 Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, from the Blue Fairy Book. There once lived a poor tailor who had a son called Aladdin, a careless idle boy, who would do nothing but play ball all day long, in the streets with little idle boys like himself. This so grieved of the father that he died. Yet in spite of his mother's tears and prayers, Aladdin did not mend his ways. One day, when he was playing in the streets as usual, a stranger asked him his age, and if it was not to the son of Mustafa the tailor. I am, sir, replied Aladdin, but he died a long while ago. On this the stranger, who was a famous African magician, fell on his neck and kissed him, saying, I am your uncle, and knew you from your likeness to my brother. Go to your mother and tell her I am coming. Aladdin ran home and told his mother of his newly found uncle. Indeed, child, she said, your father had a brother, but I always thought he was dead. However, she prepared supper and begged Aladdin to seek his uncle, who came laden with wine and fruit. He presently fell down and kissed the place where Mustafa used to sit, bidding Aladdin's mother not to be surprised at having not seen him before, as he had been forty years out of the country. He then turned to Aladdin and asked him his trade, at which the boy hung his head while his mother burst into tears. On learning that Aladdin was idle and would learn no trade, he offered to take a shop for him and stock it with merchandise. Next day he brought Aladdin a fine suit of clothes and took him all over the city, showing him the sights, and brought him home at nightfall to his mother, who was overjoyed to see her son so fine. The next day the magician led Aladdin into some beautiful gardens, a long way outside the city gates. They sat down by a fountain, and the magician pulled out a cake from his girdle, which he divided between them, and they journeyed onward till they almost reached the mountains. Aladdin was so tired that he begged to go back, but the magician beguiled him with pleasant stories, and led him on in spite of himself. At last they came to two mountains, divided by a narrow valley. We will go, no farther, said the false uncle. I will show you something wonderful. Only do you gather up sticks while I kindle a fire. When it was lit, the magician threw on it a powder he had about him, at the same time saying some magical words. The earth trembled a little and opened in front of them, disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise it by. Aladdin tried to run away, but the magician caught him and gave him a blow that knocked him down. What have I done, uncle? he said piteously, whereupon the magician said more kindly, fear nothing, but obey me. If this stone lies a treasure, which is to be yours, and no one else may touch it, so you must do exactly as I tell you. At the word treasure Aladdin forgot his fears, and grasped the ring as he was told, saying the names of his father and grandfather. The stone came up quite easily, and some steps appeared. Go down, said the magician. At the foot of those steps you will find an open door, leading into three large halls. Tuck up your gown and go through them without touching anything, or you will die instantly. These halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees. Walk on until you come to a niche in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp, pour out the oil it contains, and bring it to me. He drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper. Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruit off the trees, and having got to the lamp arrived at the mouth of the cave. The magician cried out in a great hurry, make haste, and give me the lamp. This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder onto the fire he said something, and the stone rolled back into its place. The magician left Persia for ever, which plainly showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin's, but a cunning magician who had read in his magic books of a wonderful lamp, which would make him the most powerful man in the world. Though he alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another. He had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, intending to get to the lamp and kill him afterward. Two days Aladdin remained in the dark, crying and lamenting. At last he clasped his hands in prayer, and in doing so rubbed the ring which the magician had forgotten to take from him. Immediately an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth, saying, What would thou with me? I am the slave of the ring, and all obey thee in all things. Aladdin fearlessly replied, Deliver me from this place. Thereupon the earth opened, and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could bear the light he went home, but fainted on the threshold. When he came to himself he told his mother what had passed, and showed to the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden, which were in reality precious stones. He then asked for some food. Alas, child! She said, I have nothing in the house, but I have spun a little cotton, and will go and sell it. Aladdin bade her keep her cotton, for he would sell the lamp instead. As it was very dirty she began to rub it, that it might fetch a higher price. Instantly a hideous genie appeared, and asked what she would have. She fainted away. But Aladdin, snatching up the lamp, said boldly, Fetch me something to eat. The genie returned with the silver bowl, twelve silver plates containing rich meats, two silver cups, and two bottles of wine. Aladdin's mother, when she came to herself, said, Wents, come this blended feast. Ask not, but eat, replied Aladdin. So they sat at breakfast till it was dinner time, and Aladdin told his mother about the lamp. She begged him to sell it, and have nothing to do with devils. No, said Aladdin, since chants have made us aware of its virtues, we will use it, and the ring likewise, which I shall always wear on my finger. When they had eaten all the genie had brought, Aladdin sold one of the silver plates, and so on until none were left. He then had recourse to the genie, who gave him another set of plates, and thus they lived for many years. One day Aladdin heard an order from the sultan, proclaimed, that every one was to stay at home and close his shutters, while the princess, his daughter, went to and from the bath. Aladdin was seized by a desire to see her face, which was very difficult, as she always went veiled. He hid himself behind the door of the bath, and peeped through a chink. The princess lifted her veil as she went in, and looked so beautiful, that Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight. She went home so changed, that his mother was frightened. He told her he loved the princess so deeply, that he could not live without her. I meant to ask her hand in marriage from her father. His mother, on hearing this, burst out laughing. But Aladdin at last prevailed upon her to go before the sultan, and carry his request. She fetched a napkin, and laid in it the magic fruits from the enchanted garden, which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful jewels. She took these with her to please the sultan, and set out, trusting in the lamp. The grand vizier and the lords of council had just gone in as she entered the hall, and placed herself in front of the sultan. He, however, took no notice of her. She went every day for a week, and stood in the same place. When the council broke up on the sixth day, the sultan said to his vizier, I see a certain woman in the audience chamber every day, carrying something in a napkin. Call her next time, that I may find out what she wants. Next day, at a sign from the vizier, she went up to the foot of the throne, and remained kneeling, till the sultan said to her, Rise, good woman, and tell me what you want. She hesitated, so the sultan sent away all but the vizier, and bade her speak frankly, promising to forgive her beforehand for anything she might say. She then told him of her son's violent love for the princess. I have prayed for him to forget her, she said, but in vain, he threatened to do some desperate deed if I refused to go, and ask her majesty for the hand of the princess. Now, I pray you to forgive, not me alone, but my son Aladdin. The sultan asked her kindly what she had in her napkin. Whereupon she unfolded the jewels, and presented them. He was thundestruck, and, turning to the vizier, said, What sayest thou? Or tie not to bestow the princess on one who values her at such a price? The vizier, who wanted her for his own son, begged the sultan to withhold her for three months, in the course of which he hoped his son would contrive to make him a richer present. The sultan granted this, and told Aladdin's mother that, though he consented to the marriage, she must not appear before him again for three months. Aladdin waited patiently for nearly three months, but after two had elapsed his mother. Going into the city to buy oil, found everyone rejoicing, and asked what was going on. Do you not know, was the answer, that the son of the grand vizier is to marry the sultan's daughter to-night. Breathless she ran and told Aladdin, who was overwhelmed at first, and presently bethought him of the lamp. He rubbed it, and the genie appeared, saying, What is thy will? Aladdin replied. The sultan, as thou knowest, has broken his promise to me, and the vizier's son is to have the princess. My command is that to-night you bring hither the bride and the bridegroom. Master, I obey, said the genie. Aladdin then went to his chamber, where, sure enough, at midnight, the genie transported the bed containing the vizier's son and the princess. Take this new married man, he said, and put him outside in the cold, and return at daybreak, whereupon the genie took the vizier's son out of bed, leaving Aladdin with the princess. Fear nothing, Aladdin said to her. You're my wife, promised me by your unjust father, and no harm shall come to you. The princess was too frightened to speak, and passed the most miserable night of her life, while Aladdin lay down beside her and slept soundly. At the appointed hour the genie fetched in the shivering bridegroom, laid him in his place, and transported the bed back to the palace. Presently the sultan came to wish his daughter good morning. The unhappy vizier's son jumped up and hid himself, while the princess would not say a word, and was very sorrowful. The sultan sent her mother to her, who said, How comes it, child, that you will not speak to your father? What has happened? The princess sighed deeply, and at last told her mother how, during the night, the bed had been carried into some strange house, and what had passed there. Her mother did not believe her in the least, but put her eyes and consider it an idle dream. Following night exactly the same thing happened, and the next morning, on the princess's refusal to speak, the sultan threatened to cut off her head. She then confessed all, bidding him to ask the vizier's son if it were not so. The sultan told the vizier to ask his son, who owned the truth, adding that, Dear Lizzie loved the princess, he had rather die than go through another such fearful night, and wished to be separated from her. His wish was granted, and there was an end to feasting and rejoicing. When the three months were over, Aladdin sent his mother to remind the sultan of his promise. She