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Title: Folk-lore and Legends: Russian and Polish
Author: Tibbits, Charles John
Language: English
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FOLK-LORE AND LEGENDS
_RUSSIAN AND POLISH_
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME.
“_These dainty little books._”—STANDARD.
FOLK-LORE AND LEGENDS.
_FIRST SERIES._
1. GERMAN.
2. ORIENTAL.
3. SCOTLAND.
4. IRELAND.
_SECOND SERIES._
1. ENGLAND.
2. SCANDINAVIAN.
3. RUSSIAN.
4. NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN.
“_They transport us into a romantic world._”—TIMES.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLK-LORE
AND
LEGENDS
RUSSIAN AND POLISH
[Illustration]
W. W. GIBBINGS
18 BURY ST., LONDON, W.C.
1890
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
IN this volume I present selections made from the Russian chap-book
literature, and from the works of various Russian and Polish collectors
of Folklore—Afanasief, Erben, Wojcicki, Glinski, etc. The chap-book
tales, and many of those of Glinski, are, there is little doubt, of
foreign origin, but since Russia and Poland are the countries in which
these tales have found their home, and since they have there been so
adapted by the people as to incorporate the national customs and lore,
they appear to me to belong properly to the present volume.
C. J. T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
PAGE
The Poor Man and the Judge, _Russian_, 1
The Wind Rider, _Polish_, 4
The Three Gifts, ” 9
Snyegurka, _Russian_, 22
Prince Peter and Princess Magilene, ” 28
The Old Man, his Wife, and the Fish, ” 35
The Golden Mountain, ” 42
The Duck that laid Golden Eggs, ” 53
Emelyan the Fool, ” 58
Ilija, the Muromer, ” 76
The Bad-Tempered Wife, ” 83
Ivashka with the Bear’s Ear, ” 88
The Plague, _Polish_, 96
The Peasant and the Wind, _Russian_, 99
The Wonderful Cloth, _Polish_, 107
The Evil Eye, ” 125
The Seven Brothers, _Russian_, 136
Sila Czarovitch and Ivaschka, ” 146
The Stolen Heart, _Polish_, 154
Prince Slugobyl, ” 159
Princess Marvel, ” 167
The Ghost, ” 177
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE POOR MAN AND THE JUDGE.
ONCE upon a time there were two brothers who lived upon a piece of
ground. The one was rich and the other poor. One day the poor brother
went to the rich one to ask him to lend him a horse, so that he might
carry wood from the forest. The rich brother lent him the horse, and
then the poor one asked him to also let him have a collar for it. The
rich man, however, got angry, and would not let him have one, and then
it occurred to the poor man that he could fasten the sledge to the
horse’s tail. Away he went to the forest to get his wood, and he got
such a load that the horse could scarcely draw it. When he came home
with it he opened the gate, but he did not think of the board at the
foot of the gate, and the horse tumbling over it tore its tail out!
The poor fellow took the horse back to his rich brother, but he, when he
saw that the horse had no tail, would not receive it, and went off to
the judge Schemyaka to complain to him of the poor brother. The poor man
saw that things looked bad for him, and that he would be sent for by the
judge. He thought over the matter for a long time, and at last set off
after his brother on foot.
On their way the two brothers had to pass over a bridge, and the poor
man, thinking that he should never return from the judge alive, jumped
over it. It chanced that, just at that time, a man’s son was driving his
sick father to the baths, and was passing under the bridge. The poor man
fell upon the old man and killed him, and the son went off to the judge
to complain of his father’s having been killed.
The rich brother, when he came to the judge, laid his complaint before
him, telling him that his brother had pulled out his horse’s tail. Now
the poor man had taken a stone and wrapped it in a cloth, and he stood
with it in his hand, behind his brother, intending to kill the judge if
he did not decide in his favour. The judge thought the man had brought a
hundred roubles for him in the cloth, so he ordered the rich man to give
his horse to the poor man until the tail was grown again.
Then came the son to complain to the judge of the poor man having slain
his father. The poor man again took the stone wrapped in the cloth and
showed it to the judge, who thought the man must there have two hundred
roubles to give to him for deciding the case. So he ordered the son to
take his place upon the bridge and the poor man to stand below. Then the
son was to throw himself off the bridge on to the poor man and crush him
to death.
The poor brother went to the rich one to take the horse without a tail,
as the judge had ordered, so that he might keep it till the tail grew.
The rich man, however, was not willing to lose his horse, so he gave the
poor man five roubles, three bushels of corn, and a milch-goat, and so
they settled the matter.
Then the poor man went off to the son, and said—
“According to the judgment you must stand on the bridge while I must
stand underneath it, and then you must jump off and crush me to death.”
Then thought the son—
“Who knows whether if I jump off the bridge I may not, instead of
crushing him to death, kill myself?”
So he thought it would be best to come to an arrangement with the poor
man, and he gave him two hundred roubles, a horse, and five bushels of
corn.
After this the judge, Schemyaka, sent his servant to the poor man to ask
him for two hundred roubles. The poor man showed him the stone, and
said—
“If the judge had not decided for me I should have killed him with it.”
When the servant came back to the judge and told him that, he crossed
himself—
“Thank Heaven,” said he, “I decided as he wished!”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WIND-RIDER.
A MAGICIAN was once upon a time much put out with a young countryman,
and being in a great rage he went to the man’s hut and stuck a new sharp
knife under the threshold. While he did so he cursed the man, saying—
“May this fellow ride for seven years on the fleet storm-wind, until he
has gone all round the world.”
Now when the peasant went into the meadows in order to carry the hay,
there came suddenly a gust of wind. It quickly scattered the hay, and
then seized the peasant. He endeavoured in vain to resist; in vain he
sought to cling to the hedges and trees with his hands. Do what he
would, the invisible power hurried him forwards.
He flew on the wings of the wind like a wild pigeon, and his feet no
more touched the ground. At length the sun set, and the poor fellow
looked with hungry eyes upon the smoke which curled up from the chimneys
in his village. He could almost touch them with his feet, but he called
and screamed in vain, and all his wailing and complaints were useless.
No one heard his lamentation, no one saw his tears.
So he went on for three months, and what with thirst and hunger he was
dried up and almost a skeleton. He had gone over a good deal of ground
by that time, but the wind most often carried him over his native
village.
He wept when he saw the hut in which dwelt his sweetheart. He could see
her busied about the house. Sometimes she would bring out some dinner in
a basket. Then he would stretch out his dried-up hands to her, and
vainly call her name. His voice would die away, and the girl not hearing
him would not look up.
He fled on. The magician came to the door of his hut, and seeing the
man, cried to him, mockingly—
“You have to ride for seven years yet, flying over this village. You
shall go on suffering, and shall not die.”
“O my father,” said the man, “if I ever offended you, forgive me! Look!
my lips are quite hard; my face, my hands, look at them! I am nothing
but bone. Have pity upon me.”
The magician muttered a few words, and the man stopped in his course. He
stayed in one place, but did not yet stand on the ground.
“Well, you ask me to pity you,” said the magician. “And what do you mean
to give me if I put a stop to your torment?”
“All you wish,” said the peasant, and he clasped his hands, and knelt
down in the air.
“Will you give me your sweetheart,” asked the magician, “so that I may
have her for my wife? If you will give her up, you shall come to earth
again.”
The man thought for a moment, and said to himself—
“If I once get on the earth again, I may see if I cannot do something.”
So he said to the magician—
“Indeed, you ask me to make a great sacrifice, but if it must be so it
must.”
The magician then blew at him, and the man came to the ground. He was
very pleased to find the earth once more under his feet, and to have
escaped from the power of the wind. Off he hurried to his hut, and at
the threshold he met his sweetheart. She cried aloud with amazement when
she saw the long-lost peasant, whom she had so long lamented and wept
for. With his skinny hands the man put her gently aside, and went into
the house, where he found the farmer who had employed him sitting down,
and said to him, as he commenced to weep—
“I can no longer stay in your service, and I cannot marry your daughter.
I love her very much, as much as the apple of my eye, but I cannot marry
her.”
The old farmer wondered to see him, and when he saw his white pinched
face and the traces of his suffering, he asked him why he did not wish
for the hand of his daughter.
The man told him all about his ride in the air, and the bargain he had
made with the magician. When the farmer had listened to it all, he told
the poor fellow to keep a good heart, and putting some money in his
pocket, went out to consult a sorceress.
Towards evening he returned very merry, and taking the peasant aside,
said to him—
“To-morrow morning, before day, go to the witch, and you will find all
will be well.”
The wearied peasant, who had not slept for three months, went to bed,
but he woke before it was day, and went off to the witch. He found her
sitting beside the hearth boiling herbs over a fire. She told him to
stand by her, and, suddenly, although it was a calm day, such a storm of
wind arose that the hut shook again.
The sorceress then took the peasant outside into the yard and told him
to look up. He lifted up his eyes, and—O wonder!—saw the evil magician
whirling round and round in the air.
“There is your enemy,” said the woman, “he will trouble you no more. If
you would like to see him at your wedding, I will tell you what to do,
but he must suffer the torment that he meant to put you to.”
The peasant was delighted, and ran back to the house, and a month later
he was married. While the wedding folk were dancing, the peasant went
out into the yard, looked up, and saw right over the hut the magician
turning round and round. Then the peasant took a new knife, and throwing
it with all his force, stuck it in the magician’s foot.
He fell at once to the ground, and the knife held him to the earth, so
that he could only stand at the window and see how merry the peasant and
his friends were.
The next day he had disappeared, but he was afterwards seen flying in
the air over a lake. Before him and behind him were flocks of ravens and
crows, and these, with their hoarse cries, heralded the wicked
magician’s endless ride on the wind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE THREE GIFTS.
A VERY rich widow had three children, a step-son, a fine young fellow, a
step-daughter of wonderful beauty, and a daughter who was not so bad.
The three children lived under the same roof, and took their meals
together. At length the time came when the children were treated very
differently. Although the widow’s daughter was bad-tempered, obstinate,
vain, and a chatterer, her mother loved her passionately, praised her,
and covered her with caresses. She was favoured in every way. The
step-son, who was a good-natured lad, and who did all kinds of work, was
for ever grumbled at, checked, and treated like a sluggard. As for the
step-daughter, who was so wonderfully pretty, and who had the
disposition of an angel, she was tormented, worried, and ill-treated in
a thousand ways. Between her sister and her step-mother her life was
made miserable.
It is natural that one should love one’s own children better than those
of other folk; but it is only right that liking and disliking should be
indulged in with moderation. The evil step-mother, however, loved her
child to distraction, and equally detested her step-children. To such a
pitch did she carry these feelings that when she was angry she used to
say how she would advance the fortune of her daughter even at the
orphans’ expense.
An old proverb says, “Man sets the ball rolling, but Heaven directs it,”
and we shall see what happened.
One Sunday morning the step-daughter, before going to church, went out
into the garden to pluck some flowers to place on the altar. She had
gathered some roses, when, on lifting up her eyes, she saw, right in
front of her, three young men who sat upon a grassy bank. They were
clothed in garments of dazzling white which shone like sunshine. Near by
them was an old man, who came and asked the girl for alms.
The girl was a little frightened when she saw the three men, but when
the old man came to her she took her last piece of money out of her
pocket and gave it to him. The poor man thanked her, put the piece of
money into his bag, and, laying his hand on the girl’s head, said to the
young men—
“You see this little orphan; she is good and patient in suffering, and
has so much pity for the poor that she gives them even the last penny
she has. What do you wish for her?”
The first one said—
“I wish that when she cries her tears may turn to pearls.”
“I wish,” said the second, “that when she laughs the most delicately
perfumed roses may fall from her lips.”
“And I,” said the third, “wish that when she touches water golden fish
spring up in it.”
“So shall it be,” said the old man, and he and his companions vanished.
When the girl saw that, she gave thanks to Heaven, and ran joyfully into
the house. Hardly had she entered when her step-mother met her and gave
her a slap on the face, saying—
“Where are you running to?”
The poor girl began to cry, but behold! instead of tears pearls fell
from her eyes. The step-mother forgot her rage, and set herself to
gather them up as quickly as possible. The girl could not help laughing
at the sight, and from her lips there fell roses of such a delightful
scent that the step-mother was beside herself with pleasure. After that
the girl, wishing to preserve the flowers she had plucked in the garden,
poured some water into a glass: as soon as she touched the water with
her finger, it was filled with beautiful golden fish.
From that time the same things never failed to happen. The girl’s tears
turned to pearls, when she laughed roses, which did not die, fell from
her lips; and water which she only touched with her little finger became
filled with golden fish.
The step-mother became better disposed towards her, and by little and
little learned from her the secret of how she had obtained these gifts.
On the following Sunday she sent her own daughter into the garden to
pluck flowers as if for the altar. Hardly had the girl gathered some
roses, when, lifting up her eyes, she saw the three young men sitting on
a grassy bank, beautiful, and shining like the sun, and by them was the
old man, clad in white, who asked her for alms. When she saw the young
men, the girl pretended to be afraid, but when the old man spoke to her,
she ran to him, took out of her pocket a gold piece, looked hard at it,
and then gave it to him, but evidently very much against her will. The
old man put the money in his bag, and said to the three others—
“You see this girl who is her mother’s spoilt child? She is
bad-tempered, wicked, and is hard-hearted as regards the poor. We know
very well why she has been so charitable, for the first time in her
life, to-day. Tell me then what you wish for her.”
The first said—
“I wish that when she cries her tears may change to lizards.”
“I,” said the second, “wish that when she laughs, hideous toads may fall
from her lips.”
“And I,” said the third, “wish that when she touches water with her hand
it may be filled with serpents.”
“It shall be as you wish,” said the old man, and he and his companions
disappeared.
The girl was terrified, and ran into the house to tell her mother what
had happened. All occurred as had been said. When she laughed toads
sprang from her lips, when she cried her tears changed to lizards, and
when she touched water it became full of serpents.
The step-mother did not know what to do. She paid greater attention than
ever to her daughter, and hated the orphans more and more, and so
tormented them that the lad, not being able to put up with it, took
leave of his sister, praying Heaven to guard her, and, leaving his
step-mother’s house, set out to seek his fortune. The wide world was
before him. He knew not where to go, but he knew that Heaven, that sees
all men, watches over the orphans. He prayed, and then walking down to
the burial-ground where slept his father and mother, he knelt at the
grave. He wept and prayed for a time, and having kissed the earth which
covered them three times, he rose and prepared to set out on his
journey. All of a sudden he felt, in the folds of his dress on his
bosom, something he had not perceived there before. He put his hand up,
and was so astonished that he could scarcely believe his eyes, for he
found there a charming little picture of his much-loved sister,
surrounded by pearls, roses, and little golden fish. Delighted at the
sight, he kissed the picture, looked around the burial-ground once more,
made the sign of the cross, and set out on his way.
A story is soon told, but events move slowly.
After many adventures of little importance he came to the capital of a
kingdom situated on the sea-shore. There he sought to obtain a living,
and he was not unsuccessful, for he was engaged to look after the king’s
garden, and was both well fed and well paid. This good fortune did not,
however, make him forget his poor sister, about whom he was much
troubled. When he had a moment to himself, he would sit down in some
quiet spot and look at his picture, sometimes melting into tears, for he
looked upon the portrait of his sister as a precious legacy given to him
by his parents at their grave.
One day while the lad sat thus by a brook, the king saw him, and
creeping up to him from behind very softly, he looked over his shoulder
at the likeness that the young man was regarding so attentively.
“Give me the portrait,” said the king.
The lad gave it to him.
The king looked at it and was delighted.
“Never,” said he, “in all my life did I see such a beautiful girl, never
have I heard of such a one, never did I dream there was such. Tell me,
does she live?”
The lad burst into tears, and told the king that the picture was the
portrait of his sister, who some time ago had been so favoured by Heaven
that when she cried her tears became pearls, when she laughed roses
sprang from her lips, and when she touched water it was filled with
golden fish.
The king ordered him to write at once to his step-mother, to tell her to
send her lovely step-daughter to his palace, where the king waited to
make her his wife. On the occasion of his marriage he declared he would
heap rewards on the step-mother and on the brother of his bride. The lad
wrote the letter, and the king sent a servant with it.
A story is quickly told, but events move slowly.
After she had read the letter, the step-mother did not show it to the
orphan, but to her own daughter.
So they plotted together, and the step-mother went to an old sorceress
to consult her, and to be instructed in magic. She then set out with her
two daughters. As they came near to the capital of the king’s dominions,
in a place near to the sea, the step-mother suddenly threw the
step-daughter out of the carriage, muttered some magic words, and spat
three times behind her. All at once the poor girl became very little,
covered with feathers, and changed into a wild duck. She commenced to
cackle, threw herself into the sea, just as ducks do, and began to swim
about there. The step-mother dismissed her with these words: “By the
force of my hate, I have done what I wished! Swim away upon the shore
like a duck, happy in liberty, and in the meantime my daughter, clothed
in your beauty, shall marry the king, and enjoy all that was meant for
you.”
Hardly had she finished these words when her daughter found herself
clothed in all the charms of the unfortunate girl. So they went on their
way, came to the palace, which they reached at the time named in the
letter, and there the king received the daughter from the hands of the
treacherous step-mother, in place of the orphan. After the marriage, the
step-mother, loaded with presents, returned to her home. The king,
looking upon his wife, could not imagine how it was that he did not feel
that love and tenderness that had been aroused in him at the sight of
the portrait. However, there was no remedy, what was done was done.
Heaven sees one, and knows of what malady one shall die, and what woman
one shall marry! The king admired his wife’s beauty, and thought of the
pleasure he would have when he saw the pearls drop from her eyes, the
roses from her lips, and the golden fish spring up in the water she
touched. During the feast, however, the queen chanced to laugh at her
husband, and a mass of hideous toads sprang forth! The king ran off
quickly. Then the queen commenced to cry, and instead of pearls, lizards
dropped from her eyes. An attendant presented a basin of water to her,
but she had no sooner dipped the tip of her finger in the water than it
became a mass of serpents, which began to hiss and dart into the middle
of the wedding party. Every one was afraid, and all was in confusion.
The guards were at last called in, and by their aid the hall was cleared
of the horrible reptiles.
The king had gone into the garden, where he met with the orphan lad; and
so enraged was the king at the trick that he thought had been played
him, that he gave the lad a blow on the head with his stick. The poor
lad, falling down upon the ground, died at once.
The queen came running to the king, sobbing, and, taking him by the
hand, said—
“What have you done? You have killed my brother, who was altogether
guiltless. Is it his fault or mine that, since I have been married to
you, I have lost the wonderful powers I once had? They will come back
again in time, but time will not bring my brother to me more.”
“Pardon me, my dear wife,” said the king. “In a moment of rage I thought
he had betrayed me, and I wished to punish him. I am sorry for what I
have done; now, however, it is beyond recall. Forgive me, and I forgive
you with all my heart.”
“I pardon you,” said the queen, “but I beg you to order that my brother
shall be honourably buried.”
The queen’s wish was carried out. The poor lad, who was thought to be
the queen’s brother, was put in a fine coffin, and laid on a magnificent
catafalque in the church. When night came on a guard of honour was
placed around the coffin and at the gates to watch till morning. Towards
midnight the doors of the church opened of their own accord and without
any noise, and, at the same moment, an irresistible drowsiness came over
the soldiers, who all went to sleep. A pretty little wild duck entered,
stopped in the middle of the church, shook its feathers, of which it
freed itself one by one, and there stood the orphan girl in her former
shape. She approached the coffin of her brother, and shed very many
tears over him, which all changed to pearls. After she had wept for some
time, she reassumed the feathers once more, and went out. When the
guards awoke, great was their surprise to find a number of beautiful
pearls on the coffin. The next day they told the king how the gates of
the church had opened of themselves at midnight, how an irresistible
desire to sleep had overtaken them, and how the pearls had been
discovered upon the coffin. The king was surprised at their story, and
more so when he saw the pearls. He doubled the guard, and told them to
watch more carefully the second night.
At the same time the doors opened again of themselves, and the soldiers
again fell asleep. The wild duck entered, shook off its feathers, and
became the lovely girl. At the sight of the double guard, all of them
fast asleep, she could not help laughing, and beautiful roses fell from
her lips. As she approached her brother her tears broke forth and fell
in a shower of pearls to the ground. At length she took her feathers
again and flew away. When the guards awoke they collected the roses and
pearls and took them to the king, who was now more surprised than
before, seeing not only the pearls but the roses also. He again doubled
the guards, and he threatened them with the most severe punishment if
they did not keep awake. They did their best, but all was of no use. At
the end of their nap on the third night they found not only pearls and
roses, but also golden fish swimming in the church font. The king was
now very much astonished, and began to think that there must be some
magic in the matter. When night came on he again doubled the number of
the guards, and hid himself in the chapel, after having put up a mirror
in which he could see everything reflected without being himself seen.
At midnight the doors opened of themselves, the soldiers dropt their
arms, lay down on the ground, and fell fast asleep. The king did not
take his eyes off the mirror, and he saw a little wild duck enter, and
look timidly around it. When it saw the guards all asleep it seemed to
take courage, and came into the middle of the church. Then it cast off
its feathers and became a girl of extraordinary loveliness. The king was
transported with joy and wonder, and felt that this must be his true
bride. When she had come to the coffin the king rushed forward with a
wax taper in his hand and set fire to the feathers, the flame leaping up
and waking the guards. When the girl saw what was done she ran to the
king wringing her hands, while pearls dropped from her eyes.
“What have you done?” she cried. “How shall I now escape the fury of my
step-mother, by whose magic arts I was turned into a wild duck?”
Then she told the king all, and he at once ordered some of his guards to
seize the woman who had so treacherously married him, and to conduct her
out of the kingdom. He also sent some soldiers to take the step-mother
and burn her as a sorceress. While the king gave these orders the girl
took from her bosom three little vessels, which she had brought with her
from the sea, full of different liquids. She sprinkled the liquid in one
of them over her brother, and he became supple and warm; his cheeks took
their colour again, and the warm red blood began to run from his wound.
His sister sprinkled him again with the second liquid, which had the
property of healing, and his wound at once closed. She sprinkled him the
third time with the water which had the property of calling back to
life. The young man opened his eyes, looked on his sister with
astonishment, and threw himself, full of happiness, into her arms.
At the sight of this the king was overjoyed. He took the young man by
the hand, and, leading his sister, the three went to the palace.
In a short time he married his true bride, and he lived happily with her
and her brother for many years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNYEGURKA.
THERE was once upon a time a peasant named Ivan, who had a wife named
Mary. They had been married many years, and loved one another, but they
had no children, and this caused them so much sorrow that they could
find no pleasure but in watching the children of their neighbours. What
could they do? Heaven had willed it so. Things in this world do not go
as we wish, but as Heaven ordains.
