 CHAPTER XII. THE AMBITIOUS THRUSH. Once there was a thrush who lived in a tree on the borders of a field that a man sowed to cotton seed. The seed sprouted up through the ground and grew into bushes, and after a time the bushes had big, brown pods on them. Presently the pods burst open and the fluffy white cotton bulged out of them. "'How nice and soft that cotton looks,' said the thrush. She picked some of it and used it to line her nest. Never before had she slept with such ease as she did on that bed of cotton. During her flights about the region she often passed the door of a man who made a business of carding cotton so it could be spun into thread. By carding it he disentangled the fibers and then he formed it into small rolls and sold it to the spinners. The thrush often observed him at his work, and at length she concluded that she also would make some use of the cotton besides simply lining her nest with it. So again and again, every day she would fly down among the cotton bushes, pluck out a fluff of cotton in her beak, and fly away and hide it. She kept on doing this till she had quite a large heap. Then she flew to the house of the cotton carter and alighted in front of him. "'Good day, man,' said she. "'Good day, little bird,' said the cotton carter. "'Man,' said the thrush. "'I have a heap of beautiful cotton, and you shall have half of it if you will card the rest and make it into rolls for me.' "'Very well,' said the man. "'I will do as you desire. Where's your cotton?' "'Come with me and I will show you,' said the thrush.' So she flew along ahead of the man and guided him to the place where she had hid in her hoard of cotton. The man took the cotton home and carded it and made it into rolls. Half of it he took for doing the work and the rest he gave back to the thrush. Not far from the carter lived a spinner, and the thrush went to him and said, "'Mr. Spinner, I have some rolls of cotton all ready to spin into thread. If I give you half of them, will you spin the other half into thread for me?' "'That I will,' said the spinner, and the thrush showed him the way to where she had put the rolls. In a few days the spinner had spun all the rolls into the finest thread. Then he took a pair of scales and weighed the thread to make two equal parts. Half he kept for himself and the other half he gave to the thrush. The next thing the thrush did was to fly to the house of a weaver, to whom she said, "'Sir, I have some cotton thread all ready to weave into cloth. If I give you half of the thread, will you weave the other half into cloth for me?' "'Certainly,' said the weaver, and the thrush guided him to where she had secreted the thread. He carried it home and spun it into cloth and half the cloth he kept, and half he gave to the thrush. She was an ambitious bird, eager to convey an impression of distinction, and she decided to have some garments made for herself out of the cloth. So she went to a tailor and said, "'I have a nice piece of cotton cloth, and I will give you half of it if you will make the rest into clothes for me.' The tailor was glad to do this, and the bird guided him to where she had hid in the cloth. He took it home and it once set to work. Half of it sufficed to make a beautiful dress for the thrush. There was a skirt, and there was a jacket with sleeves in the latest pattern. A little of the cloth was left over, and the tailor used it to make a pretty hat for the thrush to put on her head. Then she was indeed delighted, and felt there was little more to desire in the world. She put on her skirt and her jacket with fashionable sleeves, and the little hat, and looked at her image in a woodland pool. What she saw pleased her greatly. In fact she became so vain that nothing would do but she must show herself to the king. So she flew and flew and flew until she came to the king's palace. Right into the great hall she winged her way, and perched on a peg that was high on the wall and began to sing. The king and the queen and all the courtiers were sitting down below. "'Oh, look!' exclaimed the queen. "'There is a thrush and a jacket and skirt and a pretty hat.' Everybody looked at the thrush singing on her peg and clapped their hands. "'Come here, little bird,' said the king, and show the queen your pretty clothes. The thrush felt highly flattered and flew down on the table and took off her jacket to show the queen. After the queen had looked at it she folded it up and put it in her pocket. "'Give me my jacket,' twittred the thrush. "'I shall catch cold, and besides it is not proper for a lady to go about without a jacket. All the company laughed, and the king said, "'You shall have your jacket, Mistress Thrush, if you will come nearer.' She approached the king close enough so he was able to make a sudden grab and catch her. "'Let me go!' squeaked the thrush, struggling to get free. But the king would not release her. "'Greetie king!' cried the thrush. "'You ought to be ashamed to covet my little jacket.' That made the king angry, and he took a carving knife and chopped her to little bits. While he was doing so the thrush kept exclaiming, "'The king snips and cuts like a tailor, but he is not so honest.' When the king had finished chopping her up he began to wash the pieces, and each piece as he washed it called out, "'The king scours and scrubs like a washerwoman, but he is not so honest.' As soon as the washing was done he put the pieces into a frying pan and began to fry them. Then all the time they cried out, "'The king is doing the work of a cook, but he is not so honest.' After the pieces were fried the king ate them, but even that did not silence the wronged thrush. She continually shouted, "'I am inside of the king. It is just like the inside of any other man, only not so honest.' The king was like a walking musical box, and he did not like it, but it was his own fault. No matter where he went everyone heard the cries of the thrush proclaiming that she was inside of the king and that his inside was just like that of other men, only not so honest. This caused a good deal of gossip among the king's subjects and resulted in his being universally despised. At last he could stand it no longer. He sent for his doctor and said the talking bird must be removed. "'That cannot be done without causing your death,' said the doctor. It will cause my death if it is not done,' declared the king, for I cannot endure being made a fool of. So the doctor had to remove the thrush, and strange to say the pieces had united and as soon as the bird was released she flew away. Her beautiful clothes were all gone, but she did not regret that. She was quite content in future to use cotton only to make a soft lining for her nest, and never again had a desire to ape the ways of mankind. As for the king, he died, and it was a good riddance. His son reigned in his stead, and he remembered his father's miserable death, and kept all his promises to men and beasts and birds. End of CHAPTER XII. CHAPTER XIII. THE FURTRY FAIRYBOOK. BY CLYPTON JOHNSON. THE BEWITCHED BOTTLES. In the good old days, when the fairies were more frequently seen than in these unbelieving times, a farmer named Mick Purcell rented a few acres of barren ground in southern Ireland, about three miles from Mallow, and twelve from the city of Cork. Mick had a wife and children, and they helped him all they could. That, however, was very little, for none of the children were big enough to do much work, and his wife was kept busy taking care of them and milking the cow, boiling the potatoes, and carrying the eggs to market. So, though Mick was never idle from morning till night, it was by no means easy for them to make a living. Yet by hook or by crook, they contrived to get along until they came a bad year. The oats were all spoiled that season, the chickens died of the pip, and the pig got the measles so that when it was sold, it brought almost nothing. Mick was in despair. The rent had been long due, and he addressed his wife, saying, Molly, what shall we do? My dear, said she, what can you do but take the cow to the fair at Cork and sell her. Saturday is fair day, and this is Thursday. You must start tomorrow, that the poor beast may have a night's rest there, and be at her best when you show her at the fair. And what will you do when she's gone, asked Mick sorrowfully. Never a no I know, Mick, she replied. But sure I am that we will be taken care of. You remember how it was when little Billy was sick, and we had no medicine for him to take. That good doctor gentleman at Ballishin came writing and asking for a drink of milk, and he gave us two shillings and sent things for Billy, and he gave me my breakfast when I went to his house to ask a question. So he did. He came to see Billy again and again, and never left off his goodness till the boy was quite well. Oh, you are always that way, Molly, said Mick, and I believe you are right, after all. So I won't be sorry for selling the cow, and I'll take her to Cork tomorrow. But before I go, you must put a needle and thread through my coat, for you know it is ripped under the arm. Molly told him he should have everything right, and about twelve o'clock next day he started, while Molly stood in the doorway of their cabin and called after him not to sell the cow, except at the highest price. Mick promised to do as she bid, and went his way along the road. As he drove his cow through the little stream that crosses the highway and runs on beside the old walls of Moran Abbey, he glanced toward the ruinous towers. I've often heard there is great treasure buried under you, said he. Oh, if I only had that money, it isn't driving this cow I'd be now. What a pity such a treasure should be there covered over with earth, and many a one wanting it besides me. Well, if it be God's will, I will have some money myself when I am coming back. So, saying, he moved on after his beast. It was a fine day, and the sun shone brightly on the walls of the old Abbey, and all the country around looked green and pleasant. Six miles further on, he came to the top of a high hill, and just there a man overtook him and greeted him with a, good morrow? Good morrow kindly, said Mick, looking at the stranger, who was such a little man that he might almost be called a dwarf. He had a wrinkled yellow face and a sharp nose, red eyes, and white hair, and he was muffled up in a big overcoat that came down to his heels. His eyes were never quiet, but looked at everything, and they made Mick feel quite cold when he met their glance. In truth, he did not much like the little man's company, and he drove his cow on faster, but the stranger kept up with him. It seemed to Mick that this fellow traveler did not walk like other men, and that instead of putting one foot before the other, he glided over the rough road, like a shadow, without noise and without effort. Mick's heart trembled within him, and he said a prayer to himself, wishing he had not come that day or that he did not have the cow to take care of, so he might run away from the mysterious stranger. In the midst of his fears, he was again addressed by his companion, who asked him where he was going with his cow. To the fair at Cork, replied Mick, trembling at the shrill and piercing tones of the stranger's voice. Are you going to sell her? inquired the little man. Why, for what else could I be taking her to the fair, was Mick's response. Will you sell her to me? said the stranger. Mick started. He was afraid to have anything to do with the little man, and yet he was more afraid to say no. He hesitated, and then asked, what will you give for her? I'll give you this bottle, answered the little man, pulling a bottle from under his coat. Mick looked at him and the bottle, and in spite of his terror, could not help laughing. Laugh if you will, said the little man, but I tell you this bottle is worth more to you than all the money you can get for your cow in Cork. Aye, a thousand times over. Mick laughed again. Why, said he, do you think I am such a fool as to give my good cow for a bottle, and an empty one too? Indeed, I won't. You had better give me the cow and take the bottle, said the little man. You'll be sorry if you don't. But what would Molly say, muttered Mick? I'd never hear the end of it, and how would I pay the rent? And what would we all do without a penny of money? This bottle of mine is better to you than money, the little man affirmed. Take it and give me the cow. I ask you for the last time, Mick Purcell. How does