stood in the same place as before, and the sultan, who had forgotten Aladdin, at once remembered him and sent for her. Seeing her poverty the sultan felt less inclined than ever to keep his word, and asked his vizier's advice, who counselled him to set so high a value on the princess, that no living man could come up to it. The sultan then turned to Aladdin's mother, saying, Good woman, a sultan must remember his promises, and I will remember mine. But your son must first send me forty basins of gold, brimful of jewels, carried by forty black slays, led by as many white ones, splendidly dressed. Telling that I await his answer, the mother of Aladdin bowed low, and went home, thinking all was lost. She gave Aladdin the message, adding, He may wait long enough for your answer. Not so long, mother, as you think, her son replied, I would do a great deal more than that for the princess. He summoned the genie, and in a few moments the eighty slaves arrived, and filled up the small house and garden, and Aladdin made them set out to the palace, two and two, followed by his mother. They were so richly dressed, with such splendid jewels and their girdles, that everyone crowded to see them, and the basins of gold they carried in their hands. They entered the palace, and, after kneeling before the sultan, stood in a half-circle round the throne with their arms crossed, while Aladdin's mother presented them to the sultan. He hesitated no longer, but said, Good woman, return and tell your son that I will wait for him with open arms. She lost no time in telling Aladdin, bidding him make haste. But Aladdin first called the genie. I want a scented bath, he said, a richly embroidered habit, a horse of passing the sultans, and twenty slaves to attend me. Besides this, six slaves beautifully dressed to wait on my mother. And lastly, ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses. No sooner said than done, Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets, the slaves during gold as they went. Those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not. He had grown so handsome. When the sultan saw him, he came down from his throne, embraced him, and led him into the hall where a feast was spread, intending to marry him to the princess that very day. But Aladdin refused, saying, I must build a palace fit for her, and took his leave. Once home, he said to the genie, Build me a palace the finest marble, set with jasper, agate, and other precious stones. In the middle you shall build me a large hall with a dome, its full walls of massy gold and silver, each having six windows, whose lattices, all except one, which is to be left unfinished, must be set with diamonds and rubies. There must be stables and horses and grooms and slaves. Go and see about it. The palace was finished by the next day, and the genie carried in there and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out, even to the laying of a velvet carpet from Aladdin's palace to the sultans. Aladdin's mother then dressed herself carefully and walked to the palace with her slaves, while he followed her on horseback. The sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air resounded with music and cheers. She was taken to the princess, who saluted her and treated her with great honour. At night the princess had goodbye to her father and set out on the carpet for Aladdin's palace, with his mother by her side, and followed by the hundred slaves. She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin, who ran to receive her. Princess! he said, blame your beauty for my boldness if I have displeased you. She told him that, having seen him, she willingly obeyed her father in this matter. After the wedding had taken place, Aladdin led her into the hall, where a feast was spread, and she supped with him, after which they danced till midnight. Next day Aladdin invited the sultans to see the palace. On entering the hall with the four and twenty windows with their rubies, diamonds and emeralds, he cried, It is a world's wonder! There is only one thing that surprises me. Was it by accident that one window was left unfinished? No, sir, by design, returned Aladdin. I wished your majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace. The sultan was pleased, and sent for the best jewelers in the city. He showed them the unfinished window, and bade them fit it up like the others. Sir, replied their spokesman, We cannot find jewels enough. The sultan had his own fetched, which they were soon used, but to no purpose. For in a month's time the work was not half done. Aladdin, knowing that their task was vain, bade them undo their work, and carried the jewels back, and the genie finished the window at his command. The sultan was surprised to receive his jewels again, and visited Aladdin, who showed him the window finished. The sultan embraced him, the envious vizier meanwhile hinting that it was the work of enchantment. Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing. He was made captain of the sultan's armies, and won several battles for him, but remained modest and courteous as before, and lived thus in peace and content for several years. But far away in Africa the magician remembered Aladdin, and by his magical arts discovered that Aladdin, instead of perishing miserably in the cave, had escaped and had married a princess, with whom he was living in great honour and wealth. He knew that the poor tailor's son could only have accomplished this by means of the lamp, and travelled night and day until he reached the capital of China, bent on Aladdin's ruin. As he passed through the town he heard people talking everywhere about a marvellous palace. Forgive my ignorance! He asked, What is this palace you speak of? Have you not heard of Aladdin's palace? Was the reply, The greatest wonder of the world? I all direct you if you have a mind to see it. The magician thanked him who spoke, and having seen the palace, knew that it had been raised by the genie of the lamp, and became half mad with rage. He determined to get hold of the lamp, and again plunge Aladdin into the deepest poverty. Unluckily, Aladdin had gone hunting for eight days, which gave the magician plenty of time. He bought a dozen copper lamps, put them into a basket, and went to the palace crying, New lamps for old! Followed by a jeering crowd. The princess, sitting in the hall of four and twenty windows, sent a slave to find out what the noise was about. Who came back laughing, so that the princess scolded her. Madam, replied the slave, who can help laughing to see an old full offering to exchange fine new lamps for old ones? Another slave, hearing this, said, There is an old one in the connet there, which he can have. Now this was the magic lamp which Aladdin had left there, as he could not take it out hunting with him. The princess, not knowing its value, laughingly bade the slave take it and make the exchange. She went and said to the magician, Give me a new lamp for this. He snatched it, and bade the slave take her choice amidst the jeers of the crowd. Little he cared, but left off crying his lamps, and went out of the city gates to a lonely place where he remained till nightfall, when he pulled out the lamp and rubbed it. The jeering appeared, and at the magician's command carried him, together with the palace and the princess in it, to a lonely place in Africa. Next morning the sultan looked out of the window towards Aladdin's palace, and rubbed his eyes, for it was gone. He sent for the vizier, and asked what had become of the palace. The vizier looked out too, and was lost in astonishment. He again put it down to enchantment, and this time the sultan believed him, and sent thirty men on horseback to fetch Aladdin in chains. They met him riding home, bound him, and forced him to go with them on foot. The people, however, who loved him, followed armed, to see that he came to no harm. He was carried before the sultan, who ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The executioner made Aladdin kneel down, bandage his eyes, and raised his scimitar to strike. At that instant the vizier, who saw that the crowd had forced their way into the courtyard, and were scaring the walls to rescue Aladdin, called to the executioner to stay his hand. The people, indeed, looked so threatening that the sultan gave way and ordered Aladdin to be unbound, and pardoned him in the sight of the crowd. Aladdin now begged to know what he had done. False wretch, said the sultan, come thither, and showed him from the window the place where his palace had stood. Aladdin was so amazed that he could not say a word. Where is my palace and my daughter? demanded the sultan. For the first I am not so deeply concerned, but my daughter I must have, and you must find her or lose your head. Aladdin begged for forty days in which to find her, promising, if he failed, to return and suffer death at the sultan's pleasure. His prayer was granted, and he went forth sadly from the sultan's presence. For three days he wandered about like a madman, asking everyone what had become of his palace. But they only laughed and pitied him. He came to the banks of a river, and knelt down to say his prayers before throwing himself in. In doing so he rubbed the magic ring he still wore. The genie he had seen in the cave appeared and asked him his will. Save my life, genie, said Aladdin. Bring my palace back. That is not my power, said the genie. I am only the slave of the ring. You must ask him of the lamp. Even so, said Aladdin, but thou canst take me to the palace and set me down under my dear wife's window. He at once found himself in Africa, under the window of the princess, and fell asleep out of sheer weariness. He was awakened by the singing of the birds, and his heart was lighter. He saw plainly that all his misfortunes were owing to the loss of the lamp, and vainly wondered who had robbed him of it. That morning the princess rose earlier than she had done, since she had been carried into Africa by the magician, whose company she was forced to endure once a day. She, however, treated him so harshly that he dared not leave there altogether. As she was dressing, one of her women looked out and saw Aladdin. The princess ran and opened the window, and at the noise she made Aladdin looked up. She called to him to come to her, and great was the joy of these lovers at seeing each other again. After he had kissed her, Aladdin said, I beg of you, princess, in God's name, before we speak of anything else, for your sake and mine. Tell me what has become of an old lamp I left in the cornice in the hall of four and twenty windows, when I went to hunting. Alas, she said, I am the innocent cause of our sorrows, and told him of the exchange of the lamp. Now I know, cried Aladdin, that we have to thank the African magician for this, where is the lamp? He carries it about with him, said the princess. I know, for he pulled it out of his breast to show me. He wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him, saying that you were beheaded by my father's command. He is forever speaking ill of you, but I only reply by my tears. If I persist, I doubt not, but he will use violence. Aladdin comforted her, and left her for a while. He changed his clothes with the first person he met in the town, and, having brought a certain powder, returned to the princess, who let him in by the little side door. Put on your most beautiful