 section 18 of the Green 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 James O'Connor. The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Little Soldier. Part 1. Once upon a time there was a little soldier who had just come back from the war. He was a brave little fellow, but he had lost neither arms nor legs in battle. Still the fighting was ended and the army disbanded, so he had to return to the village where he was born. Now the soldier's name was really John, but for some reason or other his friends always called him the Kinglet. Why? No one ever knew, but so it was. As he had no father or mother to welcome him home, he did not hurry himself, but went quietly along, his knapsack on his back, and his sword by his side. Then suddenly one evening he was seized with a wish to light his pipe. He felt for his matchbox to strike a light, but to his great disgust he found he had lost it. He had only gone about a stone's throw after making this discovery when he noticed a light shining through the trees. He went towards it and perceived before him an old castle with the door standing open. The little soldier entered the courtyard and peeping through a window saw a large fire blazing at the end of a low hall. He put his pipe in his pocket and knocked gently, saying politely, Would you give me a light? But he got no answer. After waiting for a moment John knocked again, this time more loudly, there was still no reply. He raised the latch and entered. The hall was empty. The little soldier made straight for the fireplace, seized the tongs, and was stooping down to look for a nice red-hot coal with which to light his pipe, when click something went, like a spring-giving way, and in the very midst of the flames an enormous serpent reared itself up close to his face. And what was more strange still, this serpent had the head of a woman. At such an unexpected sight, many men would have turned and run for their lives. But the little soldier, though he was small, had a true soldier's heart. He only made one step backwards and grasped the hilt of his sword. Don't unsheathe it, said the serpent. I have been waiting for you, as it is you who must deliver me. Who are you? My name is Ludivine, and I am the daughter of the King of the Low Countries. Deliver me, and I will marry you, and make you happy for ever after. Now some people might not have liked the notion of being made happy by a serpent with the head of a woman. But the kinglet had no such fears. And besides, he felt the fascination of Ludivine's eyes, which looked at him as a snake looks at a little bird. They were beautiful green eyes, not round like those of a cat, but long and almond-shaped. And they shone with a strange light, and the golden hair which floated round them seemed all the brighter for their luster. The face had the beauty of an angel, though the body was only that of a serpent. What must I do? asked the kinglet. Open that door. You will find yourself in a gallery, with a room at the end just like this. Cross that, and you will see a closet, out of which you must take a tunic, and bring it back to me. The little soldier boldly prepared to do as he was told. He crossed the gallery in safety, but when he reached the room he saw by the light of the stars eight hands on a level with his face, which threatened to strike him. And turned his eyes which way he would, he could discover no bodies belonging to them. He lowered his head and rushed forward amidst a storm of blows, which he returned with his fists. When he got to the closet he opened it, took down the tunic, and brought it to the first room. Here it is, he panted, rather out of breath. Click! Once more the flames parted. Ludivine was a woman, down to her waist. She took the tunic and put it on. It was a magnificent tunic of orange velvet, embroidered in pearls. But the pearls were not so white as her own neck. That is not all, she said. Go to the gallery, take the staircase which is on the left, and in the second room on the first story you will find another closet with my skirt. Bring this to me. The king let did as he was told, but in entering the room he saw instead of merely hands, eight arms, each holding an enormous stick. He instantly unsheathed his sword, and cut his way through with such vigor that he hardly received a scratch. He brought back the skirt, which was made of silk, as blue as the skies of Spain. Here it is, said John, as the serpent appeared. She was now a woman as far as her knees. I only want my shoes and stockings now, she said. Go and get them from the closet which is on the second story. The little soldier departed, and found himself in the presence of eight goblins armed with hammers and flames darting from their eyes. This time he stopped short at the threshold. My sword is no use, he thought to himself. These wretches will break it like glass, and if I can't think of anything else, I am a dead man. At this moment his eyes fell on the door, which was made of oak, thick and heavy. He wrenched it off its hinges and held it over his head, and then went straight at the goblins, whom he crushed beneath it. After that he took the shoes and stockings out of the closet, and brought them to Ludivine, who directly she had put them on, became a woman all over. When she was quite dressed in her white silk stockings and little blue slippers dotted over with carbuncles, she said to her deliverer, Now you must go away, and never come back here whatever happens. Here is a purse with two hundred dook-hats. Sleep tonight at the inn which is at the edge of the wood, and awake early in the morning. For at nine o'clock I shall pass the door, and shall take you up in my carriage. Why shouldn't we go now? asked the little soldier. Because the time has not yet come, said the princess. But first you may drink by help in this glass of wine. And as she spoke she filled a crystal goblet with a liquid that looked like melted gold. John drank, then lit his pipe, and went out. When he arrived at the inn he ordered supper. But no sooner had he sat down to eat it than he felt that he was going sound to sleep. I must be more tired than I thought, he said to himself, and after telling them to be sure to wake him next morning at eight o'clock he went to bed. All night long he slept like a did-man. At eight o'clock they came to wake him, and at half-past, and a quarter of an hour later. But it was no use. And at last they decided to leave him in peace. The clocks were striking twelve when John awoke. He sprang out of bed, and, scarcely waiting to dress himself, hastened to ask if anyone had been to inquire for him. There came a lovely princess, replied the landlady, in a coach of gold. She left you this bouquet, and a message to say that she would pass this way tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. The little soldier cursed his sleep, but tried to console himself by looking at his bouquet, which was of immortals. It is the flower of remembrance, thought he, forgetting that it is also the flower of the dead. When the night came he slept with one eye open, and jumped up twenty times an hour. When the birds began to sing, he could lie still no longer, and climbed out of his window into the branches of one of the great lime trees that stood before the door. There he sat, creamily gazing at his bouquet, till he ended by going fast to sleep. Once asleep nothing was able to wake him, neither the brightness of the sun, nor the songs of the birds, nor the noise of Lutavine's golden coach, nor the cries of the landlady who sought him in every place she could think of. As the clock struck twelve he woke, and his heart sank as he came down out of his tree, and saw them laying the table for dinner. Did the princess come, he asked? Yes indeed she did. She left this flower-colored scarf for you. Said she would pass by tomorrow at seven o'clock, but it would be the last time. I must have been bewitched, thought the little soldier. Then he took the scarf which had a strange kind of scent, and tied it round his left arm, thinking all the while that the best way to keep awake was not to go to bed at all. So he paid his bill, and bought a horse with the money that remained. And when the evening came he mounted his horse, and stood in front of the indoor, determined to stay there all night. Only now and then he stooped to smell the sweet perfume of the scarf round his arm. And gradually he smelt it so often that at last his head sank onto the horse's neck, and he and his horse snored in company. When the princess arrived they shook him, and beat him, and screamed at him, but it was all no good. Neither man nor horse awoke till the coach was seen vanishing away in the distance. Then John put spurs to his horse, calling with all his might, Stop! Stop! But the coach drove on as before, and though the little soldier rode after it for a day and a night, he never got one step nearer. Thus they left many villages and towns behind them, till they came to the sea itself. Here John thought that at last the coach must stop. But wonder of wonders it went straight on, and rolled over the water as easily as it had done over the land. John's horse, which had carried him so well, sank down from fatigue, and the little soldier sat sadly on the shore, watching the coach, which was fast disappearing on the horizon. At three. However, he soon plucked up his spirits again, and walked along the beach to try and find a boat in which he could sail after the princess. But no boat was there, and at last tired and hungry he sat down to rest on the steps of a fisherman's hut. In the hut was a young girl who was mending a net. She invited John to come in, and set before him some wine and fried fish. And John ate and drank and felt confident. And he told his adventures to the little fish-a-girl. But though she was very pretty, with the skin as white as a gull's breast, for which her neighbors gave her the name of the seagull, he did not think about her at all, for he was dreaming of the green eyes of the princess. When he had finished his tale, she was filled with pity and regret. Last week, when I was fishing, my net suddenly grew very heavy, and when I drew it in, I found a great copper vase, fastened with lead. I brought it home and placed it on the fire. When the lead had melted a little, I opened the vase with my knife, and drew out a mantle of red cloth and a purse containing fifty crowns. That is the mantle covering my bed, and I have kept the money for my marriage portion. But take it and go to the nearest seaport, where you will find a ship sailing for the low countries, and when you become king, you will bring me back my fifty crowns. And the kingland answered, When I am king of the low countries, I will make you lady in waiting to the queen, for you are as good as you are beautiful. So farewell, said he, and as the seagull went back to her fishing, he rolled himself in the mantle, and threw himself down on a heap of dried grass, thinking of the strange things that had befallen him, till he suddenly exclaimed, Oh, how I wish I was in the capital of the low countries! Pt. 4 In one moment the little soldier found himself standing before a splendid palace. