Classic Audiobook Collection - The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Preface. All people in the world tell nursery tales to their children. The Japanese tell them, the Chinese, the Red Indians by their campfires, the Eskimo and their dark dirty winter huts. The Kafers of South Africa tell them, and the modern Greeks, just as the old Egyptians did, when Moses had not been many years rescued out of the bulrushes. The Germans, French, Spanish, Italians, Danes, Highlanders tell them also.

Starting point is 00:00:28 and the stories are apt to be like each other everywhere. A child who has read the blue and red and yellow fairy books will find some old friends with new faces in the pink fairy book, if he examines and compares. But the Japanese tales will probably be new to the young student. The Tanuki is a creature whose acquaintance he may not have made before. He may remark that Anderson wants to point a moral, as well as to adorn a tale,

Starting point is 00:00:55 that he is trying to make fun of the follies of mankind. as they exist in civilized countries. The Danish story of The Princess in the Chest need not be read to a very nervous child, as it rather borders on a ghost story. It has been altered, and is really much more horrid in the language of the Danes, who, as history tells us,

Starting point is 00:01:15 were not a nervous or timid people. I am quite sure that this story is not true. The other Danish and Swedish stories are not alarming. They are translated by Mr. W. A. Craigie, those from the Sicilian through the German are translated like the African tales through the French and the Catalan tales, and the Japanese stories, the latter through the German, and an old French story by Mrs. Lang. Mrs. Alma Aliney did the stories from Anderson out of the German. Mr. Ford, as usual, has drawn the monsters and mermaids, the princes and the giants,

Starting point is 00:01:51 and the beautiful princesses, who, the editor thinks, are, if possible, prettier than Here then are fancies brought from all quarters. We see that black, white, and yellow peoples are fond of just the same kind of adventures. Courage, youth, beauty, kindness, have many trials, but they always win the battle, while witches, giants, unfriendly, cruel people are on the losing hand. So it ought to be, and so on the whole it is and will be. And that is all the moral of fairy tales. We cannot all be young, alas, and pretty, and strong, but nothing prevents us from being kind,

Starting point is 00:02:31 and no kind man, woman, or beast, or bird, ever comes to anything but good in these oldest fables of the world. So far all the tales are true, and no further. End of preface. Section 1 of the Pink Fairy Book. This Leberbox recording is in the public domain. The Pink Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang, The Cat's Elopement, from the Japanese Martian Unzagen, von David Browns, Leipzig, Wilhelm Friedrich.

Starting point is 00:02:59 Once upon a time there lived a cat of marvelous beauty, with a skin as soft and shining as silk, and wise green eyes, that could see even in the dark. His name was gone, and he belonged to a music teacher, who was so fond and proud of him that he would not have parted with him for anything in the world. Now not far from a music master's house, there dwelt a lady who possessed a most lovely little pussycat called coma. She was such a little deer altogether, and blinked her eyes so daintily, and ate her supper so tidily, and when she had finished she licked her pink nose so delicately with her little tongue that her mistress was never tired of saying,

Starting point is 00:03:38 Coma, coma, what should I do without you? Well, it happened one day that these two went out for an evening stroll, met under a cherry tree, and in one moment fell madly in love with each other. Gone had long felt that it was time for him to find a wife, for all the ladies in the neighborhood paid him so much attention that it made him quite shy. But he was not easy to please, and did not care about any of them. Now before he had time to think, Cupid had entangled him in his net, and he was filled

Starting point is 00:04:08 with love towards coma. She fully returned his passion, but, like a woman, she saw the difficulties in the way, and consulted sadly with Ghan as to the means of overcoming them. Gahn entreated his master to set matters right by buying coma, but her mistress would not part from her. Then the music-master was asked to sell Gond to the lady, but he declined to listen to any such suggestion, so everything remained as before. At length the love of the couple grew to such a pitch that they determined to please themselves, and to seek their fortunes together.

Starting point is 00:04:41 So one moonlit night they stole away, and ventured out into an unknown world. All day long they marched bravely on through the sunshine, till they had left their homes far behind them. And towards evening they found themselves in a large park. The wanderers by this time were very hot and tired, and the grass looked very soft and inviting. And the trees cast cool, deep shadows. When suddenly an ogre appeared in this paradise,

Starting point is 00:05:08 in the shape of a big, big dog, he came springing toward them, showing all his teeth, and coma shrieked, and rushed up a cherry tree. Gone, however, stood his ground boldly, and prepared to give battle, for he felt that Coma's eyes were upon him, and that he must not run away. But alas, his courage would have availed him nothing had his enemy once touched him, for he was large and powerful and very fierce. From her perch in the tree Coma saw at all, and screamed with all her might,

Starting point is 00:05:38 hoping that someone would hear and come to help. Luckily, a servant of the princess to whom the park belonged was walking by, and he drove off the dog, and picking up the trembling Ghan in his arms, carried him to his mistress. So poor little coma was left alone, while Ghan was born away full of trouble, not in the least knowing what to do. Even the attention paid to him by the princess, who was delighted with his beauty in pretty ways, did not console him. But there was no use in fighting against fate, and he could only wait and see what would turn up. The princess, Gond's new mistress, was so good and kind that everybody loved her, and she would have led a happy life, had it not been

Starting point is 00:06:19 for a serpent who had fallen in love with her, and was constantly annoying her by his presence. Her servants had orders to drive him away as often as he appeared, but as they were careless and the serpent very sly, it sometimes happened that he was able to slip past them, and to frighten the princess by appearing before her. One day she was seated in her room, playing on her favorite musical instrument, when she felt something gliding up her sash, and saw the enemy making his own. way to kiss her cheek. She shrieked and threw herself backwards, and Ghan, who had been curled up on a stool at her feet, understood her terror, and with one bound seized the snake by

Starting point is 00:06:56 the neck. He gave him one bite and one shake, and flung him on the ground, where he lay, never to worry the princess any more. Then she took Gond in her arms, and praised and caressed him, and saw that he had the nicest bits to eat, and the softest mats to lie on, and he would have had nothing in the world to wish for if only he could have seen coma again. Time passed on, and one morning, Gan lay before the house door, basking in the sun. He looked lazily at the world stretched out before him, and saw in the distance a big ruffian of a cat, teasing and ill-treating quite a little one.

Starting point is 00:07:31 He jumped up, full of rage, and chased away the big cat, and then turned to comfort the little one, when his heart nearly burst with joy to find that it was coma. At first, coma did not know him again. He had grown so large and stately, but when it dawned upon her who it was, her happiness knew no bounds, and they rubbed their heads and their noses again and again, while their purring might have been heard a mile off. Paw in paw they appeared before the princess, and hold her the story of their life and its

Starting point is 00:07:59 sorrows. The princess wept for sympathy and promised that they should never more be parted, but should live with her to the end of their days. By and by the princess herself got married, and brought a prince to do with her. dwell in the palace in the park, and she told him all about her two cats, and how brave gone had been, and how he had delivered her from her enemy, the serpent. And when the prince heard, he swore they should never leave them, but should go with the princess wherever she went. So it all fell out as the princess wished, and gone and coma had many children, and so

Starting point is 00:08:34 had the princess, and they all played together, and were friends to the end of their lives. End of the Cat's Elopement. Recording by Elliot Miller, www. www.vo.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovo www. Once upon a time there lived a man who had two sons. But they did not get on at all well together, for the younger man was much handsomer than his elder brother, who was very jealous of him.

Starting point is 00:09:25 When they grew older, things became worse and worse, and at last one day as they were walking through a wood the elder youth seized hold of the other, tied him to a tree, and went on his way, hoping that the boy might starve to death. However, it happened that an old and humpbacked shepherd passed the tree with his flock, and, seeing the prisoner, he stopped and said to him, "'Tell me my son, why are you tied to that tree?' "'Because I was so crooked,' answered the young man, but it has quite cured me, and now my back is as straight as can be.

Starting point is 00:10:01 "'I wish you would bind me to a tree,' exclaimed the shepherd, so that my back would get straight with all the pleasure in life replied the youth if you will loosen these cores i will tie you up with them as firmly as i can this was soon done and then the young man drove off the sheep leaving their real shepherd to repent of his folly And before he had gone very far he met with a horse-boy and a driver of oxen, and he persuaded them to turn with him and seek for adventures. By these and many other tricks he soon became so celebrated that his fame reached the king's ears, and his majesty was filled with curiosity to see the man who had managed to outwit everybody. So he commanded his guards to capture the young man and bring him before him.

Starting point is 00:10:50 And when the young man stood before the king, the king spoke to him and said, by your tricks and the pranks that you have played on other people, you have, in the eye of the law, forfeited your life. But on one condition I will spare you, and that is, if you will bring me the flying horse that belongs to the great dragon, fail in this, and you shall be hewn in a thousand pieces. Well, if that is all, said the yuk, you shall soon have it. So he went out and made his way straight to the stable where the flying horse was tethered. He stretched his hand cautiously out to seize the bridle, when the horse suddenly began to neigh as loud as he could.

Starting point is 00:11:34 Now the room in which the dragon slept was just above the stable, and at the sound of the neighing he woke up and cried to the horse. What is the matter, my treasure? Is there anything hurting you? After waiting a while, the young man tried again to lose the horse. the horse. But a second time it neighed so loudly that the dragon woke up in a hurry and called out to know why the horse was making such a noise. But when the same thing happened the third time, the dragon lost his temper, and went down into the stable and took a whip and gave the horse a good beating. This offended the horse and made him angry, and when the young man stretched out his hand to untie his head, he made no further fuss, but suffered

Starting point is 00:12:16 himself to be led quietly away. Once clear of the stable, the young man sprang on his back and galloped off, calling over his shoulder. "'Aye, dragon, dragon! If anyone asks you what is becoming for your horse, you can say that I've got him.' But the king said, "'The flying horse is all very well, but I want something more. You must bring me the covering with the little bells that lies on the bed of the dragon,

Starting point is 00:12:42 or I will have you hewn into a thousand pieces.' "'Is that all?' answered the youth. "'That's easily done.' And when night came he went away to the dragon's house and climbed up onto the roof. Then he opened a little window in the roof and let down the chain from which the kettle usually hung, and tried to hook the bed covering and to draw it up. But the little bells all began to ring, and the dragon woke and said to his wife, "'Wife, you have pulled off all the bedclothes!'

Starting point is 00:13:12 and drew the covering toward him, pulling as he did so the young man into the room. Then the dragon flung himself on the youth and bound him fast with cords, saying, as he tied the last knot, "'Tomorrow when I go to church, you must stay at home and kill him and cook him, and when I get back we will eat him together.' So the following morning the dragoness took hold of the young man and reached down from the shelf a sharp knife with which to kill him.

Starting point is 00:13:39 But as she untied the cords, the better to get hold of him, the prisoner caught her by the her legs, threw her to the ground, seized her and speedily cut her throat. Just as she had been about to do for him, and put her body in the oven. Then he snatched up the covering and carried it to the king. The king was seated on his throne when the youth appeared before him, and spread out the covering with a deep bow. "'That is not enough,' said his majesty. You must bring me the dragon himself, or I will have you hewn into a thousand pieces."

Starting point is 00:14:11 "'It shall be done,' answered the youth. But you must give me two years to manage it, for my beard must grow so that he may not know me." So be it, said the king. And the first thing the young man did when his beard was grown was to take the road to the dragon's house and on the way he met a beggar, whom he persuaded to change clothes with him, and in the beggar's garments he went fearlessly forth to the dragon. He found his enemy before his house very busily making a box, and addressed him politely. Good morning, your worship.

Starting point is 00:14:45 Have you a morsel of bread?" "'You must wait,' replied the dragon, till I have finished my box, and then I will see if I can find one.' "'What will you do with the box when it is made?' inquired the beggar. "'It is for the young man who killed my wife, and stole my flying horse and my bed covering,' said the dragon. "'He deserves nothing better,' answered the beggar. "'For it was an ill deed.

Starting point is 00:15:10 Still, that box is too small for him, for he is a big man." "'You are wrong,' said the dragon. The box is large enough even for me.' "'Well, the rogue is nearly as tall as you,' replied the beggar, and of course if you can get in he can, but I'm sure you would find it a tight fit. "'Oh, there is plenty of room,' said the dragon, tucking himself carefully inside. But no sooner was he well in than the young man clapped on the lid and called out, Now press hard just to see if he will be able to get out.

Starting point is 00:15:44 The dragon pressed as hard as he could, but the lid never moved. It is all right, he cried. Now you can open it. But instead of opening it, the young man drove in long nails to make it tighter still. Then he took the box on his back and brought it to the king. And when the king heard that the dragon was inside, he was so excited that he would not wait one moment, but broke the lock and lifted the lid just a little way to make sure he was really there.

Starting point is 00:16:10 He was very careful not to leave enough space for the dragon to jump out, but unluckily there was just room for his great mouth, and with one snap the king vanished down his wide red jaws. Then the young man married the king's daughter and ruled over the land. But what he did with the dragon nobody knows. End of How the Dragon was tricked. Recording by Elliot Miller. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:16:49 Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Goblin and the Grocer Translated from the German of Hans Anderson. There was once a hard-working student who lived in an attic, and he had nothing in the world of his own. There was also a hard-working grocer who lived on the first floor, and he had the whole house for his own.

Starting point is 00:17:13 The goblin belonged to him For every Christmas Eve That was waiting for him at the grocer's A dish of jam with a large lump of butter in the middle The grocer could afford this So the goblin stayed in the grocer's shop And this teaches us a good deal One evening the student came in by the back door

Starting point is 00:17:33 To buy a candle and some cheese He had no one to send, so he came himself He got what he wanted, paid for it And nodded a good evening to the grocer and his wife. She was the woman who could do more than not she could talk. When the student had said good night, he suddenly stood still, reading the sheet of paper in which the cheese had been wrapped. It was a leaf torn out of an old book, a book of poetry. "'There's more of that over there,' said the grocer. "'I gave an old woman some coffee for the

Starting point is 00:18:05 book. If you'd like to give me two pence, you can have the rest.' "'Yes,' said the student, "'give me the book instead of the cheese.' i can eat my bread without cheese it would be a shame to leave the book to be torn up you are a clever and practical man but about poetry you understand as much as that old tub over there and that sounded rude as far as the tub was concerned but the grocer laughed and so did the stout it was only said in fun but the goblin was angry that anyone should dare to say such a thing to a grocer who owned the house and sold the best butter when it was night and the shop was shut and everyone was was in bed except the student, the goblin went upstairs and took the grocer's wife's tongue. She did not use it when she was asleep, and on whatever object in the room he put it on the thing began to speak, and spoke out its thoughts and feeling just as well as the lady to whom it belonged.

Starting point is 00:18:59 But only one thing at a time could use it, and that was a good thing, or they would all have spoken together. The goblin laid the tongue on the tub, in which were the old newspapers. is it true he asked that you know nothing about poetry certainly not answered the tub poetry is something that is in the papers and is frequently cut out i have a great deal more in me than the student has and yet i am only a small tub in the grocer's shop And the goblin put the tongue on the coffee-mill, and how it began to grind. He put it on the butter-cask, and on the till, and all were of the same opinion as the waste-paper-tub, and one must believe the majority. Now I will tell the student, and with these words he crept softly up the stairs to the attic where the student lived.

Starting point is 00:19:51 There was a light burning, and the goblin peeped through the keyhole, and saw that he was reading the torn book that he had bought in the shop. But how bright it was. Out of the book shot a streak of light which grew into a large leaf and spread its branches far above the student. Every leaf was alive, and every flower was a beautiful girl's head, some with dark and shining eyes, others with wonderful blue ones. Every fruit was a glittering star, and there was marvelous music in the student's room. The little goblin had never even dreamt of such a splendid sight, much less seen it.

Starting point is 00:20:26 He stood on tiptoe, gazing and gazing, till the candle in the attic was put out. The student had blown it out and had gone to bed, but the goblin remained standing outside listening to the music, which very softly and sweetly was now singing the student a lullaby. "'I have never seen anything like this,' said the goblin. "'I never expected this. I must stay with the student.' The little fellow thought it over, for he was a sensible goblin. Then he sighed. The student has no jam.

Starting point is 00:20:58 And on that he went down to the grocer again. And it was a good thing he did go back, for the tub had nearly worn out the tongue. It had read everything that was inside it, on one side, and was just going to turn itself round and read from the other side when the goblin came in and returned the tongue to its owner. But the whole shop, from the till down to the shavings, from that night changed their opinion of the tub, and they looked up to it, and they had such faith in the house.

Starting point is 00:21:24 that they were under the impression that when the grocer read the art and drama critiques out of the paper in the evenings, it all came from the tub. But the goblin could no longer sit quietly listening to the wisdom and intellect downstairs. No, as soon as the light shone in the evening from the attic, it seemed to him as though its beams were strong roke stragging him up. And he had to go and peep through the keyhole. There he felt a sort of feeling we have looking at the great rolling sea in a storm, and he burst into tears.

Starting point is 00:21:54 He could not himself say why he wept, but in spite of his tears he felt quite happy. How beautiful it must be to sit under that tree with the student. But that he could not do, he had to consent himself with the keyhole and be happy there. There he stood out on the cold landing, the autumn wind blowing through the cracks of the floor. It was cold, very cold, but he first found it out when the lights in the attic was put out and the music in the wood died away. Ah, then it froze him, and he crept down again to his warm corner where there it was comfortable and cozy. When Christmas came, and with it the jam with a large lump of butter, aha, then the grocer was first with him.

Starting point is 00:22:38 But in the middle of the night the goblin awoke, hearing a great noise and knocking against the shutters, people hammering from outside. The watchman was blowing his horn, a great fire had broken out. The whole town was in flames. Was it in the house, or was it at a neighbor's? Where was it? The alarm increased. The grocer's wife was so terrified that she took her gold earrings out of her ears and put them in her pocket in order to save something. The grocer ceased his account books, and then made her black silk dress. Everyone wanted to save his most valuable possession. So did the goblin, and in a few leaps he was up the stairs and in the student's room.

Starting point is 00:23:18 He was standing quietly by the open window looking at the fire. that was burning in the neighbor's house just opposite. The goblin seized the book lying on the table, put it in his red cap, and clasped it with both hands. The best treasure in the house was saved, and he climbed out on the roof with it, onto the chimney.

Starting point is 00:23:38 There he sat, lighted up by the flames from the burning house opposite, both hands holding tightly on his red cap, in which lay the treasure, and now he knew what his heart really valued most, to whom he really belonged. But when the fire was put out and the goblin thought it over, then

Starting point is 00:23:56 I will divide myself between the two, he said. I cannot quite give up the grocer because of the jam. And it is just the same with us. We also cannot quite give up the grocer because of the jam. End of The Goblin and the Grocer. Recording by Elliot Miller,

Starting point is 00:24:16 www. www. voice of e.com for of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The House in the Wood. From the German of Grimm.

Starting point is 00:24:43 A poor woodcutter lived with his wife and three daughters in a little hut on the borders of a great forest. One morning, as he was going to work, he said to his wife, Let our eldest daughter bring me my lunch into the wood, and so that she shall not lose her way, I will take a bag of millet with me, and sprinkle the seed on the path. When the sun had risen high over the forest, the girl set out with a basin of soup. But the fields and woods, sparrows, the larks and finches, the blackbirds and green finches that picked up the millet long ago, and the girl could not find her way.

Starting point is 00:25:19 She went on and on, till the sun set and night came on. The trees rustled in the darkness, the owls. hooded, and she began to be very much frightened. Then she saw in the distance a light that twinkled between the trees. "'There must be people living yonder,' she thought, "'who will take me in for the night,' and she began walking toward it. Not long afterward she came to a house with lights in the windows. She knocked at the door, and a gruff voice called, "'Come in!' The girl stepped into the dark entrance and tapped at the door of the room.

Starting point is 00:25:54 "'Just walk in!' cried the voice, and when she opened the door there sat an old grey-haired man at the table. His face was resting in his hands, and his white beard flowed over the table almost down to the ground. By the stove lay three beasts, a hen, a cock, and a brindled cow. The girl told the man her story, and asked for a night's lodging. The man said, "'Pretty cock, pretty hen, and you pretty brindled cow, what do you say now?' "'Dooks!' answered the beast, and that must have meant, "'We are quite willing, for the old man went on.

Starting point is 00:26:33 "'Here is abundance. Go into the back kitchen and cook us a supper.' The girl found plenty of everything in the kitchen, and cooked a good meal, but she did not think of the beasts. She placed the full dishes on the table, sat down opposite the grey-haired man, and ate till her hunger was appeased. When she was satisfied, she said, "'But now I'm so tired. where is a bed in which I can sleep?

Starting point is 00:26:57 The beast answered, You have eaten with him, you have drunk with him, of us you have not thought. Sleep then as you walked. Then the old man said, Go upstairs, there you will find a bedroom. Shake the bed and put clean sheets on, and go to sleep. The maiden went upstairs,

Starting point is 00:27:16 and when she had made the bed she lay down. After some time the grey-haired man came, looked at her by the light of his candle, and shook his head, and when he saw that she was sound asleep he opened a trap-door and let her fall into the cellar. The wood-cutter came home late in the evening and reproached his wife for leaving him all day without food. No, I did not, she answered. The girl went off with your dinner. She must have lost her way, but will no doubt come back tomorrow. But at daybreak the wood-cutter started off into the wood,

Starting point is 00:27:47 and this time asked his second daughter to bring him food. I will take a bag of lentils, said he. They are larger than millet, and the girl will see them better, and be sure to find her way. At midday the maiden took the food, but the lentils had all gone, as on the previous day the wood-birds had eaten them all. The maiden wandered about the wood till nightfall, when she came in the same way to the old man's house, and asked for food and a night's lodging.

Starting point is 00:28:15 The man with the white hair again asked the beasts, Pretty cock, pretty hen, and you, pretty brendled cow, What do you say now?" The beasts answered, "'Dooks!' And everything happened as on the former day. The girl cooked a good meal, ate and drank with the old man,

Starting point is 00:28:33 and did not trouble herself about the animals. And when she asked for a bed, they replied, "'You have eaten with him, you have drunk with him, of us you have not thought. Now sleep as you walked.' And when she was asleep, the old man shook his head over her and let her fall into the cellar. On the third morning the woodcutter said to his wife,

Starting point is 00:28:53 "'Send our youngest child today with my dinner. She's always good and obedient, and we'll keep to the right path and not wander away like her sisters, idle drones.' But the mother said, "'Must I lose my dearest child, too?' "'Do not fear,' he answered. She is too clever and intelligent to lose her way. I will take plenty of peas with me and strew them along.

Starting point is 00:29:15 They are even larger than lentils and will show her the way.' But when the maiden started off with the basket on her arm, the wood pigeons had eaten up the peas, and she did not know which way to go. She was much distressed, and thought constantly of her poor hungry father and her anxious mother. At last, when it grew dark, she saw the little light and came to the house in the wood. She asked prettily if she might stay there for the night, and the man with a white beard asked his beast again. Pretty cock, pretty hen, and you pretty-rendled cow, what do you say now? "'Dooks!' they said, and the maiden stepped up to the stove where the animals were lying,

Starting point is 00:29:52 and stroked the cock and the hen and scratched the brindled cow between its horns. And when, at the bidding of the old man, she had prepared a good supper, and the dishes were standing on the table, she said, "'Shall I have plenty while the good beasts have nothing? There is food to spare outside. I will attend to them first.' Then she went out and fetched barley and strew it before the cock and hen, and brought the cow an armful of sweet-smelling hay.

Starting point is 00:30:17 "'Eat that, dear beast,' she said, "'and when you are thirsty you shall have a good drink.' Then she fetched a bowl of water, and the cock and hen flew on to the edge, put their beaks in, and then held up their heads as birds do when they drink, and the brindled cow also drank her fill. When the beasts were satisfied,

Starting point is 00:30:35 the maiden sat down beside the old man at the table and ate what was left for her. Soon the cock and hen began to tuck their heads under their wings, and the brindled cow blinked its eyes. So the maiden said, Shall we not go to rest now? Pretty cat, pretty hen, and you pretty brindled cow, what do you say now?

Starting point is 00:30:55 The animal said, Dukes! You have eaten with us, you have drunk with us. You have tended us right, so we wish you good night. The maiden therefore went upstairs, made the bed, and put on clean sheets, and fell asleep. She slept peacefully till midnight, when there was such a noise in the house that she awoke.

Starting point is 00:31:15 Everything trembled and shook. The animals sprang up and dashed themselves in terror against the wall. The beam swayed as if they would be torn from their foundations. It seemed as if the stairs were tumbling down. And then the roof fell in with a crash. Then all became still, and as no harm came to the maiden she lay down again and fell asleep. But when she awoke again in broad daylight,

Starting point is 00:31:37 what a sight met her eyes. She was lying in a splendid room furnished with royal splendor. The walls were covered with golden flowers on a green ground. The bed was of ivory and the counterpaint of velvet. And on a stool nearby lay a pair of slippers studded with pearls. The maiden thought she must be dreaming, but in came three servants richly dressed,

Starting point is 00:32:00 who asked what were her commands. Go, said the maiden. I will get up at once and cook the old man's supper for him. Then I will feed the pretty cock and hen, and the brindled cow. But the door opened, and in came a handsome young man, who said, I am a king's son, and was condemned by a wicked witch to live as an old man in this wood with no company but that of my three servants, who were transformed into a cock, a hen, and

Starting point is 00:32:25 a brindled cow. The spell could only be broken by the arrival of a maiden who would show herself kind not only to men but to beasts. You were that maiden, and last night at midnight we were freed. And this poor house was again transformed into my house. royal palace. As they stood there, the king's son told his three servants to go and fetched the maiden's parents to be present at the wedding feast. But where am I two sisters? asked the maid.

Starting point is 00:32:51 I shut them up in the cellar, but in the morning they shall be led forth into the forest and shall serve a charcoal burner until they have improved, and will never again suffer poor animals to go hungry. End of The House in the Wood, recording by Elliot Miller. Voice of E.com. Section 5 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 00:33:22 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Arashti Matero and the Turtle. From the Japanese Marcheon-Uns-Wan-David-Bronze, Leipzig, Wilhelm Friedrich. There was once a worthy old couple who lived on a coast, and supported themselves by fishing. They had only one child, a son, who was their pride and joy, and for his sake they were ready to work hard all day long, and never felt tired or discontented with their lot. This son's name was Eurasia Matero, which means in Japanese, son of the island. And he was a fine, well-grown youth and a good fisherman, minding neither wind nor weather.

Starting point is 00:34:06 Not the bravest sailor in the whole village dared venture so far out to sea as Eurasia Matero, and many a time the neighbors used to shake their heads and say to his parents, If your son goes on being so rash, one day he will try his luck once too often, and the waves will end by swallowing him up. But Arashamatero paid no heed to these remarks, and as he was really very clever in managing a boat, the old people were very seldom anxious about him.

Starting point is 00:34:34 One beautiful bright morning, as he was hauling his well-filled nets into the boat, He saw lying among the fishes a tiny little turtle. He was delighted with his prize, and threw it into a wooden vessel to keep till he got home, when suddenly the turtle found its voice, and tremblingly begged for its life. After all, it said, what good can I do you? I am so young and small, and I would so gladly live a little longer. Be merciful and set me free, and I shall know how to prove my gratitude.

Starting point is 00:35:08 Now, Arashamatero was very good-natured, and besides he could never bear to say no, so he picked up the turtle and put it back into the sea. Years flew by, and every morning Arashematero sailed his boat into the deep sea. But one day, as he was making for a little bay between some rocks, there arose a fierce whirlwind which shattered his boat to pieces, and she was sucked under by the waves. Arashmatero himself very nearly shared the same fate, but he was a powerful swimmer and struggled hard to reach the shore. Then he saw a large turtle coming towards him, and above the howling of the storm he heard

Starting point is 00:35:49 what it said. I am the turtle whose life you once saved. I will now pay my debt and show my gratitude. The land is still far distant, and without my help you will never get there. Climb on my back, and I will take you where you will. Mataro did not wait to be asked twice, and thankfully accepted his friend's help. But scarcely was he seated firmly on the shell, when the turtle proposed that they should not return to the shore at once, but go under the sea, and look at some of the wonders

Starting point is 00:36:19 that lay hidden there. Arashima Taro agreed willingly, and in another moment they were deep, deep down, with fathoms of blue water above their heads. Oh, how quickly they darted through the still warm sea! The young man held tight, and marveled where they were going and how long they were to travel. But for three days they rushed on, till at last the turtle stopped before a splendid palace, shining with gold and silver, crystal and precious stones, and decked here and there with branches of pale pink coral and glittering pearls.

Starting point is 00:36:53 But if Arashamatero was astonished at the beauty of the outside, he was struck dumb at the sight of the hall within, which was lighted by the blaze of fish gales. "'Where have you brought me?' he asked his guide in a low voice. "'To the palace of Ringu, the house of the sea-god, whose subjects we all are,' answered the turtle. "'I am the first waiting-maid of his daughter, the lovely princess Otohimi, whom you will shortly see.' Arashamatero was still so puzzled with the adventures that had befallen him, that he waited in a dazed condition for what would happen next. But the turtle, who had talked so much of him to the princess that she had

Starting point is 00:37:33 expressed the wish to see him, went at once to make known his arrival. And directly the princess beheld him in her heart was set on him. And she begged him to stay with her, and in return promised that he should never grow old, neither should his beauty fade. "'Is that not reward enough?' she asked, smiling, looking all the while as fair as the sun itself. And Arashamatero said, yes. So he stayed there, for how long? That he only knew later.

Starting point is 00:38:03 His life passed by, and each hour seemed happier than the last, when one day there rushed over him a terrible longing to see his parents. He fought against it hard, knowing how it would grieve the princess. But it grew on him stronger and stronger. Till at length he became so sad that the princess inquired what was wrong. Then he told her of the longing he had to visit his old home, that he must see his parents once more. The princess was almost frozen with horror, and implored him to stay with her, or something

Starting point is 00:38:35 dreadful would be sure to happen. "'You will never come back, and we shall meet again no more,' she moaned bitterly. But Arashima Taro stood firm and repeated, "'Only this once will I leave you, and then I will return to your side forever.' Sadly, the princess shook her head, but she answered slowly, "'One way there is to bring you safely back, but I fear you will never agree to the conditions of the bargain. I will do anything that will bring me back to you, exclaimed Arashmatero, looking at her

Starting point is 00:39:06 tenderly. But the princess was silent. She knew too well that when he left her side she would see his face no more. Then she took from a shelf a tiny golden box and gave it to Arashma Taro, praying him to keep it carefully, and above all things never to open it. If you can do this, she said as she bade him farewell, your friend the turtle will meet you at the shore, and will carry you back to me." Arashematero thanked her from his heart, and swore solemnly to do her bidding.

Starting point is 00:39:37 He hid the box safely in his garments, seated himself on the back of the turtle, and vanished in the ocean path, waving his hand to the princess. Three days and three nights they swam through the sea, and at length Arashmatero arrived at the beach which lay before his old home. The turtle bade him farewell, and was gone in a moment. Oorasha Matero drew near to the village with quick and joyful steps. He saw the smoke curling through the roof and the thatch where green plants had thickly sprouted. He heard the children shouting and calling, and from a window that he passed came the twang of the Koto,

Starting point is 00:40:12 and everything seemed to cry a welcome for his return. Yet suddenly he felt a pang at his heart as he wandered down the street. After all, everything was changed. Neither man nor houses were those he once knew. quickly he saw his old home. Yes, it was still there, but it had a strange look. Anxiously, he knocked at the door, and asked the woman who opened it after his parents. But she did not know their names, and could give no news of them. Still more disturbed, he rushed to the burying ground, the only place that could tell him what he

Starting point is 00:40:48 wished to know. Here, at any rate, he would find out what it all meant, and he was right. In a moment he stood before the grave of the grave of the room. his parents, and the date written on the stone was almost exactly the date when they had lost their son, and he had forsaken them for the daughter of the sea. And so he found that since he had left his home, three hundred years had passed by. Shuddering with horror at the discovery, he turned back into the village street, hoping to meet someone who could tell him of the days of old. But when the man spoke, he knew he was not dreaming, though he felt as if he had lost his senses.

Starting point is 00:41:25 In despair he bethought of the box which was the gift of the princess. Perhaps, after all this dreadful thing was not true, he might be the victim of some enchanter's spell, and in his hand lay the counter-charm. Almost unconsciously he opened it, and a purple vapor came pouring out. He held the empty box in his hand, and as he looked he saw that the fresh hand of youth had grown suddenly shriveled, like the hand of an old, old man. He ran to the brook, which flowed in a clear stream down from the mountain, and saw himself reflected in a mirror.

Starting point is 00:42:01 It was the face of a mummy which looked back at him. Wounded to death he crept back through the village, and no man knew the old old man, to be the strong handsome youth who had run down the street an hour before. So he toiled wearily back till he reached the shore, and here he sat sadly on a rock, and called loudly on the turtle. But she never came back any more. But instead, death came soon and set him free. But before that happened, the people who saw him sitting lonely on the shore had heard his story. And when their children were restless, they used to tell them of the good son, who from love to his parents had given up for their sakes the splendor and wonders of the palace in the sea,

Starting point is 00:42:43 and the most beautiful woman in the world besides. End of Hiroshima Taro and the Turtle Recording by Elliot Miller www.W.W. Voice of e.com Section 6 of The Pink Fairy Book This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang,

Starting point is 00:43:10 The Slaying of the Tanuki from the Japanese Khmerin-Unsagan. Near a big river and between two high mountains, A man and his wife lived in a cottage a long, long time ago. A dense forest lay all around the cottage, and there was hardly a path or a tree in the whole wood that was not familiar to the peasant from his boyhood. In one of his wanderings he had made friends with a hair,

Starting point is 00:43:33 and many an hour the two passed together when the man was resting by the roadside eating his dinner. Now this strange friendship was observed by the Tanuki, a wicked, quarrelsome beast, who hated the peasant, and was never tired of doing him an ill turn. Again and again he had crept to the hut, and finding some choice morsel put away for the little hare, had either eaten it, if he thought it nice, or trampled it to pieces so that no one else should get it.

Starting point is 00:44:02 And at last the peasant lost patience, and made up his mind he would have the Tanuki's blood. So for many days the man lay hidden, waiting for the Tanuki to come by, and when one morning he marched up the road thinking of nothing but the dinner he was going to steal, the peasant and threw himself upon him and bound his four legs tightly, so that he could not move. Then he dragged his enemy joyfully to the house, feeling that at length he had got the better of the mischievous beast, which had done him so many ill turns. He shall pay for them with his skin, he said to his wife.

Starting point is 00:44:36 We will first kill him and then cook him. So saying he hanged the Tanuki, head downwards to a beam, and went out together wood for a fire. Meanwhile, the old woman was standing at the mortar pounding the rise that was to serve them for the week with a pestle that made her arms ache with its weight. Suddenly she heard something whining and weeping in the corner, and, stopping her work, she looked round to see what it was. That was all the rascal wanted, and he put on directly his most humble air, and begged

Starting point is 00:45:05 the woman in his softest voice to loosen his bonds, which were hurting him sorely. She was filled with pity for him, but did not dare to set him free, as she knew that her husband would be very angry. The Tanuki, however, did not despair, and seeing that her heart was softened began his prayers anew. "'He only asked to have his bonds taken from him,' he said. He would give his word not to attempt to escape, and if he was once set free he could soon pound her rice for her.

Starting point is 00:45:33 Then you can have a little rest,' he went on. "'For rice-pounding is very tiring work, and not at all fit for weak women.' These last words melted the good woman completely, and she unfastened the bonds that held him. Poor foolish creature, in one moment the Tanuki had seized her, stripped off all her clothes and popped her in the mortar. In a few minutes more she was pounded as fine as the rice, and not content with that the Tanuki placed a pot on the hearth, and made ready to cook the peasant a dinner from the flesh of his own wife. When everything was complete, he looked out of the door and saw the old man coming from the forest carrying a large bundle of wood.

Starting point is 00:46:11 Quick as lightning, the Tanuki not only put on the woman's clothes, but as he was a magician, assumed her form as well. Then he took the wood, kindled the fire, and very soon set a large dinner before the old man, who was very hungry, and had forgotten for the moment all about his enemy. But when the Tanuki saw that he had eaten his fill and would be thinking about his prisoner, he hastily shook off the clothes behind a door and took his own sheep. Then he said to the peasant, You are a nice sort of person to seize animals and to talk of cute.

Starting point is 00:46:41 killing them. You are caught in your own net. It is your own wife that you have eaten. And if you want to find her bones, you have only to look under the floor." With these words he turned and made for the forest. The old peasant grew cold with horror as he listened, and seemed frozen to the place where he stood. When he had recovered himself a little, he collected the bones of his dead wife, buried them in the garden, and swore over the grave to be avenged on the Tanuki. After everything was done he set himself down in his lonely cottage and wept bitterly. and the bitterest thought of all was that he would never be able to forget that he had eaten his own wife.

Starting point is 00:47:16 While he was thus weeping and wailing, his friend the hare passed by, and hearing the voice pricked up his ears and soon recognized the old man's voice. He wondered what had happened, and put his head at the door and asked if anything was the matter. With tears and groans the peasant told him the whole dreadful story, and the hare, filled with anger and compassion, comforted him as best he could, and promised to help him in his revenge. The false knave shall not go unpunished, said he. So the first thing he did was to search the house for materials to make an ointment,

Starting point is 00:47:46 which he sprinkled plentifully with pepper and then put in his pocket. Next he took a hatchet, bade farewell to the old man, and departed to the forest. He bent his steps to the dwelling of the Tanooga and knocked at the door. The Tanouki, who had no cause to suspect the hair, was greatly pleased to see him, for he had noticed the hatchet at once and began to lay plots how to get him. get a hold of it. To do this he thought he had better offer to accompany the hare, which was exactly what the hair wished and expected, for he knew all the Tanukki's cunning, and understood his

Starting point is 00:48:19 little ways. So he accepted the Rascals' company with joy, and made himself very pleasant as they strolled along. When they were wandering in this manner through the forest the hare carelessly raised his hatchet in passing, and cut down some thick boughs that were hanging over the path. But at length, after cutting down a good big tree, which cost him many hard blows, he declared that it was too heavy for him to carry home, and he must just leave it where it was. This delighted the greedy Tanuki, who said that they would be no weight for him, so they

Starting point is 00:48:51 collected the large branches which the hair bound tightly on his back. Then he trotted gaily to the house, the hair following after with his lighter bundle. By this time the hare had decided what he would do, and as soon as they arrived he quietly set on fire the wood on the back of the Tanuki. The Tanuki, who was busy with something else, observed nothing, and only called out to ask what was the meaning of the crackling that he heard. "'It's just the rattle of the stones which are rolling down the side of the mountain,' the hare said, and the Tanuki was content, and made no further remarks, never noticing that the noise really sprang from the burning boughs on his back, until his fur was in flames,

Starting point is 00:49:32 and it was almost too late to put it out. Shrieking with pain, he let fall the burning wood from his back, and stamped and howled with agony. But the hair comforted him and told him that he always carried with him an excellent plaster in case of need, which would bring him instant relief, and taking out his ointment he spread it on a leaf of bamboo, and laid it on the wound. No sooner did it touch him than the Tanooga leapt yelling into the air, and the hare laughed and ran to tell his friend the peasant what a trick he had played on their enemy.

Starting point is 00:50:01 But the old man shook his head sadly, for he knew that the villain was only crushed for the moment, and that he would very shortly be revenging himself upon them. No, the only way to get any peace and quiet was to render the Tanuki harmless forever. Long did the old man and the hair puzzle together how this was to be done, and at last they decided that they would make two boats, a small one of wood and a large one of clay. Then they fell to work at once, and when the boats were ready and properly painted, the hair went to the Tanuki, who was still. very ill, and invited him to a great fish-catching.

Starting point is 00:50:36 The Tanuki was still feeling angry with the hair about the trick he had played him, but he was weak and very hungry, so he gladly accepted the proposal, and accompanied the hair to the bank of the river, where the two boats were moored, rocked by the waves. They both looked exactly alike, and the Tanuki only saw that one was bigger than the other, and would hold more fish, so he sprang into the large one while the hair climbed into the one which was made of wood. They loosened their moorings, and made for the middle of the stream. And when they were at some distance from the bank the hare took his oar and struck such a heavy

Starting point is 00:51:08 blow at the other boat that it broke in two. The Tanuki fell straight into the water and was held there by the hair till he was quite dead. Then he put the body in his boat and rode to land, and told the old man that his enemy was dead at last. And the old man rejoiced that his wife was avenged, and he took the hare into his house. they lived together all their days in peace and quietness upon the mountain. End of the slaying of the Tanuki. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 00:51:36 www. www. Vois of E.com Section 7 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, The Flying Trunk.

Starting point is 00:51:55 Translated from the German of Hans Anderson. There was once a merchant who was so rich that he was, he could have paved the whole street, and perhaps even a little side street besides, with silver. But he did not do that. He knew another way of spending his money. If he spent a shilling, he got back a florin. Such an excellent merchant he was till he died. Now his son inherited all this money. He lived very merrily. He went every night to the theater, made paper kites out of five-pound notes, and played ducks and drakes with sovereigns instead of stones. In this way, the money was likely to come soon to an end, and so it did.

Starting point is 00:52:35 At last he had nothing left but four shillings, and he had no clothes except a pair of slippers and an old dressing-gown. His friends did not trouble themselves any more about him. They would not even walk down the street with him. But one of them, who was rather good-natured, sent him an old trunk with a message, pack up. That was all very well, but he had nothing to pack up, so he got into the trunk himself. It was an enchanted trunk.

Starting point is 00:53:01 For as soon as the lock was pressed, it could fly. He pressed it, and away he flew in it up the chimney, high into the clouds, further and further away. But whenever the bottom gave a little creek he was in terror, at least the trunk should go to pieces, for then he would have turned a dreadful somersault. Just think of it. In this way he arrived at the land of the Turks.

Starting point is 00:53:23 He hid the trunk in a wood under some dry leaves, and then walked into the town. He could do that quite well, for all the Turks were dressed just as he had. he was, in a dressing-gown and slippers. He met a nurse with a little child. "'Hello, you Turkish nurse,' said he. What is that great castle there close to the town, the one with the window so high up?'

Starting point is 00:53:45 "'The Sultan's daughter lives there,' she replied. It is prophesied that she will be very unlucky in her husband, and so no one is allowed to see her except when the Sultan and Sultana are by. you," said the merchant's son, and he went into the wood, sat himself in his trunk, flew on to the roof, and crept through the window into the Princess room. She was lying on the sofa asleep, and was so beautiful that the young merchant had to kiss her. Then she woke up and was very much frightened, but he said he was a Turkish god who had come

Starting point is 00:54:19 through the air to see her, and that pleased her very much. They sat close to each other, and he told her a story about her eyes. They were beautiful dark lakes in which her thoughts swam about like mermaids, and her forehead was a snowy mountain, grand and shining. These were lovely stories. Then he asked the princess to marry him, and she said yes at once. But you must come here on Saturday, she said. For then the Sultan and the Sultana are coming to tea with me.

Starting point is 00:54:51 They will be indeed proud that I receive the god of the Turks. But mind you, have a really good story ready, for my parents like them immensely. My mother likes something rather moral and high-flown, and my father likes something merry to make him laugh. "'Yes, I shall only bring a fairy story for my dowry,' said he, and so they parted, but the princess gave him a sabre set with gold pieces which he could use. Then he flew away, bought himself a new dressing-gown, and sat down in the wood and began to make up a story, for it had to be ready by Saturday, and that was no easy matter.

Starting point is 00:55:27 When he had it ready, it was Saturday. The Sultan, the Sultana, and the whole court were at tea with the princess. He was most graciously received. "'Will you tell us a story?' said the Sultana. "'One that is thoughtful and instructive.' "'But something that we can laugh at,' said the Sultan. "'Oh, certainly,' he replied, and began. "'Now, listen attentively.

Starting point is 00:55:53 "'There once was a box of matches which lay between the tinder-box and an old iron pot, and they told the story of their youth. We used to be on the green fur boughs. Every morning and evening we had diamond tea, which was the dew, and the whole day long we had sunshine, and the little birds used to tell us stories. We were very rich because the other trees only dressed in summer,

Starting point is 00:56:16 but we had green dresses in summer and in winter. Then the woodcutter came, and our family was split up. We have now the task of making light for the lowest people. That is why we grand people are in the kitchen. My fate was quite different, said the iron pot, near which the matches lay. Since I came into the world, I have it many times scoured, and have cooked much. My only pleasure is to have a good chat with my companions when I am lying nice and clean in my place after dinner. Now you are talking too fast, spluttered the fire.

Starting point is 00:56:53 Yes, let us decide who is the grandest, said the matches. "'No, I don't like talking about myself,' said the pot. "'Let us arrange in evening's entertainment. I will tell the story of my life, on the Baltic by the Danish shore. "'What a beautiful beginning,' said all the plates. "'That's a story that will please us all.' And the end was just as good as the beginning. All the plates clattered for joy.

Starting point is 00:57:19 "'Now I will dance,' said the tongs, and she danced. "'Oh, how high she could kick!' The old chair covered in the corner split when he saw her. The urn would have sung, but she said she had a cold. She could not sing unless she boiled. In the window was an old quill pen. There was nothing remarkable about her except that she had been dipped too deeply into the ink, but she was very proud of that.

Starting point is 00:57:42 If the urn will not sing, said she, outside the door hangs a nightingale in a cage who will sing. I don't think it's proper, said the kettle, that such a foreign bird should be heard. "'Oh, let us have some acting,' said everyone. "'Do let us!' Suddenly the door opened and the maid came in. Everyone was quite quiet.

Starting point is 00:58:02 There was not a sound, but each part knew what he might have done and how grand he was. The maid took the matches and lit the fire with them, how they spluttered and flamed to be sure. Now everyone can see, they thought, that we are the grandest, how we sparkle, what a light!' But here they were burnt out.

Starting point is 00:58:23 That was a delightful story. said the sultana. I quite feel myself in the kitchen with the matches. Yes, now you shall marry our daughter. Yes, indeed, said the sultan. You shall marry our daughter on Monday. And they treated the young man as one of the family. The wedding was arranged, and the night before the whole town was illuminated. Biscuits and gingerbreads were thrown among the people. The street boys stood on tiptoe, crying hurrahs and whistling through their fingers. It was all splendid. Now I must also give them a treat, thought the merchant's son, and so he bought rockets, crackers, and all kinds of fireworks you can think of, put them in his trunk, and flew up with them into the air.