One day, in the winter, the children played about in the road and the
two old folk looked on, sitting in the window seat. At last the children
began to make a beautiful snow figure. Ivan and Mary looked on enjoying
it.
All of a sudden Ivan said—
“Wife, suppose we make a snow figure?”
Mary was ready.
“Why not?” said she; “we might as well amuse ourselves a little. But
what is the use of making a big figure? Better make a snow-child, since
God has not given us a living one.”
“You are right,” said Ivan, and he took his hat and went out into the
garden with his wife.
So they set to work to make a snow-child. They fashioned a little body,
little hands, and little feet, and when all that was done they rolled a
snow-ball and shaped it into a head.
“Heaven bless you!” cried a passer-by.
“Thanks,” replied Ivan.
“The help of Heaven is always good,” said Mary.
“What are you doing?” asked the stranger.
“Look,” said Ivan.
“We are making a snow-girl,” said Mary.
On the ball of snow which stood for a head they made the nose and the
chin. Then they put two little holes for the eyes. As Ivan finished the
work, oh, wonderful! the figure became alive! He felt a warm breath come
from its lips. Ivan drew back, and looked. The child had sparkling eyes,
and there was a smile upon its lips.
“Heavens! what is this?” cried Ivan, making the sign of the cross.
The snow figure bent its head as if it was alive, and stirred its little
arms and legs in the snow as if it was a real child.
“Ivan! Ivan!” cried Mary, trembling with joy, “Heaven has heard our
prayers,” and she threw herself on the child and covered her with
kisses. The snow fell away from the little girl like the shell from a
chicken.
“Ah, my dear Snyegurka!” cried Mary, embracing the long wished for and
unexpected child, and she carried her off into the cottage.
Ivan had much to do to recover himself, he was so surprised, and Mary
was foolish with joy.
Snyegurka grew hour by hour, and became more and more beautiful. Ivan
and Mary were overjoyed, and their hut was full of life and merriment.
The village girls were always there playing with Snyegurka, dressing
her, chattering with her, singing songs to her, teaching her all they
knew. Snyegurka was very clever; she noticed everything, and learnt
things quickly. During that winter she grew as big as a three-year-old
child. She understood things, and when she spoke her voice was so sweet
that one could have listened to it for ever. She was amiable, obedient,
and affectionate. Her skin was white, her hair the colour of flax, and
her eyes deep blue; her cheeks, however, had no rosy flush in them, for
she had no blood, but she was so good and so amiable that every one
loved her.
“You see,” said Mary, “what joy has Heaven given us in our old age.”
“Heaven be thanked,” responded Ivan.
At last the winter was ended, and the spring sun shone down and warmed
the earth. The snow melted, the green grass sprang up in the fields, and
the lark sang high up in the sky. The village girls went singing—
“Sweet spring, how did you come to us?
How did you come?
Did you come on a plough, or on a harrow?”
Snyegurka, however, became very sad. “What is the matter with you, my
dear child?” said Mary, drawing her to her and caressing her. “Are you
not well? You are not merry. Has an evil eye glanced on you?”
“No,” answered Snyegurka; “it is nothing, mother. I am quite well.”
The last snow of the winter had melted and disappeared. Flowers sprang
up in all the gardens and fields. In the woods the nightingale and all
the birds sang, and all the world seemed very happy save Snyegurka, who
became more and more sad. She would run away from her companions, and
hide herself from the sun in dark nooks, like a timid flower under the
trees. She liked nothing save playing by the water-side under the green
willows. She seemed to enjoy only the cool and the shower. At night-time
she was happy; and when a good storm occurred, a fierce hail-storm, she
was as pleased with the drops as if they had been pearls. When the sun
broke forth again—when the hail was melted—then Snyegurka began to weep
bitterly.
The spring was ended, the summer came, and the feast of Saint John was
at hand. The girls were going to play in the woods, and they called for
Snyegurka to go with them.
Mary was afraid to let her go, but she thought that the outing might do
her child good, so she got her ready, embraced her, and said—
“Go, my child, and play with your friends; and you, my daughters, look
well after her. You know I love her better than the apple of my eye.”
“All right,” cried they all, and they ran off in a body to the woods.
There they plucked the wild-flowers, made themselves wreaths, and sang
songs.
When the sun was setting they made a fire of dry grass and placed
themselves in a row by it, each of them having a crown of flowers on her
head. “Look at us,” said they to Snyegurka, “how we run, and follow us,”
and then they began to sing and to jump, around and over the little
fire.
All of a sudden they heard, behind them, a sigh—
“Ah!”
They looked about them, and then at one another. There was nothing to be
seen. They looked again, and found that Snyegurka was no longer among
them.
“She has hidden herself,” cried they. Then they looked for her, but
could not find her, calling out and shouting her name, but there was no
answer.
“Where can she be? She must have gone home,” said they.
They ran back to the village, but there no one had seen Snyegurka. All
the folk searched during the next day and the day following. They went
through all the woods, they looked through every thicket, but no trace
of the child was discovered.
Ivan and Mary were inconsolable, and for a long time did the poor mother
seek her child in the woods, crying—
“Snyegurka, my sweet, come to me.”
Sometimes she thought she could hear the voice of her child replying to
her; but no, it was not Snyegurka.
“What could have become of her?” folk asked one another; “can a wild
beast have carried her off into the woods? Has some bird of prey flown
off with her?”
No beast had carried her off, nor had a bird flown away with her. When
she began to run with her companions she suddenly changed into a light
vapour, and was carried up to heaven.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCE PETER AND PRINCESS MAGILENE.
IN the kingdom of France there was once a high-born prince named
Volchvan who married a noble lady named Petronida. They had one son, who
was called Peter. This Prince Peter in his youth was very fond of
horsemanship and of war, and when he grew up he thought of nothing but
knightly deeds. Now it chanced that just at that time there arrived a
knight named Ruiganduis, who had come from Naples, and he, seeing the
Prince’s disposition, said to him, “Prince Peter, the King of Naples has
a beautiful daughter named Magilene, and he bestows great rewards on the
knights who by their deeds do honour to her.”
Peter, when he heard that, went to his father and mother, and begged
them to let him go to Naples to learn knightly arts, and, especially, to
see the beautiful Magilene, the daughter of the King.
They parted with Prince Peter with great sorrow, and bade him only make
friends of good folk. Then they gave him three gold rings with precious
stones, and also a golden key. So they sent him off.
When Prince Peter came to Naples he went to a clever workman, and
ordered him to make him a coat of mail, and a helmet to match, and told
him to fasten to it two golden keys. When he had done this he rode away
to the place where the tournaments were held, where he found the King.
The folk called Peter, Peter with the Golden Keys, and off he went and
placed himself among the knights. First of all there rode out the Knight
Andrei Skrintor, and against him appeared the son of the King of
England. Andrei dealt Henry such a blow, that he was nearly thrown off
his horse. Then Landiot, the King’s son, came forth and threw Andrei off
his horse on to the ground.
When Prince Peter saw that Landiot had thrown Andrei from his saddle, he
rode out and cried aloud—
“Long may their Majesties live in happiness, the King, the Queen, and
their beautiful daughter, the Princess Magilene.”
He rode at Landiot with such force that his horse rolled on the ground
and the spear went through his heart. This deed won for him the praise
of the King and of all the knights, but especially that of the Princess
Magilene, and Prince Peter became the first of all the King’s knights.
Now when the beautiful Princess saw how brave and handsome Prince Peter
was she fell in love with him, and resolved to marry him. She made a
confidante of her maid, and from that time Prince Peter used to see the
Princess daily. He gave her the three golden rings as a mark of his true
love, and one day, taking her with him, rode away from the city.
They rode off on their good horse, taking much gold and silver with
them, and they continued their journey all night. At length they came to
a thick forest which stretched far away to the seashore. There they
stopped to rest, and the Princess, lying down on the grass, fell fast
asleep. Prince Peter sat by her side and watched her, and as he looked
at her he saw a locket having a golden fastening. He opened it and out
fell the three gold rings he had given to her. The Prince put them on
the grass, and, as it chanced, a black raven flew by at the moment,
seized the rings, and took them off into a tree. Peter climbed up the
tree, hoping to catch the bird; but as he was about to seize it, the
raven flew into another tree, and so from tree to tree till at last it
went away over the sea to an island, letting the rings fall into the
water.
Prince Peter followed the bird, and, having come to the seashore, he
looked about him for a boat in which he could pursue it to the island.
At length he set off in a small fishing-boat, but as he had no oars he
paddled along with his hands. All of a sudden, as he was on his way,
there came on a storm of wind which carried him away to the open sea.
When the Prince saw he was far from the shore he thought he was lost,
and he prayed with groans and tears.
“Alas! I am the most miserable and unfortunate of all men,” said he.
“Why did I not leave the rings in the locket where they were safe? No
one in the world is so unfortunate as I, for I have lost my happiness. I
have led the Princess away, and have left her in the thick forest, where
wild beasts will tear her in pieces, or she will wander about till she
dies of hunger. I am her destroyer, and have spilt innocent blood!” He
then began to sink in the sea.
As it chanced, a vessel came by, bound from Turkey, and when the sailors
saw a man floating on the sea, they took him on board, and, carrying him
away to Alexandria, they sold him to a Turkish Pasha, who sent him off
as a present to the Sultan. When the Sultan saw how good his behaviour
was, and how agreeable he was, he made him one of his counsellors, and
his honesty and his good nature won him the love of all who came in
contact with him.
When the Princess awoke she found herself in the thick forest. She
looked on every side, and when she could not see Prince Peter, she was
much distressed, and sank down upon the ground. Then she went into the
wood, and called with all her strength—
“My dear husband, Prince Peter, where are you?”
She wandered on a long way until she met a nun, with whom she exchanged
clothes, putting on the nun’s dark garments and giving her her own
light-coloured dress. Then she went on to a port, where she went on
board a vessel which was about to sail to the country over which Prince
Peter’s father ruled. When she came there she went to live with a noble
lady named Susanna, and, finding a place among the mountains, she made a
harbour, built a convent there named after the apostles Peter and Paul,
and there she also founded a hospital for strangers. So she became
famous for her pious works. One day the father and mother of Prince
Peter came to her and brought to her three rings. They told her that
their cook had purchased a fish in which the rings had been found. These
rings they had given to their son Peter, and they therefore concluded
that he had been drowned, and they wept bitterly.
Now when Peter had been with the Sultan a long time, he wished to visit
his own land, and the Sultan gave him his leave to go, loading him, at
the same time, with presents of gold, silver, and magnificent pearls.
Having taken leave of the Sultan, the Prince went and hired a French
vessel, bought fourteen casks, put salt at the bottom of them, laid the
gold and silver in the casks, scattered more salt on the top of the
treasure, and told the sailors that there was nothing but salt in the
casks. The wind was favourable, and they set off for the Prince’s land,
and, having arrived at an island not far off the coast of France, they
weighed anchor, for the Prince was very sea-sick. He went upon shore and
wandered about in the island till he lost his way, and being tired he
lay down and went to sleep. He slept a long time, and the sailors sought
him and called him everywhere, but as they could not find him they set
sail. They came to the Princess’s convent, and there they sold the salt.
Now one day when salt was wanted Magilene went to the casks and was very
much surprised to find in them all the treasure.
Prince Peter was picked up by another vessel and came likewise to the
convent. There he was in Magilene’s hospital for a month, but all that
time he did not recognise the Princess, for her black veil hid her
features from him. While he was there he wept every day.
One day as Magilene came into the hospital she saw the Prince weeping,
and she asked him why he did so, and he told her all his misfortunes.
Magilene then recognised him, and sent off to his father and mother to
tell them that their son was come back. When they came to the convent
they found the Princess arrayed in her royal garments; and when the
Prince saw his parents he fell at their feet, embraced them and wept,
while they wept with him. At length he stood up, and, taking them by the
hand, kissed them, and said—
“My father and my mother, this lady is the daughter of the great King of
Naples on account of whom I left you.”
So they were married, and they lived in great happiness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE OLD MAN, HIS WIFE, AND THE FISH.
THERE once lived in a hut on the shores of the Isle of Buyan an old man
and his wife. They were very poor. The old man used to go to the sea
daily to fish, and they only just managed to live on what he caught. One
day he let down his net and drew it in. It seemed to be very heavy. He
dragged and dragged, and at last got it to shore. There he found that he
had caught one little fish of a kind he had never before seen—a golden
fish.
The fish spoke to him in a man’s voice. “Do not keep me, old man,” it
said; “let me go once more free in the sea and I will reward you for it,
for whatever you wish I will do.”
The old man thought for a while. Then he said, “Well, I don’t want you.
Go into the sea again,” and he threw the fish into the water and went
home.
“Well,” said his wife, when he got home, “what have you caught to-day?”
“Only one little fish,” said the man, “a golden fish, and that I let go
again, it begged so hard. ‘Put me in the blue sea again,’ it said, ‘and
I will reward you, for whatever you wish I will do.’ So I let it go, and
did not ask anything.”
“Ah, you old fool!” said the wife in a great rage, “what an opportunity
you have lost. You might, at least, have asked the fish to give us some
bread. We have scarce a crust in the house.”
The old woman grumbled so much that her husband could have no quiet, so
to please her off he went to the seashore, and there he cried out—
“Little fish, little fish, come now to me,
Your tail in the water, your head out of sea!”
The fish came to the shore.
“Well, what do you want, old man?” it asked.
“My wife,” said the man, “is in a great passion, and has sent me to ask
for bread.”
“Very well,” said the fish, “go home and you shall have it.”
The old man went back, and when he entered the hut he found bread in
plenty.
“Well,” said he to his wife, “we have enough bread now.”
“Oh yes!” said she, “but I have had such a misfortune while you were
away. I have broken the bucket. What shall I do the washing in now? Go
to the fish, and ask it to give us a new bucket.”
Away went the man. Standing on the shore he called out—
“Little fish, little fish, come now to me,
Your tail in the water, your head out of sea!”
The fish soon made its appearance.
“Well, old man,” it said, “what do you want?”
“My wife,” said the man, “has had a misfortune, and has broken our
bucket. So I have come to ask for a new one.”
“Very well,” said the fish, “you shall find one at home.”
The old man went back. As soon as he got home his wife said to him—
“Be off to the golden fish again, and ask it to give us a new hut. Ours
is all coming to pieces. We have scarcely a roof over our heads.”
The old man once more came to the shore, and cried—
“Little fish, little fish, come now to me,
Your tail in the water, your head out of sea!”
The fish came.
“Well, what is it?” asked the fish.
“My wife,” said the man, “is in a very bad temper, and has sent me to
ask you to build us a new cottage. She says she cannot live any longer
in our present one.”
“Oh, do not be troubled about that,” said the fish. “Go home. You shall
have what you want.”
The old man went back again, and in the place of his miserable hovel he
found a new hut built of oak and nicely ornamented. The old man was
delighted, but as soon as he went in his wife set on him, saying—
“What an idiot you are! You do not know how to take good fortune when it
is offered to you. You think you have done a great thing just because
you have got a new hut. Be off again to the golden fish, and tell it I
will not be a mere peasant’s wife any longer. I will be an Archduchess,
with plenty of servants, and set the fashion.”
The old man went to the golden fish.
“What is it?” asked the fish.
“My wife will not let me rest,” replied the man; “she wants now to be an
Archduchess, and is not content with being my wife.”
“Well, it shall be as she wishes. Go home again,” said the fish.
Away went the man. How astonished was he, when, on coming to where his
house had stood, he now found a fine mansion, three stories high.
Servants crowded the hall, and cooks were busy in the kitchens. On a
seat in a fine room sat the man’s wife, dressed in robes shining with
gold and silver, and giving orders.
“Good day, wife!” said the man.
“Who are you, man?” said his wife. “What have you to do with me, a fine
lady? Take the clown away,” said she to her servants. “Take him to the
stable, and whip some of the impudence out of him.”
The servants seized the old man, took him off to the stable, and when
they had him there beat him so that he hardly knew whether he was alive
or not. After that the wife made him the door-keeper of the house. She
gave him a besom, and put him to keep the yard in order. As for his
meals, he got them in the kitchen. He had a hard life of it. If the yard
was not swept clean, he had to look out.
“Who would have thought she had been such a hag?” said the old man to
himself. “Here she has all such good fortune, and will not even own me
for her husband!”
After a time the wife got tired of being merely an Archduchess, so she
said to her husband—
“Go off to the golden fish, and tell it I will be a Czarina.”
The old man went down to the shore. He cried—
“Little fish, little fish, come now to me,
Your tail in the water, your head out of sea!”
The fish came swimming to the shore.
“Well, old man!” it said, “what do you want?”
“My wife is not yet satisfied,” said the man; “she wants now to be a
Czarina.”
“Do not let that trouble you,” said the fish, “but go to your house.
What you ask shall be done.”
The man went back. In place of the fine house he found a palace with a
roof of gold. Soldiers were on guard around it. In front of the palace
was a garden, and at the back a fine park, in which some troops were
parading. On a balcony stood the Czarina surrounded by officers and
nobles. The troops presented arms, the drums beat, the trumpets blew,
and the people shouted.
In a short time the woman got tired of being Czarina, and she commanded
that her husband should be found and brought to her presence. The palace
was all in confusion, for who knew what had become of the old man?
Officers and noblemen hurried here and there to search for him. At
length he was found in a hut behind the palace.
“Listen, you old idiot!” said his wife. “Go to the golden fish, and tell
it that I am tired of being Czarina. I want to rule over all the ocean,
to have dominion over every sea and all the fish.”
The old man hesitated to go to the fish with such a request.
“Be off!” said his wife, “or your head shall be cut off.”
The man went to the seashore and said—
“Little fish, little fish, come now to me,
Your tail in the water, your head out of sea!”
The fish did not come. The man waited, but it was not to be seen. Then
he said the words a second time. The waves roared. A short while before
it had been bright and calm, now dark clouds covered the sky, the wind
howled, and the water seemed of an inky blackness.
At length the fish came.
“What do you want, old man?” it asked.
“My old wife,” answered he, “is not satisfied even now. She says she
will be Czarina no longer, but will rule over all the waters and all the
fish.”
The fish made no reply, but dived down and disappeared in the sea.
The man went back. What had become of the palace? He looked around, but
could not see it. He rubbed his eyes in wonder. On the spot where the
palace had stood was the old hut, and at the door stood the old woman in
her old rags.
So they commenced to live again in their old style. The man often went
a-fishing, but he never more caught the golden fish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN.
IN a certain kingdom there once lived a Czar and his wife who had three
fine sons. The eldest was called Vasili, the second Fedor, and the
youngest Ivan. One day the Czar went with his wife to walk in his
garden, and there suddenly came on such a storm that the Czarina was
carried off by it, out of her husband’s sight. The Czar was sore
grieved, and sorrowed for a long time. When the two eldest sons saw
their father’s trouble they came to him, and asked him to let them go
forth to look for their mother. So he gave them his blessing, and they
set out. They travelled for a long time, and at last came to a great
desert. There they pitched their tent, and waited to see if any one
would come to tell them the way. For three years they waited, but they
saw no one.
Meanwhile the youngest brother, Ivan, went to his father to ask him for
his blessing, and took leave of him. He travelled for a long time, until
at last he saw some tents in the distance. He rode on, and on coming to
them he saw that he had found his brothers.
“Why do you stop on the borders of this dreary waste, brothers?” said
he; “let us go on together and seek our mother.”
The others agreed, and they once more set out. When they had gone a long
way they saw in the distance a palace built of crystal, with a wall
around it of the same material. They drew near to it, and Ivan opened
the gate and rode into the courtyard. As he approached the door he saw a
pillar to which there were attached two rings, one of gold and the other
of silver. He put his bridle through the rings and secured his horse,
and then went to the door. There the king of the palace came to meet
him. They talked for some time, and the king, discovering that Ivan was
his nephew, led him into his room, and brought his brothers in also.
When they had been with him a long time, the king gave them a magic
ball, which the brothers threw before them, and following it they came
to a high mountain at the foot of which they stopped to rest. It was so
high and so steep that no one could climb up it. Ivan rode round it to
discover some means of getting to the top, and at last he found a
crevice into which he stepped. Then he saw an iron door with an iron
ring. When he had opened the door he found some iron hooks which he
fastened to his hands and feet. By means of these he contrived to climb
to the top of the mountain. When he reached the top he was very tired,
and sat down to rest, and as soon as ever he took off the hooks they
vanished. Afar off in the mountain he saw a tent of fine cambric, on
which was pictured a copper kingdom, and on its summit was a copper
ball. On going to the tent he found at the entrance two large lions,
which refused to let him pass. Ivan, however, saw two copper basins
standing near, so he went and got some water and gave it to the lions,
who were thirsty, and then they let him go into the tent. When he had
come there he saw a lovely princess on a couch, and at her feet slept a
dreadful dragon, whose head Ivan cut off with one blow. The princess
thanked him, and gave him a copper egg, in which was contained a copper
kingdom. Then the Czarewitch left her and went on.
When he had gone a long way he saw a tent of fine gauze hung from a
cedar-tree by silver cords. These cords had tassels of emeralds, and on
the tent was the picture of a silver kingdom. On the summit of the tent
was a silver ball. At the entrance lay two large tigers. He satisfied
their thirst, as he had done that of the lions, and then they let him
pass. When he came into the tent he saw a lovely princess dressed in
very fine clothes, and very much more beautiful than the former. At her
feet lay a dragon with six heads, and twice as large as the first. With
one blow Ivan cut off its heads, and the princess rewarded his courage
by giving him a silver egg, in which was a silver kingdom. Then Ivan
left her and went on.
At length he came to a third tent of silk, on which was pictured a
golden kingdom, and on its summit was a ball of pure gold. The tent was
hung from a laurel-tree by gold cords, and the tassels of the cords were
composed of diamonds. By the entrance lay two large crocodiles which
breathed out great flames. The Czarewitch gave them some water, and thus
got them to let him enter the tent. Inside he found on a couch a
princess who even surpassed the two former ones in beauty. At her feet
lay a dragon with twelve heads. Ivan cut off all the heads with one blow
of his sword, and the princess, thanking him, gave him a golden egg, in
which was a golden kingdom. With it she also gave him her heart. As they
talked together, Ivan asked the princess if she could tell him where he
should find his mother, and she, showing him where his mother dwelt,
wished he would have good fortune in his adventure.
He went on a long way and came to a palace, and going in he passed
through many rooms, but he found no one in them. At last he came to a
large beautiful hall, and there he saw his mother, dressed in royal
robes, sitting on a chair. When they had tenderly saluted, Ivan told her
how he and his brothers had travelled very far to seek her whom they
loved so much. The Czarina informed Ivan that a spirit would soon come,
and told him to conceal himself under her cloak.