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself. When he was quite sure he was not dreaming, he said to a man who was smoking his pipe before the door, Where am I? Where are you? Can't you see? Before the king's palace, of course. What king? Why the king of the low countries replied the man, laughing and supposing that he was mad. Was there ever anything so strange? But as John was an honest fellow, he was troubled at the thought that the seagull would think he had stolen her mantle and purse, and he began to wonder how he could restore them to her the soonest. Then he remembered that the mantle had some hidden charm that enabled the bearer to transport himself at will from place to place. And in order to make sure of this he wished himself in the best inn of the town. In an instant he was there. Enchanted with this discovery he awed his supper, and as it was too late to visit the king that night he went to bed. The next day when he got up he saw that all the houses were wreathed with flowers and covered with flags, and all the church bells were ringing. The little soldier inquired the meaning of all this noise, and was told that the Princess Ludivine, the king's beautiful daughter, had been found, and was about to make her triumphal entry. That will just suit me, thought the kinglet. I will stand at the door and see if she knows me. He had scarcely time to dress himself when the golden coach of Ludivine went by. She had a crown of gold upon her head, and the king and queen sat by her side. By accident her eyes fell upon the little soldier, and she grew pale and turned away her head. Didn't she know me, the little soldier asked himself? Or was she angry because I missed our meetings? And he followed the crowd till he got to the palace. When the royal party entered he told the gods that it was he who had delivered the Princess, and wished to speak to the king. But the more he talked, the more they believed him mad, and refused to let him pass. The little soldier was furious. He felt that he needed his pipe to calm him, and he entered a tavern and ordered a pint of beer. It is this miserable soldier's helmet, said he to himself. If I had only money enough, I could look as splendid as the lords of the court. But what is the good of thinking that, when I have only the remains of the seagulls fifty crowns? He took out his purse to see what was left, and he found that there were still fifty crowns. The seagull must have miscounted, thought he, and he paid for his beer. Then he counted his money again, and there were still fifty crowns. He took away five, and counted a third time, but there were still fifty. He emptied the purse all together, and then shut it. When he opened it, the fifty crowns were still there. Then a plan came into his head, and he determined to go at once to the court-taylor and coach-builder. He ordered the tailor to make him a mantle and vest of blue velvet embroidered with pearls, and the coach-builder to make him a golden coach, like the coach of the Princess Ludivine. If the tailor and the coach- builder were quick, he promised to pay them double. A few days later the little soldier was driven through the city in his coach, drawn by six white horses, and with four lackeys richly dressed standing behind. Inside sat John, clad in blue velvet, with a bouquet of immortals in his hand, and a scarf bound round his arm. He drove twice round the city, throwing money to the right and left. In the third time, as he passed under the palace windows, he saw Ludivine lift a corner of the curtain and peep out. Part 5 The next day no one talked of anything but the rich Lord who had distributed money as he drove along. The talk even reached the court, and the Queen, who was very curious, had a great desire to see the wonderful Prince. Very well, said the King, let him be asked to come and play cards with me. This time the Kinglet was not late for his appointment. The King sent for the cards, and they sat down to play. They had six games, and John always lost. The stake was fifty crowns, and each time he emptied his purse, which was full the next instant. The sixth time the King exclaimed, It is amazing. The Queen cried, It is astonishing. The Princess said, It is bewildering. Not so bewildering, replied the little soldier, as your change into a serpent. Hush interrupted the King, who did not like the subject. I only spoke of it, said John, Because you see in me the man who delivered the Princess from the goblins, and whom she promised to marry. Is that true, asked the King of the Princess? Quite true, answered Ludivine, but I told my Deliverer to be ready to go with me when I passed by with my coach. I passed three times, but he slept so soundly that no one could wake him. What is your name, said the King, and who are you? My name is John. I am a soldier, and my father is a boatman. You are not a fit husband for my daughter. Still, if you will give us your purse, you shall have her for your wife. My purse does not belong to me, and I cannot give it away. But you can lend it to me till our wedding day, said the Princess, with one of those glances the little soldier never could resist. And when will that be? At Easter, said the Monarch. Or in a blue moon, murmured the Princess, but the Kinglet did not hear her, and let her take his purse. Next evening he presented himself at the palace to play piquet with the King, and to make his court to the Princess. But he was told that the King had gone into the country to receive his rinse. He returned the following day, and had the same answer. Then he asked to see the Queen, but she had a headache. When this had happened five or six times, he began to understand that they were making fun of him. That is not the way for a King to behave, thought John, whole scoundrel, and then suddenly he remembered his red cloak. Ah, what an idiot I am, said he. Of course I can get in whenever I like, with the help of this. That evening he was in front of the palace, wrapped in his red cloak. On the first story one window was lighted, and John saw on the curtains the shadow of the Princess. I wish myself in the room of the Princess Ludivine, said he, and in a second he was there. The King's daughter was sitting before a table, counting the money that she emptied from the inexhaustible purse. 850, 900, 950. A thousand finished, John. Good evening, everybody. The Princess jumped and gave a little cry. You hear? What business have you to do it? Leave it once, or I shall call. I have come, said the Kinglet, to remind you of your promise. The day after tomorrow is east to day, and it is high time to think of our marriage. Ludivine burst out into a fit of laughter. Our marriage? Have you really been foolish enough to believe that the daughter of the King of the Low Countries would ever marry the son of a boatman? Then give me back the purse, said John. Never, said the Princess, and put it calmly in her pocket. As you like, said the little soldier, he laughs best, who laughs the last. And he took the Princess in his arms. I wish, he cried, that we were at the ends of the earth, and in one second he was there, still clasping the Princess tightly in his arms. Oof, said John, laying her gently at the foot of a tree. I never took such a long journey before. What do you say, madam? The Princess understood that it was no time for jesting, and did not answer. Besides, she was still feeling giddy from her rapid flight, and had not yet collected her senses. Part 6 The King of the Low Countries was not a very scrupulous person, and his daughter took after him. This was why she had been changed into a serpent. It had been prophesied that she should be delivered by a little soldier, and that she must marry him, unless he failed to appear at the meeting place three times running. The cunning Princess then later plans accordingly. The wine that she had given to John in the Castle of the Goblins, the bouquet of immortals, and the scarf, all had the power of producing sleep like death, and we know how they had acted on John. However, even in this critical moment, Ludivine did not lose her head. I thought you were simply a street vagabond, said she, in her most coaxing voice, and I find you are more powerful than any king. Here is your purse. Have you got my scarf and my bouquet? Here they are, said the Kinglet, delighted with this change of tone, and he drew them from his bosom. Ludivine fastened one in his buttonhole, and the other round his arm. Now, she said, you are my lord and master, and I will marry you at job good pleasure. You are kinder than I thought, said John, and you shall never be unhappy, for I love you. Then, my little husband, tell me how you managed to carry me so quickly to the ends of the world. The little soldier scratched his head. Does she really mean to marry me, he thought to himself? Or is she only trying to deceive me again? But Ludivine repeated, won't you tell me, in such a tender voice, he did not know how to resist her? After all, he said to himself, what does it matter telling her the secret, as long as I don't give her the cloak? And he told her the virtue of the red mantle. Oh, dear, how tired I am, sighed Ludivine. Don't you think we had better take a nap, and then we can talk over our plans? She stretched herself on the grass, and the kinglet did the same. He laid his head on his left arm, round which the scarf was tied, and was soon fast asleep. Ludivine was watching him out of one eye, and no sooner did she hear him snore, and she unfastened the mantle, drew it gently from under him, and wrapped it round her, took the purse from his pocket, and put it in hers, and said, I wish I was back in my own room. In another moment she was there. Part 7 Who felt foolish but John when he awoke, twenty-four hours after, and found himself without purse, without mantle, and without princess. He tore his hair, he beat his breast, he trampled on the bouquet, and tore the scarf of the traitorous to Adams. Besides this he was very hungry, and he had nothing to eat. He thought of all the wonderful things his grandmother had told him when he was a child, but none of them helped him now. He was in despair. When suddenly he looked up, and saw that the tree under which he had been sleeping was a superb plum, covered with fruit as yellow as gold. Here goes for the plums, he said to himself, all is fair in war. He climbed the tree and began to eat steadily. But he had hardly swallowed two plums' wind to his horror. He felt as if something was growing on his forehead. He put up his hand, and found that he had two horns. He leapt down from the tree and rushed to a stream that flowed close by. Alas, there was no escape, two charming little horns, that would not have disgraced the head of a goat. Then his courage failed him. As if it was not enough, said he, that a woman should trick me, but the devil must mix himself up in it and lend me his horns. What a pretty figure I should cut if I went back into the world. But as he was still hungry and the mischief was done, he climbed boldly up another tree, and plucked two plums of a lovely green color. No sooner had he swallowed two than the horns disappeared. The little soldier was enchanted, though greatly surprised, and came to the conclusion that it was no good to despair too quickly, when he had done eating, an idea suddenly occurred to him. Perhaps, thought he, these pretty little plums may help me to recover my purse, my cloak, and my heart from the hands of this wicked princess. She has the eyes of a deer already, let her have the horns of one. If I can manage to set her up with a pair, I will bet any money that I shall cease to want her for my wife. The horned maiden is by no means lovely to look at. So he plaited a basket out of the long willows, and placed in it carefully both sorts of plums. Then he walked bravely on for many days, having no food but the berries by the wayside, and was in great danger from wild beasts and savage men. But he feared nothing, except that his plums should decay, and this never happened. At last he came to a civilized country, and with the sale of some jewels that he had about him on the evening of his flight, he took passage on board a vessel for the Low Countries. So at the end of a year and a day, he arrived at the capital of the kingdom. PART 7 The next day he put on a false beard, and the dress of a date merchant, and taking a little table, he placed himself before the door of the church. He spread carefully out on a fine white cloth, his mirabelle plums, which looked for all the world as if they had been freshly gathered. And when he saw the princess coming out of church, he began to call out in a feigned voice, fine plums, lovely plums. How much are they, said the princess, fifty crowns each? Fifty crowns? What is there so very precious about them? Do they give one wit, or will they increase one's beauty? They could not increase what is perfect already, fair princess, but still they might add something. Rolling stones gather no moss, but they sometimes