Starting point is 00:59:05 Hur! How they fizzled and blazed! All the Turks jumped so high that their slippers flew above their heads, such a splendid glitter they had never seen before. Now they could quite well understand that it was the god of the Turks himself who was to marry the princess. As soon as the young merchant came down again into the wood with his trunk. he thought,

Starting point is 00:59:25 "'Now I will just go into the town and see how the show is taken. And it was quite natural that he should want to do this. Oh, what stories the people had to tell. Each one whom he asked had seen it differently, but they had all found it beautiful.

Starting point is 00:59:40 "'I saw the Turkish god himself,' said one. He had eyes like glittering stars, and a beard like foaming water. He flew away in a cloak of fire, said another. They were splendid things that he heard, and the next day was to be his wedding day. Then he went back into the wood to sit in his trunk. But what had become of it?

Starting point is 01:00:01 The trunk had been burnt. A spark of the fireworks had set it alight and the trunk was in ashes. He could no longer fly and could never reach his bride. She stood the whole day long on the roof and waited. Perhaps she is waiting there still. But he wandered through the world and told stories, though they are not so merry as the one he told about the matches. End of The Flying Trunk.

Starting point is 01:00:26 Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www. voise of e.com. Section 8 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Snowman. Translated from the German of Hans Anderson.

Starting point is 01:00:50 How astonishingly cold it is. My body is crackling all over. said the snowman. "'The wind is really cutting one's very life out, and how that fiery thing up there glares?' He meant the sun, which was just setting. "'It shan't make me blink, though, and I shall keep quite cool and collected.'

Starting point is 01:01:12 Instead of eyes, he had two large three-cornered pieces of slate in his head. His mouth consisted of an old rake, so that he had teeth as well. He was born amidst the shouts and laughter of the boys, and greeted by the jingling bells and crackling whips of the sledges. The sun went down to full moon rose, large, round, clear and beautiful, in the dark blue sky. "'There it is again on the other side,' said the snowman, by which he meant the sun was appearing again. "'I have become quite accustomed to its glaring.

Starting point is 01:01:44 I hope it will hang there and shine, so that I may be able to see myself. I wish I knew, though, how one ought to see about changing one's position. I should very much like to move about. If I only could, I would glide up and down the ice there, as I saw the boys doing, but somehow or other I don't know how to run. Burr, barked the old yard dog. He was rather hoarse and couldn't bark very well.

Starting point is 01:02:13 His hoarseness came on when he was a house dog and used to lie in front of the stove. The sun will soon teach you to run. I saw that last winter with your predecessor, and farther back still with his predecessors. They have all run away. "'I don't understand you, my friend,' said the snowman. "'That thing up there is to teach me to run.'

Starting point is 01:02:34 He meant the moon. "'Well, it certainly did run just now, for I saw it quite plainly over there. And now, here it is on this side.' "'You know nothing at all about it,' said the yard-dog. "'Why, you have only just been made. The thing you see there is the moon. The other thing you saw going down the other side was the sun. He will come up again tomorrow morning, and will soon teach you how to run away down the gutter.

Starting point is 01:03:02 The weather is going to change. I feel it already by the pain in my left hind leg. The weather is certainly going to change." I can't understand him," said the snowman, but I have an idea that he is speaking of something unpleasant. That thing that glares so and then disappears, the sun, as he calls it, is not my friend. I know that by instinct. Bow-wow! barked the yard-dog, and walked three times round himself, and then crept into his kennel to sleep.

Starting point is 01:03:33 The weather really did change. Towards morning a dense, damp fog lay over the whole neighborhood. Later on came an icy wind, which sent the frost packing. But when the sun rose it was a glorious sight. The trees and shrubs were covered with rhyme, and looked like a wood of coral. and every branch was thick with long white blossoms. The most delicate twigs, which are lost among the foliage in summertime, came now into prominence, and it was like a spider's web of glistening white.

Starting point is 01:04:05 The lady birches waved in the wind, and when the sun shone, everything glittered and sparkled as if it were sprinkled with diamond dust, and great diamonds were laying on the snowy carpet. "'Isn't it wonderful?' exclaimed a girl who was walking with a young man in the garden. They stopped near the snowman and looked at the glistening trees. Summer cannot show a more beautiful sight, she said with her eyes shining. And one can't get a fellow like this in summer either, said the young man, pointing to the snowman. He's a beauty.

Starting point is 01:04:38 The girl laughed and nodded to the snowman, and then they both danced away over the snow. Who were those two? asked the snowman of the yard dog. You have been in this yard longer than I have. Do you know who they are? "'Do I know them indeed?' answered the yard-dog. "'She has often stroked me and has given me bones. "'I don't bite either of them.' "'But what are they?' asked the snowman.

Starting point is 01:05:04 "'Lover's,' replied the yard-dog. "'They will go into one kennel and gnaw the same bone.' "'Are they the same kind of beings that we are?' asked the snowman. "'They are our masters,' answered the yard-dog. "'Really, people have only been in the world one day, no very little. That's the conclusion I have come to. Now I have age and wisdom. I know everyone in the house, and I can remember a time when I was not lying here in a cold kennel.

Starting point is 01:05:31 Bow-wow. The cold is splendid, said the snowman. Tell me some more, but don't rattle your chain so. It makes me crack. Bow-wow! barked the yard-dog. They used to say I was a pretty little fellow. Then I lay in a velvet-covered chair in my master's house. My mistress used to nurse me and kiss and fondle me,

Starting point is 01:05:51 and call me her dear sweet little Alice. But by and by I grew too big and was given to the housekeeper, and I went into the kitchen. You can see into it from where you are standing. You can look at the room in which I was master. For so I was when I was with the housekeeper. Of course it was a smaller place than upstairs,

Starting point is 01:06:10 but it was more comfortable, for I wasn't chased about and teased by the children as I had been before. My food was just as good or even better. I had my own pillow, and there was a stove there. which at this time of year is the most beautiful thing in the world. I used to creep right under that stove.

Starting point is 01:06:27 Ah, me, I often dream of that stove still. Bow-wow. Is a stove so beautiful? asked the snowman. Is it anything like me? It is just the opposite of you. It is coal-black and has a long neck with a brass pipe. It eats firewood so that fire spouts out of its mouth. One has to keep close beside it quite under.

Starting point is 01:06:51 that is the nicest of all. You can see it through the window from where you are standing. And the snowman looked in that direction, and saw a smooth, polished object with a brass pipe. The flicker from the fire reached him across the snow. The snowman felt wonderfully happy, and a feeling came over him which he could not express. But all those who are not snowmen know about it. "'Why did you leave her?' asked the snowman. He had a feeling that such a being must be a lady.

Starting point is 01:07:21 How could you leave such a place?" I had to," said the Ar-dog. They turned me out of doors, and chained me up here. I had bidden the youngest boy in the leg, because he took away the bone I was gnawing. A bone for a bone, I thought. But they were very angry, and from that time I have been chained here, but I have lost my voice. Don't you hear how hoarse I am? Bow-wow!

Starting point is 01:07:44 I can't speak like other dogs, bow-wow. That was the end of happiness. The snowman, however, was not listening. listening to him any more. He was looking into the room where the housekeeper lived, where the stove stood on its four iron legs, and seemed to be just the same size as the snowman. "'How something is crackling inside me,' he said. "'Shall I never be able to get in there? It is certainly a very innocent wish, and our innocent wishes ought to be fulfilled. I must get there and lean against the stove, if I have

Starting point is 01:08:15 to break the window first.' "'You will never get inside there,' said the yard-dog. And if you were to reach the stove, you would disappear, bow-wow. I'm as good as gone already, answered the snowman. I believe I'm breaking up. The whole day the snowman looked through the window. Towards dust the room grew still more inviting. The stove gave out a mild light, not at all like the moon or even the sun.

Starting point is 01:08:42 No, as only a stove can shine when it has something to feed upon. When the door of the room was open, it flared up. This was one of its peculiarities. It flickered quite red upon the snowman's white face. I can't stand it any longer, he said. How beautiful it looks with its tongue stretched out like that. It was a long night, but the snowman did not find it so. There he stood, wrapped in his pleasant thoughts,

Starting point is 01:09:09 and they froze so that he cracked. The next morning the panes of the kitchen window were covered with ice, and the most beautiful ice flowers that even a snowman could desire. fire, only they blotted out the stove. The window would not open. He couldn't see the stove, which he thought was such a lovely lady. There was a crackling, a crackling inside him, and all around. There was just such a frost as a snowman would delight in. But this snowman was different. How could he feel happy? "'Yours is a bad illness for a snowman,' said the yard dog.

Starting point is 01:09:44 I also suffered from it, but I have got over it. Bow-wow! he barked. The weather is going to change," he added. The weather did change. There came a thaw. When this set in, the snowman set off. He did not say anything, and he did not complain. And those are bad signs. One morning he broke up altogether,

Starting point is 01:10:06 and lo, where he had stood, there remained a broomstick standing upright, round which the boys had built him. Ah, now I understand why he looked the stove, said the yard-dog. That is the raker they used to clean. out the stove. The snowman had a stove-raker in his body. That's what was the matter with him, and now it's all over with him, bough-wow. And before long it was all over with the winter, too.

Starting point is 01:10:32 Bow-wow! barked the horse-yard dog. But the young girl sang, "' Woods your bright green garments done, willows your woolly gloves put on, Lark and cuckoo, daily sing, February has brought the spring. My heart joins in your song so sweet, Dear Son, the world to greet. And no one thought of the snowman. End of The Snowman. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.

Starting point is 01:11:00 www. www. www. www. Section 9 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Starting point is 01:11:18 The shirt collar. Translated from the German of Hans Anderson. There was once a fine gentleman whose entire worldly possessions consisted of a bootjack and a hairbrush, but he had the most beautiful shirt collar in the world, and it's about this that we're going to hear a story. The shirt collar was so old that he began to think about marrying, and it happened one day that he and a garter came into the wash-tub together. "'Hello,' said the shirt-collar. "'Never before have I seen anything so slim and delicate, so elegant, so elegant. and pretty. May I be permitted to ask your name?'

Starting point is 01:11:57 "'I shan't tell you,' said the garter. "'Where is the place of your abode?' asked the shirt-collar. But the garter was of a bashful disposition, and did not think it proper to answer. "'Perhaps you are a girdle,' said the shirt-collar. "'An under-girdle? For I see that you are for use as well as for ornament, my pretty miss.' "'You ought not to speak to me,' said the garter. I'm sure I haven't given you any encouragement. When anyone is as beautiful as you, said the shirt-collar,

Starting point is 01:12:29 is not that encouragement enough? Go away, don't come so close, said the garter. You seem to be a gentleman. So I am, and a very fine one, too, said the shirt-collar. I possess a boot-jack and a hairbrush. That was not true. It was his master who owned these things, but he was a terrible boaster.

Starting point is 01:12:51 "'Don't come so close,' said the garter. "'I'm not accustomed to such treatment.' "'What affection!' said the shirt-collar. And then they were taken out of the wash-tub, starched, and hung on a chair in the sun to dry, and then laid on the ironing board. Then came the glowing iron. "'Mrs. Widow,' said the shirt-collar, "'Dear Mistress Widow, I am becoming another man!

Starting point is 01:13:16 All my creases are coming out. You are burning a hole in me. Oh, stop! I implore you!' "'You rag,' said the iron, travelling proudly over the shirt-collar, for it thought it was a steam-engine and ought to be at the station drawing trucks. "'Rag,' it said, "'the shirt-collar was rather frayed out at the edge, "'so the scissors came to cut off the threads.'

Starting point is 01:13:39 "'Oh,' said the shirt-collar, "'you must be a dancer. "'How high you can kick! "'That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. "'No man can imitate you.' "'I know that,' said the scissors. You ought to be a duchess, said the shirt-collar. My worldly possessions consist of a fine gentleman, a boot-jack, and a hairbrush.

Starting point is 01:14:00 If only I had a ducky. What, he wants to marry me? said the scissors. And she was so angry that she gave the collar a sharp snip, so that it had to be cast aside as good for nothing. Well, I shall have to propose to the hair-brush, thought the shirt-collar. It is really wonderful what fine hair you have, madam. Have you never thought of marrying?' "'Yes, that I have,' answered the hairbrush.

Starting point is 01:14:27 "'I'm engaged to the boot-jack.' "'Engaged!' exclaimed the shirt-collar. And now there was no one he could marry, so he took to despising matrimony. Time passed, and the shirt-collar came in a rag-bag to the paper-mill. There was a large assortment of rags, the fine ones in one heap, and the coarse ones in another, as they should be. They had all much to tell, but no one more than the shirt-collar, for he was a hopeless braggard.

Starting point is 01:14:58 I have had a terrible number of love affairs, he said. They give me no peace. I was such a fine gentleman, so stiff with starch, I had a boot-jack and a hairbrush, which I never used. You should just have seen me then. Never shall I forget my first love. She was a girdle, so delicate and soft and pretty, she threw herself into a little. a wash-tub for my sake. Then there was a widow who glowed with love for me, but I left her

Starting point is 01:15:26 alone till she became black. Then there was the dancer who inflicted the wound which has caused me to be here now. She was very violent. My own hairbrush was in love with me, and lost all her hair in consequence. Yes, I've experienced much in that line, but I grieve most of all for the garter, I mean the girdle, who threw herself into the wash-tub. have much on my conscience. It is high time for me to become white paper. And so he did. He became white paper, the very paper on which this story is printed, and that was because he had boasted so terribly about things which were not true. We should take this to heart, so that it may not happen to us, for we cannot indeed tell if we may not someday come to the rag-bag and be made into white paper,

Starting point is 01:16:16 on which will be printed our whole history, even the most secret parts, so that we, too, go about the world relating it, like the shirt collar. End of the shirt collar. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovee.com. Section 10 of The Pink Fairy Book.

Starting point is 01:16:38 This Lebervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Princess in the Chest Translated from the Danish There was once a king and a queen who lived in a beautiful castle and had a large and fair and rich and happy land to rule over From the very first they loved each other greatly

Starting point is 01:17:02 and lived very happily together But they had no heir They had been married for seven years But had neither son nor daughter And that was a great grief to both of them More than once it happened that when the king was in a bad temper, he let it out on the poor queen, and said that here they were now getting old, and neither they nor the kingdom had an heir, and it was all her fault. This was hard

Starting point is 01:17:28 to listen to, and she went and cried and vexed herself. Finally, the king said to her one day, This can't be born any longer. I go about childless, and it's your fault. I'm going on a journey, and I shall be away for a year. If you have a child when I come back again, will be well, and I shall love you beyond all measure, and never more say an angry word to you. But if the nest is just as empty when I come home, then I must part with you. After the king had set out on his journey, the queen went about in her loneliness, and sorrowed and vexed herself more than ever. At last her maid said to her one day, I think that some help could be found if your majesty would seek it.

Starting point is 01:18:12 Then she told about a wise old woman in the country, who had helped many, in troubles of the same kind, and could no doubt help the queen as well, if she would send for her. The queen did so, and the wise woman came, and to her she confided her sorrow that she was childless, and the king and his kingdom had no heir. The wise woman knew help for this. Out in the king's garden, said she, under the great oak that stands on the left hand, just as one goes out from the castle, is a little bush. Rather brown, green, with hairy leaves and long spikes. On that bush there are just at this moment three buds.

Starting point is 01:18:54 If your majesty goes out there alone, fasting before sunrise, and takes the middle one of those three buds and eats it, then in six months you will bring a princess into the world. As soon as she is born, she must have a nurse, whom I shall provide, and this nurse must live with the child in a secluded part of the palace. No other person must visit the child. Neither the king nor the queen must see it until it is fourteen years old, for that would cause great sorrow and misfortune.

Starting point is 01:19:27 The queen rewarded the old woman richly, and next morning, before the sun rose, she was down in the garden, found at once the little bush with the three buds, plucked the middle one, and ate it. It was sweet to taste, but afterwards was as bitter as gall. Six months after this, she brought into the world a little girl. There was a nurse in readiness whom the wise woman had provided,

Starting point is 01:19:51 and preparations were made for her living with the child, quite alone in a secluded wing of the castle, looking out on the pleasure park. The queen did as the wise woman had told her, gave up the child immediately, and the nurse took it and lived with it there. When the king came home, he heard that a daughter had been born to him. He was, of course, very pleased and happy, and wanted to see her at once.

Starting point is 01:20:17 The queen had then to tell him this much of the story, that it had been foretold that it would cause great sorrow and misfortune if either he or she got a sight of the child until it had completed its fourteenth year. This was a long time to wait. The king longed so much to get a sight of his daughter, and the queen no less than he, but she knew that it was not like other children,

Starting point is 01:20:40 for it could speak immediately after it was born, and was as wise as older folk. This the nurse had told her, for with her the queen had to talk now and again. But there was no one who had ever seen the princess. The queen had also seen what the wise woman could do, so she insisted strongly that her warning should be obeyed. The king often lost his patience and was determined to see his daughter, but the queen always put him off the idea.

Starting point is 01:21:08 And so things went on until the very day before the princess completed her fourteenth year. The king and the queen were out in the garden then, and the king said, Now I can't and won't wait any longer. I must see my daughter at once. A few hours, more or less, can't make any difference. The queen begged him to have patience till the morning. When they had waited so long they would surely wait a single day more, but the king was quite unreasonable.

Starting point is 01:21:35 No nonsense, said he. She is just as much mine as yours, and I will see her. And with that he went straight up to her room. He burst the door open and pushed aside the nurse who tried to stop him, and there he saw his daughter. She was the loveliest young princess, red and white, like milk and blood, with clear blue eyes and golden hair, but right in the middle of her forehead there was a little tuft of brown hair. The princess went to meet her father, fell on his neck and kissed him, but with that she said, Oh, father, father, what have you done now?

Starting point is 01:22:08 "'Tomorrow I must die, and you must choose one of three things. Either the land must be smitten with the black pestilence, or you must have a long and bloody war, or you must, as soon as I am dead, lay me in a plain wooden chest, and set it in the church, and for a whole year place a sentinel beside it every night.' The king was frightened indeed, and thought she was raving,

Starting point is 01:22:31 but in order to please her he said, "'Well, of these three things I shall choose the last. If you die, I shall lay you at once in a plain wooden chest, and have it set in the church, and every night I shall place a sentinel beside it, but you shall not die, even if you are ill now. He immediately summoned all the best doctors in the country, and they came with all their prescriptions and their medicine bottles, but next day the princess was stiff and cold in death. All the doctors could certify to that, and they all put their names to this and appended their seals, and then they had done all they could.

Starting point is 01:23:09 The king kept his promise. The princess's body was laying the same day in a plain wooden chest and set it in the chapel of the castle, and on that night and every night after it, a sentinel was posted in the church to keep watch over the chest. The first morning when they came to let the sentinel out, there was no sentinel there. They thought he had just got frightened and run away,

Starting point is 01:23:32 and next evening a new one was posted in the church. In the morning he was also gone. So it went every night. When they came in the morning to let the sentinel out, there was no one there, and it was impossible to discover which way he had gone if he had run away. And what should they run away for, every one of them, so that nothing more was overheard or seen of them, from the hour that they were set on guard beside the princess chest.

Starting point is 01:23:58 It became now a general belief that the princess ghost walked and ate up all those who were to guard her chest, and very soon there was no one left who would be placed in this duty. And the king's soldiers deserted the service before their turn came to be her bodyguard. The king then promised a large reward to the soldier who would volunteer for the post. This did for some time, as there were found a few reckless fellows who wished to earn this good payment,

Starting point is 01:24:25 but they never got it, for in the morning they too had disappeared like the rest. So it had gone on for something like a whole year. Every night a sentinel had been placed beside the chest, either by compulsion or of his own free will, but not a single one of the sentinels was to be seen either on the following day or any time thereafter. And so it had also gone with one, on the night before a certain day,

Starting point is 01:24:51 when a merry youngsmith came wandering to the town where the king's castle stood. It was the capital of the country, and people of every king came to it to get work. The Smith, whose name was Christian, had come for that same purpose. There was no work for him in the place he belonged to, and he wanted now to seek a place in the capital. There he entered an inn where he sat down in the public room, and got something to eat.

Starting point is 01:25:15 Some under-officers were sitting there, who were out to try to get someone enlisted to stand sentry. They had to go in this way, day after day, and hitherto they had always succeeded in finding one or other reckless fellow. but on this day they had as yet found no one. It was too well known how all the sentinels disappeared who were set on that post, and all that they had got hold of had refused with thanks. These sat down beside Christian and ordered drinks and drank along with him.

Starting point is 01:25:45 Now Christian was a merry fellow who liked good company. He could both drink and sing, and talk and boast as well, when he got a little drop in his head. He told these under-officers that he was one of the kind of folk who are never afraid of anything. Then he was just the kind of man they liked, said they, and he might easily earn a good penny, before he was a day older,

Starting point is 01:26:07 for the king paid a hundred dollars to anyone who would stand a sentinel in the church all night beside his daughter's chest. Christian was not afraid of that. He wasn't afraid of anything, so they drank another bottle of wine on this, and Christian went with them up to the colonel, where he was put into uniform with musket,

Starting point is 01:26:25 and all the rest. and then was shut up in the church to stand a sentinel that night. It was eight o'clock when he took up his post, and for the first hour he was quite proud of his courage. During the second hour he was well pleased with the large reward that he would get, but in the third hour, when it was getting near eleven, the effects of the wine passed off, and he began to get uncomfortable, for he had heard about this post,

Starting point is 01:26:50 that no one had ever escaped alive from it, so far as was known. But neither did anyone know what had become. come of all the sentinels. The thought of this ran in his head so much, after the wine was out of it, that he searched about everywhere for a way of escape, and finally, at eleven o'clock, he found a little pastern in the steeple which was not locked, and out of this he crept, intending to run away. At the same moment as he put his foot outside the church door, he saw standing before him a little man who said, Good evening, Christian, where are you going? With that he felt as if he were rooted to the spot and could not move.

Starting point is 01:27:29 "'No where?' said he. "'Oh, yes,' said the little man. "'You were just about to run away, but you have taken upon you to stand sentinel in the church to-night, and there you must stay.' Christian said very humbly that he dared not, and therefore wanted to get away, and begged to be let go. "'No,' said the little one,

Starting point is 01:27:50 "'you must remain at your post, but I shall give you a piece of good advice. You shall go up into the pulpit and remain standing there. You need never mind what you see or hear. It will not be able to do you any harm. If you remain in your place until you hear the lid of the chest slam down again behind the dead, then all danger is past, and you can go about the church wherever you please. The little man then pushed him at the door again and locked it after him.

Starting point is 01:28:19 Christian made haste to get up into the pulpit and stood there without noticing anything. until the clock struck twelve. Then the lid of the princess's chest sprang up, and out of it there came something like the princess, dressed as you see in the picture. It shrieked and howled. Century, where are you? Century, where are you?

Starting point is 01:28:41 If you don't come, you shall get the most cruel death anyone has ever got. It went all around the church, and when it finally caught side of the smith, up in the pulpit, it came rushing thither and mounted the steps. But it could not get up the whole way, and for all that it stretched and strained, it could not touch Christian, who meanwhile stood and trembled up in the pulpit.

Starting point is 01:29:06 When the clock struck one, the appearance had to go back into the chest again, and Christian heard the lid slam after it. After this there was dead silence in the church. He lay down where he was and fell asleep, and did not awake before it was bright daylight, and he heard steps outside, and the noise of the key being put into the lock. Then he came down from the pulpit, and stood with his musket in front of the princess's chest.

Starting point is 01:29:32 It was the colonel himself who came with the patrol, and he was not a little surprised when he found the recruits safe and sound. He wanted to have a report, but Christian would give him none, so he took him straight up to the king, and announced for the first time that there was the sentinel who had stood guard in the church overnight. The king immediately got out of the king. bed and laid the hundred dollars for him on the table, and then wanted to question him. "'Have you seen anything?' said he.

Starting point is 01:29:59 "'Have you seen my daughter?' "'I have stood at my post,' said the young smith, and that is quite enough. I undertook nothing more. He was not sure whether he dared tell what he had seen and heard, and besides he was also a little conceited because he had done what no other man had been able to do, or had had had courage for. The king professed to be quite satisfied, and asked him whether he would engage himself to stand on guard again the following night.

Starting point is 01:30:25 "'No, thank you,' said Christian. "'I will have no more of that.' "'As you please,' said the king, "'you have behaved like a brave fellow, and now you shall have your breakfast. You must be needing something to strengthen you after that turn.' The king had breakfast laid for him, and sat down at the table with him in person. He kept constantly filling his glass for him and praising him and drinking his health. Christian needed no pressing, but did full justice to both food and drink, and not least to the latter.

Starting point is 01:30:57 Finally he grew bold, and said that if the king would give him $200 for it, he was his man to stand sent entry next night as well. When this was arranged, Christian bade him good day, and went down among the guards, and then out into the town along with other soldiers and under all. officers. He had his pocketful of money and treated them and drank with them and boasted and made game of the good-for-nothings who were afraid to stand on guard, because they were frightened that the dead princess would eat them. See whether she had eaten him! So the day passed in mirth and glee, but when eight o'clock came, Christian was again shut up in the church, all alone. Before he had been

Starting point is 01:31:37 there two hours, he got tired of it and thought only of getting away. He found a little door behind the altar which was not locked, and at ten o'clock he slipped out at it, and took to his heels and made for the beach. He got halfway thither, and when all at once the same little man stood in front of him and said, "'Good evening, Christian. Where are you going?' "'I've leave to go where I please,' said the Smith, but at the same time he noticed that he could not move a foot. "'No, you have undertaken to keep guard to-night as well,' said the little man, and you must attend to that. He then took hold of him, and And however unwilling he was,

Starting point is 01:32:15 Christian had to go with him right back to the same little door that he had crept out at. When they got there, the little man said to him, Go in front of the altar now, and take in your hand the book that is lying there. There you shall stay till you hear the lid of the chest slam down over the dead. In that way you will come to no harm. With that, the little man shoved him in at the door and locked it. Christian then immediately went in front of the altar, and took the book in his hand and stood thus until the clock struck twelve,

Starting point is 01:32:46 and the appearance sprang out of the chest. "'Centry, where are you? Centri, where are you?' it shrieked, and then rushed to the pulpit, and right up into it. But there was no one there that night. Then it howled and shrieked again. "'My father has set no sentry in. War and pest this night begin.' At the same moment it noticed the Smith standing in front of the smiths standing in front of

Starting point is 01:33:11 of the altar and came rushing towards him. "'Are you there?' it screamed. "'Now I'll catch you!' But it could not come up over the step in front of the altar, and there it continued to howl and scream and threaten, until the clock struck one. When it had to go into the chest again, and Christian heard the lid slam above it.

Starting point is 01:33:31 That night, however, it had not the same appearances on the previous one. It was less ugly. When all was quiet in the church, the smith lay down before the altar and sat. slept calmly till the following morning, when the colonel came to fetch him. He was taken up to the king again, and things went on as the day before. He got his money, but would give no explanation whether he had seen the king's daughter, and he would not take the post again, he said. But after he had got a good breakfast, and tasted well of the king's wines, he undertook to go on guard

Starting point is 01:34:04 again, the third night. But he would not do it for less than half of the kingdom, he said, for it was a dangerous post, and the king had to agree and promise him this. The remainder of the day went like the previous one. He played the boastful soldier, and the Mary Smith, and he had comrades and boon companions in plenty. At eight o'clock he had to put on his uniform again, and was shut up in the church. He had not been there for an hour before he had come to his senses and thought,

Starting point is 01:34:33 "'It's best to stop now while the game is going well.' The third night he was sure would be the worst. He had been drunk when he promised it, and the half of the kingdom the king should never have been in earnest about that. So he decided to leave, without waiting so long as on the previous nights. In that way he would escape the little man who had watched him before. All the doors and post-turns were locked,

Starting point is 01:34:58 but he finally thought of creeping up to a window and opening that, and as the clock struck nine, he crept out there. It was fairly high in the wall, but he got to the ground with no bones broken and started to run. He got down to the shore without meeting anyone, and there he got into a boat and pushed off from land. He laughed immensely to himself at the thought of how cleverly he had managed and how he had cheated the little man. Just then, he heard a voice from the shore. Good evening, Christian. Where are you going? He gave no answer.

Starting point is 01:35:33 Tonight your legs will be too short. he thought, and pulled at the oars, but then he felt something lay a hold of the boat and drag it straight into shore, for all that he sat and struggled with the oars. The man then laid hold of him and said, You must remain at your post as you have promised. And whether he liked it or not, Christian had just to go back with him the whole way to the church. He could never get in at that window again, Christian said.

Starting point is 01:36:02 It was far too high up. You must go in there, and you shall go in there, said the little man, and with that he lifted him up onto the window-sill. Then he said to him, notice well now what you have to do. This evening you must stretch yourself out on the left-hand side of her chest. The lid opens to the right, and she comes out to the left. When she has got out of the chest and passed over you, you must get into it and lie there, and in that a hurry, without her seeing you.

Starting point is 01:36:34 There you must remain lying until day dawns, and whether she threatens you or entreats you, you must not come out of it, or give her any answer. Then she has no power over you, and both you and she are freed. The smith then had to go in at the window. Just as he came out and went and laid himself all his length on the left side of the princess's chest, close up to it, and there he lay stiff as a rock until the clock struck twelve. Then the lid sprang up to the right, and the princess came out, straight over him, and rushed around the church, howling and shrieking.

Starting point is 01:37:10 "'Centry, where are you? Century, where are you?' She went towards the altar and right up to it, but there was no one there. Then she screamed again, "'My father has set no sentry in. War and pest will now begin.' Then she went round the whole church both up and down, sighing and weeping, my father has set no sentry in war and pest will now begin then she went away again and at the same moment the clock in the tower struck one then the smith heard in the church a soft music which grew louder and louder and soon filled the whole building he heard also a multitude of footsteps as if the church was being filled with people he heard the priest go through the service in front of the altar and there was singing more beautiful than he had ever heard before then he had ever heard before then he had

Starting point is 01:37:59 he also heard the priest offer up a prayer of thanksgiving because the land had been freed from war and pestilence and from all misfortune, and the king's daughter delivered from the evil one. Many voices joined in, and a hymn of praise was sung. Then he heard the priest again, and heard his own name and that of the princess, and thought that he was being wedded to her. The church was packed full, but he could see nothing. Then he heard again the many footsteps as old folk leaving the church, while the music sounded fainter and fainted. her, until it altogether died away. When it was silent, the light of the day began to break in through the windows. The Smith sprang up out of the chest and fell on his knees and thanked

Starting point is 01:38:40 God. The church was empty, but up in front of the altar lay the princess, white and red like a human being, but sobbing and crying and shaking with cold in her white shroud. The Smith took his sentry coat and wrapped it round her. Then she dried her tears, and took his hand and thanked him, and said that he had now freed her from all the sorcery that had been in her from her birth, and which had come over her again when her father broke the command against seeing her until she had completed her fourteenth year. She said further, that if he who had delivered her would take her in marriage, she would be his. If not, she would go into a nunnery, and he could marry no other as long as she lived, for he was wedded to her with the service of the dead, which he had

Starting point is 01:39:24 heard. She was now the most beautiful young princess that anyone could wish to see, and he was now lord of half the kingdom, which had been promised him for standing on guard the third night. So they agreed they would have each other, and love each other all their days. With the first sunbeam the watch came and opened the church, and not only was the colonel there, but the king in person, come to see what had happened to the sentinel. He found them both sitting hand in hand on the step in front of the altar, and immediately knew his daughter again, and took her in his arms, thanking God and her deliverer. He made no objections to what they had arranged, and so Christian the Smith held his wedding with the princess, and got half the kingdom at once, and the whole of it when the king died.

Starting point is 01:40:11 As for the other centuries, with so many doors and windows open, no doubt they had run away, and gone into the Prussian service, and as for what Christian said he saw, he'd been drinking more wine than was good for him. End of The Princess in the Chest. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vo. www.com.

Starting point is 01:40:39 Section 11 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Three Brothers. Translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm. There was once a man who had three sons, and no other possessions beyond the house in which he lived.

Starting point is 01:41:01 Now the father loved his three sons equally, so that he could not make up his mind which of them should have the house after his death, because he did not wish to favor anyone more than the others, and he did not want to sell the house because it had belonged to his family for generations. Otherwise, he could have divided the money equally amongst them. At last an idea struck him, and he said to his sons,

Starting point is 01:41:25 You must all go out into the world, and look about you, and each learn a trade, and then, when you return, whoever can produce the best masterpiece shall have the house. The sons were quite satisfied. The eldest wished to be a blacksmith, and the second a barber, and the third a fencing master. They appointed a time when they were to return home, and then they all set out. It so happened that each found a good master, where he learned all the first.

Starting point is 01:41:57 that was necessary for his trade in the best possible way. The blacksmith had to shoe the king's horses, and thought to himself, Without doubt the house will be yours. The barber shaved the best man in the kingdom, and he too made sure that the house would be his. The fencing master received many a blow, but he set his teeth and would not allow himself to be troubled by them, for he thought to himself, If you're afraid of a blow, you will never get the house. When the appointed time had come, the three years.

Starting point is 01:42:27 brothers met once more, and they sat down and discussed the best opportunity of showing off their skill. Just then, a hair came running across the field toward them. "'Look,' said the barber, "'here comes something in the nick of time.' Seized basin and soap, made a lather whilst the hair was approaching, and then, as it ran at full tilt, shaved its mustaches without cutting it or injuring a single hair on its body. "'I like that very much indeed,' said the father. Unless the others exert themselves to the utmost, the house will be yours. Soon after, they saw a man driving a carriage furiously towards them.

Starting point is 01:43:07 "'Now, father, you shall see what I can do,' said the blacksmith, and he sprang after the carriage, tore off the four shoes of the horse as it was going at the top of its speed, and shot it with four new ones without checking its pace. "'You are a clever fellow,' said the father, and you know your trade as well as your brother. I really don't know to which of you I shall give the house. Then the third son said,

Starting point is 01:43:35 Father, let me also show you something. And as it was beginning to rain, he drew his sword and swung it in cross cuts above his head, so that not a drop fell on him. And the rain fell heavier and heavier, till at last it was coming down like a water spout. But he swung his sword faster and faster, and kept as dry as if he were undercover.

Starting point is 01:43:57 When the father saw this, he was astonished, and said, You have produced the greatest masterpiece. The house is yours. Both of the other brothers were quite satisfied, and praised him too, and as they were so fond of each other, they all three remained at home,

Starting point is 01:44:14 and plied their trades, and as they were so experienced and skillful, they earned a great deal of money, so they lived happily together till they were quite old. and when one was taken ill and died the two others were so deeply grieved that they were also taken ill and died too. And so, because they had all been so clever and so fond of each other, they were all laid in one grave. End of The Three Brothers. Recording by Elliot Miller, www.vo.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovovovovovo.com.

Starting point is 01:44:59 Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Snow Queen, translated from the German of Hans Anderson by Miss Alma Aline. There was once a dreadfully wicked hobgoblin. One day he was in capital spirits because he had made a looking glass which reflected everything that was good and beautiful in such a way that it dwindled almost to nothing, but anything that was bad and ugly stood out very clearly and looked much worse. The most beautiful landscapes looked like boiled spinach, and the best people looked repulsive

Starting point is 01:45:35 or seemed to stand on their heads with no bodies. Their faces were so changed that they could not be recognized, and if anyone had a freckle, you might be sure it would be spread over the nose and mouth. That was the best part of it, said the hobgoblin. But one day the looking glass was dropped, and it broke into a million, billion and more pieces. And now came the greatest misfortune of all, for each of the pieces was hardly as large as a grain of sand, and they flew about all over the world.

Starting point is 01:46:07 And if anyone had a bit in his eye there it stayed, and then he would see everything awry, or else could only see the bad sides of a case. For every tiny splinter of the glass possessed the same power that the whole glass had. Some people got a splinter in their hearts, and that was dreadful. for then it began to turn into a lump of ice. The hobgoblin laughed till his sides ached, but still the tiny bits of glass flew about, and now we will hear all about it.

Starting point is 01:46:37 In a large town, where there were so many people in houses that there was not room enough for everybody to have gardens, lived two poor children. They were not brother and sister, but they loved each other just as much as if they were. Their parents lived opposite one another in two attics, and out on the leads they had put two boxes filled with flowers.

Starting point is 01:46:59 There were sweet peas in it, and two rose trees which grew beautifully, and in summer the two children were allowed to take their little chairs and sit out under the roses. Then they had splendid games. In the winter they could not do this, but then they put hot pennies against the frozen window panes and made round holes to look at each other through. His name was Kay, and hers was Gerta. Outside, it was snowing fast. "'Those are white bees swarming,' said the old grandmother.

Starting point is 01:47:34 "'Have they also a queen bee?' asked the little boy, for he knew that the real bees have one. "'To be sure,' said the grandmother. "'She flies wherever they swarm the thickest. She is larger than any of them, and never stays upon the earth, but flies again up into the black clouds. often at midnight she flies through the streets

Starting point is 01:47:55 and peeps in at all the windows and then they freeze in such pretty patterns and look like flowers yes we have seen that said both children they knew that it was true can the snow queen come in here asked the little girl just let her cried the boy

Starting point is 01:48:14 I would put her on a stove and melt her but the grandmother stroked his hair and told some more stories in the evening when little K was going to bed, he jumped on the chair by the window and looked through the little hole. A few snowflakes were falling outside, and one of the largest lay on the edge of one of the window boxes. The snowflake grew larger and larger till it took the form of a maiden, dressed in finest white gauze. She was so beautiful and dainty, but all of ice, hard, bright ice.

Starting point is 01:48:49 Still, she was alive. Her eyes glittered like two clear stars. but there was no rest or peace in them. She nodded at the window and beckoned with her hand. The little boy was frightened and sprang down from the chair. It seemed as if a great white bird had flown past the window. The next day there was a harder frost than before. Then came the spring, then the summer, when the roses grew and smelt more beautifully than ever.

Starting point is 01:49:16 Kay and Gertie were looking at one of their picture books. The clock in the great church tower had just struck five, when Kay exclaimed, "'Oh, something has stung my heart, and I've got something in my eye.' The little girl threw her arms round his neck. He winked hard with both his eyes. No, she could see nothing in them.

Starting point is 01:49:35 "'I think it's gone now,' said he. But it had not gone. It was one of the tiny splinters of the glass of the magic mirror, which we have heard about, that turned everything great and good reflected in it small and ugly. And poor Kay had also a splinter in his slimmer. his heart, and it began to change into a lump of ice. It did not hurt him at all, but the splinter was there all the same.

Starting point is 01:50:00 "'Why are you crying?' he asked. "'It makes you look so ugly. There's nothing the matter with me. Just look. That rose is all slug-eaten, and this one is stunted. What ugly roses they are!' And he began to pull them to pieces. "'Kay, what are you doing?' cried the little girl. And when he saw how frightened she was, he pulled off another rose and ran in at his window away from dear little gerda. When she came later on with the picture book, he said that it was only fit for babies.

Starting point is 01:50:32 And when his grandmother told them stories, he was always interrupting with, but... And then he would get behind her and put on her spectacles and speak just as she did. This he did very well, and everybody laughed. Very soon he could imitate the way all the people in the street walked and talked. His games were now quite different. On a winter's day he would take a burning glass and hold it out of his blue coat and let the snowflakes fall on it. Look at the glass, Gerta.

Starting point is 01:51:00 Just see how regular they are. They are much more interesting than real flowers. Each is perfect. They are all made according to rule. If only they did not melt. One morning, Kay came out with his warm gloves on, and his little sledge hung over his shoulder. He shouted to Gerta,

Starting point is 01:51:18 I am going to the marketplace to play with the other boys, and away he went. In the marketplace, the boldest boys often used to fasten their sledges to the carts of the farmers, and then they got a good ride. When they were in the middle of their games, they drove into the square a large sledge, all white, and in it sat a figure dressed in a rough white fur police with a white fur cap on. The sledge drove twice round the square, and Kay fastened his little sledge behind it and drove off. It went quicker and quicker into the next tree. The driver turned round and nodded to Kay in a friendly way, as if they had known each other before.

Starting point is 01:51:54 Every time that Kay tried to unfasten his sledge, the driver nodded again, and Kay sat still once more. Then they drove out of the town, and the snow began to fall so thickly that the little boy could not see his hand before him, and on and on they went. He quickly unfastened the cord to get loose from the big sledge, but it was no use. His little sledge hung on fast, and it went on like the little sledge. wind. Then he cried out, but nobody heard him. He was dreadfully frightened. The snowflakes grew larger and larger till they looked like great white birds. All at once they flew aside. The large sledge stood still, and the figure who was driving stood up. The fur, cloak, and cap were all of snow. It was a lady, tall and slim and glittering. It was the snow queen.

Starting point is 01:52:44 We have come at a good rate, she said. But you are almost frozen, creep in under my cloak. And she set him close to her in the sledge and drew the cloak over him. He felt as though he were sinking into a snowdrift. Are you cold now? she asked and kissed his forehead. The kiss was cold as ice and reached down to his heart, which was already half a lump of ice. My sledge, don't forget my sledge, he thought of that first, and it was fastened to one of the great white birds who flew behind with the sledge on its back. The snow queen kissed. Kay again, and then he forgot all about little Gerta, his grandmother, and everybody at home.

Starting point is 01:53:25 Now I must not kiss you any more, she said, or else I should kiss you to death. Then away they flew over forests and lakes, over sea and land, round them whistled a cold wind, the wolves howled and the snow hissed. Over them flew the black shrieking crows, but high up in the moon shone large and bright, and thus Kay passed the long winter night. In the day he slept at the snow queen's feet. But what happened to little Gerta when Kay did not come back? What had become of him? Nobody knew. The other boys told how they had seen him fasten his sledge onto a large one which had driven out of the town gate.

Starting point is 01:54:04 Gerta cried a great deal. The winter was long and dark to her. Then the spring came with warm sunshine. I will go and look for Kay, said Gerta. So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there. presently the stream began to carry it away. Perhaps the river will take me to Kay, thought Gerta. She glided down past trees and fields

Starting point is 01:54:27 till she came to a large cherry garden, in which stood a little house with strange red and blue windows and a straw roof. Before the door stood two wooden soldiers who were shouldering arms. Gerta called to them, but they naturally did not answer. The river carried the boat on to the land. Gerta called out still louder, and there came out of the house a very old woman.

Starting point is 01:54:51 She leant upon a crutch, and she wore a large sun hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers. "'You poor little girl!' said the old woman. And then she stepped into the water, brought the boat in close with her crutch, and lifted little Gerta out. "'And now come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,' she said. Then Girda told her everything, and asked her if she had seen Kay, but she said he had not passed that way yet. But he would soon come. She told Gerta not to be sad, and that she should stay with her and take of the cherry trees and flowers, which were better than any picture book, as they could each tell a story. Then she took Gerta's hand and led her into the little house and shut the door.

Starting point is 01:55:39 The windows were very high, and the panes were red, blue, and yellow. so that the light came through in curious colors. On the table were the most delicious cherries, and the old woman let Gertie eat as many as she liked while she combed her hair with a gold comb as she ate. The beautiful sunny hair rippled and shone round the dear little face, which was so soft and sweet. I've always longed to have a dear little girl just like you,

Starting point is 01:56:07 and you shall see how happy we will be together. And as she combed Girda's hair, Gerta thought less and less about K, for the old woman was a witch, but not a wicked witch, for she only enchanted now and then to amuse herself, and she did not want to keep little Gerta very much. So she went into the garden and waved her stick over all the rose bushes and blossoms and all. They sank down into the black earth, and no one could see where they had been. The old woman was afraid that if Girda saw the roses she would begin to think about her own,

Starting point is 01:56:40 and then would remember Kay and run away. Then she led Gerta out into the garden. How glorious it was! And what lovely scents filled the air! All the flowers you can think of blossomed there all the year round. Gerta jumped for joy and played there till the sunset behind the tall cherry trees. And then she slept in a beautiful bed with red silk pillows filled with violets, and she slept soundly and dreamed as a queen does on her wedding day.

Starting point is 01:57:09 The next day, she played again with the flowers. in the warm sunshine, and so many days passed by. Gerta knew every flower, but although there were so many, it seemed to her as if one was not there, though she could not remember which. She was looking one day at the old woman's sun hat, which had painted flowers on it, and there she saw a rose. The witch had forgotten to make that vanish when she had made the other roses disappear under the earth. It was so difficult to think of everything. Why, there are no "'Coses here,' cried Gerta. "'And she hunted amongst all the flowers, but not one was to be found.

Starting point is 01:57:47 Then she sat down and cried, but her tears fell just on the spot where a rose-bush had sunk, and when her warm tears watered the earth, the bush came up in full bloom just as it had been before. Gertie kissed the roses and thought of the lovely roses at home, and with them came the thought of little K. "'Oh, what have I been doing?' said the little girl. I wanted to look for Kay. She ran to the end of the garden. The gate was shut, but she pushed against the rusty lock

Starting point is 01:58:16 so that it came open. She ran out with her little bare feet. No one came after her. At last she could not run any longer, and she sat down on a large stone. When she looked round, she saw that the summer was over. It was late autumn.

Starting point is 01:58:31 It had not changed in the beautiful garden. Where were sunshine and flowers all the year round? Oh, dear, how late I have made. myself, said Gerta. It's autumn already. I cannot rest, and she sprang up to run on. Oh, how tired and sore her little feet grew, and it became colder and colder. She had to rest again, and there on the snow in front of her was a large crow. It had been looking at her for some time, and it nodded its head and said, "'Kaw, car, good day!' Then it asked the little girl why she was alone in the world. She told the crow her story and asked if it had seen Kay.

Starting point is 01:59:10 The crow nodded very thoughtfully and said, It might be, it might be. What? Do you think you have? cried the little girl, and she almost squeezed the crow to death as she kissed him. Gently, gently, said the crow. I think, I know I think, it might be a little K, but now he has forgotten you for the princess. Does he live with a princess? asked Gerta.

Starting point is 01:59:34 "'Yes, listen,' said the crow. Then he told her all he knew. "'In the kingdom in which we are now sitting "'lives a princess who is dreadfully clever. "'She has read all the newspapers in the world "'and has forgotten them again. "'She is as clever as that. "'The other day she came to the throne,

Starting point is 01:59:54 "'and that is not so pleasant as people think. "'Then she began to say, "'Why should I not marry?' "'But she wanted a husband who could answer "'when he was spoken to. not one who would stand up stiffly and look respectable. That would be too dull. When she told all the court ladies they were delighted.