dress, he said to her, and received the magician with smiles, leading him to believe that you have forgotten me. Invite him to suck with you, and say you wish to taste the wine of his country. He will go for some, and while he was gone, I will tell you what to do. She listened carefully to Aladdin, and when he left her side, she arranged herself gaily for the first time since she left to China. She put on a girdle and headdress of diamonds, and, seeing in a glass that she was more beautiful than ever, received the magician, saying to his great amazement, I have made up my mind that Aladdin is dead, and that all my tears will not bring him back to me. So I am resolved to mourn no more, and have therefore invited you to suck with me. But I am tired of the wines of China, and would faint taste those of Africa. The magician flew to his cellar, and the princess put the powder Aladdin had given her into her cup. When he returned, she asked him to drink her health in the wine of Africa, handing him her cup in exchange for his, as a sign she was reconciled to him. Before drinking, the magician made her a speech and praise of her beauty. But the princess cut him short, saying, let us drink first, and you shall say what you will afterward. She set her cup to her lips, and kept it there, while the magician drained his to the dregs, and fell back lifeless. The princess then opened the door to Aladdin, and flung her arms around his neck. But Aladdin put her away, bidding her leave him, as he had more to do. He then went to the dead magician, took the lamp out of his vest, and bade the genie carry the palace and all in it back to China. This was done, and the princess in a chamber only felt two little shocks, and little thought she was at home again. The sultan, who was sitting in his closet, mourning for his lost daughter, happened to look up, and rubbed his eyes, for there stood the palace as before. He hastened thither, and Aladdin received him in the hall of the four and twenty windows, with the princess at his side. Aladdin told him what had happened, and showed him the dead body of the magician, that he might believe. A ten days' feast was proclaimed, and it seemed as if Aladdin might now live the rest of his life in peace. But it was not to be. The African magician had a younger brother, who was, if possible, more wicked and more cunning than himself. He travelled to China to avenge his brother's death, and went to visit a pious woman called Fatima, thinking she might be of use to him. He entered her cell and clapped a dagger to her breast, telling her to rise and do his bidding on pain of death. He changed clothes with her, coloured his face like hers, put on her veil, and murdered her, that she might tell no tales. Then he went to the palace of Aladdin, and all the people thinking he was the holy woman gathered round him, kissing his hands and begging his blessing. When he got to the palace, there was such a noise going on around him, that the princess bade a slave look out of the window, and ask what was the matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing people by her touch of their ailments, whereupon the princess, who had long desired to see Fatima, sent for her. On coming to the princess, the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity. When he had done, the princess made him sit by her, and begged him to stay with her always. The false Fatima, who wished for nothing better consented, but kept his veil down for fear of discovery. The princess showed in the hall and asked him what he thought of it. "'It is truly beautiful,' said the false Fatima. "'In my mind it wants but one thing.' "'And what is that?' said the princess. "'If only a rock's egg,' replied he, while hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be the wonder of the world.' After this, the princess could think of nothing but the rock's egg. And when Aladdin returned from hunting, he found her in a very ill humour. He begged to know what was amiss, and she told him that all her pleasure in the hall was spoiled, for want of a rock's egg hanging from the dome. "'If that is all,' replied Aladdin, "'you shall soon be happy.' He left her and rubbed the lamp. When the genie appeared, commanded him to bring a rock's egg. The genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook. "'Wretch!' he cried, "'It is not enough that I have done everything for you, but you must command me to bring my master, and hang him up in the midst of this dome. You and your wife and your palace deserve to be burnt to ashes.' "'But that this request does not come from you but from a brother of the African magician whom you destroyed. He is now in your palace disguised of the holy woman whom he murdered. He it was who put that wish into your wife's head. Take care of yourself, for he means to kill you.' So saying, the genie disappeared. Aladdin went back to the princess, saying his head ached and requesting that the holy fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it. But when the magician came near, Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced him to the heart. "'What have you done?' cried the princess. "'You have killed the holy woman!' "'Not so,' replied Aladdin, but a wicked magician, and told her of how she had been deceived. After this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace. He succeeded the sultan when he died, and reigned for many years, leaving behind him a long line of kings. And of Aladdin in the wonderful lamp. The tale of a youth who set out to learn what fear was, of the Blue Fairy Book. The Blue Sons, of whom the eldest was clever and bright and always knew what he was about. But the youngest was stupid and couldn't learn or understand anything. So much so that those who saw him exclaimed, what a burden he'll be to his father. Now when there was anything to be done, the eldest had always to do it. But if something was required later or in the night time, and the way led through the church yard of some such ghostly place, he always replied, "'No, father, nothing will induce me to go there. It makes me shudder.' For he was afraid. Or when they sat of an evening around the fire, telling stories which made one's flesh creep, the listeners sometimes said, "'Oh, it makes one shudder.' The youngest sat in a corner, heard the exclamation, and could not understand what it meant. They are always saying, "'It makes one shudder. It makes one shudder. Nothing makes me shudder. It's probably an art quite beyond me.' Now it happened that his father said to him one day, "'Harken, you there in the corner. You are growing big and strong, and you must learn to earn your own bread. Look at your brother, what pains he takes. But all the money I've spent on your education is thrown away.' "'My dear father,' he replied, "'I will gladly learn. In fact, if it were possible, I should like to learn to shudder. I don't understand that a bit yet.' The eldest laughed when he heard this and thought to himself, "'Good heavens, what a niny my brother is. He'll never come to any good. As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.' The father sighed and answered him, "'You'll soon learn to shudder, but that won't help you make a living.' Shortly after this, when the sexton came to pay them a visit, the father broke out to him and told him what a bad hand his youngest son was at everything. He knew nothing and learned nothing. Only think, when I asked him how he proposed gaining a living, he actually asked to be taught to shudder. "'That's all he wants,' said the sexton. I can teach him that. Just you send him to me. I'll soon polish him up.' The father was quite pleased with the proposal because he thought, "'It'll be a good discipline for the youth.' And so the sexton took him into his house and his duty was to toll the bell. After a few days he woke midnight and bade him rise and climb into the tower and toll. "'Now, my friend, I won't teach you to shudder,' thought he. He stole forth secretly in front, and when the youth was up above and had turned round to grasp the bell rope, he saw standing opposite the hole of the belfry a white figure. "'Who's there?' he called out, but the figure gave no answer and neither stirred nor moved. "'Answer,' cried the youth, "'or be gone. "'You have no business here at this hour of the night?' But the sexton remained motionless so that the youth might think that it was a ghost.' The youth called out the second time, "'What do you want here? Speak if you are an honest fellow or I'll knock you down the stairs.' The sexton thought, "'You can't mean that in earnest,' so gave forth no sound and stood as though he were made of stone. Then the youth shouted out to him the third time, and as that too had no effect, he made a dash at the spectre and knocked it down the stairs so that it fell about ten steps and remained lying in a corner. Thereupon he told the bell, went home to bed without saying a word and fell asleep. The sexton's wife waited a long time for her husband, but he never appeared. At last she became anxious and woke the youth and asked, "'Don't you know where my husband is?' He went up to the tower in front of you. "'No,' answered the youth, but someone stood on the stairs up there, just opposite the trapdoor in the belfry, and because he wouldn't answer me or go away, I took him for a rogue and knocked him down. You'd better go and see if it was he. I should be much distressed if it were.' The wife ran and found her husband who was lying groaning in a corner with his leg broken. She carried him down and then hurried with loud protestations to the youth's father. "'Your son has been the cause of a pretty misfortune,' she cried. He threw my husband down stairs so that he broke his leg. But take the good-for-nothing wrench out of our house.' The father was horrified, hurried to the youth and gave him a scolding. "'What unholy pranks of these! The evil one must have put them into your head.' Father,' he replied, "'Only listen to me, I am quite guiltless. He stood there in the night like one who meant harm. I didn't know who it was and warned him three times to speak or be gone. "'Oh, groaned the father, you'll bring me nothing but misfortune. Get out of my sight. I won't have anything more to do with you.' "'Yes, father, willingly. Only wait until daylight. Then I'll set out and learn to shudder, and in that way I shall be master of an art which will gain me a living. "'Learn what you will,' said the father. "'It's all one to me. "'Here are fifty dollars for you, set forth into the wide world with them. But see you tell no one where you come from or who your father is, for I am ashamed of you. "'Yes, father, whatever you wish, and if that's all you ask, I can easily keep it in mind.' When day broke, the youth put the fifty dollars into his pocket, set out on the hard, high road, and kept muttering to himself, "'If I could only shudder, if I could only shudder.' Just at this moment, a man came by who heard the youth speaking to himself, and when they had gone on a bit and were in the sight of the gallows, the man said to him, "'Look, there is the tree where seven people have been hanged and are now learning to fly. "'Sit down under it and wait till nightfall, "'and then you'll pretty soon learn to shudder. "'If that's all half to do,' answered the youth, "'it's easily done. "'But if I learn to shudder so quickly, "'then you shall have my fifty