gain polish, and the months which John had spent enroaming about the world had not been wasted. Such a neatly turned compliment, flattered Ludivine. What will they add, she smilingly asked? You will see, fair princess, when you taste them. It will be a surprise for you. Ludivine's curiosity was roused. She drew out the purse and shook out as many little heaps of fifty crowns as there were plums in the basket. The little soldier was seized with a wild desire to snatch the purse from her and proclaim her a thief, but he managed to control himself. His plums all sold, he shut up shopped, took off his disguise, changed his inn, and kept quiet, waiting to see what would happen. No sooner had she reached a room than the princess exclaimed. Now let us see what these fine plums can add to my beauty. Then, throwing off her hood, she picked up a couple and ate them. Imagine, with what surprise and horror, she felt all of a sudden that something was growing out of her forehead. She flew to a mirror and uttered a piercing cry. Horns, so that was what he promised me, let someone find the plum cellar at once and bring him to me. Let his nose and ears be cut off, let him be flayed alive, or burnt at a slow fire, and his ashes scattered to the winds. Oh, I shall die of shame and despair. Her women ran at the sound of her screams and tried to wrench off the horns, but it was of no use, and they only gave her a violent headache. The king then sent round a herald to proclaim that he would give the hand of the princess to anyone who would rid her of her strange ornaments. So all the doctors and sorcerers and surgeons in the low countries in the neighboring kingdoms frung to the palace, each with a remedy of his own. But it was all no good, and the princess suffered so much from their remedies that the king was obliged to send out a second proclamation that anyone who undertook to cure the princess and who failed to do it should be hanged up to the nearest tree. But the prize was too great for any proclamation to put a stop to the efforts of the crowd of suitors, and that year the orchards of the low countries all bore a harvest of dead men. Part 9 The king had given orders that they should seek high and low for the plum cellar, but in spite of all their pains he was nowhere to be found. When the little soldier discovered that their patience was worn out, he pressed the juice of the green queen-clawed plums into a small vial. Water doctors roamed, put on a wig and spectacles, and presented himself before the king of the low countries. He gave himself out as a famous physician who would come from distant lands, and he promised that he would cure the princess if only he might be left alone with her. Another madman determined to be hanged said the king, very well, do as he asks. One should refuse nothing to a man with a rope around his neck. As soon as the little soldier was in the presence of the princess, he poured some drops of the liquid into a glass. The princess had scarcely tasted it when the tip of the horns disappeared. They would have disappeared completely, said the pretended doctor, if there did not exist something to counteract the effect. It is only possible to cure people whose souls are as clean as the palm of my hand. Are you sure you have not committed some little sin? Examine yourself well. Ludivine had no need to think over it long, but she was torn in pieces between the shame of a humiliating confession and the desire to be unhorned. At last she made answer with downcast eyes. I have stolen a leather purse from a little soldier. Give it to me. The remedy will not act till I hold the purse in my hands. It cost Ludivine a great pain to give up the purse, but she remembered that riches would not benefit her if she was still to keep the horns. With a sigh she handed the purse to the doctor, who poured more of the liquid into the glass, and when the princess had drunk it, she found that the horns had diminished by one half. You must really have another little sin on your conscience. Did you steal nothing from this soldier but his purse? I also stole from him his cloak. Give it to me. Here it is. This time Ludivine thought to herself that when once the horns had departed she would call her attendants and take the things from the doctor by force. She was greatly pleased with this idea, when suddenly the pretended physician wrapped himself in the cloak, flung away the wig and spectacles, and showed to the traitors the face of the little soldier. She stood before him dumb with fright. I might, said John, have left you horn to the end of your days, but I am a good fellow and I once loved you, and besides, you are too like the devil to have any need of his horns. Part 10 John had wished himself in the house of the seagull. Now the seagull was seated at the window mending her net, and from time to time her eyes wandered to the sea, as if she was expecting someone. At the noise made by the little soldier she looked up and blushed. So it is you, she said, how did you get here? And then she added in a low voice, and have you married your princess? Then John told her all his adventures, and when he had finished, he restored to her the purse and the mantle. What can I do with them, said she. You have proved to me that happiness does not lie in the possession of treasures. It lies in work, and in the love of an honest woman, replied the little soldier, who noticed for the first time what pretty eye she had. Dear seagull, will you have me for a husband? And he held out his hand. Yes, I will, answered the Fishermaiden, blushing very red, but only on condition that we seal up the purse and the mantle in the copper vessel and throw them into the sea. And this they did. Charles Doulin End of the Little Soldier Recording by James O'Connor Randolph, Massachusetts December 2010 Section 19 of the Green Fairy Book This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit libervox.org Recording by Maria Therese The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Magic Swan There were once upon a time three brothers of whom the eldest was called Jacob, the second Frederick and the youngest Peter. This youngest brother was made a regular buddha by the other two and they treated him shamefully. If anything went wrong with their affairs, Peter had to bear the blame and put things right for them, and he had to endure all this ill treatment because he was weak and delicate and couldn't defend himself against his stronger brothers. The poor creature had a most trying life of it in every way, and day and night he pondered how he could make it better. One day, while he was in the wood, gathering sticks and crying bitterly, a little old woman came up to him and asked him what was the matter, and he told her all his troubles. Come, my good youth, said the old dame, when he finished his tale of woe. Isn't the world wide enough? Why don't you set out and try your fortune somewhere else? Peter took her words to heart and left his father's house early one morning to try his fortune in the wild world, as the old woman had advised him. But he felt very bitterly parting from the home where he had been born, and where he had at least passed a short but happy childhood, and sitting down on a hill he gazed once more fondly on his native place. Suddenly the little old woman stood before him and tapping him on the shooter said, So far so good, my boy, but what do you mean to do now? Peter was at a loss what to answer, for so far he had always thought that fortune would drop into his mouth like a ripe cherry. The old woman, who guessed his thoughts, laughed kindly and said, I'll tell you what you must do, for I've taken a fancy to you, and I'm sure you won't forget me when you've made your fortune. Peter promised faithfully he wouldn't, and the old woman continued. This evening at sunset go to yonder pear tree, which you see growing at the crossroads. Underneath it you will find a man lying asleep, and a beautiful large swan will be fastened to the tree close to him. You must be careful not to wake in the man, but you must unfasten the swan and take it away with you. You will find that everyone will fall in love with its beautiful plumage, and you must allow anyone who likes to pour out the feather. But as soon as the swan feels as much as the finger on it, it will scream out, and then you must say, swan, hold fast. Then the hand of the person who has touched the bird will be held as an advice, and nothing will set it free unless you touch it with this little stick, which I will make you a present of. When you have captured a whole lot of people in this way, lead your train straight on with you. It will come to a big town where a princess lives, who has never been known to laugh. If you can only make her laugh, your fortune is made. Then I beg you, won't forget your old friend. Peter promised again that he wouldn't, and at sunset he went to the tree the old woman had mentioned. The man lay there fast asleep, and a large, beautiful swan must fasten to the tree beside him by a red cord. Peter loosed the bird and led it away with him without disturbing the bird's master. He walked on with the swan for some time, and came at last to a building-yard where some men were busily at work. They were all lost in admiration of the bird's beautiful plumage, and one forward youth he was covered with clay from head to foot caught out. Oh, if I'd only one of those feathers, how happy I should be! Pull one out, then, said Peter kindly, and the youth seized one from the bird's tail. Instantly the swan screamed, and Peter caught out, swan, hold fast. And do what he could, the poor youth couldn't get his hand away. The more he howled, the more the others laughed. To the girl who'd been washing clothes in the neighbouring stream, hurried up to see what the matter was. When she saw the poor boy fasten to the swan, she felt so sorry for him that she stretched out her hand to free him. The bird screamed, swan, hold fast, caught out Peter, and the girl was caught also. When Peter had gone on for a bit with his captives, they met a chimney sweep who laughed loudly over the extraordinary troop, and asked the girl what she was doing. Oh, dearest John, replied the girl, give me your hand and set me free from this cursed young man. Most startlingly I will, if that's all you want, replied the sweep, and gave the girl his hand. The bird screamed, swan, hold fast, said Peter, and the black man was added to their number. They soon came to a village where fair was being held. A travelling circus was giving a performance, and the clown was just doing his tricks. He opened his eyes wide with amazement when he saw the remarkable trio fastened on to the swan's tail. Have you gone raving mad, blackie? He asked as well as he could for laughing. It's no laughing matter, the sweep replied. This winch has got so tight hold of me that I feel as if I were glued to her. Do set me free like a good clown, and I'll do you a good turn some day. Without a moment's hesitation, the clown grasped the black outstretched hand. The bird screamed, swan, hold fast, called out Peter, and the clown became the fourth of the party. Now on the front row of the spectator sat the respected and popular mayor of the village. He was much put out by what he considered nothing but a foolish trick. So much annoyed was he that he seized the clown by the hand and tried to tear him away in order to hand him over to the police. Then the bird screamed, and Peter called out, swan, hold fast, and the dignified mayor shared the fate of his predecessors. The mares, a long, thin, stick-of-a-woman, enraged by the insult done to her husband, seized his free arm and tore at it with all her might, with the only result that she, too, was forced to swell the procession. After this no one else had any wish to join them. Soon Peter saw the towers of the capital in front of him. Just before entering it, a glittering carriage came out to meet him, in which was seated a young lady as beautiful as the dead, but with a very solemn and serious expression. But no sooner had she perceived the motley crowd