of the hill here he flung himself from the saddle and hurried up to the pillar stop he cried whoever you may be and do not let a disgraceful imposter take you in my name is Omar and let no one attempt to rob me of it this turn of affairs through the standards by into great surprise the old king in particular seemed much moved as he looked from one face to the other at last lava con spoke with forced calmness most gracious lord and father do not let yourself be deceived by this man as far as I know he is a half crazy tailor's apprentice from Alexandria called lava con who really deserves more pity than anger these words infuriated the prince foaming with rage he tried to press towards lava con but the attendants threw themselves upon him and held him fast wilson the king said truly my dear son the poor fellow is quite mad let him be bound and placed on a dromedary perhaps we may be able to get some help for him the prince's first raid was over and with tears he cried to the king my heart tells me that you are my father and in my mother's name I entreat you to hear me oh heaven forbid was the reply he is talking nonsense again how can the poor man have got such notions into his head with these words the king took lava con's arm to support him down the hill they both mounted richly comparison horses and rode across the plane at the head of their followers the unlucky prince was tied hand and foot and fastened on a dromedary a guard riding on either side and keeping a sharp lookout on him the old king was sachet sultan of the watchabites for many years he had had no children but at length the son he had so long wished for was born but the sooth says and magicians whom he consulted as the child's future all said that until he was 22 years old he stood in danger of being injured by an enemy so to make all safe the sultan had confided the prince to his trusty friend elphi bay and deprived himself of the happiness of seeing him for 22 years all this the sultan told lava con and was much pleased by his appearance in dignified manner when they reached their own country they were received with every sign of joy for the news of the prince's safe return had spread like wildfire and every town and village was decorated whilst the inhabitants thronged to greet them with cries of joy and thankfulness all this filled lava con's proud heart with rapture whilst the unfortunate Omar followed in silent rage and despair at length they arrived in the capital where the public rejoicings were grander and more brilliant than anywhere else the queen awaited them in the great hall of the palace surrounded by her entire court it was getting dark and hundreds of colored hanging lamps were lit to turn night in today the brightest hung round the throne on which the queen sat and which stood above four steps of pure gold inlaid with great amethysts the four greatest nobles in the kingdom held a canopy of crimson silk over the queen and the shake of Medina fanned her with a peacock feather fan in this state she awaited her husband and her son she too had not seen Omar since his birth but so many dreams had shown her what he would look like that she felt she would know him among a thousand and now the sound of trumpets and drums and shouts and cheers outside announced the long looked for moment the doors flew open and between rows of low bending courtiers and servants the king approached the throne leading his pretended son by the hand here said he is he for whom you have been longing for so many years but the queen interrupted him that is not my son she cried that is not the face the prophet has shown me in my dreams just as the king was about to reason with her the door was thrown violently open and prince Omar rushed in followed by his keepers whom he had managed to get away from he flung himself down before the throne panting out here will I die kill me at once cruel father for I cannot bear the shame any longer everyone pressed round the unhappy man and the guards were about to seize him when the queen who at first was dumb with surprise sprang up from her throne hold cried she this and no other is the right one this is the one whom my eyes have never yet seen but whom my heart recognizes the guards had stepped back what the king called them in a furious voice to secure the madman it is I who must judge he said in tones of command and this matter cannot be decided by women's dreams but why certain unmistakable signs this one pointing to lava con is my son for it was he who brought me the token from my friend Elphi the dagger he stole it from me shrieked Omar he betrayed my unsuspicious confidence but the king would not listen to his son's voice for he had always been accustomed to depend on his own judgment he let the unhappy Omar be dragged from the hall whilst he himself retired with lava con to his own rooms full of anger with the queen his wife in spite of their many years of happy life together the queen on her side was plunged in grief for she felt certain that an imposter had won her husband's heart and taken the place of her real son when the first shock was over she began to think how she could manage to convince the king of his mistake of course it would be a difficult matter as a man who declared he was Omar had produced the dagger as a token besides talking of all sorts of things which happened when he was a child she called her oldest and wisest ladies about her and asked their advice but none of them had any to give at last one very clever old woman said did not the young man who brought the dagger call him whom your majesty believes to be your son lava con and say he was a crazy tailor yes replied the queen but what of that might it not be said the old lady that the imposter has called your real son by his own name if this should be the case i know of a capital way to find out the truth and she whispered some words the queen who seemed much pleased and went off at once to see the king now the queen was a very wise woman so she pretended to think she might have made a mistake and only begged to be allowed to put a test to the two young men to prove which was the real prince the king who is feeling much ashamed of the rage he had been in with his dear wife consented at once and she said no doubt others would make them ride or shoot or something of that sort but everyone learns these things i wish to set them a task which requires sharp wits and clever hands and i want them to try which of them can best make a caftan and pair of trousers the king left no no that will never do do you suppose my son would compete with that crazy tailor as to which could make the best clothes oh dear no that won't do at all but the queen claimed his promise and as he was a man of his word the king gave in at last he went to his son and banged that he would humor his mother who had set her heart on his making a caftan the worthy lavakan laughed himself if that is all she once thought he her majesty will soon be pleased to only two rooms were prepared with pieces of material scissors needles and threads and each young man was shut up in one of them the king felt rather curious as to what sort of garment his son would make and the queen too was very anxious as to the result of her experiment on the third day they sent for the two young men and their work lavakan came first and spread out his caftan before the eyes of the astonished king see father he said see my honored mother if this is not a masterpiece of work i'll bet the court's tailor himself cannot do