he know my name? thought Mick with increased alarm. I have a regard for you, Mick Purcell. The stranger continued. Therefore, do I warn you that unless you make the exchange I have proposed you will be sorry for it. How do you know but your cow may die before you get to Cork? God forbid, explained Mick. And how do you know, the little man went on, but there will be so many cattle at the fair you will get a poor price. Or you might be robbed when you are coming home. But why need I talk more to you when you are determined to throw away your luck? Oh, no, I would not throw away my luck, sir, Mick affirmed hastily. And if I was sure the bottle was as good as you say, though I never liked an empty bottle, I'd give you the cow for it. I would not tell you a lie, declared the stranger. Here, take the bottle, and when you get home, do what I direct, exactly. Mick hesitated. Well then, said the little man sharply, goodbye, I can stay no longer. Take the bottle and be rich, or refuse it and beg for your living and see your children in poverty and your wife dying of want. That is what will happen to you, Mick Purcell. And the little man grinned maliciously. Maybe to his true, said Mick, still hesitating. He did not know what to do, and yet he could hardly help believing the old man. The latter was turning to go when Mick, in a fit of desperation, seized the bottle. Take the cow, said he, and if you are telling a lie, the curse of the poor will be on you. I can neither for your curses nor for your blessings, retorted little man. I have spoken the truth, Mick Purcell, and as you will surely know tonight after you reach home, if you do what I tell you. And what's that, inquired Mick? When you go into the house, said the little man, never mind if your wife is angry over the bargain you have made, be quiet yourself and get her to sweep the room and to clear off the table and spread a clean cloth over it. Then put the bottle on the floor, saying these words, bottle, do your duty and you will see what will happen. Is that all, asked Mick. No more, was the stranger's answer. Farewell, Mick Purcell, you are a rich man. God granted, said Mick, as the stranger went off driving the cow. Mick now started toward home, but he had gone only a few paces when he turned to have one more look at the purchaser of his cow. To his surprise, neither the little man nor the cow were to be seen. The Lord be between us and him, explained Mick. That little man can't belong to this earth. And Mick continued on his way, muttering prayers and holding fast the bottle. What would I do if it broke, thought he, but I'll look out for that. So he put the bottle into his bosom and carried on, anxious to prove the virtues of his treasure and at the same time a good deal troubled over the reception he was likely to meet from his wife. He reached home in the evening, still much perturbed between his doubts and hopes and surprised his wife, sitting beside a turf fire burning in the big fireplace. Oh, Mick, are you come back? She cried. Sure, you haven't been all the way to Cork. What has happened to you? Where's the cow? Did you sell her? How much money did you get for her? What is the news? Molly, said he, if you'll give me time, I'll tell you all this happened, but I can't tell you where the cow is. You sold her on the way, did you? And where's the money? And how's... Stop a while, Molly, he interrupted, and I'll tell you all about it. What bottle is that under your waistcoat? She asked, spying the neck of it, sticking out. Be easy, can't you? Begged Mick, and he put the bottle on the table and said, that's what I got for the cow. His wife was thunderstruck. A bottle, she ejaculated, an empty bottle and nothing more. Just an empty bottle, Mick replied. But, and what good is it? Said Molly. Oh, Mick, I never thought you were such a fool, and how will we pay the rent? And how, now, Molly, said Mick. Can't you stop a bit and hearken to reason? An old man overtook me on the big hill halfway to Cork, and he made me sell him the cow, and said this bottle, which he gave me in exchange, would make me rich. Make you rich, cried Molly. We'll see what it will do for you. And she snatched it up from the table, intending to break it over his head. But Mick caught it before it had time to descend, and, recalling the old man's advice to keep peaceable, he gently loosened his wife's grasp and placed the bottle again in his bosom. Molly sat down and wept, while Mick told her his story with many a crossing and blessing between him and harm. The marvel of it caused his wife's doubts to vanish, for she had as much faith in fairies as she had in the priest, who indeed never discouraged her belief in them. Maybe he believed in them himself. She got up and began to sweep the earthen floor with a bunch of heath. That done, she tidied up everything, set up the long table, and spread a clean cloth on it. Mick then placed the bottle on the floor and said, bottle, do your duty. Look there, look there, Mommy. Exclaimed the chubby eldest son, a boy about six years old, and he sprang to his mother's side and clung to her skirts in terror with his eyes in the bottle. Two tiny men were climbing out of it, and in a few moments they had brought plates and other dishes, all of solid gold or silver, and put them on the table, and the dishes contained a bountiful feast of the choicest food that was ever seen. As soon as this task was finished, the tiny men went into the bottle, which Mick then picked up and carefully set on the mantle, where the little men had gone he could not tell, for the bottle seemed to be as empty as when he first received it. For some time, Mick and his wife stood and gazed at the table in silent bewilderment. They had never seen such dishes before and did not think they could ever admire them enough. In fact, the sight of all this splendor almost took away their appetites. But at length, Molly said, come and sit down, Mick, and try to eat a bit. Sure, you ought to be hungry after such a good day's work. It's plain the little man told no lie about the bottle, said Mick, and he helped the children into the seats around the table. They all made a hearty meal, though they could not eat half the food that was before them. Now, said Molly, I wonder if these fine things are ours to do as we please with them, or if these two good little gentlemen in the bottle will carry them away. They waited to see what would happen. But the little men remained in the bottle and at length, Molly cleared the table and put away the dishes. Ah, Mick, said she, you'll be a rich man yet. As the stranger who took your cow foretold. Before they went to sleep that night, they decided that they would sell some of their fine tableware, and with the money it brought, pay what they owed, and rent more land. So the next day, Mick went to Cork, laden with a number of the gold and silver dishes, which he had sold for more money than he had ever had in his hands before. He did not return on foot, for he bought a horse and cart, so that he was able to ride. In the weeks that followed, he increased his wealth from time to time by calling forth the imps out of the bottle, and it was soon plain to everyone that Mick was prospering. He and his wife did all they could to keep a source of their good fortune a secret, but their landlord presently came to Mick and asked him where he got all his money, for he knew very well it was not from the farm. Mick tried to put him off with excuses. This, however, would not do, and the landlord was so persistent that finally Mick told him about the bottle. The landlord offered Mick a great deal of money for it, but Mick continued to refuse until the landlord said that, in addition to the money, he would give him the farm he rented. Mick surrendered the bottle, feeling that he was now so rich he would never be in want again. But he was mistaken, for he and his family lived as if there was no end to their fortune. They earned little and spent much. Their wealth melted away, and at length they became so poor they had nothing left which they could sell but one cow. So Mick prepared to drive the cow to Cork Fair and dispose of her. It was hardly daybreak when he left home, and he walked on at a good pace till he reached the big hill midway in his journey. The mists were sleeping in the valleys and curling like smoke reeds on the brown heath around him. Just beside the road, as he was going along, a lark sprang from its grassy couch and ascended into the clear blue sky, pouring forth its joyous matinsong. While Mick was watching it, he was startled and rejoiced to hear the well-remembered voice of that same old man who had accosted him here once before. Well, Mick Purcell, said the stranger, I told you that you would be a rich man, and you found that I was rife, did you not? Indeed, sir, it was the truth you spoke, and no mistake, replied Mick, but it's not rich I am now. Have you another bottle? I need it as much at present as when I first saw you. So if you have one, sir, here is my cow for it. And here is a bottle, responded the little man, taking it from an inside pocket of his coat. You know what to do with it. Sure I do, said Mick. Farewell, said the strange old man as he turned to go. And goodbye to you, sir, said Mick. May your shadow never grow less. Goodbye, sir, goodbye. Mick wasted no time looking back to see what became of the little man and the cow, but hastened homeward. As soon as he arrived, he called out, Molly, Molly, I have another bottle. Have you, said she, laughing joyfully. Why, then you're a lucky man, Mick Purcell. That's what you are. She quickly put everything in order and set forth the table with a clean spread on it. Then Mick placed the bottle on the floor and said with a tone of exultation in his voice, bottle, do your duty. In a twinkling, two big, stout men with heavy cudgels issued from the bottle, I do not know how there was room for them in it. And belabored Mick and Molly and the rest of the family, including the dog and the cat, till they sank bruised and fainted the floor. This result seemed to satisfy the two men and they returned the bottle. When Mick recovered sufficiently to get on his feet, he stood and thought and thought. At length, he helped up his wife and children, but he left them to get over their fright as best they could while he took the bottle under his coat and went off to call on his landlord. The landlord's mansion was full of company when he got there and they were just sitting down to a magnificent feast provided by the imps of the bottle which Mick formerly owned. He sent in word by a servant that he wanted to speak with the master of the house on urgent business. Pretty soon, the landlord came out. Well, what do you want now? he asked roughly. Nothing, sir, only to tell you that I have another bottle, Mick answered. Oh-ho! said the landlord, softening his manner and rubbing his hands together gleefully. And is it as good as the first? Yes, sir, and better, declared Mick. If you like, I will show it to you before all the ladies and gentlemen in your dining hall. Come along, then, was the landlord's response and if I'm satisfied with what you show, I will pay a good round price for the bottle. He conducted his former tenant into the great hall where Mick was interested to behold the other bottle standing high up on the shelf. Now, said the landlord, let us see what your bottle can do. Mick said it on the floor and said, bottle, do your duty. Immediately out came the two stout men with their big clubs and knocked the landlord off his feet. Then they assailed the ladies and gentlemen, his guests and the servants also, and there was running and sprawling and kicking and shrieking. Cups and plates and solvers were scattered about in all directions and the landlord began to call out, Mick Purcell, stop these two demons or I'll have you hanged. No, no, said Mick. They will never be stopped by me till I get that bottle I used to own, which I see high up on the shelf there. Give it to him, give it to him before we are all killed, visage the battered ladies and gentlemen. Take it and make haste, cried the landlord. So Mick climbed up and got the bottle that had been the source of his former good fortune. By this time the men with the cuddles had pounded the company to their satisfaction. They retired to their bottle and off went Mick with both bottles in his bosom. As the years passed he became richer and richer and when in his old age his servants broke the bottles while fighting at a wake he was careful not to squander his riches as he had previously. So he and his wife lived happily to the end of their days. End of chapter 13, recording by Lex Hankins. Chapter 14 of the Fur Tree Fairy Book. This is a LibriVox recording for all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sonja. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. A peace meeting. Once upon a time there was a big pasture in which were kept many horses and cattle and pigs. The pigs were very greedy and the horses and cattle were not on good terms with them. At last one of the horses said, let us have a peace meeting and invite to it all the animals that feed in this pasture. Perhaps it will enable us to settle our quarrels with the pigs and establish more friendly relations with them. Yes, said a cow. I wish we might have peace with those pigs. They are always taking our food, drinking our water and rooting up our nice green grass. But it is also true that our own calves and colts have heard many of the young pigs. This trouble and fighting are not right and we know that our master wishes us to dwell peaceably together. So it was agreed that there should be a peace meeting and the small and gentle cow was sent to invite the pigs to attend. As she approached the pigs yard the young pigs jumped up and grunted. What are you coming here for? Do you want to fight? No, I don't want to fight, responded the cow. I was sent here to invite you to a peace meeting. Will you come? The pigs talked the matter over and one of the old pigs said, maybe they will have some good things for us to eat at this meeting. I think we should go. That decided them and they told the cow they would be present at the meeting. The day for the gathering came and the pigs were among the first at the appointed place. Presently when all was ready the leader of the cows addressed the pigs saying, we think there should be no more quarrels in this pasture. Will you agree not to spoil our grass or eat our food? If so we will promise that none of the horses and cows old or young shall hurt your children and all the former enmity shall henceforth be forgotten. Then a young pig stood up to reply, this big pasture, said he, belongs to our master and not to you. We pigs cannot go outside of the fence to other places for food. Every day our master sent servants to feed us and to clean our pen. In the summer they fill a pond with fresh water for us to bathe in. We take your food only after you have finished. It would spoil on the ground if we did not. Do our people ever hurt your people? No, and yet each year some of our children are killed by bad horses and cows. Is it your belief that our master regards you more highly than us? Consider a moment how he treats our people and how he treats you. He never makes us work as he does the horses and oxen. No, he gives us plenty of food and lets us play and take our ease day in and day out the whole year through. Surely that is because he likes us best. The horses and oxen are at work constantly. Some pull wagons, others plow the land and they rarely are given any time to rest except at night. But our life is one of comfort and leisure. Observe how fat we are. You'll never see our bones. Look at the old horses and the old oxen and notice how lean they are and how their ribs show. And is it any wonder after twenty years of work and no rest? I tell you, our master does not honor the horses and oxen as he does the pigs. That is all I have to say. Have I not spoken the truth? The leader of the cows shook her head sadly and said, Moo, moo. The tired old horses groaned. Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo. But could think of no reply to the pigs' argument. Then the cow leader said, Why should we discuss things about which we know nothing? We do not seem to understand our master. The meeting is ended. On their way home the little pigs made a big noise and each said gleefully, Wee, wee, we won, we won. The old horses and oxen discussed the subject among themselves, but they arrived at no conclusion. Certainly we are stronger, wiser and more useful than the pigs, they said. Why does our master treat us so? End of chapter 14. Chapter 15 of The Fur Tree Fairy Book. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. Chapter 15. The Soldier and the Dragon. There was once a young soldier who went far away from his home to fight in a war. When the war was over and he returned, his father and mother had died and no one was left in the family but himself. His entire inheritance was a cow and two sheep and these he decided to sell. Then, said he, I will seek my fortune somewhere else instead of remaining here in poverty. The cow and the sheep were sold and the soldier set out on his travels. After walking for about a week, he one day found himself in a great forest and toward night he came to an old castle with the woods all around it. The castle door was open and he entered. Not a person was to be seen but on a long table was food enough ready for eating to serve a score. The soldier stood a long time silently waiting in the hope that the dwellers in the castle would appear and invite him to eat with him but he waited in vain. The castle seemed to be abandoned and at last the soldier said, upon my word, it is a shame to neglect this food any longer. I may as well eat. Surely no one will greatly blame me for doing so. He seated himself at the table and though at first somewhat anxious, ate and drank with a good appetite. By the time he finished, his confidence was fully restored and he went to look through the adjoining rooms. In one, he found heaps of rich merchandise. In another were many bags and boxes of gold, silver and jewels while in a third the walls were half hidden by a great array of guns. This castle is of robbers then, said the soldier when he saw all this and the robbers have gone off on some expedition. They will doubtless soon return but since I am here I will take possession of this treasure and these guns and drive the robbers away. He began to prepare the castle as well as he could to stand a siege. After barricading the doors and windows, he loaded all the guns and sat down to wait. Presently, he heard the robbers coming and he took his place at a window that commanded the approach to the castle. Closer to hand, he had set a large number of guns ready loaded and he immediately began to fire. The robbers were vastly astonished and though they were fully 20 of them, they dropped the booty with which they were laden and retired to shelter. But they reappeared shortly and threw themselves against the heavy door, raging, swearing. The door however, withstood their battering and as the soldier killed or wounded one of them at every shot, they in a short time ran off carrying the wounded with them and were lost to sight in the forest. They will be back tomorrow, most likely with reinforcements, said the soldier and he strengthened his barricades and reloaded the guns he had discharged. It happened as he expected. At dawn the next day, the robbers again returned with a dozen others whom they had summoned to their aid. They yelled and fired their guns and threw stones and pounded the door with heavy clubs. All the time, the soldier was shooting from his window and in the end, every robber was killed. The soldier was now in complete possession of the castle and all the treasures it contained. He explored it from top to bottom and concluded to make it his home. In the days that followed, he often went forth into the forest to hunt and the castle and the life he led suited him very well. Thus, things went on until one day when he was out with his gun, he took aim to shoot a fine rabbit. Greatly to his surprise, the rabbit spoke saying, Do not kill me, I may perhaps be useful to you. Very well, said the soldier, I will not harm you and you can come with me and be my servant. He went on followed by the rabbit and in a little while he saw a bear. He took careful aim and was about to shoot when the bear said, Do not kill me and I will make myself useful to you. All right, was the soldier's response. Follow me and we will see in what way you can serve me. The soldier at length returned to the castle and the rabbit and bear went with him. That evening, as they were in the great hall enjoying the heat of the fire and the fireplace, the bear said, I heard this morning that the daughter of the king is about to be taken to a dragon which will devour her. Would it not be well for us to go and deliver her? That would be a very perilous undertaking, said the soldier. Sure, explained the bear, it is not as dangerous as you think. I am ready to do my part. Yes, said the rabbit, and I will do my part. All three of us ought to be more than a match for one dragon. Let us go then, said the soldier. The next morning he armed himself with a stout sword and they started. It was a long distance and when the soldier tired of walking, the bear carried him on its back. At last they met a procession carrying the princess to the dragon. Thousands of people were in the procession and they were all weeping. The soldier and his comrades went along with a rest to the edge of a big, desolate plain. Then the people turned back and left the princess to go on alone. The cavern of the dragon was in the midst of the plain and every month a maiden had to come to him to be devoured. Otherwise he would have devastated the whole kingdom. The maidens were chosen by lot and this time the lot had fallen on the daughter of the king. Abandoned by all the world, she went slowly on, wailing and shedding great tears. Meanwhile the soldier was engaged in buying a handsome horse from one of the returning citizens. As soon as he had secured it, he galloped after the princess with a bear and the rabbit following him. When he overtook her, he said, I pray you, dear lady, to mount behind me and I will carry you wither you are going. Alas, she responded, I shall get there only too soon. I do not wish to hasten to my death. Confide in me, said the soldier, with the aid of my two companions whom you see here, I will save you from the monster. I will do whatever you say, the princess agreed. Though I have little hope that you can save me. Then the soldier leapt to the ground, helped the princess onto the horse's back, remounted himself and rode on toward the abode of the dragon. The dragon heard them coming and crawled out of its cave. So here you are at last, princess, it snorted. But I see you have companions with you. The more the better, for I shall eat you and them too. Next, the dragon addressed the soldier and said, young man, I am all ready, throw me the princess. If you want her, come and take her. The soldier responded, throw her to me, ordered the dragon savagely. Or with my sharp teeth, I will make sausage meat of you in no time. I'm not afraid of you, retorted the soldier. Now we must all do our duty, said the bear in a low voice. First, let the lady slip off the horse and stand out of harm's way. Then I will clinch the monster from the front and the ravage shall run and nip its tail. And while we are thus taking its attention, our master must gallop forward and flash off its head. The princess elighted from the horse and the bear dashed at the dreadful creature and grappled with it. At the same time, the rabbit ran and worried it in the rear. Lastly, the soldier put spurs to his steed and joined in the attack. The dragon was too much engaged with the bear and rabbit to defend itself from him. And with a tremendous blow of his sword, he cut off the beast's head. Victory, victory, cried the soldier and the princess. But the assailants did not escape without injuries. The bear and rabbit had their skins torn and were much fatigued and the soldier and the princess were nearly overcome with the dragon's sulfurous breath. In order to have something to show to the king as a proof that the beast had been vanquished, the soldier cut out the dragon's tongue and put it in a bag to carry along. The evening was near and they could journey no farther that day. Therefore, they looked around, seeking someplace that would afford shelter for the night. The dragon's cave was too foul and it seemed necessary that they should sleep on the open plain. But the bear rolled together several boulders and a half circle to keep off the wind and in the protection of these, they all gathered to await the morning, except the horse which was tethered at a little remove. The rabbit served as a pillow for the