fast into the swan's tail than she burst into a loud fit of laughter, and when she was joined by all her servants and ladies in waiting. The princess has laughed at last, they all cried with joy. She stepped out of her carriage to look more closely at the wonderful sight, and laughed again over the capers the poor captive's cut. She ordered her carriage to be turned round and drove slowly back into the town, never taking her eyes off Peter and his procession. When the king heard the news that his daughter had actually laughed, he was more than delighted, and he had Peter and his marvelous train brought before him. He laughed himself when he saw them till the tears rolled down his cheeks. My good friend, he said to Peter, do you know what I promised the person who succeeded in making the princess laugh? No, I don't, said Peter. Then I'll tell you, answered the king, a thousand gold crowns or a piece of land, which will you choose? Peter decided in favor of the land. Then he touched the youth, the girl, the sweep, the clown, the mare, and the mares with his little stick, and they were all free again, and ran away home as if a fire were burning behind them. And their flight, as you may imagine, gave rise to renewed merriment. Then the princess felt moved to sterk the swan, at the same time admiring its plumage. The birds screamed. Swann, hold fast, called out Peter, and so he won the princess for his bride, but the swan flew up into the air and vanished in the blue horizon. Peter now received Adachi as a present and became a very great man indeed, but he did not forget the little old woman who had been the cause of all his good fortune and appointed her as head housekeeper to him and his royal bride in their magnificent castle. End of The Magic Swann Recording by Maria Therese Section 20 of The Green Fairy Book This is a LibriVox recording. A LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Maria Therese The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Dirty Shepherdess Once upon a time there lived a king who had two daughters, and he loved them with all his heart. When they grew up he was suddenly seized with a wish to know if they, on their part, truly loved him, and he made up his mind that he would give his kingdom to whichever best proved her devotion. So he called the elder princess and said to her, How much do you love me? Has the apple of my eye answered she? Ah, exclaimed the king, kissing her tenderly as he spoke. You are indeed a good daughter. Then he sent for the younger and asked her how much she loved him. I look upon you, my father, she answered, as I look upon the salt in my food. But the king did not like her words and ordered her to quit the court and never again to appear before him. The poor princess went sadly up to her room and began to cry, but when she was reminded of her father's commands she dried her eyes and made a bundle of her jewels and her best dresses and hurriedly left the castle where she was born. She walked straight along the road in front of her, without knowing very well where she was going or what was to become of her, for she had never been shown how to work, and all she had learned consisted of a few household rules and receipts of dishes which her mother had taught her long ago. And as she was afraid that no housewife would want to engage a girl with such a pretty face, she determined to make herself as ugly as she could. She therefore took off the dress that she was wearing and put on some horrible old rags belonging to a beggar, all torn and covered with mud. After that she smeared mud all over her handsome face and shook her hair into a great tangle. Having thus changed her appearance, she went about offering herself as a goose girl or shepherdess. But the farmers wise would have nothing to say to such a dirty maiden and sent her away with a morsel of bread for charity's sake. After walking for a great many days without being able to find any work, she came to a large farm where they were in want of a shepherdess and engaged her gladly. One day when she was keeping her sheep in a lonely track of land, she suddenly felt a wish to dress herself in her robes with splendor. She washed herself carefully in the stream, and as she always carried her bundle with her, it was easy to shake off her rags and transform herself in a few moments into a great lady. The king's son, who had lost his way out hunting, perceived this lovely damsel a long way off and wished to look at her closer. But as soon as the girl saw what he was at, she fled into the wood as swiftly as a bird. The prince ran after her, but as he was running, he caught his foot in the root of a tree and fell, and when he got up again she was nowhere to be seen. When she was quite safe she put on her rags again and smeared over her face and hands. However the young prince, who was both hot and thirsty, found his way to the farm to ask for a drink of cider, and he inquired the name of the beautiful lady that kept the sheep. At this everyone began to laugh, for they said that the shepherdess was one of the ugliest and dirtiest creatures under the sun. The prince thought some rich craft must be at work, and he aced in the way before the return of the shepherdess, who became that evening the butt of everybody's jests. But the king's son thought often of the lovely maiden whom he had only seen for a moment, though she seemed to him much more fascinating than any lady of the court. At last he dreamed of nothing else, and grew thinner day by day, though his parents inquired what was the matter, promising to do all they could to make him as happy as he once was. He dared not tell them the truth, best they should laugh at him, so he only said that he should like some bread baked by the kitchen girl in a distant farm. Although the wish appeared rather odd, they hastened to fulfill it, and the farmer was told the request of the king's son. The maiden showed no surprise at receiving such an order, but merely asked for some flour, salt, and water, and also that she might be left alone in a little room adjoining the oven, where the kneading trough stood. Before beginning her work, she washed herself carefully and even put on her rings. But while she was baking, one of her rings slid into the dough. When she had finished, she dirtied herself again, and let the lumps of the dough stick to her fingers, so that she became as ugly as before. The loaf, which was a very little one, was brought to the king's son, who ate it with pleasure. But in cutting it he found the ring of the princess, and declared to his parents that he would marry the girl whom that ring fitted. So the king made a proclamation through his whole kingdom, and ladies came from afar to lay claim to the honor. But the ring was so tiny that even those who had the smallest hands could only get it on their little fingers. In a short time all the maidens of the kingdom, including the peasant girls, had tried on the ring. And the king was just about to announce that their efforts had been in vain, when the prince observed that he had not yet seen the shepherdess. They sent the fetcher, and she arrived, covered with rags, but with her hands cleaner than usual, so that she could easily slip on the ring. The king's son declared that he would fulfill his promise, and when his parents finally remarked that the girl was only a keeper of sheep, and a very ugly one, too. The maiden boldly said that she was born a princess, and that, if they would only give her some water and leave her alone in a room for a few minutes, she would show that she could look as well as anyone in fine clothes. They did what she asked, and when she entered in a magnificent dress, she looked so beautiful that all saw that she must be a princess in disguise. The king's son recognized the charming damsel of whom he had once caught a glimpse, and flinging himself at her feet asked if she would marry him. The princess then told her story, and said that it would be necessary to send an ambassador to her father to ask his consent and to invite him to the wedding. The princess's father, who had never ceased to repent his harshness towards his daughter, had sought her through the land, but as no one could tell him anything of her, he supposed her dead. Therefore it was with great joy you heard that she was living, and that a king's son asked her in marriage, and he quitted his kingdom with his elder daughter so as to be present at the ceremony. By the orders of the bride they only served her father at the wedding breakfast, bread without salt, and meat without seasoning. Seeing him make faces and eat very little, his daughter, who sat beside him, inquired if his dinner was not to his taste. No, he replied, the dishes are carefully cooked and sent up, but they are also dreadfully tasteless. Did not I tell you, my father, that salt was the best thing in life? And yet, when I compared you to salt to show how much I loved you, you thought slightly of me, and you chased me from your presence. The king embraced his daughter and allowed that he had been wrong to misinterpret her words. Then, for the rest of the wedding feast, they gave him bread made with salt, and dishes with seasoning, and he said they were the very best he had ever eaten. End of The Dirty Shepardice Recording by Maria Therese Now it happened one day that her husband went to the wood to collect brushwood, and when he had brought it home he discovered a pretty little snake among the twigs. When Sabatella, for that was the name of the peasant's wife, saw the little beast, she sighed deeply and said, even the snakes have their brood, I alone am unfortunate and have no children. No sooner had she said these words than to her intense surprise the little snake looked up into her face and spoke, since you have no children, be a mother to me instead, and I promise you you will never repent it, for I will love you as if I were your own son. At first Sabatella was frightened to death at hearing a snake speak, but plucking up her courage she replied, if it weren't for any other reason than your kindly thought I would agree to what you say, and I will love you and look after you like a mother. So she gave the snake a little hole in the house for its bed, fed it with all the nicest food she could think of and seemed as if she could never show it enough kindness. Day by day it grew bigger and fatter, and at last one morning it said to Colo Matteo, the peasant, whom it always regarded as its father, Dear Papa, I am now of a suitable age and wish to marry. I'm quite agreeable, answered Matteo, and I'll do my best to find another snake like yourself and arrange a match between you. Why, if you do that, replied the snake, we shall be no better than the vipers and reptiles, and that's not what I want at all. No, I'd much prefer to marry the king's daughter. Therefore I pray you go without further delay and demand an audience of the king, and tell him a snake wishes to marry his daughter. Colo Matteo, who was rather a simpleton, went as he was desired to the king, and having obtained an audience he said, Your Majesty, I have often heard that people lose nothing by asking, so I have come to inform you that a snake wants to marry your daughter, and I'd be glad to know if you are willing to mate a dove with a serpent. The king, who saw at once that the man was a fool, said, in order to get quit of him, go home and tell your friend the snake that if he can turn this place into ivory, inlaid with gold and silver, before tomorrow at noon, I will let him marry my daughter. And with a hearty laugh he dismissed the peasant. When Colo Matteo brought this answer back to the snake, the little creature didn't seem the least put out, but said, Tomorrow morning, before sunrise, you must go to the wood and gather a bunch of green herbs, and then rub the threshold of the palace with them, and you'll see what will happen. Colo Matteo, who was, as I have said before, a great simpleton, made no reply. But before sunrise the next morning he went to the wood and gathered a bunch of St. John's wort, and rosemary, and such like