Starting point is 02:00:13 You can believe every word I say, said the crow. I have a tame sweetheart in the palace, and she tells me everything. Of course, his sweetheart was a crow. The newspapers came out next morning with a border of hearts round it, and the princess monogram on it, and inside you could read that every good-looking young man might come, come into the palace and speak to the princess, and whoever should speak loud enough to be heard would be well fed and looked after. And the one who spoke best should become the princess's

Starting point is 02:00:43 husband. Indeed, said the crow, you can quite believe me, it is as true as that I am sitting here. Young men came in streams, and there was such a crowding and mixing together, but nothing came of it on the first nor the second day. They could all speak quite well when they were in the street. But as soon as they came inside the palace door and saw the guards in silver and upstairs the footman in gold, and the great hall all lighted up, then their wits left them, and when they stood in front of the throne where the princess was sitting, then they could not think of anything to say except to repeat the last word she had spoken, and she did not much care to hear of that again. It seemed as if they were walking in their sleep until they came out into the street again,

Starting point is 02:01:27 when they could speak once more. There was a row stretching from the gills. of the town up to the castle. They were hungry and thirsty, but in the palace they did not even get a glass of water. A few of the clevers had brought some slices of bread and butter with them, but they did not share them with their neighbor, for they thought, if he looks hungry, the princess will not take him. But what about Kay? asked Gerta. When did he come? Was he in the crowd? Wait a bit, we're coming on him. On the third day a little figure came without horse her carriage and walked jauntily up to the palace. His eyes shone as yours do. He had lovely curling hair, but quite poor clothes. "'That was Kay,' cried Gerta with delight. "'Oh, then I have found him,'

Starting point is 02:02:11 and she clapped her hands. "'He had a little bundle on his back,' said the crow. "'No, it must have been his skates, for he went away with his skates.' "'Very likely,' said the crow. "'I did not see for certain, but I know this from my sweetheart, than when he came to the palace door and saw the royal guards in silver, and on the stairs the footmen in gold, he was not the least bit put out. He nodded to them, saying, "'It must be rather dull standing on the stairs. I would rather go inside.'

Starting point is 02:02:39 The halls blazed with lights. Counselors and ambassadors were walking about in noiseless shoes carrying gold dishes. It was enough to make one nervous. His boots creaked dreadfully loud, but he was not frightened. "'That must be case,' said Gerta. I know he had new boots on. I have heard them creaking in his grandmother's room. They did creak certainly, said the crow.

Starting point is 02:03:02 And not one bit afraid up he went to the princess, who was sitting on a large pearl as round as a spinning-wheel. All the ladies-in-waiting were standing round, each with their attendants, and the lords-in-waiting with their attendants. The nearer they stood to the door, the prouder they were. It must have been dreadful, said little Gerta. And Kay did win the princess? I heard from my tame sweetheart that he was merry and quick-witted.

Starting point is 02:03:27 He had not come to woo, he said, but to listen to the princess wisdom. And the end of it was that they fell in love with each other. Oh, yes, that was Kay, said Gerta. He was so clever. He could do somes with fractions. Oh, do lead me to the palace. That's easily said, answered the crow, but how are we to manage that? I must talk it over with my tame sweetheart.

Starting point is 02:03:48 She may be able to advise us, for I must tell you that a little girl like you, you could never get permission to enter it. "'Yes, I will get it,' said Gerta. When Kay hears that I am there, he will come out at once and fetch me. "'Wait for me by the railing,' said the crow, and he nodded his head and flew away. It was late in the evening when he came back. "'Gaw, go!' he said.

Starting point is 02:04:11 "'I am to give you her love, and here is a little girl for you. She took it out of the kitchen. There's plenty there, and you must be hungry. You cannot come into the palace. The guards in silver and footmen in gold would not allow it. But don't cry. You shall get in all right. My sweetheart knows a little back stairs which leads to the sleeping room,

Starting point is 02:04:31 and she knows where to find the key. They went into the garden, and when the lights in the palace were put out one after the other, the crow led Gerda to a back door. Oh, how Gerda's heart beat with anxiety and longing. It seemed if she were going to do something wrong, but she only wanted to know if it were little K. Yes, it must be he.

Starting point is 02:04:52 She remembered so well his clever eyes, his curly hair. She could see him smiling as he did when they were at home under the rose trees. He would be so pleased to see her, and to hear how they all were at home. Now they were on the stairs. A little lamp was burning, and on the landing stood the tame crow. She put her head on one side and looked at Gerta, who bowed as her grandmother had taught her. My betroth has told me many nice things about you, my dear young lady. She said.

Starting point is 02:05:21 Will you take the lamp while I go in front? We go this way so as to meet no one. Through beautiful rooms they came to the sleeping room. In the middle of it, hung on a thick rod of gold were two beds, shaped like lilies, one all white in which lay the princess, and the other red, in which Gerta hoped to find Kay. She pushed aside the curtain and saw a brown neck. Oh, it was Kay.

Starting point is 02:05:46 She called his name out loud, holding the lamp toward him. He woke up, turned his head, and, It was not Kay. It was only his neck that was like Kay's, but he was young and handsome. The princess set up in her lily bed and asked who was there. Then Gerta cried and told her story in all that the crows had done. You poor child, said the prince and princess,

Starting point is 02:06:08 and they praised the crows, and said that they were not angry with them, but that they must not do it again. Now they should have a reward. Would you like to fly away? free," said the princess, "'Or will you have a permanent place as court crows with what you can get in the kitchen?' And both crows bowed and asked for a permanent appointment, for they thought of their old age.

Starting point is 02:06:31 And they put Gerta to bed, and she folded her hands, thinking, as she fell asleep, how good people and animals are to me. The next day she was dressed from head to foot in silk and satin. They wanted her to stay on in the palace, but she begged for a little carriage and a horse, and a pair of shoes so that she might go out again into the world to look for Kay. They gave her a muff as well as some shoes. She was warmly dressed, and when she was ready, there in front of the doors to the coach of pure gold,

Starting point is 02:06:59 with a coachman, footmen, and postillions with gold crowns on. The prince and princess helped her into the carriage and wished her good luck. The wild crow, who was now married, drove with her for the first three miles. The other crow could not come because she had a bad headache. Goodbye! Goodbye! called the prince and princess, and little Gerta cried, and the crow cried. When he said goodbye, he flew on to a tree and waved with his black wings as long as the carriage, which shone like the sun, was in sight.

Starting point is 02:07:30 They came at last to a dark wood, but the coach lit up like a torch. When the robber saw it, they rushed out, exclaiming, gold, gold! They seized the horses, killed the coachman, footmen, and postilions, and dragged Gerda out of the carriage. She is plump and tender, I will eat her, said the old robber. queen, and she drew her long knife, which glittered horribly. "'You shall not kill her,' cried her little daughter. "'She shall play with me. She shall give me muff and her beautiful dress, and she shall sleep in my bed.' The little robber girl was as big as Gerta, but was stronger, broader, with dark hair and black

Starting point is 02:08:05 eyes. She threw her arms round Gerta and said, "'They shall not kill you, so long as you're not naughty. Aren't you a princess?' "'No,' said Gerta, and she told all that it happened to her, and how do you. She loved Little Kay. The robber girl looked at her very seriously and nodded her head, saying, They shall not kill you, even if you are naughty, for then I will kill you myself. And she dried Gerta's eyes and stuck both her hands in the beautiful warm muff. The little robber girl took Gerta to a corner of the robber's camp where she slept.

Starting point is 02:08:38 All around were more than a hundred wood pigeons, which seemed to be asleep, but they moved a little when the two girls came up. There was also nearby a reindeer which the robber girl teased by tickling it with her long, sharp knife. Gerta lay awake for some time. "'Koo, coo!' said the wood pigeons. "'We have seen little K. A white bird carried his sledge. He was sitting in a snow queen's carriage which drove over the forest when our little ones were in the nest. She breathed on them, and all except two died.

Starting point is 02:09:09 Coo, coo, coo!' "'What are you saying over there?' cried Gerta. where was the snow queen going to? Do you know it all? She was probably traveling to Lapland, where there is always ice and snow. Ask the reindeer. There is capital ice and snow there, said the reindeer. One can jump about there in great sparkling valleys. There the snow queen has her summer palace,

Starting point is 02:09:32 but her best palace is up by the north pole, on the island called Spitzbergen. Okay, my little Kay, sobbed Gerta. You must lie still, said the little robber girl, or else I shall stick my knife into you. In the morning, GERDA told her all at the wood pigeons and said. She nodded. Do you know where Lapland is? she asked the reindeer.

Starting point is 02:09:56 Who should know better than I? said the beast, and his eyes sparkled. I was born and bred there on the snow fields. Listen, said the robber girl to Gerda. You see that all the robbers have gone. Only my mother is left, and she will fall asleep in the eyes. afternoon. Then I will do something for you. When her mother had fallen asleep, but the robber girl went up to the ranger and said, I am going to set you free so that you can run to Lapland, but you must go quickly and carry this little girl to the Snow Queen's Palace, where her playfellow is. You must

Starting point is 02:10:28 have heard all that she told about it, for she spoke loud enough. The reindeer sprang high for joy. The robber girl lifted little Gerta up and had the foresight to tie her on firmly, and even gave her a little pillow for a saddle. You must have your fur boots, she said, for it will be cold, which I shall keep your muff, for it is so cozy. But, so that you may not freeze, here are my mother's great fur gloves. They will come up to your elbows, creep into them. And Gerta cried for joy. Don't make such faces, said the little robber girl. You must look very happy, and here are two loaves and a sausage. Now you won't be hungry. They were tied to the reindeer. The little robber girl opened the door, made all the big dogs come away, cut through

Starting point is 02:11:14 the halter with her sharp knife, and said to the reindeer, run now, but take great care of the little girl. And Curtis stretched out her hands with the large fur gloves toward the little robber girl and said, Goodbye. Then the reindeer flew over the ground, through the great forest as fast as he could. The wolves howled, the raven screamed, the sky seemed on fire. Those are my dear ones. The deer, old northern lights, said the reindeer. See how they shine? And then he ran faster still, day and night. The loaves were eaten in the sausage also, and then they came to Lapland. They stopped by a wretched little house. The roof almost touched the ground, and the door was so low that you had to creep in and out. There was no one in the house except an old Lapland woman

Starting point is 02:12:01 who was cooking fish over an oil lamp. The reindeer told Gerda's whole history, but first he told his own. that seemed to him much more important, and Gerta was so cold that she could not speak. "'Ah, you poor creatures,' said the Lapland woman, "'you have still farther to go. You must go over a hundred miles into Finland, for there the Snow Queen lives, and every night she burns Bengalites. I will write some words on a dried stockfish, for I have no paper, and you must give it to the Finland woman, for she can give you better advice than I can.'

Starting point is 02:12:34 And when Girda was warmed and had something to eat and drink, the Lapland woman wrote on a dried stockfish and begged Gerta to take care of it, tied Gerta securely on the reindeer's back, and away they went again. The whole night was ablaze with northern lights, and then they came to Finland and knocked at the Finland woman's chimney, for door she had none. Inside it was so hot that the Finland woman wore very few clothes. She loosened Gerda's clothes and drew off her fur gloves and boots.

Starting point is 02:13:04 She laid a piece of ice on the ranger's head, and then read what was written on the stockfish. She read it over three times till she knew it by heart, and then put the fish in the saucepan, for she never wasted anything. Then the reindeer told his story, and afterwards little girdas,

Starting point is 02:13:21 and the Finland woman blinked her eyes but said nothing. You are very clever, said the reindeer. I know, cannot you give the little girl a drink so that she may have the strength of twelve men and overcome the snow queen? "'The strength of twelve men,' said the Finland woman, "'that would not help much. "'Little Kay is with the Snow Queen,

Starting point is 02:13:41 "'and he likes everything there very much, "'and thinks it the best place in the world. "'But that is because he has a splinter of glass in his heart, "'and a bit in his eye. "'If these do not come out, "'he will never be free, "'and the Snow Queen will keep her power over him.' "'But cannot you give Little Gerdas something

Starting point is 02:13:59 "'so that she can have power over her?' "'I can give her no greater power, than she has already. Don't you see how great it is? Don't you see how men and beasts must help her when she wanders into the wide world with her bare feet? She is powerful already, because she is a dear little innocent child. If she cannot by herself conquer the Snow Queen and take away the glass splinters from Little Kay, we cannot help her. The Snow Queen's garden begins two miles from here. You can carry the little maiden so far, put her down by the large bush with red berries growing in the snow. Then you must come back here as fast as you can. Then the Finland woman lifted little

Starting point is 02:14:39 Gerta on the reindeer, and away he sped. Oh, I had left my gloves and boots behind, cried Gerta. She missed them in the piercing cold, but the reindeer did not dare to stop. On he ran till he came to the bush with red berries. Then he set Gerta down and kissed her mouth, and great big tears ran down his cheeks, and then he ran back. There stood poor Gerta, without shoes or gloves in the middle of the bitter cold of Finland. She ran on as fast as she could. A regiment of gigantic snowflakes came against her, but they melted when they touched her,

Starting point is 02:15:12 and she went on with fresh courage. And now we must see what Kay was doing. He was not thinking of Gerta, and never dreamt that she was standing outside the palace. The walls of the palace were built of driven snow, and the doors and windows of piercing winds. There were more than a hundred halls in it all of frozen snow, The largest was several miles long. The bright northern lights lit them up, and very large and

Starting point is 02:15:38 emptying, cold and glittering they were. In the middle of the great hall was a frozen lake which had cracked in a thousand pieces. Each piece was exactly like the other. Here the snow queen used to sit when she was at home. Little Kay was almost blue and black with cold, but he did not feel it, for she had kissed away his feelings and his heart was a lump of ice. He was pulling about some sharp, flat pieces of ice and trying to fit one into the other. He thought each was most beautiful, but that was because of the splinter of glass in his eye. He fitted them into a great many shapes, but he wanted to make them spell the word love. The Snow Queen had said,

Starting point is 02:16:19 If you can spell out that word you shall be your own master. I will give you the whole world and a new pair of skates. But he could not do it. Now I must fly to warmer countries, said the Snow Queen. I must go and powder my black kettles. That was what she called Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius. It does the lemons and grapes good. And off she flew, and Kay sat alone in the great hall trying to do his puzzle.

Starting point is 02:16:46 He sat so still that she would have thought he was frozen. Then it happened that little Gerda stepped into the hall. The biting cold winds became quiet as if they had fallen asleep when she appeared in the great empty freezing hall. She caught sight of Kay. She recognized him and ran and put her arms round his neck, crying, "'K, dear little Kay, I have found you at last!' But he sat quite still and cold.

Starting point is 02:17:12 Then Gerta wept hot tears which fell on his neck and thawed his heart and swept away the bit of looking glass. He looked at her, and then he burst into tears. He cried so much that the glass splinter swam out of his eye. Then he knew her, and cried out, "'Gerda, dear little Gerta, where have you been so long? and where have I been? And he looked round him. How cold it is here, how wide and empty. And he threw himself on Gerta, and she laughed and wept for joy. It was such a happy time

Starting point is 02:17:42 that the pieces of ice even danced round them for joy. And when they were tired and lay down again, they formed themselves into the letters that the Snow Queen had said he must spell in order to become his own master and have the whole world and a new pair of skates. And Gerta kissed his cheeks, and they grew rosy. She kissed his eyes and they sparkled like hers. She kissed his hands and feet, and he became warm and glowing. The snow queen might come home now. His release, the word love, stood written in sparkling ice.

Starting point is 02:18:14 They took each other's hands and wandered out of the great palace. They talked about the grandmother and the roses on the lades. Wherever they came, the winds hushed and the sun came out. When they reached the bush with red berries, there stood the reindeer waiting for them. He carried Kay and Gerta first to the Finland woman, who warmed them in her hot room and gave them advice for their journey home. Then they went to the Lapland woman, who gave them new clothes and mended their sleigh. The reindeer ran with them until they came to the green fields fresh with the spring green. Here he said goodbye.

Starting point is 02:18:47 They came to the forest, which was bursting into bud, and out of it came a splendid horse which Gerta knew. It was the one which had drawn the gold coach ridden by a young girl with a red cap and pistol, in her belt. It was the little robber girl who was tired of being at home and wanted to go out into the world. She and Gerta knew each other at once. "'You are a nice fellow,' she said to Kay. "'I should like to know if you deserve to be run all over the world.' But Gerta patted her cheeks and asked after the prince and princess. "'They are traveling about,' said the robber girl. "'And the crow?' asked Gerta. "'Oh, the crow is dead,' answered the robber girl.

Starting point is 02:19:26 his tame sweetheart is a widow and hops about with a bit of black crape round her leg. She makes a great fuss, but that's all nonsense. But tell me what happened to you and how you caught him. And Kay and Gerta told her all. Tear dear, said the robber girl, shook both their hands and promised that if she came to their town, she would come to see them. Then she rode on. But Gerta and Kay went home hand in hand.

Starting point is 02:19:53 There they found the grandmother and everything just as it had been. But when they went to the doorway, they found that they were grown up. There were roses on the leads. It was summer, warm, glorious summer. End of the Snow Queen. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.w.com. Section 13 of The Pink Fairy Book.

Starting point is 02:20:18 This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The fir tree, translated from the German of Hans Christian Anderson. There was once a pretty little fir tree in a wood. It was in a capital position, for it could get sun and there was enough air, and all around grew many tall companions, both pines and furs. It did not heed the warm sun and the fresh air,

Starting point is 02:20:48 or noticed the little peasant children who ran about chattering when they came out to gather wild strawberries and raspberries. Often they found a whole basketful and strung strawberries on a straw. They would sit down by the little fir tree and say, What a pretty little one this is! The tree did not like that at all. By the next year it had grown a whole ring taller, and the year after that another ring more,

Starting point is 02:21:13 for you can always tell a fir tree's age from its rings. Oh, if I were only a great tree like the others, sighed the little fir tree, Then I could stretch out my branches far and wide and look out into the great world. The birds would build their nests in my branches, and when the wind blew, I would bow to it politely, just like the others. It took no pleasure in the sunshine, nor in the birds, nor in the rose-colored clouds it sailed over it at dawn and at sunset. Then the winter came, and the snow lay white and sparkling all around, and a hair would come and spring right over the little fir-tree, which annoyed it very much. But when two more winters had passed, the fir tree was so tall that the hair had to run around it.

Starting point is 02:21:58 Ah, to grow and grow, and become great and old, that is the only pleasure in life, thought the tree. In the autumn the woodcutters used to come and hue some of the tallest trees. This happened every year, and the young fir tree would shiver as the magnificent trees fell crashing and crackling to the ground. Their branches hewn off and their great trunks left bare, so that they were almost unwelcome, recognizable. But then they were laid on wagons and dragged out of the wood by horses. Where are they going? What will happen to them? In spring, when the swallows and storks came, the fir tree asked them, do you know where they were taken? Have you met them? The swallows knew nothing of them, but the stork knotted his head thoughtfully saying,

Starting point is 02:22:44 I think I know. I met many new ships as I flew from Egypt. There were splendid masts on these ships. I'll wager those were they. They had the scent of fir trees. Ah, those are grand, grand. Oh, if only I were big enough to sail away over the sea, too. What sort of thing is the sea? What does it look like? Oh, it would take much too long to tell you all that, said the stork, and off he went. Rejoice in your youth, said the sunbeams. Rejoice in the sweet growing time, in the young life within you. And the wind kissed it and the dew wept tears over it, but the fir tree did not understand.

Starting point is 02:23:28 Towards Christmas time, quite little trees were cut down, some not as big as the young fir tree, or just the same age, and now it had no peace of rest for longing to be away. These little trees, which were chosen for their beauty, kept all of their branches. They were put in carts and drawn out of the wood by horses. "'Wither are those going?' asked the fir-tree.

Starting point is 02:23:51 "'They are no bigger than I. "'And one there was much smaller even. "'Why do they keep their branches? "'Where they taken to?' "'We know, we know,' twittered the sparrows. "'Down there in the city we have peeped in the windows. "'We know where they go. "'They attain to have the greatest splendor and magnificence you can imagine.

Starting point is 02:24:10 "'We have looked in at the windows "'and seen them planted in the middle of the warm room "'and adorned with the most beautiful things, golden apples, sweetmeats, toys, and hundreds of candles. And then, asked the fir tree, trembling in every limb with eagerness, and then what happens then? Oh, we haven't seen anything more than that. That was simply matchless. Am I too destined to the same brilliant career? wondered the fir tree excitedly. That is even better than sailing over the sea. I am sick with longing. If it were only Christmas, now I am tall and grown up like those

Starting point is 02:24:46 which were taken away last year. Ah, if I were only in the cart, if I were only in the warm room with all the splendor and magnificence. And then? Then come something better, something still more beautiful, else why should they dress us up?

Starting point is 02:25:02 There must be something greater, something grander to come. But what? Oh, I am pining away. I really don't know what's the matter with me. Rejoice in us, said the air and sunshine. Rejoice in your fresh youth. in the free air.

Starting point is 02:25:18 But it took no notice, and just grew and grew. There it stood fresh and green in winter and summer, and all who saw it said, What a beautiful tree! And at Christmas time it was the first to be cut down. The axe went deep into the pith. The tree fell to the ground with a groan. It felt bruised and faint.

Starting point is 02:25:39 It could not think of happiness. It was sad at leaving its home, the spot where it had sprung up. It knew, too, that it would never see. see again its dear old companions, or the little shrubs and flowers, perhaps not even the birds. Altogether the parting was not pleasant. When the tree came to itself again, it was packed in a yard with other trees, and a man was saying, "'This is a splendid one. We shall only want this.' Then came two footmen in livery, and carried the fir-tree to a large and beautiful room.

Starting point is 02:26:11 There were pictures hanging on the walls, and near the Dutch stove stood great Chinese vases with lions on their lids. There were armchairs, silk-covered sofas, big tables laden with picture-books and toys, worth hundreds of pounds, at least, so the children said. The fir-tree was placed in a great tub filled with sand, but no one could see that it was a tub, for it was all hung with greenery and stood on a gay carpet. How the tree trembled! What was coming now? On its branches they hung little nets cut out of colored paper, each full of sugar plums. Apples and nuts hung down as if they were growing. Over a hundred red, blue and white tapers were fastened among the branches.

Starting point is 02:26:54 Dolls, as lifelike as human beings, the fir tree had never seen any before, were suspended among the green, and right up at the top was a fixed gold tinsel star. It was gorgeous, quite unusually gorgeous. Tonight, they all said, tonight it will be lighted. Ah, thought the tree, if it were only evening. Then the tapers would soon be lighted. What will happen then? I wonder whether the trees will come from wood to see me,

Starting point is 02:27:24 or if the sparrows will fly against the window-panes. Am I to stand here decked out thus through winter and summer? It was not a bad guess, but the fir tree had real bark-ache from the sheer longing, and bark-ache in trees is just as bad as a headache in human beings. Now the tapers were lighted. What a glitter! What splendor! The tree quivered in all its branches so much that one of the candles caught the green and singed it.

Starting point is 02:27:51 Take care, cried the young ladies, and they extinguished it. Now the tree did not even dare to quiver. It was really terrible. It was so afraid of losing any of its ornaments, and it was quite bewildered by all the radiance. And then the folding doors were opened, and a crowd of children rushed in, as though they wanted to knock down the whole tree, whilst the older people followed so The children stood quite silent, but only for a moment, and then they shouted again and danced round the tree, and snatched off one present after another.

Starting point is 02:28:26 "'What are they doing?' thought the tree. "'What is going to happen?' And the tapers burnt low on the branches, and were put out one by one, and then the children were given permission to plunder the tree. They rushed at it so that all its boughs creaked. If it had not been fastened by the gold star at the top of the ceiling, it would have been overthrown. The children danced about with their splendid toys, and no one looked at the tree, except the old nurse, who came and peeped amongst the boughs just to see if a fig or an apple

Starting point is 02:28:57 had been forgotten. A story! a story! cried the children, and dragged a little stout man to the tree. He sat down beneath it, saying, Here we are in the green wood, and the tree will be delighted to listen. But I am only going to tell one little. story. Shall it be Henny Penny or Humpty Dumpty who fell downstairs, and yet gained great honour and married a princess? Henny Penny cried some, Humpty Dumpty cried others. There was a perfect babel of voices. Only the fir tree kept silent and thought, Am I not to be in it? Am I to have nothing to do with it? But it had already been in it and played out its part, and the man told them about Humpty Dumpty, who fell downstairs and married a princess. The children clapped their hands and

Starting point is 02:29:48 cried, another, another. They wanted the story of Henny Penny also, but they only got Humpty Dumpty. The fir tree stood quite astonished and thoughtful. The birds in the wood had never related anything like that. Humpty Dumpty fell downstairs and yet married a princess? Yes, that is the way of the world, thought the tree, and it was sure it must be true, because such a nice man had told the story. Well, who knows? Perhaps I shall fall downstairs and marry a princess, and it rejoiced to think that the next day it would be decked out again with candles, toys,

Starting point is 02:30:26 glittering ornaments, and fruits. Tomorrow I shall quiver again with excitement. I shall enjoy to the full all my splendor. Tomorrow I shall hear Humpty Dumpty again, and perhaps henny-penny too. And the tree stood silent and lost in thought all through the, night. Next morning the servants came in. Now the dressing will begin again, thought the tree, but they dragged it out of the room and up the stairs to the lumber room, and put it in a dark

Starting point is 02:30:54 corner where no ray of light could penetrate. What does this mean? thought the tree. What am I to do here? What is there for me to hear? And it leaned against the wall and thought and thought, and there was time enough for that, for days and nights went by and no one came. At last, when someone did come, it was only to put some great boxes into the corner. Now the tree was quite covered. It seemed as if it had been quite forgotten. Now it is winter outdoors, thought the fir tree. The ground is hard and covered with snow.

Starting point is 02:31:30 They can't plant me yet. And that is why I am staying here under cover till the spring comes. How thoughtful they are! Only I wish it were not so terribly dark and lonely here. not even a little hair. It was so nice out in the wood when the snow lay all around and the hair leapt past me.

Starting point is 02:31:48 Yes, even when he leapt over me. But I didn't like it then. It's so dreadfully lonely up here. Squeak, squeak! said a little mouse, stealing out, followed by a second. They sniffed at the fir tree and then crept between its boughs. It's frightfully cold, said the little mice.

Starting point is 02:32:08 How nice it is to be here! Don't you think so, tool, you old fir tree? I'm not at all old, said the tree. There are many much older than I am. Where do you come from? asked the mice, and what do you know? They were extremely inquisitive. Do tell us about the most beautiful place in the world.

Starting point is 02:32:29 Is that where you come from? Have you been in the storeroom where cheeses lie on the shelves, and hams hang from the ceiling, where one dances on tallow candles, and where one goes and thin and comes out fat? I know nothing about that, said the tree, but I know the wood, where the sun shines and the birds sing, and then it told them all about its young days, and the little mice had never heard anything like that before, and they listened with all their ears and said,

Starting point is 02:32:57 Oh, how much you have seen, how lucky you have been! I? said the fir-tree, and then it thought over what it had told them. Yes, on the whole, those were very happy times. But then it went on to tell them about Christmas Eve, when it had been adorned with sweetmeats and tapers. Oh, said the little mice, how lucky you have been, you old fir tree. I'm not at all old, said the tree. I only came from the wood this winter. I'm only a little backwards, perhaps, in my growth. How beautifully you tell stories, said the little mice, and next evening they came with four others, who wanted to hear the tree's story, and it told Stee's story. And it told still more, for it remembered everything so clearly and thought,

Starting point is 02:33:41 Those were happy times. But they may come again. Humpty Dumpty fell downstairs, and yet he married a princess. Perhaps I shall also marry a princess. And then it thought of a pretty little birch tree that grew out in the wood, and seemed to the fur a real princess, and a very beautiful one too. "'Who is Humpty Dumpty?' asked the little mice. And then the tree told them the whole story.

Starting point is 02:34:07 It could remember every single word, and the little mice were ready to leap onto the topmost branch out of sheer joy. Next night, many more mice came, and on Sunday even two rats. But they did not care about the story, and that troubled the little mice, for now they thought less of it, too. "'Is that the only story you know?' asked the rats. "'The only one,' answered the tree. "'I heard that on my happiest evening, but I did not realize then how much.

Starting point is 02:34:37 happy I was. It's a very poor story. Don't you know one about bacon or tallow candles? A storeroom story? No, said the tree. Then we are much obliged to you, said the rats, and they went back to their friends. At last the little mice went off also, and the tree said, sighing, Really, it was very pleasant when the lively little mice sat round and listened whilst I told

Starting point is 02:35:02 them stories. But now that's over, too. But now I will think of the time when I shall be brought out again to keep up my spirits. But when did that happen? Well, it was one morning when they came to tidy up the lumber room. They threw it really rather roughly on the floor, but a servant dragged it off at once downstairs, where there was daylight once more. Now life begins again, thought the tree. It felt the fresh air, the first rays of the sun, and there it was out in the yard.

Starting point is 02:35:36 everything passed so quickly the tree quite forgot to notice itself there was so much to look at all around the yard opened on a garden full of flowers the roses were so fresh and sweet hanging over the little trellis the lime trees were in blossom and the swallows flew about saying "'Query, very, will! My husband has come home!' But it was not the fir-tree they meant. "'Now I shall live,' thought the tree joyfully, stretching out its branches wide. But alas, they were all withered and yellow, and it was lying in a corner among weeds and nettles.

Starting point is 02:36:12 The golden star was still on its highest bow, and it glittered in the bright sunlight. In the yard some of the merry children were playing, who had danced so gaily round the tree at Christmas. One of the little ones ran up and tore off the gold star. "'Look what was left on the ugly old fir tree,' he cried, and stamped on the bough so that they cracked under his feet. And the tree looked at all the splendor and freshness of the flowers in the garden,

Starting point is 02:36:40 and then looked at itself, and wished that it had been left lying in the dark corner of the lumber room, and thought of its fresh youth in the wood, of the Merry Christmas Eve, and of the little mice who had listened so happily to the story of Humpty Dumpty, Too late, too late, thought the old tree. If only I had enjoyed myself whilst I could. Now all is over and gone.

Starting point is 02:37:04 And a servant came out and cut the tree into small pieces. There was quite a bundle of them. They flickered brightly under the great copper in the brewhouse. The tree sighed deeply, and each sigh was like a pistol shot. So the children who were playing there ran up and sat in front of the fire, gazing at it and crying, Piff, puff bang! But for each report, which was really a sigh,

Starting point is 02:37:27 the tree was thinking of the summer's day in the wood, or of a winter's night out there when the stars were shining. It thought of Christmas Eve, and of Humpty Dumpty, which was the only story it had heard or could tell, and then the tree had burnt away. The children played on in the garden, and the youngest had the golden star on his breast, which the tree had worn on the happiest evening of its life,

Starting point is 02:37:51 and now that was passed and the tree had passed away, and the story too all ended and done with. And that's the way with all stories. Here our Danish author ends. This is what people call sentiment, and I hope you enjoy it. End of the fir tree. Recording by Elliot Miller,

Starting point is 02:38:12 www. www.vovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovovo book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Hans, the mermaid's son, translated from the Danish. In a village there once lived a smith called Basmus, who was in a very poor way. He was still a young man and a strong handsome fellow to boot, but he had many little children, and there was little to be earned by his trade. He was, however, a diligent and hard-working man, and when he had no work in the Smithy, he was out at sea-fishing, or gathering wreckage on the shore.

Starting point is 02:39:02 It happened one time that he had gone out to fish in good weather, all alone in a little boat, but he did not come home that day, nor the following one, so that all believed he had perished out at sea. On the third day, however, Basmas came to shore again, and had his boat full of fish, so big and fat than no one had ever seen their like. There was nothing the matter with him, and he complained neither of hunger nor of thirst. He had got into a fog, he said, and could not find land again. What he did not tell, however, was where he had been all the time. That only came out six years later, when people got to know that he had been caught by a mermaid out on the

Starting point is 02:39:46 deep sea, and had been her guest during the three days that he was missing. From that time for he went out no more to fish, nor indeed did he require to do so, for whenever he went down to the shore it never failed that some wreckage was washed up, and in it all kinds of valuable things. In those days every one took what they found and got leave to keep it, so that the smith grew more prosperous day by day. When seven years had passed since the smith went out to sea, it happened one morning as he stood in the smithy, mending a plow, that I had some sort of a-and-one.

Starting point is 02:40:22 some young lad came in to him and said, "'Good day, father. My mother, the mermaid, sends her greetings, and says that she has had me for six years now, and you can keep me for as long.' He was a strange enough boy to be six years old, for he looked as if he had were eighteen, and was even bigger and stronger than lads commonly are at that age.

Starting point is 02:40:44 "'Will you have a bite of bread?' said the smith. "'Oh, yes,' said Hans, for that was his name. The Smith then told his wife to cut a piece of bread for him. She did so, and the boy swallowed it at one mouthful and went out again to the smithy to his father. Have you got all you can eat? said the smith. No, said Hans.

Starting point is 02:41:07 That was just a little bit. The smith went into the house and took a whole loaf, which he cut into two slices and put butter and cheese between them. And this he gave to Hans. In a while the boy came out to the smithy, again. Well, have you got as much as you can eat?" said the Smith. No, not nearly, said Hans.

Starting point is 02:41:29 I must try to find a better place than this, for I can see that I shall never get my fill here. Hans wished to set off at once, as soon as his father would make a staff for him of such a kind as he wanted. It must be of iron, said he, and one that can hold out. The Smith brought him an iron rod as thick as an ordinary staff, but Hans took it and twisted it round his finger, so that it wouldn't do. Then the Smith came dragging one as thick as a wagon pole, but Hans bent it over his knee and broke it like a straw.

Starting point is 02:42:03 The smith then had to collect all the iron he had, and Hans held it while his father forged for him a staff which was heavier than the anvil. When Hans had got this he said, Many thanks, Father. Now I have got my inheritance. With this he set off into the country, and the smith was very pleased. to be rid of that son, before he ate him out of house and home. Hans first arrived at a large estate, and it so happened that the squire himself was standing outside the farmyard. "'Where are you garing?' said the squire.

Starting point is 02:42:37 "'I am looking for a place,' said Hans, where they have need of strong fellows, and can give them plenty to eat. "'Well,' said the squire, "'I generally have twenty-four men at this time of the year, but I only have I have twelve just now, so I can easily take you on." "'Very well,' said Hans, "'I shall easily do twelve men's work. But then I must also have as much to eat as the twelve would.' All this was agreed to, and the squire took Hans into the kitchen, and told the servant girls that the new man was to have as much food as the other twelve.

Starting point is 02:43:13 It was arranged that he should have a pot to himself, and he could then use the ladle to take his food with. It was in the evening that Hans arrived there, so he did nothing more that day than he did his supper, a big pot of buckwheat porridge, which he cleaned to the bottom, and was then so far satisfied that he said he could sleep on that, and so he went off to bed. He slept both well and long, and all the rest were up and at their work while he was still sleeping soundly. The squire was also on foot, for he was curious to see how the new man would behave, who

Starting point is 02:43:47 was both to eat and work for twelve. But as yet there was no Hans to be seen, and the sun was already high in the heavens, so the squire himself went and called on him. "'Get up, Hans!' he cried. "'You are sleeping too long!' Hans woke up and rubbed his eyes. "'Yes, that's true,' he said. "'I must get up and have my breakfast.'

Starting point is 02:44:10 So he rose and dressed himself, and went into the kitchen, where he got his pot of porridge. He swallowed all of this, and then asked what work he was to do that. was to have. He was to thresh that day, said the squire. The other twelve men were already busy at it. There were twelve threshing floors, and the twelve men were already at work on six of them, two on each. Hans was thrushed by himself all that was lying upon the other six floors.

Starting point is 02:44:38 He went out to the barn and got hold of a flail. Then he looked to see how the others did it, and did the same. But at the first stroke he smashed the flail in pieces. There were several flails hanging there, and Hans took the one after the other. But they all went the same way, everyone flying in splinters at the first stroke. He then looked round for something else to work with, and found a pair of strong beams lying near. Next he caught sight of a horse hide nailed up on the barn door. With the beams he made a flail, using the skin to tie them together.

Starting point is 02:45:15 the one beam he used as a handle, the other to strike with. And now that was all right. But the barn was too low. There was no room to swing the flail, and the floors were too small. Hans, however, found a remedy for this. He simply lifted the whole roof off the barn and set it down in the field beside. He then emptied down all the corn that he could lay his hands on and threshed away. went through one lot after another, and it was all the same to him what he got hold of,

Starting point is 02:45:48 so before midday he had threshed all the squire's grain, his rye and wheat and barley and oats, all mixed through each other. When he was finished with this, he lifted the roof up on the barn again, like setting a lid on a box, and went in and told the squire that the job was done. The squire opened his eyes at this announcement, and came out to see if it was really true. It was true, sure enough, but he was scarcely delighted with the mixed grain that he got from all his crops. However, when he saw the flail that Hans had used and learned how he had made room for himself to swing it, he was so afraid of the strong fellow that he dared not say anything, except that it was a good thing he had got it threshed, but it had still to be cleaned.

Starting point is 02:46:34 What does that mean? asked Hans. It was explained to him that the corn and the chaff had to be separated, as yet both were lying in one heap, right up to the roof. Hans began to take up a little and sifted in his hands, but he soon saw that this would never do. He soon thought of a plan, however. He opened both barn doors, and then lay down at one end in blue, so that all the chaff flew out and lay like a sandbank at the other end of the barn.

Starting point is 02:47:04 And the grain was as clean as it could be. Then he reported to the squire that that job was also done. The squire said that that was well. There was nothing more for him to do that day. Off went Hans to the kitchen, and got as much as he could eat. Then he went and took a midday nap which lasted till supper-time. Meanwhile, the squire was quite miserable, and made his moan to his wife, saying that she must help him to find some means to getting rid of this strong fellow,

Starting point is 02:47:34 for he durst not give him his leave. She sent for the steward, and it was arranged that the next day all the men should go to the forest for firewood, and that they should make a bargain among them, that the one who came home last with his load should be hanged. They thought that they could easily manage that it would be Hans who would lose his life, for the others would be early on the road, while Hans would certainly oversleep himself. In the evening, therefore, the men sat and talked together, saying that next morning they must set out early to the forest. and, as they had a hard day's work and a long journey before them, they would, for their amusement, make a compact, that whichever of them came home last with his load should lose his life on the gallows. So Hans had no objections to make.

Starting point is 02:48:23 Long before the sun was up next morning, all the twelve men were on foot. They took all the best horses and carts, and drove off to the forest. Hans, however, lay and slept on, and the squire said, Just let him lie. At last, Hans thought it was time to have his breakfast, so he got up and put on his clothes. He took plenty of time to his breakfast, and then went out to get his horse and cart ready. The others had taken everything that was any good, so that he had a difficulty in scraping together four wheels of different sizes, and fixing them to an old cart. And he could find no other horses than a pair of old hacks.

Starting point is 02:49:04 He did not know where it lay, but he followed the track of the other carts, and in that way came to it all right. On coming to the gate leading into the forest, he was unfortunate enough to break it in pieces, so he took a huge stone that was lying on the field, seven L's long and seven L's broad, and set this in the gap. Then he went on and joined the others. These laughed at him heartily, for they had labored as hard as they could, since daybreak, and had helped each other to fell trees and put them on the carts, so that all of these were now loaded, except one. Hans got hold of a woodman's axe and proceeded to fell a tree, but he destroyed the edge and broke the shaft at the first blow. He therefore

Starting point is 02:49:52 laid down the axe, put his arms round the tree, and pulled it up by the roots. This he threw upon his cart, and then another and another, and thus he went on while all the others forgot their work, and stood with open mouths gazing at this strange woodcraft. All at once they began to hurry, the last cart was loaded, and they whipped up their horses, so as to be the first to arrive home. When Hans had finished his work, he again put his old hacks into the cart, but they could not move it from the spot. He was annoyed at this, and took them out again, twisted a rope round the cart, and all the

Starting point is 02:50:27 trees, lifted the whole affair on his back and set off home, leading the horses behind him by the rain. When he reached the gate, he found the whole row of carts standing there, unable to get any further for the stone which lay in the gap. "'What?' said Hans. Can twelve men not move that stone? With that he lifted it and threw it out of the way, and went on with his burden on his back, and the horses behind him, and arrived at the farm long before any of the others. The squire was walking about there, looking and looking, for he was very curious to know what had happened. Finally he caught sight of Hans coming along in this fashion,

Starting point is 02:51:07 and was so frightened that he did not know what to do. But he shut the gate and put on the bar. When Hans reached the gate of the courtyard, he laid down the trees and hammered at it, but no one came to open it. He then took the trees and tossed him over the barn into the yard, and the cart after them so that every wheel flew off in a different direction. When the squire saw this, he thought to himself,

Starting point is 02:51:30 the horses will come the same way if I don't open the door. So he did this. Good day, Master, said Hans, and put the horses into the stable, and went into the kitchen to get something to eat. At length the other men came home with their loads. When they came in, Han said to them, Do you remember the bargain we made last night?

Starting point is 02:51:50 Which of you is it that's going to be hanged? Oh, said they. That was only a joke. It didn't mean anything. Oh, well, it doesn't mean. matter, said Hans, and there was no more about it. The squire, however, and his wife and the steward had much to say to each other about the terrible man they had got, and all were agreed that they must get rid of him in some way or other. The steward said that he would

Starting point is 02:52:16 manage this all right. The next morning they were to clean the well, and they would use of that opportunity. They would get him down into the well, and then have a big millstone ready to throw down on top of him. That would settle him. After that, they could just fill in the well, and then escape being at any expense for his funeral. Both the squire and his wife thought this a splendid idea, and went about rejoicing at the thought that now they would get rid of Hans. But Hans was hard to kill, as we shall see. He slept long next morning, as he always did, and finally, as he would not waken by himself, the squire had to go and call him. Get up, Hans, you are sleeping too long, he cried.

Starting point is 02:53:07 Hans woke up and rubbed his eyes. That so, said he, I shall rise and have my breakfast. He got up then and dressed himself, while the breakfast stood waiting for him. When he had finished the whole of this, he asked what he was to do that day. He was told to help the other men to clean out the well. That was all right, and he went out and found the other men waiting for him. To this he said that they could choose whichever task they liked, either to go down into the well and fill the buckets while he pulled them up, or pulled him up and he alone would

Starting point is 02:53:43 go down to the bottom of the well. They answered that they would rather stay above ground, as there would be no room for so many of them down in the well. Hans therefore went down alone, and began to clean out the well. But the men had arranged how they were to act, and immediately each of them seized a stone from the heap of huge blocks, and threw them down above him, thinking to kill him with these. Hans, however, gave no more heed to this than to shout up to them, to keep the hens away

Starting point is 02:54:15 from the well, for they were scraping gravel down on top of him. They then saw that they could not kill him with little stones, but they had still the big one left. The whole twelve of them set to work with poles and rollers and rolled a big millstone to the brink of the well. It was with the greatest difficulty that they got it thrown down there, and now they had no doubt that he had got all that he wanted. But the stone happened to fall so luckily that his head went right through the hole in

Starting point is 02:54:44 the middle of the millstone, so that it sat round his neck like a priest's collar. At this Hans would stay down no longer. He came out of the well with the millstone round his neck. went straight to the squire and complained that the other men were trying to make a fool of him. He would not be there, priest, he said. He had too little learning for that. Saying this, he bent down his head and shook the stone off so that it crushed one of the squire's big toes. The squire went limping in to his wife, and the steward was sent for. He was told that he must devise some plan for getting rid of this terrible person.

Starting point is 02:55:21 The scheme he had devised before had been of no use, and now good counsel was. scarce. Oh, no, said the steward, there are good enough ways yet. The squire can send him this evening to fish in the Devil Moss Lake. He will never escape alive from there, for no one can go there by night for old Eric. That was a grand idea, both the squire and his wife thought, and so he limped out again to Hans, and said that he would punish his men for having tried to make a fool of him. Meanwhile, Hans could do a little job where he would be free from these rascals.

Starting point is 02:55:56 He should go out on the lake and fish there that night, and would then be free from all work on the following day. "'All right,' said Hans, "'I am well content with that, "'but I must have something with me to eat, "'a baking of bread, a cask of butter, "'a barrel of ale and a keg of brandy. "'I can't do with less than that.'

Starting point is 02:56:17 "'The squire said that he could easily get all that. So Hans got all of these tied up together, hung them over his shoulder on his good staff, and tramped away to Devil Mosley. There he got into his boat, rode out upon the lake, and got everything ready to fish. As he now lay out there in the middle of the lake, and it was pretty late in the evening, he thought he would have something to eat first, before starting to work. Just as he was at his busiest with this, just as he was at his busy, with this, old Eric rose out of the lake, caught him by the cuff of the neck, whipped him out

Starting point is 02:56:56 of the boat, and dragged him down to the bottom. It was a lucky thing that Hans had his walking stick with him that day, and had just time to catch hold of it when he felt old Eric's claws in his neck, so that when they got down to the bottom, he said, stop now, just wait a little. Here is solid ground. With that he caught old Eric by the back of the neck with one hand and hammered away on his back with a staff till he beat him out as flat as a pancake. Old Eric then began to lament and howl, begging him just to let him go, and he would never come back to the lake again. No, my good fellow, said Hans. You won't get off until you promise to bring all the fish in the

Starting point is 02:57:37 lake up to the squire's courtyard, before tomorrow morning. Old Eric eagerly promised this, if Hans would only let him go. So Hans rode ashore, ate up the rest of his provisions, and went home to bed. Next morning, when the squire rose and opened his front door, the fish came tumbling into the porch, and the whole yard was crammed full of them. He ran in again to his wife, for he could never devise anything himself, and said to her, What shall we do with him now? Old Eric hasn't taken him.