dollars. "'Just come back to me tomorrow morning early.' Then the youth went to the gallows tree and sat down underneath it and waited for the evening. And because he felt cold, he lit himself a fire. But at midnight, it got so chill that in spite of the fire, he couldn't keep warm. And as the wind blew, the corpses won against another, tossing them to and fro, he thought to himself, "'If you are perishing down here by the fire, "'how those poor things up there must be shaking and shivering.' And because he had a tender heart, he put up a ladder which he climbed, unhooked one body after the other and took down all the seven. Then he stirred the fire, blew it up, placed them all around in a circle that they might warm themselves. But they sat there and did not move, none the fire caught their clothes. Then he spoke, "'Take care, or I'll hang you up again.' But the dead men did not hear and let their rags go on burning. Then he got angry and said, "'If you aren't careful yourselves, "'then I can't help you, "'and I don't mean to burn with you.' And he hung them up again in a row. Then he sat down at his fire and fell asleep. On the following morning, the man came to him and wishing to get his $50 said, "'Now you know what it is to shut her.' No, he answered, "'How should I?' Those fellows up there never opened their mouths and were so stupid that they let those few old tatters they have on their bodies burn. Then the man saw he wouldn't get his $50 that day and went off saying, "'Well, I'm blessed if I ever met "'such a person in my life before.' The youth, too, went on his way and began to murmur to himself, "'Oh, if only I could shudder, "'if only I could shudder.' A carrier who was walking behind him heard these words and asked him, "'Who are you?' "'I don't know,' said the youth. "'Where do you hail from?' "'I don't know.' "'Who's your father?' "'I may not say.' "'Well, what are you constantly muttering to yourself?' "'Oh,' said the youth, "'I would give words to shudder, "'but no one can teach me.' Stuff and nonsense spoke the carrier. "'Come along with me and I'll soon put that right.' The youth went with the carrier and in the evening they reached in in where they were to spend the night. Then, just as he was entering the room, he said again, quite aloud, "'Oh, if I could only shudder, "'if I could only shudder.' The landlord, who heard this, laughed and said, "'If that's what you're sighing for, "'you should be given every opportunity here.' "'Oh, hold your tongue,' said the landlord's wife. "'So many people have paid for their curiosity "'with their lives. "'It were a thousand pitties "'if those beautiful eyes were never again "'to behold daylight.' But the youth said, "'No matter how difficult, I insist on learning it. "'Why, that's what I've said how to do. "'He left the landlord no peace till he told them "'that in the neighborhood stood a haunted castle "'where one could easily learn to shudder "'if one only kept watching it for three nights. "'The king had promised the man who dared to do this thing, "'his daughter as a wife, "'and she was the most beautiful maiden under the sun. "'There was also much treasure hidden in the castle, "'guarded by evil spirits which would then be free "'and were sufficient to make a poor man more than rich. "'Many had already gone in, "'but so far none had ever come out again. "'So the youth went to the king and spoke. "'If I were allowed, "'I should much like to watch for three nights in the castle.' "'The king looked at him because he pleased him. "'He said, "'You can ask for three things, none of them living, "'and those you may take with you into the castle. "'Then he answered, "'Well, I shall beg for a fire, "'a turning lathe, "'and a carving bench with a knife attached. "'On the following day, "'the king had everything put into the castle. "'And when night drew on, "'the youth took up his position there, "'lit a bright fire in one of the rooms, "'placed a carving bench with a knife close to it, "'and sat down on the turning lathe. "'Oh, if I could only shudder,' he said, "'but I shunt-lend it here either. "'Toward midnight, he wanted to make up the fire, "'and as he was blowing up a blaze, "'he heard a shriek from a corner. "'Oh, Mew, how cold we are!' "'You fools,' he cried. "'Why do you scream? "'If you are cold, "'come and sit at the fire and warm yourselves. "'And as he spoke, "'two huge black cats sprang fiercely toward him, "'sat down. "'One on each side of him "'gazed wildly at him with their fiery eyes. "'After a time, "'when they had warmed themselves, they said, "'Friend, shall we play a little game of cards? "'Why not?' he replied, "'but first let me see your paws.' "'Then they stretched out their claws. "'Ha, said he, what long nails you've got. "'Wait a minute. "'I must first cut them off. "'Thereupon he seized them "'by the scuff of their necks, "'lifted them on to the carving bench, "'and screwed down their paws firmly. "'After watching you narrowly, he said, "'He, I no longer feel any desire to play cards with you. "'And with these words he struck them dead, "'threw them out into the water. "'But when he had thus sent the two of them "'to their final rest "'and was again about to sit down at the fire, "'out of every nook and corner came forth "'black cats and black dogs with fiery chains "'and such swarms that he couldn't possibly get away from them. "'They yelled in the most ghastly manner, "'jumped upon his fire, scattered it all, "'and tried to put it out. "'He looked on quietly for a time, "'but when it got beyond a joke, "'he seized his carving knife and called out, "'be off you rabble-route and let fly at them. "'Some of them fled away, "'and the others he struck dead "'and threw them out into the pond below. "'When he returned, he blew up the sparks "'of the fire once more and warmed himself. "'And as he sat thus, his eyes refused "'to keep open any longer, "'and the desire to sleep stole over him. "'Then he looked around him and beheld in the corner "'a large bed. "'The very thing,' he said, "'and laid himself down on it. "'But when he wished to close his eyes, "'the bed began to move by itself "'and ran all round the castle. "'Capital, said he, only a little quicker. "'Then the bed sped on, "'as if drawn by six horses over, "'thresh holds and stares up this way and down that. "'All of a sudden, crash, crash, "'with a bound it turned over upside down "'and lay like a mountain on top of him. "'But he tossed the blankets and pillows "'in the air and merged from underneath "'and said, "'Now, anyone who has the fancy for it "'may go for a drive. "'Lay down at his fire and slept till daylight. "'In the morning the king came "'when he beheld him lying on the ground, "'he imagined that the ghosts had been "'too much for him and that he was dead. "'Then he said, "'What a pity and such a fine fellow he was. "'The youth had this, got up and said, "'It's not come to that yet. "'And the king was astonished, but very glad, "'and asked how it had fared with him. "'First rate, he answered, "'and now I've survived the one night. "'I shall get through the other two also.' "'The landlord, when he went to him, "'opened his eyes wide and said, "'Well, I never thought to see you alive again. "'Have you learned now what shuddering is?' "'No,' he replied. "'It's quite hopeless "'if someone could only tell me how to.' "'The second night he went up again to the old castle, "'sat down at the far and began his older free. "'If I could only shudder.' "'As midnight approached, "'a noise and din broke out at first gentle "'but gradually increasing, "'that all was quiet for a moment, "'and at length with a loud scream, "'half of a man dropped down the chimney "'and fell before him. "'High up there, shouted he. "'There's another half wanted down here. "'That's not enough.' "'Then the din commenced once more. "'There was a shrieking and yelling, "'and then the other half fell down. "'Wait a bit,' he said. "'I'll stir up the fire for you.' "'And when he had done this and again looked around, "'the two pieces had united, "'and a horrible-looking man sat on his seat. "'Come,' said the youth. "'I didn't bargain for that. "'The seat is mine.' "'The man tried to shove him away, "'but the youth wouldn't allow it for a moment "'and pushing him off by force "'sat down in his place again. "'Then more men dropped down one after the other, "'who, fetching nine skeleton legs "'and two skulls, put them up "'and played nine pins with them. "'The youth thought he would like to play, too, and said, "'Look here, do you mind my joining the game?' "'No, not if you have money.' "'I've money enough,' he replied. "'But your balls aren't round enough.' "'Then he took the skulls, placed them on his lathe, "'and turned them until they were round. "'Now they'll roll along better,' said he, "'and hoopla, now the fun begins. "'He played with them and lost some of his money, "'but when twelve struck everything vanished before his eyes. "'He then lay down and slept peacefully. "'The next morning the king came anxious for news. "'How have you got on this time?' he asked. "'I played nine pins,' he answered, "'and lost a few pins. "'Didn't you shudder then?' "'No such luck,' said he. "'I made myself merry. "'Ah, if I only knew what it was to shudder.' "'On the third night he sat down again on his bench "'and said in a most desponding way, "'if I could only shudder.' "'When it got late, six big men came in "'carrying a coffin. "'And he cried, ha, ha, that's most likely "'my little cousin, who'd only died a few days ago. "'And beckoning with his finger he called out, "'Come, my small cousin, come.' "'They placed the coffin on the ground "'and approached it and took off the cover. "'In it lay a dead man.' "'He felt his face and it was cold as ice. "'Wait,' he said. "'I'll heat you up a bit. "'Went to the fire, warmed his hand, "'laid it on the man's face, but the dead remained cold. "'Then he lifted him out, sat down at the fire "'and laid him on his knee and rubbed his arms "'so that the blood should circulate again. "'When that too had no effect, it occurred to him "'that if two people laid together in bed, "'they warmed each other. "'So he put him into the bed, covered him up, "'laid down beside him. "'After a time the corpse became warm "'and began to move. "'Then the youth said, "'Now, my little cousin, what would have happened "'if I hadn't warmed you? "'But the dead man rose up and cried out, "'Now I will strangle you. "'Wait,' said he. "'Is that all the things I get? "'You should be put straight back into your coffin. "'Lifted him up, threw him in, closed the lid. "'Then the six men came carrying him out again. "'I simply can't shudder,' he said. "'And it's clear I shunt learned in a lifetime here.' "'Then a man entered of a more than ordinary size "'and of a very fearful appearance, "'but he was old and had a white beard. "'Oh, you miserable creature! "'Now you will soon know what it is to shudder,' he cried, "'for you must die.' "'Now so quickly,' answered the youth, "'if I am to die, you must catch me first.' "'I shall soon lay hold of you,' spoke the monster. "'Gently, gently, don't boast too much. "'I'm as strong as you and stronger, too.' "'Well, soon see,' said the old man, "'if you are stronger than I, then I'll let you off. "'Come, let's have a try.' "'Then he led him through some dark passages to a forge, "'and grasping an axe, "'he drove one of the anvils with a