 The Master Maid at the Blue 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. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Chapter 12 The Master Maid Once upon a time there was a king who had many sons. I do not exactly know how many there were, but the youngest of them could not stay quietly at home and was determined to go out into the world and try his luck. And after a long time, the king was forced to give him leave to go. When he had travelled about for several days, he came to a giant's house and hired himself to the giant as a servant. In the morning the giant had to go out to pasture his goats, and as he was leaving the house, he told the king's son that he must clean out the stable. And after you have done that, he said, you need not do any more work today, for you have come to a kind master, and that you shall find. But what I set you to do must be done both well and thoroughly, and you must, on no account, go into any of the rooms which lead out of the room in which you slept last night. If you do, I will take your life. Well, to be sure, he is an easy master, said the prince to himself, as he walked up and down the room humming and singing. There he thought there would be plenty of time left to clean out the stable, but it would be amusing to steal a glance into his other rooms as well, thought the prince, for there must be something that he is afraid of my seeing, as I am not allowed to enter them. So he went into the first room. A cauldron was hanging from the walls. It was boiling, but the prince could see no fire under it. I wonder what is inside it, he thought, and dipped a lock of his hair in, and the hair became just as if it were all made of copper. That's a nice kind of soup. If anyone were to taste that his throat would be gilded, said the youth, and then he went into the next chamber. There, too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, bubbling and boiling, but there was no fire under this either. I will just try what this is like, too, said the prince, thrusting another lock of his hair into it, and it came out silvered over. Such costly soup is not to be had in my father's palace, said the prince, but everything depends on how it tastes, and then he went into the third room. There, too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, boiling exactly the same as in the two other rooms. And the prince took pleasure in trying this also, so he dipped a lock of hair in, and it came out so brightly gilded that it shone again. Some talk about going from bad to worse, said the prince, but this is better and better. If he boils gold here, what can he boil in there? He was determined to see and went through the door into the fourth room. No cauldron was to be seen there, but on a bench someone was seated who was like a king's daughter, but whosoever she was, she was so beautiful that never in the prince's life had he seen her equal. Oh, in heaven's name, what are you doing here? said she, who sat upon the bench. I took the place of servant here yesterday, said the prince. May you soon have a better place if you have come to serve here, said she. Oh, but I think I have got a kind master, said the prince. He has not given me hard work to do today. When I have cleaned out the stable, I shall be done. Yes, but how will you be able to do that? she asked again. If you clean it out, as other people do, ten pitchforks full will come in for everyone you throw out. But I will teach you how to do it. You must turn your pitchfork upside down and work with the handle, and then all will fly out of its own accord. Yes, I will attend to that, said the prince, and stayed sitting where he was the whole day, for it was soon settled between them that they would marry each other, he and the king's daughter, so the first day of his service with the giant did not seem long to him. But when evening was drawing near, she said that it would now be better for him to clean out the stable before the giant came home. When he got there, he had a fancy to try if what she had said was true, so he began to work in the same way that he had seen the stableboys doing in his father's stables. But he soon saw that he must give up that. For when he had worked a very short time, he had scarcely any room left to stand, so he did what the princess had taught him, turned the pitchfork round and worked with the handle, and in the twinkling of an eye, the stable was as clean as if it had been scoured. When he had done that, he went back again into the room in which the giant had given him leave to stay, and there he walked backward and forward on the floor and began to hum and sing. Then came the giant home with the goats. Have you cleaned the stable, asked the giant. Yes, now it is clean and sweet, master, said the king's son. I shall see about that, said the giant, and went round to the stable, but it was just as the prince had said. You have certainly been talking to my master, mate, for you never got that out of your own head, said the giant. Master, mate, what kind of a thing is that, master, said the prince, making himself look as stupid as an S. I should like to see that. Well, you will see her quite soon enough, said the giant. On the second morning the giant had a game to go out with his goats, so he told the prince that on that day he was to fetch home his horse, which was out on the mountainside, and when he had done that, he might rest himself for the remainder of the day, for you have come to a kind master, and that you shall find, said the giant once more. Do not go into any of the rooms that I spoke of yesterday, or I will wring your head off, said he, and then went away with his flock of goats. Yes, indeed you are a kind master, said the prince, but I will go in and talk to the master made again. Perhaps before long she may like better to be mine than yours. So he went to her. Then she asked him what he had to do that day. Oh, not very dangerous work, I fancy, said the king's son. I have only to go up the mountainside after his horse. Well, how do you mean to set about it? Ask the master made. Oh, there is no great art in riding a horse home, said the king's son. I think I must have ridden Friskia horses before now. Yes, but it is not so easy a thing as you think to ride the horse home, said the master made, but I will teach you what to do. When you go near it, fire will burst out of its nostrils like flames from a pine torch, but be very careful, and take the bridle which is hanging by the door there, and fling the bit straight into his jaws. And then it will become so tame that you will be able to do what you like with it. He said he would bear this in mind, and then he again sat there the whole day by the master made, and they chatted and talked of one thing and another, but the first thing and the last now was how happy and delightful it would be if they could but marry each other and get safely away from the giant, the prince would have forgotten both the mountainside and the horse if the master made had not reminded him of them as evening drew near, and said that now it would be better if he went to fetch the horse before the giant came. So he did this and took the bridle which was hanging on a crook and strode up the mountainside, and it was not long before he met with the horse, and fire and red flames stream forth out of its nostrils, but the youth carefully watched his opportunity, and just as it was rushing at him with open jaws, he threw the bit straight into its mouth, and the horse stood as quiet as a young lamb, and there was no difficulty at all in getting it home to the stable. Then the prince went back into his room again to hum and to sing. Toward evening the giant came home. Have you fetched the horse back from the mountainside? He asked. That I have, master. It was an amusing horse to ride, but I rode him straight home and put him in the stable too, said the prince. I will see about that, said the giant, and went out to the stable, but the horse was standing there just as the prince had said. You have certainly been talking with my master maid, for you never got that out of your own head, said the giant again. Yesterday, master, you talked about this master maid, and today you are talking about her. Ah, heaven bless you, master. Why were you not showing me the thing? For it would be a real pleasure to me to see it, said the prince, who again pretended to be silly and stupid. Oh, you will see her quite soon enough, said the giant. On the morning of the third day, the giant again had to go into the wood with the goats. Today you must go underground and fetch my taxes, he said to the prince. When you have done this, you may rest for the remainder of the day, for you shall see what an easy master you have come to, and then he went away. Well, however easy a master you may be, you set me very hard work to do, thought the prince. But I will see if I cannot find your master maid. You say she is yours, but for all that, he was able to tell me what to do now, and he went back to her. So, when the master maid asked him what the giant had said him to do that day, he told her that he was to go underground and get the taxes. And how were you set about that, said the master maid. Oh, you must tell me how to do it, said the prince, for I have never yet been underground, and if I knew the way, I do not know how much I am to demand. Oh, yes, I will soon tell you that, you must go to the rock there under the mountain ridge and take the club that is there, and knock on the rocky wall, said the master maid. Then someone will come out who will sparkle with fire, you shall tell him you are errand, and when he asks you how much you want to have, you are to say, as much as I can carry. Yes, I will keep that in mind, said he. And then he sat there with the master maid the whole day, until night grew near, and he would gladly have stayed there till now if the master maid had not reminded him that it was time to be off to fetch the taxes before the giant came. So he set out on his way, and he did exactly what the master maid had told him. He went to the rocky wall and took the club and knocked on it. Then came one, so full of sparks, that they flew both out of his eyes and his nose. What do you want, said he. I was to come here for the giant, and demand the tax for him, said the king's son. How much are you to have then, said the other. I am asked for no more than I am able to carry with me, said the prince. It is well for you that you have not asked for a horse load, said he, who had come out of the rock. But now come in with me. This the prince did, and what a quantity of gold and silver he saw. It was lying inside the mountain like heaps of stones in a waste place, not a load that was as large as he was able to carry, and with that he went his way. So in the evening, when the giant came home with the goats, the prince went into the chamber and hummed and sung again, as he had done on the other two evenings. Have you been for the tax, said the giant. Yes, that I have, master, said the prince. Where have you put it then, said the giant again. The bag of gold is standing there on the bench, said the prince. I will see about that, said the giant, and went away to the bench. But the bag was standing there, and it was so full that gold and silver dropped out when the giant untied the string. You have certainly been talking with my master made, said the giant, and if you have, I will ring your neck. Master made, said the prince. Yesterday my master talked about this master made, and today he is talking about her again, and the first day of all it was talk of the same kind. I do wish I could see the thing myself, said he. Yes, yes, wait till tomorrow, said the giant, and then I myself will take you to her. Ah, master, I thank you, but you are only mocking me, said the king's son. Next day the giant took him to the master made. Now you shall kill