princess and the bear curled down at her feet to keep her warm. Before going to sleep, they talked about the events of the day and their plans for the future. One thing they settled then and there to the satisfaction of all concerned and this was that the soldier should marry the princess. It happened that a charcoal burner whose curiosity was keener than his fear ventured onto the plain in the late evening, hoping to learn the fate of the princess. As he was prowling about, he discovered the dragon with its severed head and presently he heard a sound of voices and approached the group where the soldier and his friends had established themselves. He hid behind a boulder and listened to the conversation and determined to profit by it. When they were all fast asleep, he stole softly into the midst of the group and cut off the soldier's head. Then he carried away the princess to his hut on the borders of the plain. Afterward, he returned and secured the head of the dragon. In the morning, he washed his hands and face, brushed his hair, put on his best clothes and took the princess to her father, the king, and said he was the conqueror of the dragon. The king had promised his daughter should marry the man whoever he might be that should deliver her from the dreadful beast. So, after some consultation, the day following was appointed for the wedding. But the princess protested that the charcoal burner was not her deliverer. However, as he had the head of the dragon to show, no one paid much attention to what she said. When the bear and the rabbit awoke after a long night's sleep, they were much astonished to see that the princess was gone and that their master's head was cut off. How is it bear, said the rabbit, that with such things happening, you did not wake? I was very weary, replied the bear, and it seems you slept just as soundly. The first thing to be done, said the rabbit, is to put our master's head on his shoulders and bring him to life. Then we will search for the princess. Luckily, I know where to get some magic earth that will restore our master and I will go after it at once. The rabbit scurried off while the bear stood on guard. In time, the rabbit returned with the magic earth. The bear fitted the soldier's head to his body and the rabbit rubbed the magic earth on the wound. Immediately the soldier was made whole and he opened his eyes and sat up. Ah, said he. How well I have slept. I think from the look of the sun, it must now be afternoon. But where is the princess? They told him all that had occurred and he was very much troubled. You need not worry, said the rabbit. We will find the princess soon. I promise you. Without delay, they set off to go to the royal city and by night they drew near the king's palace and stopped in a small wood. You too remain here, said the rabbit and I will find out what is happening in the palace. The rabbit went on and crept into the palace where he discovered that a great feast was in progress celebrating the return of the princess. One thing only, marred the pleasure of those who participated and that was her persistence in saying that she did not want the charcoal burner for her husband and that he was not her deliverer. The rabbit entered the dining hall. Look, look, look, a rabbit! cried the guests. The servants hastened to pursue it but it ran and dodged until it came near where the princess sat. Then it suddenly sprang into her lap and said in low voice, my master, who rescued you from the dragon, is not far away. He loves you always. The princess was overjoyed. She caressed the rabbit and was giving it sweet meats when the charcoal burner began to shout, drive away the ugly beast. What has it done? said the princess, protecting it with her arms. Drive it away quickly, I tell you. The charcoal burner continued. It is a sorcerer, kill it. The servants approached, armed with brooms and sticks and the rabbit took to flight and leapt lightly through the window. Next day, the wedding guests assembled but just when everything was ready for the ceremony, the soldier, followed by the bear and the rabbit, entered the palace. The guests at this site were about to stampede to safety but the soldier raised his hand and said, let no one attempt to leave the hall or he will have to deal with my friend here. So saying, he pulled the bear's ear and the bear growled threateningly. Then the soldier turned to the king and said, do you believe that it was this ugly charcoal burner who rescued your daughter from the dragon and are you willing to give him your daughter to be his wife? I am a man of my word, responded the king. Very well, said the soldier, but the charcoal burner did not deliver the princess from the monster. It was I, though I must add that I had the help of these two friends, the bear and the rabbit. But the charcoal burner has given us proof we cannot doubt, said the king. He brought with him the dragon's head. Let the head be produced and I will prove to you that he is a fraud, said the soldier. The king dispatched the servant to fetch the head and when it had been brought, the soldier said, now open the dragon's mouth. See if it has a tongue. The servant opened the monster's mouth. Sure enough, there was no tongue. Why, how does that happen? asked the king. I cut out the tongue immediately after I killed the beast, explained the soldier. And here it is. From a bag he carried, he shook the tongue out on a table. Yes, cried the princess, it is he who was my deliverer and it is he who shall be my husband. The charcoal burner saw that everything was going against him and he slipped out of sight in the crowd and got away unobserved out of the palace. When search was made for him, he was not to be found. Well, said the king, I'm glad he is gone, it is a good riddance and now let us have the wedding. So the soldier married the princess and the event was celebrated with holidays and banquets throughout the kingdom. End of Chapter 15 Recording by Ulrika Denny Chapter 16 of the Fur Tree 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 Nan Dodge. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. The Fairies of Merlin's Crag. In Scotland, long, long ago, there were two brothers named Donald and John Gilray. They lived together in a little cottage and worked for a farmer whose house was about a mile distant. One day the farmer sent them to dig peat turf in a pasture near a wild rocky bluff known as Merlin's Crag. After working for a considerable time, they saw coming toward them from the Crag a little woman about 18 inches in height, clad in a green gown and wearing on her feet a pair of red shoes. She waved a cane she carried at the astonished laborers and said, How would you like it if my husband was to come and take the roof off from your house as you were taking it off from ours? I command you to put back every turf exactly where you found it. Then she left them and the two men with fear and trembling replaced the turfs. That done they went to their master and told him what had happened. The farmer only laughed at them. You must have fallen asleep up there on the moor when you ought to have been working, said he. And you have had a bad dream to pay you for your neglect. Take a cart and fetch home the turfs you have dug immediately. The men went back with much reluctance, but nothing unusual happened while they were in the pasture, and they loaded a cart and drove with it to the farm. After they finished their day's work and were passing Merlin's Crag on their way home in the dusk of evening, they saw streams of brilliant light shining forth from innumerable crevices in the black rocks. They stopped and gazed. Come, said John, let's go and find out what this is all about. Many's the time we've passed here and we've never seen anything like that before. No, said Donald, we're safer to keep to the highway. But John would not be satisfied with that and he moved toward the lighted Crag and Donald followed. As they drew near, they were charmed by the most exquisite fiddling they had ever heard. By searching they found an opening in the rocks, something like a rude window, and they looked in and saw a company of fairies engaged in a merry dance. Among the rest was the little old woman who had spoken to them on the peat bog. John was so overpowered by the enchanting jigs the fiddler was playing that he proposed they should go inside the Crag and join in the fun. We should never be able to get away, declared Donald. I am as fond of dancing as anyone, but nothing would tempt me to dance in that company. However, John was more adventurous than his brother and every new jig that was played and every new reel that was danced inspired him with additional ardour. At last he could restrain himself no longer and he leaped through the window into the midst of the dancers. Welcome, cried the old fairy woman and she held out her hands to him and off they went in a mad whirl. He is there for no good, said Donald, who still stood at the window. What can I do? After thinking the situation over, he began to shout remonstrances to his brother and to beg him to come out, but neither the fairies nor John would pause in their reel and they only waved their hands beckoning him to join them. There Donald stayed shouting to his brother until he heard a cock crow at his master's farm. Immediately the lights flashed out, the music ceased and he was alone on the side of the wild crag. He went back to the farm and told the melancholy tale of poor John's fate. This was soon the talk of all the countryside and it was generally agreed that John was lost forever. But one old man who was very wise and fairy-lore came to Donald and unfolded a plan for accomplishing his brother's rescue. Make a little cross out of the wood of the rowan tree, said he, and carry it in your pocket and the fairies will have no power over you. Then be sure to pass Merlin's crag every evening and when you see it lighted, enter it boldly and claim your brother. If he refuses to go with you, seize him and carry him off by force, you need not be afraid, for as long as you have the rowan cross in your pocket, the fairies will not dare to interfere with you. Donald was not so sure about his safety as the old man was, but he was willing to risk much to affect his brother's rescue, so he agreed to try the experiment whatever the result might be. He made the rowan cross and carried it in his pocket and every evening he passed Merlin's crag watching for the lights, but the crag was perfectly dark until just a year after the day when the brothers first saw the fairies. That evening Donald saw the lights glimmering from the crevices of the rocks and he at once left the road and climbed up till he found the very window that he had looked through a 12 month previous. There was the same scene within of married dancers and the music was just as stirring and delightful. In the midst of the dancers was John Gilray whirling about with the little old fairy exactly as his brother had last seen him. Donald crept through the window and advanced with trembling footsteps. His courage returned as he went on and presently he made a sudden dash in among the dancers and seized his brother by the collar. You must come with me, said he. Yes, yes, said John, I'll come and you need not handle me so roughly. But first let me finish this dance. What is your hurry anyhow? I haven't been here a half hour yet. A half hour, exclaimed Donald, you have been here a whole year. John refused to believe this, but Donald dragged him away and got him outside. The little old fairy woman looked forth at them through the window. Goodbye, she said waving her hand to John. We have had you here a whole year, a prisoner in our dance. That is your punishment for taking the roof off our house, but the grass has again grown green on the spot where you removed the turf and the roof is nearly as good as ever so you can go if you choose, but I warn you not to be digging your turf there again. She waved her hand once more and suddenly the lights were gone and the rocks of Merlin's crag were as black and solid as ever. It was now midnight and the two brothers went home rejoicing. End of chapter 16. Chapter 17 of the Fur Tree 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 Chad Horner from Ballyclair in County Andrew, Northern Ireland. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. Chapter 17. The Little Boy and the Big Cow. Once upon a time there was a little boy who had a big cow and he fed her and took good care of her and milked her twice a day. Everything went on very well until one morning he went out to milk her and said, hold still my cow, my dearie and fill my bucket with milk and if you'll not be contrary, I'll give you a going of silk but the cow wouldn't stand still. Look at that now, said the little boy. What am I to do with such a contrary cow? So off he went to his mother at the house. Mother said he, the cow won't stand still and I can't milk her. Well, said his mother, go to the cow and tell her there is a weary, weary lady with long yellow hair sit sweeping for a sip of milk. Back he ran to the cow and repeated to her his mother's words but the cow wouldn't stand still. Then he went to the house again and told his mother, well said his mother, tell the cow there's a fine, fine laddie from the wars beside the weary, weary lady with golden hair. He is sweeping for a sip of milk. Off he went and repeated to the cow his mother's words but she wouldn't stand still and he hurried to the house and told his mother, well said his mother, tell the cow there's a sharp, sharp sword at the belt of a fine, fine laddie from the wars. He is beside the weary, weary lady with golden hair. Who sits weeping for a sip of milk. He told the cow but she wouldn't stand still and once more he came to the house to advise with his mother. Run quick, said she and tell the cow that her head is going to be cut off by the sharp, sharp sword in the hands of the fine, fine laddie from the wars if she doesn't give the sip of milk for which the weary, weary lady weeps. The little boy went and told the cow and she concluded she had better stand still so the little boy milked the big cow and the weary, weary lady with the golden hair stopped her weeping and got her sip of milk and the fine, fine laddie from the wars did not have to cut off the cow's head with his sharp, sharp sword. After that everything went well that didn't go ill. End of Chapter 17, recording by Chad Horner from Balli Clare in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Chapter 18 of the Fur Tree 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 Nikalia Schwartz, Nikalia.com. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. A Bottle of Brains. Once there was a simple-minded fellow who wanted to buy a bottle of brains for he was always getting into scrapes through his foolishness and being laughed at by everyone. Folk told him he could get whatever he wanted from the wise woman who lived at the top of the hill and dealt in potions and herbs and magic spells and could tell a person all that was going to happen to him. So the simple lad asked his mother if he could see the wise woman and buy a bottle of brains. To be sure, said she, for you are in sore need of them, my son. And if I should die, who would take care of a poor, simple fellow such as you are? But mind your manners and speak fair to her, my lad. These wise folk are easily mispleased. After he had eaten supper, off he went to the wise woman on the hill. And there he found her sitting in her kitchen by the fire, stirring a big pot. Good evening, Mrs., said he as he entered the door. It's a fine night. Yes, said she, and went on stirring. But it will maybe rain, said he, fidgeting from one foot to the other. Maybe, said she. And perhaps it won't, said he, and looked out of the window. Perhaps not, said she. He scratched his head and twisted his hat. Well, said he, I can't think of anything else about the weather, but let me see. The crops are getting on fine. Yes, said she. And, and the beasts are fattening, said he. They are, said she. And, and, said he, and came to a stop. But after a few moments, he remarked, I reckon I've talked enough for politeness and now we'll tackle business. Have you any brains to sell? That depends on what you want, said she. If you are after king's brains, or soldier's brains, or schoolmaster's brains, I do not keep them. Mercy, no, he exclaimed. I'm not after such as that, but just ordinary brains, fit for any simple fellow, the same as everyone has about here, something plain and common-like and only a bottleful. Very well, said the wise woman. I might manage it, if so be you'll help yourself. What would you have me do, he asked. She looked into the pot before replying, and then said, Bring me the heart of the thing you like best, and I'll tell you where to get your bottle of brains. But how can I do that, he questioned anxiously. That's not for me to say, she answered. Find out for yourself, my lad, if you do not want to live to be a simpleton all your days. Now, I must attend to other matters, so good evening to you. And she bowed him out and shut the door. Off went the lad to his mother, and told her what the wise woman had said. And I reckon I'll have to kill our pig, he added, for I like fat pork better than anything else. Then kill the pig, advised his mother, for certainly it will be a strange and good thing for you if you can buy a bottle of brains and be able to take care of yourself. So he killed the pig, and the next day he again visited the wise woman at her cottage on the hill. There she sat by the hearth, reading in a great book. Good evening, Mrs. said he, I've brought you the heart of the thing I like best of all. It is the heart of our pig, is that so? Said she, and looked at him through her spectacles. Then tell me this, what runs without feet? He thought, and thought, and thought, but he could not tell. Go your way, said she. You have not fetched me the right thing yet, and I have no brains for you today. So saying, she clapped her book together and turned her back, and the lad went to tell his mother. As he drew near to the house, out ran some of the neighbors to inform him that his mother was dying. When he went in, she smiled at him feebly, and soon, without speaking a word, breathed her last. He left the room and sat down on a bench just outside of the house door, and the more he thought about his mother's death, the worse he felt. He remembered how she had taken care of him ever since he was a tiny child, helping him with his lessons, cooking his food, mending his clothes, and bearing with his foolishness. Oh, mother, mother, he sighed. Who will take care of me? You have left me all alone, and what shall I do now to get that bottle of brains? After the funeral was over, he went once more to consult the wise woman, and he told her of his mother's sudden death, and how he had now more need than ever of the bottle of brains. Well, said she, I can do nothing for you yet, unless you can answer me one more riddle that I have to ask. What is it that is yellow and shining, but is not gold? He pondered on her question for a long time without being able to give any answer, and at last she shut the door in his face and he walked sadly away. Pretty soon he sat down by the roadside and began to cry, and he fairly howled till the tears ran down into his mouth. While he was in the midst of his grief, along came a lass who lived nearby, and she stopped and looked at him. What's troubling you? She asked. Oh dear, said he, I've killed my pig and lost my mother and I'm nothing but a simpleton. That's bad, said she, and haven't you anybody to look after you? No, said he, and what is worst of all, I don't know how to buy a bottle of brains. What are you talking about, said she, and down she sat by him, and he told her all about the wise woman and the pig and his mother and the riddles and that he was alone in the world. Well, said she, I wouldn't mind looking after you myself. Could you do it? Said he, wiping away his tears and gazing at her hopefully. Oh yes, said she, folks say that simpletons make good husbands, and I believe I'll have you if you are willing. Can you cook? Said he. Yes, said she, and scrub, said he. Surely, said she, and mend my clothes, said he. I can, said she. I reckon you'll suit me as well as anybody, said he, but what shall I do about getting a bottle of brains from the wise woman? Wait a bit, said she, and perhaps we can show her that it will not matter if you're a simpleton for so long as you have me to look after you. All right, said he. Then off they trudged and got married. Afterward, they went to the house where the youth's mother had lived, and his wife kept it so clean and neat and cooked his food so nice that one evening he said to her, Lass, I'm thinking I like you best of anything. I'm glad to hear it, said she, but, said he, have I got to kill you, do you think, and take your heart to the wise woman for that bottle of brains? Oh, no, she exclaimed, looking scared. I will not have that, but you might take me as I am, heart and all, and I'll wager I can help you read her riddles. Do you think so, said he, I'm afraid they're too hard for women folk. Let us see, she said, what was the first? What runs without feet, said he. Why, water, she said. So it does, said he, and clapped his hands gleefully. And what is yellow and shining, but is not gold? Why, the sun, said she. Faith it is, he said. Come, we'll go to the wise woman at once, and off they went. When they climbed the hill, they found the wise woman sitting in her cottage doorway. Good evening, Mrs., said the lad. I reckon I've fetched you the right thing this time. The wise woman looked at them both and wiped her spectacles. Then she said, can you tell me what it is that has first no legs, and afterward two legs and ends with four legs? The lad scratched his head and thought and thought and thought, but he couldn't tell. At last, the lass whispered in his ear, it's a tadpole. Then he turned to the wise woman and said, perhaps it might be a tadpole. The wise woman nodded her head. That's right, said she, and you've got your bottle of brains already. Where, asked he, looking about and feeling in his pockets? In your wife's head, she answered, the only cure for a simpleton is a good wife to look after him, and that you've got, so good evening to you. She nodded to them and got up and went into the house. Then they walked home together and he never wanted to buy a bottle of brains again for his wife had enough for both of them. End of chapter 18. Chapter 19 of the Fur Tree 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 phone. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. The Peddler of Swaffham. In the old days, when London Bridge was lined with shops from one end to the other and salmon swam under the arches, there lived in the town of Swaffham, about a hundred miles northward from London, a poor peddler. He had much adieu to make a living, trudging about with his back on his back and his dog at his heels. And at the close of each day's labour, he was only too glad to lie down and sleep. It so happened one night that he dreamed a dream, and in a dream he saw the great bridge of London Town, and a voice seemed to tell him that if he went thither, he would have joyful news. He made little account of the dream, but on the following night it came back to him and likewise on the third night. Then he said within himself, I must needs find out what truth there is in this matter. So off he trudged to London Town. Long was the way, and right glad was he when he stood on the great bridge and saw the tall houses to the right and left of the roadway, where the teams and the people went and came and had glimpses of the river and of the boats and ships moving about on it. All day long he paced to and through, but he heard nothing to yield to him comfort. Again on the morrow he stood and he gazed and he paced afresh the length of London Bridge, but not did he hear in the way of glad news. The third day came and there he was again on the bridge. He was looking about when a shopkeeper, standing at a door of his shop close by, spoke to him saying, Friend, this is the third day I have seen you loitering about here. I wonder much what object you have in so doing. Have you wears to sell? No, quote the peddler. I have not observed you beg for alms, said the shopkeeper. I am not so poor that I would need to do that, responded the peddler. And I shall never beg so long as I can provide for myself. Then what, I pray you, do you want here, inquired the shopkeeper, and what is your business? Well, kind sir, responded the peddler, to tell the truth I dream that if I came thither I would have good news. Right heartily did the shopkeeper laugh. Ah, said he, you must be a fool to go on a journey with no better excuse than that. I must tell you, my poor silly country fellow, that I also dream at night, and thrice recently have I dreamed that I was in Swapham, a place I never have even been near in my life. And I thought I was in a field behind a peddler's house, and in the field was a great oak tree, and a voice seemed to tell me that if I don't beneath that tree, I would find a rich treasure. But do you fancy I am so lacking in sense as to undertake a long and wearysome journey because of some foolish dream? No, my good fellow, and now I would have you take advice from a wiser man than yourself. Get you home and mind your business. The peddler answered never a word, but was exceedingly glad in himself, and returned home speedily. As soon as possible he dug under the great oak, and there he found a prodigious treasure. It made him very rich, but he did not forget his duty in the pride of his wealth, for he rebuilt the Swapham Church. When he died, a statue of him was put in the church, all in stone, with his back on his back, and his dog at his heels. There it stands to this day, a witness to the truth of this story. End of chapter 19, recording by phone. Chapter 20 of the Fur Tree 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 Chad Horner from Ballet Claire in County Andrew, Northern Ireland, situated in the northeast of the island of Ireland. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. Chapter 20, The Orange Fairy. In the olden time there was once a sultan whose days were joyous because he had no son. Once he was out walking with his vizier, and they passed out of the city and went on and on until they came to a wild, craggy valley. In this valley they sat down to rest. Suddenly the ground was shaken as if by an earthquake. There was a clap of thunder, and a yellow-robed, yellow-slippard, white-bearded dervish stood before them. The emperor and the vizier were so frightened that they could not stir, but when the dervish addressed them with the words, peace be unto you, they took heart and responded courteously, unto you be peace. What is your errand here, my lord sultan? said the dervish. If you know that I am a sultan, you must also know my errand, the emperor replied. Then the dervish took from his bosom an apple, presented it to the sultan and said, let the sultana eat half of this and eat the other half yourself. So saying, he disappeared. The sultan went home, and he and the sultana each ate half the apple, and within a year a little prince was born to them. So joyful was the sultan over this event that he scattered gold coins among the pair, restored to freedom his slaves, and gave a magnificent banquet to his courtiers. The years passed until the prince had reached the age of 14, and still his parents fondled him to treat him like a child. One day he said to his father, I want you to make me a little marble palace and let there be two fountains in it, one of which shall run with honey and the other with butter. So dearly did the sultan love his son that he had the little marble palace made, with the two fountains in it just as the lad had desired. When the sultan's son went into his completed palace and sat looking at the bubbling fountains of butter and honey, an old woman came with a picture in her hand and would have filled it at one of the fountains. But the sultan's son threw a stone at the old woman's picture and broke it in pieces. Then the old woman went away without saying a word. Next day she was there again with a picture, which she was about to fill when the prince threw a stone and shattered it. Then the old woman silently departed. On the third day also she came to fill a picture, and the prince threw a stone that broke the picture to fragments. Oh, Yith, said she, tis the will of God, that you shall fall in love with an orange fairy. With these words she quitted him. From that time on the prince gradually became pale and thin. The sultan observed this and sent for the wise men and the doctors, but they could not cure the prince of his illness. At last the Yith said to his father, my dear daddy, these wise men of yours labor in vain to help me, I am in love with an orange fairy and I shall never be better till I find her. You are the only child I have in the wide world, grown the sultan. If you leave me to search for this fairy, for chance you would never return and my happiness will be destroyed. Time went on and the prince continued to slowly wither away, and he became so listless that most of the time he lay with closed eyes as if in a heavy sleep. So his father saw it would be best for the Yith to go and if possible find the orange fairy. As soon as he had the sultan's permission, the prince went away over the mountains and through the valleys. After travelling for many days, he came to a vast plain and in the midst of it met a giantess, as tall as a church spire. She was chewing gum and the sound of her chewing could be heard a half hour's journey off. Good day, madame, said the Yith. Good day, little sonny, she responded. If he had not spoken so politely, I would have gobbled you up. Where are you going? The Yith heaved a sigh and said, I have fallen violently in love with an orange fairy, but I don't know where to find her. Neither do I know, said the giantess, but I have forty sons and they go up and down the earth more than I do. Perhaps they can tell you something of the matter. So the giantess took the prince to her home and toward evening when it began to grow dusk, she gave him a tap on the head and turned him into a broom and placed him beside the door. Immediately afterward, the forty sons arrived and as they came in, they said, Mother, we smell man's flesh. Nonsense said the mother, sit down to supper. They were busy eating and drinking when she said to them, if a man should come to our dwelling as my guest, how would you treat him? Like a brother, of course, they replied. Then their mother tapped the broom and theirs did the sultan's son. This is my guest, said she. They greeted him cordially, inquired after his health and asked him to sit down and eat with him, but he doesn't care for your short of food, said the giantess. He eats files, beef, mutton and such things. So one of the sons jumped up and went out and slew his sheep and brought it in and led it before the prince. That won't do, said the giantess. Men don't eat mutton until it is cooked. They therefore skinned the sheep, roasted it and again placed it before him. He ate enough to satisfy his hunger and stopped, but the sons exclaimed, why that's nothing and urged him to eat more. No, my son said their mother, he is eating all he needs. Let me see what this roasted sheep meat is like, said one of the sons. So he took it up and devoured the whole of it in a couple of mouthfuls. The prince stayed with the giants overnight and in the morning the giantess said to her sons, our guest is gently troubled because he has fallen in love with an orange fairy and knows not where to find her. Can you show him the way? Then the youngest of the 40 sons leaped up with a shout of joy and said, I know where she is. Very well said his mother, take this youth to his ferry that his heart may be at rest. So the youngest of the giant brothers took charge of the prince and they went merrily away together and travelled until at last the giant said, we shall come presently to a large garden in which there is a spring. Stand beside the spring and do as I tell you and then lay hold of what you see in the water. Soon they came to the garden and the prince went and stood at the margin of the spring. Shut your eyes and open your eyes, said the giant. The prince obeyed and then he saw an orange bobbing up and down on the surface of the water. He at once reached down and grasped it. Now, said the giant, take care not to cut open the orange in any place where there is no water or things will go badly with you. That orange contained your ferry. Then they parted, one to go to the right and the other to the left. The sultan's son went on and on and on and in the course of time came to a clear spring beneath the wide-spreading branches of the big tree. He drank of the water and said to himself, here is a good place to cut open my orange. Scarcely had he cut through the peat when I popped a lovely damsel. Not even the full moon could be more beautiful. She immediately called for water and he gave her some from the spring. After talking together for a time, he told her he would go to a town that was near and hire a carriage to take them to his father's palace. He had not been gone long when she observed someone coming and she climbed into the tree and concealed herself in the leafage on a branch directly over the spring. The person she saw approaching was a negro maid servant who came to fill a jar with water. As this servant looked into the spring, she saw the reflection of the damsel in the watery mirror. Why, she said in surprise, I did not know I looked like that. I am much more beautiful than my mistress. She ought to fetch water for me and not I for her. So saying, she gave the jar a bang that broke it two bits and then she went home. Her mistress asked where the jar of water was and the servant replied, I am much more beautiful than you and you must do the water fetching in future. Her mistress picked up a mirror and beheld it before the maid. Look in this, she said, I think you must have taken leave of your senses. The negroess looked into the mirror and saw that she was as black as ever, without another word. She got a jar and went again to the spring. But there she saw the reflection of the face of the damsel who was in the tree and again she fancied it was her own. I was right after all, said she, I am ever so more beautiful than my mistress. So she smashed the jar on her own. Her mistress asked why she had not brought the water because I am ever so more beautiful than you, said the maid. Therefore you must fetch the water from me. You are downright crazy, declared her mistress. I'm once more produced the mirror. When the negroess saw her face in it, she took another jar and for the third time went to the spring. There the damsel's face appeared and the negroess was about to break the jar when the fairy addressed her from the tree saying, it is my face you see in the water. The negroess looked up and saw the wondrously beautiful damsel. Who are you and why are you there? She asked, I am a fairy replied the damsel and I am waiting for a prince who has gone to the tower near by after a carriage. When he returns we shall ride away to his father's palace. The negroess climbed up beside the maiden and said dear lady, you will get a crump from crouching here, rest your head against me. So the damsel rested her head on the shoulder of the negroess. We took a needle from her dress and slightly pricked the damsel's neck. Instantly the orange fairy became a bird and purr, she was gone. Leaving the negroess alone in the tree. By and by the prince came back with a fine coach. He looked up into the tree and saw the black face. What has happened to you? He asked, that is a nice question she were taught. Why did you leave me here all day till the hot sun turned me black? The changed aspect of his fairy was very disconcerting to the prince, but he helped the black damsel descend from the tree and took her in the coach straight to her father's palace. Everyone was eager to see the fairy he had brought home. And when they saw the negroess they were amazed that he could have lost his heart to what was apparently an ordinary black servant made. But she is not what she seems, declared the prince. I had to leave her in a tree while I went to get a coach. And she was blackened there by the rays of the sun. She will soon grow white again and then I will marry her. A fine garden adjoined the palace and one day the orange bird came to it, lit on a tree and called down to the gardener. What do you want with me? He asked, I wish you would tell me what the sultan's son is doing, said the bird. He is doing no harm that I know of, replied the gardener. And what is the black damsel doing? The bird asked. Oh, I suppose she is sitting with him as usual, the gardener answered. Then the bird sang these words. Though she sits by his side, she'll not long there abide. She makes a false showing and trouble is growing. When I light on a tree, the tree dies as you'll see. The bird flew away. But the next day it came again and asked about the sultan's son and the black damsel. And repeated the song sang before. In like manner it came third day and each time the tree it rested on withered and died. The afternoon of the