blow into the earth. "'I can do better than that,' cried the youth, "'and went to the other anvil. "'The old man drew near him in order to watch closely, "'and his white beard hung right down. "'The youth seized the axe, "'cliffed the anvil open, "'and jammed in the old man's beard. "'Now I have you,' said the youth, "'this time it's your turn to die. "'Then he seized an iron rod "'and belabored the old man till he, "'when bring, begged him to leave off, "'and he would give him great riches. "'The youth drew out the axe and let him go. "'The old man led him back to the castle "'and showed him the cellar three chests of gold. "'One of these,' said he, "'belongs to the poor, "'one to the king, and the third is yours.' "'At that moment, twelve struck, "'and the spirit vanished, "'leaving the youth alone in the dark. "'I'll surely be able to find a way out,' said he, "'and groping about at length, "'he found his way back to the room "'and fell asleep at his fire. "'The next morning, the king came and said, "'Well, now surely you've learned to shudder?' "'No,' he answered. "'What can it be? "'My dead cousin was here "'and an old bearded man came "'who showed me heaps of money down below there. "'But what shuddering is, no one has told me.' "'Then the king spoke, "'you have freed the castle from its curse "'and you shall marry my daughter. "'That's all charming,' he said, "'but I still don't know what it is to shudder.' "'Then the gold was brought up, "'the wedding was celebrated, "'but the young king, though he loved his wife dearly "'and though he was very happy, "'still kept on saying, "'if I could only shudder, if I could only shudder.' "'At last he reduced her to despair. "'Then her maid said, "'I'll help you. "'We'll soon make him shudder.' "'So she went out to the stream "'that flowed through the garden "'and had a pail full of little gudgens brought to her. "'At night when the young king was asleep, "'the wife had to pull the clothes off him "'and pour the pail full of little gudgens over him "'so that the little fish swam all about him. "'Then he awoke and cried out, "'Oh, how I shudder, how I shudder, dear wife. "'Yes, now I know what shuddering is.' "'And of the tale of a youth "'who set out to learn what fear was.'" Rumpelstiltskin of the Blue Fairy Book. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Scott Mather. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Rumpelstiltskin. There was once upon a time a poor miller who had a very beautiful daughter. Now it happened one day that he had an audience with the king. And in order to appear a person of some importance, he told him that he had a daughter who could spin straw into gold. Now that's a talent worth having, said the king to the miller. If your daughter is as clever as you say, bring her to my palace tomorrow, and I'll put her to the test. When the girl was brought to him, he led her into a room full of straw, gave her a spinning wheel and spindle and said, "'Now, set to work and spin all night till early dawn, "'and if by that time you haven't spun the straw "'into gold, you shall die.'" Then he closed the door behind him and left her alone inside. So the poor miller's daughter sat down and didn't know what in the world she was to do. She hadn't the least idea of how to spin straw into gold. It became at last so miserable that she began to cry. Suddenly the door opened and instept a tiny little man and said, "'Good evening, Miss Millermaid. "'Why are you crying so bitterly?' "'Oh,' answered the girl, "'I have to spin straw into gold "'and haven't a notion how it's done.' "'What will you give me if I spin it for you?' asked the mannequin. "'Well, my necklace,' replied the girl. "'The little man took the necklace, "'sat himself down at the wheel, "'and whirr, whirr, whirr, the wheel went round three "'times, and the bobbin was full.' Then he put on another, and whirr, whirr, whirr, the wheel went round three times, and the second two was full. And so it went on till morning when all the straw was spun away and all the bobbins were full of gold. As soon as the sun rose, the king came, and when he perceived the gold, he was astonished and delighted. But his heart only lusted more than ever after the precious metal. He had the miller's daughter put into another room full of straw, much bigger than the first, and bade her if she valued her life, spin it all into gold before the following morning. The girl didn't know what to do, and began to cry. Then the door opened as before, and the tiny little man appeared and said, "'What will you give me if I spin the straw "'into gold for you?' "'The ring for my finger,' answered the girl. The mannequin took the ring, and whirr, round went the spinning wheel again, and when morning broke, he had spun all the straw into glittering gold. The king was pleased beyond measure at the sights, but his greed for gold was still not satisfied, and he had the miller's daughter brought into yet bigger room, full of straw, and said, "'You must spin all this away in the night. "'But if you succeed this time, "'you shall become my wife.' "'She's only a miller's daughter, it's true,' he thought. "'But I couldn't find a richer wife "'if I were to search the whole world over.' When the girl was alone, the little man appeared for the third time and said, "'What will you give me if I spin the straw "'for you once again?' "'I have nothing more to give,' answered the girl. "'Then promise me, when you are queen, "'to give me your first child. "'Who knows what may not happen before that,' thought the miller's daughter, and besides, she had no other way out of it. "'So she promised the mannequin what he demanded, "'and he set to work once more "'and spun the straw into gold. "'When the king came in the morning "'and found everything as he had desired, "'he straight away made her his wife, "'and the miller's daughter became a queen. "'When a year had passed, "'a beautiful son was born to her, "'and she thought no more of the little man "'till all of a sudden one day he stepped into her room "'and said, "'Now, give me what you promised.' "'Oh, the queen was in a great state "'and offered the little man all the riches in her kingdom "'if he would only leave her the child. "'But the mannequin said, "'No, a living creature is dearer to me "'than all the treasures in the world.' "'Well, then the queen began to cry "'and sob so bitterly "'that the little man was sorry for her, and said, "'I'll give you three days to guess my name. "'And if you find it out in that time, "'you may keep your child.' "'Well, then the queen pondered the whole night "'over all the names she had ever heard "'and sent a messenger to scour the land "'and to pick up far and near any names he could come across. "'When the little man arrived on the following day, "'she began with Casper, "'Milkure, Belchazar, "'and all the other names she knew in a string. "'But at each one the mannequin called out, "'That's not my name.' "'The next day she sent to inquire the names "'of all the people in the neighborhood "'and had a long list of the most uncommon "'and extraordinary for the little man "'when he made his appearance. "'Is your name perhaps Sheepshanks, "'Crickshanks, Spindleshanks?' "'But he always replied, "'That's not my name. "'On the third day the messenger returned "'and announced, I have not been able to find any new names. "'But as I came upon a high hill "'around the corner of the wood "'where the foxes and hares bid each other good night, "'I saw a little house. "'And in front of the house burned a fire "'and round the fire sprang the most grotesque little man, "'hopping on one leg and crying, "'Tomorrow I brew, today I bake, "'and then the child away I'll take "'for little deems my royal dame "'that rumple Stiltskin is my name.' "'You can imagine the queen's delight "'adhering the name. "'And when the little man stepped in shortly afterward "'and asked, Now, my lady queen, what's my name? "'She asked first, Is your name Conrad? "'No. "'Is your name Harry? "'No. "'Is your name perhaps Rumpel Stiltskin? "'Some demon has told you that, "'some demon has told you that!' "'Screened the little man, and in his rage "'drove his right foot so far into the ground "'that it sank in up to his waist. "'Then, in a passion, "'he seized the left foot with both hands "'and tore himself in two.' "'End of Rumpel Stiltskin, literally.' "'Beauty and the Beast' of the Blue Fairy Book." This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Chapter 11. Beauty and the Beast. Once upon a time, in a very far-off country, there lived a merchant who had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich. As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his money was not too much to let them all have everything they fancied, as they were accustomed to do. But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, with all the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, and precious goods it contained. And this was only the beginning of their troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways, suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck, or fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he trusted entirely, had proved unfaithful, and at last, from great wealth, he fell into the direst poverty. All that he had left was a little house in a desolate place, at least a hundred leagues from the town, in which he had lived. And to this he was forced to retreat with his children, who were in despair at the idea of leading such a different life. Indeed, the daughters at first hoped that their friends, who had been so numerous while they were rich, would insist on their staying in their houses, now they no longer possessed one. But they soon found that they were left alone, and that their former friends even attributed their misfortunes to their own extravagance, and showed no intention of offering them any help. So nothing was left for them, but to take their departure to the cottage, which stood in the midst of a dark forest, and seemed to be the most dismal place upon the face of the earth. As they were too poor to have any servants, the girls had to work hard, like peasants, and the sons, for their part, cultivated the fields to earn their living. Roughly clothed and living in the simplest way, the girls regretted unceasingly the luxuries and amusements of their former life. Only the youngest tried to be brave and cheerful. She had been as sad as anyone when misfortune overtook her father, but soon recovering her natural gorety, she set to work to make the best of things, to amuse her father and brothers as well as she could, and to try to persuade her sisters to join her in dancing and singing. But they would do nothing of the sort, and because she was not as dullful as themselves, they declared that this miserable life was all she was fit for. But she was really far prettier and cleverer than they were. Indeed, she was so lovely that she was always called beauty. After two years, when they were all beginning to get used to their new life, something happened to disturb their tranquility. Their father received the news that one of his ships, which he had believed to be lost, had come safely into port with a rich cargo. All the sons and daughters at once thought that their poverty was at an end and wanted to set out directly for the town. But their father, who was more prudent, begged them to wait a little, and though