him, and boil him in the great big cauldron you know of, and when you have got the broth ready, give me a call, said the giant. Then he lay down on the bench to sleep, and almost immediately began to snore, so that it sounded like thunder among the hills. So the master made took a knife, and cut the prince's little finger, and dropped three drops of blood upon a wooden stool. Then she took all the old rags and shoe soles, and all the rubbish she could lay hands on, and put them in the cauldron, and then she filled a chest with gold dust, and a lump of salt, and a water flask which was hanging by the door, and she also took with her a golden apple, and two gold chickens, and then she and the prince went away with all the speed they could, and when they had gone a little way they came to the sea, and then they sailed, but where they got the ship from I have never been able to learn. Now when the giant had slept a good long time, he began to stretch himself on the bench on which he was lying. Will it soon boil, said he. It is just beginning, said the first drop of blood on the stool. So the giant lay down to sleep again, and slept for a long, long time. Then he began to move about a little again. Will it soon be ready now, said he, but he did not look up this time any more than he had done the first time, for he was still half asleep. Half done, said the second drop of blood, and the giant believed it was the master maid again, and turned himself on the bench and lay down to sleep once more. When he had slept again for many hours, he began to move and stretch himself. Is it not done yet, said he. It is quite ready, said the third drop of blood. Then the giant began to sit up and rub his eyes, that he could not see who it was who had spoken to him. So he asked for the master maid and called her, but there was no one to give him an answer. Ah, well, she has just stolen out for a little, thought the giant, and he took a spoon and went off to the cauldron to have a taste. But there was nothing in it but shoe soles and rags, and such trumpery as that, and all was boiled up together, so that he could not tell whether it was porridge or milk potage. When he saw this, he understood what had happened, and fell into such a rage that he hardly knew what he was doing. Away he went after the prince and the master maid so fast that the wind whistled behind him, and it was not long before he came to the water that he could not get over it. Well, well, I will soon find a cure for that. I have only to call my riversucker, said the giant, and he did call him. So his riversucker came and lay down and drunk one, two, three druffs, and with that the water in the sea fell so low that the giant saw the master maid and the prince out on the sea in their ship. Now you must throw out the lump of salt, said the master maid, and the prince did so, and it grew up into such a great high mountain right across the sea that the giant could not come over it, and the riversucker could not drink any more water. Well, well, I will soon find a cure for that, said the giant. So he called to his hillborer to come and bore through the mountain so that the riversucker might be able to drink up the water again. But just as the hole was made and the riversucker was beginning to drink, the master maid told the prince to throw one or two druffs out of the flask, and when he did this, the sea instantly became full of water again. And before the riversucker could take one drink, they reached the land and were in safety. So they determined to go home to the prince's father, but the prince would on no account permit the master maid to walk there. For he thought that it was unbecoming either for her or for him to go on foot. Wait here the least little bit of time while I go home for the seven horses which stand in my father's stable, said he. It is not far off and I shall not be long away, but I will not let my betrothed bride go on foot to the palace. Oh no, do not go, for if you go home to the king's palace, you will forget me. I foresee that. How could I forget you? We have suffered so much evil together and love each other so much, said the prince. And he insisted on going home for the coach with the seven horses, and she was to wait for him there by the seashore. So at last the master maid had to yield, for he was so absolutely determined to do it. But when you get there, you must not even give yourself time to greet anyone, but go straight into the stable and take the horses and put them in the coach and drive back as quickly as you can, for they will all come round about you. But you must behave just as if you did not see them, and on no account must you taste anything, for if you do it will cause great misery both to you and to me, said she, and this he promised. But when he got home to the king's palace, one of his brothers was just going to be married, and the bride and all her kith and kin had come to the palace, so they all frung round him and questioned him about this and that, and wanted him to go in with them. But he behaved as if he did not see them and went straight to the stable and got out the horses and began to harness them. When they saw that they could not by any means prevail on him to go in with them, they came out to him with meat and drink and the best of everything that they had prepared for the wedding. But the prince refused to touch anything and would do nothing but put the horses in as quickly as he could. At last, however, the bride's sister rolled an apple across the yard to him and said, As you won't eat anything else, you may like to take a bite of that. For you must be both hungry and thirsty after your long journey. And he took up the apple and bit a piece out of it. But no sooner had he got the piece of apple in his mouth than he forgot the master maid and that he was to go back in the coach to fetch her. I think I must be mad. What do I want with this coach and horses, said he. And then he put the horses back into the stable and went into the king's palace and there it was settled that he should marry the bride's sister who had rolled the apple to him. The master maid sat by the seashore for a long, long time waiting for the prince. But no prince came so she went away and when she had walked a short distance she came to a little hut which stood all alone in a small wood hard by the king's palace. She entered it and asked if she might be allowed to stay there. The hut belonged to an old crone who was also an ill-tempered and malicious troll. At first she would not let the master maid remain with her but at last, after a long time by means of good words and good payment she obtained leave. But the hut was as dirty and black inside as a pigsty so the little master maid said that she would smarten it up a little that it might look a little more like what other people's houses look inside. The old crone did not like this either she scaled and was very cross but the master maid did not trouble herself about that. She took out her chest of gold and flung a handful of it or so into the fire and the gold boiled up and poured out over the whole of the hut until every part of it both inside and out was gilded. But when the gold began to bubble up the old hag grew so terrified that she fled as if the evil one himself were pursuing her and she did not remember to stoop down she went through the doorway and so she split her head and died. Next morning the sheriff came travelling by there he was greatly astonished when he saw the gold hut shining and glittering there in the cops and he was still more astonished when he went in and caught sight of the beautiful young maiden who was sitting there he fell in love with her at once and right away on the spot he begged her both prettily and kindly to marry him well, but have you a great deal of money said the master maid oh yes so far as that is concerned I am not ill of said the sheriff so now he had to go home to get the money and in the evening he came back bringing with him a bag with two bushels in it which he set down on the bench well as he had such a fine lot of money the master maid said she would have him so they sat down to talk but scarcely had they sat down together before the master maid wanted to jump up again I have forgotten to see to the fire she said why should you jump up to do that said the sheriff I will do that so he jumped up and went to the chimney in one bound just tell me when you have got hold of the shovel said the master maid well I have hold of it now said the sheriff then you may hold the shovel and the shovel you and pour red hot coals over you till day dawns said the master maid so the sheriff had to stand there the whole night and pour red hot coals over himself and no matter how much he cried and begged and intruded the red hot coals did not grow the colder for that when the day began to dawn and he had power to throw down the shovel he did not stay long where he was but ran away as fast as he possibly could and everybody who met him stood and looked after him for he was flying as if he were mad and he could not have looked worse if he had been both flayed and tanned and everyone wondered where he had been but for very shame he would not tell nothing the next day the attorney came riding by the place where the master maid dwelt he saw how brightly the hut shone through the wood and he too went into it to see who lived there and when he entered and saw the beautiful young maiden he felt even more in love with her than the sheriff had done and began to will her at once so the master maid asked him as she had asked the sheriff if he had a great deal of money and the attorney said he was not ill off for that and would at once go home to get it and at night he came with a great big sack of money this time it was a four bushel sack and set it on the bench by the master maid so she promised to have him and he sat down on the bench by her to arrange about it but suddenly she said that she had forgotten to lock the door of the porch that night and must do it why should you do that? said the attorney sit still I will do it so he was on his feet in a moment and out in the porch tell me when you have got hold of the door latch said the master maid I have hold of it now cried the attorney then you may hold the door and the door you and may you go between wall and wall till day dawns what a dance the attorney had that night he had never had such a waltz before and he never wished to have such a dance again sometimes he was in front of the door and sometimes the door was in front of him and it went from one side of the porch to the other till the attorney was well nigh beaten to death at first he began to abuse the master maid and then to beg and pray but the door did not care for anything but keeping him where he was till break of day as soon as the door let go its hold of him off went the attorney he forgot who ought to be paid off for what he had suffered he forgot both his sack of money and his wooing for he was so afraid lest the house door should come dancing after him everyone who met him stared and looked after him for he was flying like a madman and he could not have looked worse if a herd of rams had been butting at him all night long on the third day the bailiff came by and he too saw the gold house in the little wood and he too felt that he must go and see who lived there and when he caught sight of the master maid he became so much in love with her that he wooed her almost before he greeted her the master maid answered him as she had answered the other two that if he had a great deal of money she would have him so far as that is concerned I am not ill off said the bailiff so he was at once told to go home and fetch it and this he did at night he came back and he had a still larger sack of money with him than the attorney had brought it must have been at least six bushels and he set it down on the bench