third day the prince walked in the garden and he observed the withered tree. You ought to take better care of the trees said he to the gardener. Do you not see that they are withering away? They are all rights at the gardener until a few days ago a little bird began coming here and asking about you and the damsel you brought home in the coach. It said that every tree it lit on should wither. Smear the trees with bird lime ordered the prince and if you catch the bird bring it to me. The gardener used the bird lime and the next day caught the bird. Then he put it in a cage and carried it to the prince. The black damsel was with the prince and as soon as she saw the bird she knew it was the orange fairy. Later in the day she pretended to be very ill and she declared that she would never get well unless she could have such a bird as was in the gardener's case to eat. The prince said she might do as she pleased with the caged bird. So she directed that it should be killed and cooked and brought to her and that the feathers and whatever she did not eat should be burned. All was done as she wished except that one feather slipped the most into a crack in the kitchen hearth. After the black damsel had eaten the flesh of the bird she arose from her bed completely recovered from her illness. A certain old woman who had a cottage in the vicinity sometimes came to the palace kitchen to see a daughter who worked there. One day she noticed a bright feather in a crack of the hearth. She poked it out with her knitting needle and carried it home and put it on a rafter. The next time she went to the palace the bird's feather leaped down from the rafter, shivered a little and then turned into a lovely damsel. The damsel tidied the room, cooked dinner and set it on the table and afterward became a feather and leaped back to the rafter. When the old woman came home she was greatly astonished at what she saw and she searched the house backward and forward to see if she could discover the person who had been helping her, but no one could she find. It was the same. The next time she went to the palace the feather became a damsel and had all the household work. I really must find out the secret of this thought the old woman when she returned. So the following morning she went out as if she were going away but left the door ajar and hid where she could peep through the crack. Soon she perceived there was a damsel in the room putting things in order and cooking the dinner. Then enchidashed and seized hold of her. Who are you? She demanded and whence do you come? The damsel told her sad story and the old woman said to stress yourself no more my lass I'll put your affairs to rights this very day. Then off she went to the palace and invited the prince to call on her that evening. He was now so tired of the black damsel that he was glad of any excuse to get away from her and the evening found him punctually at the old woman's. They sat down to supper and presently the damsel brought in the coffee. When the sultan's son saw her he nearly fainted. As soon as he recovered himself a little and the maiden had left the room he turned to the old woman and asked Who is that damsel? She is the orange fairy who replied the old woman I thought she could be no other. He exclaimed and he rose from the table and ran to where the damsel was and took her in his arms. Presently they went to the palace together and the instant the black slave girl caught sight of them she knew her perfidy had been discovered and she fled from the palace never to return. Not long afterward the prince married his beloved and there was rejoicing throughout the realm so they at last had the desire of their hearts and she may have your desire also. End of chapter 20. Chapter 21 of the third tree 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 Chad Horner from Balli Clare in Coingyandrum Northern Ireland The third tree fairy book by Clifton Johnson Chapter 21 The Mysterious Voice Once upon a time there was a man who above all other things desired to accumulate wealth. Day and night he thought of nothing else. Fortune favoured him and as time went on he acquired more and more property until he became very rich. Now that he had so much to lose he thought it would be a terrible thing to die and leave all his possessions behind. So he made up his mind to seek a land where there was no death. He got ready for the journey, took leave of his wife and started. Whenever he came to a new country the first question he asked was whether people died in that land. If he was told that they did he continued on his quest. However he at last reached a country where they said the people did not even know the meaning of the word death. The traveller was delighted to hear this. But surely said he there must be a great number of inhabitants in your land if no one ever dies. No more than in most lands they responded. For we would have you know that from time to time a voice is heard calling to this one or that and whoever is called always goes away and never comes back. The man was amazed that the people should be so stupid as to follow the voice when they knew that if they obeyed it summons they would never return. He journeyed back to his home got all his possessions together and went with his wealth and his wife and children to dwell in the country where people did not die. To be sure they disappeared one after the other in response to the call of that mysterious voice. But he made up his mind that when he or any of his family heard the voice they would pay no heed to it. I ever loud its appeal. After they were settled in their new home and had put everything in order he warned his wife and children that they must on no account listen to or obey a strange voice. They might some day hear calling them. For several years everything went well with them and they lived happily in their new home. But one day when they were all sitting together around the dining table the man's wife suddenly started up exclaiming I am coming, I am coming. She looked around the room for her fur coat and she picked it up and was putting it on when her husband took firm hold of her hand and restrained her saying don't you remember what I told you. If you have heard a voice calling to you stay where you are unless you wish never to return. But I am merely going to see why I am wanted she said. I shall soon come back. She struggled to get away and to go where the voice summoned but he would not release her. And he ordered the servants to shut and vote all the doors. Then she sank into a chair and said I see you will not let me go. So her husband thought she was resigned to staying and that she had forgotten over her mad impulse to obey the voice. But no sooner did he lose his hold on her hand and turn away then she sprang to her feet made a sudden dash to a door unbolted and opened it and darted out. He followed her and contrived to grasp her fur coat. Thus he was able to restrain her while he implored her not to go and told her she certainly would never return. She made no reply but let her arms fall backward and suddenly slipped out of the coat and left it in her husband's hands. The poor man seemed turned to stone without power to move as he gazed after her hurrying away from him and listened to her calling as she ran. I'm coming, I'm coming. When she was quite out of sight he went into the house saying if she is so foolish as to wish to leave us forever I cannot help it. I warned and implored her to pay no heed to that voice however loudly it might call. The rest of the family lived peacefully after this for a number of years but at last the man was one day at the barbers being shaved. The shop was full of people and his chin had been covered with lather. Suddenly he started up from his chair and called out in a loud voice, I won't come, do you hear, I won't come. The barber and the other people in the shop listened to him with astonishment. Again he looked toward the door and exclaimed, I tell you once for all that I do not mean to come so go away. A few minutes later he shouted go away or it will be the worst for you. You may call as much as you like but you will not get me to come. He grew as angry as if someone was actually standing at the door tormenting him. Finally he got up and set the barber. Give me the razor you are using. I'll teach that fellow to leave people alone for the future. He snatched the razor out of the barber's hand and rushed forth from the shop as if he were running after someone. The barber did not wish to lose his razor and he pursued the man to rescue it. They both continued at full speed out of the town until they came to the edge of a precipice. Down this the man plunged head foremost and he never was seen again. So he too like the others had been forced against his will to follow the voice that called him. The barber went home congratulating himself that he had escaped the fate of the man he had pursued. He told what had happened and it was noise abroad that the people who had gone away and never returned had all fallen down the precipice. Heather too it had not been known where they went when they heard the voice and obeyed its call. Crides of people came to examine the fateful precipice where such numbers had disappeared. Yet they could discover no clue as to what had finally become of the missing ones for they could see nothing beyond the declivity but a vast plain that looked as if it had been there from the beginning of the world. End of chapter 21 recording by Chad Horner from Ballet Claire in County Hunter, Northern Ireland. Chapter 22 of the Fur Tree 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 phone. The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson. Johnny Glok. Johnny Glok was a tailor by trade but he was a man of too much spirit to continue to be a tailor all his days. In fact, he was fonder of basking idly in the sun than of plying the needle and scissors. As time went on he grew more and more discontented and the desire to follow some other path that would lead to honour and fame finally induced him to swear that he would do tailoring no longer. From its resting place on the wall of his workroom he took down a rusty old sword that had belonged to some of his ancestors and set out in search of adventures. After travelling a long way he came to a country that was much troubled by two giants whom no one was bold enough to encounter or strong enough to overcome. He soon learned that the king had offered a great reward and the hand of his daughter in marriage to the man who should rid his kingdom of discourage. Johnny's ardour was roused to attempt a deed and he offered himself for the service. The common haunt of the giants was a certain wood and Johnny set out with his old sword to perform the task of vanquishing them. When he reached the wood he lay down to think and contrive some plan of action by which he could gain an advantage over the giants for he knew he was far too weak to combat them unless circumstances favoured him. While he was still thinking he saw them coming with a wagon to get wood for fuel and the sight of them sent the cold shivers down his spine. They were so big and had such huge shaggy heads and tusk-like teeth. Johnny sought safety by hiding in a hollow tree. Presently he recovered sufficiently from his alarm to peep out and watched it to at work and as he watched them a method of getting the better of them occurred to him. He picked up a pebble and threw it so it struck one of the giants a sharp blow on the forehead. The giant, smarting with the pain, turned on his companion and in strong words blamed him for the blow. The other angrily denied that he had thrown the pebble. Johnny kept quiet, but as soon as the giants, still grumbling at each other, resumed work, he let fly another pebble. It had the same giant who had been hit before and a fellow assailed his companion in fury and they belabored each other till they were utterly tired out. Then they sat down on a log to breathe and rest themselves. Well, said one of them. Baldi King's army has not been able to get the better of us hit or two, but I fancy that an old woman with a broom would be too much for us now. If that is so, shouted the former tater, springing bald as a lion from his hiding place, what do you say to being attacked by Johnny Glok with his old rusty sword? Before they could recover from the astonishment occasioned by his words and sudden appearance, he had run to where they were and in a twinkling he cut