it was harvest time and he could ill be spared, determined to go himself first to make inquiries. Only the youngest daughter had any doubt but that they would sooner gain be as rich as they were before, or at least rich enough to live comfortably in some town where they would find amusement and gay companions once more. So they all loaded their father with commissions for jewels and dresses, which it would have taken a fortune to buy. Only beauty, feeling sure that it was of no use, did not ask for anything. Her father, noticing her silence, said, and what shall I bring for you, beauty? The only thing I wish for is to see you come home safely, she answered. But this only vexed her sisters, who fancied she was blaming them for having asked for such costly things. Her father, however, was pleased, but as he thought that at her age, she certainly ought to like pretty presents, he told her to choose something. Well, dear father, she said, as you insist upon it, I beg that you will bring me a rose. I have not seen one since we came here and I love them so much. So the merchant set out and reached the town as quickly as possible, but only to find that his former companions, believing him to be dead, had divided between them the goods which the ship had brought. And after six months of trouble and expense, he found himself as poor as when he started, having only to recover, only just enough to pay the cost of his journey. To make matters worse, he was obliged to leave the town in the most terrible weather, so that by the time he was within a few leagues of his home, he was almost exhausted with cold and fatigue. Though he knew it would take some hours to get through the forest, he was so anxious to be at his journey's end that he resolved to go on. That night overtook him, and the deep snow and bitter frost made it impossible for his horse to carry him any further. Not a house was to be seen. The only shelter he could get was the hollow trunk of a great tree, and there he crouched all the night, which seemed to him the longest he had ever known. In spite of his weariness, the howling of the wolves kept him awake, and even when at last the day broke, he was not much better off, for the falling snow had covered up every path, and he did not know which way to turn. At length, he made out some sort of track, and though at the beginning it was so rough and slippery that he fell down more than once, it presently became easier and led him into an avenue of trees, which ended in a splendid castle. It seemed to the merchant very strange that no snow had fallen in the avenue, which was entirely composed of orange trees, covered with flowers and fruit. When he reached the first court of the castle, he saw before him a flight of agate steps and went up them and passed through several splendidly furnished rooms. The pleasant warmth of the air revived him, and he felt very hungry, but there seemed to be nobody in all this fast and splendid palace, whom he could ask to give him something to eat. Deep silence roamed everywhere, and at last, tired of roaming through empty rooms and galleries, he stopped in a room smaller than the rest, where a clear fire was burning and a couch was drawn up closely to it. Thinking that this must be prepared for someone who was expected, he sat down to wait till he should come and very soon fell into a sweet sleep. When his extreme hunger wakened him after several hours, he was still alone, but a little table upon which was a good dinner had been drawn up close to him, and as he had eaten nothing for 24 hours, he'd lost no time in beginning his meal, hoping that he might soon have an opportunity of thanking his considerate entertainer, whoever it might be. But no one appeared, and even after another long sleep, from which he awoke completely refreshed, there was no sign of anybody, though a fresh meal of dainty cakes and fruit was prepared upon the little table at his elbow. Being naturally timid, the silence began to terrify him, and he resolved to search once more through all the rooms, but it was of no use. Not even a servant was to be seen. There was no sign of life in the palace. He began to wonder what he should do, and to amuse himself by pretending that all the treasures he saw were his own and considering how he would divide them among his children. Then he went down into the garden, and though it was winter everywhere else, here the sun shone and the birds sung, and the flowers bloomed, and the air was soft and sweet. The merchant, in ecstasies with all he saw and heard, said to himself, all this must be meant for me. I will go this minute and bring my children to share all these delights. In spite of being so cold and weary when he reached the castle, he had taken his horse to the stable and fed it. Now he thought he would saddle it for his home would journey, and he turned down the path which led to the stable. This path had a hedge of roses on each side of it, and the merchant thought he had never seen or smelt such exquisite flowers. They reminded him of his promise to beauty, and he stopped and had just gathered one to take to her when he was startled by a strange noise behind him. Turning round, he saw a frightful beast, which seemed to be very angry and said, in a terrible voice, who told you that you might gather my roses? Was it not enough that I allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you? This is the way you show your gratitude by stealing my flowers, but your insolence shall not go unpunished. The merchant, terrified by these furious words, dropped the fatal rose, and throwing himself on his knees, cried, pardon me, noble sir, I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality, which was so magnificent that I should not imagine that you would be offended by my taking such a little thing as a rose. But the beast's anger was not lessened by this speech. You are very ready with excuses and flattery, he cried, but that will not save you from the debt you deserve. Alas, thought the merchant, if my daughter could only know what danger her rose has brought me into. And in despair, he began to tell the beast all his misfortunes and the reason of his journey, not forgetting to mention beauty's request. A king's ransom would hardly have procured all that my other daughters asked, he said, but I thought that I might at least take beauty her rose. I beg you to forgive me, for you see I meant no harm. The beast considered for a moment, and then he said in a less furious tone, I will forgive you on one condition, that is, that you will give me one of your daughters. Ah, cried the merchant, if I were cruel enough to buy my own life at the expense of one of my children's, what excuse could I invent to bring her here? No excuse would be necessary, answered the beast. If she comes at all, she must come willingly. On no other condition will I have her. See if any one of them is courageous enough and loves you well enough to come and save your life. You seem to be an honest man, so I will trust you to go home. I give you a month to see if either of your daughters will come back with you and stay here to let you go free. If neither of them is willing, you must come alone after bidding them goodbye forever, for then you will belong to me. And do not imagine that you can hide from me, for if you fail to keep your word, I will come and fetch you, added the beast grimly. The merchant accepted this proposal, though he did not really think any of his daughters could be persuaded to come. He promised to return at the time appointed, and then, anxious to escape from the presence of the beast, he asked permission to set off at once, but the beast answered that he could not go until next day. Then you will find a horse ready for you, he said. Now go and eat your supper and await my orders. The poor merchant, more dead than alive, went back to his room, where the most delicious supper was already served on the little table, which was drawn up before a blazing fire. But he was too terrified to eat, and only tasted a few of the dishes. For fear, the beast should be angry if he did not obey his orders. When he had finished, he heard a great noise in the next room, which he knew meant that the beast was coming. As he could do nothing to escape his visit, the only thing that remained was to seem as little afraid as possible. So when the beast appeared and asked roughly if he had supped well, the merchant answered humbly that he had, thanks to his host's kindness. Then the beast warned him to remember their agreement and to prepare his daughter exactly for what she had to expect. Do not get up tomorrow, he added, until you see the sun and hear a golden bell ring. Then you will find your breakfast waiting for you here, and the horse you are to ride will be ready in the courtyard. He will also bring you back again when you come with your daughter a month hence. Farewell, take a rose to beauty and remember your promise. The merchant was only too glad when the beast went away, and though he could not sleep for sadness, he lay down until the sun rose. Then, after a hasty breakfast, he went together, beauties rose, and mounted his horse, which carried him off so swiftly that in an instant he had lost sight of the palace, and he was still wrapped in gloomy thoughts when it stopped before the door of the cottage. His sons and daughters, who had been very uneasy at his long absence, rushed to meet him, eager to know the result of his journey, which, seeing him mounted upon a splendid horse and wrapped in a rich mantle, they supposed to be favourable. He hid the truth from them at first, only saying sadly to beauty as he gave her the rose. Here is what you ask me to bring you, you little know what it has cost. But this excited their curiosity so greatly that presently he told them his adventures from beginning to end, and then they were all very unhappy. The girls lamented loudly over their lost hopes, and the sons declared that their father should not return to this terrible castle and began to make plans for killing the beast if it should come to fetch him. But he reminded them that he had promised to go back. Then the girls were very angry with beauty and said it was all her fault, and that if she had asked for something sensible, this would never have happened, and complained bitterly that they should have to suffer for her folly. Poor beauty, much distressed, said to them, I have indeed caused this misfortune, but I assure you I did it innocently. Who could have guessed that to ask for a rose in the middle of summer would cause so much misery? But as I did the mischief, it is only just that I should suffer for it. I will therefore go back with my father to keep his promise. At first nobody would hear of this arrangement, and her father and brothers, who loved her dearly, declared that nothing should make them let her go, but beauty was firm. As the time drew near, she divided all her little possessions between her sisters and said goodbye to everything she loved, and when the fatal day came, she encouraged and cheered her father as they mounted together the horse which had brought him back. It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but so smoothly that beauty was not frightened. Indeed, she would have enjoyed the journey if she had not feared what might happen to her at the end of it. Her father still tried to persuade her to go back, but in vain. While they