so it was settled that he was to have the master maid but hardly had they sat down together before she said that she had forgotten to bring in the calf and must go out to put it in the bire no indeed you shall not do that said the bailiff I am the one to do that and big and fat as he was he went out as briskly as a boy tell me when you have got hold of the calf's tail said the master maid I have hold of it now cried the bailiff then may you hold the calf's tail and the calf's tail hold you and may you go round the world together till day dawns said the master maid so the bailiff had to bestow himself for the calf went over rough and smooth over hill and dale and the more the bailiff cried and screamed the faster the calf went when daylight began to appear the bailiff was half dead and so glad was he to leave loose at the calf's tail that he forgot the sack of money and all else he walked now slowly more slowly than the sheriff and the attorney had done but the slower he went the more time had everyone to stare and look at him and they used it too and no one can imagine how tired out and ragged he looked after his dance with the calf on the following day the wedding was to take place in the king's palace and the elder brother was to drive to church with his bride and the brother who had been with the giant with her sister but when they had seated themselves in the coach and were about to drive off from the palace one of the trace pins broke then though they made one, two and three to put in its place that did not help them but each broke in turn no matter what kind of wood they used to make them of this went on for a long time and they could not get away from the palace so they were all in great trouble then the sheriff said the he too had been bitten to the wedding at court yonder away in the thicket to Elvish the maiden and if you can get her to lend you the handle of the shovel that she uses to make up her fire I know very well that it will hold fast so they sent off a messenger to the thicket and begged so prettily that they might have the loan of her shovel handle of which the sheriff had spoken that they were not refused so now they had a trace pin which would not snap in too but all at once just as they were starting the bottom of the coach fell in pieces they made a new bottom as fast as they could but no matter how they nailed it together or what kind of wood they used no sooner had they got the new bottom into the coach and were about to drive off then it broke again so that they were still worse off than when they had broken the trace pin then the attorney said for he too was at the wedding in the palace away there in the thicket dwells a maiden and if you could but get her to lend you one half of her porch door I am certain that it will hold together so they again sent a messenger to the thicket and begged so prettily for the loan of the gilded porch door of which the attorney had told them that they got it at once they were just setting out again but now the horses were not able to draw the coach they had six horses already and now they pulled in eight and then ten and then twelve but the more they pulled in and the more the coachman whipped them the less good it did and the coach never stirred from the spot it was already beginning to be late in the day and to church they must go and would go so everyone who was in the palace was in a state of distress then the bailiff spoke up and said out there in the gilded cottage in the thicket dwells a girl and if you could but get her to lend you her calf I know it could draw the coach even if it were as heavy as a mountain they all thought that it was ridiculous to be drawn to church via calf but there was nothing else for it but to send a messenger once more and beg as prettily as they could on behalf of the king that she would let them have the loan of the calf that the bailiff had told them about the master maid let them have it immediately this time also she would not say no then they harnessed the calf to see if the coach would move and away it went over rough and smooth over stock and stone so that they could scarcely breathe and sometimes they were on the ground and sometimes up in the air and when they came to the church the coach began to go round and round like a spinning wheel and it was with the utmost difficulty and danger that they were able to get out of the coach and into the church and when they went back again the coach went quicker still so that most of them did not know how they got back to the palace at all when they had seated themselves at the table the prince who had been in service with the giant said that he thought they ought to have invited the maiden who had lent them the shovel handle and the porch door and the calf up to the palace four said he if we had not got these three things we should never have got away from the palace the king also thought that this was both just and proper so he sent five of his best men to the guild at heart to greet the maiden courteously from the king and to beg her to be so good as to come up to the palace to dinner at midday greet the king and tell him that if he is too good to come to me I am too good to come to him replied the master maid so the king had to go himself and the master maid went with him immediately and as the king believed that she was more than she appeared to be he seated her in the place of honour by the youngest bridegroom when they had sat at the table for a short time the master maid took out the cock and the hen and the golden apple which she had brought away with her from the giant's house and set them on the table in front of her and instantly the cock and the hen began to fight with each other for the golden apple oh look how those two there are fighting for the golden apple said the king's son yes and so did we too fight to get out that time when we were in the mountain said the master maid so the prince knew her again and you may imagine how delighted he was he ordered the troll witch who had rolled the apple to him to be taunting pieces between four and twenty horses so that not a bit of her was left and then for the first time they began really to keep the wedding and weary as they were the sheriff, the attorney and the bailiff kept it up too footnote as Bonson and Moe end of story of the Blue 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 Julia Klausen the Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang why the sea is salt once upon a time long long ago there were two brothers the one rich and the other poor when Christmas Eve came the poor one had not a bite in the house either of meat or bread so he went to his brother and backed him in God's name to give him something for Christmas Day it was by no means the first time that the brother had been forced to give something to him and he was not better pleased at being asked now if you will do what I ask you you shall have a whole ham, said he the poor one immediately thanked him and promised this well, here is the ham and now you must go straight to dead man's hall said the rich brother throwing the ham to him well, I will do what I have promised said the other and he took the ham and set off he went on and on for the life long day and at nightfall he came to a place where there was a bright light I have no doubt this is the place thought the man with the ham an old man with a long white beard was standing in the outhouse chopping yule logs good evening, said the man with the ham good evening to you where are you going at this late hour, said the man I am going to dead man's hall if only I am on the right track answered the poor man oh yes, you are right enough for it is here said the old man when you get inside they will all want to buy your ham for they don't get much meat to eat there but you must not sell it unless you can get the hand mill which stands behind the door for it when you come out again I will teach you how to stop the hand mill which is useful for almost everything so the man with the ham thanked the other for his good advice and wrapped at the door when he got in everything happened just as the old man had said it would all the people great and small came round him like ants on an ant hill and each tried to outbid the other for the ham by rights my old woman and I ought to have it for our Christmas dinner but since you have set your hearts upon it I must give it up to you said the man but if I sell it I will have the hand mill which is standing there behind the door at first they would not hear of this and haggled and bargained with the man but he stuck to what he had said and the people were forced to give him the hand mill when the man came out again into the yard he asked the old woodcutter how he was to stop the hand mill and when he had learned that he thanked him and set off home with all the speed he could but did not get there until after the clock had struck 12 on Christmas Eve where in the world have you been said the old woman here I have sat waiting hour after hour and have not even two sticks to lay across each other under the Christmas porridge pot oh I could not come before I had something of importance to see about and a long way to go too but now you shall just see said the man and then he set the hand mill on the table and bated first grind light then a table cloth and then meat and beer and everything else that was good for a Christmas Eve supper and the mill ground all that he ordered bless me said the old woman as one thing after another appeared she wanted to know where her husband had got the mill from but he would not tell her that never mind where I got it you can see that it is a good one and the water that turns it will never freeze said the man so he ground meat and drink and all kinds of good things to last all Christmas tide and on the third day he invited all his friends to come to a feast now when the rich brother saw all that there was at the banquet and in the house he was both vexed and angry for he grudged everything his brother had on Christmas Eve he was so poor that he came to me and begged for a trifle for God's sake and now he gives the feast as if he were both a count and a king thought he but for heaven's sake tell me where you got your riches from said he to his brother from behind the door said he to own the mill for he did not choose to satisfy his brother on that point but later in the evening when he had taken a drop too much he could not refrain from telling how he had come by the hand mill there you see what has brought me all my wealth said he and brought out the mill and made it grind first one thing and then another when the brother saw that he insisted on having the mill but he had to give 300 dollars for it and the poor brother was to keep it till the hay making was over for he thought if I keep it as long as that I can make it grind meat and drink that will last many a long year during that time you may imagine that the mill did not grow rusty and when hay harvest came the rich brother got it but the other had taken good care of him how to stop it it was evening when the rich man got the mill home and in the morning he made the old woman go out and spread the hay after the mowers and he would attend to the house himself that day he said so when dinner time drew near he set the mill on the kitchen table and said grind herrings and milk potage and do it both quickly and well so the mill began to grind herrings and milk potage and first all the dishes and tabs were filled and then it came out all over the kitchen floor the man twisted and turned it and did all he could to make the mill stop but how so ever he turned it and screwed it the mill went on grinding and in a short time the potage rose so high that the man was like to be drowned so he threw open the parlor door but it was not long before the mill was full too and it was with difficulty and danger that the man