herbs, and rubbed them as he had been told on the floor of the palace. Hardly had he done so, then the walls immediately turned into ivory, so richly inlaid with gold and silver that they dazzled the eyes of all the beholders. The king, when he rose and saw the miracle that had been performed, was beside himself with amazement and didn't know what in the world he was to do. But when Colo Matteo came next day, and in the name of the snake demanded the hand of the princess, the king replied, Don't be in such a hurry. If the snake really wants to marry my daughter he must do some more things first, and one of these is to turn all the paths and walls of my garden into pure gold before noon tomorrow. When the snake was told of this new condition, he replied, Tomorrow morning early you must go and collect all the odds and ends of rubbish you can find in the streets, and then take them and throw them on the paths and walls of the garden, and you'll see then if we won't be more than a match for the old king. So Colo Matteo rose at Cochro, took a large basket under his arm, and carefully collected all the broken fragments of pots and pans and jugs and lamps and other trash of that sort. No sooner had he scattered them over the paths and the walls of the king's garden than they became one blaze of glittering gold so that everyone's eyes were dazzled with the brilliancy. And everyone's soul was filled with wonder. The king, too, was amazed at the site, but still he couldn't make up his mind to part with his daughter. So when Colo Matteo came to remind him of his promise he replied, I have still a third demand to make. If the snake can turn all the trees and fruit of my garden into precious stones, then I promise him my daughter in marriage. When the peasant informed the snake what the king had said he replied, Tomorrow morning early you must go to the market and buy all the fruit you see there, and then sow all the stones and seeds in the palace's garden, and if I'm not mistaken the king will be satisfied with the result. Colo Matteo rose at dawn and taking a basket on his arm he went to the market and bought all the pomegranates, apricots, cherries, and other fruit he could find there, and sowed the seeds and stones in the palace garden. In one moment the trees were all ablaze with rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and every other precious stone you can think of. This time the king felt obliged to keep his promise and calling his daughter to him he said, My dear Granonia, for that was the princess's name. More as a joke than anything else I demanded what seemed to me impossibilities from your bridegroom, but now that he has done all I required I am bound to stick to my part of the bargain. Be a good child, and as you love me do not force me to break my word, but give yourself up with as good grace as you can to a most unhappy fate. Do with me what you like, my lord and father, for your will is my law, answered Granonia. When the king heard this he told Cola Matteo to bring the snake to the palace and said that he was prepared to receive the creature as his son-in-law. The snake arrived at court in a carriage made of gold and drawn by six white elephants, but wherever it appeared on the way the people fled in terror at the sight of the fearful reptile. When the snake reached the palace all the courtiers shook and trembled with fear down to the very scullion, and the king and queen were in such a state of nervous collapse that they hid themselves in a faraway turret. Granonia alone kept her presence of mine, and although both her father and mother implored her to fly for her life she wouldn't move a step, saying, I'm certainly not going to fly from the man you have chosen for my husband. As soon as the snake saw Granonia it wound its tail round her and kissed her. Then, leading her into a room it shut the door, and throwing off its skin it changed into a beautiful young man with golden locks and flashing eyes, who embraced Granonia tenderly and said all sorts of pretty things to her. When the king saw the snake shut itself into a room with his daughter he said to his wife, Heaven be merciful to our child, for I fear it is all over with her now. This cursed snake has most likely swallowed her up. Then they put their eyes to the keyhole to see what had happened. Their amazement knew no bounds when they saw a beautiful youth standing before their daughter with the snake's skin lying on the floor beside him. In the excitement they burst open the door and seizing the skin they threw it into the fire, but no sooner had they done this than the young man called out, oh wretched people what have you done? And before they had time to look round he had changed himself into a dove and dashing against the window he broke a pane of glass and flew away from their sight. But Granonia, who in one and the same moment saw herself merry and sad, cheerful and despairing, rich and beggared, complained bitterly over this robbery of her happiness, this poisoning of her cup of joy, this unlucky stroke of fortune, and laid all the blame on her parents, though they assured her that they had met no harm. But the princess refused to be comforted, and at night when all the inhabitants of the palace were asleep she stole out by a back door disguised as a peasant woman, determined to seek for her lost happiness till she found it. When she got to the outskirts of the town, led by the light of the moon, she met a fox who offered to accompany her, an offer which Granonia gladly accepted, saying, You are most heartily welcome, for I don't know my way at all about the neighborhood. So they went on their way together, and came at last to a wood, where, being tired with walking, they paused to rest under the shade of a tree, where a spring of water sported with the tender grass, refreshing it with its crystal spray. They laid themselves down on the green carpet, and soon fell fast asleep, and did not waken again till the sun was high in the heavens. They rose up and stood for some time listening to the birds singing, because Granonia delighted in their songs. When the fox perceived this, he said, If you only understood as I do what these little birds are saying, your pleasure would be even greater. Provoked by his words, for we all know that curiosity is as deeply inborn in every woman as even the love of talking, Granonia implored the fox to tell her what the birds had said. At first the wily fox refused to tell her what he had gathered from the conversation of the birds, but at last he gave way to her entreaties, and told her that they had spoken of the misfortunes of a beautiful young prince, whom a wicked enchantress had turned into a snake for the period of seven years. At the end of this time he had fallen in love with a charming princess, but that when he had shut himself up into a room with her and had thrown off his snake skin, her parents had forced their way into the room and had burnt the skin, whereupon the prince, changed into the likeness of a dove, had broken a pane of glass in trying to fly out of the window and had wounded himself so badly that the doctors despaired of his life. Granonia, when she learned that they were talking of her lover, asked at once whose son he was, and if there was any hope of his recovery, to which the fox made answer that the birds had said he was the son of the king of Valone Grosso, and that the only thing that could cure him was to rub the wounds on his head with the blood of the very birds who had told the tale. Then Granonia knelt down before the fox, and begged him in her sweetest way to catch the birds for her and procure their blood, promising at the same time to reward him richly. All right, said the fox, only don't be in such a hurry. Let's wait till night when the little birds have gone to roost. Then I'll climb up and catch them all for you. So they passed the day, talking now of the beauty of the prince, now of the father of the princess, and then of the misfortune that had happened. At last the night arrived, and all the little birds were asleep high up on the branches of a big tree. The fox climbed up stealthily and caught the little creatures with his paws one after the other, and when he had killed them all he put their blood into a little bottle which he wore at his side, and returned with it to Granonia, who was beside herself with joy at the result of the fox's raid. But the fox said, My dear daughter, your joy is in vain because let me tell you this blood is of no earthly use to you unless you add some of mine to it, and with these words he took to his heels. Granonia, who saw her hopes dash to the ground in this cruel way, had recourse to flattery and cunning, weapons which have often stood the sex in good stead, and called out after the fox. Father Fox, you would be quite right to save your skin, if in the first place I didn't feel I owed so much to you, and if in the second there weren't other foxes in the world. But as you know how grateful I feel to you, and as there are heaps of other foxes about, you can trust yourself to me. Don't behave like the cow that kicks the pale over after it has filled it with milk, but continue your journey with me, and when we get to the capital, you can sell me to the king as a servant girl. It never entered the fox's head that even foxes can be outwitted, so after a bit he consented to go with her, but he hadn't gone far before the cunning girl seized a stick and gave him such a blow with it on the head that he dropped down dead on the spot. Then Granonia took some of his blood and poured it into her little bottle, and went on her way as fast as she could to Valone Grosso. When she arrived there she went straight to the royal palace and let the king be told she had come to cure the young prince. The king commanded her to be brought before him at once, and was much astonished when he saw that it was a girl who, under took to do what all the cleverest doctors of his kingdom had failed in. As an attempt hurts no one, he willingly consented that she should do what she could. All I ask, said Granonia, is that should I succeed in what you desire, you will give me your son in marriage. The king, who had given up all hopes of his son's recovery, replied, only restore him to life and health and he shall be yours. It is only fair to give her a husband who gives me a son. And so they went into the prince's room. The moment Granonia had rubbed the blood on his wounds the illness left him, and he was as sound and well as ever. When the king saw his son thus marvelously restored to life and health he turned to him and said, My dear son I thought of you as dead, and now to my great joy and amazement you are alive again. I promised this young woman that if she should cure you to bestow your hand and heart on her, and seeing that heaven has been gracious, you must fulfill the promise I made her, for gratitude alone forces me to pay this debt. But the prince answered, My lord and father, I would that my will were as free as my love for you is great, but as I have plighted my word to another maiden you will see yourself, and so will this young woman, that I cannot go back from my word and be faithless to her whom I love. When Granonia heard these words and saw how deeply rooted the prince's love for her was, she felt very happy, and blushing rosy red she said, But should I get the other lady to give up her rights, would you then consent to marry me? Far be it from me, replied the prince, to banish the beautiful picture of my love from my heart. Whatever she may say my heart and desire will remain the same, and though I were to lose my life for it I couldn't consent to this exchange. Granonia could keep silence no longer, and throwing off her peasants' disguise she discovered herself to the prince, who was nearly beside himself with joy when he recognized his fair lady love. He then told his father at once who she was and what she had done and suffered for his sake. Then they invited the king and queen of stars along to their court, and had a great wedding feast and proved once more that there is no better