Starting point is 02:58:10 I am certain that all the fish are out of the lake, for the yard is just filled with them. "'Yes, that's a bad business,' said she. "'You must see if you can't get him sent to purgatory, to demand tribute.' The squire, therefore, made his way to the men's quarters to speak to Hans, and it took him all of his time to push his way along the walls, under the eaves, on account of the fish that filled the yard. He thanked Hans for having fished so well, and said that now he had an errand for him,

Starting point is 02:58:40 for which he could only give to a trusty servant, and that was to journey to purgatory, and demand three years' tribute, which he said was owing to him from that quarter. "'Willingly,' said Hans, "'but what the road do I go to get there?' The squire stood, and did not know what to say. He had first to go into his wife and ask her, "'Oh, what a fool you are,' said she. "'Can't you direct him straight forward south through the wood? Whether he gets there or not we shall be quit of him. Out goes the squire again to Hans. The way lies straight forward,

Starting point is 02:59:18 south through the wood, said he. Hans then must have his provisions for the journey, two bakings of bread, two casks of butter, two barrels of ale, and two kegs of brandy. He tied all these up together, and got them on his shoulder hanging on his good walking stick, and off he tramped southward. After he had got through the wood, there was more than one road, and he was in doubt which of them was the right one. So he sat down and opened up his bundle of provisions. He found that he had left his knife at home, but by good chance there was a plow lying close at hand. So he took the colter of this to cut the bread with. As he sat there and took his bite, a man came riding past him.

Starting point is 03:00:03 "'Where are you from?' said Hans. "'From Burgatory,' said the man. "'Then stop and wait a little,' said Hans, but the man was. was in a hurry and would not stop, so Hans ran after him and caught the horse by the tail. This brought it down on its hind legs, and the man went flying over its head into a ditch. Just wait a little, said Hans. I am going the same way. He got his provisions tied up again, and laid them on the horse's back. Then he took hold of the reins and said to the man, We two can go together on foot.

Starting point is 03:00:37 As they went on their way, Hans told the stranger both about the errand he had on the hand and the fun he had had with old Eric. The others said but little but was well acquainted with the way, and it was no long time before they arrived at the gate. There both horse and rider disappeared, and Hans was left alone outside. They will come and let me in presently, he thought to himself, but no one came. He hammered at the gate, still no one appeared. Then he got tired of waiting, and smashed at the gate with his staff until he knocked it in peace. and got inside. A whole troop of little demons came down upon him and asked what he wanted. His master's compliments, said Hans, and he wanted three years' tribute. At this they howled at him,

Starting point is 03:01:24 and they were about to lay hold of him and drag him off. But when they had got some wraps from his walking-stick they let go again, howled still louder than before, and ran into old Eric, who was still in bed after his adventure in the lake. They told him that a messenger had come from the squire at Devilmoss to demand three years tribute. He had knocked the gate to pieces and bruised their arms and legs with his iron staff. "'Give him three years! Give him ten!' shouted old Eric. Only don't let him come near me!' So all the little demons came dragging so much silver and gold that it was something awful. Hans filled his bundle with gold and silver coins, put it on his neck, and tramped back to his master,

Starting point is 03:02:06 who was scared beyond all measure at seeing him again. But Hans was also tired of service now. Of all the gold and silver he brought with him, he let the squire keep one half, and he was glad enough, both for the money ended getting rid of Hans. The other half he took home to his father, the smith, and Furby. To him he said, farewell. He was now tired of living on shore among mortal men, and he preferred to go home again to his mother.

Starting point is 03:02:34 Since that time no one has ever seen Hans, the mermaid's son. End of Hans, the Mermaid's son. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovovo.com. Section 15 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Starting point is 03:03:05 Peter Bull. From the Danish. There once lived in Denmark a peasant and his wife, who owned a very good farm, but had no children. They often lamented to each other that they had no one of their own to inherit all the wealth that they possessed. They continued to prosper and became rich people, but there was no heir to it all. One year, it happened that they owned a pretty little bull calf, which they called Peter. It was the prettiest little creature they had ever seen,

Starting point is 03:03:36 so beautiful and so wise that it understood everything that was said to it, and so gentle and so full of play that both the man and his wife came to be as fond of it as if it had been their own child one day the man said to his wife I wonder now whether our parish clerk could teach Peter to talk. In that case, we could not do better than adopt him as our son, and let him inherit all that we possess. Well, I don't know, said his wife. Our clerk is tremendously learned, and knows much more than his paternoster.

Starting point is 03:04:13 And I could almost believe that he might be able to teach Peter to talk, for Peter has a wonderfully good head, too. You might at least ask him about it. off went the man to the clerk and asked him whether he thought he could teach a bull calf that they had to speak for they wished so much to have it as their heir the clerk was no fool he looked round about to see that no one could overhear them and said oh yes i can easily do that but you must not speak to any one about it it must be done in all secrecy and the priests must not know of it otherwise i shall get into trouble as it is for It will also cost you something, as some very expensive books are required. That did not matter at all, the man said. They would not care so very much what it cost.

Starting point is 03:05:05 The clerk could have a hundred dollars to begin with to buy the books. He also promised to tell no one about it, and to bring the calf round in the evening. He gave the clerk a hundred dollars on the spot, and in the evening took the calf round to him, and the clerk promised to do his best with it. In a week's time he came back to the clerk to hear about the calf and see how it was thriving. The clerk, however, said that he could not get a sight of it. For then, Peter would long after him and forget all that he had already learned. He was getting on well with his learning, but another hundred dollars were needed,

Starting point is 03:05:40 as they must have more books. The peasant had the money with him, so he gave it to the clerk and went home again with high hopes. In another week, the man came again to learn what progress Peter had made now, He is getting on very well, said the clerk. I suppose he can't say anything yet, said the man. Oh, yes, said the clerk. He can say moo now. Do you think he will get on with his learning? asked the peasant. Oh, yes, said the clerk.

Starting point is 03:06:12 But I shall want another hundred dollars for books. Peter can't learn well out of the ones that he has got. Well, well, said the man. What must be spent shall be spent. So he gave the clerk the third hundred dollars for books, and a cask of good old ale for Peter. The clerk drank the ale himself and gave the calf milk, which he thought would be better for it. Some weeks passed, during which the peasant did not come round to ask after the calf, being frightened lest it should cost him another hundred dollars,

Starting point is 03:06:42 for he had begun to squirm a bit at having to part with so much money. Meanwhile, the clerk decided that the calf was as fat as it could be, so he killed it. After he had got all the beef out of the way, he went inside, put on his black clothes, and made his way to the peasant's house. As soon as he had said, good day, he asked, has Peter come home here? No, indeed he hasn't, said the man. Surely he hasn't run away. I hope, said the clerk, that he would not behave so contemptibly,

Starting point is 03:07:14 after all the trouble I have had to teach him, and all that I have spent upon him. I have had to spend at least a hundred dollars of my own money to buy books for him before I got him so far on. He could say anything he liked now, so he said today that he longed to see his parents again. I was willing to give him that pleasure, but I was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find the way here by himself, so I made myself ready to go with him. When he had got outside the house, I remembered that I had left my stick inside and went in again to get it. When I came out again, Peter had gone off on his own account. I thought he would be here, and, if he isn't, I don't know where he is.

Starting point is 03:07:54 The peasant and his wife began to lament bitterly that Peter had run away in this fashion, just when they were to have so much joy of him, and after they had spent so much on his education. The worst of it was that now they had no air after all. The clerk comforted them as best he could. He also was greatly distressed that Peter should have behaved in such a good. a way, just when he should have gained honor from his pupil. Perhaps he had only gone astray, and he would advertise him at church next Sunday, and find out where anyone had seen him. Then he bade them goodbye, and went home and dined on a good, fat, veal roast. Now it so happened that the

Starting point is 03:08:35 clerk took in a newspaper, and one day he chanced to read in its columns of a new merchant who had settled in a town at some distance, and whose name was Peter Bull. He put the newspaper in his pocket and went round to the sorrowing couple who had lost their air. He read the paragraph to them and added, I wondered now whether that he could be your bull calf Peter. Yes, of course it is, said the man. Who else would it be? His wife then spoke up and said, You must set out, good man, and see about him, for it is him I am perfectly certain.

Starting point is 03:09:10 Take a good sum of money with you too, for who knows but what he may have want some cash now that he has turned to merchant. Next day, the man got a bag of money on his back and a sandwich in his pocket, and his pipe in his mouth, and set out for the town where the new merchant lived. It was no short way, and he traveled for many days before he finally arrived there.

Starting point is 03:09:33 He reached it one morning, just at daybreak, found out the right place, and asked if the merchant was at home. Yes, he was, said the people, but he was not up yet. That doesn't matter. said the peasant, for I am his father. Just show me up to his bedroom. He was shown up to the room, and as soon as he entered it, had caught sight of the merchant. He recognized him at once. He had the same broad forehead, the same thick neck, the same red hair, but in other respects he

Starting point is 03:10:02 was now like a human being. The peasant rushed straight up to him and took a firm hold of him. "'Oh, Peter,' said he, "'what a sorrow you have caused us, both myself and your mother, by running off like this just as we had got you well educated. Get up now, so that I can see you properly and have a talk with you. The merchant thought that it was a lunatic who had made his way into him, and thought it best to take things quietly. All right, said he, I shall do so at once. He got out of bed and made haste to dress himself.

Starting point is 03:10:34 Aye, said the peasant, now I can see how clever our clerk is. He has done well by you, for now you look just like a human being. If one didn't know it, one would never think that it was you we got from the red cow. Will you come home with me now?' "'No,' said the merchant. "'I can't find time just now. I have a big business to look after.'

Starting point is 03:10:57 "'You could have the farm at once, you know,' said the peasant, and we old people would retire. But if you would rather stay in business, of course you may do so. Are you in want of anything?' "'Oh, yes,' said the merchant. "'I want nothing so much as money.' A merchant has always a use for that." "'I can well believe that,' said the peasant,

Starting point is 03:11:18 "'for you had nothing at all to start with. I have brought some with me for that very end. With that he emptied his bag of money out upon the table, so that it was all covered with bright dollars. When the merchant saw what kind of man he had before him, he began to speak him fair, and invited him to stay with him for some days, so that they might have some more talk together.

Starting point is 03:11:40 "'Very well,' said the peasant, "'but you must call me father.' "'I have neither father nor mother alive,' said Peter Bull. "'I know that,' said the man. "'Your real father was sold at Homburg last Micklemus, "'and your real mother died while calving in spring. "'But my wife and I have adopted you as our son, "'and you are our only heir, so you must call me father.'

Starting point is 03:12:03 "'Peter Bull was quite willing to do so, "'and it was settled that he should keep the money "'while the peasant made his will and left to him all that he had, before he went home to his wife and told her the whole story. She was delighted to hear that it was true enough about Peter Bull, that he was no other than their own bull calf. You must go at once and tell the clerk, said she, and pay him the hundred dollars of his own money that he spent upon our son.

Starting point is 03:12:29 He has earned them well, and more besides, for all the joys he has given us in having such a son and heir. The man agreed with this, and thanked the clerk for all he had done, and gave him $200. Then he sold the farm and removed with his wife to the town where their dear son and heir was living. To him they gave all their wealth, and lived with him till their dying day.

Starting point is 03:12:53 End of Peter Bull. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.vo.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovo.com. Section 16 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The bird grip, translated from the Swedish.

Starting point is 03:13:21 It happened once that a king, who had a great kingdom and three sons, became blind, and no human skill or art could restore to him his sight. At last there came to the palace an old woman who told him that in the whole world there was only one thing that could give him back his sight, and that was to get the bird grip. His song would open the king's eye. When the king's eldest son heard this, he offered to bring the bird grip, which was kept in a cage by a king in another country, and carefully guarded as his greatest treasure.

Starting point is 03:13:56 The blind king was greatly rejoiced at his son's resolve, fitted him out in the best way he could, and let him go. When the prince had ridden some distance he came to an inn, in which there were many guests, all of whom were merry, and drank and sang and played it dice. His joyous life pleased the prince so well that he stayed at the inn, took part in the playing and drinking, and forgot both his blind father and the bird grip. Meanwhile, the king waited with both hope and anxiety for his son's return. But as time went on and nothing was heard of him, the second prince asked leave to go in search

Starting point is 03:14:34 of his brother, as well as to bring the bird grip. The king granted his request, and fitted him out in the finest fashion. But when the prince came to the inn and found his brother among his merry companions, he also remained there and forgot both the bird grip and his blind father. When the king noticed that neither of his sons returned, although a long time had passed since the second one set out, he was greatly distressed, for not only had he lost all hope of getting back his sight,

Starting point is 03:15:04 but he had also lost his two eldest sons. The youngest now came to him and offered to go in search of his brothers and to bring the bird grip. He was quite certain that he would succeed in this. The king was unwilling to risk his third son on such an errand, but he begged so long that his father had at last to consent. This prince also was fitted out in the finest manner, like his brothers, and so rode away.

Starting point is 03:15:31 He also turned into the same inn as his brothers, and when these saw him they assailed him with many entreaties to remain with them and share their merry life. But he answered that now, when he had found them, his next task was to get the bird grip, for which his blind father was longing, and so he had not a single hour to spare with them in the inn. He then said farewell to his brothers, and rode on to find another inn, in which to pass the night. When he had ridden a long way, and it began to grow dark, he came to a house which lay deep in the forest. Here he was received in a very friendly manner by the host,

Starting point is 03:16:08 who put his horse into the stable and led the prince himself into the guest chamber, where he ordered a maid-servant to lay the cloth and set down the supper. It was now dark, and while the girl was laying the cloth and setting down the dishes, and the prince had begun to appease his hunger, he heard the most piteous shrieks and cries from the next room. He sprang up from the table and asked the girl what those cries were, and whether he had fallen into a den of robbers. The girl answered that these shrieks were heard every night,

Starting point is 03:16:38 but it was no living being who uttered them. It was a dead man, who lifeed the host had taken because he could not pay for the meals he had had in the inn. The host further refused to bury the dead man, as he had left nothing to pay the expenses of the funeral, and every night he went and scourged the dead body of his victim. When she had said this, she lifted the cover off one of the dishes, and the prince saw that there lay on it a knife and an axe. He understood then that the host meant to ask him by this what kind of death he preferred to die, unless he was willing to ransom his life with his money. He then summoned the host, gave him a large sum for his own life, and paid the dead man's

Starting point is 03:17:19 debt as well, besides paying him for burying the body, which the murderer now promised to attend to. The prince, however, felt that his life was not safe in this murderer's den, and asked the maid to help him escape that night. She replied that the attempt to do so might cost her her own life. as the key of the stable in which the prince's horse stood lay under the host's pillow. But, as she herself was a prisoner there, she would help him to escape if he would take her along with him. He promised to do so, and they succeeded in getting away from the inn,

Starting point is 03:17:53 and rode on until they came to another far away from it, where the prince got a good place for the girl before proceeding on his journey. As he now rode all alone through a forest there met him a fox, who greeted him in a friendly fashion and asked him where he was going and on what errand he was bent. The prince answered that his errand was too important to be confided to everyone

Starting point is 03:18:15 that he met. You are right in that, said the fox, for it relates to the bird grip, which you will want to take and bring home to your blind father. I could help you in this, but in that case you must follow my counsel. The prince thought that this was a good offer,

Starting point is 03:18:33 especially as the fox was ready to go with them and show him the way to the castle, where the bird grip sat in his cage, and so he promised to obey the fox's instructions. When they had reversed the forest together, they saw the castle at some distance. Then the fox gave the prince three grains of gold, one of which he was to throw into the guard-room, another into the room where the bird-grip sat, and the third into its cage. He could then take the bird, but he must beware of stroking it, otherwise it will go ill with him. The prince took the grains of gold and promised to follow the fox's directions faithfully. When he came to the guardroom of the castle, he threw one of the grains in there,

Starting point is 03:19:14 and the guards at once fell asleep. The same thing happened with those who kept watch in the room beside the bird grip, and when he threw the third grain into the cage, the bird also fell asleep. When the prince got the beautiful bird into his hand, he could not resist the temptation to stroke it, whereupon it awoke and began to scream. At this the whole castle woke up, and the prince was taken prisoner. As he now sat in his prison, and bitterly lamented that his own disobedience had brought himself into trouble, and deprived his father of the chance of recovering his sight, the fox suddenly stood in front of him. The prince was very pleased to see it again, and received with great meekness all its reproaches, as well as promised to be more

Starting point is 03:19:57 obedient in the future, if the fox would only help him get out of his fix. The fox said that he had come to assist him, but he could do no more than advise the prince, when he was brought up for trial, to answer yes to all the judge's questions, and everything would go well. The prince faithfully followed his instructions, so that when the judge asked him whether he had meant to steal the bird grip, he said, yes. And when the judge asked him if he was a master thief, he again answered, yes. When the king heard that he admitted being a master thief, he said that he would forgive him the attempt to steal the bird if he would go to the next kingdom

Starting point is 03:20:33 and carry off the world's most beautiful princess and bring her to him. To this also the prince said yes. When he left the castle he met the fox, who went along with him to the next kingdom, and when they came near the castle there, gave him three grains of gold, one to throw into the guard-room,

Starting point is 03:20:53 another into the princess's chamber, and the third into her bed. At the same time he strictly warned him not to kiss the princess. The prince went into the castle and did with the grains of gold as the fox had told him, so that sleep fell upon everyone there. But when he had taken the princess into his arms, he forgot the fox's warning,

Starting point is 03:21:16 at the sight of her beauty and kissed her. Then both she and all the others in the castle woke. The prince was taken prisoner and put into a strong dungeon. Here the fox again came to him and reproached him with his disobedience, but promised to help him out of this trouble also if he would answer yes to everything they asked him at his trial. The prince willingly agreed to this

Starting point is 03:21:41 and admitted to the judge that he had meant to steal the princess, and that he was a master thief. When the king learned this, he said he would forgive his offenses if he would go to the next kingdom and steal the horse with the four golden shoes. To this also the prince said yes. When he had gone a little way from the castle he met the fox,

Starting point is 03:22:02 and they continued on their journey together. When they reached the end of it, the prince for the third time received three grains of gold from the fox, with directions to throw one into the guard chamber, another into the stable, and the third into the horse's stall. But the fox told him that above the horse's stall hung a beautiful golden saddle,

Starting point is 03:22:22 which he must not touch, if he did not want to bring himself into new troubles worse than those he had escaped from, for then the fox could help him no longer. The prince promised to be firm this time. He threw the grains of gold in the proper places and untied the horses. But with that he caught sight of the golden saddle, and thought that none but it could suit so beautiful a horse, especially as it had golden shoes.

Starting point is 03:22:50 But just as he stretched out his hand to take it, he received from some invisible being so hard to blow on the arm that it was made quite numb. This recalled to him his promise and his danger, so he led out the horse without looking at the golden saddle again. The fox was waiting for him outside the castle, and the prince confessed to him that he had barely, nearly given way to temptation this time as well. "'I know that,' said the fox, for it was I who struck you over the arm. As they now went on together, the prince said that he could not. not forget the beautiful princess, and asked the fox whether he did not think that she ought

Starting point is 03:23:27 to ride home to his father's palace on this horse with the golden shoes. The fox agreed that this would be excellent. If the prince would now go and carry her off, he would give him the three grains of gold for that purpose. The prince was quite ready, and promised to keep better command of himself this time, and not kiss her. He got the grains of gold and entered the castle, where he carried off the princess, set her on the beautiful horse, and he had and held her on his way. When they came near to the castle where the bird grip sat in his cage,

Starting point is 03:23:59 he again asked the fox for three grains of gold. These he got, and with them he was successful in carrying off the bird. He was now full of joy, for his blind father would now recover his sight, while he himself owned the world's most beautiful princess and the horse with the golden shoes. The prince and princess traveled on together

Starting point is 03:24:20 with mirth and happiness, and the fox followed them until they came to the forest where the prince first met with him. "'Here our ways part,' said the fox. "'You have now got all your hearts desired, and you will have a prosperous journey to your father's palace if only you do not ransom anyone's life with money.' The prince thanked the fox for all his help, promised to give heed to his warning and said farewell to him,

Starting point is 03:24:47 and rode on with the princess by his side and the bird grip on his wrist. They soon arrived at the inn where the two eldest brothers had stayed, forgetting their errand. But now no merry song or noise of mirth was heard from it. When the prince came nearer he saw two gallows erected, and when he entered the inn along with the princess he saw that all the rooms were hung with black, and that everything inside foreboded sorrow and death. He asked the reason of this, and was told that two princes were to be hanged that day for debt. They had spent all their money in feasting and playing,

Starting point is 03:25:19 and were now deeply in debt to the host. And as no one could be found to ransom their lives, they were about to be hanged according to the law. The prince knew that was his two brothers who had thus forfeited their lives, and it cut him to the heart to think that two princes should suffer such a shameful death. And, as he had sufficient money with him, he paid their debts, and so ransomed their lives.

Starting point is 03:25:45 At first the brothers were grateful for their liberty, but when they saw the youngest brother's treasures, became jealous of his good fortune, and planned how to bring him to destruction, and then take the bird grip, the princess, and the horse with the golden shoes, and convey them to their blind father. After they had agreed on how to carry out their treachery, they enticed the prince to a den of lions and threw him down among them. Then they set the princess on horseback, took the bird grip, and rode homeward. The princess wept bitterly, but they told her that it would cost her her life if she did not.

Starting point is 03:26:19 say that the two brothers had won all the treasures. When they arrived at their father's palace, there was great rejoicing, and everyone praised the two princes for their courage and bravery. When the king inquired after the youngest brother, they answered that he had led such a life in the inn that he had been hanged for debt. The king sorrowed bitterly over this, because the youngest prince was his dearest son, and the joy over the treasures soon died away. But the bird grip would not sing so that the king might recover his sight. The princess Wept night and day, and no one dared to venture so close to the horse as to have a look at his golden shoes.

Starting point is 03:26:57 Now, when the youngest prince was thrown into the lion's den, he found the fox sitting there, and the lions, instead of tearing him to pieces, showed him the greatest friendliness. Nora was the fox angry with him for having forgot his last warning. He only said that sons who could so forget their old father and disgrace their royal birth as those had done would not hesitate to betray their brother either. Then he took the prince up out of the lion's den and gave him directions what to do now, so as to come by his rights again. The prince thanked the fox with all his heart for his true friendship,

Starting point is 03:27:31 but the fox answered that if he had been of any use to him, he would now, for his own part, ask a service of him. The prince replied that he would do him any service that was in his power. "'I have only one thing to ask of you,' said the fox, and that is that you should cut off my head with your sword. The prince was astonished, and said that he could not bring himself to cut the head off his truest friend, and to this he struck, in spite of all the fox's declarations,

Starting point is 03:28:01 that it was the greatest service he could do him. At this, the fox became very sorrowful, and declared that the prince's refusal to grant his request now compelled him to do a deed which he was very unwilling to do. If the prince would not cut off his head, then he must kill the prince himself. Then at last the prince drew his good sword and cut off the fox's head. And the next moment a youth stood before him.

Starting point is 03:28:27 Thanks, said he, for this service, which has freed me from a spell that not even death itself could loosen. I am the dead man who lay unburied in the robber's inn, where you ransomed me and gave me an honorable burial, and therefore I have helped you in your journey. With this they parted in the prince disguising himself as a horse-shoer, went up to his father's palace and offered his services there. The king's men told him that a horse-shoer was indeed wanted at the palace, but he must be one who could lift up the feet of the horse with the golden shoes, and such a one they had not yet been able to find. The prince

Starting point is 03:29:02 asked to see the horse, and as soon as he entered the stable, the steed began to neigh in a friendly fashion, and stood as quiet and still as a lamb while the prince lifted up his hoofs, one after the other, and showed the king's men the famous golden shoes. After this, the king's men began to talk about the bird grip, and how strange it was that he would not sing, however well he was attended to. The horseshoer then said that he knew the bird very well, and had seen it when it had sat in its cage in another king's palace, and if it did not sing now, it must be because it did not have all that it wanted. He himself knew so much about the bird's ways that if he only got to see it, he could tell it once what it lacked.

Starting point is 03:29:44 The king's men now took counsel whether they ought to take the stranger in before the king, for in his chamber sat the bird grip along with the weeping princess. It was decided to risk doing so, and the horseshoer was led into the king's chamber, where he had no sooner called the bird by its name that it began to sing and the princess to smile. Then the darkness cleared away from the king's eyes, and the more the bird sang, the more clearly did he see, till at last in the strong. strange horseshoer, he recognized his youngest son. Then the princess told the king how treacherously his eldest sons had acted, and he had had them banished from his kingdom. But the youngest prince

Starting point is 03:30:23 married the princess, and got the horse with the golden shoes and half the kingdom from his father, who kept for himself so long as he lived the bird grip, which now sang with all its heart to the king and all his court. End of The Bird Grip. recording by Elliot Miller www. www.vo. www.org.

Starting point is 03:30:51 Section 17 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Snowflake. Slavonic Story Contes Populares Slaves Traduets Parloir-Legger

Starting point is 03:31:08 Paris Leroux Editor Once upon a time there lived a peasant called Ivan, and he had a wife whose name was Marie. They would have been quite happy except for one thing. They had no children to play with, and, as they were now old people, they did not find that watching the children of their neighbors at all made up to them for having one of their own. One winter, which nobody living will ever forget, the snow lay so deep that it came up to the knees of even the tallest man. When it had all fallen, and the sun was

Starting point is 03:31:44 shining again, the children ran out into the street to play, and the old man and his wife sat at their window and gazed at them. The children first made a sort of little terrace, and stamped it hard and firm, and then they began to make a snowwoman. Ivan and Marie watched them, the while thinking about many things. Suddenly, Ivan's face brightened, and looking at his wife, he said, "'Wife, why shouldn't we make a snowwoman, too?' "'Why not?' replied Marie, who happened to be in a very good temper. "'It might amuse us a little. "'But there is no use making a woman.

Starting point is 03:32:23 "'Let us make a little snow child, and pretend it is a living one.' "'Yes, let's do that,' said Ivan, "'and he took down his cap and went into the garden with his old wife. "'Then the two set to work with all their might to make a doll out of the snow. "'They shaped a little body and two little hands and two little feet. On top of all, they placed a ball of snow, out of which the head was to be. "'What in the world are you doing?' asked the passer-by. "'Can't you guess?' returned Ivan.

Starting point is 03:32:56 "'Making a snow-child,' replied Marie. They had finished the nose and the chin. Two holes were left for the eyes, and Ivan carefully shaped out the mouth. No sooner had he done so than he felt a warm breath upon his cheek. He started back in surprise and looked, and behold, The eyes of the child met his, and its lips, which were as red as raspberries, smiled at him. "'What is it?' cried Ivan, crossing himself. "'Am I mad? Or does the thing bewitched?'

Starting point is 03:33:26 The snow-child bent its head as if it had been really alive. It moved its little arms and its little legs in the snow that lay about it just as the living children did theirs. "'Ah, Ivan, Ivan!' exclaimed Marie, trembling with joy. Heaven has sent us a child at last, and she threw herself upon Snowflake, for that was the snow child's name, and covered her with kisses, and the loose snow fell away from Snowflake, as an eggshell does from an egg, and it was a little girl who Marie held in her arms. Oh, my darling, Snowflake! cried the old woman, and led her into the cottage. And Snowflake grew fast. Each hour as well as each day made a difference, and every other

Starting point is 03:34:12 Every day she became more and more beautiful. The old couple hardly knew how to contain themselves for joy, and thought of nothing else. The cottage was always full of village children, for they amused Snowflake, and there was nothing in the world they would not have done to amuse her. She was their doll, and they were continually inventing new dresses for her, and teaching her songs or playing with her. Nobody knew how clever she was. She noticed everything, and could learn a lesson in a lesson in a moment.

Starting point is 03:34:42 moment. Anyone would have taken her for thirteen at least, and besides all that, she was so good and obedient and so pretty, too. Her skin was as white as snow, and her eyes as blue as forget-me-nots, and her hair was long and golden. Only her cheeks had no color in them, but were as fair as her forehead. So the winter went on, till at last the spring sun mounted higher in the heavens and began to warm the earth. The grass grew green in the fields, and high in the air the larks were heard singing. The village girls met and danced in the ring, singing, Beautiful spring, how came you here? How came you here? Did you come on a plow, or was it a harrow?

Starting point is 03:35:26 Only snowflakes sat quite still by the window of the cottage. What is the matter, dear child? asked Marie. Why are you so sad? Are you ill, or have they treated you unkindly? No, replied Snowfield. It is nothing, Mother. No one has hurt me. I am well." The spring sun had chased away the last snow from its hiding-place under the hedges. The fields were full of flowers. Nightingale sang in the trees, and all the world was gay. But the gare grew the birds and the flowers the satyr became snowflake. She hid herself from her playmates

Starting point is 03:36:04 and curled herself up where the shadows were deepest, like a lily amongst its leaves. Her only pleasure was to lie amid the green willows near some sparkling stream. At the dawn and at twilight only she seemed happy. When a great storm broke and the earth was white with hail, she became bright and joyous as the snowflake of old. But when the clouds passed and the hail melted beneath the sun, snowflake would burst into tears and weep as a sister would weep over her brother. The spring passed, and it was the eve of St. John.

Starting point is 03:36:39 or midsummer day. This was the greatest holiday of the year, when the young girls met in the woods to dance and play. They went to fetch Snowflake and said to Marie, let their come and dance with us. But Marie was afraid. She could not tell why, only she could not bear the child to go.

Starting point is 03:36:58 Snowflake did not wish to go either, but they had no excuse ready. So Marie kissed the girl and said, Go, my Snowflake, and be happy with your friends. And you, dear children, be careful of her. You know she is the light of my eyes to me. Oh, we will take care of her, cried the girls gaily, and they ran off to the woods.

Starting point is 03:37:19 There they wore reeds, gathered nosegays, and sang songs, some sad, some merry, and whatever they did, Snowflake did too. When the sun set they lit a fire of dry grass, and placed themselves in a row, Snowflake being the last of all. Now watch us, they said, and run just as we did. And they all began to sing and to jump one after another across the fire. Suddenly, close behind them, they heard a sigh, then a groan. Ah!

Starting point is 03:37:50 They turned hastily and looked at each other. There was nothing. They looked again. Where was Snowflake? She has hidden herself for fun, they thought, and searched for her everywhere. Snowflake! Snowflake! But there was no answer.

Starting point is 03:38:06 Where can she be? Oh, she must have gone home! They returned to the village, but there was no snowflake. For days after that they sought her high and low. They examined every bush and every hedge, but there was no snowflake. And, long after everyone else had given up hope, Ivan and Marie would wander through the woods crying, Snowflake, my dove, come back, come back! And sometimes they thought they heard a call, but it was never the voice of Snowflake.

Starting point is 03:38:35 And what had become of her? Had a fierce wild beast seized her and dragged her into his layer in the forest? Had some bird carried her off across the wide blue sea? No. No beast had touched her. No bird had borne her away. With the first breath of flame that swept over her when she ran with her friends, Snowflake had melted away,

Starting point is 03:38:57 and a little soft haze floating upwards was all that remained of her. End of Snowflake. Recording by Elliot Miller www. www. voice of e.com Section 18 of The Pink Fairy Book This Libravox recording

Starting point is 03:39:17 is in the public domain Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang I know what I have learned from the Danish There was once a man who had three daughters And they were all married to trolls

Starting point is 03:39:33 Who lived underground One day the man thought he would pay them a visit and his wife gave him some dry bread to eat by the way. After he had walked some distance he grew both tired and hungry, so he sat down on the east side of a mound and began to eat his dry bread. The mound then opened, and his youngest daughter came out of it, and said, Why, father? Why are you not coming in to see me? Oh, said he, if I had known that you lived here and had seen any entrance,

Starting point is 03:40:06 I would have come in. Then he entered the mound along with her. The troll came home soon after this, and his wife told him that her father was come, and asked him to go and buy some beef to make broth with. We can get it easier than that, said the troll. He fixed an iron spike into one of the beams of the roof, and ran his head against this till he had knocked several large pieces off his head.

Starting point is 03:40:33 He was just as well as ever after doing this, and they got their broth without further trouble. The troll then gave the old man a sack full of money, and laden with us he betook himself homewards. When he came near his home he remembered that he had a cow about to calf, so he laid down the money on the ground, ran home as fast as he could, and asked his wife whether the cow had calved yet. "'What kind of hurry is this to come home in?' said she.

Starting point is 03:41:02 "'No, the cow has not calved yet.' "'Then you must come out and help me in.' with a sack full of money," said the man. "'A sackful of money!' cried his wife. "'Yes, a sack full of money,' said he. "'Is that so very wonderful?' His wife did not believe very much what he told her, but she humoured him and went out with him.

Starting point is 03:41:25 When they came to the spot where he had left it, there was no money there. A thief had come along and stolen it. His wife then grew angry and scolded him heartily. "'Well, well,' said he, "'Hang the money! I know what I have learned!' said she. "'Ah, I know that,' said the man. After some time had passed, the man had a mind to visit his second eldest daughter.

Starting point is 03:41:54 His wife again gave him some dry bread to eat, and when he grew tired and hungry he sat down on the east side of a mound and began to eat it. As he sat there his daughter came up out of the mound, and invited him to come inside, which he did very willing. Soon after this the troll came home. It was dark by that time, and his wife bade him go by some candles. "'Oh, we sure should get a light,' said the troll. With that he dipped his fingers into the fire, and they then gave light without being burned in the least.

Starting point is 03:42:27 The old man got two sacks of money here, and plotted away homewards with these. When he was very nearly home, he again thought of the cow that was with calf, so he laid down, on the money, ran home, and asked his wife whether the cow had calved yet. "'Whatever is the matter with you?' said she. "'You come hurrying as if the whole house was about to fall. You may set your mind at rest. The cow is not calved yet.' The man now asked her to come help him with the two sacks of money. She did not believe him very much, but he continued to assure her that it was quite true,

Starting point is 03:43:04 till at last she gave in and went with him. When they came to the spot there had again been a thief there and taken the money. It was no wonder that the woman was angry about this, but the man only said, Ah, if you only knew what I have learned. The third time the man set out, to visit his eldest daughter, when he came to a mound he sat down on the east side of it and ate the dry bread which his wife had given him to take with him. The daughter then came out of the mound and invited her father to come inside.

Starting point is 03:43:36 In a little the troll came home, and his wife asked him to go and buy some fish. "'We can get there much more easily than that,' said the troll. "'Give me your dough trough and your ladle.' They seated themselves in the trough, and rode out on the lake which was beside the mound. When they had got out a little way the troll said to his wife, "'Are my eyes green?' "'No, not yet,' said she. He rode on a little further and asked again,

Starting point is 03:44:08 "'Are my eyes not green yet?' "'Yes,' said his wife. "'They are green now.' Then the troll sprang into the water and ladled up so many fish that in a short time the trough could hold no more. Then they rode home again, and had a good meal off the fish. The old man now got three sacks full of money, and sat off home with them. When he was almost home, the cow again came into his head, and he laid down the money.

Starting point is 03:44:40 This time, however, he took his wooden shoes and laid them above the money, thinking that no one would take it after that. Then he ran home and asked his wife whether the cow had calfed. It had not, and she scolded him again for behaving in this way. But in the end he persuaded her to go with him to help him with the three sacks of money. When they came to the spot they found only the wooden shoes, for a thief had come along in the meantime and taken all the money. The woman was very angry, and broke out upon her husband, but he took it all very quietly,

Starting point is 03:45:15 and only said, Hang the money, I know what I have learned. What have you learned I should like to know? said his wife. You will see that yet, said the man. One day his wife took a fancy for broth and said to him, Oh, go to the village and buy a piece of beef to make broth. There's no need of that, said he. We can get it an easier way. With that he drove a spike into a beam and ran his head against it,

Starting point is 03:45:48 and in consequence had the lie in bed for a long time afterwards. After he had recovered from this, his wife asked him one day to go and and buy candles as they had none. "'No,' he said, "'there's no need for that!' And he stuck his hand into the fire. This also made him take to bed for a good while. When he had got better again his wife one day wanted fish,

Starting point is 03:46:12 and asked him to go and buy some. The man, however, wished again to show what he had learned. So he asked her to come along with him and bring her dough-trough and a ladle. They both seated themselves in this and rode upon the lake. When they had got out a little way, the man said, "'Are my eyes green?' "'No,' said his wife, "'why should they be?'

Starting point is 03:46:35 They rode a little further out, and he asked again, "'Are my eyes not green yet?' "'What nonsense is this?' said she. "'Why should they be green?' "'Oh, my dear,' said he, "'can't you just say that they are green?' "'Very well,' said she, "'they are green.'

Starting point is 03:46:53 As soon as he heard this, he sprang out into the water with a ladle for fishes. But he just got leave to stay there with him. End of I Know What I Have Learned. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vo.orgive.com Section 19 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 03:47:24 Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Cunning Shoemaker. Cecilianyski, Mahartan. Once upon a time there lived a shoemaker who could get no work to do, and was so poor that he and his wife nearly died of hunger. At last he said to her, It is no use waiting on here. I can find nothing, so I shall go down to Masculacinia, and perhaps there I shall be more

Starting point is 03:47:57 lucky. So he went down to Mascalocia, and walked through the streets crying. Who wants us some shoes? And very soon a window was pushed up, and a woman's head was thrust out of it. Here are a pair for you to patch, she said, and he sat down on her doorstep and sat about patching them. How much do I owe you? she asked when they were done.

Starting point is 03:48:24 A shilling. Here is eighteen pence, and good luck to you. And he went his way. He turned into the next street and set up his cry again. and it was not long before another window was pushed up and another head appeared. "'Here are some shoes for you to patch?' And the shoemaker sat down on the doorstep and patched them. "'How much do I owe you?' asked the woman when the shoes were finished.

Starting point is 03:48:50 "'Afloren. Here's a crown-piece, and good luck to you.' And she shut the window. "'Well,' thought the shoemaker, i have it done finally but i will not go back to my wife just yet as if i only go on at this rate i shall soon have enough money to buy a donkey having made up his mind what was best to do he stayed in the town a few days longer till he had four gold pieces safe in his purse then he went to the market and for two of them he bought a good strong donkey and mounting on its back he rode home to catania But as he entered a thick wood he saw in the distance a band of robbers who were coming quickly towards him. I am a lost, thought he.

Starting point is 03:49:40 They are sure to take for me all the money that I have earned, and I shall be as poor as ever I was. What can I do? However, being a clever little man and full of spirit, he did not lose heart, but taking five florins he fastened them out of sight under the donkey's thick man. Maine. Then he rode on. Directly the robber came up to him. They seized him exactly as he had foretold and took away all his money. "'Oh, dear friends,' he cried, wringing his hands, "'I am only a poor shoemaker, and I have nothing but this donkey left in the world.' As he spoke, the donkey gave himself a shake, and down fell the five florins.

Starting point is 03:50:24 "'Where did that come from?' asked the robbers. "'Ah,' replied the shoemaker, "'you have a guest of my secret. "'The donkey is a golden donkey, "'and supplies me with all my money.' "'Sell him to us,' said the robbers. "'We will give you any price you like.' The shoemaker at first declared

Starting point is 03:50:47 that nothing would induce him to sell him, but at last he agreed to hand him over to the robbers for fifty gold pieces. "'But listen to what I tell you,' said he. You must each take it in turn to own him for a night and a day, or else you will all be fighting over the money. With these words they parted, the robbers driving the donkey to their cave in the forest

Starting point is 03:51:11 and the shoemaker returning home, very pleased with the success of his trick. He just stopped on the way to pick up some good dinner, and the next day spent most of his gains in buying a small vineyard. Meanwhile, the robbers had arrived at the cave where they lived, lived, and the captain, calling them all around him, announced that it was his right to have the donkey for the first night. His companions agreed, and then he told his wife to put a mattress in the stable.

Starting point is 03:51:41 She asked if he had gone out of his mind, but he answered crossly, "'What is that to you? Do as your bid, and to-morrow I will bring you some treasures.' Very early the captain awoke and searched the stable, but could find nothing, and guessed that Master Joseph had been making fun of them. Well, he said to himself, If I have been taken in, the other shall not come off any better. So, when one of the men arrived and asked him eagerly how much money he had got,

Starting point is 03:52:10 he answered gaily, Oh, comrade, if you only knew, but I shall say nothing about it till everyone has had his turn. One after another they all took the donkey, but no money was forthcoming for anybody. At length, when all the bandit been tricked, they held a council, and resolved to march to the shoemaker's house and punish him well for his cutting. Just as before the shoemaker saw them a long way off, and began to think how he could out

Starting point is 03:52:41 with them again. When he had hit upon a plan he called his wife and said to her, Take a bladder and fill it with blood, and bind it round your neck. When the robbers come and demand the money they gave me for the donkey, I shall shout to you and tell you to get it quickly. You must argue with me, and decline to obey me, and then I shall plunge my knife into the bladder, and you must fall to the ground as if you were dead.

Starting point is 03:53:08 There you must lie till I play on my guitar, and get up and begin to dance. His wife made haste to do as she was bid, and there was no time to lose, for the robbers were drawing very near to the house. They entered with a great noise, and overwhelmed the shoemaker with reproaches for having to see, them about the donkey.

Starting point is 03:53:29 The poor beast must have lost its power owing to the change of masters, said he. But we will not quarrel about it. You shall have back the fifty gold pieces that you gave for him. Eight, he cried to his wife. Go quickly to the chest upstairs, and bring down the money for these gentlemen. Wait a little, answered she. I must first bake this fish. It will be spoiled if I leave it now.

Starting point is 03:53:55 Go this instant, as you are bid. shouted the shoemaker, stamping as if he were in a great passion. But, as she did not stir, he drew his knife and stabbed her in the neck. The blood spurted out freely and she fell to the ground as if she was dead. "'What have you done?' asked the robbers, looking at him in dismay. The poor woman was doing nothing. "'Perhaps I was hasty, but it is easily said right,' replied the shoemaker, taking down his guitar and beginning to play.

Starting point is 03:54:25 hardly had he struck the first notes than his wife sat up, then got to her feet and danced. The robbers stared with open mouths, and at last they said, Master Joseph, you may keep the fifty gold pieces, but tell us what you will take for your guitar, for you must sell it to us. Oh, that is impossible, replied the shoemaker, for every time I ever quarrel with my wife, if I just strike her dead, and so give vent to my anger. This has become such a habit with me that I don't think I could break myself of it, and, of course, if I got rid of the guitar, I could never bring her back to life again.

Starting point is 03:55:12 However, the robbers would not listen to him, and at last he consented to take forty gold pieces for the guitar. Then they all returned to their cave in the forest, delighted with their new purchase, and longing for a chance of trying its powers. But the captain declared that the first trial run belonged to him, and after that the others might have their turn. That evening he called to his wife and said, What have you got to for supper? Macaroni, answered she.

Starting point is 03:55:45 Why have you not to boil the fish? he cried, and stabbed her in the neck so that she fell dead. The captain, who was not in the least angry, seized the guitar and began to play. But let him play as loud as he would the dead woman never stirred. Oh, lying shoemaker, oh Abanamoable's knave, twice he has got the better of me, but I will pay him out. So he raged and swore, but it did him no good. The fact remained that he had killed his wife and could not bring her back again. The next morning came one of the robbers to fetch the guitar and to hear what had happened.

Starting point is 03:56:27 Well, how have you got on? Oh, splendidly. I stabbed my wife and then began to play, and now she is as well as ever. Did you really? Then this evening I will try for myself. Of course, the same thing happened over again, till all the wives had been killed secretly. And when there were no more left they whispered to each other the dreadful tale,

Starting point is 03:56:51 and swore to be avenged on the shoemaker. The band lost no time in setting out for his house, and, as before, the shoemaker saw them coming from afar. He called to his wife, who was washing in the kitchen. Listen, Aita, when the robbers come and ask her for me, say I have gone to the vineyard. Then tell the dog to call me, and chase him from the house. When he had given these directions he ran out of the back door and hid behind a barrel. A few minutes later the robbers arrived, and called loudly for the shoemaker.

Starting point is 03:57:28 "'Alas, a good gentleman, he is up into the vineyard, but I will send the dog after him at once. Here, now quickly to the vineyard, and tell your master some gentlemen are here who wish to speak it to him. Go as fast as you can.' And she opened the door and let the dog out. "'You can really trust the dog to call your husband?' asked the robbers. "'Dear me, yes, he understands everything,

Starting point is 03:57:54 "'and will always carry any message I give him.' "'By and by,' the shoemaker came in and said, "'Good morning, gentlemen. "'The dog it tells me you was here to speak to me?' "'Yes, we do,' replied the robbers. "'We have a comment to speak to you about that the guitar. "'It is your fault that we have murdered all our wives, "'and though we played it as you told us,

Starting point is 03:58:17 "'none of them ever came back into life.' "'You... "'Could not have played properly,' said the shoemaker. "'It was your own fault.' "'Well, we will forget all about it,' answered the robbers, "'if you will only sell us to your dog.' "'Oh, that is impossible. I should never get on without him.' But the robbers offered him forty gold pieces,

Starting point is 03:58:41 and, at last, he agreed to let them have the dog. So they departed, taking the dog with them, and when they got back to their cave, the captain declared that it was his right to have the first trial. He then called his daughter and said to her, I am going to the inn. If anybody wants me, lose the dog and send him to call me. About an hour after, someone arrived on business, and the girl untied the dog and said,

Starting point is 03:59:12 Go to the inn and call her my father. The dog bounded off but ran straight to the shoemaker. When the robber got home and found no dog, he thought, he must have gone back to his older master, and, though night had already fallen, he went off after him. "'Master Joseph, is the dog here?' asked he. "'Ah, yes, the poor beast is so fond of me. You must give him time to get accustomed to new ways.' So the captain brought the dog back, and the following morning handed him over to another

Starting point is 03:59:45 of the band, just saying that the animal really could do what the shoemaker had said. The second robber carefully kept his own counsel, and fetched the dog secretly back from the shoemaker, and so on through the whole band. At length when everybody had suffered, they met and told the whole story, and next day they all marched off in fury to the man who had made game of them. After reproaching him with having to deceive them, they tied him up in a sack, and told him they were going to throw him into the sea. The shoemaker lay quite still, and let them do as they would. They went on till they came to a church, and the robber said, The sun is a hot and the sack is a heavy. Let us leave it here and go in and a rest. So they

Starting point is 04:00:30 put the sack down by the roadside and went into the church. Now, on a hill nearby there was a swineherd looking after a great herd of pigs and whistling merrily. When Master Joseph heard him, he cried out as loud as he could. I won't, I won't, I said, "'What won't you do?' asked the swineherd. "'Oh,' replied the shoemaker, "'they wanted me to marry the king's daughter, and I won't do it.' "'How lucky you are,' sighed the swineherd. "'Now if it were only me.'