could go through the stream of potage and get hold of the door ledge when he got the door open he did not stay long in the room but ran out and the herrings and potage came after him and it streamed out over both farm and field now the old woman who was out spreading the hay began to think dinner was long coming and said to the woman and the mowers though the master does not call us home we may as well go it may be that he finds he is not good at making potage and I should do well to help him so they began to strangle homeward but when they had got a little way up the hill they met the herrings and potage and bread all pouring forth and winding about one over the other and the man himself in front of the flood what to have in that each of you had a hundred stomachs take care that you are not drowned in the potage he cried as he went by them as if mischief were at his heels down to where his brother dwelled then he begged him for God's sake to take the mill back again and that in an instant fore said he if it grinds one hour more the whole district will be destroyed by herrings and potage but the brother would not take it until the other paid him three hundred dollars and that he was obliged to do now the poor brother had both the money and the mill again so it was not long before he had a farmhouse much finer than that in which his brother lived but the mill ground him so much money that he covered it with plates of gold and the farmhouse lay close by the seashore so it shone and glittered far out to sea everyone who sailed by there wanted to be put in to visit the rich man in the gold farmhouse and everyone wanted to see the wonderful mill for the report of it spread far and wide and there was no one who had not heard tell of it after a long long time came also a skipper who wished to see the mill he asked if it could make salt yes it could make salt said he who owned it and when the skipper heard that he wished with all his might and main to have the mill let it cost what it might for he thought if he had it he would get off having to sail far away over the perillous sea for freight of salt at first the man would not hear of parting with it but the skipper backed and prayed and at last the man sold it to him and got many many thousand dollars for it when the skipper had got the mill on his back he did not stay there long for he was so afraid that the man would change his mind and he had no time to ask how he was to stop the grinding but got on board his ship as fast as he could when he had gone a little way out to sea he took the mill on deck grinded salt and grinded both quickly and well said the skipper so the mill began to grind salt till it spouted out like water he got the ship filled he wanted to stop the mill but which so ever way he turned it and how much so ever he tried it went on grinding and the heap of salt grew higher and higher until at last the ship sank there lies the mill at the bottom of the sea and still day by day it grinds on and that is why the sea is salt the master cat was in boots of the blue fairy book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sarah Jennings the blue fairy book by Andrew Lang the master cat there was a miller who left no more estate to the three sons he had than his mill, his ass and his cat the partition was soon made neither scrivener nor attorney was sent for they would soon have eaten up all the poor patrimony the eldest had the mill the second the ass and the youngest nothing but the cat the poor young fellow was quite comfortless at having so poor a lot my brothers said he may get their living handsomely enough by joining their stocks together but for my part when I have eaten up my cat and made me a muff of his skin I must die of hunger all this but made as if he did not said to him with a grave and serious air do not thus afflict yourself my good master you have nothing else to do but to give me a bag and get a pair of boots made for me that I may scamper through the dirt and brambles and you shall see that you have not so bad a portion in me as you imagine the cat's master did not build very much upon what he said he had often see him play a great many cunning tricks to catch rats and mice as when he used to hang by the heels or hide himself in the meal and make as if he were dead so that he did not altogether despair of his affording him some help in his miserable condition when the cat had what he asked for he booted himself very gallantly and putting his bag about his neck he held the strings of it in his two forepaws and went into a warn where there was a great abundance of rabbits he put Bran and Sophistle into his bag and stretching out at length as if he had been dead he waited for some young rabbits not yet acquainted with the deceits of the world to come and rummage his bag for what he had put into it scarce was he laying down but he had what he wanted a rash and foolish young rabbit jumped into his bag and Monsieur Pousse immediately drawing close the strings took and killed him without pity proud of his prey he went with it to the palace and asked to speak with his majesty he was shown upstairs into the king's apartment and making a low reverence said to him I have brought you sir a rabbit of the Warren which my noble lord the Marquis of Carabas for that was the title which Pousse was pleased to give to his master has commanded me to present to your majesty from him tell thy master said the king that I thank him and that he does me a great deal of pleasure another time he went and hid himself among some standing corn holding still his bag open and when a brace of partridges ran into it he drew the strings and so caught them both he went and made a present he gave these to the king as he had done before of the rabbit which he took in the Warren the king in like manner received the partridges with great pleasure and ordered him some money for drink the cat continued for two or three months thus to carry his majesty from time to time in game of his master's taking one day in particular when he knew for certain that he was to take the air along the riverside with his daughter the most beautiful princess in the world he said to his master if you will follow my advice you have nothing else to do but to go and wash yourself in the river in that part I shall show you and leave the rest to me the marquis of carabas did what the cat advised him to without knowing why or where for while he was washing the king passed by and the cat began to cry out help help my lord marquis of carabas is going to be drowned at this noise the king put his head out of the coach window and finding it was the cat who had so often brought him such good game he commanded his guards to run immediately to the assistance of his lordship the marquis of carabas while they were drawing the poor marquis out of the river the cat came up to the coach and told the king that while his master was washing there came by some rogues who went off with his clothes though he had cried out thieves, thieves several times as loud as he could this cunning cat had hidden them under a great stone the king immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and fetch one of the best suits for the lord marquis of carabas the king caressed him after a very extraordinary manner and as the fine collosy had given him extremely set off his good mien for he was well made and very handsome in his person the king's daughter took a secret inclination to him and the marquis of carabas had no sooner cast two or three respectful and somewhat tender glances but she fell in love with him to distraction the king would needs have him come into the coach and take part of the airing the cat quite overjoyed to see his project begin to succeed marched before and meeting with some countrymen who were mowing a meadow he said to them good people you who are a mowing if you do not tell the king that the meadow you mow belongs to my lord marquis of carabas you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot the king did not fail asking of the mowers to whom the meadow they were mowing belonged to my lord marquis of carabas answered they all together for the cat's threats had made them terribly afraid you see sir said the marquis a meadow which never fails to yield a plentiful harvest every year the master cat who still went on before met with some reapers and said to them good people you who are reaping if you do not tell the king that all this corn belongs to the marquis of carabas you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot the king who passed by a moment after would needs know to whom all that corn which he then saw did belong to my lord marquis of carabas replied the reapers the king was very well pleased with it as well as the marquis whom he congratulated there upon the master cat who always went before said the same words to all he met and the king was astonished at the vast estates of my lord marquis of carabas monsieur puss came at last to a stately castle the master of which was an ogre the richest had ever been known for all the lands which the king had then gone over belonged to this castle the cat who had taken care to inform himself of what this ogre was and what he could do asked to speak to him saying he could not pass so near his castle without having the honour of paying his respects to him the ogre received him as civilly as an ogre could do and made him sit down I have been assured said the cat that you have the gift of being able to change yourself into all sorts of creatures you have a mind to you can for example transform yourself into a lion or elephant and the like that is true answered the ogre very briskly since you you shall now see me become a lion puss was so sadly terrified at the sight of a lion so near him that he immediately got into the gutter not without abundance of trouble and danger because of his boots which were no use at all to him in walking upon the tiles a little while after when puss saw that the ogre had resumed his natural form he came down and owned he had been very much frightened I have been more over informed said the cat but I know not how to believe it that you have also the power to take on you the shape of the smallest animals for example to change yourself into a rat or a mouse but I must own to you I take this to be impossible impossible cried the ogre you shall see that presently and at the same time he changed himself into a mouse and began to run about the floor puss no sooner received this but he fell upon him and ate him up meanwhile the king who saw as he passed this fine castle of the ogres had a mind to go into it puss who heard the noise of his majesty's coach running over the drawbridge ran out and said to the king your majesty is welcome to this castle of my lord marquis of carabas what my lord marquis card the king and does this castle also belong to you there can be nothing finer than this court and all the stately buildings which surround it let us go into it if you please the marquis gave his hand to the princess and followed the king who went first they passed into a spacious hall where they found a magnificent collation which the ogre had prepared for his friends who were that very day to visit him but dare not enter knowing the king was there his majesty was perfectly charmed with the good qualities of my lord marquis of carabas as was his daughter who had fallen violently in love with him and seeing the vast estate he possessed said to him after having drunk five or six glasses it will be owing to yourself only my lord marquis if you are not my son in law the marquis making several low bows accepted the honour which his majesty conferred upon him and forthwith that very same day married the princess puss became a great lord and never ran after mice anymore but only for his diversion end of the master cat or puss in boots felicia and the pot of pinks of the