“When the spirit appears,” said she, “seize his magic wand with both
hands. He will then fly upwards with you, but do not be afraid, and be
quiet. After a time he will fall to the earth and be dashed to pieces.
You must gather these up, burn them, and scatter the ashes on the
field.”
His mother had scarcely finished these words, and hidden him under her
cloak, before the spirit appeared. Then Ivan sprang forward as his
mother had told him, and laid hold of the magic wand. The spirit seized
the Czarewitch, flew with him far up, fell to the ground, and was dashed
to pieces. The Czarewitch gathered these together, and burnt them, but
kept the magic stick. Then he took his mother and the three princesses
whom he had rescued, and, coming to an oak-tree, he let each one of them
slide down the mountain-side by means of a linen cloth. When the
brothers, who waited at the foot of the mountain, saw that he alone
remained on the top, they tore the linen cloth out of his hand, led away
their mother and the three princesses to their own kingdom, and made
them take an oath that they would tell their father that they had been
saved by them.
Ivan was thus left alone on the mountain, and did not know how he could
get down. He walked about very sorrowfully, and happening to pass the
magic wand from one hand to the other, a man suddenly appeared before
him, and said—
“What is your will, Ivan Czarewitch?”
Ivan was much astonished to see the man, and asked him who he was, and
how he had come on the mountain.
“I am a spirit,” replied the man, “and was the servant of him whom you
have overcome. As you have now his magic stick, and as you have passed
it from one hand to the other, as you always must when you want me, I
have come to perform what you wish.”
“That is well,” said Ivan to the spirit. “Do me your first service,
then, and carry me into my own country.”
Scarcely had he finished these words before he found himself in his
father’s city.
He wanted to first know what was going on in the palace, so instead of
going straight in he went and began work in a shoemaker’s shop, for he
thought no one would quickly recognise him there. The next morning the
shoemaker went into town to buy some leather, and came home in the
evening very drunk. So tipsy was he that he could not see to the shop,
so he left all to his new man. Ivan knew nothing about the work, so he
called the spirit to assist him, and told him to set to and make some
shoes while he himself went to sleep. When the master awoke early the
next morning he went to see what work his man had done, and when he
found him still fast asleep, he was very angry, and said—
“Ah! you lazy fellow, do you think I took you into my service to sleep?”
“Do not blame me,” replied Ivan, stretching himself, “go first into the
work-room, and see what you find there.”
The shoemaker went off, and how much was he astonished to find there a
number of shoes all finished. He went to them and took up a shoe to look
at the work, but he was more astonished still, and began to disbelieve
his eyes, for there was not a single stitch in the shoes, but they were
all of one piece. He took some of the shoes and set off to sell them,
and every one who saw the wonderful shoes bought them eagerly. His fame
spread, and in a short time the shoemaker became so noted that they sent
for him to the palace. There he saw the princesses, who ordered him to
make them some dozens of shoes, adding that they must all be ready by
the next morning. He told them that it was impossible for him to do what
they asked, but they said that if he did not do what they told him he
should have his head cut off, for they declared they well knew he made
his shoes by some magic means.
The poor shoemaker left the castle, thinking he was as good as a dead
man, went into the city, bought some leather, and went a-drinking to
drive off care. Towards evening he came home, and throwing the leather
down upon the floor, said to his new man—
“Listen, you wretched fellow, to what you have done with your magic
work.”
So he told him all that had happened with the princesses, and how he was
to be put to death if he did not do what they commanded.
“Don’t be put out,” said Ivan; “lie down and go to sleep. The morning
will bring us good luck.”
His master thanked him for what he said, laid himself down on a bench,
and very quickly began to snore. Then Ivan called upon his spirit,
ordered him to make all ready, and went to sleep himself.
Though the shoemaker had been very drunk, when he awoke early in the
morning he remembered that he was to have his head cut off that day. So
he went to his man and said—
“Let us have a bottle together, so that I may be more courageous when I
am under the axe.”
“Do not fear,” answered Ivan; “go into your workshop. You will find that
all is finished, and ready to be taken to the palace.”
The shoemaker walked off to the workshop, not believing what Ivan said;
but when he saw all the shoes ready, he was so delighted that he did not
know what to do. He embraced Ivan and called him his saviour.
He took the shoes and set off to the palace; and when the princesses saw
the shoes, they felt sure that Ivan must be in the town, so they said to
the shoemaker—
“You have well performed what you were ordered, but you must do
something more for us. This night there must be built opposite our
palace a golden castle. There must be a porcelain bridge from the one
palace to the other, and this must be covered with velvet.”
The shoemaker was confounded at this, and said—
“I am only a poor shoemaker, how can I do such a thing?”
“If you do not do what we tell you,” said the princesses, “your head
shall be cut off.”
The shoemaker went at once from the castle, weeping bitterly. He turned
in at an alehouse to drown his care, got drunk, and when he reached home
told Ivan what he had been commanded.
“Go to sleep,” said Ivan; “to-morrow will bring us good luck.”
The shoemaker laid himself down on a bench and went to sleep, and Ivan,
calling the spirit to him, told him to get everything ready as the
shoemaker had been commanded. After that he lay down, and went to sleep
also.
Early the next morning Ivan woke his master, and putting the wing of a
goose in his hand, said—
“Go at once to the bridge and dust it.”
Ivan himself went into the golden palace. The Czar and his daughters
woke very early, and came out on the balcony, and from there they saw
everything. The princesses were beside themselves with joy, for they
were now sure that Ivan was in the town, and soon after they saw him
standing at a window in the golden castle. Then they begged the Czar and
his wife to go with them into the castle, and as they were about to go
up the steps of the palace, Ivan came out to meet them. His mother and
the princesses ran forward to embrace him, and said—
“This is he who rescued us.”
His brothers were ashamed, and looked down on the ground, and the Czar
was thunderstruck, so astonished was he. His wife, however, soon
explained everything to him, and then the Czar was so angry with his
eldest sons that he would have put them to death. Ivan threw himself at
his feet, and said—
“My dear father, if you wish to reward me for my labour, grant me the
lives of my brothers, and I shall be satisfied.”
Then his father raised him up, kissed him, and said—
“They are really unworthy of thee.”
So they all went back to the castle.
The following day three weddings were celebrated. The eldest son,
Vasili, wedded the princess of the copper kingdom. Fedor, the second
son, married the princess of the silver kingdom, and Ivan saw them
settled in their dominions. He himself and his princess took possession
of the golden kingdom. He took the shoemaker with him, and there they
all lived for many years prosperous and happy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DUCK THAT LAID GOLDEN EGGS.
THERE lived once an old man and his wife. The man was called Abrosim,
and his wife Fetinia. They were very poor and miserable, and had a son
named Little Ivan, who was fifteen years old. One day old Abrosim
brought a crust of bread home for his wife and son. He had scarcely
begun to eat, however, when Krutschina (Sorrow) sprang up from behind
the stove, seized the crust out of his hand, and ran away behind the
stove again. The old man made a bow to Krutschina, and begged her to
give him the crust back again, as he and his wife had nothing else to
eat.
“I will not give you the crust again,” said Krutschina, “but instead of
it I will give you a duck which lays a gold egg every day.”
“Very well,” said Abrosim. “I shall be supperless to-night. Do not
deceive me, but tell me where I shall find the duck.”
“Early to-morrow morning,” said Krutschina, “when you are up, go into
the town; there you will see a duck in a pond, catch it, and carry it
home.”
When Abrosim heard this he lay down and went to sleep.
The next morning he rose early, and went to the town, and was very much
pleased to see the duck swimming about on a pond. He called it to him,
carried it off to his home, and gave it to his wife Fetinia. They were
both delighted, and put the duck in a big basin, placing a sieve over
it. In an hour’s time they went to look at it, and discovered that the
duck had laid a golden egg. Then they took the duck out, and let it walk
a little on the floor, and the old man, taking the egg, set off to town.
There he sold the egg for a hundred roubles, took the money, and, going
to the market, bought different kinds of vegetables and set off home.
The next day the duck laid another egg like the first, which Abrosim
sold in the same manner. So the duck went on laying a golden egg every
day, and the old man became, in a short time, very rich. He bought a
large house, a great many shops, all kinds of wares, and set up in
business.
His wife Fetinia made a favourite of a young clerk in her husband’s
employ, and used to supply him with money. One day when Abrosim was away
from home, buying some goods, the clerk called to have a talk with
Fetinia, and it chanced that he then saw the duck that laid the golden
eggs. He was pleased with the bird, and, examining it, found written
under its wing in gold letters—
“Whoever eats this duck will be a Czar.”
He did not say anything to Fetinia about what he had seen, but asked her
to roast the duck for him. Fetinia said she could not kill the duck, for
all their fortune depended on it, but the clerk begged her so earnestly
that she at last consented and killed it, and put it in the oven. The
clerk then went off saying he would return soon, and Fetinia also went
out in the town. While they were gone in came little Ivan. He felt very
hungry, and, looking about him for something to eat, he chanced to see
the roast duck in the oven, so he took it out and ate all of it but the
bones. Then he went off again to the shop.
In a little while the clerk came back, and, having called Fetinia, asked
her to bring out the duck. The woman went to the oven, but when she saw
that the duck was not there, she was terribly put out, and told the
clerk that the duck had disappeared. At that the clerk flew into a great
rage, and said—
“You have eaten the duck yourself, of course,” and he got up and walked
out of the house.
In the evening Abrosim and his son, Little Ivan, came home. When Abrosim
did not see the duck, he asked his wife where it was, and she told him
that she did not know. Then Little Ivan said to his father—
“My dear father, when I came home, in the middle of the day, for dinner,
my mother was not in, so I looked in the oven, and there found a roast
duck. I took it out and ate it all but the bones, but I do not know
whether it was our duck or a strange one.”
Then old Abrosim was in such a rage that he thrashed his wife till she
was half dead, and he turned Little Ivan out of doors.
Little Ivan began his journey. Where should he go? He determined to
follow his nose. For ten days and nights he went on. Then he came to a
town, and as he stepped to the gate he saw a great many people assembled
together. Now these folk had been taking council, their Czar being dead,
as to who should succeed him. In the end they agreed that the first
person who came in at the city gate should be made Czar. Just then in
came Little Ivan through the gate, so all the people cried out together—
“Here is our Czar!”
The chief folk took Little Ivan by the arms, conducted him to the royal
apartments, put on him the Czar’s robes, seated him on the throne, made
obeisance to him as to their Czar, and waited for his commands. Then
Little Ivan thought he must surely be asleep and dreaming all this; but
at last he knew that he must be really Czar. He was heartily pleased,
began to rule over the people, and to appoint his officers. A short time
after he called one of them, named Luga, to him, and said—
“My true friend and good knight Luga, I want you to do me a service. Go
to my own country, go to the Czar, salute him from me, and ask him to
deliver to you the shopkeeper Abrosim and his wife, so that you may
bring them to me. If he will not deliver them up to you, tell him that I
will lay waste his country with fire, and will make him himself my
prisoner.”
When the servant Luga was come into Little Ivan’s country he went to the
Czar and asked him to let Abrosim and Fetinia go away with him. The Czar
was unwilling to let Abrosim go, for he wanted to keep the rich merchant
in his own country. He knew, however, that Ivan’s kingdom was very large
and populous, and being therefore afraid, he let Abrosim and Fetinia
depart. Luga received them from the Czar, and conducted them to his own
native country.
When he brought them to Little Ivan, the Czar said to his father—
“Yes, father, you turned me away from your house, and I therefore bring
you to mine. Come, live with me, you and my mother, till the end of your
days.”
Abrosim and Fetinia rejoiced exceedingly to find that their son was
become Czar, and they lived with him many years, until they died.
Little Ivan ruled for thirty years in good health, and was very happy,
and all his people loved him sincerely to the last hour of his life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMELYAN THE FOOL.
IN a certain village there once lived a peasant who had three sons, of
whom two were sensible, but the third was a fool, and his name was
Emelyan. When the peasant had lived for a long time, and was grown very
old, he called his three sons to him, and said to them—
“My dear children, I feel that I have not very long to live, so I give
you the house and cattle, which you will divide, share and share alike,
among you. I also leave you, in money, a hundred roubles apiece.”
Soon after the old man died, and his sons, after they had buried him,
lived on happy and contented.
Some time after Emelyan’s brothers took it into their heads to remove
into the city, and carry on trade with the three hundred roubles which
their father had left them. So they said to Emelyan—
“Hark ye, fool! we are going to the city, and we will take your hundred
roubles with us, and if we prosper in trade we will buy you a red coat,
red boots, and a red cap. Do you, however, stay at home here, and when
your sisters-in-law desire you to do anything, do as they bid you.”
The fool, who had a great longing for a red coat, a red cap, and red
boots, answered at once that he would do whatever his sisters-in-law
told him. So his brothers went off to the city, and Emelyan stayed at
home.
One day, when the winter was come and the cold was great, his
sisters-in-law told him to go out and fetch in water, but Emelyan
remained lying on the stove, and said—
“Ay, and who, then, are you?”
“How now, fool!” said his sisters-in-law, “we are what you see. You know
how cold it is, and that it is a man’s business to go.”
“I am lazy,” replied he.
“How!” cried they. “You are lazy! You will want to eat, and how can we
cook if we have no water? Very well, then, we will tell our husbands not
to give him anything when they have bought the fine red coat and all for
him.”
The fool heard what they said, and, as he was very desirous to get the
red coat and cap, he saw that he must go. So he got down from by the
stove, and began to put on his shoes and stockings, and to dress
himself. When he was ready he took the buckets and the axe, and went
down to the river, which ran near their village. When he arrived there,
he cut an enormous hole in the ice. He then drew water in the buckets,
and, setting them on the ice, he stood by the hole, looking into the
water. As he looked he saw a large pike swimming about in the open
water. Fool as Emelyan was he felt a wish to catch this pike. So he
stole on softly and cautiously to the edge of the hole, and, making a
sudden grasp at the pike, he caught him, and pulled him out of the
water. Putting him in his bosom, he was hurrying home, when the pike
cried out—
“Ho, fool! why have you caught me?”
“To take you home,” answered he, “to get my sisters-in-law to cook you.”
“Ho, fool!” said the pike; “do not take me home, but let me go again
into the water, and I will make a rich man of you.”
Emelyan, however, would not consent, and was going on homewards. When
the pike clearly saw that the fool was not inclined to let him go, he
said—
“Hark ye, fool! let me go, and I will do for you everything you do not
like to do for yourself. You will only have to wish, and it will be
done.”
When the fool heard that he rejoiced very much, for, as he was
uncommonly lazy, he thought to himself—
“If the pike does everything that I have no mind to do, all will be done
without my having any occasion to work.”
So he said to the pike—
“I will let you go in the water if you will do all you promise.”
“Let me go first,” said the pike, “and then I will keep my promise.”
The fool, however, said that the pike must first perform his promise,
and then he would let him go. When the pike saw he would not put him
into the water, he said—
“If you wish, as I told you, that I should do all you desire, you must
tell me now what your desire is.”
“I wish,” said the fool, “that my buckets should go of themselves from
the river up the hill, and that without spilling any of the water.”
Then said the pike—
“Remember the words I now say, and listen to what they are: ‘At the
pike’s command, and at my request, go, buckets, of yourselves up the
hill.’”
The fool repeated after him—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, go, buckets, of yourselves up
the hill.”
Instantly, with the speed of thought, the buckets ran up the hill. When
Emelyan saw that, he was amazed beyond expression, and he said to the
pike—
“But will it always be so?”
“Everything you desire will be done,” said the pike; “but do not forget,
I say, the words I have taught you.”
Emelyan then put the pike into the water, and followed his buckets home.
The neighbours were all amazed when they saw the buckets, and said to
one another—
“This fool makes the buckets come of themselves up from the river, and
he follows them himself at his leisure.”
But Emelyan took no notice of them, and went on home. The buckets were
by this time in the house, and standing in their place on the
foot-bench, and Emelyan himself lay down on the stove.
After some time his sisters-in-law said to him again—
“Emelyan, what are you loitering there for? Get up and cut wood.”
But the fool said—
“Ay! and you! who are you, then?”
“You see,” cried they, “it is now winter, and if you do not go and cut
wood you will be frozen.”
“I am lazy,” said the fool.
“What! you are lazy!” said the sisters-in-law. “If you do not get up and
cleave wood, we will tell our husbands not to give you the red coat, or
the red cap, or the fine red boots.” The fool, who longed for the red
cap, coat, and boots, saw that he must cleave the wood; but as it was
bitter cold, and he did not like to leave the stove, he repeated, under
his breath, as he lay there: “At the pike’s command, and at my request,
up, axe, and hew wood; and do you, logs, come of yourselves into the
house and lay yourselves in the stove.”
The axe instantly jumped up, ran into the yard, and began to cut up the
wood, and the logs came of themselves into the house, and went and laid
themselves in the stove. When the sisters-in-law saw this they wondered
exceedingly, and as the axe did the work of itself whenever Emelyan was
wanted to cut up wood, he lived with them for some time in great
tranquillity. At length the wood was cut, and they said to him—
“Emelyan, we have no more wood, so you must go to the forest to cut
some.”
“Ay,” said the fool, “and you! who are you, then?”
“The wood,” said the sisters-in-law, “is far off, and it is winter, and
too cold for us to go.”
“I am lazy,” said the fool.
“How! you are lazy!” said they, “you will be frozen, then, and besides,
when our husbands come home we will tell them not to give you the red
coat, cap, and boots.”
As the fool longed for the red clothes, he found that he must go and cut
the wood. So he got off the stove, and began to put on his shoes and
stockings, and to dress himself. When he was dressed, he went out into
the yard, pulled the sledge out of the shed, took a rope and the axe
with him, mounted the sledge, and called out to his sisters-in-law—“Open
the gate!”
When the sisters-in-law saw that he was going off in the sledge without
any horses, for the fool had not put the horses to it, they cried out—
“Why, Emelyan, you have got on the sledge without yoking the horses!”
He answered that he did not want any horses, but asked them to open the
gate. The sisters-in-law threw open the gate, and the fool, as he sat in
the sledge, said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, away, sledge, go to the
wood.”
At these words the sledge galloped out of the yard at such a rate that
the people of the village, when they saw it, were filled with amazement.
The sledge went on so very fast, that if a pair of horses had been yoked
to it they could not have drawn it at anything like the same rate.
As it was necessary for the fool to go through the town on his way to
the wood, he came to it at full speed. Not knowing that he should cry
out “Make way!” in order that he might not run over any one, he gave no
notice, but rode on. So he ran over a great many people; and though they
ran after him, no one was able to overtake him and bring him back.
Emelyan, having got clear of the town, came to the wood, and stopped his
sledge. He then got down, and said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, up, axe, hew wood; and you,
logs, lay yourselves on the sledge, and tie yourselves together.”
The fool had scarcely uttered these words, when the axe began to cut
wood, the logs to lay themselves in the sledge, and the rope to tie them
down. When the axe had cut wood enough, he desired it to cut him a good
cudgel, and when the axe had done this he mounted the sledge, and said—
“Up and away! At the pike’s command, and at my request, go home,
sledge.”
Away went the sledge at the top of its speed. When Emelyan came to the
town where he had hurt so many people, he found a crowd waiting to catch
him, and as soon as he got into the town they laid hold of him, and
began to drag him off his sledge and to beat him. When the fool saw how
they were treating him, he said under his breath—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, up, cudgel, and thrash them.”
Instantly the cudgel began to lay about it in all directions, and when
the people were all driven away he made his escape, and came to his own
village. The cudgel, having thrashed them all soundly, rolled to the
house after him, and Emelyan, as usual when he got home, lay down on the
stove.
After he had left the town the people began everywhere to talk, not
about the number of persons whom he had injured, but about the amazing
fact of his riding in the sledge without horses; and from one to another
the news spread till it reached the court, and came even to the ears of
the king. When the king heard the story he felt an extreme desire to see
Emelyan, so he despatched an officer with a party of soldiers in search
of him. The officer whom the king sent lost no time in leaving the town,
and he took the road that the fool had taken. When he came to the
village where Emelyan lived, he summoned before him the Starosta
(Head-man) of the village, and said to him—
“I am sent by the king to take a certain fool, and bring him before his
majesty.”
The Starosta at once showed him the house where Emelyan lived, and the
officer, entering it, asked where the fool was. Emelyan, who was lying
on the stove, made answer and said—
“What is it you want with me?”
“How!” said the officer. “What do I want with you? Get up and dress
yourself. I must take you to the king.”
“What to do?” asked Emelyan.
The officer was so enraged at the rudeness of his replies, that he gave
him a slap on the cheek.
“At the pike’s command, and at my request,” said the fool, under his
breath, “up, cudgel, and thrash them.”
At the word, up sprang the cudgel, and began to lay about it on all
sides, on officer and on men alike. The officer was forced to go back to
town as fast as he could; and when he came before the king, and told him
how the fool had cudgelled them all round, the king marvelled greatly,
and would not believe that he had been able to cudgel them at all.
The king then selected a wise man, commanding him to bring him the fool
by craft, if nothing else would do. The envoy left the king, and went to
the village where Emelyan lived. He called the Starosta before him, and
said—
“I am sent by the king to take your fool. So do you send for those with
whom he lives.”
The Starosta then ran and fetched the sisters-in-law. The king’s
messenger asked them what it was the fool liked, and they answered—
“Noble sir, if any one entreats our fool earnestly to do anything, he
flatly refuses the first and the second time. The third time, however,
he does not refuse, but does what one wants, for he does not like to be
roughly handled.”
The king’s messenger then dismissed them, charging them not to tell
Emelyan that he had summoned them before him. He then bought raisins,
baked plums, and grapes, and went to the fool. When he came into the
room, he went up to the stove, and said—
“Emelyan, why are you lying there?” and with that he gave him the
raisins, baked plums, and grapes, and said—
“Emelyan, we will go together to the king. I will take you with me.”
“I am very warm here,” said the fool, for there was nothing he was so
fond of as warmth.
The messenger then began to entreat him.
“Be so good, Emelyan,” said he; “let us go. You will like the court
vastly.”
“Ay,” said the fool; “I am lazy.”
The messenger began once more to entreat him.
“Be so good,” said he; “come with me, and the king will get you made a
fine red coat, a red cap, and a pair of red boots.”
When the fool heard the red coat mentioned, he said—
“Go on before, I will follow.”
The messenger then pressed him no further, but went out and asked the
sisters-in-law if there was any danger of the fool’s deceiving him. They
assured him that there was not, and he went his way. The fool, who was
still lying on the stove, then said to himself—
“How I hate this going to the king!”
Then after a few minutes’ thought—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request,” said he, “up stove, and away
to the town.”