Starting point is 04:01:01 "'Oh, if that's all,' replied the cunning shoemaker, "'then get you into the sack and let me out.' Then the swineherd opened the sack and took the place of the shoemaker, who went gaily off driving the pigs before him. When the robbers were arrested they came out of the church, took up the sack and carried it to the sea, where they threw it in, and it sank directly. As they came back they met the shoemaker and stared at him with open mouths.

Starting point is 04:01:32 "'Oh, if you only knew how many pigs that live in the sea,' he cried, "'and the deeper you go the more there are. I have just brought up these, and they're mean to return for some more.' There are still some left there?" "'Oh, more than I could account,' replied the shoemaker. "'I will show you what you must do.' Then he led the robbers back to the shore. "'Now,' said he,

Starting point is 04:01:55 "'you must each of you tie a stoner to your necks, so that you may be sure to go deep enough, for I found the pigs that you saw very deep down indeed.' Then the robbers all tied stones around their necks, and jumped in. And were drowned. and Master Joseph drove his pigs home and was a rich man to the end of his days. End of The Cunning Shoemaker.

Starting point is 04:02:22 Recording by Elliot Miller. www.W.W. Voice of E. dot com. Section 20 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The King who would have a beautiful wife Sicilian-ish Marcheon

Starting point is 04:02:51 Fifty years ago there lived a king who was very anxious to get married, but as he was quite determined that his wife should be as beautiful as the son, the thing was not so easy as it seemed, for no maiden came up to his standard. Then he commanded a trusty servant to search through the length and breadth of the land till he found a girl fair enough to be queen. And if he had the good luck to discover one, he was to bring her back with him.

Starting point is 04:03:22 The servants set out at once on his journey, and sought high and low in castles and cottages. But though pretty maidens were plentiful as blackberries, he felt sure that none of them would please the king. One day he had wandered far and wide, and was feeling very tired and thirsty. By the roadside stood a tiny little house, and here he knocked and asked for a cup of water.

Starting point is 04:03:48 Now, in this house dwelt two sisters, and one was eighty and the other ninety years old. They were very poor, and earned their living by spinning. This had kept their hands very soft and white, like the hands of a girl, and when the water was passed through the lattice and the servant saw the small, delicate fingers, he said to himself,

Starting point is 04:04:09 "'A maiden must indeed be lovely if she has a hand like that.' And he made haste back and told the king, "'Go back at once,' said his majesty, "'and tried to get a sight of her.' The faithful servant departed on his errand without losing any time, and again he knocked at the door of the little house and begged for some water. As before, the old woman did not open the door, but passed the water through the lattice.

Starting point is 04:04:37 "'Do you live here alone?' asked the man. "'No,' replied she. my sister lives with me. We are poor girls, and have to work for our bread. How old are you? I am fifteen, and she is twenty. Then the servant went back to the king and told him all he knew, and his majesty answered,

Starting point is 04:05:01 I will have the fifteen-year-old one. Go and bring her here. The servant returned a third time to the little house and knocked at the door. In reply to his knock the lattice window was pushed open, and a voice inquired what it was he wanted. The king has desired me to bring back the youngest of you to become his queen, he replied. Tell his majesty I am ready to do his bidding, but since my birth no ray of light has fallen upon my face.

Starting point is 04:05:29 If it should ever do so, I shall instantly grow black. Therefore beg, I pray you, His most gracious majesty to send this evening a shut carriage, and I will return in it to the castle. When the king heard this, he or, ordered his great golden carriage to be prepared, and in it to be placed some magnificent robes, and the old woman wrapped herself in a thick veil and was driven to the castle. The king was eagerly awaiting her, and when she arrived he begged her politely to raise her veil

Starting point is 04:06:02 and let him see her face. But she answered, "'Here the tapers are too bright and the light too strong. Would you have me turn black under your very eyes?" And the king believed her words, and the marriage took place without the veil being once lifted. Afterwards, when they were alone, he raised the corner and knew for the first time that he had wedded a wrinkled old woman. And in a furious burst of anger he dashed open the window and flung her out. But luckily for her, her clothes caught on a nail in the wall, and kept her hanging between

Starting point is 04:06:39 heaven and earth. While she was thus suspended, expecting every moment to be dashed to the ground, four fairies happened to pass by. "'Look, sisters!' cried one. Surely that is the old woman that the king sent for. Shall we wish that her clothes may give way, and that she should be dashed to the ground?' "'Oh, no, no!' exclaimed another. Let us wish her something good.

Starting point is 04:07:04 I myself will wish her youth. And I, beauty, and I wisdom, and I a tender heart. So spake the fairies, and went their way, leaving the most beautiful maiden in the world behind them. The next morning when the king looked from his window he saw this lovely creature hanging on the nail. Ah, what have I done? Surely I must have been blind last night.

Starting point is 04:07:32 And he ordered long ladders to be brought, and the maiden to be rescued. Then he fell on his knees before her and prayed her to forgive him, and a great feast was made in her honor. Some days after came the ninety-year-old sister to the palace and asked for the queen. Who is that hideous old witch? said the king. Oh, an old neighbor of mine, who is half silly, she replied. But the old woman looked at her steadily and knew her again and said, How have you managed to grow so young and beautiful?

Starting point is 04:08:08 I should like to be young and beautiful, too. This question she repeated the whole day long, till at length the queen lost patience and said, I had my old head cut off, and this new head grew in its place. Then the old woman went to a barber and spoke to him, saying, I will give you all that you ask if you will only cut off my head, so that I may become young and lovely. But my good woman, if I do that, you will die.

Starting point is 04:08:39 But the old woman would listen to nothing, and at last the barber took out his knife and struck the first blow in her neck. Oh! she shrieked as she felt the pain. "'Ill fought so far, poor it rebellé, said the barber, who had been in France. And at the second blow her head rolled off, and the old woman was dead for,

Starting point is 04:09:00 good in all. End of, the king who would have a beautiful wife. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo. www.com Section 21 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Liebervok's recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 04:09:26 Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Catherine and Her Destiny Cecilienesh Marchen von Laura Gozenbach. Sig Engelman, 1870. Long ago there lived a rich merchant who, besides possessing more treasures than any king in the world, had in his great hall three chairs, one of silver, one of gold, and one of diamonds. But his greatest treasure of all was his only daughter, who was called Catherine. One day Catherine was sitting in her own room when suddenly the door flew open, and in came a tall and

Starting point is 04:10:10 beautiful woman holding in her hands a little wheel. Catherine, she said, going up to the girl, which would you rather have, a happy youth or a happy old age? Catherine was so taken by surprise that she did not know what to answer, and the lady repeated again, Which would you rather have, a happy youth or a happy old age? Then Catherine thought to herself, If I say a happy youth, then I shall have to suffer all the rest of my life.

Starting point is 04:10:43 No, I would bear trouble now and have something better to look forward to. So she looked up and replied, Give me a happy old age. So be it, said the lady, and turned her wheel as she spoke, vanishing the next moment as suddenly as she had come. Now this beautiful lady was the destiny of poor Catherine. Only a few days after this, the merchant heard the news that all his finest ships, laden with the richest merchandise, had been sunk in a storm, and he was left a beggar.

Starting point is 04:11:21 The shock was too much for him. He took to his bed and in a short time he was dead of his disappointment. So poor Catherine was left alone in the world without a penny or a creature to help her. But she was a brave girl and full of spirit, and soon made up her mind that the best thing she could do was to go to the nearest town and become a servant. She lost no time in getting herself ready, and did not take long over her journey. And as she was passing down the chief street of the town, a noble lady saw her out of the window, and struck by her sad face, said to her,

Starting point is 04:11:58 "'Where are you going all alone, my pretty girl?' "'Ah, my lady, I am very poor. and I must go to service to earn my bread. I will take you into my service, said she, and Catherine served her well. Sometime after, her mistress said to Catherine, I am obliged to go out for a long while, and must lock the house door,

Starting point is 04:12:23 so that no thief shall get in. So she went away, and Catherine took her work and sat down at the window. Suddenly the door burst open, and in came her destiny. Oh, so you are here, Catherine. Did you really think I was going to leave you in peace? And as she spoke, she walked to the linen press where Catherine's mistress kept all her finest sheets and underclothes, tore everything in pieces, and flung them on the floor.

Starting point is 04:12:52 Poor Catherine wrung her hands and wept, for she thought to herself, When my lady comes back and sees all this ruin, she will think it is my fault. And starting up, she flung her hands. led through the open door. Then Destiny took all the pieces and made them whole again, and put them back in the press, and when everything was tidy, she too left the house.

Starting point is 04:13:16 When the mistress reached home she called Catherine, but no Catherine was there. Can she have robbed me? thought the old lady, and looked hastily round the house, but nothing was missing. She wondered why Catherine should have disappeared like this, but she heard no more of her and in a few days she filled her place. Meanwhile, Catherine wandered on and on, without knowing very well where she was going. Till at last she came to another town.

Starting point is 04:13:46 Just as before, a noble lady happened to see her passing her window, and called out to her, "'Where are you going all alone, my pretty girl?' And Catherine answered, "'Ah, my lady, I am very poor, and must go to service to earn my bread.' "'I will take you into my service,' said the lady. And Catherine served her well, and hoped she might now be left in peace.

Starting point is 04:14:11 But, exactly as before, one day that Catherine was left in the house alone, her destiny came again and spoke to her with hard words. "'What, are you here now?' And in a passion she tore up everything she saw. Till in sheer misery poor Catherine rushed out of the house, and so it befell her for seven years. and directly Catherine found a fresh place her destiny came and forced her to leave it. After seven years, however, Destiny seemed to get tired of persecuting her, and a time of peace

Starting point is 04:14:46 set in for Catherine. When she had been chased away from her last house by Destiny's wicked pranks, she had taken service with another lady, who told her that it would be part of her daily work to walk to a mountain that overshadowed the town, and, climbing up to the top, she was to lay on the ground some loaves of freshly baked bread, and cry with a loud voice, Oh, destiny, my mistress, three times. Then her lady's destiny would come and take away the offering. That I will gladly do, said Catherine. So the years went by, and Catherine was still there, and every day she climbed the mountain with her basket of bread on her arm. She was happier than she had been, but sometimes when no one saw her, she would weep as she thought over her old life,

Starting point is 04:15:36 and how different it was to the one she was now leading. One day, her lady saw her and said, Catherine, what is it? Why are you always weeping? And then Catherine told her story. I've got an idea, exclaimed the lady. Tomorrow, when you take the bread to the mountain, you shall pray my destiny to speak to yours, and entreat her to leave. you in peace. Perhaps something may come of it. At these words Catherine dried her eyes, and, next morning, when she climbed the mountain, she told all she had suffered, and cried, Oh, destiny, my mistress, pray I entreat you of my destiny that she may leave me in peace. And destiny answered, Oh, my poor girl, know you not, your destiny lies buried under seven

Starting point is 04:16:28 cover lids and can hear nothing. But if you will come tomorrow, I will bring her with me. And after Catherine had gone her way, her lady's destiny went to find her sister, and said to her, Dear sister, has not Catherine suffered enough? It is surely time for her good days to begin. And her sister answered, Tomorrow you shall bring her to me, and I will give her something that may help her out of her need. The next morning, Catherine set out earlier than usual for the mountain, and her lady's destiny took the girl by the hand and led her to her sister, who lay under the seven coverlids, and her destiny held out to Catherine a ball of silk saying,

Starting point is 04:17:16 Keep this. It may be useful some day. Then pulled the cover rings over her head again. But Catherine walked sadly down the hill, and went straight to her lady, and showed her the silken ball, which was the end of all her high hopes. What shall I do with it? she asked. It is not worth sixpence, and it is no good to me. Take care of it, replied her mistress. Who can tell how useful it may be? A little while after this grand preparations were made for the king's marriage,

Starting point is 04:17:52 and all the tailors in the town were busy embroidering fine clothes. The wedding garment was so much. so beautiful nothing like it had ever been seen before. But when it was almost finished, the tailor found that he had no more silk. The color was very rare, and none could be found like it, and the king made a proclamation that if anyone happened to possess any, they should bring it to the court, and he would give them a large sum. Catherine! exclaimed the lady, who had been to the tailors and seen the wedding garment,

Starting point is 04:18:24 your ball of silk is exactly the right color. Bring it to the king, and you can ask what you like for it. Then Catherine put on her best clothes and went to the court, and looked more beautiful than any woman there. May it please, Your Majesty, she said. I have brought you a ball of silk of the color you asked for, as no one else has any in the town. Your Majesty, asked one of the courtiers.

Starting point is 04:18:52 Shall I give the maiden its weight in gold? The king agreed, and a pair of scales were brought, and a handful of gold was placed in one scale, and the silken ball in the other. But lo! Let the king lay in the scales as many gold pieces as he could. The silk was always heavier still. Then the king took some larger scales, and heaped up all his treasures on one side, but the silk on the other outweighed them all. At last there was only one thing left that had not been put in. and that was his golden crown, and he took it from his head and set it on top of all,

Starting point is 04:19:31 and at last the scale moved and the ball had found its balance. "'Where got you this silk?' asked the king. "'It was given me, royal majesty, by my mistress,' replied Catherine. "'That is not true,' said the king. "'And if you do not tell me the truth, "'I will have your head cut off this instant.' So Catherine told him the whole story, and how she had once been as rich as he. Now there lived at the court a wise woman, and she said to Catherine,

Starting point is 04:20:02 You have suffered much, my poor girl, but at length your luck has turned, and I know by the weighing of the scales through the crown that you will die a queen. So she shall, cried the king, who overheard these words, She shall die my queen, for she is more beautiful than all the ladies of the queen. court, and I will marry no one else. And so it fell out. The king sent back the bride he had promised to wed to her own country, and the same Catherine was queen at the marriage feast instead, and lived happily and contented to the end of her life. End of Catherine and her destiny. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 04:20:45 www.vo.vo.vovovo.com. Section 22 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter. Sicilian Ash Martian Long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons. When he felt himself to be dying, he divided his property between them,

Starting point is 04:21:21 making them share alike, both in money and lands. Soon after he died, the king set forth a proclamation through the whole country that whoever could build a ship that would float both on land and sea should have his daughter to wife. The eldest brother, when he heard it, said to the other, I think I will spend some of my money in trying to build that ship, as I should like to have the king for my father-in-law. So he called together all the shipbuilders in the land, and gave them orders to begin the ship

Starting point is 04:21:53 without delay. And trees were cut down, and great preparations made. And in a few days, everybody knew what it was all for, and there was a crowd of old people pressing round the gates of the yard where the young man spent most of his day. "'Ah, master, give us work,' they said, so that we may earn our bread. But he only gave them hard words, and spoke roughly to them. "'You are old, and have lost your strength. Of what use are you?

Starting point is 04:22:26 And he drove them away. Then came some boys and prayed him, Master, give us work. But he answered them, Of what use can you be, weaklings as you are? Get you gone. And if any presented themselves that were not skilled workmen, he would have none of them.

Starting point is 04:22:45 At last they're knocked at the gate a little old man with a long white beard and said, Will you give me work so that I may earn my bread? But he was only driven away like the rest. The ship took a long while to build and cost a great deal of money, and when it was launched, a sudden squall rose, and it fell to pieces, and with it all the young man's hopes of winning the princess. By this time he had not a penny left, so he went back to his two brothers and told his tale,

Starting point is 04:23:18 and the second brother said to himself as he listened, "'Certainly he has managed very badly, but I should like to see if I can't do better, and win the princess for my own self. So he called together all the shipbuilders throughout the country, and gave them orders to build a ship which should float on the land as well as the sea. But his heart was no softer than his brothers, and every man that came that was not a skilled workman was chased away with hard words. Last came the white-bearded man, but he fared no better than the rest.

Starting point is 04:23:54 When the ship was finished, the launch took place, and everything seemed going smoothly when a gale sprang up, and the vessel was dashed to pieces on the rocks. The young man had spent his whole fortune on it, and now it was all swallowed up, was forced to beg shelter from his youngest brother. When he told his story, the younger brother said to himself,

Starting point is 04:24:17 I am not rich enough to support us all three. I'd better take my turn, and if I managed to win the princess, there will be her fortune as well as well. my own for us to live on. So he called together all the shipbuilders in the kingdom, and gave orders that a new ship should be built. Then all the old people came and asked for work, and he answered cheerfully,

Starting point is 04:24:39 Oh, yes, there is plenty for everybody. And when the boys begged to be allowed to help, he found something that they could do. And when the old man with the long white beer stood before him, praying that he might earn his bread, he replied, "'Oh, father, I could not suffer you to work, but you shall be overseer and look after the rest.' Now the old man was a holy hermit, and when he saw how kind-hearted the young was he determined to do all he could for him to gain the wish of his heart. By and by, when the ship was finished, the hermit said to his young friend, Now you can go and claim the king's daughter, for the ship will float both by land and sea.

Starting point is 04:25:23 Oh, good father, cried the young man. You will not forsake me, stay with me, I pray you, and lead me to the king. If you wish it, I will, said the hermit, on condition that you will give me half of anything you get. Oh, if that is all, answered he, it is easily promised, and they set out together on the ship. After they had gone some distance, they saw a man standing in a thick fog, which he was trying to put into a sack. "'Oh, good father!' exclaimed the youth.

Starting point is 04:25:56 "'What can he be doing?' "'Ask him,' said the old man. "'What are you doing, my fine fellow?' "'I'm putting the fog into my sack. This is my business.' "'Ask him if he will come with us,' whispered the hermit. And the man answered, "'If you will give me enough to eat and drink, I will gladly stay with you.' So they took him on their ship, and the youth said as they started off again,

Starting point is 04:26:22 "'Good father, before we were two, and now we are three.' After they had traveled a little further, they met a man who had torn up half the forest, and was carrying all the trees on his shoulders. "'Good father!' exclaimed the youth. "'Only look! What can he have done that for?' "'Ask him why he has torn up all those trees.' And the man replied,

Starting point is 04:26:47 Why, I've merely been gathering a handful of brushwood. Pake him to come with us, whispered the hermit. And the strong man answered, Willingly, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink. And he came on the ship. And the youth said to the hermit, Good father, before we were three, and now we're four. The ship travelled on again,

Starting point is 04:27:12 and some miles further on they saw, a man drinking out of a stream till he had nearly drunk it dry. "'Good father,' said the youth. "'Just look at that man. Did you ever see anybody drink like that?' "'Ask him why he does it,' answered the hermit. "'Why, there is nothing very odd in taking a mouthful of water,' replied the man, standing up.

Starting point is 04:27:36 "'Beg him to come with us.' And the youth did so. "'With pleasure, as long as you give me enough to eat, and drink. And the youth whispered to the hermit, Good father, before we were four, and now we are five. A little way along they noticed another man in the middle of a stream, who was shooting into the water.

Starting point is 04:27:59 Good father, said the youth. What can he be shooting at? Ask him, answered the hermit. Hush, hush, cried the man. Now you have frightened it away. In the underworld sits a quail on a tree, and I wanted to shoot it. That is my business.

Starting point is 04:28:16 I hit everything I aim at. Ask him if he will come with us." And the man replied, With all my heart, as long as I get enough to eat and drink. So they took him into the ship, and the young man whispered, Good father, before we were five, and now we are six. Off they went again, and before they had gone far they met a man striding towards them whose whose steps were so long that while one foot was on the north of the island, the other

Starting point is 04:28:47 was right down in the south. Could father look at him? What long steps he takes. Ask him why he does it, replied the hermit. Oh, I am only going out for a little walk, answered he. Ask him if he will come with us. Gladly, if you will give me as much as I want to eat and drink, said he, climbing up into the ship.

Starting point is 04:29:12 and the young man whispered good father before we were six and now we are seven but the hermit knew what he was about and why he gathered these strange people into the ship after many days at last they reached the town where lived the king and his daughter They stopped the vessel right in front of the palace, and the young man went in and bowed low before the king. "'Oh, majesty, I have done your bidding, and now is the ship built that can travel over land and sea. Give me my reward, and let me have your daughter to wife.' But the king said to himself, "'What? Am I to wed my daughter to a man of whom I know nothing? Not even whether he be rich or poor, a knight or a beggar?' And aloud he spake,

Starting point is 04:30:03 "'It is not enough that you have managed to build the ship. You must find a runner who shall take this letter to the ruler of the underworld, and bring me the answer back in an hour.' "'That is not in the bond,' answered the young man. "'Well, do as you like,' replied the king, "'only you will not get my daughter.' The young man went out sorely troubled, to tell his old friend what had happened. "'Silly boy!' cried the hermit,

Starting point is 04:30:30 accept his terms at once, and send off the long-legged man with the letter. He will take it in no time at all. So the youth's heart leapt with joy, and he returned to the king. Majesty, I accept your terms. Here is a messenger who will do what you wish. The king had no choice but to give the man the letter, and he strode off, making short work of the distance that lay between the palace and the underworld. He soon found the ruler who looked at the letter,

Starting point is 04:30:58 and said to him, Wait a little while while I write the answer. But the man was so tired with his quick walk that he went sound asleep and forgot all about his errand. All this time the youth was anxiously counting the minutes till he could get back, and stood with his eyes fixed on the road down which his messenger must come.

Starting point is 04:31:20 What can be keeping him? He said to the hermit, when the hour was nearly up. Then the hermit sent for the man who could hit everything he was, he aimed at, and said to him, Just see why the messenger stays so long. Oh, he is sound asleep in the palace of the underworld. However, I can wake him. Then he drew his bow and shot an arrow straight into the man's knee. The messenger awoke with such a start, and when he saw that the hour had almost run out, he snatched up the answer and rushed back with such speed that the clock had not yet struck when he entered the palace.

Starting point is 04:31:55 Now the young man thought he was sure of his bride, but the king said, "'Still you have not done enough. Before I give you my daughter, you must find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day.' "'That is not in the bond,' complained the poor youth. "'Well, do as you like, only you will not get my daughter.' The young man was sadly out, and asked the hermit what he was to do. "'Silly boy!' said he. "'Why, tell the man to do it who drinks up everything?'

Starting point is 04:32:31 So they sent for the man and said, "'Do you think you are able to drink half the royal cellar in one day?' "'Oh, dear me, yes. "'And as much more as you want,' answered he. "'I am never satisfied.' The king was not pleased at the young man agreeing so readily, but he had no choice, and ordered the servant to be taken downstairs.

Starting point is 04:32:54 Oh, how he enjoyed himself. All day long he drank and drank and drank, till instead of half the cellar he had drunk the hole, and there was not a cask but what stood empty. And when the king saw this he said to the youth, You have conquered, and I can no longer withhold my daughter, but, as her dowry, I shall only give so much as one man can carry away. But, answered he,

Starting point is 04:33:21 Let a man be ever so strong. He cannot carry more than a hundredweight. And what is that for a king's daughter? Well, do as you like, I have said my say. It is your affair, not mine. The young man was puzzled and did not know what to reply, for though he would gladly have married the princess without a sixpence, he had spent all his money in building the ship,

Starting point is 04:33:45 and knew he could not give her all she wanted. So he went to the hermit and said to him, The king will only give for her dowry as much as a man can carry. I have no money of my own left, and my brothers have none either. Silly boy, why you only have got to fetch the man who carried half the forest on his shoulders. And the youth was glad and called the strong man, and told him what he must do. Take everything you can till you are bent double. Never mind if you leave the palace bare.

Starting point is 04:34:17 The strong man promised, and nobly can't. kept his word. He piled all he could see on his back, chairs, tables, wardrobes, chests of gold and silver, till there was nothing left to pile. At last he took the king's crown and put it on the top. He carried the burden to the ship and stowed his treasures away. And the youth followed, leading the king's daughter. But the king was left raging in his empty palace, and he called together his army and got ready his ships of war, in order that he might go after the vessel and bring back what had been taken away. And the king's ship sailed very fast, and soon caught up the little vessel, and the sailors all shouted for joy. Then the hermit

Starting point is 04:35:01 looked out and saw how near they were, and said to the youth, Do you see that? The youth shrieked and cried, Oh, good father, it's a fleet of ships, and they are chasing us, and in a few moments they'll be upon us. But the hermit bade him call the man who would the fog in his sack, and the sack was opened and the fog flew out, and hung right round the king's ships, so that they could see nothing. So they sailed back to the palace, and told the king what strange things had happened. Meanwhile, the young man's vessel reached home in safety. Well, here you are once more, said the hermit, and now you can fulfill the promise you made me to give me half of all you had. That will I do with all my heart, answered the youth,

Starting point is 04:35:48 and began to divide all his treasures, putting part on one side for himself and setting aside the other for his friend. Good Father, it is finished, said he at length. There is nothing more left to divide. Nothing more left, cried the hermit. Why you have forgotten the best thing of all? What can that be? asked he. We have divided everything.

Starting point is 04:36:12 And the king's daughter? said the hermit. Then the young man's heart stood. still, for he loved her dearly, but he answered, "'It is well, I have sworn, and I will keep my word, and he drew his sword to cut her in pieces. When the hermit saw that he held his honor dearer than his wife, he lifted his hand and cried, "'Hold! She is yours, and all the treasures too.

Starting point is 04:36:39 I give you my help because you would pity on those who were in need, and when you are in need yourself, call upon me, and I will come to you.' As he spoke he softly touched their heads and vanished. The next day the wedding took place, and the two brothers came to the house, and they all lived happily together, but they never forgot the holy man who had been such a good friend. End of How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.

Starting point is 04:37:13 www. dot com. Section 23 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Water of Life Kuntos Poplars Catlans

Starting point is 04:37:37 Perlow Dr. Francisco de Les Mappos-Alabros, Barcelona, 1885. Three brothers and one sister lived together in a small cottage, and they loved one another dearly. One day the eldest brother, who had never done anything but amuse himself from sunrise to sunset, said to the rest, Let us all work hard, and perhaps we shall grow rich, and be able to build ourselves a palace.

Starting point is 04:38:05 And his brothers and sisters answered joyfully, Yes, we will all work. So they fell to working with all their might, till at last they became rich, and were able to build themselves a beautiful palace, and everyone came from miles around to see its wonders, and to say how splendid it was. No one thought of finding any faults, till at length an old woman,

Starting point is 04:38:29 who had been walking through the rooms with a crowd of people, suddenly exclaimed, Yes, it is a splendid palace, but there is still something it needs. And what might that be? A church! When they heard this, the brothers set to work again to earn some more money,

Starting point is 04:38:48 and when they had got enough they set about building a church, which should be as large and beautiful as the palace itself. And after the church was finished, greater numbers of people than ever flocked to see the palace, and the church, and vast gardens and magnificent halls. But one day, as the brothers were as usual doing the honors to their guests, an old man turned to them and said, Yes, it is all most beautiful, but there is still something it needs.

Starting point is 04:39:18 And what may that be? A pitcher of the water of life, a branch of the tree, the smell of whose flowers gives eternal beauty, and the talking bird. And where am I to find all those? Go to the mountain that is far off yonder, and you will find what you seek. After the old man had bowed politely and taken farewell of them, The eldest brother said to the rest, "'I will go in search of the water of life and the talking bird and the tree of beauty.' "'But suppose some evil thing befalls you?' asked his sister.

Starting point is 04:39:55 "'How shall we know?' "'You are right,' he replied. "'I had not thought of that.' Then they followed the old man and said to him, "'My eldest brother wishes to seek for the water of life and the tree of beauty and the talking bird, that you tell him are needful to make our palace perfect. But how shall we know if any evil thing befalls him? So the old man took them a knife and gave it to them, saying,

Starting point is 04:40:21 Keep this carefully, and as long as the blade is bright, all is well. But if the blade is bloody, then know that evil has befallen him. The brothers thanked him and departed, and went straight to the palace, where they found the young man making ready to set out for the mountain, where the treasures he longed for lay hid. And he walked, and he walked, and he walked, till he had gone a great way, and there he met a giant. Can you tell me how much further I have still to go

Starting point is 04:40:52 before I reach that mountain yonder? And why do you wish to go there? I am seeking the water of life, the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty. Many have passed by seeking those treasurer. treasures, but none have ever come back, and you will never come back either, unless you mark my words. Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones.

Starting point is 04:41:25 Do not stop to look at them, but keep on your way. As you go you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you. It will be the stones that mark. not heed them. Above all, do not turn round. If you do, you will become as one of them. Walk straight on till you get to the top, and then take all you wish for. The young man thanked him for his counsel and walked and walked, till he reached the mountain. And as he climbed he heard behind him scoffs and jeers, but he kept his ears steadily close to them. At last the noise grew so loud that he lost patience, and he stopped to pick up a stone

Starting point is 04:42:11 to hurl into the midst of the clamor, when suddenly his arm seemed to stiffen, and the next moment he was a stone himself. That day, his sister, who thought her brother's steps were long and returning, took out the knife and found the blade was red as blood. Then she cried out to her brothers that something terrible had come to pass. I will go to find him, said the second, and he went. And he walked, and he walked, and he walked, till he met the giant, and asked him if he had seen a young man travelling toward the mountain. And the giant answered,

Starting point is 04:42:50 Yes, I have seen him pass, but I have not seen him come back. The spell must have worked upon him. Then what can I do to do? disenchant him and find the water of life, the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty. Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones. Do not stop to look at them, but climb steadily on. Above all, heed not the laughs and scoffs that will arise on all sides, and never turn round. when you reach the top, you can then take all you desire.

Starting point is 04:43:33 The young man thanked him for his counsel and set out for the mountain. But no sooner did he reach it than loud jests and jibes broke out on every side, and almost deafened him. For some time he let them rail and pushed boldly on, till he had passed a place which his brother had gained. Then suddenly he thought that among the scoffing sounds he heard his brother's voice. He stopped and looked back. And another stone was added to the number. Meanwhile, the sister left at home was counting the days when her two brothers should return to her. The time seemed long, and it would be hard to say how often she took out the knife and looked

Starting point is 04:44:12 at its polished blade to make sure that this one, at least, was still safe. The blade was always bright and clear. Each time she looked, she had the happiness of knowing that all was well, till one evening, tired and anxious, as she frequently was at the end of the day, she took it from its drawer, and behold, the blade was red with blood. Her cry of horror brought her youngest brother to her, and, unable to speak, she held out the knife. I will go, he said.

Starting point is 04:44:45 So he walked, and he walked, and he walked, until he met the giant, and he asked, have two young men making for yonder mountain pass this way? And the giant answered, Yes, they have passed by, but they never came back, and by this I know that the spell has fallen upon them. Then what must I do to free them, and to get the water of life and the talking bird and the branch of the tree of beauty?

Starting point is 04:45:15 Go to the mountain, which you'll find so thickly covered with stones that you will hardly be able to place your feet, and walk straight forward, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, and paying no heed to the laughs and scoffs which will follow you, till you reach the top, and then you may take all that you desire. The young man thanked the giant for his counsel, and set forth to the mountain. And when he began to climb, there burst forth all around him a storm of scoff's and jeers. But he thought of the giant's words, and looked neither to the right hand nor to the left, till the mountain-top lay straight before him. A moment now, and he would have gained

Starting point is 04:46:01 it, when, through the groans and yells he heard his brother's voices. He turned, and there was one stone the more. And all this while his sister was pacing up and down the palace, hardly letting the knife out of her hand, and dreading what she knew she would see, and what she did see. The blade grew red before her eyes, and she said, Now it is my turn. So she walked, and she walked, and she walked, till she came to the giant, and prayed him to tell her if he had seen three young men pass that way, seeking the distant mountain. I have seen them pass, but they have never returned, and by this I know that the spell has fallen upon them.

Starting point is 04:46:50 And what must I do to set them free, and to find the water of life and the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty? You must go to that mountain, which is so full of stones that your feet will hardly find a place to tread, and as you climb you will hear a noise as if all the stones in the world were mocking you. But pay no heed to anything you may hear, and once you gain the top, you have gained everything. The girl thanked him for his counsel and set out for the mountain, and scarcely had she gone a few steps upward, when cries and screams broke forth around her,

Starting point is 04:47:33 and she felt as if each stone she trod on was a living thing. But she remembered the words of the giant, and knew not what had befallen her brothers, and kept her face steadily toward the mountaintop, which grew nearer and nearer every moment. But as she mounted the clamor increased sevenfold, high above them all rang the voices of her three brothers. But the girl took no heed,

Starting point is 04:48:01 and at last her feet stood upon the top. Then she looked round and saw, lying in a hollow, the pool of the water of life. And she took the brazen pitcher that she had brought with her and filled it to the brim. By the side of the pool stood the tree of beauty

Starting point is 04:48:19 with the talking bird on one of its boughs, and she caught the bird and placed it in a cage and broke off one of the branches. After that she turned and went joyfully down the hill again, carrying her treasures. But her long climb had tired her out, and the brazen pitcher was very heavy, and as she walked a few drops of the water spilled upon the stones,

Starting point is 04:48:40 and as it touched them, they changed into young men and maidens, crowding about her to give thanks for their deliverance. So she learned by this how the evil spell might be broken, and she carefully sprinkled every stone till there was not one left, only a great company of youths and girls who followed her down the mountain. When they arrived at the palace she did not lose a moment in planting the branch of the tree of beauty

Starting point is 04:49:06 and watering it with the water of life. And the branch shot up into a tree and was heavy with flowers, and the talking bird nestled in its branches. Now the fame of these wonders was noised abroad, and the people flocked in great numbers to see the three marvels, and the maiden who had won them, and among the sightseers came the king's son, who would not go till every day.

Starting point is 04:49:30 Everything was shown him, until he had heard how it had all happened. And the prince admired the strangeness and beauty of the treasures in the palace. But more than all, he admired the beauty and courage of the maiden who had brought them there. So he went home, and told his parents, and gained their consent to wed her for his wife. Then the marriage was celebrated in the church adjoining the palace, then the bridegroom took her to his own home, where they lived happy, forever. after. End of the Water of Life.

Starting point is 04:50:05 Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www. www.V.com Section 24 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 04:50:24 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Wounded Lion. Quintos Popolars Catalans. There was once a girl so poor that she had nothing to live on, and wandered about the world asking for charity. One day she arrived at a thatched cottage, and inquired if they could give her any work. The farmer said he wanted a cowherd, as his own had left him, and if the girl liked the place, she might take it.

Starting point is 04:50:55 So she became a cowherd. One morning she was driving her cows through the meadows when she heard nearby a loud groan that almost sounded human. She hastened to the spot from which the noise came, and found it proceeded from a lion, who lay stretched upon the ground. You can guess how frightened she was. But the lion seemed in such pain that she was sorry for him, and drew nearer and nearer till she saw he had a large thorn in one foot. She pulled out the thorn and bound up the place, and the lion was grateful, and licked her hand by way of thanks with his big rough tongue. When the girl had finished, she went back to the cows, but they had gone, and though she hunted

Starting point is 04:51:42 everywhere she never found them, and she had to return home and confess to her master, who scolded her bitterly, and afterwards beat her. Then he said, Now you will have to look after the asses. So every day she had to take the asses to the woods to feed, until one morning, exactly a year After she had found the lion, she heard a groan which sounded quite human. She went straight to the place from which the noise came, and, to her great surprise, beheld the same lion stretched on the ground with a deep wound across his face. This time she was not afraid at all, and ran towards him, washing the wound and laying

Starting point is 04:52:23 soothing herbs upon it. And when she had bounded up, the lion thanked her in the same manner as before. that, she returned to her flock, but they were nowhere to be seen. She searched here and she searched there, but they had vanished completely. Then she had to go home and confess to her master, who first scolded her and afterwards beat her. Now go, he ended, and look after the peaks. So, the next day she took out the pigs, and found them such good feeding grounds that they grew fatter every day. Another year passed by, and one morning when the maiden was out with her pigs she heard a groan

Starting point is 04:53:06 which sounded quite human. She ran to see what it was, and found her old friend the lion, wounded through and through, fast dying under a tree. She fell on her knees before him and washed his wounds one by one, and laid healing herbs upon them. And the lion licked her hands and thanked her, and asked if she would not stay and sit by But the girl said she had her pigs to watch, and she must go and see after them. So she ran to the place where she had left them.

Starting point is 04:53:36 But they had vanished as if the earth had swallowed them up. She whistled and called, but only the birds answered her. Then she sank down on the ground and wept bitterly, not daring to return home until some hours had passed away. And when she had had her cry out, she got up and searched all up and down the wood, but it was no use. There was not a sign of the pigs. At last she thought that perhaps if she climbed a tree

Starting point is 04:54:06 she might see further, but no sooner was she seated on the highest branch than something happened which put the pigs quite out of her head. This was a handsome young man who was coming down the path, and when he had almost reached the tree he pulled aside a rock and disappeared behind it. The maiden rubbed her eyes and wondered if she had been dreaming. Next she thought, I will not stir from here till I see him come out and discover who he is.

Starting point is 04:54:33 Accordingly she waited, and at dawn the next morning the rock moved to one side, and a lion came out. When he had gone quite out of sight, the girl climbed down from the tree and went to the rock, which she pushed aside, and entered the opening before her. The path led to a beautiful house. She went in, swept and dusted the furniture, and put everything tidy. Then she ate a very good dinner, which was on a shelf in the corner, and once more clambered up to the top of her tree. As the sun set she saw the same young man walking gaily down the path, and, as before,

Starting point is 04:55:10 he pushed aside the rock and disappeared behind it. Next morning out came the lion. He looked sharply about him on all sides, but saw no one, and then vanished into the forest. The maiden then came down from the tree and did exactly as she. she had done the day before. Thus three days went by, and every day she went and tidied up the palace. At length, when the girl found she was no nearer to discovering the secret, she resolved to ask him, and in the evening, when she caught sight of him coming through the wood, she came down from the tree and begged him to tell her his name. The young man looked very pleased to see her, and said he

Starting point is 04:55:50 thought it must be she who had secretly kept his house for so many days, and he added that he was a prince enchanted by a powerful giant, but was only allowed to take his own shape at night. For all day he was forced to appear as the lion whom she had so often helped, and, more than this, it was the giant who had stolen the oxen and the asses and the pigs in revenge for her kindness. And the girl asked him, What can I do to disenchant you? But he said he was afraid it was very difficult, because the only way was to get a lock of hair from the head of a king's daughter,

Starting point is 04:56:25 to spin it and to make from it a cloak for the giant, who lived up on the top of a high mountain. Very well, answered the girl. I will go to the city and knock at the door of the king's palace and ask the princess to take me as a servant. So they parted, and when she arrived at the city she walked about the streets crying, Who will hire me for a servant? Who will hire me for a servant?

Starting point is 04:56:51 But, though many people liked her looks, for she was clean and neat. The maiden would listen to none, and still continued crying, Who will hire me for a servant? Who will hire me for a servant? At last there came the waiting maid of the princess. What can you do? she said,

Starting point is 04:57:11 and the girl was forced to confess that she could do very little. Then you will have to do Scullion's work and wash up dishes, said she, and they went straight back to the palace. Then the maiden dressed her hair afresh and made herself look very neat and smart, and everyone admired and praised her till, by and by, it came to the ears of the princess, and she sent for the girl. And when she saw her and how beautifully she had dressed her hair, the princess told her she was to come and comb out hers. Now, the hair of the princess was very thick and long, and shone like the sun, and the girl combed it and combed it till it was brighter than ever. ever, and the princess was pleased, and bade her come every day in comb her hair, till at length the girl took courage and begged leave to cut off one of the long, thick locks.

Starting point is 04:58:03 The princess, who was very proud of her hair, did not like the idea of parting with any of it, so she said no. But the girl could not give up hope, and each day she entreated to be allowed to cut off just one tress. At length the princess lost patience and exclaimed, you may have it, then, on condition that you shall find the handsomest prince in the world to be my bridegroom. And the girl answered that she would, and cut off the lock, and wove it into a coat that glittered like silk, and brought it to the young man, who told her to carry it straight to the giant, but that she must be careful to cry out a long way off what she had with her,

Starting point is 04:58:43 or else he would spring upon her and run her through with his sword. So the maiden departed and climbed up the mountain, but, but the maiden, but, But before she reached the top, the giant heard her footsteps, and rushed out breathing fire and flame, having a sword in one hand and a club in the other. But she cried loudly that she had brought him the coat, and then he grew quiet, and invited her to come into his house. He tried on the coat, but it was too short, and he threw it off and declared it was no use, and the girl picked it up sadly, and returned quite in despair to the king's palace.

Starting point is 04:59:20 The next morning, when she was combing the princess's hair, she begged leave to cut off another lock. At first the princess said no, but the girl begged so hard that at length she gave in on condition that she should find her a prince as a bridegroom. The maiden told her that she had already found him and spun the lock into shining stuff and fastened it onto the end of the coat, and when it was finished she carried it to the giant. Well, this time it fitted him, and he was quite pleased. and asked her what he could give her in return, and she said that the only reward he could

Starting point is 04:59:54 give her was to take the spell off the lion and bring him back to his own shape. For a long time the giant would not hear of it, but in the end he gave in, and told her exactly how it must all be done. She was to kill the lion herself and cut him up very small, and then she must burn him and cast his ashes into the water, and out of the water the prince would come free from enchantment forever. But the maiden went away weeping, lest the giant should have deceived her, and that after she had killed the lion she would find she had also slain the prince. Weeping she came down the mountain, and weeping she joined the prince,

Starting point is 05:00:35 who was awaiting her at the bottom, and when he had heard the story he comforted her, and bade her be of good courage, and to do the bidding of the giant. And the maiden believed what the prince told her, and in the morning when he put on his lion's form, she took a knife and slew him, and cut him up very small, and burnt him and cast his ashes into the water. And out of the water came the prince, beautiful as the day, and as glad to look upon as the son himself. Then the young man thanked the maiden for all she had done for him, and said she should be his wife and none other, but the maiden only wept sore and answered that she could never be, for she had given her promise to the princess when she cut off her hair

Starting point is 05:01:23 that the prince should wet her and her only. But the prince replied, If it is the princess, we must go quickly. Come with me. So they went together to the king's palace, and when the king and queen and princess saw the young man a great joy filled their hearts, for they knew him for the eldest son, who had long ago been enchanted by a giant and lost to them. And he asked his parents' consent that they might marry the girl who had saved him,

Starting point is 05:01:51 and a great feast was made, and the maiden became a princess, and in due time a queen, and she richly deserved all the honors showered upon her. End of The Wounded Lion. Recording by Elliot Miller. of the Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Starting point is 05:02:28 The Man Without a Heart. Once upon a time, there were seven brothers who were orphans, and they had no sister. Therefore, they were all obliged to do all their own housework. This they did not like it all. So, after much deliberation, they decided, to get married. There were, unfortunately, no young girls to be found in the place where they lived, but the

Starting point is 05:02:55 elder brothers agreed to go out into the world and seek for brides, promising to bring back a very pretty wife for the youngest, also, if he would meanwhile stay at home and take care of the house. He consented willingly, and the six young men set off in good spirits. On their way they came to a small cottage standing quite by itself in a wood, and before the door stood an old, old man, who accosted the brother saying, "'Hello you young fellows. Willer away so fast and cheerily.' "'We are going to find Bonnie brides for ourselves, and one for our youngest brother at home,'

Starting point is 05:03:31 they replied. "'Oh, dear youth,' said the old man, "'I am terribly lonely here. Play bring a bride for me also. Only remember, she must be young and pretty.' "'What does a shriveled old gray thing like that want with a pretty young grade?' thought the brothers, and went on their way. Presently they came to a town where there were seven sisters, as young and as lovely as anyone

Starting point is 05:03:57 could wish. Each brother chose one, and the youngest they kept for their brother at home. Then the whole party set out on the return journey, and again their path led through the wood and passed the old man's cottage. There he stood before the door and cried, Oh, you fine fellows, what a charming bride you have brought me. She is not for you, said the young man. She is for our youngest brother, as we promised.

Starting point is 05:04:23 What? said the old man. Promised. I'll make you eat your promises. And with that he took his magic wand and, murmuring a charm, he touched both brothers and brides, and immediately they were turned into grey stones. Only the youngest sister he had not bewitched. He took her into the cottage, and from that time she was obliged to keep house for him. She was not very unhappy, but one thought troubled her.

Starting point is 05:04:51 What if the old man should die and leave her there alone in the solitary cottage deep in the heart of the wood? She would be as terribly lonely as he had formerly been. One day she told him of her fear. "'Don't be anxious,' he said. "'You need neither fear my death nor desire it, for I have no heart in my blood. rest. However, if I should die, you will find my wand above the door, and with it you can free your sisters and their lovers. Then you will surely have company enough." "'Where in the world do you keep your heart, if not in your breast?' asked the girl.

Starting point is 05:05:28 "'Do you want to know everything?' her husband said. "'Well, if you must know, my heart is in the bed-cover.' When the old man had gone out about his business, his bride passed her time in embroidering beautiful flowers on the bed-quilt to make his heart happy. The old man was much amused. He laughed, and said to her, "'You are a good child, but I was only joking. My heart is really in—in—' Now, where is it, dear husband?' "'It is in the doorway,' he replied.

Starting point is 05:06:01 Next day, while he was out, the girl decorated the door with gay feathers and fresh flowers, and hung garlands upon it, and on his return the old fellow, asked what it all meant. I did it to show my love for your heart," said the girl. And again the old man smiled, saying, You are a dear child, but my heart is not in the doorway. Then the poor young bride was very vexed and said, Ah, my dear, you really have a heart somewhere, so you may die and leave me all alone.

Starting point is 05:06:35 The old man did his best to comfort her by repeating all he had said before, but she begged him afresh to tell her truly where his heart was, and at last he told her. "'Far, far from here,' said he, "'in a lonely spot stands a great church, as old as old can be. Its doors are of iron, and around it runs a deep moat spanned by no bridge. Within that church is a bird which flies up and down. It never eats and never drinks and never dies. No one can catch it, and while that bird lives, so shall I, for in it is my heart." It made the little bride quite sad to think she could do nothing to show her love for the

Starting point is 05:07:20 old man's heart. She used to think about it as she sat all alone during the long days, for her husband was almost always out. One day a young traveller came past the house, and seeing such a pretty girl he wished her, Good day! returned his greeting, and as he drew near she asked him once he came and where he was going. "'Alas!' sighed the youth, "'I am very sorrowful. I had six brothers who went away to find brides for themselves, and one for me. But they have never come home, so now I am going to look for

Starting point is 05:07:54 them.' "'Oh, good friend,' said the girl, "'you need go no further. Come, sit down, eat, and drink, and afterwards I'll tell you all about it.' She gave him food, and when he had finished his meal, she told him how his brothers had come to the town where she lived with her sisters, how they had each chosen a bride, and, taking herself with them, had started for home. She wept as she told how the others were turned to stone, and how she was kept as the old man's bride.