blue 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 Scott Mather the blue fairy book by Andrew Lang Felicia and the pot of pinks once upon a time there was a poor labourer who feeling that he had not much longer to live wished to divide his possessions between his son and daughter whom he loved dearly so he called him to him and said your mother brought me as her dowry two stools and a straw bed I have besides a hen a pot of pinks and a silver ring which were given me by a noble lady who once lodged in my poor cottage when she went away she said to me be careful of my gifts good man see that you do not lose the ring you have to water the pinks as for your daughter I promise you that she shall be more beautiful than anyone you ever saw in your life call her Felicia and when she grows up give her the ring and the pot of pinks to console her for her poverty take them both then my dear child he added and your brother shall have everything else the two children seemed quite contented and wept for him and divided his possessions as he had told them Felicia believed that her brother loved her but when she sat down upon one of the stools he said angrily keep your pot of pinks in your ring but let my things alone I like order in my house Felicia who was very gentle said nothing but stood up crying quietly while Bruno for that was her brother's name sat comfortably by the fire presently when supper time came Bruno had a delicious egg and he threw the shell to Felicia saying there that is all I can give you if you don't like it go out and catch frogs there are plenty of them in the marsh close by Felicia did not answer but she cried more bitterly than ever and went away to her own little room she found it filled with the sweet scent of the pinks and going up to them she said sadly beautiful pinks you are so sweet and so pretty you are the only comfort I have left be very sure that I will take care of you and water you well and never allow any cruel hand to tear you from your stems as she leaned over them she noticed that they were very dry so taking her picture she ran off in the clear moonlight to the fountain which was at some distance when she reached it she sat down upon the brink to rest but she had hardly done so when she saw a stately lady coming toward her surrounded by numbers of attendants six maids of honor carried her train and she leaned upon the arm of another when they came near the fountain a canopy was spread for her under which was placed a sofa of cloth of gold and presently a dainty supper was served upon a table covered with dishes of gold and crystal while the wind in the trees and the falling water of the fountain murmured the softest music Felicia was hidden in the shade too much astonished by all she saw to venture to move but in a few moments the queen said I fancy I see a shepherdess near that tree bid her come hither so Felicia came forward and saluted the queen timidly but with so much grace that all were surprised what are you doing here my pretty child asked the queen are you not afraid of robbers ah madam said Felicia a poor shepherdess who has nothing to lose does not fear robbers you are not very rich then said the queen smiling I am so poor answered Felicia that a pot of pinks was sold but you have a heart said the queen what should you say if anybody wanted to steal that I do not know what it is like to lose one's heart madam she replied but I have always heard that without a heart one cannot live and if it is broken one must die and in spite of my poverty I should be sorry not to live my heart pretty one said the queen but tell me have you sucked no madam answered Felicia my brother ate all the supper there was then the queen ordered that a place should be made for her at the table and herself loaded Felicia's plate with good things but she was too much astonished to be hungry I want to know what you were doing at the fountain so late I came to fetch a picture of water for my pinks madam she answered stooping to pick up the picture which stood beside her but when she showed it to the queen she was amazed to see that it had turned to gold all sparkling with great diamonds and the water of which it was full was more fragrant than the sweetest roses she was afraid to take it until the queen said it is yours Felicia go and water your pinks with it and let it remind you that the queen of the woods is your friend the shepherdess threw herself at the queen's feet and thanked her humbly for her gracious words oh madam she cried if I might beg you to stay here a moment I would run and fetch my pot of pinks for you they could not fall into better hands go Felicia said the queen stroking her cheeks softly I will wait here until you come back so Felicia took up her picture to her little room but while she had been away Bruno had gone in and taken the pot of pinks leaving a great cabbage in its place when she saw the unlucky cabbage Felicia was much distressed and did not know what to do but at last she ran back to the fountain and kneeling before the queen said madam Bruno has stolen my pot of pinks so I have nothing but my silver ring but I beg you to accept it as a proof of my gratitude but if I take your ring my pretty shepherdess said the queen you will have nothing left and what will you do then oh madam she answered simply if I have your friendship I shall do very well so the queen took the ring and put it on her finger and mounted her chariot which was made of coral studded with emeralds and drawn by six milk white horses and Felicia looked after her until the winding of the forest path led her from her sight and then she went back to the cottage thinking over all the wonderful things that had happened the first thing she did when she reached her room was to throw the cabbage out of the window but she was very much surprised to hear an odd little voice cry out oh I'm half killed and could not think where it came from because cabbages do not generally speak as soon as it was light Felicia who was very unhappy about her pot of pinks went out to look for it and the first thing she found was the unfortunate cabbage she gave it a push with her foot saying what are you doing here and how dared you put yourself in the place of my pot of pinks if I hadn't been carried replied the cabbage you may be very sure that I shouldn't have thought of going there it made her shiver with fright to hear the cabbage talk but he went on if you will be good enough to plant me by my comrades again I can tell you where your pinks are at this moment hidden in Bruno's bed Felicia was in despair when she heard this not knowing how she was to get them back but she replanted the cabbage very kindly in his old place and as she finished doing it she saw Bruno's hand and said, catching hold of it come here, horrid little creature you shall suffer for all the unkind things my brother has done to me ah, shepherdess said the hand, don't kill me I am rather a gossip and I can tell you some surprising things that you will like to hear don't imagine that you were the daughter of the poor laborer who brought you up your mother was a queen who had six girls already and the king threatened that unless she had a son who could inherit his kingdom she would never head cut off so when the queen had another little daughter she was quite frightened and agreed with her sister who was a fairy to exchange her for the fairy's little son now the queen had been shut up in a grey tower by the king's orders and when a great many days went by and still she heard nothing from the fairy she made her escape from the window by means of a rope ladder taking her little baby with her after wondering about until she was half dead with cold and fatigue she reached this cottage I was the laborer's wife and was a good nurse and the queen gave you into my charge and told me all her misfortunes and then died before she had time to say what was to become of you as I never in all my life could keep a secret I could not help telling this strange tale to my neighbors and one day a beautiful lady came here and I told it to her also when I had finished she touched me with a wand she held in her hand and instantly I became a hen and there was an end of my talking I was very sad and my husband who was out when it happened never knew what had become of me after seeking me everywhere he believed that I must have been drowned by wild beasts in the forest that same lady came here once more and commanded that you should be called Felicia and left the ring and the pot of pinks to be given to you and while she was in the house 25 of the king's guards came to search for you doubtless meaning to kill you but she muttered a few words and immediately they all turned into cabbages it was one of them whom you threw out of your window yesterday I don't know how it was that he could speak I have never heard either of them say a word before nor have I been able to do it myself until now the princess was greatly astonished at the hen's story and said kindly I'm truly sorry for you my poor nurse and wish it was in my power to restore you to your real form but we must not despair it seems to me after what you have told me that something must be going to happen soon just now however I must go and look for my pinks which I love better than anything in the world Bruno had gone out into the forest never thinking that Felicia would search in his room for the pinks and she was delighted by his unexpected absence and thought to get them back without further trouble but as soon as she entered the room she saw a terrible army of rats who were guarding the straw bed and as soon as she attempted to approach it they sprang at her biting and scratching furiously quite terrified she drew back crying out oh my dear pinks how can you stay here in such bad company then she suddenly thought herself of the picture of water and hoping that it might have some magic power she ran to fetch it and sprinkled a few drops over the fierce looking swarm of rats in a moment not a tail or a whisker was to be seen had made for his hole as fast as his legs could carry him so that the princess could safely take her pot of pinks she found them nearly dying for want of water and hastily poured all that was left in the pitcher upon them as she bent over them enjoying their delicious scent a soft voice that seemed to rustle among the leaves said lovely Felicia the day has come at last when I may have the happiness of telling you how even the flowers love you and rejoice in your beauty the princess quite overcome by the strangeness of hearing a cabbage a hen and a pink speak and by the terrible sight of an army of rats suddenly became very pale and fainted away at this moment in came Bruno working hard in the heat had not improved his temper and when he saw that Felicia had succeeded in finding her pinks he was so angry that he dragged her out into the garden and shut the door upon her the fresh air soon made her open her pretty eyes and there before her stood the queen of the woods looking charming as ever you have a bad brother she said I saw he turned you out shall I punish him for it oh no madam I agree with him but supposing he was not your brother after all what would you say then asked the queen oh but I think he must be said Felicia what said the queen have you not heard that you are a princess I was told so a little while ago madam but how could I believe it without a single proof oh dear child said the queen the way you speak assures me that in spite of your humble upbringing you are indeed a real princess and I can save you from being treated in such a way again she was interrupted at this moment by the arrival of a very handsome young man he wore a coat of green velvet fastened with emerald clasps and had a crown of pinks on his head he knelt upon one knee and kissed the queen's hand ah she cried my pink my dear son the happiness to see you restore