Instantly the wall of the room opened, and the stove moved out. When it
had got clear of the yard, it went at such a rate that there was no
overtaking it, and it came up with the king’s messenger, and went after
him, and entered the palace with him. When the king knew the fool had
come, he went forth with all his ministers to see him, and when he saw
that Emelyan was come riding on the stove, he was greatly amazed.
Emelyan still lay where he was, and said nothing. Then the king asked
him why he had hurt so many people when he went to the wood.
“It was their own fault,” said the fool; “why did they not get out of
the way?”
Just at that moment the king’s daughter came to the window and looked at
the fool, and Emelyan, happening suddenly to look up at the window where
she stood observing him, and seeing that she was very handsome, said,
quite softly to himself—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let this lovely maiden fall
in love with me.”
Scarcely had he spoken the words, when the king’s daughter was
desperately in love with him. He then said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, up and away, stove, go home.”
Immediately the stove left the palace, went through the town, got home,
and set itself in its old place. There Emelyan lived for some time,
comfortable and happy.
Other people in the town, however, were far otherwise. At the word of
Emelyan, the king’s daughter had fallen in love with him, and she began
to implore her father to give her the fool for a husband. The king was
in a great rage, both with her and the fool, but he knew not how he
could lay hold of him. His minister, however, suggested that he should
again send the officer whom he had before sent to take him. This advice
pleased the king well, and he had the officer called to him. When he
came the king said—
“Hark ye, friend! I sent you before for the fool, and you came without
him. To punish you I now send you for him a second time. If you bring
him you shall be rewarded, but if you do not bring him you shall be
punished.”
When the officer heard that, he left the king, and lost no time in going
in quest of the fool. When he came to the village, he called for the
Starosta, and said to him—
“Here is money for you. Buy everything for a good dinner to-morrow.
Invite Emelyan, and when he comes make him drink till he falls asleep.”
The Starosta, knowing that the officer came from the king, felt obliged
to obey him, so he bought everything that was required, and invited the
fool. When Emelyan said he would come, the officer was greatly pleased.
So next day the fool came to dinner, and the Starosta plied him so well
with drink that he fell fast asleep. As soon as the officer saw he was
asleep, he laid hold of him, and ordered a carriage to be brought. When
it came, they put the fool in it, and the officer, getting in himself,
drove off to the town, and so to the palace. The minister informed the
king that the officer had come, and as soon as he heard it, he ordered a
large cask to be provided without delay, and to be hooped with strong
iron hoops. When the cask was brought to the king, and he saw that
everything had been done as he desired, he ordered his daughter and the
fool to be put into it and the cask to be well pitched. When all this
had been done, the king ordered the cask to be thrown into the sea, and
left to the mercy of the waves. The king then returned to his palace,
and the cask floated along for some time on the sea. All this time the
fool was fast asleep. When he awoke, and found it was quite dark, he
said to himself—
“Where am I?” for he thought he was all alone; but the princess said—
“You are in a cask, Emelyan, and I am shut up with you in it.”
“But who are you?” asked he.
“I am the king’s daughter,” answered the princess; and then she told him
why she had been shut up there with him. She then besought him to
deliver himself and her out of the cask, but the fool said—
“I am very warm here.”
“Grant me the favour,” said the princess; “have pity on my tears, and
deliver me out of this cask.”
“Why,” said Emelyan; “I am lazy.”
The princess began once more to entreat him.
“Grant me the favour, Emelyan,” said she; “deliver me out of this cask,
and let me not die.”
The fool was moved by her tears and entreaties, and said—
“Well, I will do this for you.”
He then said softly—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, cast us, O sea, on the shore,
where we may dwell on a dry place, only let us be near our own country,
and do thou, cask, fall to pieces on the dry land.”
Scarcely had the fool spoken the words, when the waves began to roll,
and the cask was thrown up on a dry place and fell to pieces of itself.
Emelyan got up and went with the princess about the place where they
were cast. The fool saw that they were in a very fine island, where
there was an abundance of trees, with all kinds of fruit on them. When
the princess saw that, she rejoiced greatly at their being on such an
island, and she said—
“But, Emelyan, where shall we live? there is not even a nook here.”
“You want too much,” said the fool.
“Grant me the favour,” said the princess; “let there be, if nothing
more, a little cottage in which we may shelter us from the rain”—for the
princess knew he could do anything he wished.
“I am lazy,” said the fool.
The princess began again to urge him, and Emelyan, overcome by her
entreaties, was obliged to do as she desired.
He went away from her, and said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me have, in the middle of
this island, a finer castle than the king’s, and let a crystal bridge
lead from my castle to the royal palace, and let there be people of all
conditions in the court.”
The words were scarcely spoken than there appeared a splendid castle
with a crystal bridge. The fool went with the princess into the castle,
and saw that the apartments were all magnificently furnished, and that
there were many people there, such as footmen, and all kinds of
officers, who waited for the fool’s commands. When he saw that all these
men were like men, and that he alone was ugly and stupid, he wished to
be better, so he said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me become such a youth
that I shall have no equal, and let me be extremely wise.”
He had scarcely spoken the words before he became so handsome and so
wise that all were amazed.
Emelyan then sent one of his servants to the king to invite him and all
his ministers to the castle. The servant went along the bridge which the
fool had made, and when he came to the court the ministers brought him
before the king, and Emelyan’s messenger said—
“Please your majesty, I am sent by my master to ask you to dinner.”
The king asked him who his master was, but he answered—
“Please your majesty, I can tell you nothing about my master, but if you
come to dine with him he will inform you himself.”
The king, who was curious to know who it was who had sent to invite him,
told the messenger that he would come without fail.
The servant went away, and when he got home the king and his ministers
set out along the crystal bridge to visit the fool. When they arrived at
the castle, Emelyan came forth to meet the king, took him by the white
hands, kissed him on the mouth, led him into his castle, and made him
sit behind the oak tables, with fine diapered table-cloths, at
sugar-meats and honey-drinks. The king and his ministers ate and drank,
and made themselves merry. When they got up from table and retired, the
fool said to the king—
“Does your majesty know who I am?”
As Emelyan was now dressed in fine clothes, and was very handsome, it
was not possible to recognise him; so the king said that he did not know
him. Then said the fool—
“Does not your majesty recollect how a fool came on a stove to your
court, and how you fastened him up in a pitched cask with your daughter,
and cast them into the sea? Know me then now, for I am that Emelyan.”
When the king saw him thus before him, he was greatly terrified, and
knew not what to do. But the fool went to the king’s daughter, and
brought her out to him. When the king saw her he was very pleased, and
said—
“I have been very unjust towards you, so I give you my daughter for your
wife.”
Hearing that, Emelyan thanked the king, and when he had prepared
everything for the wedding, it was celebrated with great magnificence,
and the following day Emelyan gave a feast to the ministers and to the
common people. There were barrels of wine set forth; and when all these
festivities were at an end, the king wanted to give up his kingdom to
him, but Emelyan had no mind to take it. So the king went back to his
kingdom, and Emelyan remained in his castle, and lived happily.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILIJA, THE MUROMER.
IN the celebrated city of Murom, near to Katatscharowa, there lived a
countryman named Ivan Timofejevitch. He had one son named Ilija, the
Muromer, and of him he was very fond. He was thirty years old when he
began to walk. Then, all of a sudden, not only did he become strong
enough to go about, but also made himself a suit of armour and a steel
spear. Then he saddled his horse, went to his father and mother, and
asked them for their blessing, saying—
“Father and mother of mine, let me go to the celebrated town of Kiev, to
pray to God and to see the prince.”
His father and mother gave him their blessing, and said to him—
“Go, then, to the town of Kiev, to the town of Tschernigof, and do no
wrong on your way, and spill no Christian blood wantonly.”
Ilija, the Muromer, received their blessing, and prayed to God. Then he
bid his parents farewell, and went on his way. He travelled so far in a
dark forest that at length he came to the hold of some robbers. As soon
as the robbers saw the Muromer, they began to wish for his beautiful
horse, and they said one to another—
“Let us seize this horse, which is so beautiful that its like has never
been seen, and let us take it from this unknown fellow.”
So they all, five-and-twenty, set upon Ilija, the Muromer. Ilija reined
in his horse, took an arrow out of his quiver, put it on the string of
his bow, and shot it into the ground with so much force that the pieces
of earth flew over three acres. When the robbers saw that they looked at
one another with astonishment. Then they threw themselves on their
knees, and said—
“Master and father, we have wronged you. If you want to punish us take
our treasure, our fine clothes, and as many of our horses as you like.”
“What should I do with your treasure?” said Ilija. “If you want to keep
your lives, see that you do not do the like in future.” So he went on to
famous Kiev. He came at length to the town of Tschernigof, and found it
beset by an army of pagans, so great that no one could tell their
number. They wanted to destroy the town, tear down the churches, and
carry off the princes and nobles as slaves. When Ilija, the Muromer, saw
the army he was afraid, but he placed confidence in the Highest, and
braced himself up to die for the Christian religion. So he attacked the
pagan army, put them to flight, took the chiefs prisoners, and carried
them to Tschernigof. When he came to the city the folk ran out to meet
him, the prince and the nobles coming first. They gave him thanks, and
then went with him to offer up praise to God, who had preserved the town
safe, and not allowed it to be overthrown by so large an army.
Then they conducted Ilija to the palace, and entertained him at a great
feast. After that Ilija, the Muromer, went straight on to Kiev, along a
road which the Robber Nightingale had kept for thirty years, and on
which he suffered no horseman or traveller on foot to pass, putting them
to death, not by the sword, but by the sound of his robber whistle. When
Ilija came into the open fields he rode on to the Bianski forest, and
went far on, passing over marshes, by means of bridges made of
water-elder, to the river Smarodienka. When the Robber Nightingale saw
him about twenty versts away, he guessed his errand, and sounded his
robber whistle. But the hero did not quail, and came on till he was only
ten versts off, when the robber blew his whistle so loudly that Ilija’s
horse fell down on its knees. Then Ilija went up to the robber’s nest,
which was built upon twelve oaks. When the robber saw the hero he blew
with all his might and tried to kill him, but Ilija took his bow, put a
new arrow on the string, shot it straight into the robber’s nest, and
hit the robber in the right eye. Robber Nightingale fell down from the
tree like a sheaf of oats.
Ilija, the Muromer, took him, bound him fast to his saddle, and rode
away to Kiev. At the side of the road stood the palace of Robber
Nightingale, and as he rode by the robber’s daughters were sitting at
the open window.
“There comes our father,” said the youngest, “riding, and bringing with
him a peasant, tied to his saddle.”
The eldest looked at him carefully, and began to weep bitterly.
“It is not our father,” said she, “that rides there, but a strange man
who has made him prisoner.”
Then they called out to their husbands—
“Dear husbands, ride out against this stranger, and deliver our father
from him. Let not such shame come on us!”
Their husbands were mighty riders, and they came out to attack the
Russian horseman; and they had good horses and sharp lances, and thought
it would be an easy matter to kill him. When Robber Nightingale saw
them, he called out and said—
“My dear sons, let no shame come on you, and do not attack so brave a
knight, for if you do he will but slay you. Ask him, rather, to enter
the house and drink with us.”
When Ilija heard the invitation he turned to enter the palace,
suspecting no treachery; but the eldest daughter had hung a beam, by
means of a chain, over the entrance, so that she might kill him as he
rode through. When Ilija saw that he gave her a stroke with his lance
and killed her. Then he rode on to Kiev and came to the prince’s palace.
He entered the palace, prayed to God, and saluted the nobles.
“Tell me, my good young man,” said the prince, “what is your name, and
to what place you belong?”
“I am called Little Ilija, sir,” said he; “my father is Ivan, and I was
born in the town of Murom, near to Katatscharowa.”
The prince next asked him by what road he had come.
“From Murom I rode to Tschernigof, and there I slew a great host of
pagans and saved the city. From that place I came here. I have taken
prisoner the famous Robber Nightingale, and I have brought him here
bound to my stirrup.”
Then the prince grew angry, and said—
“Why do you try to deceive me?”
However, he sent two knights, Alescha Popowitsch and Dobrinja
Nikititsch, to see if it was as Ilija said; and when they told the
prince that it was true, he was pleased, gave the young man some drink,
and desired to hear the robber’s whistle. Ilija, the Muromer, therefore
wrapped up the prince and the princess under his cloak, lined with
sable, put them under his arm, and then told the Robber Nightingale to
blow his whistle gently. He blew, however, so loud that he deafened all
the knights and they fell on the floor, and Ilija, the Muromer, was so
enraged that he killed him there and then.
Ilija became very friendly with Dobrinja Nikititsch, and, saddling their
good horses, they rode away together, and travelled for three months
without meeting with any adversary. Then they came up with a cripple.
His beggar’s cloak weighed fifty pounds, his hat nine pounds, and his
crutch was six feet long. Ilija, the Muromer, rode up to him and began
to try his courage, but the cripple addressing him said—
“Ah! Ilija, the Muromer, do you not know me? Do you not remember how we
learnt lessons in the same school? Will you fall on me, a poor cripple?
Do you know that there is great distress in the famous town of Kiev? A
powerful infidel knight, a godless idolater, has come there. His head is
as big as a beer-barrel, his eyebrows are a span apart, and his
shoulders are six feet across. He eats an ox at a meal, and drinks a
cask of beer at a time. The Prince is sore troubled at your absence.”
Then Ilija, the Muromer, put on the cripple’s cloak and rode off to
Kiev. He went to the palace, and cried with all his might—
“Ho, there! Prince of Kiev, give the cripple an alms.”
When the Prince heard him, he said—
“Come into my palace. I will give you something to eat and drink, and
some money for your journey.”
Then Ilija went into the palace and sat down near the stove, and there
also sat the pagan knight calling for food to be brought. The servants
brought him an ox, roasted whole, and he ate it up, bones and all. Then
he called for something to drink, and twenty-seven men brought him a
barrel of beer. The knight took it in his hands and lifted it up. Then
Ilija, the Muromer, said—
“My father once had a gluttonous mare, which ate so much that it burst.”
The infidel was angry, and said—
“What do you mean, you wretched cripple? You are no equal for me. I
could set you on the palm of my right hand and squeeze you dry with my
left. You once had a real hero in your country, Ilija, the Muromer; I
should like to have a fight with him.”
“Here he is,” cried Ilija, taking off his hat, and striking the pagan a
blow on the head, not very hard, but so strong as to send the head
through the wall of the palace. Ilija then took up the body and cast it
into the yard. So the prince gave Ilija a royal reward, and kept him at
his court as the first and the bravest of his knights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BAD-TEMPERED WIFE.
THERE was once upon a time a poor fellow who was troubled with a wife,
with whom he lived on the worst terms imaginable. She paid not the
slightest attention to what he told her, but was always contrary. If he
told her to get up early, she was sure to lie in bed later than ever, or
perhaps even for three days at a time. If he asked her to make some
cakes, she would say—
“Cakes, you villain! What do you want with cakes? Do you think you
deserve them?”
“All right,” the man would say; “don’t make them, then.”
Then off would go his wife, make three times as many cakes as could be
eaten, and plumping them down before her husband—
“Eat,” she would cry—“eat, you gluttonous fellow! They must be finished
up.”
The man spent most of his time disputing with her; but his wife used to
wear him out and get the better in the end.
One day, wearied by his wife’s jangle, and utterly dispirited, he went
off to the wood to look for some berries. As he went on he came at last
to a wild currant-bush, and looking at it he saw beside it a deep hole.
He looked down, but could discover no bottom to it.
“Dear me!” said he, “I wish my wife were down there! What is the use of
living as I do in continual misery? I will see if I can get her down the
hole.”
Off he went home. There he found his wife.
“Wife,” said he, “I want you to keep out of the wood. Don’t go looking
about there for berries.”
“You want me!” said she. “Indeed, I shall go where I please.”
“Well,” said the man, “I have found a currant-bush there, and I want to
keep the currants. Don’t eat them.”
“Won’t I?” said his wife. “I will eat them all. You shall not have a
single one.”
The man went out, and his wife came after him to find the currant-bush.
On they went till the man came to the place where the bush was, when his
wife, hurrying past him, got to it first.
“Now don’t you come near,” said she. “I warn you to stand off.”
On she went; all at once her husband heard a crack and a crash. He
looked about, but could not see his wife. Sure enough, she had fallen
down the hole.
The man returned home rejoicing at the success of his plan. For some
days he lived in peace. Then he became curious to know where his wife
had really gone to. So he got a very long cord, and set off with it to
the forest. He came to the currant-bush and found the hole, and, letting
down one end of his cord, tried to touch the bottom. The cord went down
and down—the hole seemed to have no bottom at all. Then the man drew the
cord up. As he pulled out the last piece of it, he fell back astounded,
for there, clinging to it, was a little devil. After the first surprise,
the man was about to lay his hands on the imp in order to throw him down
the hole again; but it addressed him in a pitiful tone, saying—
“My good man, I beseech you do not throw me down the hole again. No
tongue can tell what I have suffered there. A few days since there came
a woman amongst us, and she has led us such a time of it that our lives
are not worth living. Let me stay aboveground, and I will reward you for
it.”
The peasant, when he heard the imp’s tale, felt sorry for him, and had
not the heart to send him back again. So he let him go where he would.
No sooner was the imp at liberty than he began to torment the wives and
daughters of the wealthy folk, entering into them, and making them so
whimsical and sick that they seemed beside themselves. While they were
in this condition the peasant would present himself as a physician and
undertake to cure the afflicted persons. As soon as he was called in,
before he had almost stepped across the threshold of the house in which
the sick person lay, the imp would scuttle away as fast as he could, the
patient recovered, and the whole place rang with the marvellous cure
effected by the doctor. So they went on for some time. The peasant was
now rich. Money and all good things were heaped upon him by the
relations of those whom he restored to health.
One day the imp said to him—
“My man, I have had enough of this kind of thing. I am now going to take
possession of a rich man’s daughter. Don’t you come to heal her, for I
warn you that if you do so I will tear you to pieces.”
Away he went. The daughter was possessed, and was so beside herself that
no one dare venture near her. Away sent her relations for the wonderful
doctor. The peasant, however, was unwilling to take the case in hand. He
would not come. At last the folk sent their servants to bring him to the
house by force, declaring that if he refused to come they would kill
him.
The man did not know what to do; at last he thought he saw his way out
of the difficulty.
In the road running beside the house he collected a number of coachmen,
grooms, and others, and ordered them to run up and down, smacking their
whips and crying as loudly as they could—
“That wretched woman has come again! that wretched woman has come
again!”
When the hubbub was at its full height the peasant went into the house.
“What!” cried the imp. “You have come, have you? Well then, now, I will
make you repent it.”
“My dear friend,” said the man, “it is true I have come, but I came to
do you a service. I came to tell you that that miserable woman has come
back again.”
“What!” cried the imp.
He leaped to the window, looked out, and listened. When he saw the
confusion, and heard the cries—“That wretched woman has come again! that
wretched woman has come again!” he turned to the peasant, and said to
him, in a tone full of anxiety and mournfulness—
“What shall I do? Where can I hide from her?”
“I don’t know,” said the man, “but I should say the hole would be the
safest place. She will hardly search there a second time for you.”
Away went the imp at full speed, and, coming to the hole, down he went
headlong. He was never seen again. The girl was completely cured when he
left her, and was as happy as ever, and her parents heaped rewards on
the wonderful physician.
The bad-tempered woman, too, never made her appearance again, so it
seems as if she would remain down the pit for ever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IVASHKA WITH THE BEAR’S EAR.
ONCE upon a time there lived in a certain kingdom a moujik. He was
married, and his wife bore him a child—a boy—who had the ear of a bear,
so he was named Ivashka with the Bear’s Ear. Ivashka used to go and play
with the children of his neighbours, but his manner was rather rough,
for if he took hold of a child by the hand he would give it such a
wrench that the hand would come off, and if he took hold of a child by
the head, the head would come off too. Such play was not agreeable to
the parents of the children, and they came to Ivashka’s father and told
him that he must see that his son did not come out to play with their
children, or that he did them no hurt. The man promised to do what he
could. He found, however, that Ivashka paid no heed to him, so in the
end he turned him out of doors, saying—
“Be off where you will, for I want you no longer; you shall come no more
into my house, for if you do you will get me into trouble.”
So Ivashka with the Bear’s Ear set off on his travels. He went on for a
long time, and at last came to a great forest. There he found a man
hewing wood.
“Friend,” said Ivashka to him, “what are you called?”
“I am called Dubunia,” said the man.
“Well,” said Ivashka, “let us be friends.”
After some talk they became very friendly, and the man went on with
Ivashka. They travelled for some time, and at length they came to a high
rock, where they found a man hewing stone.
“Heaven bless you, good fellow!” said Ivashka; “what are you called?”
“Gorunia,” replied the man.
“Well,” said Ivashka, “let us be friends.”
After some talk the man became very friendly with Ivashka and his
companion, and agreed to go on with them in their travels. On they went.
At last they came to a river, on the bank of which they found a man with
very long moustaches, with which he was fishing in the water.
“Heaven bless you!” said Ivashka and his companions. “May you have good
luck.”
“Thanks, my brothers,” said the man.
“What are you called?” asked Ivashka.
“Usunia,” said he.
“Well,” said Ivashka, “let us be friends.”
So, after some talk, the man agreed to join Ivashka and his companions.
The four went on, and at length they came to a forest, near to which
they found a hut. Now the hut stood on a fowl’s legs, and kept turning
round and round.
“Hut, hut,” cried Ivashka, “stand still with your back to the forest and
your front towards us!”
The hut at once did what they told it, and the four travellers going in
commenced to plan how they should live. They were very hungry, so they
went into the forest, caught some game, and ate it.
The next day Dubunia stayed at home while the others went into the
forest to look for game. He cooked the dinner, and waited for his
companions to come back. They did not come, so Dubunia washed his head
and sat combing his hair, and who should come into the hut but Baba
Yaja. She came riding in an iron mortar, which she drove on with a
pestle, and with her tongue she wiped out the marks the mortar made as
it passed over the ground. As she came into the cabin—
“Ho, ho!” cried she, “I smell Russian flesh.”
Then she turned to Dubunia and said—
“What do you do here?”
Without waiting for his reply, Baba Yaja laid on him with her pestle,
and beat him until he hardly had any life left in him. Then she ate the
dinner he had got ready for his companions, got into her mortar, and
rode off. Dubunia lay for some time on the ground. Then he got up, tied
up his head with a handkerchief, and sat down, groaning, till his
companions came home.
“Where is the dinner?” said they.
“I have been ill,” answered Dubunia, “and have been too unwell to get it
ready.”
The next day Gorunia was left to keep the hut and get the dinner ready.
He cooked the food, and waited for his friends to come back, when, all
of a sudden, who should come in but Baba Yaja.