Starting point is 05:08:25 She left out nothing, even telling him the story of her husband's heart. When the young man heard this, he said, I shall go in search at the bird. It may be that God will help me to find and catch it. Yes, do go, she said. It will be a good deed. For then you can set your brothers and my sisters free. Then she hid the young man, for it was now late,

Starting point is 05:08:49 and her husband would soon be home. Next morning, when the old man had gone out, she prepared a supply of provisions for her guest, and set him off on his travels, wishing him good luck and success. He walked on and on till he thought it must be time for a breakfast. So he opened his knapsack, and was delighted to find such a store of good things. What a feast! he exclaimed.

Starting point is 05:09:15 Will anyone come and share it? M-hmm, sounded close behind him, and looking round he saw a great red ox which said, I have much pleasure in accepting your kind invitation. I'm delighted to see you. Pray help yourself. All I have is at your service, said the hospitable youth, and the ox lay down comfortably, licking his lips and made a hearty meal. "'Many thanks to you,' said the animal as it rose up, "'when you are in danger or necessity call me, even if only by thought.'

Starting point is 05:09:53 And it disappeared among the bushes. The young man packed up all the food that was left, and wandered on, until the shortening shadows and his own hunger warned him that it was midday. He laid the cloth on the ground and spread out his provisions, saying at the same time, "'Dinner is ready, and anyone who wishes to share it is welcome.' Then there was a great rustling in the undergrowth, and outran a wild boar grunting.

Starting point is 05:10:22 Someone said dinner was ready. Was it you, and did you mean me to come?' By all means help yourself to what I have, said the young traveler, and the two enjoyed their meal together. Afterwards, the bore got up saying, Thank you. When in need you be, you must quickly call for me. And he rolled off. For a long time the youth walked on.

Starting point is 05:10:49 By evening he was miles away. He felt hungry again, and, having still some provisions left, thought he had better make ready his supper. When it was all spread out, he cried as before. Anyone who cares to share my meal is welcome. He heard a sound overhead like a flapping of wings, and a shadow was cast upon the ground. Then a huge griffin appeared, saying, I heard someone giving an invitation to eat.

Starting point is 05:11:18 Is there anything for me? Why not? said the youth. Come down and take all you want. There won't be much left after this. So the griffin alighted and ate his fill, saying, as he flew away, "'Call me, if you need me!' "'What a hurry he was in,' the youth said to himself. "'He might have been able to direct me to the church, for I shall never find it alone.'

Starting point is 05:11:44 He gathered up his things and started to walk a little farther before resting. He had not gone far when all of a sudden he saw the church. He soon came to it, or rather to the wide and deep, moat which surrounded it, without a single bridge by which to cross. It was too late to attempt anything now, and, besides, the poor youth was very tired, so he lay down on the ground and fell fast asleep. Next morning, when he awoke, he began to wish himself over the moat, and the thought occurred to him that if only the red ox were there, and thirsty enough to drink up all

Starting point is 05:12:22 the water in the moat, he might walk across it dry-shot. scarcely had the thought crossed his brain before the ox appeared and began to drink up the water. The grateful youth hastened across as soon as a moat was dry, but found it impossible to penetrate the thick walls and strong iron doors of the church. I believe that big boar would be a more use here than I am, he thought, and lo! at the wish the wild boar came and began to push hard against the wall. He managed to loosen one stone with his tusks, and, having made a beginning, stone after stone was poked out till he had made quite a large hole,

Starting point is 05:13:01 big enough to let a man go through. The young man quickly entered the church, and saw a bird flying about, but he could not catch it. Oh, he exclaimed, if only the griffin were here, he would soon catch it. At these words the griffin appeared, and, seizing the bird, gave it to the youth, who carried it off carefully while the griffin flew away. The young man hurried home as fast as possible and reached the cottage before evening. He told his story to the little bride, who, after giving him some food and drink, hid him with his bird beneath the bed.

Starting point is 05:13:39 Presently the old man came home and complained of feeling ill. Nothing, he said, would go well with him anymore. His heart bird was caught. The youth under the bed heard this and thought, This old fellow has done me no particular harm, but then he has bewitched my brothers and their brides, and has kept my bride for himself, and that is certainly bad enough.

Starting point is 05:14:02 So he pinched the bird, and the old man cried, "'Ah, I feel death gripping me. Child, I am dying!' With these words he fell fainting from his chair, and, as the youth, before he knew what he was doing, had squeezed the bird to death, the old man died also. Out crept the young man from under the bed, and the girl took the magic wand, which she found where the old man had told her, and touching the twelve grey stones, transformed them at once into the six brothers and their brides. Then there was great joy, and kissing and embracing.

Starting point is 05:14:37 And there lay the old man quite dead, and no magic wand could restore him to life, even had they wished it. After that they all went away and were married, and lived many, years happily together. End of The Man Without a Heart. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo. www.

Starting point is 05:14:58 com Section 26 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Labor Vox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Two Brothers. Sicilian Eschmarlachin-El Gozenbach. Long ago there lived two brothers.

Starting point is 05:15:26 Both of them were very handsome, and both so very poor that they seldom had anything to eat but the fish which they caught. One day they had been out in their boats since sunrise without a single bite, and were just thinking of putting up their lines and going home to bed when they felt a little feeble tug, and drawing in hastily they found a tiny fish at the end of the hook.

Starting point is 05:15:51 What a wretched little creature! cried one brother. However, it is better than nothing, and I will bake him with bread-crumbs and have him for supper. Oh, do not kill me yet, begged the fish. I will bring you good luck, indeed I will. You silly thing, said the young man. I've caught you, and I shall eat you. But his brother was sorry for the fish, and put in a word for him. Let the poor little fellow live. He would hardly make one bite, and, after all, how do we know we're not throwing away our luck?

Starting point is 05:16:31 Put him back into the sea. It will be much better. If you will let me live, said the fish, you will find on the sands tomorrow morning two beautiful horses, splendidly saddled and bridled, and on them you can go through the world as night-seeking adventures. Oh, dear, what nonsense! exclaimed the elder. And besides, what proof have we that you are speaking the truth? But again the younger brother interposed.

Starting point is 05:17:00 Oh, do let him live. You know if he is lying to us we can always catch him again. It is quite worth while trying. At last the young man gave in, and threw the fish back into the sea, and both brothers went supperless to bed, and wondered what fortune the next day would bring. At the first streaks of dawn they were both up, and in a very few minutes were running down to the shore, and there, just as the fish had said, stood two magnificent horses, saddled and bridled, and on their backs lay suits of armor and underdresses, two swords,

Starting point is 05:17:37 and two purses of gold. There, said the youngest brother, are you not thankful you did not eat the fish? He has brought us good luck, and there is no knowing how good-law. There is no knowing how great we may become. Now, we will each seek our own adventures. If you will take one road, I will go the other." "'Very well,' replied the elder, "'but how shall we let each other know if we are both living?' "'Do you see this fig-tree?' said the younger. "'Well, whenever we want news of each other we have only to come here and make us slit with our swords in the back. If milk flows, it is a sign that we are well and prosperous, but if,

Starting point is 05:18:15 instead of milk there is blood, then we are either dead or in great danger. Then the two brothers put on their armor, buckled their swords, and pocketed their purses, and after taking a tender farewell of each other, they mounted their horses and went their various ways. The elder brother rode straight on till he reached the borders of a strange kingdom. He crossed the frontier, and soon found himself on the banks of a river, and before him, in the middle of the stream, a beautiful girl sat chained to a rock and weeping bitterly, for in this river dwelt a serpent with seven heads, who threatened to lay waste the whole land

Starting point is 05:18:55 by breathing fire and flame from his nostrils, unless the king sent him every morning a man for his breakfast. This had gone on for so long that now there were no men left, and he had been obliged to send his own daughter instead, and the poor girl was waiting till the monster got hungry and felt inclined to eat her. When the young man saw the maiden weeping bitterly, he said to her, What is the matter, my poor girl? Oh, she answered, I am chained here till a horrible serpent with seven heads comes to eat me.

Starting point is 05:19:28 Oh, sir, do not linger here, or he will eat you too. I shall stay, replied the young man, for I mean to set you free. That is impossible. You do not know what a fearful monster the serpent is. you can do nothing against him. That is my affair, beautiful captive, answered he. Only tell me, which way will the serpent come. Well, if you are resolved to free me, listen to my advice.

Starting point is 05:19:56 Stand a little on one side, and then, when the serpent rises to the surface, I will say to him, O serpent, today you can eat two people, but you had better begin first with the young man, for I am chained and cannot run away. when he hears this most likely he will attack you. So the young man stood carefully on one side, and by and by he heard a great rushing in the water, and a horrible monster came up to the surface and looked out for the rock where the king's daughter was chained,

Starting point is 05:20:26 for it was getting late, and he was hungry. But she cried out, Oh, serpent, today you can eat two people, and you had better begin with the young man, for I am chained and cannot run away. Then the serpent made a rush at the moment. the youth with wide open jaws to swallow him at one gulp. But the young man leapt aside and drew his sword, and fought till he had cut off all the seven heads. And when the great serpent lay dead

Starting point is 05:20:52 at his feet, he loosed the bonds of the king's daughter, and she flung herself into his arms and said, You have saved me from that monster, and now you shall be my husband, for my father has made a proclamation that whoever could slay the serpent should have his daughter to wife. But he answered, I cannot become your husband yet, for I have still far to travel. But wait for me seven years and seven months. Then, if I do not return, you are free to marry whom you will. And in case you should have forgotten, I will take these seven tongues with me so that when I bring them forth you may know that I am really he who slew the serpent.

Starting point is 05:21:33 So saying, he cut out the seven tongues, and the prince, The princess gave him a thick cloth to wrap them in, and he mounted his horse and rode away. Not long after he had gone there arrived at the river a slave who had been sent by the king to learn the fate of his beloved daughter. And when the slave saw the princess standing free and safe before him, with the body of the monster lying at her feet, a wicked plan came into his head, and he said, "'Unless you promised to tell your father it was I who slew the serpent, I will kill you and bury you in this place, and no one will ever know what befell.

Starting point is 05:22:12 What could the poor girl do? This time there was no night to come to her aid, so she promised to do as the slave wished, and he took up the seven heads and brought the princess to her father. Oh, how enchanted the king was to see her again, and the whole town shared his joy. And the slave was called upon to tell how he had slain the monster, and when he had ended the The king declared that he should have the princess to wife. But she flung herself at her father's feet and prayed him to delay. You have passed your royal word, and cannot go back from it, yet grant me this grace,

Starting point is 05:22:49 and that seven years and seven months go by before you wed me. When they are over, I will marry the slave. And the king listened to her, and seven years and seven months she looked for her bridegroom, and wept for him night and day. All this time the young. man was riding through the world, and when the seven years and seven months were over, he came back to the town where the princess lived, only a few days before the wedding. And he stood before the king and said to him,

Starting point is 05:23:18 Give me your daughter, O king, for I slew the seven-headed serpent, and as a sign that my words are true, look on these seven tongues which I cut from his seven heads, and on this embroidered cloth which was given me by your daughter. Then the princess lifted up her voice and said, Yes, dear father, he has spoken the truth. It is he who is my real bridegroom, yet pardon the slave, for he was sorely tempted. But the king answered, Such treachery can no man pardon, quick, away with him, and off with his head.

Starting point is 05:23:54 So the false slave was put to death, that none might follow in his footsteps, and the wedding feast was held, and the hearts of all rejoiced that the true bridegroom had come last. These two lived happily and contentedly for a long while, when, one evening, as the young man was looking from the window, he saw on a mountain that lay out beyond the town a great bright light. What can it be? he said to his wife. Oh, do not look at it, she answered, for it comes from the house of a wicked witch whom no man can manage to kill. But the princess had better have kept silence, for her words made husband's heart burn within him, and he longed to try his strength against the witch's cunning.

Starting point is 05:24:40 And all day long the feeling grew stronger, till the next morning he mounted his horse, and in spite of his wife's tears, he rode off to the mountain. The distance was greater than he thought, and it was dark before he reached the foot of the mountain. Indeed, he could not have found the road at all had it not been for the bright light, which shone like the moon on his path. At length he came to the door of a fine castle, which had a blaze streaming from every window. He mounted a flight of steps and entered a hall where a hideous old woman was sitting on a golden chair.

Starting point is 05:25:17 She scowled at the young man and said, With a single one of those hairs of my head, I can turn you into stone. Oh, what nonsense, cried he. Be quiet, old woman. What could you do with one hair? But the witch pulled out a hair and laid it on his shoulder, and his limbs grew cold and heavy, and he could not stir. Now, at this very moment the younger brother was thinking of him, and wondering how he had got on

Starting point is 05:25:46 during all the years since they had parted. I will go to the fig tree, he said to himself, to see whether he is alive or dead. So he rode through the forest till he came where the fig tree stood, and cut a slit in the bark and waited. In a moment a little gurgling noise was heard, and out came a stream of blood running fast. Oh, woe is me, he cried bitterly. My brother is dead or dying. Shall I ever reach him in time to save his life? Then, leaping on his horse, he shouted, Now my steed, fly like the wind! And they rode right through the world, till one day they came to the town where the young man and

Starting point is 05:26:25 his wife lived. Here the princess had been sitting every day since the morning that her husband had left her, weeping bitter tears, and listening for his footsteps. And when she saw his brother ride under the balcony, she mistook him for her own husband, for they were so alike that no man might tell the difference. And her heart bounded, and, leaning down, she called to him, At last, at last, how long have I waited for thee. When the younger brother heard these words, He said to himself, So it was here that my brother lived, and this beautiful woman is my sister-in-law.

Starting point is 05:27:01 But he kept silence, and let her believe he was indeed her husband. Full of joy, the princess led him to the old king, who welcomed him as his own son, and offered a feast to be made for him. And the princess was beside herself with gladness, but when she would have put her arms around him and kissed him, he held up his hand to stop her, saying,

Starting point is 05:27:20 Touch me not, at which she marvelled greatly. In this manner several days went by, and one evening, as the young man leaned from the balcony, he saw a bright light shining on the mountain. "'What can that be?' he said to the princess. "'Oh, come away,' she cried. "'Has not that light already proved your bane?

Starting point is 05:27:41 "'Do you wish to fight a second time with that old witch?' He marked her words, though she knew it not. And they taught him where his brother was, and what had befallen him. So, before sunrise he stole out early, saddled his horse, and rode off to the mountain. But the way was further than he thought, and on the road he met a little old man who asked him whether he was going. Then the young man told him his story and added,

Starting point is 05:28:10 "'Somehow or other I must free my brother, who has fallen into the power of an old witch.' "'I will tell you what you must do,' said the old man. The witch's power lies in her hair. So when you see her spring on her and seize her by the hair, and then she cannot harm you. Be careful never to let her hair go. Bid her lead you to your brother, and force her to bring it back to life, for she has an ointment that will heal all wounds, and even wake the dead, and when your brother stands safe and well before you, then cut off her head, for she is a wicked woman.

Starting point is 05:28:51 young man was grateful for these words and promised to obey them. Then he rode on and soon reached the castle. He walked boldly up the steps and entered the hall, where the hideous old witch came to meet him. She grinned horribly at him and cried out, "'With one hair of my head, I can change you into stone!' "'Can you indeed?' said the young man, seizing her by the hair. "'You old wretch, tell me what you have done with my brother, or I will cut your head off this very instant. Now the witch's strength was all gone from her, and she had to obey.

Starting point is 05:29:26 "'I will take you to your brother,' she said, hoping to get the better of him by cunning. "'But leave me alone. You hold me so tight that I cannot walk.' "'You must manage somehow,' he answered, and held her tighter than ever. She led him into a large hall filled with stone statues, which once had been men, and pointing out one she said, There is your brother." The young man looked at them all and shook his head. My brother is not here.

Starting point is 05:29:59 Take me to him, or it will be the worse for you. But she tried to put him off with other statues, though it was no good, and it was not until they had reached the last hall of all that he saw his brother lying on the ground. That is my brother, said he. Now give me the oint that will restore him to life. unwillingly the old witch opened a cupboard close by filled with bottles and jars, and took down one and held it out to the young man. But he was on the watch for trickery, and examined it carefully and saw that it had no power

Starting point is 05:30:31 to heal. This happened many times, till at length she found it was no use, and gave him the one he wanted. And when he had it safe he made her stooped down and smeared over her brother's face, taking care all the while never to lose her hair. and when the dead man opened his eyes the youth drew his sword and cut off her head with a single blow. Then the elder brother got up and stretched himself and said, Oh, how long have I slept? And where am I?

Starting point is 05:31:02 The old witch had enchanted you, but now she is dead and you're free. We will wake up the other nights that she laid under her spells, and then we will go. This they did, and after sharing amongst them the jewels and gold they had found in the castle, each man went his way. The two brothers remained together, the elder tightly grasping the ointment which had brought him back to life. They had much to tell each other as they rode along,

Starting point is 05:31:28 and at last the younger man exclaimed, Oh, fool, to leave such a beautiful wife to go and fight a witch! She took me for her husband, and I did not say her nay. When the elder brother heard this, a great rage filled his heart, and, without saying one word, he drew his sword and slew his brother, and his body rolled in the dust.

Starting point is 05:31:49 Then he rode on till he reached his home, where his wife was still sitting, weeping bitterly. When she saw him she sprang up with a cry and threw herself into his arms. Oh, how long I have waited for thee. Never, never must you leave me any more? When the old king heard the news, he welcomed him as a son, and made him ready a feast, and all the court sat down. And in the evening, when the young man was alone with his wife, she said to him,

Starting point is 05:32:14 why would you not let me touch you when you came back, but always thrust me away when I tried to put my arms round your kiss you. Then the young man understood how true his brother had been to him, and he sat down and wept and wrung his hands because of the wicked murder that he had done. Suddenly he sprang to his feet, for he remembered the ointment which lay hidden in his garments, and he rushed to the place where his brother still lay. He fell on his knees beside the body,

Starting point is 05:32:41 and, taking out the salve, he rubbed it over the neck, where the wound was gaping wide, and the skin healed and the sinews grew strong, and the dead man sat up and looked round him, and the two brothers embraced each other, and the elder asked forgiveness for his wicked blow, and they went back to the palace together, and were never parted any more. End of The Two Brothers. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.

Starting point is 05:33:08 W. voice of e.com. Section 27 of the Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Master and Pupil. From the Danish. There was once a man who had a son who was very clever at reading,

Starting point is 05:33:37 and took great delight in it. He went out into the world to seek service somewhere, and as he was walking between some mounts he met a man, who asked him where he was going. I am going about seeking for service, said the boy. Will you serve me? asked the man. Oh, yes, just as readily you as anyone else, said the boy. But can you read? asked the man.

Starting point is 05:34:06 As well as the priest, said the boy. Then I can't have you, said the man. In fact, I was just wanting a boy who couldn't read. his only work would be to dust my old books. The man then went on his way and left the boy looking after him. It was a pity I didn't get that place, thought he, that was just the very thing for me. Making up his mind to get the situation, if possible,

Starting point is 05:34:32 he hit himself behind one of the mounds, and turned his jacket outside in, so that the man would not know him again so easily. Then he ran along behind the mounds and met the man at the other end of them. "'Where are you going, my little boy?' said the man, who did not notice that it was the same one he had met before. "'I am going about seeking for service,' said the boy.

Starting point is 05:34:56 "'Will you serve me?' asked the man. "'Oh, yes, just as readily you as anyone else,' said the boy. "'But can you read?' said the man. "'No, I don't know a single letter,' said the boy. The man then took him into his service, and all the work he had to do was to dust his master's books. But, as he did this, he had plenty of time to read them as well, and he read away at them until at last he was just as wise as his master,

Starting point is 05:35:26 who was a great wizard, and could perform all kinds of magic. Among other feats, he could change himself into the shape of any animal, or any other thing that he pleased. When he had learned all this he did not think it worth while staying there any longer, so he ran away home to his parents again. Soon after this there was a market in the next village, and the boy told his mother that he had learned how to change himself into the shape of any animal he chose.

Starting point is 05:35:55 Now, said he, I shall change myself into a horse, and father can take me to market and sell me. I shall come home again all right. His mother was frightened at the idea, but the boy told her that she need not be alarmed. All would be well. So he changed himself into a horse. such a fine horse, too, that his father got a high price for it at the market.

Starting point is 05:36:18 But after the bargain was made, and the money paid, the boy changed again into his own shape, when no one was looking and went home. The story spread all over the country about the fine horse that had been sold and then had disappeared, and at last the news came to the ears of the wizard. Aha, said he, This is that boy of mine, who befooled me and ran away. But I shall have him yet. The next time that there was a market, the boy again changed himself into a horse,

Starting point is 05:36:49 and was taken thither by his father. The horse soon found a purchaser, and while the two were inside drinking the luck penny, the wizard came along and saw the horse. He knew at once that it was not an ordinary one, so he also went inside, and offered the purchaser far more than he. had paid for it. So the latter sold it to him. The first thing the wizard now did was to lead

Starting point is 05:37:13 the horse away to a smith to get a red-hot nail driven into its mouth, because after that it could not change its shape again. When the horse saw this, it changed itself to a dove and flew up into the air. The wizard had once changed himself into a hawk and flew up after it. The dove now turned into a gold ring, and fell into a girl's lap. The hawk now turned into a man and offered the girl a great sum of money for the gold ring, but she would not part with it, seeing that it had fallen down to her, as it were, from heaven. However, the wizard kept on offering her more and more for it, until at last the gold ring grew frightened, and changed itself into a grain of barley, which fell on the ground. The man then turned into a hen, and began to search for the grain of barley,

Starting point is 05:38:01 but this again changed itself to a pole cat, and took off the hen's head with a single snap. The wizard was now dead. The pole cat put on human shape, and the youth afterwards married the girl. And from that time forward let all his magic arts alone. End of Master and Pupil. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.W.W.Voise of E. dot com. Section 28 of The Pink Fairy Book.

Starting point is 05:38:35 This Lieper Vox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Golden Lion Sicilian Ashmarachin Al-Gosenbach There was once a rich merchant who had three sons

Starting point is 05:38:54 And when they were grown up The eldest said to him Father, I wish to travel and see the world I pray you let me So the father ordered a beautiful ship To be fitted up And the young man sailed away in it After some weeks the vessel cast anchor

Starting point is 05:39:10 Before a large town And the merchant's son went on shore The first thing he saw was a large notice written on a board saying that if any man could find the king's daughter within eight days, he should have her to wife, but that if he tried and failed, his head must be the forfeit. Well, thought the youth, as he read this proclamation, that ought not to be a very difficult matter, and he asked an audience of the king, and told him that he wished to seek for the princess. "'Certainly,' replied the king. "'You have the whole palace to search in, but remember, if you fail, it will cost you your head.' So saying, he commanded the doors to be thrown open, and food and drink to be set before the young man, who, after he had eaten, began to look for the princess.

Starting point is 05:40:01 But though he visited every corner in chest and cupboard, she was not in any of them, and after eight days he gave it up, and his head was cut off. All this time his father and brothers had had no news of him, and they were very anxious. At last the second son could bear it no longer, and said, Dear Father, give me, I pray you, a large ship and some money, and let me go and seek for my brother. So another ship was fitted out, and the young man sailed away, and was blown by the wind into the same harbor where his brother had landed. Now, when he saw the first ship lying at anchor, his heart beat high, and he said to himself,

Starting point is 05:40:43 My brother cannot surely be far off, and he ordered a boat and was put on shore. As he jumped on to the pier, his eye caught the notice about the princess, and he thought, He has undertaken to find her, and has certainly lost his head. I must try myself and seek him as well as her. It cannot be such a very difficult matter. but he fared no better than his brother, and in eight days his head was cut off. So now there was only the youngest at home, and when the other two never came, he also begged for his ship that he might go in search of his lost brothers.

Starting point is 05:41:22 And when the vessel started, a high wind arose, and blew him straight to the harbor where the notice was set. "'Oh, ho!' said he, as he read, "'Whoever can find the king's daughter "'shall have her to wife? "'It is quite clear now "'what has befallen my brothers, "'but in spite of that,

Starting point is 05:41:42 "'I think I must try my luck.' "'And he took the road to the castle. "'On the way he met an old woman "'who stopped and begged. "'Leave me in peace, old woman,' replied he. "'Oh, do not send me away empty,' she said. "'You were such a handsome young man. "'You will surely not refer to you,

Starting point is 05:42:02 "'Fews an old woman a few pence?' "'I tell you, old woman, leave me alone.' "'You're in some trouble?' she asked. "'Tell me what it is, and perhaps I can help you.' Then he told her how he had set his heart on finding the king's daughter. "'I can easily manage that for you as long as you have enough money.' "'Oh, as to that, I have plenty,' answered he. "'Well, you must take it to a goldsmith and get him to make it into a golden lion

Starting point is 05:42:32 with eyes of crystal, and inside it must have something that will enable it to play tunes. When it is ready, bring it to me. The young man did as he was bid, and when the lion was made the old woman hid the youth in it, and brought it to the king, who was so delighted with it that he wanted to buy it. But she replied, It does not belong to me, and my master will not part from it at any price. At any rate, leave it with me for a few. few days, said he. I should like to show it to my daughter.

Starting point is 05:43:07 Yes, I can do that, answered the old woman. But tomorrow I must have it back again, and she went away. The king watched her till she was quite out of sight, so as to make sure that she was not spying upon him. Then he took the golden lion into his room and lifted some loose boards from the floor. Below the floor there was a staircase, which he went down till he reached a door at the foot. This he unlocked, and found himself in a narrow passage closed by another door, which he also opened. The young man, hidden in the golden lion, kept count of everything, and marked that there were in all seven doors. After they had all been unlocked, the king

Starting point is 05:43:50 entered a lovely hall, where the princess was amusing herself with eleven friends. All twelve girls wore the same clothes, and were as like each other as two peas. "'What bad luck!' thought the youth. "'Even supposing that I managed to find my way here again, "'I don't see how I could ever tell which one was the princess.' "'And he stared hard at the princess as she clapped her hands with joy, "'and ran up to them crying, "'Oh, do let us keep that delicious beast for tonight.

Starting point is 05:44:20 "'It will make such a nice plaything.' "'The king did not stay long, and when he left he handed over the lion to the maidens, "'who amused themselves with it for some time, "'till they got sleepy, and thought it was time to go to bed. But the princess took the lion into her own room and laid it on the floor. She was just beginning to doze when she heard a voice quite close to her which made her jump. "'Oh, lovely princess, if you only knew what I have gone through to find you!' The princess jumped out of bed screaming,

Starting point is 05:44:50 "'The lion! The lion!' But her friends thought it was a nightmare and did not trouble themselves to get up. "'Oh, lovely princess,' continued the voice, "'fear nothing. I am the son of a rich merchant, and is the son of a rich merchant, and desire above all things to have you for my wife. And in order to get to you, I have hidden myself in this golden lion. What use is that, she asked.

Starting point is 05:45:13 For if you cannot pick me out from among my companions, you will still lose your head. I look to you to help me, he said. I have done so much for you that you might do this one thing for me. Then listen to me. On the eighth day I will tie a white sash round my waist, and by that you will know me. The next morning the king came very early to fetch the lion, as the old woman was already at the palace asking for it. When they were safe from view, she let the young man out,

Starting point is 05:45:43 and he returned to the king and told him that he wished to find the princess. Very good, said the king, who by this time was almost tired of repeating the same words. But if you fail, your head will be the forfeit. So the youth remained quietly in the castle, eating and loving, looking at all the beautiful things around him, and every now and then pretending to be searching busily in all the closets and corners. On the eighth day he entered the room where the king was sitting. "'Take up the floor in this place,' he said.

Starting point is 05:46:16 The king gave a cry, but stopped himself and asked, "'What do you want the floor up for? There is nothing there.' But as all his courtiers were watching him, he did not like to make any more objections, and ordered the floor to be taken up, as the young man desired. The youth then went straight down the staircase till he reached the door. Then he turned and demanded that the key should be brought. So the king was forced to unlock the door, and the next, and the next, and the next,

Starting point is 05:46:45 till all seven were open, and they entered into the hall where the twelve maidens were standing all in a row, so like that none might tell them apart. But as he looked, one of them silently drew a white sash from her pocket and slipped it round her waist. And the young man sprang to her and said, This is the princess, and I claim her for my wife. And the king owned himself beaten, and commanded that the wedding feast should be held. After eight days the bridal pair said farewell to the king, and set sail for the youth's own country, taking with them a whole shipload of treasures as the princess dowry. But they did not forget the old woman who had

Starting point is 05:47:24 brought about all their happiness, and they gave her enough money to make her comfortable to the end of her days. End of the Golden Lion. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www. www.V.E.com Section 29 of

Starting point is 05:47:46 The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Sprig of Rosemary. Quintos Papelars, Catalan,

Starting point is 05:48:02 Puylo, Dr. Francisco, D.S. Marpon, by Lebrus, Barcelona, Liberia di Dan Alvarra, Veguador, 1885. Once upon a time there lived a man with one daughter, and he made her work hard all the day. One morning, when she had finished everything it said her to do, he told her to go out into the woods and get some dry leaves and sticks to kindle a fire. The girl went out and soon collected a large bundle, and then she plucked at a sprig of sweet-smelling rosemary for herself. But the harder she pulled, the firmer seemed the plant, and at last,

Starting point is 05:48:44 determined not to be beaten, she gave one great tug, and the rosemary remained in her hands. Then she heard a voice close to her saying, Well, and turning she saw before her a handsome young man, who asked why she had come to steal his firewood. The girl, who felt much confused, only managed to stammer. her out as an excuse that her father had sent her. Very well, replied the young man. Then come with me. So he took her through the opening made by the torn up route,

Starting point is 05:49:18 and they traveled till they reached a beautiful palace, splendidly furnished, but only lighted from the top. And when they had entered he told her that he was a great lord, and that never had he seen a maiden so beautiful as she, and that if she would give him her heart, they would be married and live happily forever after. And the maiden said, yes, she would. And so they were married.

Starting point is 05:49:43 The next day, the old dame who looked after the house handed her all the keys, but pointed her out one that she would do well never to use, for if she did, the whole palace would fall to the ground, and the grass would grow over it, and the damsel herself would be remembered no more. The bride promised to be careful, but in a little while, when there was nothing left for her to do, she began to wonder what could be in the chest

Starting point is 05:50:09 which was opened by the key. As everybody knows, if we once begin to think, we soon begin to do, and it was not very long before the key was no longer in the maiden's hand, but in the lock of her chest. But the lock was stiff and resisted all her efforts,

Starting point is 05:50:27 and in the end she had to break it. And what was inside, after all? Why, nothing but a serpent's, skin, which her husband, who was unknown to her, a magician, put on when he was at work, and at the sight of it the girl was turning away in disgust. When the earth shook violently under her feet, the palace vanished as if it had never been, and the bride found herself in the middle of a field, not knowing where she was or with her to go.

Starting point is 05:50:56 She burst into a flood of bitter tears, partly at her own folly, but more for the loss of her husband whom she dearly loved. Then, breaking a sprig of rosemary off a bush hard by, she resolved, cost what it might, to seek him through the world till she found him. So she walked, and she walked, and she walked, till she arrived at a house built of straw, and she knocked at the door, and asked if they wanted a servant. The mistress said she did, and if the girl was willing she might stay. But day by day the poor maiden grew more and more sad, till at last her mistress begged her to say what was the

Starting point is 05:51:33 matter. Then she told her story how she was going through the world seeking after her husband. And the mistress answered her, "'Where he is, none can tell better than the sun, the moon, and the wind, for they go everywhere.' On hearing these words the damsel set forth once more, and walked till she reached the golden castle where lived the sun, and she knocked boldly at the door, saying, all hail, old son, I have come to ask if, of your charity,

Starting point is 05:52:06 you will help me in my need. By my own fault I have fallen into these straits, and I am weary, for I seek my husband through the wide world. Indeed, spoke the son. Do you, rich as you are, need help? But though you live in a palace without windows, the sun enters everywhere, and he knows you. Then the bride told him the whole story,

Starting point is 05:52:31 story, and did not hide her own ill-doing. And the son listened and was sorry for her, and though he could not tell her where to go, he gave her a nut, and bid her open it in a time of great distress. The damsel thanked him with all her heart and departed, and walked and walked, till she came to another castle, and knocked at the door which was opened by an old woman. "'All hail,' said the girl, "'I have come of your charity to ask your health. help. It is my mistress the moon you seek. I will tell her of your prayer."

Starting point is 05:53:09 So the moon came out, and when she saw the maiden she knew her again, for she had watched her sleeping both in the cottage and in the palace, and she spake to her and said, Do you, rich as you are, need help? Then the girl told her the whole story, and the moon listened, and felt sorry for her, though she could not tell her where to find her husband, she gave her an almond, and told her to crack it when she was in great need. So the damsel thanked her and departed. And walked and walked and walked till she came to another castle, and she knocked at the door and said, All hail, I have come to ask if, of your charity, you will help me in my need.

Starting point is 05:53:57 It is my lord the wind that you want, answered the old woman who opened it. I will tell him of your prayer. And the wind looked on her and knew her again, for he had seen her in the cottage and in the palace, and he spake to her and said, Do you, rich as you are, want help? And she told him the whole story, and the wind listened and was sorry for her,

Starting point is 05:54:25 and he gave her a walnut that she was to eat in time of need. But the girl did not go as the woman. wind expected. She was tired and sad, and knew not where to turn. So she began to weep bitterly. The wind wept to for company and said, Don't be frightened. I will go and see if I can find out something. And the wind departed with a great noise and fuss, and in the twinkling of an eye he was back again, beaming with delight. From what one person and another have let fall, he exclaimed.

Starting point is 05:55:03 I have contrived to learn that he is in the palace of the king, who keeps him hidden, lest anyone should see him, and that to-morrow he is to marry the princess, who, ugly creatures that she is, has not been able to find any man to wed her. Who can tell the despair which seized the poor maiden when she heard this news? As soon as she could speak, she implored the wind to do all he could

Starting point is 05:55:32 to get the wedding put off for two or three days, for it would take her all that time to reach the palace of the king. The wind gladly promised to do what he could, and as he traveled much faster than the maiden, he soon arrived at the palace, where he found five tailors working night and day at the wedding clothes of the princess. Down came the wind right in the middle of their lace and satin and trimmings of pearl.

Starting point is 05:55:59 Away they all went, whish, through the open windows, right up into the tops of the trees, across the river, among the dancing ears of corn. After them race the tailors, catching, jumping, climbing, but all to no purpose. The lace was torn, the satin stained. The pearls knocked off. There was nothing for it but to go to the shops to buy fresh and begin all over again. It was plainly quite impossible that the wedding clothes could be ready next day. However, the king was much too anxious to see his daughter married to listen to any excuses,

Starting point is 05:56:36 and he declared that a dress must be put together somehow for the bride to wear. But when he went to look at the princess, she was such a figure that he agreed that it would be unfitting for her position to be seen in such a gown, and he ordered the ceremony and the banquet to be postponed for a few hours, so that the tailors might take the dress to pieces and make it fit. But by this time the maiden had arrived, footsore and weary at the castle. And as soon as she reached the door, she cracked her nut and drew out of it the most beautiful mantle in the world. Then she rang the bell and asked,

Starting point is 05:57:14 Is not the princess to be married today? Yes, she is. Ask her if she would like to buy this mantle. And when the princess saw the mantle, she was delighted, for her wedding mantle had been spoiled with all the other things, and it was too late to make another, so she told the maiden to ask what price she would, and should it be given her.

Starting point is 05:57:38 The maiden fixed a large sum, many pieces of gold, but the princess had set her heart on the mantle and gave it readily. Now the maiden hid her gold in the pocket of her dress, and turned away from the castle. The moment she was out of sight she broke her almond, and drew from it the most magnificent petticoats that ever were seen. Then she went back to the castle and asked if the princess wished to buy any petticoats. No sooner did the princess cast her eyes on the petticoats,

Starting point is 05:58:08 then she declared that they were even more beautiful than the mantle, and that she would give the maiden whatever price she wanted for them. And the maiden named many pieces of gold, which the princess paid her gladly. So pleased was she with her new possession. Then the girl went down the steps where none could watch her and cracked her walnut. And out came the most splendid court dress that any dressmaker had ever invented. And carrying it carefully in her arms, she knocked at the door,

Starting point is 05:58:39 and asked if the princess wished to buy a court dress. When the message was delivered, the princess sprang to her feet with delight, for she had been thinking that, after all, it was not much used to have a lovely mantle and elegant petticoats if she had no dress, and she knew the tailors would never be ready in time, so she sent at once to say she would buy the dress, and what some did the maiden want for it. This time the maiden answered that the price of the dress

Starting point is 05:59:07 was the permission to see the bridegroom. The princess was not at all pleased when she heard the maiden's reply, but, as she could not do without the dress, she was forced to give in, and contented herself with thinking that, after all, it did not matter much. So the maiden was led to the rooms which had been given to her husband, and when she came near she touched him with the sprig of rosemary that she carried, and his memory came back, and he knew her, and kissed her,

Starting point is 05:59:36 and declared that she was his true wife, and that he loved her and no other. Then they went back to the maiden's home, and grew to be very old, and lived happily all the days of their life. End of the sprig of Rosemary. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vovo. com

Starting point is 05:59:58 Section 30 of the Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The White Dove. From the Danish. A king had two sons. They were a pair of reckless.

Starting point is 06:00:25 fellows who always had something foolish to do. One day they rode out alone on the sea in a little boat. It was beautiful weather when they set out, but as soon as they had got some distance from the shore, there arose a terrific storm. The oars went overboard at once, and the little boat was tossed about on the rolling billows like a nutshell. The princes had to hold fast by the seats to keep from being thrown out of the boat. In the midst of all this they met a wonderful vessel. It was a do-do-becky, in which there sat an old woman. She called to them, and said that they could still get to shore alive if they would promise her the son that was next to come to their mother, the queen.

Starting point is 06:01:07 "'We can't do that,' shouted the princes. "'He doesn't belong to us, so we can't give him away.' "'Then you can rot at the bottom of the sea, both of you,' said the old woman, "'and perhaps it may be the case that your mother would rather keep the two sons she has than the one she hasn't got yet.' Then she rode away Erna Dootroft, while the storm howled still louder than before, and the water dashed over their boat until it was almost sinking. Then the princess thought that there was something in what the old woman had said about their

Starting point is 06:01:38 mother, and being, of course, eager to save their lives, they shouted to her, and promised that she should have their brother if she would deliver them from this danger. As soon as they had done so, the storm ceased and the waves fell. The boat drove ashore below their father's castle, and both princes were received with open arms by their father and mother, who had suffered great anxiety for them. The two brothers said nothing about what they had promised, neither at that time nor later on when the Queen's third son came, a beautiful boy whom she loved more than anything else in the world.

Starting point is 06:02:14 He was brought up and educated in his father's house until he was full grown, and still his brothers had never seen or heard anything about the witch to whom they had promised him before. he was born. It happened one evening that there arose a raging storm, with mist and darkness. It howled and roared around the king's palace, and in the midst of it there came a loud knock on the door of the hall where the youngest prince was. He went to the door and found there an old woman with the dootroff on her back, who said to him that he must go with her at once.

Starting point is 06:02:47 His brothers had promised him to her if she would save their lives. Yes, said he, If you saved my brother's lives and they promised me to you, then I will go with you. They therefore went down to the beach together where he had to take his seat in the trow, along with the witch, who sailed away with him over the sea,

Starting point is 06:03:08 home to her dwelling. The prince was now in the witch's power, and in her service. The first thing she set him to do was to pick feathers. The heap of feathers, that you see here," said she. You must get finished before I come home in the evening. Otherwise you shall be set to harder work."

Starting point is 06:03:30 He started to the feathers, and picked and picked until there was only a single feather left that had not passed through his hands. But then there came a whirlwind, and sent all the feathers flying, and swept them along the floor into a heap, where they lay as if they were trampled together. He had now to begin all his work over again. But by this time it only wanted an hour of evening, when the witch was to be expected home, and he easily saw that it was impossible for him to be finished by that time.

Starting point is 06:04:04 Then he heard something tapping at the window-pane, and a thin voice said, "'Let me in, and I will help you!' It was a white dove, which sat outside the window, and was pecking at it with its beak. he opened the window and the dove came in and set to work at once and picked all the feathers out of the heap with its beak before the hour was past the feathers were all nicely arranged the dove flew out at the window and at the same moment the witch came in at the door well well said she it was more than i would have expected of you to get all the feathers put in order so nicely however such a prince might be expected to have neat fingers next morning the witch said to the prince to-day you shall have some easy work to do outside the door i have some firewood lying you must split that for me into the little bits that i can kindle the fire with that will soon be done but you must be finished before i come home

Starting point is 06:05:08 the prince got a little axe and set to work at once he split and clove away and thought that he was getting on fast but the day wore on until it was long past midday and he was still very far from having finished He thought, in fact, that the pile of wood rather grew bigger than smaller, in spite of what he took off it. So he let his hands fall by his side, and dried the sweat from his forehead, and was ill at ease, for he knew that it would be bad for him if he was not finished with the work before the witch came home. Then the white dove came flying and settled down on the pile of wood, and cooed and said, "'Shall I help you?'

Starting point is 06:05:50 "'Yes,' said the prince. "'Many thanks for your help yesterday.' and for what you offer today. Thereupon this little dove seized one piece of wood after another, and split it with its beak. The prince could not take away the wood as quickly as the dove could split it, and in a short time it was all cleft into little sticks. The dove then flew up on his shoulder and sat there,

Starting point is 06:06:16 and the prince thanked it, and stroked and caressed its white feathers, and kissed its little red beak. With that it was a dove no longer but a beautiful, beautiful young maiden who stood by his side. She told him that she was a princess whom the witch had stolen, and it changed to this shape. But with his kiss she had got her human form again, and if he would be faithful to her, and take her to wife, she could free them both from the witch's power. The prince was quite captivated by the beautiful princess, and was quite willing

Starting point is 06:06:51 to do anything whatsoever to get her for himself. She then said to him, when the witch comes home you must ask her to grant you a wish when you have accomplished so well all that she is demanded of you when she agrees to this you must ask her straight out for the princess that she has flying about as a white dove but just now you must take a red silk thread and tie it round my little finger so that you may be able to recognize me again into whatever shape she turns me the prince made haste to get the silk thread tied round her little white finger at the same moment the princess became a dove again and flew away and immediately after that the old witch came home with her dothra on her back "'Well,' said she, "'I must say that you are clever at your work, "'and it is something, too, that such princely hands are not accustomed to.' "'Since you are so well pleased with my work,' said the prince,

Starting point is 06:07:50 "'you will, no doubt, be willing to give me a little pleasure, too, "'and give me something that I have taken a fancy to?' "'Oh, yes, indeed,' said the old woman. "'What is it that you want?' "'I want the princess here who is in the shape of a white dove,' said the prince. "'What nonsense?' said the witch. Why should you imagine that there are princesses here flying about in the shape of white doves? But if you will have a princess you can get one such as we have them.

Starting point is 06:08:18 She then came to him, dragging a shaggy little grey ass with long ears. "'Will you have this?' said she. "'You can't get any other princess.' The prince used his eyes and saw the red silk thread on one of the ass's hooves. So he said, "'Yes, just let me have it.' "'What will you do with it?' asked the witch. I will ride on it, said the prince, but with that the witch dragged it away again and came back

Starting point is 06:08:43 with an old, wrinkled, toothless hag whose hands trembled with age. You could have no other princesses, said she. Will you have her? Yes, I will, said the prince, for he saw the red silk thread on the old woman's finger. At this the witch became so furious that she danced about and knocked everything to pieces that she could lay her hands upon, so that the splinters flew about the ears of the prince and princess, who now stood there in her own beautiful shape. Then their marriage had to be celebrated, for the witch had to stick to what she had promised,

Starting point is 06:09:19 and he must get the princess whatever might happen afterwards. The princess now said to him, At the marriage feast you may eat what you please, but you must not drink anything whatever, for if you do that you will forget me. This, however, the prince forgot on the wedding. day, and stretched out his hand and took a cup of wine. But the princess was keeping watch over him, and gave him a push with her elbow, so that the wine flew over the tablecloth. Then the witch got up and laid about her among the plates and dishes, so that the pieces

Starting point is 06:09:55 flew about their ears, just as she had done when she was cheated the first time. They were then taken to the bridal chamber, and the door was shut. Then the princess said, Now the witch has kept her promise, but she will do no more if she can help it. So we must fly immediately. I shall lay two pieces of wood in the bed to answer for us when the witch speaks to us. You can take the flower-pot and the glass of water that stands in the window, and we must slip out by that and get away. No sooner said than done, they hurried off out into the dark night,

Starting point is 06:10:31 the princess leading, because she knew the way, having spied it out while she flew about as a dove. At midnight the witch came to the door of the room and called into them, and the two pieces of wood answered her, so that she believed they were there, and went away again. Before daybreak she was at the door again and called to them, and again the pieces of wood answered for them. She thus thought that she had them, and when the sun rose the bridal night was past, she had then kept her promise and could vent her anger and revenge on both of them.

Starting point is 06:11:06 With the first sunbeam she broke into the room, but there she found no prince and no princess, nothing but the two pieces of firewood which lay in the bed, and stared, and spoke not a word. These she threw on the floor, so that they were splintered into a thousand pieces, and off she hastened after the fugitives. With the first sunbeam the princess said to the prince, "'Look round, do you see anything behind us?' "'Yes, I see a dark cloud far away,' said he. "'Then throw the flower-pot over your head,' said she.

Starting point is 06:11:43 "'When this was done, there was a large, thick forest behind them. When the witch came to the forest, she could not get through it until she went home and brought her axe to cut a path. A little after this the princess said again to the prince, "'Look round, do you see anything behind us?' yes said the prince the big black cloud is there again then throw the glass of water over your head said she when he had done this there was a great lake behind them and this the witch could not cross until she ran home again and brought her dootraw meanwhile the fugitives had reached the castle which was the prince's home they climbed over the garden wall ran across the garden and crept in at an open window By this time the witch was just at their heels, but the princess stood in the window and

Starting point is 06:12:36 blew upon the witch. Hundreds of white doves flew out of her mouth, fluttered and flapped around the witch's head until she grew so angry that she turned into flint, and there she stands to this day, in the shape of a large flint stone outside the window. Within the castle there was great rejoicing over the prince and his bride. His two elder brothers came and knelt before him and confessed what they had done, and said that he alone should inherit the kingdom, and there would always be his faithful subjects.