seasoning for the joys of true love than a few pangs of grief. End of The Enchanted Snake Section 22 of The Green 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 Michael Dang The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Biter Bit Once upon a time there lived a man called Simon, who was very rich but at the same time as stingy and miserly as he could be. He had a housekeeper called Ninia, a clever capable woman and as she did her work carefully and conscientiously her master had the greatest respect for her. In his young days Simon had been one of the gayest and most active youths of the neighborhood, but as he grew old and stiff he found it very difficult to walk, and his faithful servant urged him to get a horse so as to save his poor old bones. At last Simon gave way to the request and persuasive eloquence of his housekeeper and betook himself one day to the market where he had seen a mule which he thought would just suit him and which he bought for seven gold pieces. Now it happened that there were three merry rascals hanging about the marketplace who much preferred living on other people's goods to working for their own living. As soon as they saw that Simon had bought a mule one of them said to his two boon companions, my friends this mule must be ours before we are many hours older, but how shall we manage it? asked one of them. We must all three station ourselves at different intervals along the old man's homeward way and must each in his turn declare that the mule he has bought is a donkey. If we only stick to it you'll see the mule will soon be ours. This proposal quite satisfied the others and they all separated as they had agreed. Now when Simon came by the first rogue said to him, God bless you my fine gentleman. Thanks for your courtesy replied Simon. Where have you been? asked the thief. To the market was the reply. And what did you buy there? continued the rogue. This mule. Which mule? The one I'm sitting upon to be sure replied Simon. Are you an earnest or only joking? Or what do you mean? Because it seems to me you've got hold of a donkey and not of a mule. A donkey? rubbish screamed Simon. And without another word he rode on in his way. After a few hundred yards he met the second confederate who addressed him. Good day dear sir. Where are you coming from? From the market answered Simon. Did things go pretty cheap? asked the other. I should think so said Simon. And did you make any good bargain yourself? I bought this mule on which you see me. Is it possible that you really bought that beast for a mule? Why certainly. But good heavens it's nothing but a donkey. A donkey? repeated Simon. You don't mean to say so. If a single other person tells me that I'll make him a present of the wretched animal. With these words he continued his way and very soon met the third knave who said to him. God bless you sir. Are you by any chance coming from the market? Yes I am replied Simon. And what bargain did you drive there? asked the cunning fellow. I bought this mule on which I am riding. A mule? Are you speaking seriously or do you wish to make a fool of me? I'm speaking in sober earnest said Simon. It wouldn't occur of me to make a joke of it. Oh my poor friend cried the rascal. Don't you see that it is a donkey and not a mule? You have been taken in by some wretched cheats. You are the third person in the last two hours who has told me the same thing said Simon but I couldn't believe it and dismounting from the mule he spoke. Keep the animal. I make you a present of it. The rascal took the beast, thanked him kindly and rode on to join his comrades while Simon continued his journey on foot. As soon as the old man got home he told his housekeeper that he had brought a beast under the belief that it was a mule but that it had turned out to be a donkey. At least so he had been assured by several people he had met on the road and that in disgust he had at last given it away. Oh you simpleton cried Nina. Didn't you see that they were only playing you a trick? Really I thought you'd have had more gumption than that. They wouldn't have taken me in that way. Never mind replied Simon. I'll play them one worth two of that. For depend upon it they won't be contented with having got the donkey out of me but they'll try by some new dodge to get something more or I'm much mistaken. Now they're lived in the village not far from Simon's house, a peasant who had two goats, so alike in every respect that it was impossible to distinguish one from the other. Simon bought them both, paid a smaller price as he could for them and leading them home with him he told Nina to prepare a good meal as he was going to invite some friends to dinner. He ordered her to roast some veal and to boil a pair of chickens and gave her some herbs to make a good savory and told her to bake the best tart she could make. Then he took one of the goats and tied it to a post in the courtyard and gave it some grass to eat but he bound a cord around the neck of the other goat and led it to the market. Hardly had he arrived there then the three gentlemen who had got his mule perceived him and coming up to him said welcome Mr. Simon what brings you here are you on the lookout for a buggy? I've come to get some provisions he answered because some friends are coming to dine with me tonight and it would give me much pleasure if you were to honor me with your company also. The accomplices willingly accepted this invitation and after Simon had made all his purchases he tied them on the goat's back and said to it in the presence of the three cheats go home now and tell Nina to roast the veal and boil the chickens and tell her to prepare a savory with herbs and to bake the best tart she can make have you followed me then go and heaven's blessing go with you. As soon as it felt itself free the laden goat chotted off as quickly as it could and to this day nobody knows what became of it but Simon after wandering about the market for some time with his three friends and some others he had picked up returned home to his house. When he and his guests entered the courtyard they noticed the goat tied to the post quietly chewing the cud they were not a little astonished at this for of course they thought it was the same goat that Simon had sent home laden with provisions as soon as they reached the house Mr. Simon said was housekeeper well Nina have you done what I told the goat to tell you to do the artful woman who had once understood her master answered certainly I have the veal is roasted and the chickens boiled that's all right said Simon when the three rogue saw the cooked meats and the tart in the oven and her Nina's words they were nearly beside themselves with amazement and began to consult at once how they were to get the goat into their own possession and last toward the end of the meal having sought in vain for some cunning dodge to get the goat away from Mr. Simon one of them said to him my worthy host you must sell your goat to us Simon replied that he was most unwilling to part with the creature as no amount of money would make up to him for its loss still if they were quite set on it he would let them have the goat for 50 gold pieces the Naves who thought they were doing a capital piece of business paid down the 50 gold pieces at once and left the house quite happily leading the goat with them when they got home they said to their wives you needn't begin to cook the dinner tomorrow till we send the provisions home the following day they went to the market and bought chickens and other eatables and after they had packed them on the back of the goat which they had bought with them they told it all the dishes they wished their wives to prepare as soon as the goat felt itself free it ran as quickly as it could and was very soon lost a sight and as far as I know was never heard of again when the dinner hour approached all three went home and asked their wives if the goat had returned with the necessary provisions and had told them what they wished prepared for their meal oh you fools and blockheads cried their wives how could you ever believe for a moment that a goat would do the work of a servant maid you have been finally deceived for once in a way of course if you're always taking in other people your turn to be taken in comes too and this time you've been made to look pretty foolish when the three comrades saw that Mr. Simon had got the better of them and done them out of 50 gold pieces they flew into such a rage that they made up their minds to kill him and seizing their weapons for this purpose went to his house but the sly old man who is terrified for his life that the three rogues might do him some harm was on his guard and said to his housekeeper Nina take this bladder which is filled with blood and hide it under your cloak then when these thieves come I'll lay all the blame on you and will pretend to be so angry with you that I will run at you with my knife and pierce the bladder with it then you must fall on the ground as if you were dead and leave the rest to me hardly had Simon said these words when the three rogues peered and fell on him to kill him my friends called out Simon to them what do you accuse me of I am in no way to blame perhaps my housekeeper has done you some injury of which I know nothing and with these words he turned on Nina with his knife and stuck it right into her so that he pierced the bladder filled with blood instantly the housekeeper fell down as if she were dead and the blood streamed all over the ground Simon then pretended to be seized with remorse at the site of this dreadful catastrophe and cried out in a loud voice unhappy wretched that I am what have I done like a madman I have killed the woman who is a prop and stay of my old age how could I ever go on living without her then he seized a pipe and when he had blown into it for some time Nina sprang up alive and well the rogues were more amazed than ever they forgot their anger and buying the pipe for 200 gold pieces they went joyfully home not long after this one of them quarreled with his wife and in his rage he thrust his knife into her breast so that she fell dead on the ground then he took Simon's pipe and blew into it with all his might in the hopes of calling his wife back to life but he blew in vain for the poor soul was as dead as a doornail when one of his comrades heard what had happened he said you blockhead you can't have done it properly just let me have a try and with these words he seized his wife by the roots of her hair cut her throat with a razor and then he took the pipe and blew into it with all his might but he couldn't bring her back to life the same thing happened to the third rogue so that there were now all three without wives full of wrath they ran to Simon's house and refusing to listen to a word of explanation or excuse they seized the old man and put him into a sack meaning to drown him in the neighboring river on their way there however a sudden noise threw them into such a panic that they dropped the sack with Simon in it and ran for their lives soon after this a shepherd happened to pass by with this flock and while he was slowly following the sheep who paused here and there by the wayside to browse on the tender grass he heard a pit of a voice welling they insist on my taking her and I don't want her for I am too old and I really can't have her the shepherd was much startled for he couldn't make out worthy's words which were repeated more than once came from and looked about him to the right and left at last he perceived the sack in which Simon was hidden and going up to it he opened it and discovered Simon repeating his dismal complaint the shepherd asked him why he had been left there tied up in a sack Simon replied that the king of the country had insisted on giving him one of his daughters as a wife but that he had refused to honor because he was too old and too frail the simple minded shepherd who believed his story implicitly asked him do you think the king of the country would give his daughter to me yes certainly I know he would answered Simon if he were