were talking the night fell, and then, to their great surprise, wonderful colored lights began to shine in all directions, and splendid fireworks blazed out before them. All the forest was illuminated by them, and even felt pleasantly warm, though it had been bitterly cold before. This lasted until they reached the avenue of orange trees, where were statues holding flaming torches, and when they got nearer to the palace, they saw that it was illuminated by the roof to the ground, and music sounded softly from the courtyard. The beast must be very hungry, said Beauty, trying to laugh if he makes all this rejoicing over the arrival of his prey. But, in spite of her anxiety, she could not help admiring all the wonderful things she saw. The horse stopped at the foot of the flight of steps, leading to the terrace, and when they had dismounted, her father led her to the little room he had been in before, where they found a splendid fire burning, and the table daintily spread with a delicious supper. The merchant knew that this was meant for them, and Beauty, who was rather less frightened now that she had passed through so many rooms and seen nothing of the beast, was quite willing to begin, for her long ride had made her very hungry. But they had hardly finished their meal when the noise of the beast's footsteps was heard approaching, and Beauty clung to her father in terror, which became all the greater when she saw how frightened he was. But when the beast really appeared, though she trembled at the sight of him, she made a great effort to hide her terror and saluted him respectfully. This evidently pleased the beast. After looking at her, he said, in a tone that might have struck terror into the boldest heart, though he did not seem to be angry. Good evening, old man. Good evening, Beauty. The merchant was too terrified to reply, but Beauty answered sweetly. Good evening, beast. Have you come willingly, asked the beast, will you be content to stay here when your father goes away? Beauty answered bravely that she was quite prepared to stay. I am pleased with you, said the beast. As you have come of your own accord, you may stay. As for you, old man, he added, turning to the merchant, at sunrise tomorrow, you will take your departure. When the bell rings, get up quickly and eat your breakfast. And you will find the same horse waiting to take you home. But remember that you must never expect to see my palace again. Then turning to Beauty, he said, take your father into the next room and help him to choose everything you think your brothers and sisters would like to have. You will find two traveling trunks there. Fill them as full as you can. It is only just that you should send them something very precious as a remembrance of yourself. Then he went away after saying, goodbye, Beauty, goodbye, old man. And though Beauty was beginning to think with great dismay of her father's departure, she was afraid to disobey the beast's orders. And they went into the next room, which had shelves and cupboards all round it. They were greatly surprised at the riches it contained. There were splendid dresses fit for a queen with all the ornaments that were to be worn with them. And when Beauty opened the cupboards, she was quite dazzled by the gorgeous jewels that lay in heaps upon every shelf. After choosing a vast quantity, which she divided between her sisters, for she had made a heap of the wonderful dresses for each of them, she opened the last chest, which was full of gold. I think, Father, she said, that as the gold will be more useful to you, we had better take out the other things again and fill the trunks with it. So they did this, but the more they put in, the more room they seemed to be. And at last they put back all the jewels and dresses they had taken out. And Beauty even added as many more of the jewels if she could carry at once. And then the trunks were not too full. But they were so heavy that an elephant could not have carried them. The beast was mocking us, cried the merchant. He must have pretended to give us all these things, knowing that I could not carry them away. Let us wait and see, answered the Beauty. I cannot believe that he meant to deceive us. All we can do is to fasten them up and leave them ready. So they did this and returned to the little room where, to their astonishment, they found breakfast ready. The merchant ate his with a good appetite. As the beast's generosity made him believe that he might perhaps venture to come back soon and see Beauty, but she felt sure that her father was leaving her forever. So she was very sad when the bell rang sharply for the second time and warned them that the time had come for them to part. They went down into the courtyard where two horses were waiting, one loaded with the two trunks, the other for him to ride. They were pouring the ground in their impatience to start and the merchant was forced to bid Beauty a hasty farewell. And as soon as he was mounted, he went off at such a pace that she lost sight of him in an instant. Then Beauty began to cry and wandered sadly back to her own room. But she soon found that she was very sleepy and as she had nothing better to do, she lay down and instantly fell asleep. And then she dreamed that she was walking by a brook bordered with trees and lamenting her sad fate. When a young prince, handsomer than anyone she had ever seen, and with a voice that went straight to her heart, came and said to her, ah, Beauty, you are not so unfortunate as you suppose. Here you will be rewarded for all you have suffered elsewhere. Your every wish shall be gratified. Only try to find me out, no matter how I may be disguised, as I love you dearly. And in making me happy, you will find your own happiness. Be as true-hearted as you are beautiful and we shall have nothing left to wish for. What can I do, prince, to make you happy, said Beauty. Only be grateful, he answered, and do not trust too much to your eyes. And, above all, do not desert me until you have saved me from my cruel misery. After this, she thought she found herself in a room with a stately and beautiful lady who said to her, Dear Beauty, try not to regret all you have left behind you, for you are destined to a better fate. Only do not let yourself be deceived by appearances. Beauty found her dream so interesting that she was in no hurry to awake, that presently the clock roused her by calling her name softly 12 times. And then she got up and found her dressing table set out with everything she could possibly want. And when her toilet was finished, she found dinner was waiting in the room next to hers. The dinner does not take very long when you are all by yourself. And very soon she sat down cosily in the corner of a sofa and began to think about the charming prince she had seen in her dream. He said I could make him happy, said Beauty to herself. It seems, then, that this horrible beast keeps him a prisoner. How can I set him free? I wonder why they both told me not to trust two appearances. I don't understand it, but after all it was only a dream. So why should I trouble myself about it? I had better go and find something to do to amuse myself. So she got up and began to explore some of the many rooms of the palace. The first she entered was lined with mirrors and Beauty saw herself reflected on every side and thought she had never seen such a charming room. Then a bracelet which was hanging from a chandelier caught her eye and on taking it down she was greatly surprised to find that it held a portrait of her unknown admirer just as she had seen him in her dream. With great delight she slipped the bracelet on her arm and went on into a gallery of pictures where she soon found a portrait of the same handsome prince as large as life and so well painted that as she studied it he seemed to smile kindly at her. Tearing herself away from the portrait at last she passed through into a room which contained every musical instrument under the sun and here she amused herself for a long while in trying some of them and singing until she was tired. The next room was a library and she saw everything she had ever wanted to read as well as everything she had read and it seemed to her that a whole lifetime would not be enough to even read the names of the books. There were so many. By this time it was growing dusk and wax candles in diamond and ruby candlesticks were beginning to light themselves in every room. Beauty found her supper served just at the time she preferred to have it but she did not see anyone or hear a sound and though her father had warned her that she would be alone she began to find it rather dull but presently she heard the bees coming and wondered tremblingly if he meant to eat her up now. However as he did not seem at all ferocious and only said gruffly good evening beauty she answered cheerfully and managed to conceal her terror. Then the beast asked her how she had been amusing herself and she told him all the rooms she had seen. Then he asked if she thought she could be happy in his palace and beauty answered that everything was so beautiful that she would be very hard to please if she could not be happy. And after about an hour's talk beauty began to think that the beast was not nearly so terrible as she had supposed at first. Then he got up to leave her and said in his gruff voice Do you love me beauty will you marry me? Oh what shall I say cried beauty for she was afraid to make the beast angry by refusing. Say yes or no without fear he replied. Oh no beast said beauty hastily since you will not good night beauty he said. And she answered good night beast very glad to find that her refusal had not provoked him. And after he was gone she was very soon in bed and asleep and dreaming of her unknown prince. She thought he came in and said to her Ah beauty why are you so unkind to me? I fear I am fated to be unhappy for many a long day still. And then her dreams changed but the charming prince figured in them all and when morning came her first thought was to look at the portrait and see if it was really like him and she found that it certainly was. This morning she decided to amuse herself in the garden for the sun shone and all the fountains were playing but she was astonished to find that every place was familiar to her and presently she came to the brook where the myrtle trees were growing where she had first met the prince in her dream and that made her think more than ever that he must be kept a prisoner by the beast. When she was tired she went back to the palace and found a new room full of materials for every kind of work ribbons to make into bows and silks to work into flowers then there was an aviary full of rare birds which were so tame that they flew to beauty as soon as they saw her and perched upon her shoulders and her head. Pretty little creatures she said how I wish that your cage was nearer to my room that I might often hear you sing. So saying she opened the door and found to her delight that it led into her own room though she had thought it was quite the other side of the palace. There were more birds in a room farther on parrots and cockatoos that could talk and they greeted beauty by name. Indeed she found them so entertaining that she took one or two back to her room and they talked to her while she was at supper after which the beast paid her his usual visit and asked her the same questions as before and then with