to your natural shape by Felicia's aid and she embraced him joyfully then turning to Felicia she said charming princess I know all the hen told you but you cannot have heard that the zeffers to whom was entrusted the task of carrying my son to the tower where the queen your mother so anxiously waited for him left him instead in a garden of flowers while they flew off to tell your mother where upon a fairy with whom I had quarreled changed him into a pink and I could do nothing to prevent it well you can imagine how angry I was and how I tried to find some means of undoing the mischief she had done but there was no help for it I could only bring Prince Pink to the place where you were being brought up hoping that when you grew up he might love you and by your care be restored to his natural form and you see everything has come right as I hoped it would your giving me the silver ring was the sign that the power of the charm was nearly over and my enemies last chance was to frighten you with her army of rats that she did not succeed in doing so now my dear Felicia if you will be married to my son with this silver ring your future happiness is certain do you think him handsome and amiable enough to be willing to marry him Madam replied Felicia, blushing you overwhelm me with your kindness I know that you are my mother's sister and that by your art you turned the soldiers who were sent to kill me into cabbages and my nurse into a hen and that you do me only too much honor in proposing that I shall marry your son how can I explain to you the cause of my hesitation I feel for the first time in my life how happy it would make me to be beloved can you indeed give me the prince's heart it is yours already lovely princess he cried taking her hand in his but for the horrible enchantment which kept me silent I should have told you long ago how dearly I love you this made the princess very happy and the queen who could not bear to see her dress like a poor shepherdess touched her with her wand saying I wish you to be attired as befits your rank and beauty and immediately the princess's cotton dress became a magnificent robe of silver brocade embroidered with carbuncles and dark hair was encircled by a crown of diamonds from which floated a clear white veil with her bright eyes and the charming color in her cheeks she was altogether such a dazzling sight that the prince could hardly bear it how pretty you are Felicia he cried don't keep me in suspense I entreat you say that you will marry me ah said the queen smiling she did not refuse now just then Bruno who was going back to his work came out of the cottage and thought he must be dreaming when he saw Felicia but she called him very kindly and begged the queen to take pity on him what she said when he was so unkind to you oh madam said the princess I am so happy that I should like everybody else to be happy too the queen kissed her and said well to please you let me see what I can do for this cross Bruno and with the wave of her wand she turned the poor little cottage into a splendid palace full of treasures only the two stools in the straw bed remained just as they were to remind him of his former poverty then the queen touched Bruno himself made him gentle and polite and grateful and he thanked her and the princess a thousand times lastly the queen restored the hen and the cabbages to their natural forms and left them all very contented the prince and princess were married as soon as possible with great splendor and lived happily ever after end of Felicia and the pot of pinks the white cat of the blue 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 Scott Mather the blue fairy book by Andrew Lang the white cat once upon a time there was a king who had three sons who were all so clever and brave that they would want to reign over the kingdom before he was dead now the king, though he felt that he was growing old did not at all wish to give up the government of his kingdom while he could still manage it very well so he thought the best way to live in peace would be to divert the minds of his sons by promises which he could always get out of when the time came for keeping them so he sent for them all and after speaking to them kindly he added I will quite agree with me my dear children that my great age makes it impossible for me to look after my affairs of state as carefully as I once did I begin to fear that this may affect the welfare of my subjects therefore I wish that one of you should succeed to my crown but in return for such a gift as this it is only right that you should do something for me now as I think of retiring into the country it seems to me a lively faithful little dog would be very good company for me so without any regard for your ages I promise that the one who brings me the most beautiful little dog shall succeed me at once the three princes were greatly surprised by their father's sudden fancy for a little dog but as it gave the two younger ones a chance they would not otherwise have had of being king and as the eldest was too polite to make any objection they accepted the commission with pleasure they bade farewell to the king who gave them presents of silver and precious stones and appointed to meet them at the same hour in the same place after a year had passed to see the little dogs they had brought for him then they went together to a castle which was about a league from the city accompanied by all their particular friends to whom they gave a grand banquet and the three brothers promised to be friends always to share whatever good fortune befell them and not to be parted by any envy or jealousy and so they set out agreeing to meet at the same castle at the appointed time to present themselves before the king together each one took a different road and the two eldest met with many adventures but it is about the youngest that you are going to hear he was young and gay and handsome and knew everything that a prince ought to know and as for his courage there was simply no end to it hardly a day passed without his buying several dogs big and little, greyhounds, mastiffs spaniels, and lapdogs as soon as he had bought a pretty one he was sure to see a still prettier and then he had to get rid of all the others and buy that one as being alone he found it impossible to take thirty or forty thousand dogs about with him he journeyed from day to day not knowing where he was going until it last just at nightfall he reached a great gloomy forest he did not know his way and to make matters worse it began to thunder and the rain poured down he took the first path he could find and after walking for a long time he fancied he saw faint light and began to hope for some cottage where he might find shelter for the night at length, guided by the light he reached the door of the most splendid castle he could have imagined this door was of gold covered with carbuncles and it was the pure red light which shown from them that had shown him the way through the forest the walls were of the finest porcelain in all the most delicate colors and the prince saw that all the stories were pictured upon them but as he was terribly wet and the rain still fell in torrents he could not stay to look about anymore but came back to the golden door there he saw a deer's foot hanging by a chain of diamonds and he began to wonder who could live in this magnificent castle they must feel very secure against robbers he said to himself what is to hinder anyone from cutting off that chain and digging out those carbuncles and making himself rich for life he pulled the deer's foot and immediately a silver bell sounded and the door flew open but the prince could see nothing but numbers of hands in the air each holding a torch he was so surprised that he stood quite still until he felt himself pushed forward by other hands so that though he was somewhat uneasy he could not help going on his sword to be prepared for whatever might happen he entered a hall paid with lapis lazuli while two lovely voices sang the hands you see floating above will swiftly your bidding obey if your heart dreads not conquering love in this place you may fearlessly stay the prince could not believe that any danger threatened him when he was welcomed in this way so guided by the mysterious hands he went toward a door of coral which opened of its own accord and he found himself in a vast hall of mother of pearl out of which opened a number of other rooms glittering with thousands of lights and full of such beautiful pictures and precious things that the prince felt quite bewildered after passing through sixty rooms the hands that conducted him stopped and the prince saw a most comfortable looking armchair drawn up close to the chimney corner at the same moment the fire lighted itself and the pretty soft clever hands took off the prince's wet muddy clothes and presented him with fresh ones made of the richest stuff all embroidered with gold and emeralds he could not help admiring everything he saw and the deft way though they sometimes appeared so suddenly that they made him jump when he was quite ready and I can assure you that he looked very different from the wet and weary prince who had stood outside in the rain and pulled the deer's foot the hands led him to a splendid room upon the walls of which were painted the histories of puss in boots and a number of other famous cats the table was laid for supper with two golden plates of stones and forks and the sideboard was covered with dishes and glasses of crystal set with precious stones the prince was wondering who the second place could be for when suddenly in came about a dozen cats carrying guitars and rolls of music who took their places at one end of the room and under the direction of a cat who beat time with a roll of paper began to mew into every imaginable key and to draw their claws across the strings of the guitars making the strangest kind of music that could be heard the prince hastily stopped up his ears but even then the sight of these comical musicians sent him into fits of laughter what funny thing shall I see next he said to himself and instantly the door opened and in came a tiny figure covered by a long black veil it was conducted by two cats wearing black mantles and carrying swords and a large party of cats followed who brought in cages full of rats and mice the prince was so much astonished that he thought he must be dreaming but the little figure came up to him and threw back its veil and he saw that it was the loveliest little white cat it is possible to imagine she looked very young and very sad and in a sweet little voice that went straight to his heart she said to the prince king son you are welcome the queen of the cats is glad to see you lady cat replied the prince I thank you for receiving me so kindly but surely you are no ordinary pussy cat indeed the way you speak and the magnificence of your castle proves it plainly king son said the white cat I beg you to spare me these compliments for I am not used to them but now she added let supper be served and let the musicians be silent as the prince does not understand what they are saying so the mysterious hands began to bring in the supper and first they put on the table two dishes one containing stewed pigeons and the other a fricacy of fat mice the sight of the latter made the prince feel as if he could not enjoy his supper at all but the white cat seeing this assured him that the dishes intended for him were prepared in a separate kitchen and he might be quite certain that they contained neither rats nor mice and the prince felt so sure that she would not deceive him that he had no more hesitation in beginning presently he noticed that on the little paw that was next to him the white cat wore a bracelet containing a portrait and he begged to be allowed to look at it to his surprise he found it represented an extremely handsome