Starting point is 06:13:10 End of The White Dove. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www. voice of e.com Section 31 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 06:13:33 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Troll's Daughter From the Danish There was once a lad who went to look for a place As he went along he met a man Who asked him where he was going He told him his errand and the stranger said Then you can serve me

Starting point is 06:13:52 I am just in want of a lad like you And I will give you good wages A bushel of money the first year Two the second year and three the third year For you must serve me three years And obey me in everything however strange it seems to you. You need not be afraid of taking service with me,

Starting point is 06:14:12 for there is no danger in it if you only know how to obey. The bargain was made, and the lad went home with the man to whom he had engaged himself. It was a strange place indeed, for he lived in a bank in the middle of the wild forest, and the lad saw there was no other person than his master. The latter was a great troll, and had marvelous power over men and beasts.

Starting point is 06:14:39 Next day, the lad had to begin his service. The first thing that the troll set him to do was to feed all the wild animals from the forest. These the troll had tied up, and there were both wolves and bears, deer and hares, which the troll had gathered in the stalls and folds in his stable down beneath the ground. And that stable was a mile long.

Starting point is 06:15:01 The boy, however, accomplished all this work on that, day, and the troll praised him and said that it was very well done. The next morning the troll said to him, Today the animals are not to be fed. They don't get the like of that every day. You shall have leave to play about for a little, until they are to be fed again. Then the troll said some words to him which he did not understand, and with that the lad turned into a hair and ran out into the wood.

Starting point is 06:15:32 He got plenty to run for, too, for all the the hunters aimed at him and tried to shoot him, and the dogs barked and ran after him whenever they got wind of him. He was the only animal that was left in the wood now, for the troll had tied up all the others, and every hunter in the whole country was eager to knock him over. But in this they met with no success. There was no dog that could overtake him, and no marksman that could hit him. They shot and shot at him, and he ran and ran. It was an unquiet life, but in the long run he got used to it, when he saw that there was no danger in it,

Starting point is 06:16:08 and it even amused him to be fool all the hunters and dogs that were so eager after him. Thus a whole year passed, and when it was over the troll called him home, for he was now in his power like all the other animals. The troll then said some words to him, which he did not understand, and the hare immediately became a human being again.

Starting point is 06:16:31 Well, how do you like to serve me? said the troll. troll, and how do you like being a hare? The lad replied that he liked it very well. He had never been able to go over the ground so quickly before. The troll then showed him the bushel of money that he had already earned, and the lad was well pleased to serve him for another year. The first day of the second year, the boy had the same work to do as on the previous one, namely, to feed all the wild animals in the troll's staple. When he had done this, the troll again said some words to him. And with that he became a raven, and flew high up into the air. This was delightful, the lad thought. He could go even faster now than when he was a hare, and the dogs could not

Starting point is 06:17:16 come after him here. This was a great delight to him, but he soon found out that he was not to be left quite at peace, for all the marksmen and hunters who saw him aimed at him and fired away, for they had no other birds to shoot at than himself, as the troll had tied up all the others. This, however, he also got used to, when he saw that they could never hit him, and in this way he flew about all that year, until the troll called him home again, said some strange words to him, and gave him his human shape again. Well, how did you like being a raven? said the troll. I liked it very well, said the lad, for never in all my days have I been able to rise so high.

Starting point is 06:18:01 The troll then showed him the two bushels of money which he had earned a little. that year, and the lad was well content to remain in his service for another year. Next day he got his old task of feeding all the wild beasts. When this was done, the troll again said some words to him, and at these he turned into a fish and sprang into the river. He swam up and he swam down, and thought it was pleasant to let himself drive with the stream. In this way he came right out into the sea and swam further and further out. At last he came to a glass palace. which stood at the bottom of the sea.

Starting point is 06:18:37 He could see into all the rooms and halls where everything was very grand. All the furniture was of white ivory, inlaid with gold and pearl. There were soft rugs and cushions of all the colors of the rainbow, and beautiful carpets that looked like the finest moss, and flowers and trees with curiously crooked branches, both green and yellow, white and red.

Starting point is 06:19:00 And there were also little fountains which sprang up from the most beautiful snail shells and fell into bright muscle shells, and at the same time made a most delightful music, which filled the whole palace. The most beautiful thing of all, however, was a young girl who went about there all alone. She went about from one room to another, but did not seem to be happy with all the grandeur she had around her. She walked in solitude and melancholy, and never even thought of looking at her own image in the polished glass walls that were on every side of her. although she was the prettiest creature anyone could wish to see.

Starting point is 06:19:39 The lad thought so too while he swam around the palace and peeped in from every side. Here indeed, it would be better to be a man than such a poor dumb fish. As I am now, said he to himself, if I could only remember the words that the troll says when he changes my shape, then perhaps I could help myself to become a man again. He swam and he pondered and he thought over this until he remembered the sound of what the troll said, and then he tried to say it himself. In a moment he stood in human form at the bottom of the sea.

Starting point is 06:20:16 He made haste to enter the glass palace and went up to the young girl and spoke to her. At first he nearly frightened the life out of her, but he talked to her so kindly and explained how he had come down there that she soon recovered from her alarm, and was very pleased to have some company to relieve the terrible solitude that she lived in. Time passed so quickly for both of them that the youth, for now he was quite a young man,

Starting point is 06:20:42 and no more a lad, forgot altogether how long he had been there. One day the girl said to him that now it was close on the time when he must become a fish again. The troll would soon call him home, and he would have to go. But before that he must put on the shape of a fish,

Starting point is 06:20:59 otherwise he could not pass through the sea alive. Before this, while he was staying down there, she had told him that she was a daughter of the same troll whom the youth served, and he had shut her up there to keep her away from everyone. She had now devised a plan by which they could perhaps succeed in getting to see each other again, and spending the rest of their lives together. But there was much to attend to,

Starting point is 06:21:26 and he must give careful heed to all that she told him. She told him then that all the kings in the country round about were in debt to her father the troll, and the king of a certain kingdom, the name of which she told him, was the first who had to pay, and if he could not do so at the time appointed he would lose his head. "'And he cannot pay,' said she. "'I know that for certain. Now you must, first of all, give up your service with my father. The three years are passed, and you are at liberty to go.

Starting point is 06:21:59 You will go off with your six bushels of money To the kingdom that I have told you of And there entered the service of the king When the time comes near for his debt becoming due You will be able to notice by his manner that he is ill at ease You shall then say to him that you know well enough what it is that is weighing upon him That it is the debt which he owes to the troll and cannot pay But that you can lend him the money

Starting point is 06:22:28 The amount is six bushels, just what you have. You shall, however, only lend them to him on the condition that you may accompany him when he goes to make the payment, and that you then have permission to run before him as a fool. When you arrive at the Troll's abode, you must perform all kinds of foolish tricks, and see that you break a whole lot of his windows, and do all other damage that you can. My father will then get very angry, and as the king must answer for what his fool does, he will sentence him, even although he has paid his debt, either to answer three questions or to lose his life.

Starting point is 06:23:10 The first question my father will ask will be, where is my daughter? Then you shall step forward and answer, she is at the bottom of the sea. He will then ask you whether you can recognize her, and to this you will answer, yes. Then he will bring forward a whole troop of women, and cause them to pass before you, in order that you may pick out the one that you take for his daughter. You will not be able to recognize me at all, and therefore I will catch hold of you as I go past so that you may notice it, and you must then make haste to catch me and hold me fast. You have then answered his first question.

Starting point is 06:23:47 His next question will be, where is my heart? You shall then step forward again and answer, it is in a fish. Do you know that fish? He will say, and you will again answer, yes. He will then cause all kinds of fish to come before you, and you shall choose between them.

Starting point is 06:24:06 I shall take good care to keep by your side, and when the right fish comes, I will give you a little push, and with that you will seize the fish and cut it up. Then all will be over with the troll. He will ask no more questions, and we shall be free to wed. When the youth had got all these directions as to what he had to do when he got ashore again,

Starting point is 06:24:28 the next thing was to remember the words which the troll said when he had changed him from a human being to an animal. But these he had forgotten, and the girl did not know them either. He went about all day in despair, and thought and thought, but he could not remember what they sounded like. During the night he could not sleep, until towards morning he fell into a slumber, and all at once, it flashed upon him what the troll used to say. He made haste to repeat the words,

Starting point is 06:24:59 and at the same moment he became a fish again and slipped out into the sea. Immediately after this he was called upon and swam through the sea up the river to where the troll stood on the bank and restored him to human shape with the same words as before. Well, how do you like to be a fish? asked the troll.

Starting point is 06:25:19 It was what he had liked best of all, said the youth, and that was no lie as everybody can guess. The troll then showed him the three bushels of money which he had earned during the past year. They stood beside the other three, and all the six now belonged to him. Perhaps you will serve me for another year yet, said the troll, and you will get six bushels of money for it.

Starting point is 06:25:43 That makes twelve in all, and that's a pretty penny. No, said the youth. He thought he had done enough, and was anxious to go to some other place to serve, and learn other people's ways, but he would perhaps come back to the troll some other time. The troll said that he would always be welcome. He had served him faithfully for the three years they had agreed upon,

Starting point is 06:26:06 and he could make no objections to his leaving now. The youth then got his six bushels of money, and with these he betook himself straight to the kingdom which his sweetheart had told him of. He got his money buried in a lonely spot close to the king, king's palace, and then went in there and asked to be taken into service. He obtained his request, and was taken on as a stableman, to tend the king's horses. Some time passed, and he noticed how the king always went about sorrowing and grieving, and was never glad or happy. One day, the

Starting point is 06:26:40 king came into the stable, where there was no one present except the youth, who said straight out to him that, with His Majesty's permission, he wished to ask him why he was so sorrow. It is of no use speaking about that, said the king. You cannot help me at any rate. You don't know about that, said the youth. I know well enough what it is that lies so heavy on your mind, and I know also of a plan to get the money paid. This was quite another case,

Starting point is 06:27:12 and the king had more talk with the stablemen, who said that he could easily lend the king the six bushels of money, but would only do it on condition that he should be allowed to accompany the king when he went to pay the debt, and that he should then be dressed like the king's court fool and run before him. He would cause some trouble, for which the king would be severely spoken to, but he would answer for it that no harm would befallen. The king gladly agreed to all that the youth proposed,

Starting point is 06:27:40 and now it was high time for them to set out. When they came to the troll's dwelling it was no longer in the bank, but on the top of this there stood a large castle which the youth had never seen before. The troll could, in fact, make it visible or invisible just as he pleased, and, knowing as much as he did of the troll's magic arts, the youth was not at all surprised at this. When they came near to this castle, which looked as if it was a pure glass, the youth ran on in front as the king's fool. Heron sometimes facing forwards, sometimes backwards, stood sometimes on his head, and

Starting point is 06:28:16 sometimes on his feet, and he dashed in pieces so many of the troll's big glass. windows and doors that it was something awful to see, and overturned everything he could, and made a fearful disturbance. The troll came rushing out, and was so angry and furious, and abused the king with all his might for bringing such a wretched fool with him, as he was sure that he could not pay the least bit of all the damage that had been done, when he could not even pay off his old debt. The fool, however, spoke up, and said that he could do so quite easily, and the king then came forward with the six bushels of money which the youth had lent him. They were measured and found to be correct.

Starting point is 06:28:58 This the troll had not reckoned on, but he could make no objection against it. The old debt was honestly paid, and the king got his bond back again. But there still remained all the damage that had been done that day, and the king had nothing with which to pay for this. The troll therefore sentenced the king, either to answer three questions that he would put to him,

Starting point is 06:29:19 or have his head taken off, as was agreed in the old bond. There was nothing else to be done than to try to answer the troll's riddles. The fool then stationed himself just by the king's side while the troll came forward with his questions. His first asked, Where is my daughter? The fool spoke up and said, She is at the bottom of the sea. How do you know that? said the troll.

Starting point is 06:29:46 The little fish saw it, said the fool. Would you know her? said the troll. Yes, bring her forward, said the fool. The troll made a whole crowd of women go past them, one after the other. But all these were nothing but shadows and deceptions. Amongst the very last was the troll's real daughter,

Starting point is 06:30:07 who pinched the fool as she went past him, to make him aware of her presence. He thereupon caught her round the waist and held her fast, and the troll had to admit that his first riddle was solved. Then the troll asked again, Where is my heart? It is in a fish, said the fool. Would you know that fish? said the troll.

Starting point is 06:30:27 Yes, bring it forward, said the fool. Then all the fishes came swimming past them, and meanwhile the troll's daughters stood just by the youth's side. When at last the right fish came swimming along, she gave him a nudge, and he seized it at once, drove his knife into it and split it up, took the heart out of it and cut it through the middle.

Starting point is 06:30:50 At the same moment the troll fell dead and turned into pieces of flint. With that, all the bonds that the troll had bound were broken. All the wild beasts and birds which he had caught and hid under the ground were free now and dispersed themselves in the woods and in the air. The youth and his sweetheart entered the castle, which was now theirs, and held their wedding, and all the kings roundabout, who had been in the troll's debt, We're now out of it, came to the wedding, and saluted the youth as their emperor, and he ruled over them all, and kept peace between them,

Starting point is 06:31:25 and lived in his castle with his beautiful empress in great joy and magnificence. And if they had not died since they are living there to this day. End of The Troll's Daughter. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.vo.vovovovovo.com. Section 32 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 06:32:01 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Esben and the Witch, from the Danish. There was once a man who had 12 sons. The 11 eldest were both big and strong, but the 12th, whose name was Esben, was only a little fellow. The 11 eldest went out with their first. father to field and forest, but has been preferred to stay at home with his mother, and so he was never reckoned at all by the rest, but was a sort of outcast among them. When the eleven had grown

Starting point is 06:32:33 up to be men, they decided to go out into the world to try their fortune, and they plagued their father to give them what they required for the journey. The father was not much in favor of this, for he was now old and weak, and could not well spare them from helping him with his work, but in the long run he had to give in. Each one of the eleven got a fine white horse and money for the journey, and so they said farewell to their father and their home, and rode away. As for Esben, no one had ever thought about him. His brothers had not even said farewell to him.

Starting point is 06:33:08 After the eleven were gone, Esben went to his father and said, Father, give me also a horse and money. I should also like to see roundabout me in the world. "'You are a little fool,' said his father. "'If I could have let you go and kept your eleven brothers at home, "'it would have been better for me in my old age.' "'Well, you will soon be rid of me at any rate,' said Esben. "'As he could get no other horse,

Starting point is 06:33:35 "'he went into the forest, broke off a branch, "'stripped the bark off of it, "'so that it became still wider than his brother's horses, "'and, mounted on this rode off after his eleven brothers. The brothers rode on the whole day, and towards evening they came to a great forest, which they entered. Far within the wood they came to a little house, and knocked at the door. There came an old, ugly bearded hag and opened it, and they asked her whether all of them could get quarters for the night. Yes, said the old bearded hag.

Starting point is 06:34:10 You shall all have quarters for the night, and, in addition, each of you. shall have one of my daughters. The eleven brothers thought that they had come to very hospitable people. They were well attended to, and when they went to bed, each of them got one of the Hags daughters. Esben had been coming along behind them, and had followed the same way, and had also found the same house in the forest. He slipped into this without either the witch or the daughters noticing him, and hid himself

Starting point is 06:34:42 under one of the beds. A little before midnight he crept quietly out and wakened his house. brothers. He told these to change nightcaps with the witch's daughters. The brothers saw no reason for this, but to get rid of Esmond's persistence, they made the exchange and slept soundly again. When midnight came, Esben heard the old witch come creeping along. She had a broad-bladed axe in her hand and went over all the eleven beds. It was so dark that she could not see a hand's breath before her. But she felt her way, and hacked the heads off all the sleepers who had the men's nightcaps on, and these were her own daughters. As soon as she had gone her way, Aspen

Starting point is 06:35:24 wakened his brothers, and they hastily took their horses and rode off from the witch's house, glad that they had escaped so well. They quite forgot to thank Esben for what he had done for them. When they had ridden onwards for some time, they reached a king's palace, and inquired there whether they could be taken into service. Quite easily, they were told, if there would be stablemen, otherwise the king had no use for them. They were quite ready for this,

Starting point is 06:35:53 and got the task of looking after all the king's horses. Long after them came Esbin riding on his stick, and he also wanted to get a place in the palace, but no one had any use for him, and he was told that he could just go back the way he had come. However, he stayed there, occupied himself as best he could. He got his food, but nothing more, and by night he lay just where he could. At this time there was in the palace a knight who was called Sir Red. He was very

Starting point is 06:36:26 well liked by the king, but hated by everyone else, for he was wicked both in will and deed. This Sir Red became angry with the Eleven brothers, because they would not always stand at attention for him, so he determined to avenge himself on them. One day, therefore, he went to the king, and said that the eleven brothers who had come to the palace a little while ago, and served as stablemen, could do a great deal more than they pretended. One day he had heard them say that if they liked they could get for the king a wonderful dove which had a feather of gold and a feather of silver time about.

Starting point is 06:37:04 But they would not procure it unless they were threatened with death. The king then had the eleven brothers called before him, and said to them, "'You have said that you can get me a dove "'which has feathers of gold and silver time about.' "'All the eleven assured him "'that they had never said anything of the kind, "'and they did not believe that such a dove existed in the whole world. "'Take your own mind of it,' said the king.

Starting point is 06:37:30 "'But if you don't get that dove within three days, "'you shall lose your heads. "'The whole lot of you.' "'With that the king let them go. "'And there was great, grief among them. Some wept, and others lamented. At that moment Esben came along, and, seeing their sorrowful look, said to them, Hello, what's the matter with you?

Starting point is 06:37:54 What good would it do to tell you, you little fool? You can't help us. Oh, you don't know that, answered Esbin. I have helped you before. In the end, they told him how unreasonable the king was, and how he had ordered them to get for him a dove with feathers of gold and silver time about. Give me a bag of peas, said Esban, and I shall see what I can do for you. Asban got his bag of peas,

Starting point is 06:38:23 then he took his white stick and said, Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream. Straight away the stick carried him across the river and straight into the old witch's courtyard. Esban had noticed that she had such a dove, so when he arrived in the courtyard, he shook the peas out of the bag,

Starting point is 06:38:42 and the dove came fluttering down to pick them up. Esmond caught it at once and put it into the bag, and hurried off before the witch caught sight of him. But the next moment she came running and shouted after him, Hi, hey, is that you, Espen? Yes. Is it you that has taken my dove? Yes.

Starting point is 06:39:07 Was it you that made me kill my husband? eleven daughters? Yes. Are you coming back again? That may be, said Esben. Then you'll catch it, shouted the witch. The stick carried Esbin with the dove back to the king's palace, and his brothers were greatly delighted.

Starting point is 06:39:31 The king thanked them many times for the dove, and gave them in return both silver and gold. At this, Sir Red became still more and bittered, and again thought of how to avenge himself on the brothers. One day he went to the king and told him that the dove was by no means the best thing that the brothers could get for him, for one day he had heard them talking quietly among themselves, and they had said that they could procure a boar whose bristles were of gold and silver time about.

Starting point is 06:40:02 The king again summoned the brothers before him, and asked whether it was true that they had said that they could get for him a boar whose bristles. were of gold and silver time about. No, said the brothers. They had never said nor thought such a thing, and they did not believe that there was such a bore in the whole world. You must get me that bore within three days, said the king, or it will cost you your heads.

Starting point is 06:40:30 With that they had to go. This was still worse than before, they thought. Where could they get such a marvelous boar? this bore. They all went about hanging their heads, but when only one day remained of the three, Esban came along. When he saw his brother's sorrowful looks, he cried, Hello, what's the matter now? Oh, what's the use of telling you, said his brothers. You can't help us at any rate. Ah, you don't know that, said Esbin. I've helped you before. In the end, they told him how Sir Red had stirred up the king against them, so that he had ordered him

Starting point is 06:41:09 to get for him a bore with bristles of gold and silver time about. That's all right, said Esben. Give me a sack of malt, and it is not quite impossible that I may be able to help you. Esben got his sack of malt. Then he took his little white stick, set himself upon it, and said, Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream. Off went the stick with him,

Starting point is 06:41:34 and very soon he was again in the witch's courtyard. There he emptied out. out the malt, and next moment came the boar, which had every second bristle of gold and of silver. Aspen at once put it into his sack and hurried off before the witch should catch side of him. But the next moment she came running and shouted after him, Hey, is that you, Espen? Yes.

Starting point is 06:41:57 Is it you that has taken my pretty boar? Yes. It was also you that took my dove? Yes. And it was you that made me kill me. my eleven daughters. Yes. Are you coming back again?

Starting point is 06:42:15 That may be, said Esben. Then you'll catch it, said the witch. Aspen was soon back at the palace with the boar, and his brother scarcely knew which leg to stand on, so rejoiced were they that they were safe again. Not one of them, however, ever thought of thanking Esbin for what he had done for them. The king was still more rejoiced.

Starting point is 06:42:40 over the boar than he had been over the dove, and did not know what to give the brothers for it. At this, Sir Red was again possessed with anger and envy, and again he went about and planned how to get the brothers into trouble. One day he went again to the king and said, These eleven brothers have now procured the dove and the boar, but they can do much more than that. I know they have said if they liked they could get for the king a lamp that can shun, over seven kingdoms. If they have said that, said the king, they shall also be made to bring it to me.

Starting point is 06:43:20 That would be a glorious lamp for me. Again, the king sent a message to the brothers to come up to the palace. They went accordingly, although very unwillingly, for they suspected that Sir Redd had fallen on some new plan to bring them into trouble. As soon as they came before the king, he said to them,

Starting point is 06:43:40 You brothers have said that you could, if you liked, get for me a lamp that can shine over seven kingdoms. That lamp must be mine within three days, or it will cost you your lives. The brothers assured him that they had never said so, and they were sure that no such lamp existed, but their words were of no avail. The lamp, said the king,

Starting point is 06:44:06 or it will cost you your heads. The brothers were now in greater despair than ever. They did not know what to do for such a lamp no one had ever heard of. But just as things looked their worst, along came Esbin. Something wrong again, said he. What's the matter with you now? Oh, it's no use telling you, said they.

Starting point is 06:44:28 You can't help us at any rate. Oh, you might as least tell me, said Esbin. I have helped you before. In the end, they told him that they, the king had ordered them to bring him a lamp which could shine over seven kingdoms. But such a lamp no one had ever heard tell of. Give me a bushel of salt, said Esbin, and we shall see how matters go. He got his bushel of salt, and then mounted his little white stick and said,

Starting point is 06:44:56 Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream. With that, both he and his bushels of salt were over beside the witch's courtyard, But now matters were less easy, for he could not get inside the yard, as it was evening and the gate was locked. Finally he hit upon a plan. He got up on the roof and crept down the chimney. He searched all round for the lamp, but could find it nowhere, for the which always had it safely guarded, as it was one of her most precious treasures.

Starting point is 06:45:30 When he became tired of searching for it he crept into the baking oven, intending to lie down there and sleep till morning. But just at that moment he heard the witch calling from her bed to one of her daughters, and telling her to make some porridge for her. She had grown hungry, and had taken such a fancy to some porridge. The daughter got out of bed, kindled the fire, and put on a pot with water in it. "'You mustn't put any salt in the porridge, though,' cried the witch. "'No, neither will I,' said the daughter. But while she was away, getting the meal, has been slipped out of the oven and emptied the whole bushel of salt into the pot. The daughter came back then and put it in the meal. And after it had boiled a little, she took it into her mother.

Starting point is 06:46:16 The witch took a spoonful and tasted it. Oh, said she, didn't I tell you not to put any salt in it? And it's just as salt as the sea. So the daughter had to go and make new porridge, and her mother warned her strictly not to put any salt in it. But now there was no water in the so she asked her mother to give her the lamp so that she could go out to the well for more. There you have it then, said the witch, but take good care of it. The daughter took the lamp, which shone over seven kingdoms, and went out to the well for water, while Aspen slipped out after her. When she was going to draw the water from the well, she set the lamp down on a stone beside her. Aspen watched his chance,

Starting point is 06:46:59 seized the lamp, and gave her a push from behind so that she plumped headfirst into the well. Then he made off with the lamp. But the witch got out of her bed and ran after him crying, Hey, is that you again, Espen? Yes. Was it you that took my dove? Yes. Was it also you that took my boar?

Starting point is 06:47:22 Yes. And was it you that made me kill my eleven daughters? Yes. And now you have taken my lamp and drowned my twelfth daughter in the well? Yes. Are you coming back again? That may be, said Esben. Then you'll catch it, said the witch.

Starting point is 06:47:44 It was only a minute before the stick had again landed Esben at the king's palace, and the brothers were then freed from their distress. The king gave them many fine presents, but Esben did not get even so much as thanks from them. Never had Sir Red been so eaten up with envy as he was now, and he racked his brain day and night to find something quite impossible to demand from the brothers.

Starting point is 06:48:10 One day, he went to the king and told him that the lamp the brothers had procured was good enough, but they could still get for him something that was far better. The king asked him what it was. It is, said Sir Red, the most beautiful coverlet that any mortal ever heard tell of.

Starting point is 06:48:30 It also has the property that, when anyone touches it, it sounds so that it can be heard over eight kingdoms. That must be a splendid coverlet, said the king, and he at once sent for the brothers. You have said that you know of a coverlet, the most beautiful in the whole world, and which sounds over eight kingdoms when anyone touches it. You shall procure it for me, or else lose your lives, said he. The brothers answered him that they had never said a word about such a coverlet. They did not believe it existed, and that it was quite impossible for them to procure it. But the king would not hear a word. He drove them away, telling them that if they did not get

Starting point is 06:49:19 it very soon, it would cost them their heads. Things looked very black again for the brothers, for they were sure there was no escape for them. The youngest of them, indeed asked where Aspen was, but the others said that the little fool could scarcely keep himself in clothes, and it was not to be expected that he could help them. Not one of them thought it worth while to look for Esben, but he soon came along of himself. Well, what's the matter now? said he. Oh, what's the use of telling you, said the brothers? You can't help us at any rate. Ah, who knows that? said Esmond. I have helped you before.

Starting point is 06:49:59 In the end, the brothers told him about the coverlet which, when one touched it, sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms. Esben thought that this was the worst errand he had had yet, but he could do no worse than fail, and so he would make the attempt. He again took his little white stick and set himself on it and said, Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream. Next moment he was across the river and beside the witch's house, It was evening and the door was locked, but he knew the way down the chimney. When he had got into the house, however, the worst yet remained to do, for the coverlet was on the bed in which the witch lay and slept.

Starting point is 06:50:41 He slipped into the room without either she or her daughter awakening, but as soon as he touched the coverlet to take it, it sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms. The witch awoke sprang out of bed and caught hold of Esben. He struggled with her, but could not free himself, and the witch called to her daughter, Come and help me, we shall put him into the little dark room to be fattened. Ho-ho, now I have him. Esben was now put into a little dark hole,

Starting point is 06:51:10 where he neither saw sun nor moon. And there he was fed on sweet milk and nut kernels. The daughter had enough to do cracking nuts for him, and at the end of fourteen days she had only one tooth left in her mouth. She had broken all the rest with the nuts. in this time however she had taken a liking to esban and would willingly have set him free but could not when some time had passed the witch told her daughter to go and cut a finger off

Starting point is 06:51:39 Esben so that she could see whether he was nearly fat enough yet the daughter went and told Esben and asked him what she should do Esben told her to take an iron nail and wrap a piece of skin round it she could give her mother this to buy dat The daughter did so, but when the witch bit it she cried, Oh, no, no, this is nothing but skin and bone. He must be fattened much longer yet. So Esben was fed for a while longer on sweet milk and nut kernels,

Starting point is 06:52:09 until one day the witch thought that now he must surely be fat enough, and told her daughter again to go and cut a finger off him. By this time, Aspen was tired of staying in the dark hole, so he told her to go and cut a teed off a cow, and give it to the witch to bite at. This the daughter did, and the witch cried, Ah, now he is fat, so fat that one can scarcely feel the bone in him. Now he shall be killed.

Starting point is 06:52:37 Now this was just the very time that the witch had to go to Tram's church, where all the witches gather once every year, so she had no time to deal with Esben herself. She therefore told her daughter to heat up the big oven while she was away, take Esben out of his prison and roast him in there before she came back. The daughter promised all this, and the witch went off on her journey.

Starting point is 06:53:02 The daughter then made the oven as hot as could be and took Esben out of his prison in order to roast him. She brought the oven spade and told Esbin to seat himself on it so that she could shoot him into the oven. Esben accordingly took his seat on it, but when she had got him to the mouth of the oven, he spread his legs out wide, so that she could not get him pushed in.

Starting point is 06:53:23 You mustn't sit like that, said she. How then, said Esben. You must cross your legs, said the daughter, but Esben could not understand what she meant by this. Get out of the way, said she, and I will show you how to place yourself. She seated herself on the oven spade, but no sooner had she done so than Esben laid hold of it,

Starting point is 06:53:47 shot her into the oven and fastened the door of it. Then he ran and seized the coverlet, but as soon as he did so, it sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms. And the witch, who was at Tram's church, came flying home and shouted, Hey, is that you again, Aspen? Yes. It was you that made me kill my eleven daughters? Yes, and took my dove? Yes, and my beautiful boar, yes,

Starting point is 06:54:15 and drowned my twelfth daughter in the well and took my lamp? Yes! And now you have roasted my thirteenth, the last daughter in the oven, and taken my coverlet? Yes! Are you coming back again? No, never again, said Aspen.

Starting point is 06:54:37 At this the witch became so furious that she sprang into numberless pieces of flint, and from this came all the flintstones that finds about the country. Asban had found again his little stick, which the witch had taken from him, so he said, Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream. Next moment he was back at the king's palace. Here things were in a bad way, for the king had thrown all the eleven brothers into prison,

Starting point is 06:55:05 and they were to be executed very shortly because they had not brought him the coverlet. Asban now went up to the king and gave him the coverlet, with which the king was greatly delighted. When he touched it, it could be heard over eight kingdoms, and all the other kings sat and were angry because they had not one like it. Esben also told how everything had happened, and how Sir Red had done the brothers all the ill he could devise because he was envious of them. The brothers were at once set at liberty, while Sir Red, for his wickedness, was hanged on the highest tree that could be found,

Starting point is 06:55:39 and so he got the reward he deserved. Much was made of Esbin and his brothers, and these now thanked him for all that he had done for them. The twelve of them received as much gold and silver as they could carry, and betook themselves home to their old father. When he saw again his twelve sons, whom he had never expected to see more, he was so glad that he wept for joy. The brothers told him how much Asbin had done, and how he had saved their lives, and from that time forward, he was no longer the butt of the rest at home. End of Esbin and the Witch. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovovovovo.com.

Starting point is 06:56:28 Section 33 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Princess Minion Minet. Biblioth Diffries et Esgenies. Once upon a time there lived a young king whose name was Susie, and he had been brought up ever since he

Starting point is 06:56:53 was a baby by the fairy inconstancy. Now the fairy Jurette had a kind heart, but she was a very trying person to live with, for she never knew her own mind for two minutes together, and as she was the sole ruler at court till the prince grew up, everything was always at sixes and sevens. At first, she determined to follow the old custom of keeping the young young king ignorant of the duties he would have to perform some day. Then, quite suddenly, she resigned the reins of government into his hands, but, unluckily, it was too late to train him properly for the post. However, the fairy did not think of that, but, carried away by her new ideas, she hastily

Starting point is 06:57:37 formed a council and named as Prime Minister the excellent Ditto, so called because he had never been known to contradict anybody. Young Prince Susie had a handsome face, and at the bottom a good deal of common sense, but he had never been taught good manners, and was shy and awkward, and had besides never learned how to use his brains. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that the council did not get through much work. Indeed, the affairs of the country fell into such disorder that at last the people broke out into open rebellion, and it was only the courage of the king who continued,

Starting point is 06:58:17 continued to play the flute while swords and spears were flashing before the palace gate that prevented civil war from being declared. No sooner was the revolt put down than the council turned their attention to the question of the young king's marriage. Various princesses were proposed to him, and the fairy, who was anxious to get the affair over before she left the court forever, gave it as her opinion that the princess Diaphana would make the most suitable wife. Accordingly, envoys were sent to bring back an exact report of the princess's looks and ways, and they returned saying that she was tall and well-made, but so very light that the equerries who accompanied her in her walks had to be always watching her, lest she should suddenly be blown away. This had happened so often that her subjects lived in terror of losing her

Starting point is 06:59:08 all together, and tried everything they could think of to keep her to the ground. They even suggested that she should carry weights in her pockets or have them tied to her ankles. But this idea was given up, as the princess found it so uncomfortable. At length it was decided that she was never to go out in a wind, and in order to make matters sure still, the equities each held the end of a string which was fastened to her waist. The council talked over this report for some days, and then the king made up his mind that he would judge for himself, and pretended to be it. be his own ambassador. This plan was by no means new, but it had often succeeded, and anyhow,

Starting point is 06:59:52 they could think of nothing better. Such a splendid embassy had never before been seen in any country. The kingdom was left in the charge of the Prime Minister, who answered, did-o to everything. But the choice was better than it seemed, for the worthy man was much beloved by the people, he agreed with all they said, and they left him feeling very pleased with themselves and their own wisdom. When the king arrived at Diaphano's court, he found a magnificent reception awaiting him, for, though they pretended not to know who he was, secrets like this are never hidden. Now the young king had a great dislike to long ceremonies, so he proposed that his second interview with the princess should take place in the garden. The princess made some difficulties,

Starting point is 07:00:40 but, as the weather was lovely and very still, she at last consented to the king's wishes. But no sooner had they finished their first boughs and curtsies than a slight breeze sprung up, and began to sway the princess, whose equerries had retired out of respect. But the wind that he caused only drove her further away from him. He rushed after her, exclaiming, Oh, princess, are you really running away from me? Good gracious, no, she replied. "'Run a little quicker and you will be able to stop me,

Starting point is 07:01:12 "'and I shall be forever grateful.' "'That is what comes of talking in a garden,' she added in disgust, "'as if one wasn't much better in a room that was tightly closed all round. "'The king ran as fast as he could, "'but the wind ran faster still, "'and in a moment the princess was whirled to the bottom of the garden, "'which was bounded by a ditch. "'She cleared it like a bird,

Starting point is 07:01:35 "'and the king, who was obliged to stop short at the edge, saw the lovely Diaphana flying over the plane, sometimes driven to the right, sometimes to the left, till at last she vanished out of sight. By this time the whole court were running over the plane, some on foot and some on horseback, all hurrying to the help of their princess, who really was in some danger,

Starting point is 07:01:58 for the wind was rising to the force of a gale. The king looked on for a little and then returned with his attendance to the palace, reflecting all the while on the extreme lightness of his, proposed bride and the absurdity of having a wife that rose in the air better than any kite. He thought on the whole that it would be wiser not to wait longer, but to depart at once, and he started on horseback at the very moment when the princess had been found by her followers, wet to the skin and blown against a brick.

Starting point is 07:02:28 Susie met the carriage which was bringing her home and stopped to congratulate her on her escape, and to advise her to put on dry clothes. he continued his journey. It took a good while for the king to get home again, and he was rather cross at having had so much trouble for nothing. Besides which, his courtiers made fun at his adventure, and he did not like being laughed at, though, of course, they did not dare do it before his face.

Starting point is 07:02:54 And the end of it was that very soon he started on his travels again, only allowing one equerry to accompany him, and even this attendant he managed to lose the moment he had left his own kingdom behind him. Now, it was the custom in those days for princes and princesses to be brought up by fairies, who loved them as their own children, and did not mind what inconvenience they put other people to for their sakes, for all the world as if they had been real mothers. The fairy, Avaline, who lived in a country that touched at one point the kingdom of King Susie, had under her care the lovely princess Minion Minnet, and had made up her mind to marry her to the young king, who, in spite of his

Starting point is 07:03:39 awkward manners, which could be improved, was really very much nicer than most of the young men she was likely to meet. So Avaline made her preparations accordingly, and began by arranging that the equerry should lose himself in the forest, after which she took away the king's sword, and his horse while he lay asleep under a tree. Her reason for this was that she felt persuaded that finding himself suddenly alone and robbed of everything, the king would hide his real birth, and would have to fall back on his powers of pleasing, like other men, which would be much better for him. When the king awoke and found that the tree to which he had tied his horse had its lower branch broken, and that nothing living was in sight, he was much dismayed, and sought high and

Starting point is 07:04:26 low for his lost treasure, but all in vain. After a time he began to get hungry, so he decided that he'd better try to find his way out of the forest, and perhaps he might have a chance of getting something to eat. He had only gone a few steps when he met Avaline, who had taken the shape of an old woman with a heavy bundle of fagots on her back. She staggered along the path and almost fell at his feet, and, Sorsi, afraid that she might have hurt herself, picked her up and set her on her. her feet again before passing on his way. But he was not to be let off so easy.

Starting point is 07:05:02 "'What about my bundle?' cried the old woman. "'Where is your politeness? Really? You seem to have been very nicely brought up. What have they taught you?' "'taught me. Nothing,' replied he. "'I can well believe it,' she said. "'You don't know even how to pick up a bundle. Oh, you can come near, I am cleverer than you, and know how to pick up a bundle very well." The king blushed at her words, which she felt had a great deal of truth in them, and took up the bundle meekly. Avalon, delighted at the success of her first experiment, hobbled along after him, chattering all the while as old women do.

Starting point is 07:05:41 "'I wish,' she said, "'that all kings had done as much once in their lives, then they would know that a lot of trouble it takes to get wood for their fires.' Sorsi felt this to be true and was sorry for the old woman. Where are we going to? asked he. To the castle of the white demon. And if you are in want of work, I will find you something to do. But I can't do anything, he said, except carry a bundle, and I shan't earn much by that.

Starting point is 07:06:11 Oh, you're learning, replied the old woman, and it isn't bad for a first lesson. But the king was paying very little attention to her, for he was rather cross, very tired. Indeed, he felt that he really could not carry the bundle any further, and was about to lay it down when up came a young maiden more beautiful than the day, and covered with precious stones. She ran to them, exclaiming to the old woman, "'Oh, you poor thing! I was just coming after you to see if I could help you.' "'Here is a young man,' replied the old woman. "'Who will be quite ready to give you up the bundle? You see, he does not look as if he enjoyed

Starting point is 07:06:48 carrying it.' "'Will you let me take it, sir?' she asked. But the king felt ashamed of himself, and held on to it tightly, while the presence of the princess put him in a better temper. So they all traveled together till they arrived at a very ordinary-looking house, which Avaline pointed out as the castle of the white demon, and told the king that he might put down his bundle in the courtyard. The young man was terribly afraid of being recognized by someone in this strange position,

Starting point is 07:07:17 and would have turned on his heel and gone away had it not been for the thought of Minion Minette. Still, he felt very awkward and lonely, for both the princess and the old woman had entered the castle without taking the slightest notice of the young man, who remained where he was for some time, not quite knowing what he had better do. At length a servant arrived and led him up into a beautiful room filled with people, who were either playing on musical instruments or talking in a lively manner, which astonished the king, who stood silently listening, and not at all pleased that the want of attention paid him.

Starting point is 07:07:54 Matters went on this way for some time. Every day the king felt more and more in love with Minion Minnet, and every day the princess seemed more and more taken up with other people. At last, in despair, the prince sought out the old woman to try to get some advice from her as to his conduct, or, anyway, to have the pleasure of talking about Minion Minot. He found her spinning in an underground chamber, but quite ready to tell him all he wanted to know. In answer to his questions, he learned that in order to win the hand of the princess, it was not enough to be born a prince, for she would marry nobody who had not proved himself faithful,

Starting point is 07:08:32 and had besides all those talents and accomplishments which helped to make people happy. For a moment, Susie was very much cast down on hearing this, but then he plucked up. "'Tell me what I must do in order to win the heart of the princess, and no matter how hard it is I will do it, and show me how I can repay you for your kindness, and you shall have anything I can give you. Shall I bring in your bundle of faggots every day?' "'It is enough that you should have made the offer,' replied the old woman,

Starting point is 07:09:04 and she added holding out a skein of thread. "'Take this. One day you will be thankful for it, and when it becomes useless, your difficulties will be passed.' "'Is it the skein of my life?' he asked. "'It is the skein of your love's ill luck,' she said. And he took it and went away. Now the fairy Girouette, who had brought up Susie, had an old friend called Grimmis, the protectress of Prince Fluitt.

Starting point is 07:09:31 Grimmis often talked over the young prince's affairs with Girouette, and when she decided that he was old enough to govern his own kingdom, consulted Gerouet as to a suitable wife. Giroet, who never stopped to think or make inquiries, drew such a delightful picture of Minion Minot that Grimmus determined to spare no pains to bring about the marriage. And accordingly, Fluitt was presented at court. But, though the young man was pleasant and handsome, the princess thought him rather womanish in some ways, and displayed her opinion so openly as to draw upon herself and Avaline the

Starting point is 07:10:06 anger of the fairy, who declared that Minion Minot should never know happiness till she had found a bridge without an arch and a bird without feathers. So saying, she also went away. Before the king set out afresh on his travels, Avaline had restored to him his horse and his sword, and though these were but small consolation for the absence of the princess, they were better than nothing, for he felt that somehow they might be the means of leading him back to her.

Starting point is 07:10:35 After crossing several deserts, the king arrived at length in a country that seemed inhabited, but the instant he stepped over the border, he was seized and flung into chains and dragged at once to the capital. He asked his guards why he was treated like this, but the only answer he got was that he was in the territory of the Iron King, for in those days countries had no names of their own, but were called after their rulers. The young man was led into the presence of the Iron King,

Starting point is 07:11:04 who was seated on a black throne in a hall also hung with black, as a token of mourning for all the relations whom he had put to death. "'What are you doing in my country?' he cried fiercely. "'I came here by accident,' replied Susie. "'And if I ever escape from your clutches I will take warning by you "'and treat my subjects differently.' "'Do you dare to insult me in my own court?' cried the king. "'Away with him to Little Ease.'

Starting point is 07:11:33 "'Now Little Ease was an iron cage hung by four thick chains in the middle of a great vaulted hall, and the prisoner inside could neither sit nor stand nor lie, and beside that he was made to suffer by turns unbearable heat and cold, while a hundred heavy bolts kept everything safe. Girouette, whose business it was to see after Susie, had forgotten his existence in the excitement of some new idea, and he would not have been alive long to trouble anybody if Avaline had not come to the rescue and whispered in his ear, And the skein of thread?

Starting point is 07:12:12 He took it up obediently, though he did not see how it would help him, but he tied it round one of the iron bars of his cage, which seemed the only thing he could do and gave a pull. To his surprise, the bar gave way at once, and he found he could break it into a thousand pieces. After this, it did not take him long to get out of his cage, or to treat the closely barred windows of the hall in the same manner. But even after he had done all this, freedom appeared as far from him as ever,

Starting point is 07:12:45 for between him and the open country was a high wall, and so smooth that not even a monkey could climb it. Then Susie's heart died within him. He saw nothing for it but to submit to some horrible death, but he determined that the Iron King should not profit more than he could help. and flung his precious thread into the air, saying as he did so, O fairy, my misfortunes are greater than your power. I am grateful for your goodwill, but take back your gift.

Starting point is 07:13:17 The fairy had pity on his youth and want of faith, and took care that one end of the thread remained in his hand. He suddenly felt a jerk and saw that the thread must have caught on something, and this thought filled him with the daring that is born of despair. Better, he said to himself, trust to a thread, than to the mercies of a king. And gliding down, he found himself safe on the other side of the wall. Then he rolled up the thread and put it carefully into his pocket, breathing silent thanks to the fairy. Now, Minion Minot had been kept informed by Avaline of the prince's adventures,

Starting point is 07:13:55 and when she heard of the way in which he had been treated by the Iron King, she became furious, and began to prepare for war. She made her plans with all the secrecy she could, but when great armies are collected, people are apt to suspect a storm is brewing, and, of course, it is very difficult to keep anything hidden from fairy godmothers. Anyway, Grimus soon heard of it, and as she had never forgiven Minion Minnet for refusing Prince Fluid,

Starting point is 07:14:23 she felt that here was her chance of revenge. Up to this time, Avaline had been able to put a stop to many of Grimmis's spiteful tricks, and to keep guard over Minion Minnet. But she had no power over anything that happened at a distance, and when the princess declared her intention of putting herself at the head of her army, and began to train herself to bear fatigue by hunting daily, the fairy entreated her to be careful never to cross the borders of her dominions, without Avaline to protect her.

Starting point is 07:14:56 The princess at once gave her promise, and all went well for some days. Unluckily one morning, as Minion Minnet was cantering slowly on her beautiful white horse, thinking a great deal about Susie and not at all of the boundaries of her kingdom, of which indeed she was very ignorant,

Starting point is 07:15:14 she suddenly found herself in front of a house made entirely of dead leaves, which somehow brought all sorts of unpleasant things into her head. She remembered Avaline's warning and tried to turn her horse, but it stood as still as it was, it had been marble. Then the princess felt that she was slowly and against her will, being dragged to the ground. She shrieked and clung tightly to the saddle, but it was all in vain. She longed to fly, but something outside herself proved too strong for her, and she was forced to take the path that led to the house of dead leaves. Scarcely had her feet touched the threshold and grimace

Starting point is 07:15:55 appeared. So here you are at last, Minion Minnet. I have been watching you a long time, and my trap was ready for you from the beginning. Come here, my darling. I will teach you to make war on my friends. Things won't turn out exactly as you fancied. What you have got to do now is to go on your knees to the king and crave his pardon, and before he consents to a peace, You will have to implore him to grant you the favor of becoming his wife. Meanwhile, you will have to be my servant. From that day the poor princess was put to the hardest and dirtiest work, and each morning something more disagreeable seemed to await her.