“Ho, ho!” said she, “I smell Russian flesh. What are you doing here?”
she asked, turning to Gorunia.
Without giving him time to reply she commenced to beat him with the
pestle. Then she ate up all the food he had ready, got into the mortar,
and rode away. When his friends came home Gorunia told them what had
happened.
On the third day Usunia stayed at home, and Baba Yaja made her
appearance again, and treated him as she had his companions.
At length it was Ivashka’s turn to keep house. His comrades went out to
hunt in the wood, and Ivashka got the dinner ready. Looking about the
hut he found in it a jar of honey. Then Ivashka took an axe and split
open one of the posts of the hut, and putting a piece of wood in at the
top he kept the crack open. Then he took the honey and poured it all
over the post and in the chink. After that he got three iron rods, and
then he sat down to await Baba Yaja’s coming. He did not wait long, for
she came riding to the hut in her mortar.
“Ho, ho!” cried she, as she entered, “I smell Russian flesh. What do you
here?” said she, turning to Ivashka.
Just then, however, she smelt the honey, and, going to the post, she
commenced to lick it with her long tongue. She licked all the honey off
the outside, and then put her tongue in the crack, to get the honey out
that was there. Then Ivashka suddenly pulled out the piece of wood that
held the post asunder, and Baba Yaja’s tongue being held fast, she could
not get away. She screamed and struggled, but could not free herself,
and Ivashka, taking his three iron rods, commenced to beat her with all
his strength. He beat her till he was tired; and then, as she begged him
to have mercy on her, and promised that if he would let her go she would
never trouble him more, he set her free.
“Stop there,” said he, putting her in a corner of the cabin. So he sat
down and waited for his companions to come home. Towards evening they
came, and how much were they surprised to find that Ivashka had the food
cooked and ready for them! When they had eaten he told them how he had
served Baba Yaja, and how he had beaten her and put her in the corner of
the hut. When they went to look for her, however, she was nowhere to be
seen. While they examined the place to find how she could have escaped,
they discovered a large stone in the ground. Lifting it up they found
there was a deep pit below. They wished very much to know what was in
this place, but none durst go down, till Ivashka said he would go. So
they made a rope and let him down.
“Wait for me,” said Ivashka; “but if I do not come back at the end of a
week, know then that you will see me no more. When I want to come up I
will pull the rope.” So he took leave of his companions, and they let
him down. When he arrived at the bottom of the pit he found himself in a
strange country. He went on for some time until he came to a hut, and,
going in, he found three girls who sat sewing with gold thread.
“What do you want?” said they, when they saw Ivashka with the Bear’s
Ear. “What has brought you here? Baba Yaja, our mother, lives here, and
if she sees you she will certainly kill you. We will, however, tell you
how you may save your life if you will take us to the upper world.”
Ivashka promised to do what they asked.
“When our mother comes in,” said they, “she will run at you and attack
you. When you have fought for a time she will leave you and go to the
cellar. There are two jars full of water: the one is white and the other
is blue. The white jar contains the water of weakness, and the blue jar
the water of strength. If you drink the water in the blue jar you are
saved.”
The girls had scarcely finished speaking when Baba Yaja was heard coming
to the hut. She came riding in the iron mortar, which she drove along
with the pestle, while, with her tongue, she swept out the mark made by
the mortar as it passed over the ground.
“Ho, ho!” said she, “I smell Russian flesh. Why do you come here?” she
went on, turning to Ivashka with the Bear’s Ear. “What do you want?”
With that she rushed upon him, and they fought together until they were
so tired that they fell to the ground. Then Baba Yaja, getting up, ran
to the cellar for the water, and Ivashka went after her. Baba Yaja, in
her hurry, took up the white jar and drank the water, and Ivashka drank
that in the blue jar. Then they began to fight again. At length Ivashka
got the better of her, and taking her pestle he beat her with it till
she begged him to have mercy on her. Still Ivashka would not stop till
she promised him she would never do him any injury, and would leave that
place as soon as he released her. So he let her go.
Ivashka went to the three daughters and told them to get ready and go
with him to the world above. Then he went to the rope, and, calling to
his companions, got them to let down a large basket. He told the eldest
daughter to get into it, and then, on Ivashka’s pulling the rope, his
companions drew the basket up. They were very much astonished when they
found a beautiful girl in the basket instead of Ivashka, but she told
them all that had occurred, and they let the basket down again. So the
second and the third daughters were drawn up. Then they let down the
basket again, and Ivashka filled it with gold and silver and fine
clothes, which he had found in Baba Yaja’s hut. When the men commenced
to draw the basket up they wondered why it was so heavy, and they
thought that Baba Yaja herself must be in it. So they cut the rope and
let the basket and all the things fall down to the bottom, and left
Ivashka down below.
For a long time he wandered about seeking his way to the upper world. At
length he found an iron door in the rock, and on opening it and looking
in he saw a long passage. So he went on and on till at last he came out
in the upper world. Then he went to seek his friends. When he came to
them he found that they had given him up as dead, and had married the
three daughters of Baba Yaja.
“Why did you leave me at the bottom of the pit?” asked Ivashka; “and who
was it that cut the rope?”
They told him that Usunia had done it, and Ivashka was so angry that he
killed him on the spot. So Ivashka married Usunia’s wife, and he and his
companions lived together for many years in great happiness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PLAGUE.
A RUSSIAN peasant sat out in the field. The sun was shining fiercely. In
the distance the man saw something coming to him. It came nearer, and
then he saw it was a woman. She was clad in a large cloak, and strode
along with great strides. The man felt much afraid, and would have run
away, but the phantom held him with its bare arms.
“Do you know the Plague?” said she. “I am it. Take me on your shoulders
and carry me through all Russia. Miss no village or town, for I must go
everywhere. For yourself fear nothing. You shall live in the midst of
death.”
She wrapt her long arms round the neck of the fearful peasant. The man
went on, and was astonished to find that he felt no weight. He turned
his head, and saw that the Plague was on his back.
He first took her to a town, and when they came there, there was joy in
all the streets, dancing, music, and jollity. The peasant went on and
stood in the market-place, and the woman shook her cloak. Soon the
dance, joy, and merriment ceased. Wherever the man looked he saw terror.
People carried coffins, the bells tolled, the burial-ground was full;
there was at length no room for more to be buried in it.
Then the people brought the dead to the market-place and left them
there, having no place in which to bury them.
The wretched man went on. Whenever he came to a village the houses were
left deserted, and the peasants fled with white faces, and trembling
with fear. On the roads, in the woods, and out in the fields, could be
heard the groans of the dying.
Upon a high hill stood the man’s own village, the place in which he was
born, and to this place the Plague began to direct his steps. There were
the man’s wife, his children, and his old parents.
The man’s heart was bleeding! When he came near his own village, he laid
hold of the Plague so that she should not escape him, and held her with
all his might.
He looked before him and saw the blue Pruth flowing past, and beyond it
were the green hills, and afar off the dark mountains with snow-capped
tops.
He ran quickly to the stream and leaped under its waters, wishing to
destroy himself and his burden together, and so free his land from
sorrow and the Plague.
He himself was drowned, but the Plague, being as light as a feather,
slipped off his shoulders, and so escaped. She was, however, so alarmed
by this brave deed that she fled away and hid herself in the mountain
forests.
So the man saved his village, his parents, his wife, and his little
children, and all that part of fair Russia through which the Plague had
not passed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PEASANT AND THE WIND.
ONCE upon a time there was a peasant who lived in great poverty with his
wife. He was as dull as a sheep, but she was as wily as a serpent, and
she was so bad tempered that she used to beat him for any little thing
that put her out.
One day the woman begged some corn of a neighbour so that she might make
some bread, and she sent her husband off to the mill with it to get it
ground. The miller knew they were very poor, so he ground the corn for
nothing, and the man set off to go home with the flour. As he was on his
way there came all of a sudden such a fierce blast of wind that all the
flour was, in a moment, blown away out of the pan which he carried on
his head. So the man went home and told his wife what had happened. When
she heard his story she set upon him and gave him a hearty beating, and
then, having scolded and thrashed till she could do no more, she told
him to be off to the wind and ask it either to give him the flour back
again or to pay him for it.
The man went off out of the house, weeping; and, not knowing in what
direction to go, he went to a great dark forest. There he wandered
about, here and there. At last an old woman met him.
“Good man,” said she, “where are you going? How came you in these parts,
where no bird ever flies, and scarce a wild animal runs?”
“My mother,” said he, “I have been forced to come here. I carried some
corn to the mill to be ground, and when it was finished, as I carried
the flour home, the wind came and scattered it all out of the pan. I had
no flour when I got home, and I told my wife what had happened; so she
beat me, and sent me off to the wind to ask it to give me the flour
again or to pay me for it. So I came here to look for the wind, but I do
not know where to find it.”
“Come with me,” said the woman. “I am the mother of the winds, and I
have four sons. The first is the East-wind, the second the South-wind,
the third the West-wind, and the fourth the North-wind. Tell me, now,
which wind was it that took your flour?”
“It was the South-wind,” said the man.
The old woman led the man deep into the forest, and bringing him to a
little hut, said—
“Here we are, my man. Climb up upon the stove and cover yourself up, for
my children will soon be here.”
“Why should I cover myself?” asked the man.
“Because, my son, the North-wind, will be here,” said the woman, “and he
will otherwise freeze you up.”
In a short time the sons began to come in. When the South-wind had
arrived, the old woman told the man to come off the stove, and said to
her son—
“South-wind, my dear son, this man has a complaint against you. Why do
you hurt the poor? You have taken this man’s flour out of his pan. Now
give him money for it, or make him some recompense.”
“Very well, mother,” said the South-wind, “I will buy the flour of him.”
So saying, he turned to the man, and said—
“Here, my man. Take this basket. It has in it all you most want—money,
bread, food, and drink of all kinds. You have only to say to it,
‘Basket, give me so and so,’ and it will give you whatever you wish.
Take it to your house. I give it you for your flour.”
The peasant bowed to the Wind, thanked it for the basket, and set off
homewards.
He gave the basket to his wife, and said—
“Wife, here is a basket which contains everything, whatever you most
want. You only have to ask for it.”
The woman took the basket, and said to it—
“Basket, give me some good flour, so that I may make bread.”
The basket gave her as much as she wished. She continued asking for very
many things, and everything she named the basket gave her.
Now it chanced that one day a nobleman was passing by the peasant’s hut.
When the woman saw him she said to her husband—
“Go and ask the nobleman to dine with us. If you do not bring him in I
will beat you till you are half dead.”
The man was afraid of his wife carrying out her threat, so he set off
and asked the stranger in to dinner.
His wife meanwhile watched him from the window, having taken out of the
basket all that was required for the dinner. There she sat, with her
hands in her lap, awaiting her husband’s return with the guest.
The nobleman was astonished, and laughed at the invitation. He would not
accept it himself, but told his attendants they might go if they wished,
and he should like to know how they dined.
So the attendants went, thinking they should fare very badly, for the
appearance of the hut would not have led any one to suppose that there
was much feasting to be had within it. When they entered they were
vastly astonished. The dinner was such as would have done credit had it
been provided by a host of some rank. The men sat down, and ate and
drank and made merry; and, keeping their eyes open the while, they
observed that when the woman wanted anything for the table she went to
the basket and got it given to her by it. The men began to think how
they could get the prize for themselves. As they feasted they sent off
one of their number to look for a basket just like the one in the room.
Off went the man as quickly as he could, found what he wanted, and
brought it with him to the cottage. Then while the peasant and his wife
were busy, the men slipped the new basket in the place of the other.
When they left they carried away the treasure-basket with them, and
coming to their master they told him how they had been entertained.
After the feast was over and the guests had gone, the peasant’s wife
cast away the food that was left, for what was the use of keeping it
when fresh could be so easily got? The next morning she went to the
basket and asked it for various things, but a great change seemed to
have come over it, for it paid no heed to her.
“Old Greyhead,” cried she to her husband, “this is a nice basket you
have got us! What is the good of it if it does not do what we tell it?
Be off to the wind again, and tell it to give you back your flour, or I
will thrash you till you are half dead.”
There was nothing for it but he must go. He came to the old woman’s hut,
and there he began to tell her what a terrible wife he had got, and the
old woman told him to wait a while till her son, the South-wind, came
home.
Not long after in came the South-wind, and the peasant told him all
about his trouble.
“Well,” said the wind, when he had heard him to an end, “I am sorry, old
man, that you have such a bad wife, but I will help you, and your wife
shall thrash you no more. Here now is a cask. Take it home with you, and
when your wife threatens to beat you, stand behind the cask and say,
‘Five, come out of the cask and beat my wife!’ When you think they have
punished her sufficiently, say, ‘Five, go back to your cask!’”
The peasant was very grateful to the Wind, made him his best bow, and
went home. When he got there, he said—
“There, wife, now you have a cask instead of the basket.”
His wife flew into a rage, and said—
“What do I want with your cask? Why didn’t you bring the flour with
you?”
She grasped a weapon as she said this, and got ready to lay on her
husband, but he slipped behind the cask, and when he saw how matters
were, he said—
“Five, come out of the cask and beat my wife!”
In an instant out sprang five big fellows, who set to to thrash the
wife. The husband looked on till he thought she had had enough. Then he
listened to her cries for mercy, and said—
“Five, go back to your cask!”
In the twinkling of an eye the men ceased their labour, and disappeared
into the cask again. From that hour the woman was much improved, and the
peasant, seeing that he should not want the cask in order to preserve
quiet at home, began to think whether he could not somehow obtain his
basket by means of it. He concluded that the nobleman’s servants must
have taken the basket away, and he and his wife set their heads together
to think how they could get it from them.
“Since you have such a marvellous cask,” said she, “you need not be
afraid even of a thousand men. Why not then go to the nobleman and make
him give you the basket.” Her husband thought the idea was a good one,
so he went off to the nobleman’s house and asked him to come outside and
fight him. He laughed at the peasant, but thought he would have a joke
with him, so he told him to await him outside. Off went the peasant,
took his cask under his arm, and came to the spot where the nobleman was
to meet him. In a short time he came, bringing with him several of his
servants. As soon as he had come up he ordered his attendants to set on
the peasant and give him a good thrashing; but he, when he saw the
gentleman’s trickery, fell in a rage, and shouted out—
“Look you, sir, will you give me back my basket, or will you not? It
shall be better for you all if you do!”
When, however, he saw that no one paid any attention to what he said,
and that the attendants were about to thrash him, he cried out—
“Five to each man come out of the cask, and beat them thoroughly!”
In an instant there sprang forth five stout fellows for each of them,
and they laid upon them most unmercifully. The nobleman was afraid he
should be beaten till there was no life in him, and so he called out—
“Good fellow, for Heaven’s sake, do not beat us any more!”
When the peasant heard that, he said—
“Go back to the cask, you fellows.”
In a moment the cudgels ceased to play, and the men disappeared into the
cask. The gentleman had had enough. He ordered that the basket should be
given up to the peasant as quickly as possible, and the man taking it
home with him, he and his wife lived very happily ever after.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WONDERFUL CLOTH.
THERE was once a shepherd who looked after the king’s flocks. He had
three sons, two of whom were considered very clever, but the third was
looked upon as a fool. The elder brothers helped their father to herd
the flocks, but the youngest, who was thought to be good for nothing,
played about or went to sleep.
He passed his days and nights sleeping on the top of the stove, and
never left that place unless he was driven from it. If he bestirred
himself, it was rather because he was too hot, or wanted something to
eat or drink. His father did not care for him, and called him a lazy
fellow, while his brothers often tormented him, pulling him off the
stove or refusing to let him eat. If his mother had not looked after him
he would have been nearly starved. She, however, would caress him and
give him food. Was it his fault that he was a fool? Who could tell what
Heaven had in store for him? It sometimes happens that the wisest folk
do not get on well, and that fools, especially such as are harmless and
inoffensive, succeed in a wonderful fashion.
One day when the two brothers returned from the fields, finding the
simpleton on the top of the stove, they made him dress and put on his
hat, and having dragged him into the yard, they gave him a good beating,
and turning him out, said to him—
“Go, simpleton, and lose no time, for you shall have neither lodging nor
supper until you have gone to the wood and brought us a basket of
mushrooms.”
The poor fellow, full of astonishment, did not even understand what his
brothers wished of him. After having stood for a time scratching his
head, he set off to a little forest of oak-trees which was near at hand.
All seemed wonderful and strange to him. Right in his way he came across
the dry trunk of a tree. He went up to it, took off his hat, and said—
“I see that other trees in the forest stand up and wear hats of green
leaves, but you alone, my poor friend, are bare. The cold will kill you.
You are amongst just such brothers as I have. No doubt you are a fool
like myself. Will you have my hat, then?”
Folding his arms, he wept tenderly. All of a sudden one of the trees
which grew near moved as if it were alive. The idiot was alarmed, and
was about to fly, when the tree, addressing him in a man’s voice, said—
“Do not fly, but stop and listen. That tree, which was cut down so
prematurely, was my son. No one besides myself has until now wept over
his so early blighted life. You alone have watered him with your tears.
As a reward for it, you shall henceforth obtain whatever you ask of me,
saying the following words:—
“Oak with the golden acorns, I beseech you give me what I want!”
At the moment that the oak ceased, a shower of golden acorns fell upon
the idiot, who filled his pockets with them, saluted the oak, thanked
it, and returned home.
“Ah, you simpleton!” cried his brothers, “where are the mushrooms?”
“I have in my pocket some oak mushrooms,” said the idiot.
“Eat them yourself, then, for your supper,” said they, “for you will
have nothing else, you sluggard. Where is your hat?”
“I covered a poor tree I came across on the road with it; it had nothing
on it, and I was afraid it would be frozen,” answered he.
The idiot climbed upon the stove as he said this, and lay down. All of a
sudden the golden acorns fell out of his pocket. The brothers rushed
forward, and paying no heed to the lad’s remonstrances, gathered up the
acorns and took them to their father. He told them to carry them to the
king, and tell him that one of his sons, an idiot, had found them in the
wood. When the king saw them, he at once sent some soldiers to look
through the wood for golden acorns, but all their search was fruitless.
They came back and told him that there was not a single golden acorn to
be found in the forest. The king fell in a great rage when he heard
that. When he was calm again, he ordered the shepherd to come to him,
and said—
“Tell your son, the idiot, that he must bring to the court this evening
a cask full to the brim of gold acorns. If he does so he shall receive
my royal favour, and you may be assured that you shall not be
forgotten.”
The shepherd went off to his son, and told him what the king had said.
“The king,” said the idiot, “I see, likes good things. He does not ask,
but commands me to do what he wishes, and makes mere promises, and for
them he wants a fool to bring him golden acorns. I shall not do it.”
Neither the prayers nor the threats of his father could make him change
his mind. At last his brothers pulled him off the stove, made him dress
and put on a hat, took him into the yard and beat him, and then put him
out, saying—
“Lose no time, you simpleton, but be off, for you shall have neither
lodging nor supper till you return from the wood with the golden
acorns.”
The fool did not know what to do, so he set off again to the forest. In
a short time he came to the stump on which was his hat, just by the old
oak. He raised his cap, bowed, and said—
“Oak with the golden acorns, help me in my distress, I beseech you. Give
me what I want.”
The oak shook itself, rattled its branches, and instead of golden acorns
a cloth fell into the lad’s hands.
“Take care of the cloth,” said the oak, “and keep it. In case of need,
say to it—
“‘Wonderful cloth, let one who is hungry and thirsty find here
everything he wants.’”
The oak ceased, and the lad, saluting and thanking it, commenced to go
home. As he went he wondered what his brothers would say to him, and he
thought how pleased his mother would be when he told her that he had got
the wonderful cloth. When he was half-way home he met a beggar, who said
to him—
“See, I am old, ill, and ragged, for the love of God give me something,
either money or a piece of bread.”
The idiot laid his cloth on the grass, and said—
“Wonderful cloth, let those who are hungry and thirsty find here all
they want.”
Immediately there was a whistling in the air; something shone over them,
and they found before them a table set as if for a king’s feast. There
were numberless dishes, goblets full of hydromel, and glasses full of
the best wines. The things on the table were all of gold or of silver.
The idiot and his guest admired the table and commenced to eat and
drink. When they had finished eating and drinking the table vanished,
and the idiot wrapped up his cloth and began to go homewards, when the
old man said to him—
“Give me your cloth, and take this stick in its stead. When you speak to
it such-and-such words it belabours people so that they will give all
the world to escape from it.”
The idiot, thinking of his brothers, took the cudgel and gave the man
the cloth. So they parted.
Now afterwards he considered that the oak had told him to keep the cloth
himself, and that, having given it away, he would not be able to
surprise his mother as he had intended. So he said to the stick—
“Stick which beats by itself, go quickly and look for my cloth. Go, I
want it back.”
The stick went off at once in pursuit of the man and soon overtook him.
It set upon him, and commenced to beat him, crying—
“So you seek the wealth of others, do you? Take that, you knave, and
that.”
The man tried to escape, but it was no use, for the stick followed him,
thrashing on, and repeating the same words. However much he would have
liked to keep the cloth, he was obliged to throw it aside to save
himself. The stick brought the cloth to its master, and the idiot
continued his journey, thinking how he would surprise his mother and
brothers. A little further on he met a man who carried in his hand an
empty bag.
“Stop,” cried the man. “For the love of Heaven give me some pence or a
piece of bread! My bag is empty, and I am hungry and have a long way to
go.”
The fool spread his cloth once more, and said—
“Wonderful cloth, let him who is hungry and thirsty find here everything
he wants.”
They heard a whistling noise, saw something shine in the air above them,
and, immediately, in front of them, was a table set as if for a royal
banquet. There were numberless dishes, and hydromel and wine in plenty.
The idiot and his guest sat down, and when they had finished eating and
drinking the table disappeared. The fool wrapped up his cloth, and was
commencing his journey, when the man said to him—
“Will you give me your cloth for my girdle? When you say, ‘Girdle, which
swims so wonderfully, for my safety and not for my pleasure, let me find
myself in a boat on the water,’ the girdle will change itself into a
deep lake, upon which you can sail at your will.”
The simpleton thought how much his father would like to always have
water for his flocks. So he gave the man the cloth for the girdle, which
he tied around him. Then he took his stick in his hand, and the two
parted. In a short time, when the beggar was afar off, the fool began
again to remember how the oak had told him to keep the cloth for
himself, and he saw that unless he had it he would not be able to give
his mother the pleasant surprise he had intended. So he said to his
stick—
“Stick, which beats of itself, go quickly and look for my cloth. Go, I
want it back.”
The stick set off again, and coming up to the beggar commenced to beat
him, saying—
“So you seek the wealth of others, do you? Take that, knave, and that.”