tied up in this sack instead of me then getting out of the sack he tied the confiding shepherd up in it instead and at his request fastened it securely and drove the sheep on himself an hour had scarcely passed when the three rogues returned to the place where they had left Simon in the sack and without opening it one of them seized it and threw it into the river and so the poor shepherd was drowned instead of mr. Simon the three rogues having wreaked their vengeance set out for home on their way they noticed a flock of sheep grazing not far from the road they longed to steal a few of the lambs and approached the flock and were more than startled to recognize mr. Simon whom they had drowned in the river as a shepherd who was looking after the sheep they asked him how he had managed to get out of the river to retrieve replied get along with you you are no better than silly donkeys without any sense if you had only drowned me in deeper water I would have returned with three times as many sheep when the three rogues heard this they said to him oh dear mr. Simon do us the favor to tie us up in sacks and throw us into the river that we may give up our thieving ways and become the owners of flocks I am ready answered Simon to do it you please there's nothing in the world that wouldn't do for you so we took three strong sacks and put a man in each of them and fastened them up so tightly that they couldn't get out and then he threw them all into the river and that was the end of the three rogues but mr. Simon returned home to his faithful Nina rich in flocks and gold and lived for many a year in health and happiness end of the biter bit recording by Michael dang diamond bar section 23 of the green 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 Joseph Lawler the green fairy book edited by Andrew Lang king Kojada from the Russian there was once upon a time a king called Kojada whose beard was so long that it reached below his knees three years had passed since his marriage and he lived very happily with his wife but heaven granted him no air which grieved the king greatly one day he set forth from his capital in order to make a journey through the kingdom he traveled for nearly a year through the different parts of his territory and then having seen all there was to be seen he set forth on his homeward way as the day was very hot and sultry he commanded his servants to pitch tents in the open field and there await the cool of the evening suddenly a frightful thirst sees the king and as he saw no water near he mounted his horse and rode through the neighborhood looking for a spring before long he came to a well filled to the brim with water clear as crystal and on the bosom of which a golden jug was floating king Kojada at once tried to seize the vessel but though he endeavored to grasp it with his right hand and then with his left the wretched thing always eluded his efforts and refused to let itself be caught first with one hand then with two did the king try to seize it but like a fish the goblet always slipped through his fingers and bobbed to the ground only to reappear in some other place and mock the king plague on you said king kojada i can't bench my thirst without you and bending over the well he lapped up the water so greedily that he plunged his face beard and all right into the crystal mirror but when he had satisfied his thirst and wished to raise himself up he couldn't lift his head because someone held his beard fast in the water who's there let me go cried king kojada but there was no answer only an awful face looked up from the bottom of the well with two great green eyes glowing like emeralds a wide mouth reached from ear to ear showing two rows of gleaming white teeth and the king's beard was held not by mortal hands but by two claws at last a horse voice sounded from the depths your trouble is all in vain king kojada i will only let you go on condition that you give me something you know nothing about and which you will find on your return home the king didn't pause to ponder long for what thought he could be in my palace without me knowing about it the thing is absurd so he answered quickly yes i promise that you shall have it the voice replied very well but it will go ill with you if you fail to keep your promise then the claws relaxed their hold and the face disappeared in the depths the king drew his chin out of the water and shook himself like a dog then he mounted his horse and rode thoughtfully home with his retinue when they approached the capital all the people came out to meet them with great joy and acclamation and when the king reached his palace the queen met him on the threshold beside her stood the prime minister holding a little cradle in his hands in which lay a newborn son as beautiful as the day then the whole thing dawned on the king and groaning deeply he muttered to himself so this is what i did not know about and the tears rolled down his cheek all the courtiers standing round were much amazed at the king's grief but no one dared to ask him the cause of it he took the child in his arms and kissed it tenderly then laying it in its cradle he determined to control his emotion and began to reign again as before the secret of the king remained a secret though his grave careworn expression escaped no one's notice in the constant dread that his child would be taken from him poor kujata knew no rest night or day however time went on and nothing happened days and months and years passed and the prince grew up into a beautiful youth and at last the king himself forgot all about the incident that had happened so long ago one day the prince went out hunting and going in pursuit of a wild boar he soon lost the other huntsman and found himself quite alone in the middle of a dark wood the trees were so thick and near together that it was almost impossible to see through them only straight in front of him lay a little patch of metal land overgrown with thistles and rank weeds in the center of which a leafy lime tree reared itself suddenly a rustling sound was heard in the hollow of the tree and an extraordinary old man with green eyes and chin crept out of it a fine day prince malan he said you've kept me waiting a good number of years it was high time for you to come and pay me a visit who are you in the name of wonder demanded the astonished prince you'll find out soon enough but in the meantime do as I bid greet your father king kujata for me and don't forget to remind him of his debt the time has long passed since it was due but now he will have to pay for it farewell for the present we shall meet again with these words the old man disappeared into the tree and the prince returned home rather startled and told his father all that he had seen and heard the king grew as white as a sheet when he heard the prince's story and said who is me my son the time has come when we must part and with a heavy heart he told the prince what had happened at the time of his birth don't worry or distress yourself dear father answered prince malan things are never as bad as they look only give me a horse for my journey and I wager you'll soon see me back again the king gave him a beautiful charger with golden stirrups in a sword the queen hung a little cross round his neck and after much weeping and lamentation the prince bade them all farewell and set forth on his journey he rode straight on for two days and on the third he came to a lake as smooth as glass and as clear as crystal not a breath of wind moved not a leaf stirred all was silent as the grave only on the still bosom of the lake thirty ducks with brilliant plumage swam about in the water not far from the shore prince malan noticed thirty little white garments lying on the grass and dismounting from his horse he crept down under the high bull rushes took one of the garments and hid himself with it behind the bushes which grew around the lake the duck swam about all over the place dive down into the depths and rose again and glided through the waves at last tired of disporting themselves they swam to the shore and twenty nine of them put on their little white garments and instantly turned into so many beautiful maidens then they finished dressing and disappeared only the thirtieth little duck couldn't come to the land it swam about close to the shore and giving out a piercing cry it stretched its neck up timidly gazed wildly around and then dived under again prince malan's heart was so moved with pity for the poor little creature that he came out from behind the bull rushes to see if he could be of any help as soon as the duck perceived him it cried in a human voice oh dear prince malan for the love of heaven give me back my garment and i will be so grateful to you the prince lay the little garment on the bank beside her and stepped back into the bushes in a few seconds a beautiful girl in a white robe stood before him so fair and sweet and young that no pen could describe her she gave the prince her hand and spoke many thanks prince malan for your courtesy i am the daughter of a wicked magician and my name is hyacinthia my father has thirty young daughters and is a mighty ruler in the underworld with many castles and great riches he has been expecting you for ages but you need have no fear if you will only follow my advice as soon as you come into the presence of my father throw yourself at once on the ground and approach him on your knees don't mind if he stamps furiously with his feet and curses and swears i'll attend to the rest and in the meantime we had better be off with these words the beautiful hyacinthia stamped on the ground with her little foot and the earth opened and they both sank down into the lower world the palace of the magician was all hewn out of a single carbuncle lighting up the whole surrounding region and prince malan walked into it gaily the magician sat on a throne a sparkling crown on his head his eyes blazed like a green fire and instead of hands he had claws as soon as soon as prince malan entered he flung himself on his knees the magician stamped loudly with his feet glared frightfully out of his green eyes and cursed so loudly that the whole underworld shook but the prince mindful of the council he had been given wasn't the least afraid and approached the throne still on his knees at last the magician laughed aloud and said you rogue you have been well advised to make me laugh i won't be your enemy anymore welcome to the underworld all the same for your delay in coming here we must demand three services from you for today you may go but tomorrow i shall have more to say to you the two servants led prince malan to a beautiful apartment and he lay down fearlessly on the sofa bed that had been prepared for him and was soon fast asleep early the next morning the magician sent for him and said let's see what you have learned in the first place you must build me a palace tonight the roof of purist gold the walls of marble and the windows of crystal all round you must lay out a beautiful garden with fishponds and artistic waterfalls if you do all this i will reward you richly but if you don't you shall lose your head oh you wicked monster thought prince malan you might as well have put me to death at once sadly he returned to his room and with bent head sat brooding over his cruel fate till evening when it grew dark a little bee flew by and knocking at the window it said open and let me in malan opened the window quickly and as soon as the bee had entered it changed into the beautiful hyacinthia good evening prince malan why are you sad how can i help being said your father threatens me with death and i see myself already without a hid and what have you made up your mind to do there's nothing to be done and after all i suppose one can only die once now don't be so foolish my dear prince but keep up your spirits for there is no need to despair go to bed and when you wake up tomorrow morning the palace will be finished then you must go all around it giving a tap here and there on the walls to look as if you had just finished it and so it all turned out just as she had