off their heads. That done, he went out of the wood and sought the king who as soon as he was satisfied that Johnny had killed the giants, gave him the princes in marriage. For a time he lived in peace and happiness and as he did not tell by what methods he had overcome the giants, he was considered a man of great prowess and valor. At length a rebellion broke out among the subjects of his father-in-law and such was Johnny's reputation that he was promptly chosen as the proper person to quell the uprising. His heart sank within him, but he could not refuse and so lose his great name. So he told the servants to fetch a horse for him to mount and they brought the fiercest steed that ever saw the sun and he set forth on his desperate task. He was not accustomed to ride on horseback and he soon lost all control of the fiery creature he bestowed. Away it galloped at full speed in the direction of the rebel army. In his wild career it passed under a gallows that stood by the wayside. The gallows was old and frail and it had so rotten away at the base that it leaned over the road almost ready to fall. Johnny came into collision with it and it broke off and lodged squarely on the horse's neck. One rushed the horse at furious speed carrying both Johnny and the gallows towards the king's enemies. When the rebels saw the horse with its strange burden dashing toward them they were seized with terror and cried one to another. There comes Johnny Gluck who unaided killed two giants at the same time. Now he is going to assail us and is bringing a gallows on his horse's neck to hang us all. Then they scattered and fled in dismay and never stopped till they reached their homes. Thus was Johnny Gluck a second time victorious. So when the old king died everyone rejoiced to have Johnny become the ruler of the kingdom and he reigned long and well. End of Chapter 22, Recording by Sohn Chapter 23 of The Fertree Fairy Book This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Fertree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson Chapter 23 Hans the Hedgehog Once there was a rich farmer who had an only son named Hans and from his waist upward the boy was like a hedgehog. He was intelligent and could talk like any other boy but of course he could not be treated as if he was entirely human. For one thing he was not allowed to sleep in a bed on account of his prickles. Instead they shook down some straw for him behind the stove and there he spent most of his time until he was eight years old. Then the farmer was one day going to a fair that was to be held in a neighbouring town. He asked his wife what he should buy for her and she said, Some meat and a couple of loaves of bread for the house. Then he asked the servant made what she wanted and she replied, A pair of slippers and some stockings. Lastly he said, Well Hans my hedgehog and what shall I bring you? Daddy said Hans please bring me some bagpipes. When the farmer returned home he gave his wife and the maid the things they had asked for and then he went behind the stove and gave Hans the hedgehog the bagpipes. As soon as Hans received this gift he said, Daddy tomorrow morning I wish you would take our largest rooster to the harness maker and have him fitted with a bridle. I want to use him for my horse. So the next day the farmer had a harness made for the biggest rooster on the farm. Then Hans the hedgehog mounted on the rooster's back and rode away to the forest. There he made the rooster fly up to the top of a lofty tree with him. For several years he dwelt there in the Greenwood and most of the time he stayed high among the branches of that tall tree. Meanwhile his father knew nothing of what had become of him. As he sat on the rooster's back in the tree top he played on his bagpipes and made beautiful music. Once a king who had lost his way in the forest came riding near enough to hear him. He was much surprised and sent a servant to find out whence the music came. The man peered about but saw only what seemed to be a rooster perched high in a tree with a hedgehog on his back and this hedgehog was apparently playing some bagpipes. The king told the servant to ask the strange creature why he sat there and also to ask if he could direct him how to find the way back to his kingdom. When the servant put these questions Hans the hedgehog came down from the tree and said he would show the way if the king would give him his written promise to let him have whatever his royal highness first met as he approached his castle on his return. The king thought this hedgehog probably does not know one word from another. I can write what I please. So he took pen and ink, wrote something and then Hans the hedgehog showed him the road and he got safely home. His daughter saw him coming while he was still at a distance and she ran to meet him and threw her arms about him. Then he remembered Hans the hedgehog and told her what had happened in the forest and how he had been required to give a written promise to bestow whatever he first met as he approached his palace to an extraordinary creature which had shown him the way. The upper half of the creature was like a hedgehog said the king and he rode on a rooster just as if the rooster had been a horse and he had bagpipes and made lovely music. But he certainly could not read and I wrote that I would not give him anything at all. Thereupon the princess was quite pleased. He managed very cleverly, said she, for of course you could not have allowed me to be carried off by such a hobgoblin. Hans continued to dwell in the forest and he was very merry sitting in his tree and blowing his bagpipes. Presently it happened that another king who was travelling through the forest and his servants and courtiers lost his way for the forest was very large. He came near enough to the resort of Hans the Hedgehog to hear the music and he said to one of his men go at once and find out what that is. So the servant went under the tall tree and he looked up and saw Hans the Hedgehog perched on the rooster and asked what he was doing up there. Then the servant told him that the king, his master, was not able to find the way out of the forest back to his kingdom. So Hans the Hedgehog descended from the tree with his rooster and went to the king and offered to show him the right way if he would solemnly promise to give him whatever he should meet first in front of his palace. To this the king agreed and he gave Hans a written promise to that effect. Then Hans rode on in front and showed him the way and the king speedily arrived safely in his own kingdom. There was great rejoicing in the palace when he was seen returning and his only daughter who was very beautiful ran to meet him and she embraced and kissed him full of delight that her father had come home. She inquired where he had been so long and he told her how he had lost his way in the forest and might never have gotten back if he had not been helped by a strange creature, half-man and half-hedgehog which rode on a rooster and when discovered was in a treetop seated on the rooster's back making music with some bagpipes. My only trouble now, said the king, is that I had to promise to give the creature the first thing which met me in front of my palace. I feel very sad because it is you who first met me. Never mind, said the princess, perhaps he will never come for me but if he does for your sake I will go with him. After a time, Hans decided to leave the forest and visit the two kings whom he helped to find their way back to their kingdoms. But the first king had given strict orders that if anyone came into his domain riding on a rooster and carrying some bagpipes chased away and if need be shot or hacked to pieces with swords on no account was he to be allowed to enter the palace. When therefore, Hans the hedgehog drew near to the palace the guards charged on him with their bayonets but he put spurs to his rooster and flew up over the gate right to one of the king's windows. He alighted on a balcony and called out that if he was not given what he had been promised the king and his daughter should be punished for their treachery. So the frightened king said everything should be done as Hans the hedgehog wished. He ordered a carriage to be made ready drawn by six white horses and attended by servants in gorgeous liveries. The princess stepped into it and Hans the hedgehog with his rooster and bagpipes took his place beside her. Then they drove away but they had not gone far out of the city when Hans pulled the princess's shawl off and pricked her with his quills saying that is your reward for falsehood go back home I will have nothing more to do with you. Then the coach returned with her and Hans the hedgehog rode away on his rooster to the other kingdom. When he entered the royal city the guards in accord with the king's orders presented arms the people cheered and he was conducted in triumph to the palace. Outside of Hans the princess was a good deal startled for he certainly was very peculiar looking but he told her no harm would befall her and she need not be alarmed. So she made him welcome and he sat next to her at the royal table and they ate and drank together. Late in the evening Hans had a big fire made in his chamber and at his request four trusty men were ordered to stand on guard at his door. About eleven o'clock when he went to his room he said to the guards Never in my life have I slept in a bed and before I get into the one prepared for me here I shall creep out of my hedgehog skin and leave it lying on the floor. Ten minutes from now you four men must come in and throw the skin into the fire and stand by till it is entirely consumed. Hans entered the room took off his hedgehog skin and got into bed. Soon afterward the four men came in and put the skin into the fire and watched it burn till there was nothing left of it. Hans was now holy human in his form but the guards when they looked at him were dismayed to find that he was quite black as though he had been severely scorched. They informed the king and he at once summoned a physician. The latter, by the use of various salves and ointments made Hans's skin white and the youth became as handsome as he was clever. When the cure was complete the king's daughter was greatly pleased and not long afterward they were married and when the old king died Hans ruled the kingdom in his stead. End of chapter 23 Recording by Ulika Denis Chapter 24 of The Fur Tree 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 Greg Giardano The Fur Tree Fairy Book by Clifton Johnson The Magpie's Nest Once upon a time when pigs spoke rhyme all the birds of the air came to the Magpie and asked her to teach them how to build nests for the Magpie was very clever. So she had them gather around her and began to show them how to do it. First of all she took some mud and made a sort of a round cake with it. Oh, that's how it's done said the thrush and away she flew and the thrush has built her nests out of mud ever since. Then the Magpie took some twigs and arranged them around in the mud. Now I know all about it said the blackbird. So off she flew and the blackbirds make their nests of mud and sticks to this very day. Then the Magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs. Oh, that's quite plain said the owl in a way she flew and owls have made their nests after that manner ever since. Next the Magpie took some twigs and twined them around the outside. The very thing exclaimed the sparrow and off she went and the sparrows to this day make rather slovenly nests. Then Magpie took some feathers and other bits of soft material and lined the nest very nicely with it. That suits me cried the starling and away she flew and ever since then her wings have built very comfortable nests. The Magpie kept on with her work but the birds were constantly leaving before she had finished each thinking she knew all there was to know about nest building. At last the only bird that remained was the turtle dove. She now began to repeat her silly cry. Take two Taffy, take two. The Magpie was just putting a twig across no one is enough but the turtle dove kept on saying take two Taffy, take two. That made the Magpie angry and she exclaimed one's enough I tell you. Still the turtle dove cried take two Taffy, take two. At this the Magpie became so disturbed that she flew away and always afterward the birds asked her how to build their nests. She refused to tell them. That is why different birds build their nests differently.