a gruff, good night, he took his departure and beauty went to bed to dream of her mysterious prince. The days passed swiftly in different amusements and after a while beauty found out another strange thing in the palace which often pleased her when she was tired of being alone. There was one room which she had not noticed particularly. It was empty except that under each of the windows stood a very comfortable chair and the first time she had looked out of the window it had seemed to her that a black curtain prevented her from seeing anything outside. But the second time she went into the room happening to be tired, she sat down in one of the chairs. When instantly the curtain was rolled aside and a most amusing pantomime was acted before her. There were dances and coloured lights and music and pretty dresses and it was all so gay that beauty was in ecstasy. After that she tried the other seven windows in turn and there was some new and surprising entertainment to be seen from each of them so that beauty never could feel lonely any more. Every evening after supper the beast came to see her and always before saying good night asked her in his terrible voice, beauty will you marry me? And it seemed to beauty now she understood him better that when she said no beast he went away quite sad. But her happy dreams of the handsome young prince soon made her forget the poor beast and the only thing that at all disturbed her was to be constantly told to distrust appearances, to let her heart guide her and not her eyes and many other equally perplexing things which consider as she would she could not understand. So everything went on for a long time until at last happy as she was beauty began to long for the sight of her father and her brothers and sisters and one night seeing her look very sad the beast asked her what was the matter. Beauty had quite ceased to be afraid of him. Now she knew that he was really gentle in spite of his ferocious looks and his dreadful voice. So she answered that she was longing to see her home once more. Upon hearing this the beast seemed sadly distressed and cried miserably. Ah beauty, have you the heart to desert an unhappy beast like this? What more do you want to make you happy? Is it because you hate me that you want to escape? No, dear beast, answered beauty softly. I do not hate you and I should be very sorry never to see you any more but I long to see my father again. Only let me go for two months and I promise to come back to you and stay for the rest of my life. The beast who had been sighing dullfully while she spoke now replied I cannot refuse you anything you ask even though it should cost me my life. Take the four boxes you will find in the room next to your own and fill them with everything you wish to take with you. But remember your promise and come back when the two months are over or you may have caused to repent it for if you do not come in good time you will find your faithful beast dead. You will not need any chariot to bring you back only say goodbye to all your brothers and sisters the night before you come away and when you have gone to bed turn this ring round upon your finger and say firmly I wish to go back to my palace and see my beast again. Good night beauty, fear nothing, sleep peacefully and before long you shall see your father once more. As soon as beauty was alone she hastened to fill the boxes with all the rare and precious things she saw about her and only when she was tired of heaping things into them did they seem to be full. Then she went to bed but could hardly sleep the joy and when at last she did begin to dream of her beloved prince she was grieved to see him stretched upon a grassy bank sad and weary and hardly like himself. What is the matter? she cried. He looked at her reproachfully and said how can you ask me cruel one are you not leaving me to my death perhaps? Ah, don't be so sorrowful cried beauty I am only going to assure my father that I am safe and happy I have promised the beast faithfully that I will come back and he would die of grief if I did not keep my word what would that matter to you? said the prince surely you would not care indeed I should be ungrateful if I did not care for such a kind beast cried beauty indignantly I would die to save him from pain I assure you it is not his fault that he is so ugly just then a strange sound woke her someone was speaking not very far away and opening her eyes she found herself in a room she had never seen before which was certainly not nearly so splendid as those she was used to in the beast's palace where could she be? she got up and dressed hastily and then saw that the boxes she had packed the night before were all in the room while she was wondering by what magic the beast had transported them and herself to this strange place she suddenly heard her father's voice and rushed out and greeted him joyfully her brothers and sisters were all astonished at her appearance as they had never expected to see her again and there was no end to the questions they asked her she had also much to hear about what had happened to them while she was away and of her father's journey home but when they heard that she had only come to be with them for a short time and then must go back to the beast's palace forever they lamented loudly then beauty asked her father what he thought could be the meaning of her strange dreams and why the prince constantly begged her not to trust two appearances after much consideration he answered you tell me yourself that the beast frightful as he is loves you dearly and deserves your love and gratitude for his gentleness and kindness I think the prince must mean you to understand that you ought to reward him by doing as he wishes you to in spite of his ugliness beauty could not help seeing that this seemed very probable still when she thought of her dear prince who was so handsome she did not feel at all inclined to marry the beast at any rate for two months she need not decide but could enjoy herself with her sisters but though they were rich now and lived in town again and had plenty of acquaintances beauty found that nothing amused her very much and she often thought of the palace where she was so happy especially as at home she never once dreamed of her dear prince and she felt quite sad without him then her sisters seemed to have got quite used to being without her and even found her rather in the way so she would not have been sorry when the two months were over but for her father and her brothers who begged her to stay and seemed so grieved at the thought of her departure that she had not the courage to say goodbye to them every day when she got up she meant to say it at night and when night came she put it off again until at last she had a dismal dream which helped her to make up her mind she thought she was wandering in a lonely park in the palace gardens when she heard groans which seemed to come from some bushes hiding the entrance of a cave and running quickly to see what could be the matter she found the beast stretched out upon his side apparently dying he reproached her faintly with being the cause of his distress and at the same moment a stately lady appeared and said very gravely ah beauty you are only just in time to save his life see what happened when people do not keep their promises if you had delayed one day more you would have found him dead beauty was so terrified by this dream that the next morning she announced her intention of going back at once and that very night she said goodbye to her father and all her brothers and sisters and as soon as she was in bed she turned her ring round upon her finger and said firmly I wish to go back to my palace and see my beast again as she had been told to do then she fell asleep instantly and only woke up to hear the clock saying beauty beauty 12 times in its musical voice which told her at once that she was really in the palace once more everything was just as before and her birds were so glad to see her but beauty thought she had never known such a long day for she was so anxious to see the beast again that she felt as if suppertime would never come but when it did come and no beast appeared she was really frightened so after listening and waiting for a long time she ran down into the garden to search for him up and down the paths and avenues ran poor beauty calling him in vain for no one answered and not a trace of him could she find until at last quite tired she stopped for a minute's rest and saw that she was standing opposite the shady path she had seen in her dream she rushed down it and sure enough there was the cave and in it lay the beast asleep as beauty thought quite glad to have found him she ran up and stroked his head but to her horror he did not move or open his eyes oh he is dead and it is all my fault said beauty crying bitterly but then looking at him again she fancied he still breathed and hastily fetching some water from the nearest fountain she sprinkled it over his face and to her great delight he began to revive oh beast how you frightened me she cried I never knew how much I loved you until just now when I feared I was too late to save your life can you really love such an ugly creature as I am said the beast faintly ah beauty you only came just in time I was dying because I thought you had forgotten your promise but go back now and rest I shall see you again by and by beauty who had half expected that he would be angry with her was reassured by his gentle voice and went back to the palace where supper was awaiting her and afterward the beast came in as usual and talked about the time she had spent with her father asking if she had enjoyed herself and if they had all been very glad to see her beauty answered politely and quite enjoyed telling him all that had happened to her and when at last the time came for him to go and he asked as he had so often asked before beauty will you marry me she answered softly yes dear beast as she spoke a blaze of light sprung up before the windows of the palace fireworks crackled and guns banged and across the avenue of orange trees in letters all made of fireflies was written long lived the prince and his bride turning to ask the beast what it could all mean beauty found that he had disappeared and in his place stood her long love prince at the same moment the wheels of a chariot were heard upon the terrace and two ladies entered the room one of them beauty recognized as the stately lady she had seen in her dreams the other was also so grand and queenly the beauty hardly knew which to greet first but the one she already knew said to her companion well queen this is beauty who has had the courage to rescue your son from a terrible enchantment they love one another and only your consent to their marriage is wanting to make them perfectly happy I consent with all my heart cried the queen how can I ever thank you enough charming girl for having restored my dear son to his natural form and then she tenderly embraced beauty and the prince who had meanwhile been greeting the fairy and receiving her congratulations now said the fairy to beauty I suppose you would like me to send for all your brothers and sisters to dance at your wedding and so she did and the marriage was celebrated the very next day with the utmost splendor and beauty and the prince lived happily ever after footnote la belle à la bête par madame de Villeneuve end of story