The beggar tried to fly, but the stick pursued him, and however much he
would have liked to keep the cloth, he preferred rather to save himself
from the stick. The cudgel brought the cloth to its master, and he,
having hidden it under his coat, put on the girdle and, with the stick
in his hand, again went on his way. As he walked he thought with
pleasure of how he would be able to exercise the stick on his brothers,
and how pleased his father would be to always have water for the king’s
flocks, even though he should be in the midst of dry fields and woods.
Then he thought of his mother’s surprise at finding he had got the
wonderful cloth. All of a sudden he met a soldier clothed in rags, lame,
and covered with scars. He had once been a fine warrior, and, addressing
the young man, he said—
“Evil luck follows me, a man who has been a good soldier, and who has
fought well in his youth. What has been the good of it all? I am lamed
for life, and upon this lonely road I cannot even get anything to eat.
Take pity on me, and give me at least a piece of bread.”
The fool sat down, spread his cloth, and said—
“Wonderful cloth, let him who is hungry and thirsty find here everything
he wants.”
Immediately they heard a hissing noise in the air, something shone above
them, and they found a fine table, spread as for a royal feast in front
of them. They ate and drank, and then the table disappeared. As the
simpleton was about to continue his journey, the soldier said—
“Will you give me your cloth in exchange for this hat with six corners.
It shoots of itself, and hits, in an instant, whatever you wish. You
have only to turn it round on your head, and say—‘Hat which fires, to
please me, strike what I tell you.’ Then it shoots with such a sure aim
that if your enemy were a mile away he would bite the dust.”
The lad thought it would be well to have the hat, for how useful would
it be in time of danger, and when he wished to serve his king and
country. So he gave the cloth to the soldier, tied the girdle again
round his waist, put the hat upon his head, took his stick in his hand,
and went on once more.
He had not gone far when he thought of what the oak had told him about
the cloth, and of how he wanted to surprise his mother with it. So he
said to his stick—
“Stick, that beats of itself, go quickly and look for my cloth. Go, I
want it back.”
The cudgel went off after the soldier, overtook him, and commenced to
beat him, crying—
“So you seek the wealth of others, do you? Take that, knave, and that.”
The soldier, who was lusty in spite of his wounds, set himself on his
guard, and would have given blow for blow, but the stick laid on so
rapidly that he at last gave in. Overcome by the pain, he threw down the
cloth and fled. The stick took the cloth to its master, who continued
his journey.
At length he came out of the wood. He crossed over the fields, and
already saw his father’s house before him, when he met his brothers,
who, running to him, said impatiently—
“Well, simpleton, where are the golden acorns?”
The lad looked at them, laughed, and said to his stick—
“Stick, which beats of itself, punish those who have offended me.”
The stick at once left the hands of the lad and commenced to lay itself
on the brothers, crying—
“You have done your brother enough wrong. Now, then, suffer yourselves
in your turn.”
The brothers were as much astounded as if a kettle of hot water had
fallen about their ears. They cried out and ran off, disappearing in a
cloud of dust. The stick at length came back to its master, who entered
the house, climbed up on the stove, and, calling his mother, told her
all that had happened. Then he said—
“Wonderful cloth, let him who is hungry and thirsty find here all he
wants.”
A whistling was heard, something came sparkling in the air, and they
found before them a table spread as if for a king’s banquet. There were
dishes, glasses, and goblets of hydromel and wine, and all the things
were of gold or silver. The simpleton and his mother for a time admired
the feast, and then, just as they were sitting down to it, the door
opened and his father came in. He was thunderstruck when he saw the
table, but, being invited to share the good things with them, quickly
sat down and fell to. When they had finished the whistling noise was
again heard, and all the things disappeared.
The shepherd went off to the Court to tell the king all about these
wonderful things, and the king despatched an officer to the fool. When
he came into the house he found the simpleton lying on the stove, and
said to him—
“If you love your life, listen and obey the orders of the king. You are
to send him by myself the wonderful cloth which provides feasts of
itself, and for this you shall be honoured by the royal favour. If you
do not comply, you shall remain in your present wretched condition, and
shall, moreover, receive the punishment of a disobedient fellow. Do you
understand me?”
“Oh yes,” said the lad, “I understand you;” and then he quietly said—
“Stick, which beats of itself, give those who deserve them some good
blows.”
With the speed of lightning the stick left the fool’s hands. Three times
it alighted on the officer’s body, and then he fled. The stick, however,
was not content to let him off so easily, and it followed him, beating
him all the time, and crying—
“Promises befool children. Don’t make them too rashly. To teach you
better, take that, knave, and that.”
Beaten and bewildered, the officer returned to the king and told him
all, and when his majesty heard that the lad had a stick which beat of
its own accord, he longed so much for it that he quite forgot the cloth.
So he sent off some of his soldiers to the lad with orders to bring the
stick. The soldiers came to the hut and found the fool on the stove.
“Give us the cudgel,” said they. “The king will give you what you ask
for it. If you will not give it to us we shall take it.”
Instead of making a reply, the lad put on his girdle, and said—
“Wonderful girdle, for my safety, and not for my pleasure, let me find
myself on the water.”
There was a murmuring in the air, and a great change took place. A
magnificent lake—long, wide, and deep—appeared in the middle of the
plain, and in it swam fish with golden scales and eyes of pearls. In the
middle of the lake, in a silver skiff, was a man whom the soldiers
recognised as the fool. For a time they looked on in wonder, and then
they set off to tell the king all about it. When the king heard of such
a girdle he longed to have it. He took counsel with his officer, and
then sent off a whole battalion of soldiers to take the fool prisoner.
This time they tried to catch him while he was asleep. Just as they were
about to lay hands on him, however, the fool turned his hat, and said—
“Hat that shoots, to please me, strike those who trouble me.”
At that instant a hundred bullets whistled in the air. The place rang
with the noise of guns, and the air was filled with smoke. Some of the
soldiers fell dead on the ground, others ran off to hide themselves in
the woods, and some went to tell the king.
The king was dreadfully angry to think that he could not get the better
of the fool. He had desired to have the cloth, to have the stick, to
have the girdle, but what were any of these things to the wonderful
six-cornered hat which, of its own accord, fired and shot down its
opponents as well as if it had been a battery of cannon!
Having considered for some time, he thought it would, perhaps, be best
to try persuasion. So he sent to the lad’s mother, and said to her—
“Tell your son, the fool, that I and my lovely daughter salute him, and
we beg of him to come to the palace and show us all the wonderful things
we are told he possesses. If he is willing to make me a present of them
I will give him half my kingdom, and will name him as my successor in
the throne. My daughter also will take him for her husband.”
The mother ran off to her son, and persuaded him to accept the king’s
invitation, and go to the palace with his wonderful treasures. The lad
fastened on his girdle, put on his hat, hid the cloth in his bosom, took
his stick in his hand, and set off to the Court. When he came there the
king was engaged, but the lad was received very politely by his
attendants. Music struck up as he came to the palace, the soldiers
presented arms, and altogether the lad was received very much better
than he could have expected. At length, when he was introduced into the
hall in which was the king, the lad took off his hat and bowed.
“What,” said he, “O king, do you desire? I have come to lay at the foot
of your throne the cloth, the girdle, the stick, and the hat. In return
for these presents I only ask that your royal favour may light on the
humblest of your subjects.”
“Tell me then, fool,” said the king, “how much money do you want for
those things?”
“Money,” replied the lad, “a fool like me does not want money. The king
promised my mother to give me half his kingdom, and his daughter in
marriage. I only ask so much!”
The king’s officer signed to the soldiers to come in. They laid hands on
the lad suddenly, dragged him out into the courtyard, and there, while
the drums beat and the trumpets sounded, they killed him and buried him.
As the soldiers pierced him to the heart, some drops of blood sprang
forth, and fell under the windows of the princess, who wept at the sight
and shed tears on the reddened earth. Wonderful to tell! from these
drops of blood there sprang up an apple-tree which grew till it reached
the windows of the princess’s apartments. When the princess laid her
hand on the boughs of the tree, an apple fell off into her bosom. The
princess took it up and played with it.
The next day, when night came on, all were asleep in the palace save the
guards, the king’s officer, and the princess. The guards were watching,
as usual, with their arms in their hands. The princess was playing with
the apple, and could not sleep. As for the king’s officer, soon after he
lay down he was roused by a terrible noise. The cudgel appeared before
him, and though he ran round and round his chamber, it pursued and beat
him, crying—
“You good-for-nothing fellow! Don’t be so envious and unjust. Don’t
return evil for good, and steal what belongs to others. Take that, and
that, and that!”
The officer called aloud and cried for mercy, but the stick still laid
on.
The princess, hearing some one groaning, began to weep, and then a
wonderful thing happened. Some of her tears fell on the apple. It grew,
changed its form, and, all of a sudden, there stood before her a fine
young man, the very same as had been slain under her window.
“Fair princess,” said he, “I salute you. The treachery of the king’s
officer caused my death, and your tears have recalled me to life again.
Your father promised to give you to me for my wife: what do you say?”
“If it is my father’s wish,” replied the princess, “I consent,” and she
gave him her hand.
The lad spoke some words and the doors opened of themselves. The
six-cornered hat came and placed itself on his head, the girdle came and
wound itself around his waist, the cloth hid itself in one of his
pockets, and the avenging cudgel placed itself in his hands.
When this had taken place the king came running in. How astonished was
he to see the fool alive, and there! The lad did not await for the king
to give vent to his rage, but said—
“Wonderful girdle, for my safety, and not for my pleasure, let me find
myself on the water.”
There was a murmuring in the air. A wonderful change took place. A
large, wide, and deep lake appeared in the middle of the palace grounds.
In the crystal waters played fish with golden scales and eyes of pearl.
Afar off on the water were the fool and the princess. The king came to
the side of the lake and beckoned the lad to him. He came, and with the
princess knelt at the king’s feet, and told him how they two were in
love with one another. The king gave them his blessing. The lake
disappeared, and the three returned to the palace, when the king,
calling his counsellors, told them all that had occurred. Then he named
the fool as his successor on the throne, gave him his daughter, and
threw his officer into prison.
In return, the lad gave the king the cloth, the stick, the girdle, and
the hat, telling him how to use them, and teaching him the magic words.
The next day the marriage took place, and, with his daughter, the king
gave the lad half of his dominions, and in the evening there was a royal
feast, so grand that the like was never before seen or heard of.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EVIL EYE.
I.
THERE was once upon a time a rich gentleman who lived in a fine house on
the banks of the Vistula. All the windows in the house looked towards
the river, none looked towards the wide sweep of country around. The
path under the poplars which led up to the house was overgrown with
grass and weeds, and showed plainly enough that none of the neighbours
visited there, and that very little of the old hospitality was to be
experienced there.
The gentleman who owned the house had lived there for seven years, and
had come from some far-off place. The peasants knew little about him,
and they avoided him with fear and trembling, for there were terrible
tales about him.
The gentleman was born on the banks of the river Sau, and his parents
had been rich. Misfortune, however, had pursued him from the cradle
upwards. He had an evil eye, which scattered disease and death wherever
its glances fell. If he by ill chance glanced over his herd, the cattle
on which his eye fell died. Whatever he loved would surely die. His own
parents, to complete the son’s sorrow, perished, and the man with the
evil eye, as he came to be called in his birthplace, where the evil eye
had caused so much mischief, sold everything he had, and set off to the
banks of the Vistula, where he bought the fine house. He kept no folk
about him save one old manservant, who had nursed him in his arms when
he was a boy, and on whom the evil eye of his master had no effect.
The unlucky man seldom went out of his house, for he knew that his
glance brought misfortune, disease, and death on what it lighted on.
When he did go out in his carriage his old servant sat beside him, and
told him when they were coming to a man, a village, or a town. Then the
miserable man would either cover his eyes with his hands, or cast down
his glances on the floor of his carriage, where he always had a bundle
of pea-stalks at his feet.[1]
-----
Footnote 1:
When the evil eye is directed to a bundle of pea-stalks it does no
damage, but merely dries up the stalks.
-----
So it was that he had all the windows of his fine house made to look
over the Vistula. Twice had he by ill chance looked upon his
farm-buildings, and they had been set on fire by his glance.
In spite of all his care the sailors cursed him, and pointed with fear
to the wide windows of his beautiful house, out of which he scattered
destruction amongst them, the stream rushing on fast in the channel, and
bringing many a ship to ground opposite the White House, as the place
was called.
One boatman determined to see the man. He jumped into his boat and set
off to the house. When he arrived there he asked to see the master. The
old servant, fearful of the consequences, led him into the room. His
master was dining, and being put out that he should be interrupted at
his meal, he frowned upon the stranger. Immediately a fever took the
sailor, and he sank down on the floor at the door.
The old servant, at the command of his master, took the man to his boat,
gave him some money, and rowed him back to the other side of the river.
The poor sailor was ill for a long time, and when he regained his
strength he gave such a terrible account of the White House, and of its
master, as greatly increased the fear of his comrades. From that time,
when they went down the river in their boats and came opposite to the
White House, they would turn their eyes away, and pray heartily that
they might be protected from the evil glance of the terrible man who
lived there.
II.
Three years had passed, and the White House was still the dread of the
neighbours and the terror of the sailors. No one came to see the
much-feared man, and he lived solitary and miserable.
The next winter was very severe. The wolves, coming together, howled
with hunger around the house, and the master sat by the hearth, on which
burned a large fire, and sorrowfully turned over the leaves of a large
book. The old servant had secured all the doors, and sat at the other
side of the room warming himself, and busied in mending a fishing-net.
“Stanislas,” said his master, “have you caught any fish?”
“Not many, master, but as many as we two shall want.”
“That is true,” said his master. “Although so many years have passed, we
are but two. O unlucky hour in which I was born! Here am I alone, and
all men fly from me as if I were a monster,” and the tears fell in a
torrent from his unfortunate eyes.
All of a sudden they heard a voice crying for help. The master started.
It was a long time since he had heard a strange voice. The old servant
rushed out, and his master followed him with the light in his hand.
Before the door stood a covered sledge, and by it was an old man who
called for help.
As soon as the stranger saw the two men coming to him, he lifted his
wife, who had fainted, out of the sledge, and the old servant helped the
terrified daughter, a beautiful girl, to alight.
They put on more wood, and brought the fainted lady round, and the
master of the house, pleased to be able to show hospitality, went and
fetched some old wine in order to drink the strangers’ healths. The old
servant laughed to himself as he marked his master’s joyful face. The
strange guest, cheered by the wine, told how they had lost their way,
how they had fallen in with a pack of hungry wolves, and how their fleet
horse had carried them to the White House.
Towards night the luggage was taken out of the sledge, and the wearied
travellers retired to rest in warm, comfortable chambers. All was still
in the White House, save that the fire now and then sent forth a
glimmering flame.
III.
It was within an hour of midnight, and the old servant was asleep by the
fireside, when the door of his master’s bedchamber opened and the
unhappy man trod lightly into the hall. The old servant, wondering
whether he was dreaming, rubbed his eyes, and said—
“What, cannot my master sleep?”
“Be quiet, old friend!” said his master in a joyful voice. “I cannot
sleep, and do not wish to sleep when I am so happy as I now am.”
And he sat down in a big arm-chair by the fireside, smiled, and
commenced to weep.
“Weep, poor master, weep,” said Stanislas to himself. “Maybe you may
weep your evil eyes away.”
“Would that God would give me what I now wish,” said his master, “and I
would ask for nothing more in the world. Here have I lived thirty years
like a hermit or a criminal, and yet I have never willingly hurt any
one, and my soul is free from sin, but my eyes, my eyes!”
His countenance, which was so happy till now, became gloomy as usual;
but soon a smile appeared on his face, as hope once more chased away
sorrow.
“Dear friend!” said he, and Stanislas looked at him, “maybe I shall
marry.”
“Heaven help us!” cried the old servant. “But where then is your future
bride?”
The master rose from his chair, walked on tiptoe to the side-door, which
led to the chambers where slept the travellers, and, pointing to the
door, said—
“There.”
Stanislas nodded his head, as if he approved of his master’s choice, and
cheerfully put some wood upon the fire. His master went back to his room
in deep thought, and the old servant mumbled to himself—
“Heaven grant it! But pears don’t grow on willow-trees.”
And he was soon asleep.
IV.
On the following morning the traveller rose rested and refreshed, but he
was not able to continue his journey in consequence of the illness of
his wife.
The master of the house was pleased when he heard that the strangers
must pass some more days in his house, and old Stanislas began almost to
think that the pears might grow on the willows after all.
The stranger was not exactly a rich man, but he had enough, was deemed
an honest man, and lived honourably. He was much pleased with his
friendly host, and as he was one day talking to his wife, who had much
improved in her health, he said—
“Margaret, it strikes me that our host is in love with our daughter
Mary, and, from what I can see, I think she does not dislike him. I
cannot but be pleased with it.”
“Oh,” said his wife, “you only imagine it.” But she was secretly pleased
that her husband had no objection to what she had herself very much
wished.
“The man is not poor, he has lived here a long time, he has proved
himself a gentleman,” went on the husband, walking up and down the room,
“and our daughter is old enough to be married and take on her the cares
of a household.”
In the evening the husband, having partaken of the host’s good wine,
stroked his grey moustache with satisfaction, and listened with joy when
the master of the house asked for his daughter’s hand.
“My brother,” said he after a short pause, “I am pleased with you, and
since you ask no dowry with my daughter, and you have enough to live
upon, she shall be your wife.”
Three months later the terrible man took his wife home. The grass and
weeds were cleared from the avenue of poplars, and many horses and
carriages passed along it to and fro, as relations and friends of the
beautiful bride came in troops to the wedding at the White House. In a
few days, however, all was still again, and fresh grass and weeds began
to grow in the avenue under the poplars.
V.
The winter was at hand, and the inmates of the White House only numbered
one more—the mistress of the house.
Most of the servants whom the master had engaged ran away at once as
soon as they heard he had an evil eye, and those who stayed a while,
having been taken ill, soon left the house also.
The young, beautiful wife lay ill upon her rich bed. Near her was her
husband, who, with averted eyes, pressed her cold hand.
The poor wife knew well how terrible was her husband’s glance. She knew
that through it her suffering and sorrow were increased; but still, in
her love for the sorrowing man, she asked him to look upon her once
more.
“My Mary,” said the wretched man, with a deep sigh. “I shall never be
happy with you so long as I have my eyes. Cut them out, then. Here is a
sharp knife, and at your hand it will cause me no pain.”
The poor wife shuddered at this terrible proposal, and the wretched man
sank from his chair to the floor, and commenced to weep bitterly.
“Of what use is this gift of Heaven to me?” cried he. “Of what use is it
to me to possess the pleasures men have in sight, when my eyes scatter
destruction and ruin around? You are ill, my Mary. Why, a tree itself
would wither when I cast my glance upon it in an evil hour. Take
courage, though. Upon our child these eyes shall never look. Him they
shall never harm, and he shall not have reason to curse his father.”
A groan was the only answer of the sick wife.
The master called in a servant and left the room. All at once two
different cries were heard from the two opposite sides of the White
House.
From one side came the cry of a new-born child, from the other side, in
the hall where the fire burned, came the cry of a man in pain. The one
was the cry of an infant as it looked upon the light for the first time,
the other was the cry of a man who had bid farewell to sight for ever.
VI.
Six years later there were windows in the White House from which one
could obtain a fine view of the village and the surrounding country. The
sailors had begun to make the House a resting-place on their way down
the stream. The mistress was well and merry, and her great joy was a
beautiful little daughter who led her blind father about.
The country-folk, who had fled in terror from the miserable man, now
came up to him in friendship, when they saw him blind and taking a walk
led by his little daughter. The former stillness departed. The servants
filled the once empty halls of the White House.
Old Stanislas had on that terrible day buried his master’s eyes in the
garden. One day he wondered what had become of them, and whether he
could find them. So he dug for them. All of a sudden the eyes glared on
him with a bright light. Hardly had the glance fallen on his face when
he stumbled and, falling to the ground, died.
That was the first time the evil eyes had done him hurt, and it was the
last time their power was exerted. They had done him no hurt while his
master kept them, because, as he loved his servant, his heart had
destroyed their power. Now they were in the earth they had acquired
power for fresh evil, and killed the honest old man!
His blind master sorrowed long for him, and over his grave he placed a
fine cross, near which the sailors often offered up a prayer when they
landed at the White House.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SEVEN BROTHERS.
ONCE upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman, who had been
married many years and had no children, and when they were yet old they
prayed to God to give them a child who might help them in their work as
they advanced in years. Their prayer was heard. When seven years had
passed the old woman gave birth to seven sons, and they were all called
Simeon. When the children were ten years old the old man and his wife
died, and the sons began to till his ground.
It chanced that one day the Czar Ados came past, and, seeing them
working in the fields, he was astonished to see such little fellows
doing such work. He sent one of his nobles to ask whose children they
were. So the noble came to them and asked who they were who worked so
hard. The eldest Simeon told him that they were orphans and had no one
to work for them. As for their names they were all called Simeon.
When the Czar got back to the palace he called together all his nobles
and asked them their opinion, saying—
“My lords, there are seven orphans who have no kinsfolk. I will make
them such men that they shall be grateful to me. Now, I want your advice
as to what trade or art I shall have them taught.”
Then all answered—
“Gracious sire, since they are old enough and have ability, we think it
would be best to ask each of them what trade or art he wishes to learn.”
The Czar was pleased with this advice, and asked the eldest Simeon—
“Tell me, friend, what trade or art would you like to learn? I will see
that you are instructed in it.”
The lad answered—
“May it please your majesty, I wish to learn no art, but if you will
order a smithy to be built in the middle of your court, I will smithy a
column which shall reach to heaven.”
The Czar saw that this Simeon required no teaching, since he was such a
smith, for he showed him very costly work, but he did not believe that
he would be able to smithy a column that should reach to heaven.
However, he ordered a place to be built in the middle of his yard, and
the eldest Simeon set to work.
Then the Czar asked the second Simeon—
“And you, my friend, what art will you learn?”
“Your majesty,” said he, “I do not wish to learn any business or trade,
but when my brother has finished the column, I will stand on the top of
it, look around into all the countries, and let you know what is passing
in each of them.”
The Czar perceived that there was no need to teach this lad anything,
since he was so clever already.
Then he said to the third Simeon—
“What business or what art will you learn?”
“Your majesty,” said he, “I do not wish to learn either handiwork or
art, but if my eldest brother will make me an axe, I will build a ship
in an instant.”
“Such a man do I want,” said the Czar. “You, too, have nothing to
learn.”
“And you,” said the Czar to the fourth Simeon, “what handiwork or what
art do you wish to learn?”
“Your majesty,” said he, “I do not wish to learn anything, but, when my
brother has finished his ship, and it is attacked by the enemy, I will
seize it by the prow, carry it to the underground kingdom, and, when the
enemy is gone, I will put it again on the sea.”