young man who was so like himself that it might have been his own portrait the white cat sighed as he looked at it and seemed sadder than ever and the prince dared not ask any questions for fear of displeasing her so he began to talk about other things and found that she was interested in all the subjects he cared for himself and seemed to know quite well what was going on in the world after supper they went into another room which was fitted up as a theater and the cats acted and danced for their amusement and then the white cat said good night to him and the hands conducted him into a room he had not seen before hung with tapestry worked with butterflies wings of every color there were mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor and a little white bed with curtains of gauze tied up with ribbons the prince went to the bed in silence as he did not quite know how to begin a conversation with the hands that waited on him and in the morning he was awakened by a noise and confusion outside of his window and the hands came and quickly dressed him in his hunting costume when he looked out all the cats were assembled in the courtyard some leading greyhounds some blowing horns for the white cat was going out hunting the hands led a wooden horse up to the prince and seemed to expect him to mount it at which he was very indignant but it was no use for him to eject for he speedily found himself upon its back and it pranced gaily off with him the white cat herself was riding a monkey which climbed even up to the eagle's nests when she had a fancy for the young eagles never was there a pleasanter hunting party and when they returned to the castle the prince and the white cat subbed together as before but when they had finished she offered him a crystal goblet which must have contained a magic draft for as soon as he had swallowed its contents he forgot everything even the little dog that he was seeking for the king how happy he was to be with the white cat and so the days passed in every kind of amusement until the year was nearly gone the prince had forgotten all about meeting his brothers he did not even know what country he belonged to but the white cat knew knew when he ought to go back and one day she said to him do you know that you have only to look for the little dog for your father and your brothers have found lovely ones then the prince suddenly recovered his memory and he cried what can have made me forget such an important thing my whole fortune depends upon it and even if I could in such a short time find a dog pretty enough to gain me a kingdom where should I find a horse who would carry me all that way in three days he began to be very vexed but the white cat said to him king son do not trouble yourself I am your friend and will make everything easy for you you can still stay here for a day as the good wooden horse can take you to your country in twelve hours I thank you beautiful cat said the prince but what good will it do me to get back if I have not a dog to take to my father see here answered the white cat holding up an acorn there is a prettier one in this than in the dog star oh white cat dear said the prince how unkind you are to laugh at me now only listen she said holding the acorn to his ear and inside it he distinctly heard a tiny voice say oh the prince was delighted for a dog that can be shut up in an acorn must be very small indeed he wanted to take it out and look at it but the white cat said it would be better not to open the acorn till he was before the king in case the tiny dog should be cold on the journey he thanked her a thousand times and said goodbye quite sadly when the time came for him to set out the days have passed so quickly with you he said I only wish I could take you with me now but the white cat shook her head and sighed deeply in answer after all the prince was the first to arrive at the castle where he had agreed to meet his brothers but they came soon after and stared in amazement when they saw the wooden horse in the courtyard jumping like a hunter the prince met them joyfully and they began to tell him all their adventures but he managed to hide from them what he had been doing and even led them to think that a turn spit dog which he had with him was the one he was bringing to the king fondest they all were of one another the two eldest could not help being glad to think that their dog certainly had a better chance the next morning they started in the same chariot the elder brothers carried in baskets two such tiny fragile dogs that they hardly dared to touch them as for the turn spit he ran after the chariot and got so covered with mud that one could hardly see what he was like at all when they reached the palace and when the two brothers presented their little dogs nobody could decide which was the prettier they were already arranging between themselves to share the kingdom equally when the youngest stepped forward drawing from his pocket the acorn the white cat had given him he opened it quickly and there upon a white cushion they saw a dog so small that it could easily have been put through a ring the prince laid it upon the ground and it got up at once and began to dance the king did not know what to say for it was impossible that anything could be prettier than this little creature nevertheless as he was in no hurry to part with his crown he told his sons that as they had been so successful the first time he would ask them to go once again and seek by land and sea for a piece of muslin so fine that it could be drawn through the eye of a needle the brothers were not very willing to set out again but the two eldest consented because it gave them another chance and they started as before the youngest again mounted the wooden horse and rode back at full speed to his beloved white cat every door of the castle stood wide open and every window and turret was illuminated so it looked more wonderful than before the hands hastened to meet him and led the wooden horse off to the stable and he hurried in to find the white cat she was asleep in a little basket on a white satin cushion but she very soon started up when she heard the prince and was overjoyed at meeting him once more how could I hope that you would come back to me king's son she said and then he stroked and petted her and told her of his successful journey and how he had come back to ask her help as he believed that it was impossible to find what the king demanded the white cat looked serious and said she must think what was to be done but that luckily there were some cats in the castle who could spin very well and if anybody could manage it they could and she would set them the task herself and then the hands appeared carrying torches and conducted the prince and the white cat to a long gallery which overlooked the river from the windows of which they saw a magnificent display of fireworks of all sorts after which they had supper which the prince liked even better than the fireworks for it was very late and he was hungry after his long ride and so the days passed quickly as before it was impossible to feel dull with the white cat and she had quite a talent for inventing new amusements indeed she was cleverer and has any right to be but when the prince asked her how it was that she was so wise she only said king son do not ask me guess what you please I may not tell you anything the prince was so happy that he did not trouble himself at all about the time but presently the white cat told him that a year was gone and that he need not be at all anxious to be a good muslin as they had made it very well this time she added I can give you a suitable escort and on looking out into the courtyard the prince saw a superb chariot of burnished gold enameled in flame color with a thousand different devices it was drawn by twelve snow white horses harnessed four abreast their trappings were flame colored hundred chariots followed, each drawn by eight horses, and filled with officers in splendid uniforms, and a thousand guards surrounded the procession. Go, said the White Cat, and when you appear before the king in such state he surely will not refuse you the crown which you deserve. Take this walnut, but do not open it until you are before him. You will find in it the piece of stuff you asked me for. Lovely Blanchette, said the prince, how can I thank you properly for all your kindness to me? Only tell me that you wish it, and I will give up for ever all thought of being king, and will stay here with you always. King, son, she replied, it shows the goodness of your heart that you should care so much for a little White Cat, who is good for nothing but to catch mice. But you must not stay. So the prince kissed her little paw, and set out. You can imagine how fast he travelled when I tell you that they reached the king's palace in just half the time it had taken the wooden horse to get there. This time the prince was so late that he did not try to meet his brothers at their castle. So they thought he could not be coming, and were rather glad of it, and displayed their pieces of muslin to the king proudly, feeling sure of success. And indeed the stuff was very fine, and would go through the eye of a very large needle. But the king, who was only too glad to make a difficulty, sent for a particular needle, which was kept among the crown jewels, and had such a small eye that everybody saw it once that it was impossible that the muslin should pass through it. The princes were angry, and were beginning to complain that it was a trick, when suddenly the trumpet sounded and the youngest prince came in. His father and brothers were quite astonished at his magnificence, and after he had greeted them he took the walnut from his pocket and opened it, fully expecting to find the piece of muslin. But instead there was only a hazelnut. He cracked it, and there lay a cherry stone. Everybody was looking on, and the king was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding the piece of muslin in a nutshell. However the prince cracked the cherry stone, but everyone laughed when he saw it contained only its own kernel. He opened that, and found a grain of wheat, and in that was a millet seed. When he himself began to wonder and muttered softly, White Cat, White Cat, are you making fun of me? In an instant he felt a cat's claw give his hand quite a sharp scratch, and hoping that it was meant as an encouragement he opened the millet seed, and drew out of it a piece of muslin four hundred ls long, woven with the loveliest colors and most wonderful patterns, and when the needle was brought it went through the eye six times with the greatest of ease. The king turned pale, and the other princes stood silent and sorrowful, for nobody could deny that this was the most marvelous piece of muslin that was to be found in the world. Presently the king turned to his sons and said with a deep sigh, Nothing could console me more in my old age than to realize your willingness to gratify my wishes. Go then, once more, and whoever at the end of a year can bring back the loveliest princess shall be married to her, and shall without further delay receive the crown, for my successor must certainly be married. The prince considered that he had earned the kingdom fairly twice over. But still he was too well-bred to argue about it, so he just went back to his gorgeous chariot, and surrounded by his escort returned to the white cat faster than he had come. This time she was expecting him. The path was strewn with flowers, and a thousand braziers were burning scented woods which perfumed the air. But in a gallery from which she could see his arrival the white cat waited for him. Well, king's son, she said, Here you are, once more, without a crown. Madam said he, Thanks to your generosity I have earned one twice over. But the fact is that my father is so loathed apart with it, that it would be no