said as soon as it was daylight prince malan stepped out of his room and found a palace which was quite a work of art down to the very smallest detail the magician himself was not a little astonished at its beauty and could hardly believe his eyes well you certainly are a splendid workman he said to the prince i see you are very clever with your hands now i must see if you are equally accomplished with your head i have 30 daughters in my household all beautiful princesses tomorrow i will place the whole 30 in a row you must walk past them three times and the third time you must show me which is my youngest daughter hyacinthia if you don't guess rightly you shall lose your head this time you have made a mistake thought prince malan and going to his room he sat down at the window just fancy me not recognizing the beautiful hyacinthia why that is the easiest thing in the world not so easy as you think cried the little bee who was flying past if i want to help you you'd never guess we are 30 sisters so exactly alike that our own father can't hardly distinguish us apart then what am i to do asked prince malan listen answered hyacinthia you will recognize me by a tiny fly i shall have on my left cheek but be careful for you might easily make a mistake the next day the magician commanded prince malan to be led before him his daughters were all arranged in a straight row in front of him dressed exactly alike and with their eyes bent to the ground now you genius said the magician look at these beauties three times and then tell us which is the princess hyacinthia prince malan went past them and looked at them closely but they were all so precisely alike that they looked like one face reflected in 30 mirrors and the fly was nowhere to be seen the second time he passed them he still saw nothing but the third time he perceived a little fly stealing down one cheek causing it to blush a faint pink then the prince sees the girl's hand and cried out this is the princess hyacinthia you're right again said the magician in amazement but i still another task for you to do before this candle which i shall light burns to the socket you must have made me a pair of boots reaching to my knees if they aren't finished in that time off comes your head the prince returned to his room in despair then the princess hyacinthia came to him once more changed into the likeness of a bee and asked him why so sad prince malan how can i help being said your father has set me this time an impossible task before a candle which he has lit burns to the socket i am to make a pair of boots but what does a prince know of shoemaking if i can't do it i lose my head and what do you mean to do asked hyacinthia well what is there to be done what he demands i can't and won't do so he must make an end of me not so dearest i love you dearly and you shall marry me and i'll either save your life or die with you we must fly now as quickly as we can for there is no other way of escape with these words she breathed on the window and her breath froze on the pain then she led malan out of the room with her shut the door and threw the key away hand in hand they hurried to the spot where they had descended into the lower world and at last reached the banks of the lake prince malan's charger was still grazing on the grass which grew near the water the horse no sooner recognized his master than it made loudly with joy and springing towards him it stood as if rooted to the ground while prince malan and hyacinthia jumped on its back then it sped onwards like an arrow from a bow in the meantime the magician was waiting impatiently for the prince enraged by the delay he sent his servants to fetch him for the appointed time was passed the servants came to the door and finding it locked they knocked but the frozen breath on the window replied in prince malan's voice i am coming directly with this answer they returned to the magician but when the prince still did not appear after a time he sent his servants a second time to bring him the frozen breath always gave the same answer but the prince never came at last the magician lost all patience and commanded the door to be burst open and when his servants did so they found the room empty and the frozen breath laughed aloud out of his mind with rage the magician ordered the prince to be pursued then a wild chase began i hear horses hooves behind us said hyacinthia to the prince malan sprang from the saddle put his ear to the ground and listened yes he answered they are pursuing us and they're quite close then no time must be lost said hyacinthia and she immediately turned herself into a river prince malan into an iron bridge and the charger into a blackbird behind the bridge the road branched off into three ways the magician's servants hurried after the fresh tracks but when they came to the bridge they stood not knowing which road to take as the footprints stopped suddenly and there were three paths for them to choose from in fear and trembling they returned to tell the magician what had happened he flew into a dreadful rage when he saw them and screamed out oh you fools the river and bridge were they go back and bring them to me at once or it will be the worst for you then the pursuit began afresh i hear horses hooves sighed hyacinthia the prince dismounted and put his ear to the ground they are hurrying after us and are already quite near in a moment the princess hyacinthia had changed herself the prince and his charger into a thick wood where a thousand paths and roads crossed each other their pursuers entered the forest but searched in vain for prince malan and his bride at last they found themselves back at the same spot they had started from and in despair they returned once more with empty hands to the magician then i'll go after the wretches myself he shouted bring a horse at once they shan't escape me once more the beautiful hyacinthia murmured i hear horses hooves quite near and the prince answered they are pursuing us heartily and are quite close we are lost now for that is my father himself but at the first church we come to his power ceases he may chase us no further hand me your cross prince malan loosened from his neck the little gold cross his mother had given him and as soon as hyacinthia grasped it she had changed herself into a church malan into a monk and the horse into a belfry they had hardly done this when the magician and his servants rode up did you see no one pass on horseback reverend father he asked the monk prince malan and princess hyacinthia have just gone on this minute they stopped for a few minutes in the church to say their prayers and bade me like this wax candle for you and give you their love i'd like to ring their necks said the magician and made all haste home where he had every one of his servants beaten to within an inch of their lives prince malan rode on slowly with his bride without fearing any further pursuit the sun was just setting and its last rays lit up a large city they were approaching prince malan was suddenly seized with an ardent desire to enter the town oh my beloved implored hyacinthia please don't go i am frightened and fear some evil what are you afraid of asked the prince we'll only go and look at what's to be seen in the town for about an hour and then we'll continue our journey to my father's kingdom the town is easy to get into but more difficult to get out of side hyacinthia but let it be as you wish go and i will await you here but i will first change myself into a white milestone only i pray you be very careful the king and queen of the town will come out to meet you leading a little child with them whatever you do don't kiss the child for you will forget me and all that has happened to us i will wait for you here for three days the prince hurried to the town but hyacinthia remained behind disguised as a white milestone on the road the first day passed and then the second and at last the third also but prince malan did not return for he had not taken hyacinthia's advice the king and queen came out to meet him as she had said leading with them a lovely fair haired little girl whose eyes shone like two clear stars the child at once caressed the prince who carried away by its beauty bent down and kissed it on the cheek from that moment his memory became a blank and he forgot all about the beautiful hyacinthia when the prince did not return poor hyacinthia wept bitterly and changed herself from a milestone into a little blue field flower she said i will grow here on the wayside till some pass by tramples me underfoot and one of her tears remained as a dew drop and sparkled on the little blue flower now it happened shortly after this that an old man passed by and seeing the flower he was delighted by its beauty he pulled it up carefully by the roots and carried it home here he planted it in a pot and watered and tended the little plant carefully and now the most extraordinary thing happened for from this moment everything in the old man's house was changed when he awoke in the morning he always found his room tidied and put into such beautiful order that not a speck of dust was to be found anywhere when he came home at midday he found a table laid out with the most dainty food and he had only to sit down and enjoy himself to his heart's content at first he was so surprised he didn't know what to think but after a time he grew a little uncomfortable and went to an old witch to ask for advice the witch said get up before the cockroach and watch carefully till you see something move and then throw this cloth quickly over it and you'll see what will happen all night the old man never closed an eye when the first ray of light entered the room he noticed that the little blue flower began to tremble and at last it rose out of the pot and flew about the room put everything in order swept away the dust and lit the fire in great haste the old man sprang from his bed and covered the flower with the cloth the old witch had given him and in a moment the beautiful princess hyacinthia stood before him what have you done she cried why have you called me back to life for i have no desire to live since my bridegroom the beautiful prince malan has deserted me prince malan is just going to be married replied the old man everything is being got ready for the feast and all the invited guests are flocking to the palace from all sides the beautiful hyacinthia cried bitterly when she heard this then she dried her tears and went into the town dressed as a peasant woman she went straight to the king's kitchen where the white apron cooks were running about in great confusion the princess went up to the head cook and said dear cook please listen to my request and let me make a wedding cake for prince malan the busy cook was just going to refuse her demand and order her out of the kitchen but the words died on his lips when he turned and beheld the beautiful hyacinthia and he answered politely you have just come in the nick of time fair maiden bake your cake and i myself will lay it before prince malan the cake was soon made the invited guests were already thronging around the table when the head cook entered the room bearing a beautiful wedding cake on a silver dish and laid it before prince malan the guests were all lost in admiration for the cake was quite a work of art prince malan at once proceeded to cut it open went to his surprise two white doves sprang out of it and one of them said to the other my dear mate do not fly away and leave me and forget me as prince malan forgot his beloved hyacinthia malan sighed deeply when he heard what the little dove said then he jumped up suddenly from the table and ran to the door where he found the beautiful hyacinthia waiting for him outside stood his faithful charger pawing the ground without pausing for a moment malan and hyacinthia mounted him and galloped as fast as they could into the country of king kojata the king and queen received them with such joy and gladness as had never been heard of before and they all lived happily for the rest of their lives end of king kojata recording by joseph lawlor