The Czar was very much astonished, and said—
“You, too, have nothing to learn.”
Then he spoke to the fifth brother—
“And you, Simeon, what handiwork or what art will you learn?”
“I want to learn nothing, your majesty,” said he, “but if my eldest
brother will make me a gun, I will shoot with it any bird that flies,
however far off it be, so that I am able to see it.”
“You will be an excellent sportsman,” said the Czar.
Then he asked the sixth brother—
“Well, Simeon, what art do you wish to learn?”
“I wish to learn no art, your majesty,” said he, “but if my fifth
brother shoots a bird, I will catch it before it comes to the ground and
bring it to your majesty.”
“That is very clever,” said the Czar. “You will do instead of a dog in
the field.”
Then the Czar asked the last brother—
“And you, Simeon, what handiwork or art will you learn?”
“I want to learn neither handiwork nor art, your majesty,” replied he,
“for I already know a precious art.”
“What is it,” asked the Czar, “that is so good?”
“I am so skilful at stealing,” said he, “that no one can beat me at it.”
When the Czar heard that the lad was acquainted with such a wicked art,
he was angry, and said to his nobles—
“My lords, let me have your advice as to how this thief, Simeon, should
be punished. What death should he die?”
“Your majesty,” said they all, “why should he die? It is not unlikely,
since he is such a clever thief, that he may prove useful in some case.”
“How so?” asked the Czar.
“Your majesty,” said they, “has during the last ten years sought the
hand of the Czarina, the beautiful Helena, in vain, and lost many armies
and much treasure. Now this thief, Simeon, may devise some means of
stealing the Czarina for your Majesty.”
“You say well, my friends,” observed the Czar, and he went and said to
the thief—
“Now, Simeon, can you wander over seven and twenty countries into the
thirtieth and steal for me the beautiful princess, Helena? I love her
very much, and if you procure her for me you shall be well rewarded.”
“We will see to it,” said he, “you have but to command.”
“I do not merely command,” said the Czar, “but I beg of you not to
remain longer at my court, but to take what armies you wish to effect
your purpose.”
“I do not want either your armies or your treasure,” said the thief.
“Only send all of us together, for I can do nothing without the others.”
The Czar did not wish for all the brothers to go, but though he thought
it hard, he was obliged to consent.
In the meantime the eldest brother had completed the iron column in the
smithy in the court of the palace. The second brother climbed up to the
top, and from there he saw the kingdom of the fair Helena’s father. He
called out to the Czar Ados—
“Your majesty, beyond twenty-seven countries in the thirtieth there
sits, at a window, the Czarina, the beautiful Helena. How fair she is!
One can see every blue vein in her white skin.”
Then the Czar was more in love with her than ever, and cried out to the
Simeons—
“My friends, set out as quickly as you can and return soon. I can live
no longer without the beautiful Helena.”
The eldest Simeon smithied a gun for the third brother, and carried
bread for the journey. The thief took with him a cat, and so they set
out. Now the thief had so trained the cat that it ran after him
everywhere, just like a dog, and when he stood still it stood by him, on
its hind-legs, rubbing against him and purring. So they went on till
they came to the shore of a sea over which they must pass. For a long
time they walked about on the shore and looked for wood, in order to
build a ship, and at last they came to a great oak. The third brother
took his axe and cut away at the root. The oak was brought to the
ground, and a ship was in a moment built from it, filled with all kinds
of precious things. The brothers entered the ship and sailed away.
After some months they came to the place they sought, and cast anchor in
the harbour. The next day the thief, taking his cat, went into the town,
and, coming to the Czar’s palace, stood in front of the Princess
Helena’s window. His cat at once stood up on its hind-legs and began to
rub itself against him, and to purr. Now a cat had never before been
seen in that kingdom, nor, indeed, had the people knowledge that there
was any such animal.
The princess sat at the window, and, when she saw the cat, she sent out
her servants and maids to ask Simeon if he would sell it, and if so,
what he wanted for it. The servants came to Simeon, and asked him what
kind of animal the cat was, and whether he would sell it.
“Tell her majesty, the beautiful Helena,” said the thief, “that the
animal is called a cat. I cannot sell it, but, if her majesty pleases, I
desire the honour of making her a present of it.”
The attendants took the message to the princess, who, when she heard it,
was delighted, and coming out of her chamber she asked Simeon why he
would not sell the cat.
“I cannot sell the cat, your majesty,” said he, “but, if you please, I
will give it to you.”
The princess took the cat in her arms, and going back to her apartment,
told Simeon to follow. When they were in the palace, she went to her
father, the Czar Say, showed him the cat, and told him that a stranger
had given it to her. The Czar was very much pleased with the strange
animal, and ordered that the thief Simeon should be brought to him. When
he came, the Czar wished to give him treasures in return for the cat,
but, as Simeon refused all, the Czar said to him: “My friend, stay for a
while in my palace. The cat will become more familiar to my daughter if
you are here.”
Simeon, however, did not wish to stay, and said—
“It would give me the greatest pleasure, your majesty, to stay in your
palace if I had not a ship in which I came to your country, and which I
can leave in charge of no one. If, however, your majesty wishes it, I
will come every day to the palace, and get the cat accustomed to your
daughter.”
So the Czar ordered him to come. Simeon went every day to the beautiful
Princess Helena, and one day he said to her—
“Gracious lady, I have come a long while to you, but I have noticed that
you never go out. Would you not like to see my vessel? I could show you
fine goods, gold-stuff, and diamonds, such as you have never seen.”
The princess went away to her father, and begged his permission for her
to take a walk on the quay. The Czar gave it her, but told her to take
her attendants and maids with her. So the princess went with Simeon.
When they had come to the quay, Simeon invited the princess on board his
vessel, and, calling his brothers to show her all the various goods, he
said, after a time—
“Tell your servants and maids to leave the ship so that I can show you
some costly things they must not see.”
So the princess bade them leave the vessel. When she was alone, the
thief ordered his brothers to cut the cable, set all sail, and put out
to sea. In the meanwhile he amused the princess, showing her the things,
and giving presents to her. So they spent several hours examining the
goods. At last the princess told him that it was time for her to go
home, as the Czar would be expecting her. But when she went up out of
the cabin, she saw that the vessel was already far out at sea, and that
she was far away from the coast. Then she beat upon her breast, changed
herself to a swan, and flew upwards; but the fifth Simeon, seizing his
gun, shot at her, and the sixth caught her as she was falling into the
water and brought her to the vessel. The princess became a young woman
once more.
The attendants and maids, who had gone to the quay with the princess,
and had seen the ship sail away with her, told the Czar of the trick
Simeon had played them, and he ordered that all his fleet should go in
pursuit. It had come near to Simeon’s vessel, when the fourth brother
laid hold of the vessel by the prow and dragged it off to the
underground kingdom. The sailors of the fleet saw the vessel vanish, and
they thought that it had sunk with the beautiful princess; so, going
back to the Czar Say, they told him of the ship’s disappearance.
The brothers came safely home, and led the fair Princess Helena to the
Czar Ados, who gave the Simeons, in reward for their great service,
their freedom and much gold, silver, and many precious stones. And he
lived with the princess for many years, prosperous and happy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SILA CZAROVITCH AND IVASCHKA.
THERE was once upon a time a Czar called Chotei, who had three sons. The
first was called Aspe, the second Adam, and the third, the youngest,
Sila. The elder brothers came to their father and asked him to let them
go and travel in other countries, so that they might see the world and
learn how things were. The Czar gave them his permission, and let them
each have a vessel in which they might sail. Then the youngest brother
came to the Czar and asked him to let him go with his brothers.
“My dear son,” said the Czar, “you are too young to bear the fatigues of
a journey. Stop here then at home, and do not think of going abroad.”
Sila, however, wished very much to see the strange countries, and so
wearied his father with his prayers, that at last he gave him his
permission to go, and let him have a vessel also. As soon as the three
brothers were on board their ships they set sail. When they came to the
open sea, however, the eldest brother’s vessel went on first, the second
brother’s next, and Sila’s came last.
As they sailed, the third day there came floating past them a coffin
with iron bands. The two eldest brothers saw it, but did not pick it up.
When Sila, however, saw it, he gave orders to his sailors to secure it,
bring it on board, and bury it when they came to a suitable spot. On the
following day a great storm came on, and Sila’s ship, being driven out
of its proper course, drifted to the steep shores of an unknown land.
When they arrived there, Sila ordered the sailors to carry the coffin on
shore, and he followed it himself and saw it buried in the earth.
Sila then told the ship’s master to stop where the vessel was for three
years, waiting for him. If he did not come back at the end of that time,
he told the man he was to sail away. Then Sila took leave of his captain
and his men, and went away following his eyes. For a long time he went
on and met no one. On the third day, however, he heard a man running
after him, clothed in white. When he saw that the man was coming up to
him, he drew his sword, fearing that the stranger might intend to do him
some hurt. But when the man came up to him, he fell down at his feet,
and began to thank him for having rescued him. Sila, not understanding
what he meant, asked him why he thanked him, and what good service he
had done him. The unknown sprang to his feet, and said—
“Sila Czarovitch, how can I ever repay you? There I lay in my coffin,
which you took on board and buried on the land, and so was I rescued
from the sea.”
“How came you in the coffin?” asked Sila.
“I will tell you all,” said the man. “I was once a great magician, and
my mother, fearing that I did a great deal of harm to folk by my magic,
confined me in the coffin, and turned me out upon the sea. I have been
floating for over a hundred years, and no one ever picked me up. You I
have to thank for my deliverance, and in return for it I will aid you in
any way I can. Tell me, do you not wish to marry? If you do, I know the
beautiful Queen Truda, who would make you a worthy wife.”
Sila told him that if the queen were beautiful he would be content to
marry her. Ivaschka, in the white grave-clothes, assured him that she
was the most beautiful woman in all the world, and Sila, when he heard
that, asked his companion to go with him to her country. So they went on
together.
Now Queen Truda’s kingdom was surrounded by a fence with posts, and on
every post, save one, was a man’s head. When Sila saw that he was
alarmed, and asked Ivaschka what it meant.
“Those,” said Ivaschka, “are the heads of the warriors who came to ask
the Queen Truda to marry them.”
Sila was afraid when he heard that, and wished himself back again in his
own kingdom. He did not wish to go on and see the father of the queen,
but Ivaschka told him he had nothing to fear if he went on boldly with
him. So Sila and he went on together.
When they had entered the kingdom, Ivaschka said to him—
“Listen, Sila Czarovitch, I will live with you as your servant. When you
come to the royal apartments, behave humbly to King Salom. He will ask
you where you come from, what country you belong to, who your father is,
what is your name, and on what errand you have come. Tell him all, and
do not try to conceal anything. Tell him that you have come to ask for
his daughter’s hand, and he will give her to you with the greatest joy.”
Sila went into the palace, and when King Salom saw him he came to meet
him, took him by the white hands, led him into the white marble room,
and said to him—
“Young man, who are you? From what kingdom do you come? Who is your
father? What is your name? and why are you come?”
“I have come,” replied Sila, “from the kingdom of the Czar Chotei; I am
known as Sila Czarovitch, and I have come here to ask for your daughter,
the beautiful Queen Truda, for my wife.”
Then King Salom was very pleased when he heard that the son of so famous
a Czar desired to wed his daughter, and he at once sent to her, to tell
her to get ready for the wedding. When the day came, the king commanded
all the princes and nobles to come to the palace. From there they went
to the church, and Sila Czarovitch married the beautiful Queen Truda.
The company went back to the palace, seated themselves at table, and ate
and drank with great joy.
When evening was come Ivaschka came near to Sila, and said to him
softly—
“Listen, Sila Czarovitch. When you retire with your wife, take care you
do not say a word to her, or you are a dead man, and your head will find
a place on the last post. She will do all she can to make you speak, but
do not you say a word to her.”
Sila asked him why he gave him this warning.
“She is,” said Ivaschka, “acquainted with a spirit which flies through
the air in the shape of a dragon with six heads. Your wife will lay her
hand upon your breast. When she does so, spring up and beat her with a
stick till she has no strength left in her. I will myself watch at the
door of the room.”
The queen did, as Ivaschka foretold, do all she could to make Sila
speak, but he would not utter a word. Then Truda put her hand on his
breast, and pressed him, so that he could hardly breathe. Sila jumped
up, seized a stick, which Ivaschka had put there for the occasion, and
commenced to beat her as if he would kill her. Immediately there came on
a terrible storm, and there flew into the room a six-headed dragon who
commenced to attack Sila. Then Ivaschka came in with a sharp sword in
his hand, and he and the dragon fought together for three hours, when
Ivaschka managed to cut off two of the dragon’s heads, and the monster
flew away. Ivaschka then told Sila he might go to sleep and fear
nothing. So Sila laid him down and slept till morning.
King Salom was anxious respecting his son-in-law, and he sent early in
the morning to ask if all was well with him. When he heard that it was,
he was delighted, for he remembered the fate of the others who had come
to marry his daughter. He summoned Sila to him, and they spent the whole
day in merriment.
The next night Ivaschka warned Sila that he must not speak to his wife,
and he himself took up his station outside the door of the room. Sila’s
wife again tried to make him speak, and again put her hand upon his
breast, and Sila leaped up and thrashed her. The dragon flew in and
attacked him, but Ivaschka sprang in from the door with the sword in his
hand, and after he and the dragon had fought for three hours Ivaschka
cut off two more of its heads. Then the dragon flew off and Sila lay
down to sleep. The king again sent for Sila to come to him, and they
spent the day together very pleasantly.
The third night Ivaschka warned Sila as before, and Sila did as he was
bid. Ivaschka again fought with the monster, and, cutting off the two
last heads, he burnt them and the carcass, and scattered the ashes over
the fields.
So Sila Czarovitch stayed with his father-in-law for a whole year, and
then Ivaschka, coming to him one day, told him to ask the king to give
him permission to return home. Sila went to King Salom and obtained his
leave to go, and the king sent two divisions of his army with him as an
escort. So Sila parted with his father-in-law, and set off with his wife
for his own land.
When they were half-way home Ivaschka told Sila to stop and camp there.
Sila did as he advised, and ordered his tent to be put up. On the next
day Ivaschka took some pieces of stick and burnt them in front of the
Czarovitch’s tent. Then he came to the tent, led Queen Truda outside,
and unsheathing his sword he cut her in two. Sila was greatly terrified,
and commenced to weep when he saw that.
“Do not weep,” said Ivaschka, “she will come to life again.”
As soon as the Queen was cut in two there came out of her all manner of
evil spirits, and all of these Ivaschka threw into the fire. Then said
he to Sila—
“Do you see the evil things which possessed your wife? They are all evil
spirits which had entered her.”
When all the evil spirits were destroyed in the fire, he placed the two
parts of Truda’s body together, sprinkled them with water from a running
brook, and the queen became alive again. She was now also as good as she
had before been evil.
Then said Ivaschka to Sila—
“Good-bye, Sila Czarovitch, you will see me no more;” and as soon as he
had spoken those words he disappeared.
Sila struck his tent and went on homewards, and when he came to the spot
where he had left his ship, he dismissed the troops that accompanied
him, went on board with his queen, and set sail. He soon came to his own
land, and his arrival there was greeted with the sound of cannon. Czar
Chotei came to meet him, and taking him and his wife by their white
hands he led them into the white marble room. Then there was a feast
prepared, and they ate and drank and were merry. Sila lived with his
father two years, and then he went back to the country of his
father-in-law, King Salom. He succeeded him on the throne, and reigned
with his beautiful Queen Truda, during many years, with much love and
happiness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE STOLEN HEART.
ONCE upon a time there stood, on an island in the Vistula, a great
castle surrounded by a strong rampart. At each corner was a tower, and
from these there waved in the wind many a flag, while the soldiers stood
on guard upon them. A bridge connected the island with the banks of the
river.
In this castle lived a knight, a brave and famous warrior. When the
trumpets sounded from the battlements of the castle, their notes
announced that he had returned from victory loaded with booty.
In the deep dungeons of the castle many a prisoner was confined, and
they were led out daily to work. They had to keep the ramparts in
repair, and to see to the garden. Now among these prisoners was an old
woman, who was a sorceress. She swore that she would be revenged upon
the knight for his ill-treatment of her, and patiently awaited an
opportunity to effect her purpose.
One day the knight came back wearied out with his exertions on one of
his warlike excursions. He lay down upon the grass, closed his eyes, and
was soon fast asleep.
The witch seized the opportunity. Coming gently to him, she scattered
poppy seed on his eyes so that he should sleep the sounder. Then, with
an aspen branch, she struck him on the breast over his heart.
The knight’s breast at once opened, so that one could look in and see
the heart as it lay there and beat. The sorceress laughed, stretched out
her bony arm, and with her long fingers she stole away the heart so
quietly that the knight never woke.
Then the woman took a hare’s heart which she had ready, put it in the
sleeping man’s breast, and closed up the opening. Going away softly, she
hid herself in a thicket, to see the effect of her wicked work.
Before the knight was even awake he began to feel the change that the
hare’s heart was making in him. He, who had till now never known fear,
quaked and tossed himself uneasily from side to side. When he awoke he
felt as if he should be crushed by his armour. The cry of his hounds, as
it fell on his ear, filled him with terror.
Once he had loved to hear their deep baying as he followed them in
pursuit of the prey in the wild forest, but now he was filled with fear,
and fled like a timid hare. As he ran to his room the clang of his
armour, the ringing of his silver spurs, the clatter of his spear,
filled him with such terror that he threw all aside, and sank exhausted
on his bed.
Even in his sleep fear pursued him. Once he dreamed only of battles, and
of the prizes of victory, now he trembled as he dreamt. The barking of
his dogs, the voices of his soldiers as they paced the ramparts while
they watched, made him quake as he lay on his bed, and he buried his
head, like a frightened child, in his pillow.
At length there came a body of the knight’s enemies to besiege him in
his castle. The knight’s soldiers looked upon their leader, who had so
often delighted in the excitement of the camp, and in the victory. In
vain they waited for him to lead them forth. The once so brave knight,
when he heard the clash of arms, the cry of the men, and the clang of
the horses’ hoofs, fled to the topmost chamber of his castle, and from
there looked down upon the force which had come against him.
When he recollected his expeditions in the time past, his combats, his
victories, he wept bitterly, and cried out aloud—
“O Heaven! give me now courage, give me the old strength of heart and
vigour. My men have already gone to the field, and I, who used to lead
them, now, like a girl, look through the highest loophole upon my
enemies. Give me my old boldness, that I may take my arms again; make me
what I was once, and bless me with victory.”
These thoughts, as it were, awakened him from a dream. He went again
into his chamber, put on his armour, leaped upon his horse, and rode
outside the castle gate. The soldiers saw him come with joy, and sounded
the trumpets. The knight went on, but in his secret soul he was afraid,
and when his men gallantly threw themselves upon the enemy, deadly fear
came over him, and he turned and fled.
Even when he was once more in his stronghold, when the mighty walls held
him safe within them, fear did not leave him. He sprang from his horse,
fled to an innermost chamber, and there, quite unmanned, awaited
inglorious death.
His men had triumphed over the foe, and the salutations of the guards
announced their victorious return. All wondered at the flight of their
leader at such a time. They looked for him, and discovered him half dead
in a deep cellar.
The unfortunate knight did not live long. During the winter he tried to
warm his quaking limbs by the fireside of his castle. When spring came
he would open his window that he might breathe the fresh air, and one
day it chanced a swallow, that had built its nest in a hole of the roof,
struck him on the head with its wing. The blow was fatal. As if he had
been struck by lightning, the knight fell down upon the ground, and in a
short while died.
All his men mourned for their good master. They knew not what had
changed him, but about a year later, when some sorceresses were being
put to the ordeal for having kept off the rain, one of them confessed
that she had taken the knight’s heart, and put in his breast a hare’s
heart in its place. Then the men knew how it was that a man who had
formerly been so bold of heart had become so fearful. They mourned his
misfortune, and, taking the witch to his grave, there they burnt her
alive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCE SLUGOBYL.
THERE was once upon a time a king who had an only son named Slugobyl.
The young prince was very fond of travelling, and when he was twenty
years of age he begged his father and mother so much to let him go to
see the world, that they gave him their consent, giving him as an
attendant an old servant on whose fidelity they thought they could rely.
The prince, well equipped and armed, mounted his horse, and, after
having taken a tender leave, set off to distant countries in the hope of
acquiring knowledge and returning wiser, and more fitted to rule.
As he rode along he saw a cygnet pursued by an eagle, which threatened
to overtake it every moment. The prince seized his bow, and shot so well
that the eagle, mortally wounded, fell at his feet. The cygnet seeing
this stopped in its flight, and said to the prince—
“Prince Slugobyl, it is not a poor cygnet that thanks you, but the
daughter of the Invisible Prince, who, changed into this shape, sought
refuge from the pursuit of the giant Koshchei. My father will reward you
for this good action. Remember when you have need of him, you have only
to speak these words thrice—‘Invisible Prince, come to me.’”
When it had thus spoken, the cygnet flew away, and the prince, having
watched it till it was out of sight, continued his journey. He went on
for a long time until he found himself in the midst of a plain scorched
up by the heat of the sun. Not a tree, not a bush, not even a plant, was
to be seen. No bird flew by, no insect broke the stillness with its hum.
Everything seemed as if it had been stricken with death by the sun’s
rays. The prince, after having travelled some hours on this plain, began
to feel very thirsty, so he sent his servant off to see if he could find
some spring or well at which he could alight. By good luck the servant
found a well, very deep, and containing plenty of fresh water, but there
was nothing by means of which they could draw the water up. What should
they do? At length the prince said—
“Take the cord with which we secure our horses and fasten it around you,
and then I will let you down into the well, for I am nearly dead with
thirst.”
“My prince,” answered the servant, “I am heavier than you, and you are
not so strong as I am. If I go down you will never be able to draw me up
again. It would be better for you to go down the well, and then I can
pull you up when you have drunk as much as you wish.”
The prince thought the advice good, and the servant tied the cord under
his arms, and let him down into the well. When he had drunk as much as
he wished, he got some of the water for his servant, and then he pulled
the cord as a signal for him to draw him up. Instead of doing so,
however, the servant looked down and said to him—
“Listen to me, prince. Since the day of your birth up to the present
time you have had everything you wished for, while I have undergone
great misery, and have slaved all my life. Now we will change places.
Take your choice. Will you be my servant? If not, pray Heaven to have
mercy on you, for I shall leave you to drown.”
“Stop, my good servant,” said the prince, “don’t do that, I beg you.
What good would it do you? You would never find so good a position as
you have with me, and you know that murderers meet with a dreadful fate
in the next world. Their hands are plunged in boiling pitch, their
shoulders are scourged with red-hot iron, and their necks are sawn with
wooden saws.”