pleasure to me to take it. Never mind, she answered. It's just as well to try and deserve it. As you must take back a lovely princess with you next time, I will be on the lookout for one for you. In the meantime, let us enjoy ourselves. Tonight I have ordered a battle between my cats and the river rats on purpose to amuse you. So this year slipped away even more pleasantly than the preceding ones. Sometimes the prince could not help asking the white cat how it was she could talk. Perhaps you are a fairy, he said, or has some enchanter changed you into a cat? But she only gave him answers that told him nothing. Days go by so quickly, when one is very happy, that it is certain the prince would never have thought of its being time to go back, when one evening as they sat together the white cat said to him that if he wanted to take a lovely princess with him the next day, he must be prepared to do what she told him. Take this sword, she said, and cut off my head. I cried the prince, I cut off your head? Blanchet, darling, how could I do it? I entreat you to do as I tell you, King's son, she replied. The tears came into the prince's eyes as he begged her to ask him anything but that, to set him any task she pleased as a proof of his devotion. But to spare him the grief of killing his dear pussy. But nothing he could say altered her determination, and at last he drew out his sword and desperately with a trembling hand, cut off the little white head. But imagine his astonishment and delight when suddenly a lovely princess stood before him, and while he was still speechless with amazement the door opened and a goodly company of knights and ladies entered each carrying a cat's skin. They hastened with every sign of joy to the princess, kissing her hand and congratulating her on being once more restored to her natural shape. She received them graciously. But after a few minutes begged that they would leave her alone with the prince to whom she said, You see, prince, that you were right in supposing me to be no ordinary cat. My father reigned over six kingdoms. The queen, my mother whom he loved dearly, had a passion for traveling and exploring, and when I was only a few weeks old, she obtained his permission to visit a certain mountain of which she had heard many marvelous tales and set out taking with her a number of her attendants. On the way they had to pass near an old castle belonging to the fairies. Nobody had ever been into it, but it was reported to be full of the most wonderful things, and my mother remembered to have heard that the fairies had in their garden such fruits as were to be seen and tasted nowhere else. She began to wish to try them for herself and turned her steps in the direction of the garden. On arriving at the door which blazed with gold and jewels she ordered her servants to knock loudly, but it was useless. It seemed as if all the inhabitants of the castle must be asleep or dead. Now the more difficult it became to obtain the fruit, the more the queen was determined that habit she would. So she ordered that they should bring ladders and get over the wall into the garden. But though the wall did not look very high, and they tied the ladders together to make them very long, it was quite impossible to get to the top. The queen was in despair. But as night was coming on she ordered that they should encamp just where they were, and went to bed herself feeling quite ill she felt so disappointed. In the middle of the night she was suddenly awakened and saw to her surprise a tiny, ugly, old woman seated by her bedside, who said to her, I must say that we consider it somewhat troublesome of your majesty to insist upon tasting our fruit. But to save your annoyance my sisters and I will consent to give you as much as you can carry away, on one condition, that is, that you shall give us your little daughter to bring up as our own. Oh, my dear madam, cried the queen, is there nothing else that you will take for the fruit? I will give you my kingdoms willingly. No, replied the old fairy, we will have nothing but your little daughter. She shall be as happy as the day is long, and we will give her everything that is worth having in Fairyland. But you must not see her again, until she is married. Though it is a hard condition, said the queen, I consent, for I shall certainly die if I do not taste the fruit, and so I should lose my little daughter either way. So the old fairy led her into the castle, and though it was still the middle of the night, the queen could see plainly that it was far more beautiful than she had been told. Which you can easily believe, Prince, said the white cat, when I tell you that it was this castle that we are now in. Well, you gather the fruit yourself, queen, said the old fairy, or shall I call it to come to you? Oh, I beg you to let me see it come when it is called, cried the queen. That will be something quite new. The old fairy whistled twice, and then she cried. Apricots, peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, pears, melons, grapes, apples, oranges, lemons, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, come! And in an instant they came tumbling in one over another, and yet they were neither dusty nor spoiled, and the queen found them quite as good as she had fancied them. You see, they grew upon fairy trees. The old fairy gave her golden baskets in which to take the fruit away, and it was as much as four hundred mules could carry. Then she reminded the queen of her agreement, and led her back to the camp, and next morning she went back to her kingdom. But before she had gone very far, she began to repent of her bargain. And when the king came out to meet her she looked so sad that he guessed that something had happened and asked what was the matter. At first the queen was afraid to tell him. But when as soon as they reached the palace five frightful little dwarves were sent by the fairies to fetch me. She was obliged to confess what she had promised. The king was very angry and had the queen and myself shut up in a great tower and safely guarded, and drove the little dwarves out of his kingdom. But the fairies sent a great dragon who ate up all the people he met and whose breath burnt up everything as he passed through the country, and at last, after trying in vain to rid himself of this monster, the king, to save his subjects, was obliged to consent that I should be given up to the fairies. This time they came themselves to fetch me, in a chariot of pearl drawn by seahorses followed by the dragon who was led with chains of diamonds. My cradle was placed between the old fairies who loaded me with caresses and away we whirled through the air to a tower which they had built on purpose for me. There I grew up surrounded with everything that was beautiful and rare and learning everything that is ever taught to a princess, but without any companions but a parrot and a little dog who could both talk and receiving every day a visit from one of the old fairies who came mounted upon the dragon. One day, however, as I sat at my window I saw a handsome young prince who had seemed to have been hunting in the forest which surrounded my prison and who was standing and looking up at me. When he saw that I observed him he saluted me with great deference. You can imagine that I was delighted to have someone new to talk to, and in spite of the height of my window our conversation was prolonged till night fell, then my prince reluctantly bade me farewell. But after that he came again many times, and at last I consented to marry him, but the question was how was I to escape from my tower? The fairies always supplied me with flax for my spinning, and by great diligence I made enough cord for a ladder that would reach to the foot of the tower. But, alas, just as my prince was helping me to descend, the crossest and ugliest of the old fairies flew in. Before he had time to defend himself, my unhappy lover was swallowed up by the dragon. As for me, the fairies furious at having their plans defeated, for they intended me to marry the king of the dwarves, and I utterly refused, changed me into a white cat. When they brought me here I found all the lords and ladies of my father's court awaiting me under the same enchantment, while the people of Lesser Rank had been made invisible, all but their hands. As they laid me under the enchantment the fairies told me all my history, for until then I had quite believed that I was their child, and warned me that my only chance of regaining my natural form was to win the love of a prince who resembled in every way my unfortunate lover. And you have won it, lovely princess, interrupted the prince. You are indeed wonderfully like him, resumed the princess, in voice, in features, and everything, and if you really love me all my troubles will be at an end. And mine, too, cried the prince, throwing himself at her feet, if you will consent to marry me. I love you already better than anyone in the world, she said. But now it is time to go back to your father, and we shall hear what he says about it. So the prince gave her his hand and led her out, and they mounted the chariot together. It was even more splendid than before, and so was the whole company. Even the horse's shoes were of rubies with diamond nails, and I suppose that is the first time such a thing was ever seen. As the princess was as kind and clever as she was beautiful, you may imagine what a delightful journey the prince founded, for everything the princess said seemed to him quite charming. When they came near the castle where the brothers were to meet, the princess got into a chair carried by four of the prince. It was hewn out of one splendid crystal and had silken curtains which she drew round her that she might not be seen. The prince saw his brothers walking upon the terrace, each with a lovely princess, and they came to meet him, asking if he had also found a wife. He said that he had found something much rarer, a white cat, at which they laughed very much and asked him if he was afraid of being eaten up by mice in the palace. And then they set out together for the town. Each prince and princess rode in a splendid carriage. The horses were decked with plumes of feathers and glittered with gold. After them came the youngest prince, and last of all the crystal chair, at which everybody looked with admiration and curiosity. When the courtiers saw them coming they hastened to tell the king. Are the ladies beautiful? he asked anxiously. And when they answered that nobody had ever before seen such lovely princesses, he seemed quite annoyed. However he received them graciously but found it impossible to choose between them. Then turning to his youngest son he said, Have you come back alone after all? Your Majesty replied the prince will find in that crystal chair a little white cat, which has such soft paws and muse so prittly that I am sure you will be charmed with it. The king smiled and went to draw back the curtains himself. But at a touch from the princess the crystal shivered into a thousand splinters, and there she stood in all her beauty. Her fair hair floated over her shoulders and was crowned with flowers, and her softly falling robe was of the purest white. She saluted the king gracefully, while a murmur of admiration rose from all around. Sire, she said, I am not come to deprive you of the throne you fill so worthily. I have already six kingdoms. Permit me to bestow one upon you and upon each of your sons. I ask nothing but your friendship and your consent to my marriage with your youngest son. We shall still have three kingdoms left for ourselves. The king and all the courtiers could not conceal their joy and astonishment, and the marriage of the three princes was celebrated at once. The festivities lasted several months, and then each king and queen departed to their own kingdom and lived happily ever after.