better the queen smiled entered to omar and what have you done my son impatiently he threw the stuff and scissors down on the floor i have been taught how to manage a horse to draw a sword and to throw a land some 60 paces but i never learnt just so and such a thing would have been thought beneath the notice of the people of elphi bay the ruler of cairo ah true son of your father cried the queen if only i might embrace you and call you son forgive me my lord and husband she added turning to the king for trying to find out the truth in this way do you not see yourself now which is the prince and which the tailor certainly this caftan is a very fine one but i should like to know what master taught this young man how to make clothes the king sat deep in thought looking now at his wife and now at lavakan who is doing his best to hide his vexation at his own stupidity at last the king said even this trial does not satisfy me but happily i know of a sure way to discover whether or not i have been deceived he ordered his swiftest horse to be saddled mounted and rode off alone into a forest at some little distance he lived a kindly fairy called atlzade who had often helped the kings of his race with her good advice and to her he betook himself in the middle of the forest was a wide open space surrounded by great cedar trees and this was supposed to be the fairy's favorite spot when the king reached this place he dismounted tied his horse to the tree and standing in the middle of the open place said if it is true that you have helped my ancestors in their time of need do not despise their descendant but give me counsel for that of men has failed me he had hardly finished speaking when one of the cedar trees opened and a veiled figure all dressed in white stepped from it i know your errand king sachet she said it is an honest one and i will give you my help take these two little boxes and let the two men who claim to be your son choose between them i know that the real prince will make no mistake she then handed him two little boxes made of ivory set with gold and pearls on the lid of each which the king vainly tried to open was an inscription in diamonds on ones to the words honor and glory and on the other wealth and happiness it would be a hard choice thought the king as he wrote home he lost no time in sending for the queen and for all his court and when all were assembled he made a sign and labhakan was led in with a proud air he walked up to the throne and kneeling down asked what does my lord and father command the king replied my son doubts have been thrown on your claim to that name one of these boxes contains the proofs of your birth choose for yourself no doubt you will choose right he then pointed the ivory boxes which were placed on two little tables near the throne labhakan rose and looked at the boxes he thought for some minutes and then said my honored father what can be better than the happiness of being your son and what a nobler than the riches of your love I choose the box with the words wealth and happiness we shall see presently if you have chosen the right one for the present take a seat there beside the pacha of medina replied the king Omar was next led in looking sad and sorrowful he threw himself down before the throne and asked what was the king's pleasure the king pointed out the two boxes to him and he rose and went to the tables he carefully read the two mottos and said the last few days have shown me how uncertain is happiness and how easily riches vanish away should I lose a crown by it I make my choice of honor and glory he laid his hand on the box as he spoke but the king signed him to wait and ordered labhakan to come to the other table and lay his hand on the box he had chosen then the king rose from his throne and in solemn silence all present rose too whilst he said open the boxes and may Allah show us the truth the boxes were opened with the greatest ease in the one Omar had chosen lay a little gold crown and set on a velvet cushion in labhakan's box was found a large needle with some thread the king told the two young men to bring him their boxes they did so he took the crown in his hand and as he held it it grew bigger and bigger till it was as large as a real crown he placed it on the head of his son Omar kissed him on the forehead and placed him on his right hand then turning to labhakan he said there's an old proverb the cobbler sticks to his last it seems as though you were to stick to your needle you have not deserved any mercy but I cannot be harsh on this day I give you your life but I advise you to leave this country as fast as you can full of shame the unlucky tailor could not answer he flung himself down before Omar and with tears in his eyes asked can you forgive me prince go in peace said Omar as he raised him oh my true son cried the king as he clasped the prince in his arms whilst all the potches and emeers shouted long live prince Omar in the midst of all the noise and rejoicing labhakan slipped off with his little box under his arm he went to the stables saddled his old horse merva and rode out of the gate towards alexandria nothing but the ivory box with its diamond motto was left to show him that the last few weeks had not been a dream when he reached alexandria he rode up to his old master's door when he entered the shop his master came forward to ask what was his pleasure but as soon as he saw who it was he called his workmen and they all fell on labhakan with blows and angry words till at last he fell half fainting on a heap of old clothes the master then scolded him soundly about the stolen robe but in vain labhakan told him he had come to pay for it and offered three times its price they only felt beating him again and at last pushed him out of the house more dead than alive he could do nothing but remount his horse and ride to an inn here he found a quiet place in which to rest his bruised and battered limbs and to think over his many misfortunes he fell asleep fully determined to give up trying to be great but to lead the life of an honest workman next morning he set to work to fulfill his good resolutions he sold his little box to a jeweler for a good price bought a house and opened a workshop then he hung up a sign with labhakan taylor over his door and sat down to mend his own torn clothes with the very needle which had been in the ivory box after a while he was called away and when he went back to his work he found a wonderful thing and happened the needle was sewing away all by itself and making the neatest little stitches such as labhakan had never been able to make even at his best certainly even the smallest gift of a kind fairy is of great value and this one had yet another advantage for the thread never came to an end however much the needle sewed labhakan soon got plenty of customers he used to cut out the clothes make the first stitch with a magic needle and then leave it to do the rest before long the whole town went to him for his work was both so good and so cheap the only puzzle was how he could do so working all alone and also why he worked with closed doors and so the promise on the ivory box of wealth and happiness came true for him and when he heard of all the brave doings of Prince Omar who was the pride and darling of his people and the terror of his enemies the ex-prince thought to himself after all I am better off as a taylor for honor and glory are apt to be very dangerous things end of the story of the sham prince or the ambitious taylor