“I do not care for all that,” said the servant, “but I know that I shall
drown you unless you consent.”
And he commenced to loosen the cord.
“Well then,” said the prince, “I agree to what you ask. You shall be my
prince and I will be your servant. I pledge you my word.”
“I don’t believe in words,” cried the servant, “which the wind blows
away. Swear to me that you will confirm the promise in writing.”
“I swear it,” said the prince.
The servant let down a paper and pencil, and dictated the following
words—
“I declare that I renounce my name and all my rights in favour of him
who carries this paper, and that I take him for my prince, and will
serve him.
Signed, in the well—
PRINCE SLUGOBYL.”
The servant, who was unable to read, took the paper, drew the prince up
out of the well, and then changed clothes with him. Thus disguised, the
two went on for a week, until they entered a large town and came to the
palace of the king. The false prince sent his companion to see to the
horses, while he presented himself boldly to the king, and said to him—
“I am come, sire, to ask the hand of your beautiful and wise daughter,
whose fame has spread even to my father’s court. If you consent I assure
you of our friendship, but if you refuse we shall make war with you.”
“The request and the threat are alike unseasonable,” said the king.
“Listen, prince; I am willing to show my respect for the king, your
father, by granting his request, on one condition. Our enemies, enraged
against us, have assembled a large army, and now threaten our town. If
you deliver us, my daughter is yours.”
“Very well,” replied the false prince, “I will utterly destroy the
hostile army. Let them come as near as possible to the town. I promise
you that I will acquit myself so well, that to-morrow morning you shall
find no traces of them.”
When it was evening, he called his pretended servant to him from his
lodging in the stables, and, when the prince had respectfully saluted
him, said—
“Listen, my friend. Go out at once and destroy the hostile army which is
encamped outside the city, and do it so that folk will think that I am
the vanquisher. In return for this service, I promise to give you back
the writing by which you agree to let me have your title and to serve
me.”
The prince put on his armour, jumped on his horse, and, going out of the
town, called thrice on the Invisible Prince.
“Here I am,” said a voice close to him. “What do you wish? I will do
whatever you tell me, for it was you who saved my daughter from
Koshchei, and that is a service I shall never forget.”
Prince Slugobyl showed him the army he wished destroyed. The Invisible
Prince whistled, and said—
“Magical horse with the golden mane, come to me, not on the ground but
through the air, quick as an arrow, nimble as the lightning’s flash.”
That moment, in the midst of a whirlwind of smoke, there came a
magnificent horse of an iron grey colour, and with a golden mane. It
flew like the wind. Fire came from its nostrils. Its eyes sparkled like
stars, and its ears smoked.
The Invisible Prince jumped upon it, and said to Prince Slugobyl—
“Take my sword and go and exterminate the left wing, while I destroy the
right and the centre.”
So the two set off, each to his place, and attacked the enemy with fury.
To the right and to the left the soldiers fell like mown down grass. The
slaughter was dreadful. The soldiers fled in all directions, but the two
princes pursued them, and only ceased their labour when there remained
on the field of battle only the dead and the dying. Then the two
returned to the town. When they came near to the palace they shook
hands. The Invisible Prince disappeared, and Prince Slugobyl went back
to his stable.
It chanced that the king’s daughter had been in such trouble that she
had not been able to sleep. So she had gone out upon her balcony, and
from there she had observed all that had occurred. She had heard the
conversation between the false prince and his servant. She had seen
Slugobyl call the Invisible Prince to assist him, and she had seen him
give his clothes and armour to the impostor, while he told him all that
he had done during the night. The princess divined all, but she resolved
to be careful, and not to speak till the right time.
The next day the king ordered that the victory gained by his guest over
the hostile army should be celebrated by great festivities. Calling his
daughter to him at the banquet, he was about to give her to the false
prince, when she, leaving the table, made her way among the servants,
and embracing Slugobyl, who stood amongst them, brought him forward.
“My father,” said she, “and all you who are here present, here is he who
gained the victory, and whom Heaven has sent me to be my husband. He
whom you have been honouring is nothing more than a vile impostor, who
has robbed his master alike of his name and of his rights. Last night I
could not sleep, and, going out upon my balcony, I saw things such as
eye had never before seen, and heard things such as ear had never before
been acquainted with. I will tell you all, but first of all command that
traitor to show you the paper by which he claims to be what he
pretends.”
The false prince then produced the paper signed by his master, and it
was found to contain these words—
“Let the bearer of this paper, the traitorous and wicked servant of
Prince Slugobyl, receive the punishment he well deserves for his
treachery.
(Signed), PRINCE SLUGOBYL.”
“What!” cried the traitor, “do you say that that is what the writing
means?”
“Yes,” cried they all. “That is what is here.”
Then he threw himself at the king’s feet and begged for mercy, but he
only received what he deserved. He was tied to four wild horses and torn
to pieces.
Prince Slugobyl married the princess. I, who tell you of these things,
was there myself, and I there drank wine and hydromel, but, though my
beard was wetted, none of the drink went into my mouth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCESS MARVEL.
UPON an island in the midst of the sea dwelt a princess, and with her
lived twelve female attendants. The princess was of extraordinary
beauty. Her face was calm and lovely as the moon, her lips were rosy
red, and when she spoke her voice was full of music. Her eyes were
remarkable. If they looked upon one with favour, her glance filled him
with delight; but if they were cast upon one in anger, he was at once
changed into a block of ice. All the princess’s attendants were very
beautiful, and devoted to their mistress. In time the fame of the
princess’s extraordinary loveliness was spread abroad. Folk came from
all parts to see her, and the island became full of people.
Many princes sought the princess in marriage, but she rejected them all.
Those who took her refusal in good part returned to their homes safe and
sound, but woe to him who endeavoured to obtain the hand of Princess
Marvel by force! Having landed with an army on the island, he saw his
soldiers miserably perish, and he himself, pierced by a glance from the
princess’s eye, became a block of ice.
One day the great ogre Koshchei, looking around the world, took it into
his head to see all the different kings, queens, princes, and princesses
it contained.
All of a sudden his glance fell upon the island where dwelt the
princess. He looked, and saw the twelve beautiful attendants, and in
their midst the lovely princess, asleep. As she slept the princess
dreamt of a man who wore gold armour, was mounted on a fiery charger,
and who was armed with an invisible club, and she felt that she loved
the chevalier more than life itself.
Meanwhile Koshchei had fallen deep in love with the princess. Stamping
three times upon the ground, he was at once transported to the island,
but the princess, when he presented himself, rejected him with scorn,
for she felt that she could be the wife of none but him whom she had
seen in her dream. As Koshchei was determined to carry off the princess
by force, if need be, she assembled her troops, and went out to meet
him. Koshchei with his poisonous breath laid all the troops prostrate on
the ground in a deep sleep. The princess, however, escaped, for, casting
one of her angry glances on Koshchei, he was turned into a block of ice,
and the princess returned to her palace. Koshchei did not long remain in
that condition. When the princess came to her palace she found all the
people within it asleep, and Koshchei, following her there, and not
daring to appear before her for fear of again feeling the power of her
eyes, built a wall of iron around the palace, placed a dragon with
twelve heads at its gate, and waited, thinking that the princess would
at length tire of being a solitary prisoner, and would agree to become
his wife.
All upon the island were asleep, save the princess and Koshchei. Weeks
and months passed away and Koshchei came to the gate of the palace time
after time to tell the princess that he loved her, that resistance must
be vain, and that, as his wife, she should be queen of all the
underground world. Princess Marvel, however, listened to him in silence.
Solitary and sad, she thought of him she had seen in her dream. She
thought of his shining armour, his fiery horse, his invisible club, and
the glances he had cast upon her, assuring her he loved her. She was
always thinking of him. One day, as she looked out, she saw a cloud
passing along the sky, and said to it—
“Stop on your way through the blue sky, cloud, and tell me where is he
whom I love, and whether he ever thinks of me.”
“I do not know,” said the cloud. “Ask the wind.”
The princess, seeing a breath of wind playing amongst the flowers, said
to it—
“Wind, you travel far and wide and are so happy in your freedom, have
pity upon me, who am so miserable and helpless. Tell me where is he whom
I love, and whether he ever thinks of me.”
“Ask the stars,” said the wind. “They know more than I do.”
Princess Marvel lifted up her eyes to the bright, shining stars, and
said—
“Stars, that shine so bright, can you see my eyes so full of tears
without having pity on me? Tell me where is he whom I love, and whether
he thinks of me.”
“You had better ask the moon,” said the stars. “She knows more that goes
on upon the earth than we do.”
Then Princess Marvel said to the moon—
“Beautiful moon, look on me for a moment, and tell me where is he whom I
love, and whether he thinks of me.”
“Princess,” answered the moon, “I know nothing about your friend. Wait a
few hours, and then you will see the sun. Ask him. There is nothing hid
from him, and he will tell you all.”
The princess waited till morning, and when the sun rose she said to him—
“Sun, look on me, and tell me where is my love, and if he thinks of me.”
“Princess Marvel,” replied the sun, “dry up your tears and take courage.
The prince is coming to you. He has obtained the magic ring from the
depths below; he has collected together an innumerable army to come to
your rescue, and to punish Koshchei. All will, however, be useless
unless the prince takes another course, for Koshchei can overthrow all
the prince’s forces. I will go to the prince and give him some advice.
Good-bye. I go to him who loves you. Be of good cheer, for he will come
and rescue you, and you shall be happy.”
Then the sun looked down upon the country where Prince Junak, clothed in
golden armour and mounted on a fiery horse, got ready his army to go and
attack Koshchei. Three times had the prince seen the Princess Marvel in
his dreams, and he loved her deeply.
“Leave your army,” said the sun to him, “for it will be of no service
whatever against Koshchei. You can only deliver the princess from him by
killing him, and to learn how you are to do that you must go to old
Yaga. She can tell you how he can be killed. I will tell you how to get
a horse which will carry you direct to her. Go towards the east until
you come to a vast plain in the middle of which grow three oaks. Near to
these you will find in the ground an iron door. Open it, and in a corner
you will find the horse and the invisible club, which you must have to
effect your wishes. You will afterwards learn how to proceed.”
Prince Junak hardly knew what to do, but at length he resolved to take
the sun’s advice, so he took off the magic ring from his finger and
threw it into the sea. His army at once disappeared, and the prince set
out to go to the east. For eight days he went on, and then he came to a
large plain, in the middle of which he found the three oaks of which the
sun had spoken. He saw the iron door, opened it, and saw before him some
winding steps. He went down these till he came to another iron door,
which he likewise opened. Then he heard the neigh of a horse in the
distance. Twelve other doors opened of themselves, and the prince at
last came to the horse, which had been confined there during a great
many ages by a magician. When it saw the prince, the horse broke the
twelve iron chains that held it, and ran to him.
“Prince Junak,” it said, “I have waited for ages for such a man as
yourself. Now I am ready to bear you and serve you faithfully. Leap on
my back and grasp the invisible club which is attached to my saddle. You
will not, however, have to wield it, for you have only to tell it what
you want done and it obeys you of itself. Now let us go. Where shall I
take you? Name the place you wish to be at, and we will be off at once.”
The prince leaped on the horse’s back, grasped the invisible club, and
set out. The horse took its course through the air, and towards sunset
the prince came to the borders of an immense forest in which was the
residence of the old Yaga. Huge oaks stood all around. Not a bird sang,
not an insect hummed, all was profound silence. The prince went on till
he came to a hut which stood upon fowl’s feet, and which kept turning
round and round.
“Hut,” said the prince, “turn your front towards me and your back to the
forest.”
The hut turned to him and stood still, and the prince, going in, found
the old Yaga there. When she saw him, she cried out—
“Why are you come here, Prince Junak, where no one has ever before
been?”
“You are a foolish witch to ask questions of me,” said the prince, “and
not to welcome me.” Then the Yaga rose and got ready everything that the
prince needed. When he had eaten and drunk and rested himself, he told
her why he had come.
“You have undertaken a difficult thing, Prince Junak,” said the Yaga,
“and you will want all your courage to succeed. I will show you how to
overcome Koshchei. In the middle of the ocean is the island of eternal
life. In the centre of the island grows an oak, and under it is an iron
coffer. In the coffer is a hare, under the hare is a grey duck, and
under the duck is an egg in which is contained the life of Koshchei. If
the egg is broken, Koshchei dies.”
The Prince at once set off to seek the egg. He rode on his wonderful
horse until he came to the seashore. There he found a large fish
struggling in a net.
“Prince Junak,” said the fish, “let me loose, and I promise you your
kindness shall not be forgotten.”
The prince took the fish out of the net and set it free. Then he stood
upon the shore, and thought how he should reach the island of eternal
life, whose rocks he saw afar off. As he stood silent and sad, his horse
said to him—
“Prince, what is it you are thinking of, and why do you look so sad?”
“How can I be otherwise,” answered the prince, “when I find my journey
here all in vain? How can I reach the far-off island?”
“Mount upon my back,” said the horse, “and I will carry you to it. Only
hold on well.”
The prince did as the horse told him, and the brave steed, plunging into
the sea, carried him over to the island. When he had arrived there, the
prince looked around him, and in the middle of the island he saw an
immense oak. Going to it, the prince seized it, and, pulling with all
his force, the oak was torn up by the roots. The tree groaned as the
prince tore it from the earth. In the place its roots had occupied was a
large hole in which was an iron coffer. When the prince opened the
coffer out sprang the hare, and away flew the duck carrying the egg with
it. The duck made towards the sea, and the prince, fearing he should
lose the egg, shot at the bird. It fell, and with it also fell the egg
into the sea. Then the prince gave a cry of despair, and, running down
to the shore, he looked around to see if he could see anything of the
egg, but it was not to be seen. All of a sudden a large fish made its
appearance. “Prince Junak,” it said, “I have not forgotten the service
you did me, for which I now make you some return.”
As it said this the fish placed the egg upon the shore, turned, and
disappeared in the sea. Junak was delighted. He went to his horse,
leaped into the saddle, and set off to the island where the Princess
Marvel dwelt, carrying the egg with him. When he came there he saw the
immense iron wall Koshchei had raised around the palace, and the dragon
which lay at the gate. Six of the monster’s heads were asleep, while the
other six watched. Then the prince commanded his invisible club to slay
it. The dragon became furious under the blows. It could not see the
club, and so could not tell to what quarter to turn itself. It rolled
about, it turned its twelve heads here and there, it darted forth its
sharp tongues, but all to no purpose. At length, in despair, it turned
its rage upon itself, and with its sharp claws tore itself to pieces.
Then the prince went in, and, dismounting and taking the invisible club
in his hand, he sought the princess.
“Prince,” said she, when she saw him approach, “I have seen how you have
overcome the dragon, but a still more terrible conflict awaits you with
my cruel jailer, Koshchei. Be careful, I beseech you, how you engage
with him, for, should you fall, I will cast myself down the steep
precipice near the palace.”
“Do not fear, Princess Marvel,” replied he, “for I hold the life of
Koshchei in my hand.”
Then said he to the invisible club—
“Go, and lay on to Koshchei.”
The club went and commenced to deal such blows upon Koshchei that the
king of the underground world commenced to grind his teeth, to roll his
eyes, and toss himself hither and thither. None else than Koshchei could
have borne the blows for an instant. He looked around him but could see
nothing, and his pain was so great that he howled so that the whole
island rang again. At length he came to the palace, and there he saw
Prince Junak.
“Ah!” said he, “you have put me to all this pain, have you?”
He was about to send his poisoned breath against him, when the prince
suddenly squeezed the egg he had in his hand. The shell broke, the yolk
sprang out and fell to the ground, and at the same moment Koshchei fell
dead. As he did so all his enchantments ceased. All the people in the
palace awoke, and the iron wall disappeared.
All then was happiness. In a few days the prince and the princess were
married, and they lived joyfully all their days.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE GHOST.
Once upon a time a poor scholar going to town chanced to come across the
body of a man which had been cast by some one under the walls of the
town near to the gate. The scholar had very little money in his pocket,
but for all that he willingly paid for the body to be buried in a
Christian manner, so that it might be protected from insult. Having seen
to this, he said a few prayers over the grave, and then continued his
journey.
It chanced that one day, as he passed through an oak-wood, he felt
tired, and laid himself down to sleep under one of the trees. When he
awoke, how astonished was he to find that his pockets were all full of
gold! He called down blessings on the head of whoever it was that had
done him this good turn, and went on. At length he came to the bank of a
wide river too deep for him to ford. Seeing the money he had with him,
two boatmen offered to row him across. He entered the boat, and the men
rowed till they came to the middle of the river, when they set upon him,
robbed him of his gold, and then threw him into the water.
Almost insensible he was carried away by the stream, but as he was
floating along he found a log of wood beside him. He clung to it, and,
keeping himself afloat by means of it, managed to scramble to shore. The
log, however, was not really what it seemed to be. It was the spirit of
the dead man whom the poor scholar had buried, and now, when he was on
shore, the spirit spoke to him, and said—
“I am the spirit of him whose corpse you honoured with burial. I am
grateful for what you did, and in return I will teach you three things:
how to change yourself into a crow, a hare, and a roebuck.”
Having acquired these strange powers, the poor man went on his way. In
time he came to the court of a mighty king, in whose service he entered
as an archer. Now this king was the father of a beautiful princess who
lived alone in a castle on a solitary island. The walls of the castle
were of copper, and in it was a sword of such an extraordinary kind that
one could, by waving it in the air, cut down a whole army at one sweep.
It was natural that the sword should be coveted by very many, but no one
durst venture upon the island to endeavour to obtain it.
Now at the time that the poor scholar came to the court, the king was
sore troubled by his enemies, who were invading his dominions. He had
great need of the sword, but how could he get it? He determined to see
whether there was any among his subjects who would dare to go to the
island, and so he caused a proclamation to be published to the effect
that if any one would bring him the magical sword he should receive his
daughter in marriage and succeed him on the throne.
For a while no one came forward, but at last the scholar determined to
make the attempt. Every one was astonished at his audacity, but he
boldly went to the king and begged him to give him a letter that he
might deliver to the princess asking her to give the sword to him. The
king wrote the letter and gave it to the man, who at once set out,
making his way through the forest. Unknown to him he was followed at a
little distance by another of the king’s archers who had determined to
go after him and see how he sped. To travel the quicker, the archer
assumed the shapes of a hare and a roebuck, as was suited to the ground
over which he had to pass, and at last he came to the sea-shore. He then
took the shape of a crow, and, flying over the waves as quickly as his
wings would bear him, he at length came to the island on which was the
castle.
He landed, and, making his way to the castle, entered and delivered the
king’s letter to the princess, begging her at the same time to let him
have the victorious sword. The beautiful princess, who had lived so long
without looking upon a stranger, scanned the archer closely, and fell in
love with him. She inquired of him how it was that he had had the
courage to undertake a task from which others drew back, and to come to
the castle which had not been visited by man for so many years, and the
archer told her all about himself and the wonderful powers he possessed.
The princess, asking him to give her proof that what he said was true,
and desiring him to change himself into the various forms, the archer
immediately did as she desired, and a handsome roebuck gambolled and
played around her. As the princess stroked it she plucked a tuft of hair
out of the animal’s coat, but the archer did not notice it. Next he
changed himself into a crow, and flew about the room. The princess laid
her hand upon the bird, and, while she stroked it, contrived to pluck
some feathers out of its wing without the archer noticing it. He last of
all changed himself into a hare, and again the princess plucked a tuft
of hair out of his coat unobserved.
Then the princess wrote a letter to her father, delivered the sword to
the archer, and dismissed him.
Taking the form of a crow, the man flew over the sea, and, having
reached the shore, he changed himself to a roebuck, and ran till he came
to the forest. Then he changed himself into a hare, and began to make
his way as fast as possible through the forest depths. Now, the archer
who had followed him had seen all that he had done till he came to the
sea-shore to fly over to the castle. There the man had stopped awaiting
the other’s return. He saw him come back in the shape of a crow, change
himself into a roebuck, and again into a hare. As the hare was making
its way through the forest the archer bent his bow, and discharged an
arrow so well aimed that the hare at once fell dead to the ground. The
archer came up to it, took the letter and the sword, and set out to the
palace. When he arrived there he gave the king the sword, and demanded
the promised reward.
The king was delighted to find himself in possession of the sword which
would destroy all his enemies. He confirmed his promise of the reward,
leaped into the saddle, and set off to the place where the hostile army
was encamped. Scarcely had he come near enough to distinguish the flags
of the enemy in the distance than he brandished the sword. At every
stroke fresh foes fell to the ground, and at last the few of them that
were left fled from the field stricken with terror at their comrades’
mysterious fate. The king collected together the booty he found in the
enemy’s camp, and, returning home, sent to his daughter to tell her to
come to his court so that he might give her to the archer.
Meanwhile the poor fellow who had been slain while he was travelling as
a hare lay dead in the forest under an oak-tree. All of a sudden,
however, he came to life again, and, looking around him, he saw the
spirit of the dead man, whose body he had buried, standing near him. The
spirit told him that it had witnessed what had befallen him, and had by
the power it possessed called him back to life.
“The wedding of the princess,” it said to the man, “is to be celebrated
to-morrow, and if you would keep her you must go as fast as you can to
the palace. She will know you as soon as she sees you, and you will also
be recognised by the archer who so wickedly slew you.”
So the young man lost no time, but went on to the palace. When he came
to the court he found all the guests already assembled. He entered the
room, and no sooner had the princess cast a glance on him than she knew
it was he, and was beside herself with joy. As for the treacherous
archer, he turned pale when he saw the man, whom he thought he had
murdered, alive and well.
Then the man told all the company everything that had happened, and how
the archer had slain and robbed him. The tale was so wonderful that the
guests could scarcely credit it, so the man changed himself into a
roebuck to show them that what he had said was true. Then the princess
put her hand in her pocket and took out of it a tuft of hair which was
found to exactly fit a bare place on the roebuck’s coat. The man changed
himself into a hare, and the princess again produced a piece of a hare’s
coat which exactly fitted a bare spot in the animal’s skin. Lastly he
changed himself into a crow, and the princess producing the feathers she
had formerly plucked out of the bird, it was found that they were
missing in its plumage.
When the king saw all this he required no further proof of the man’s
story, and he ordered that the treacherous archer should be at once led
forth and put to death by being torn to pieces by four wild horses.
Within the palace all was joy and festivity. The archer married the
princess, and they wanted nothing, for the wish of their hearts was
obtained.
------------------
Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty,
_at the Edinburgh University Press_.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Punctuation has been normalized.
Variations in hyphenation have been retained as they were in the
original publication.
Italicized words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with
_underscores_.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Folk-lore and Legends: Russian and Polish" ***
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