Starting point is 07:16:44 Besides which, she had no food but a little black bread, and no bed but a little straw. Out of pure spite she was sent in the heat of the day to look after the geese, I would most likely have got a sunstroke if she had not happened to pick up in the fields a large fan, with which she sheltered her face. To be sure, a fan seems a rather an odd possession for a goose girl, but the princess did not think of that, and she forgot all her troubles when, on opening the fan to use it as a parasol,

Starting point is 07:17:14 out tumbled a letter from her lover. Then she felt sure that the fairy had not forgotten her, and took heart. When Grimmis saw that Minion Minot still managed to look as white as snow, instead of being burnt as brown as a berry, she wondered what could have happened, and began to watch her closely. The following day, when the sun was at his highest and hottest, she noticed her draw a fan from the folds of her dress and hold it before her eyes. The fairy in a rage tried to snatch it from her, but the princess would not let it go. Give me that fan at once, cried Grimmis. Never while I live, answered the princess, and not knowing where it would be safest, placed it under her feet. In an instant she felt herself rising from the ground, with a fan always beneath her,

Starting point is 07:18:07 and while Grimus was too much blinded by her fury to notice what was going on, the princess was quickly soaring out of her reach. All this time Susie had been wandering through the world with his precious thread carefully fastened round him, seeking every possible and impossible place where his beloved princess might chance to be. But, though he sometimes found traces of her, or even messages scratched on a rock, or cut in the bark of a tree, she herself was nowhere to be found. If she is not on the earth, said Susie to himself, perhaps she is hiding somewhere in the air. It is there that I shall find her. So by the help of his thread,

Starting point is 07:18:49 He tried to mount upwards, but he could go such a little way and hurt himself dreadfully when he tumbled back to earth again. Still, he did not give up, and after many days of efforts and tumbles, he found to his great joy that he could go a little higher and stay up a little longer than he had done it first. And by and by he was able to live in the air altogether. But alas, the world of the air seemed as empty of her as the world below. and Susie was beginning to despair, and to think that he must go and search the world that lay in the sea. He was floating sadly along, not paying any heed to where he was going, when he saw in the distance a beautiful, bright sort of bird coming toward him. His heart beat fast. He did not know why, and as they both drew near the voice of the princess exclaimed,

Starting point is 07:19:42 Behold the bird without feathers and the bridge without an arch. So their first meeting took place in the air, but it was nonetheless happy for that, and the fan grew big enough to hold the king as well as Avaline, who had hastened to give them some good advice. She guided the fan above the spot where the two armies lay encamped before each other ready to get battle. The fight was long and bloody, but in the end the Iron King was obliged to give way and surrender to the princess, who set him to keep King Susie's sheep, first making him swear a solemn oath that he was. would treat them kindly. Then the marriage took place in the presence of Girovet,

Starting point is 07:20:21 whom they had the greatest trouble to find, and who was much astonished to discover how much business had been got through in her absence. End of Princess Minion Minette. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.vo.vovovovovovovovo.com Section 34 of The Pink Ferry Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 07:20:51 recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Maiden Bright Eye From the Danish Once upon a time there was a man and his wife who had two children A boy and a girl The wife died and the man married again

Starting point is 07:21:09 His new wife had an only daughter Who was both ugly and untidy Whereas her stepdaughter was a beautiful girl And was known as Maiden Bright Eye Her stepmother was very mother was very cruel to her on this account. She had always to do the hardest work, and got very little to eat, and no attention paid to her. But to her own daughter she was all that was good. She was spared from all the hardest of the housework, and had always the prettiest clothes to wear.

Starting point is 07:21:39 Maiden Bridey had also to watch the sheep, but, of course, it would never do to let her go idle and enjoy herself too much at this work. So she had to pull Heather while she was out on the moors with them. Her stepmother gave her pancakes to take with her for her dinner, but she had mixed the flour with ashes, and made them just as bad as she could. The little girl came out on the moor and began to pull Heather on the side of a little mound. But next minute, a little fellow with a red cap on his head popped up out of the mound and said, "'Who's that pulling the roof off my house?' "'Oh, it's me, a poor little girl,' said she.

Starting point is 07:22:15 My mother sent me out here and told me to pull Heather. If you will be good to me, I will give you a bit of my dinner. The little fellow was quite willing, and she gave him the biggest share of her pancakes. They were not particularly good, but when one is hungry, anything tastes well. After he had got them all eaten, he said to her, Now I shall give you three wishes,

Starting point is 07:22:37 for you are a very nice little girl, but I will choose the wishes for you. You are beautiful, and much more beautiful shall you be, yes, so lovely that there will not be your like in the world. The next wish shall be that every time you open your mouth, a gold coin shall fall out of it, and your voice shall be like the most beautiful music. The third wish shall be that you may be married to the young king, and become the queen of the country. At the same time I shall give you a cap, which you must carefully keep,

Starting point is 07:23:10 for it can save you if you ever are in danger of your life, if you just put it on your head. Maiden Bridey thanked the little Bergman ever so often, and drove home her sheep in the evening. By that time she had grown so beautiful that her people could scarcely recognize her. Her stepmother asked her how it had come about that she had grown so beautiful. She told the whole story, for she always told the truth, that a little man had come to her out on the moor and had given her all this beauty. She did not tell, however, that she had given him a share of her dinner. The stepmother thought to herself, If one can become so beautiful by going out there,

Starting point is 07:23:51 my own daughter shall also be sent, for she can well stand being made a little prettier. Next morning she baked for her the finest cakes and dressed her prettily to go out with the sheep, but she was afraid to go away there without having a stick to defend herself with if anything should come near her. She was not very much inclined for pulling her, to Heather, as she never was in the habit of doing any work. But she was only a minute or so

Starting point is 07:24:19 at it when up came the same little fellow with the red cap, and said, "'Who's that pulling the roof off my house?' "'What's that to you?' said she. "'Well, if you will give me a bit of your dinner, I won't do you any mischief,' said he. "'I will give you something else in place of my dinner,' said she. "'I can easily eat it myself, but if you will have something you can have a whack of my stick. And with that she raised it in the air and struck the bergman over the head with it. "'What a wicked little girl you are,' said he. "'But you shall be done the better of this. I shall give you three wishes, and choose them for you.

Starting point is 07:24:59 First I shall say, ugly are you, but you shall become so ugly that there will not be an uglier one on earth. Next I shall wish that every time you open your mouth a big toad may fall out of it, and your voice shall be like the roaring of a bull. In the third place I shall wish for you a violent death. The girl went home in the evening, and when her mother saw her, she was as vexed as she could be, and with good reason, too, but it was still worse when she saw the toads fall out of her mouth and heard her voice. Now we must hear something about the step-son. He had gone out into the world to look about him, and took service in the king's palace. About this time he got permission to go home and see his sister,

Starting point is 07:25:41 and when he saw how lovely and beautiful she was, he was so pleased and delighted that when he came back to the king's palace, everyone there wanted to know what he was always so happy about. He told him that it was because he had such a lovely sister at home. At last it came to the ears of the king what the brother said about his sister, and besides that, the report of her beauty spread far and wide, so that the youth was summoned before the king, who asked him if everything was true that was told about the girl.

Starting point is 07:26:11 He said it was quite true, for he had seen her beauty with his own eyes, and had heard with his own ears how sweetly she could sing, and what a lovely voice she had. The king then took a great desire for her, and ordered her brother to go home and bring her back with him, for he trusted no one better to accomplish that errand. He got a ship, and everything else that he required, and sailed home for his sister,

Starting point is 07:26:36 As soon as the stepmother heard what his errand was she had once said to herself, "'This will never come about if I can do anything to hinder it. She must not be allowed to come to such honor.' She then got a dress made for her own daughter, like the finest robe for a queen, and she had a mask prepared and put upon her face, so that she looked quite pretty, and gave her strict orders not to take it off until the king had promised to wed her. The brother now set sail with his two sisters, for the stepmother pretended that the ugly one wanted to see the other a bit on her way.

Starting point is 07:27:13 But when they got out to sea, and Maiden Bright Eye came up on deck, the sister did as her mother had instructed her. She gave her a push and made her fall into the water. When the brother learned what had happened he was greatly distressed and did not know what to do. He could not bring himself to tell the truth about what had happened, nor did he expect that the king would believe it. In the long run he decided to hold on his way, and let things go as they liked. What he had expected happened, the king received his sister and wedded her at once, but repented it after the first night, as he could scarcely put down his foot in the morning for all the toads that were about the room, and when he saw her real face he was so enraged

Starting point is 07:27:54 against the brother that he had him thrown into a pit full of serpents. He was so angry, not merely because he had been deceived, but because he could not get rid of the ugly wretch that was now tied to him for life. Now we shall hear a little about Maiden Bridey. When she fell into the water she was fortunate enough to get the Bergman's cap put on her head, for now she was in danger of her life, and she was at once transformed into a duck. The duck swam away after the ship, and came to the King's Palace on the next evening. There it waddled up the drain, and so into the kitchen, where her little dog lay on the hearth stone.

Starting point is 07:28:33 It could not bear to stay in the fine chambers along with the ugly sister, and had taken refuge down there. The duck hopped up till it could talk to the dog. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where is my brother? He is in the serpent pit. Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king.

Starting point is 07:28:58 Alas, alas, I am here this evening, and shall be for two evenings yet, and then I shall never come again. When it had said this, the duck waddled off again. Several of the servant girls heard the conversation and were greatly surprised at it, and thought that it would be worthwhile to catch the bird next evening and see into the matter a little more closely. They had heard it say that it would come again.

Starting point is 07:29:22 Next evening it appeared as it had said, and a great many were present to see it. It came waddling in by the drain and went up to the dog, which was lying on the hearthstone. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where is my brother? He is in the serpent pit.

Starting point is 07:29:42 Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king. Alas, alas, I am here this evening, and I shall be for one evening yet, and then I shall never come again. After this it slipped out, and no one could get hold of it. But the king's cook thought to himself,

Starting point is 07:30:00 I shall see if I can't get hold of you tomorrow evening. On the third evening the duck again came waddling in by the drain, and up to the dog on the hearthstone. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where's my brother? He is in the serpent pit. Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king.

Starting point is 07:30:26 Alas, alas, now I shall never come again. With this it slipped. out again, but in the meantime the cook had posted himself at the outer end of the drain with a net, which he threw over it as it came out. In this way he caught it, and came into the others with the most beautiful duck they had ever seen, with so many golden feathers on it that everyone marvelled. No one, however, knew what was to be done with it, but after what they had learned they knew that there was something uncommon about it, so they took good care of it. At this time, the brother in the serpent pit dreamed that his right sister had come swimming to the king's palace

Starting point is 07:31:04 in the shape of a duck, and that she could not regain her own form until her beak was cut off. He got this dream told to someone, so that the king at last came to hear of it, and had him taken up out of the pit and brought before him. The king then asked him if he could produce to him his sister as beautiful as he had formerly described her. The brother said he could if they would bring him the duck and a knife. Both of them were brought to him. him and he said, I wonder how you would look if I were to cut the point off your beak. With this, he cut a piece off the beak, and there came a voice which said, Oh, oh, you cut my little finger.

Starting point is 07:31:43 Next moment, Maiden Bright Eye stood there, as lovely and beautiful as he had seen her when he was home. This was his sister now, he said, and the whole story now came out of how the other had behaved to her. The wicked sister was put into a barrel with spikes round it. which was dragged off by six wild horses, and so she came to her end. But the king was delighted with Maiden Bright Eye

Starting point is 07:32:07 and immediately made her his queen, while her brother became his prime minister. End of Maiden Bright Eye. Recording by Elliot Miller. www.vo.vovovovovovovovovovovovo.com. Section 35 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller

Starting point is 07:32:35 The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Merry Wives From the Danish There lay three houses in a row In one of which there lived tailor In another carpenter And in the third a smith All three were married

Starting point is 07:32:54 And their wives were very good friends They often talked about how stupid their husbands were But they could never agree as to which of them had the most stupid one. Each one stuck up for her own husband and maintained that it was he. The three wives went to church together every Sunday and had a regular good gossip on the way.

Starting point is 07:33:15 And when they were coming home from church, they always turned into the tavern which lay by the wayside and drank half a pint together. This was at the time when half a pint of brandy cost three pints, so that it was just a penny from each of them. but the brandy went up in price,

Starting point is 07:33:33 and the tavernor said that he must have four pence for the half-pint. They were greatly annoyed at this, for there were only three of them to share it, and none of them was willing to pay the extra penny. As they went home from the church that day, they decided to wager with each other as to whose husband was the most stupid, and the one who, on the following Sunday,

Starting point is 07:33:54 should be judged to have played her husband the greatest trick, should thereafter go free from paying, and each of the two others would give two pence for their Sunday's half-point. Next day, the tailor's wife said to her husband, I have some girls coming today to help to card my wool. There's a great deal to do, and we must be very busy. I am so annoyed that our watchdog is dead, for in the evening the young fellows will come about to get fun with the girls,

Starting point is 07:34:20 and they will get nothing done. If only we had a fierce watchdog, he would have kept them away. Yes, said the man, that would have been a good thing. Listen, good man, said the wife. You must just be the watchdog yourself and scare the fellows away from the house. The husband was not very sure about this,

Starting point is 07:34:43 although otherwise he was always ready to give in to her. Oh yes, you will see, it will work out all right, said the wife. And so towards the evening, she got the tailor dressed up in a shaggy fur coat, tied a black woolen cloth round his head, and chained him up beside the dog's dog kennel. There he stood and barked and growled at everyone that moved in his neighborhood. The neighbor wives knew all about this, and were greatly amused at it. On the day after this,

Starting point is 07:35:11 the carpenter had been out at work and came home quite merry, but as soon as he entered the house, his wife clapped her hands together and cried, My dear, what makes you look like that? You are ill. The carpenter knew nothing about being ill. He only thought he wanted something to eat, so he sat down at the table and began his dinner. His wife sat straight in front of him, with her hands folded, and shook her head and looked at him with an anxious air. "'You are getting worse, my dear,' she said. You are quite pale now. You have a serious illness about you. I can see it by your looks.' The husband now began to grow anxious, and thought that perhaps he was not quite well. "'No, indeed,' said she, "'it's high-tie. It's high-tieuise.

Starting point is 07:35:57 that you were in bed. Then she got him to lie down, and piled above him all the bedclothes she could find, and gave him various medicines while he grew worse and worse. "'You will never get over it,' said she. "'I'm afraid you're going to die.' "'Do you think so?' said the carpenter. "'I can well believe it, for I am indeed quite poorly.' In a little while she said again, "'Ah, now I must part with you. Here comes death. Now I must close your eyes, and she did so. The carpenter believed everything that his wife said, and so he believed now that he was dead,

Starting point is 07:36:34 and lay still and let her do as she pleased. She got her neighbors summoned, and they helped to lay him in the coffin. It was one of those he himself had made, but his wife had bored holes in it to let him get some air. She made a soft bed under him, and put a coverlet over him, and she folded his hands over his breast,

Starting point is 07:36:53 but instead of a flower or a psalm book, she gave him a pint bottle of brandy in his hands. After he had lain for a little, he took a little pull at this, and then another and another, and he thought this did him good, and soon he was sleeping sweetly, and dreaming that he was in heaven. Meanwhile, word had gone round the village that the carpenter was dead, and was to be buried the next day. It was now the turn of the Smith's wife. Her husband was lying sleeping off the effects of a drinking bout, so she pulled off all his clothes and made him black as coal from head to foot, and then let him sleep till far on in the day. The funeral party had already met at the carpenters, and marched off toward the church with the coffin, when the Smith's wife

Starting point is 07:37:40 came rushing into her husband. Gracious man, said she, you are lying there yet, you are sleeping too long, you know you're going to the funeral. The Smith was quite confused. He knew nothing about any funeral. "'It's our neighbor the carpenter,' said his wife, "'who is to be buried today. They are already halfway to church with him.' "'All right,' said the Smith. "'Make haste to help me on with my black clothes.'

Starting point is 07:38:05 "'What nonsense,' said his wife. "'You have them on already. Be off with you now.' The Smith looked down at his person and saw that he was a good deal blacker than he usually was. So he caught up his hat and ran out after the funeral. This was already close to the church, and the smith wanted to take part in carrying the coffin, like a good neighbor. So he ran with all his might and shouted after them,

Starting point is 07:38:29 Hey, wait a little, let me get a hold of him. The people turned around and saw the black figure coming and thought it was the devil himself, who wanted to get hold of the carpenter, so they threw down the coffin and took to their heels. The lid sprang off the coffin with a shock, and the carpenter woke up and looked out. He remembered the whole affair.

Starting point is 07:38:49 He knew he was dead, and he was going to be buried. and recognized the smith and said to him in a low voice, My good neighbor, if I hadn't been dead already, I should have laughed myself to death now to see you coming like this to my funeral. From that time forth, the carpenter's wife drank free of expense every Sunday, but the others had to admit that she had fooled her husband the best. End of The Merry Wives. Recording by Elliot Miller.

Starting point is 07:39:27 Section 36 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. King Lindorme from the Swedish. There once lived a king and a queen who ruled over a very great kingdom. They had large revenues and live happily with each other. But as the years went past, the king's heart became heavy, because the queen had no children.

Starting point is 07:39:54 She also sorrowed greatly over it, because although the king's heart became heavy, because although the king's heart became heavy, because the queen's heart became heavy, because although the queen's heart was her own children. She also sorrowed. She also sorrowed over it, because although the king said nothing to her about this trouble, yet she could see that it vexed him that they had no heir to the kingdom, and she wished every day that she might have one. One day a poor old woman came to the castle and asked to speak with the queen. The royal servants answered that they could not let such a poor beggar woman go into their royal mistress. They offered her a penny, and told her to go away.

Starting point is 07:40:21 Then the woman desired them to tell the queen that there stood at the palace-gade one who could help her secret sorrow. This message was taken to the queen, who gave them orders to bring the old woman to her. This was done, and the old woman said to her, I know your secret sorrow, O Queen, and am come to help you in it. You wish to have a son. You shall have two if you follow my instructions. The Queen was greatly surprised that the old woman knew her secret wish so well, and promised to follow her advice. You must have a bath set in your room, O Queen," said she, and filled with running water.

Starting point is 07:41:02 When you have bathed in this you will find, under the bath two red onions. These you must carefully peel and eat, and in time your wish will be fulfilled. The queen did as the poor woman told her, and after she had bathed she found the two onions under the bath. They were both alike in size and appearance. When she saw these, she knew that the woman had

Starting point is 07:41:25 been something more than she seemed to be. And in her delight she ate up one of the onions, skin and all. When she had done so she remembered that the woman had told her to peel them carefully before she ate them. It was now too late for the one of them, but she peeled the other and then ate it too. In due time it happened as the woman had said, but the first that the queen gave birth to was a hideous lindorm or serpent. No one saw this but her waiting woman, who threw it out of the window into the forest beside the castle. The next that came into the world was the most beautiful little prince, and he was shown to the king and queen, who knew nothing about his brother the Lindorm. There was now joy in all the palace, and over the whole country on account of the beautiful

Starting point is 07:42:12 prince. But no one knew that the queen's firstborn was a Lindorme, and lay in the wild forest. Time passed with the king, the queen, and the young prince in all happiness and prosperity, until he was twenty years of his age. Then his parents said to him that he should journey to another kingdom and seek for himself a bride, for they were beginning to grow old, and would fain see their son married, before they were laid in their grave.

Starting point is 07:42:41 The prince obeyed, had his horses harnessed to his gilded chariot, and set out to woo his bride. But when he came to the first crossways there lay a huge and terrible lindorm right across the road, so that his horses had to come to a standstill. "'Where are you driving to?' asked the Lindorm with a hideous voice. "'That does not concern you,' said the prince.

Starting point is 07:43:05 "'I am the prince and can drive where I please.' "'Turn back,' said the Lindorm. "'I know your errand, but you shall get no bride until I have got a mate and slept by her side.' The prince turned home again and told the king and queen what he had met at the crossroads. But they thought he should try again on the following day, and see whether he could not get past it, so that he might seek a bride in another kingdom. The prince did so, but got no further than the first crossroads. There lay the Lindorm again, who stopped him in the same way as before. The same thing happened on the third day when the prince tried to get past. The Lindorm

Starting point is 07:43:46 said with a threatening voice that before the prince could get a bride, he himself must find a mate. When the king and queen heard this for the third time, they could think of no better plan than to invite the Lindorm to the palace, and they should find him a mate. They thought that a Lindorm would be quite well satisfied with anyone they might give him, and so they would get some slave-woman to marry the monster. The Lindorme came to the palace and received a bride of this kind, but in the morning she lay torn in pieces, so it happened every time that the King and Queen compelled any woman to be his bride.

Starting point is 07:44:25 The report of this soon spread over all the country. Now it happened that there was a man who had married a second time, and his wife heard of the Lindorme with great delight. Her husband had a daughter by his first wife, who was more beautiful than all other maidens, and so gentle and good that she won the heart of all who knew her. His second wife, however, had also a grown-up daughter, who by herself would have been ugly and disagreeable enough,

Starting point is 07:44:52 but, beside her good and beautiful step-sister seemed still more ugly and wicked, so that all turned from her with loathing. The stepmother had long been annoyed that her husband's daughter was so much more beautiful than her own, and in her heart she conceived a bitter hatred for her stepdaughter. When she now heard that there was in the king's palace a Lindorme which tore in pieces all the women that were married to him, and demanded a beautiful maiden for his bride, she went to the king and said that her stepdaughter wished to wed the Lindorm so that the country's only prince might travel and seek a bride.

Starting point is 07:45:28 At this the king was greatly delighted and gave orders that the young girl should be brought to the palace. When the messengers came to fetch her she was terribly frightened, for she knew that it was her wicked stepmother who in this way was aiming at her life. She begged that she might be allowed to spend another night in her father's house. This was granted her, and she went to her mother's grave. There she lamented her hard fate in being given over to the Lindorm, and earnestly prayed her mother for counsel. How long she lay there by the grave and wept one cannot tell,

Starting point is 07:46:03 but sure it is that she fell asleep and slept until the sun rose. Then she rose up from the grave, quite happy at heart, and began to search about in the fields. There she found three nuts, which she carefully put away, in her pockets. When I come into very great danger, I must break one of these, she said to herself.

Starting point is 07:46:25 Then she went home, and set out quite willingly with the king's messengers. When these arrived at the palace with a beautiful young maiden, everyone pitied her fate. But she herself was of good courage, and asked the queen for another bridal chamber

Starting point is 07:46:39 than the one the Lindorme had had before. She got this, and then she requested them to put a pot full of strong lie on the fire and lay down three new scrubbing brushes. The queen gave orders that everything should be done as she desired, and then the maiden dressed herself in seven clean, snow-white shirts, and held her wedding with the Lindormm.

Starting point is 07:47:02 When they were left alone in the bridal chamber, the Lindorme, in a threatening voice, ordered her to undress herself. Undress yourself first, said she. None of the others bade me do that. He said in surprise. But I bid you, said she. Then the Lindorm began to wry, then groan, and breathed heavily, and after a little he had cast his outer skin which lay on the floor, hideous to behold.

Starting point is 07:47:33 Then his bride took off one of her snow-white shirts and cast it on the Lindorm's skin. Again he ordered her to undress, and again she commanded him to do so first. He had to obey, and with groaning and pain cast off her. of one skin after another, and for each skin the maiden threw off one of her shirts, until there lay on the floor seven Lindorme skins and six snow-white shirts. The seventh she still had on. The Lindorme now lay before her as a formless, slimy mass, which she, with all her might, began to scrub with a lye and new scrubbing brushes.

Starting point is 07:48:10 When she had nearly worn out the last of these there stood before her the loveliest youth in the world. He thanked her for having saved him from his enchantment, and told her that he was the King and Queen's eldest son, an heir to the kingdom. Then he asked her whether she would keep her promise she had made to the Lindorme, to share everything with him. To this she was well content to answer, Yes. Each time that the Lindorme had held his wedding, one of the King's retainers was sent next morning to open the door of the bridal chamber, and see whether the bride was alive. This next morning also he peeped in at the door, but what he saw there surprised him so much that he shut the door in a hurry, and hastened to the king and queen, who were waiting for his report.

Starting point is 07:48:57 He told him of the wonderful sight he had seen. On the floor lay seven Lindormskins and six snow-white shirts, and beside these three worn-out scrubbing brushes, while in the bed a beautiful youth was lying asleep beside the fair young maiden. The king and queen marveled greatly what this could mean, but just then the old woman who was spoken of in the beginning of the story was again brought into the queen. She reminded her how she had not followed her instructions, but had eaten the first onion with all its skins, on which account her firstborn had been a Lindorme. The waiting woman was then summoned, and admitted that she had thrown it out through the window into the forest. The king and queen now sent for their eldest son and his young bride. They

Starting point is 07:49:47 took them both in their arms and asked him to tell about his sorrowful lot during the twenty years he had lived in the forest as a hideous Lindorme. This he did, and then his parents had it proclaimed over the whole country that he was their eldest son, and along with his spouse should inherit the country and kingdom after them. Prince Lindorme and his beautiful wife now lived in joy and prosperity for a time in the palace, and when his father was laid in the grave, not long after this he obtained the whole kingdom. Soon afterwards, his mother also departed from this world. Now it happened that an enemy declared a war against the young king,

Starting point is 07:50:26 and as he foresaw that it would be three years at the least before he could return to his country and his queen, he ordered all his servants who remained at home to guard her most carefully, that they might be able to write to each other in confidence. He had two seal rings made, one for himself and one for his young queen, and issued an order that no one, under pain of death, was to open any letter that was sealed with one of these. Then he took farewell of his queen and marched out to war. The queen's wicked stepmother had heard with great grief

Starting point is 07:51:00 that her beautiful stepdaughter had prospered so well that she had not only preserved her life, but had even become queen of the country. She now plotted continually how she might destroy her good fortune. While King Lindorm was away at the war, the wicked woman came to the queen, and spoke fair to her, saying that she had always foreseen that her stepdaughter was destined to be something great in the world, and that she had on this account secured that she should be the enchanted prince's bride. The queen, who did not imagine that any person could be so deceitful, bade her stepmother welcome, and kept her beside her. Soon after this, the queen had two children, the prettiest boys that anyone could see. When she had written a letter to the king to tell him

Starting point is 07:51:49 of this, her stepmother asked leave to comb her hair for her, as her own mother used to do. The queen gave her permission, and the stepmother combed her hair until she fell asleep. Then she took the seal-ring off her neck and exchanged the letter for another, in which she had written that the queen had given birth to two whelps. When the king received this letter he was greatly distressed, but he remembered how he himself had lived for twenty years as a Lindorme, and had been freed from the spell by his young queen. He therefore wrote back to his most trusted retainer that the queen and her two welps should

Starting point is 07:52:27 be taken care of while he was away. The stepmother, however, took this letter as well, and wrote a new one, in which the king ordered that the queen and two little princes should be burnt at the stake. This she also sealed with the queen's seal, which was in all respect like the kings. The retainer was greatly shocked and grieved at the king's orders, for which he could discover no reason, but as he had not the heart to destroy three innocent beings, he had a great fire kindled, and in these he burnt a sheep and two lambs. so as to make people believe that he had carried out the king's commands.

Starting point is 07:53:03 The stepmother had made these known to the people, adding that the queen was a wicked sorceress. The faithful servant, however, told the queen that it was the king's command that during the years he was absent in the war, she should keep herself concealed in the castle, so that no one but himself should see her and the little princes. The queen obeyed, and no one knew but that both she and her children had been burned. But when the time came near for King Lindorme to return home from the war, the old retainer

Starting point is 07:53:33 grew frightened because he had not obeyed his orders. He therefore went to the queen and told her everything, at the same time showing her the king's letter containing the command to burn her and the princes. He then begged her to leave the palace before the king returned. The queen now took her two little sons and wandered out into the wild forest. They walked all day without ending a human habitation. and became very tired. The queen then caught sight of a man who carried some venison.

Starting point is 07:54:02 He seemed very poor and wretched, but the queen was glad to see a human being and asked him whether he knew where she and her little children could get a house over their heads for the night. The man answered that he had a little hut in the forest, and that she could rest there, but he also said that he was one who lived entirely apart from men, and own no more than the hut, a horse, and a dog,

Starting point is 07:54:26 and supported himself by hunting. The queen followed him to the hut and rested there overnight with her children, and when she awoke in the morning the man had already gone out hunting. The queen then began to put the room in order and prepare food, so that when the man came home he found everything neat and tidy, and this seemed to give him some pleasure. He spoke but little, however, and all that he said about himself was that his name was Peter. Later in the day he rode out into the forest, and the queen thought that he looked very unhappy.

Starting point is 07:55:01 While he was away, she looked about her in the hut a little more closely, and found a tub full of shirts stained with blood, lying among water. She was surprised at this, but thought that the man would get the blood on his shirt when he was carrying home venison. She washed the shirts and hung them up to dry, and said nothing to Peter about the matter. After some time had passed, she noticed that every day he came riding home from the forest, he took off a blood-stained shirt and put on a clean one. She then saw that it was something else than the blood of the deer that stained his shirts, so one day she took courage and asked him about it.

Starting point is 07:55:41 At first he refused to tell her, but then she related to him her own story and how she had succeeded in delivering the Lindorme. He then told her that he had formerly lived a wild life, and finally entered into a written contract with the evil spirit. Before this contract had expired, he had repented and turned from his evil ways, and withdrawn himself to this solitude. The evil one had then lost all power to take him, but so long as he had the contract he could compel him to meet him in the forest each day at a certain time,

Starting point is 07:56:14 where the evil spirits then scourged him till he bled. Next day when the time came for the man to ride into the forest, the queen asked him to stay at home and look after the princes, and she would go to meet the evil spirits in his place. The man was amazed, and said that this would not only cost her life, but would also bring upon him a greater misfortune than the one he was already under. She bade him be of good courage, looked to see that she had the three nuts,

Starting point is 07:56:44 which she had found beside her mother's grave, mounted her horse, and rode out into the forest. When she had ridden for some time, The evil spirits came forth and said, Here comes Peter's horse and Peter's hound, but Peter himself is not with them. Then at a distance she heard a terrible voice demanding to know what she wanted. I have come to get Peter's contract, said she.

Starting point is 07:57:09 At this there arose a terrible uproar among the evil spirits, and the worst voice among them all said, Ride home and tell Peter that when he comes tomorrow he shall get twice as many strokes as usual. The queen then took one of her nuts and cracked it, and turned her horse about. At this sparks of flyer flew out of all the trees, and the evil spirits howled as if they were being scourged back to their abode. Next day at the same time the queen again rode out into the forest. But on this occasion the spirits did not dare come so near her. They would not, however, give up the contract, but threatened both her and the man. Then she cracked her second

Starting point is 07:57:55 nut, and all the forests behind her seemed to be in fire and flames, and the evil spirits howled even worse than on the previous day, but the contract they would not give up. The queen had only one nut left now, but even that she was ready to give up in order to deliver the man. This time she cracked the nut as soon as she came near the place where the spirits appeared, and what then happened to them she could not see. But amid wild screams and howls, the contract was handed to her at the end of a long branch. The queen rode happily home to the hut, and happier still was the man who had been sitting there in great anxiety, for now he was freed from all the power of the evil spirits. Meanwhile, King Lindorm had come home from the war,

Starting point is 07:58:45 and the first question he asked when he entered the palace was about the Queen and the Welps. The attendants were surprised. They knew of no Welps. The Queen had had two beautiful princes, but the King had sent orders that all these were to be burned. The King grew pale with sorrow and anger, and ordered them to summon his trusted retainer, to whom he had sent the instructions that the Queen and the Welps were to be carefully looked after. The retainer, however, showed him the letter in which there was written that the Queen and her children were to be burned, and everyone then understood that some great treachery had been enacted. When the king's trusted retainer saw his master's deep sorrow,

Starting point is 07:59:27 he confessed to him that he had spared the lives of the queen and the princes, and had only burned a sheep and two lambs, and had kept the queen and her children hidden in the palace for three years, but had sent her out into the wild forest just when the king was expected home. When the king heard this, his sorrow was lessened, and he said that he would wander out into the forest and search for his wife and children. If he found them, he would return to his palace, but if he did not find them, he would never see it again. And in that case, the faithful retainer, who had saved the lives of the queen and the princes,

Starting point is 08:00:04 should be king in his stead. The king then went forth alone into the wild forest, and wandered there the whole day without seeing a single human being. So it went with him the second day also, but on the third day he came by roundabout ways to the little hut. He went in there and asked for leave to rest himself for a little on the bench. The queen and princes were there, but she was poorly clad and so sorrowful that the king did not recognize her. Neither did he think for a moment that the two children, who were dressed only in rough skins, were his own sons. He lay down on the bench, and, tired as he was, he soon fell asleep. The bench was a narrow one, and as he slept, his arm fell down and hung by the side of it.

Starting point is 08:00:52 My son, go and lift your father's arm up onto the bench, said the queen to one of the princes, for she easily knew the king again, although she was afraid to make herself known to him. The boy went and took the king's arm, but being only a child, he did not lift it up very gently onto the bench. The king woke at this, thinking at first that he had fallen into a den of robbers, but he decided to keep quiet and pretend that he was asleep until he should find out what kind of folk were in the house. He lay still for a little, and as no one moved in the room, he again let his arm glide down off the bench.

Starting point is 08:01:29 Then he heard the woman's voice say, My son, go you and lift your father's arm up on the bench, but don't do it so roughly as your brother did. Then he felt a pair of little hands softly clasping his arm. He opened his eyes and saw his queen and her children. He sprang up and caught all three in his arms, and afterwards took them along with the man and his horse and his hound, back to the palace with great joy.

Starting point is 08:01:56 The most unbounded rejoicing reigned there then, as well as over the whole kingdom, but the wicked stepmother was burned. King Lindorme lived long and happily with his queen, and there are some who say that if they are not dead now, they are still living to this day. End of King Lindorm. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vo.vovovo.com.

Starting point is 08:02:28 Section 37 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther. Contes Papelarees de Bastosos, Resuletes, El Trandot's Pari, Jauc. Paris, Lerot, Edithur. There was once a dove who built a nice soft nest as a home for her three little ones.

Starting point is 08:02:58 She was very proud of their beauty, and perhaps talked about them to her neighbors more than she need have done. Till at last, everybody from miles round knew where the three prettiest baby doves in the whole countryside were to be found. One day, a jackal who was prowling about in search of a dinner came by chance to the foot of the rock where the dove's nest was hidden away. And he suddenly bethought himself that if he could get nothing better, he might manage to make a mouthful of one of the young doves.

Starting point is 08:03:31 So he shouted as loud as he could, Oho, oh ho, mother dove! And the dove replied, trembling with fear, what do you want sir one of your children said he and if you don't throw it to me i will eat you up and the others as well now the dove was nearly driven distracted at the jackal's words but in order to save the lives of the other two she did at last throw the little one out of the nest the jackal ate it up and went home to sleep meanwhile the mother dove sat on the edge of her nest crying bitterly, when a heron, who was flying slowly past the rock,

Starting point is 08:04:18 was filled with pity for her, and stopped to ask. What is the matter, you poor dove? And the dove answered, A jackal came by and asked me to give him one of my little ones, and said that if I refused, he would jump on my nest and eat us all up. But the heron replied, You should not have believed him. he could never have jumped so high.

Starting point is 08:04:44 He only deceived you because he wanted something for supper. And with these words the heron flew off. He had hardly got out of sight when again the jacko came creeping slowly round the foot of the rock, and when he saw the dove he cried out a second time. Oho, oho, mother dove, give me one of your little ones, or I will jump on your nest and eat you all up. This time the dove knew better, and she answered boldly, Indeed, I shall do nothing of the sort,

Starting point is 08:05:17 though her heart beat wildly with fear, when she saw the jackal preparing for a spring. However, he only cut himself against the rock, and thought he had better stick to threats, so he started again with his old cry, Mother dove, Mother dove, be quick and give me one of your little ones, or I will eat you all up.

Starting point is 08:05:39 But the mother dove only answered as before. Indeed, I shall do nothing of the sort, for I know we are safely out of your reach. The jackal felt it was quite hopeless to get what he wanted, and asked, Tell me, Mother Dove, how have you suddenly become so wise? It was the heron who told me, replied she. And which way did he go? said the jackal. Down there among the reeds, you can see him if you, You look," said the dove.

Starting point is 08:06:12 Then the jackal nodded goodbye, and went quickly after the heron. He soon came up to the great bird, who was standing on a stone on the edge of the river, watching for a nice fat fish. Tell me, heron, said he. When the wind blows from that quarter, to which side do you turn? And which side do you turn to? asked the heron. The jackal answered, I always turn to this side.

Starting point is 08:06:40 Then that is the side I turn to, remarked the heron. And when the rain comes up from that quarter, which side do you turn to? And the heron replied, And which side do you turn to? Oh, I always turn to this side, said the jackal. Then that is the side I turn to, said the heron. And when the rain comes straight down, what do you do? "'What do you do yourself?' asked the heron. "'I do this,' answered the jackal.

Starting point is 08:07:13 "'I cover my head with my paws.' "'Then that is what I do,' said the heron. "'I cover my head with my wings. "'And as he spoke, he lifted his large wings "'and spread them completely over his head. "'With one bound, the jackal had seized him by the neck "'and began to shake him. "'Oh, have pity! Have pity!' cried the heron.

Starting point is 08:07:36 I never did you any harm. You told the dove how to get the better of me, and I'm going to eat you for it. But if you will let me go, entreated the heron, I will show you the place where the panther has her lair. Then you had better be quick about it, said the jackal, holding tight on to the heron until he had pointed out the panther's den.

Starting point is 08:07:59 Now you may go, my friend, for there is plenty of food here for me. So the jackal came up to the panther's den, and asked politely, Panther, would you like me to look after your children while you're out hunting? I should be very much obliged, said the Panther, but be sure you take care of them. They always cry all the time that I am away. So saying, she trotted off, and the jackal marched into the cave where he found ten little panthers, and instantly ate one up.

Starting point is 08:08:32 By and by the panther returned from hunting and said to him, "'Jackle, bring out my little ones for their supper.' The jackal fetched them out one by one till he had brought out nine, and he took the last one and brought it out again, so that the whole ten seemed to be there, and the panther was quite satisfied. Next day she went again to the chase, and the jackal ate up another little panther,

Starting point is 08:08:57 so now there were only eight. In the evening, when she came back, the panther said, "'Jackle, bring out my little ones.' And the jackal brought out first one and then another, and the last one he brought out three times, so that the whole ten seemed to be there. The following day the same thing happened, and the next, and the next, and the next,

Starting point is 08:09:19 till at length there was not even one left, and the rest of the day the jackal busied himself with digging a large hole at the back of the den. That night when the panther returned from hunting, she said to him as usual, Jackal, bring out my little ones. But the jackal replied, Bring out your little ones indeed,

Starting point is 08:09:39 why you know as well as I do that you have eaten them all up. Of course, the Panther had not the least idea what the jackal meant by this and only repeated. Jackal, bring out my children. As she got no answer, she entered the cave, but found no jackal, for he had crawled through the hole he had made and escaped, and what was worse, she did not find the little ones either.

Starting point is 08:10:04 Now the panther was not going to let the jackal get off like that, and set off at a trot to catch him. The jackal, however, had got a good start, and he reached a place where a swarm of bees deposited their honey in the cleft of a rock. Then he stood still and waited till the panther came up to him. Jackal, where are my little ones? she asked. and the jackal answered, They're up there, it's where I keep school.

Starting point is 08:10:33 The panther looked about and then inquired, But where? I see nothing of them. Come a little this way, said the jackal, and you will hear how beautifully they sing. So the panther drew near the cleft of the rock. Don't you hear them? said the jackal. They are in there, and slipped away while the panther was listening to the song of the children.

Starting point is 08:10:57 She was still standing in the same place when a baboon went by. "'What are you doing there, Panther?' "'I am listening to my children singing. It is here that the jackal keeps his school.' Then the baboon seized a stick and poked it in a cleft of the rock, exclaiming, "'Well, then, I should like to see your children.' The bees flew out in a huge swarm and made furiously for the panther, whom they attacked on all sides, while the baboon soon climbed up out of the way, crying,

Starting point is 08:11:29 as he perched himself on the branch of a tree, I wish you joy of your children, while from afar the jackal's voice was heard exclaiming, Sting her well, don't let her go. The panther galloped away as if she was mad, and flung herself into the nearest lake, but every time she raised her head, the bees stung her afresh, so that at last the poor beast was drowned altogether. End of The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther. Recording by Elliot Miller,

Starting point is 08:12:01 www. www.vo.vo.com Section 38 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Little Hair Contes Populares de Basutos Resculets and Tridisus Par E Jocet.

Starting point is 08:12:28 paris l'erot et et etie tour a long long way off in a land where water is very scarce there lived a man and his wife and several children one day the wife said to her husband i am pining to have the liver of a naeimazen for my dinner if you love me as much as you say you do you will go out and hunt for a naeimatsin and i will kill it and get its liver if not i shall know that your love is not worth having. Bake some bread, was all her husband answered, then take the crust and put it in this little bag. The wife did as she was told, and when she had finished she said to her husband, the bag is already and quite full. Very well, said he, and now good-bye.

Starting point is 08:13:18 I am going after the Nyametsane. But the Na'a-Mitsane was not too easy to find as the woman had hoped. The husband walked on and on and on, without ever seeing one, and every now and then he felt so hungry that he was obliged to eat one of the crusts of bread out of his bag. At last, when he was ready to drop from fatigue, he found himself at the edge of a great marsh, which bordered on one side the country of the Niamet Sains, but there were no more Niamet Sains here than anywhere else. They had all gone on a hunting expedition as their larder was empty, and the only person left

Starting point is 08:13:56 at home with their grandmother, who was so feeble she never went out of the house. Our friend looked on this as a great piece of luck, and made haste to kill her before the others returned, and to take out her liver, after which he dressed himself in her skin as well as he could. He had scarcely done this when he heard the noise of the Nyamot saints coming back to their grandmother, for they were very fond of her, and never stayed away from her longer than they could help. They rushed, clattering into the hut, exclaiming, we smell human flesh, some man is here,

Starting point is 08:14:31 and began to look about for him, but they only saw their old grandmother who answered in a trembling voice, No, my children, no, what should any man be doing here? The Nyamot saints paid no attention to her and began to open all the cupboards and peep under all the beds,

Starting point is 08:14:48 crying out all the while, A man is here, a man is here, but they could find nobody, and, at length, tired out with their long days hunting, they curled themselves up and fell asleep. Next morning they woke up quite refreshed and made ready to start on another expedition.

Starting point is 08:15:06 But as they did not feel happy about their grandmother, they said to her, Grandmother, won't you come today and feed with us? And they led their grandmother outside, and all of them began hungrily to eat pebbles. Our friend pretended to do the same, but in reality he slipped the stones into his power. and swallowed the crusts of bread instead.

Starting point is 08:15:29 However, as the Nyamit saints did not see this, they had no idea that he was not really their grandmother. When they had eaten a great many pebbles, they thought they had done enough for that day, and all went home together and curled themselves up to sleep. Next morning when they woke they said, Let us go and amuse ourselves by jumping over the ditch. And every time they cleared it with a bound,

Starting point is 08:15:52 then they begged their grandmother to jump over it too, And with a tremendous effort, she managed to spring right over to the other side. After this, they had no doubt at all of it being their true grandmother, and went off to their hunting, leaving our friend at home in the hut. As soon as they had gone out of sight, our hero made haste to take the liver from the place where he had hit it, threw off the skin of the old Nyametsane, and ran away as hard as he could, only stopping to pick up a very brilliant and polished little stone, which he put in his bag by the side of the liver.

Starting point is 08:16:25 Towards evening the Nyam and Saints came back to the hut full of anxiety to know how their grandmother had got on during their absence. The first thing they saw on entering in the door was her skin lying on the floor, and then they knew that they had been deceived, and they said to each other, "'So we were right, after all, and it was human flesh we smelt. Then they stooped down to find traces of the man's footsteps, and when they had got them instantly set off in hot pursuit.' Meanwhile, our friend had journeyed many miles and was beginning to feel quite safe and comfortable. When, happening to look around, he saw in the distance a thick cloud of dust moving rapidly.

Starting point is 08:17:06 His heart stood still within him, and he said to himself, I am lost. It is the Niamid Sains, and they will tear me in pieces. And indeed the cloud of dust was drawing near with amazing quickness, and the Niamid Sains almost felt as if they were already devouring him. Then, as a last hope, the man took the little stone that he had picked up out of his bag and flung it on the ground. The moment it touched the soil it became a huge rock, whose steep sides were smooth as glass, and on the top of it our hero hastily seated himself.

Starting point is 08:17:40 It was in vain that the Niamid saints tried to climb up and reach him. They slid down again much faster than they had gone up, and by sunset they were quite worn out and fell asleep at the foot of the rock. No sooner had the Nyamette Saints tumbled off to sleep than the man stole softly down and fled away as fast as his legs would carry him. And by the time his enemies were awake, he was a very long way off. They sprang quickly to their feet and began to sniff the soil round the rock, in order to discover traces of his footsteps, and they galloped after him with terrific speed. The chase continued for several days and nights.

Starting point is 08:18:19 several times the Niamid Saints almost reached him, and each time he was saved by his little pebble. Between his fright and his hurry he was almost dead of exhaustion when he reached his own village, where the Niamid saints could not follow him because of their enemies, the dogs, which swarmed all over the roads. So they returned home.

Starting point is 08:18:41 Then our friend staggered into his own hut and called to his wife. Ich, how tired I am, quick, give me something to drink, then go and get fuel and light a fire. So she did what she was bid, and then her husband took the Nyamit Saint's liver from his pouch and said to her, There, I have brought you what you wanted, and now you know that I love you truly. And the wife answered,

Starting point is 08:19:04 It is well. Now go and take out the children, so that I may remain alone in the hut. And as she spoke, she lifted down an old stone pot and put on the liver to cook. Her husband watched her for a moment and then said, Be sure you eat it all yourself. Do not give a scrap to any of the children,

Starting point is 08:19:24 but eat every morsel up. So the woman took the liver and ate it all herself. Directly, the last mouthful had disappeared. She was seized with such a violent thirst that she caught up a great pot full of water and drank it at a single draft. Then, having no more in the house, she ran in next door and said,

Starting point is 08:19:44 Neighbor, give me, I pray you something to drink. The neighbor gave her a large vassalphal of a large, vessel quite full, and the woman drank it off at a single draft, and held it out for more. But the neighbor pushed her away, saying, No, I shall have none left for my children. So the woman went into another house, and drank all the water she could find. But the more she drank, the more thirsty she became. She wandered in this manner through the whole village till she had drunk every water-pot dry. Then she rushed off to the nearest spring, and swallowed that. And when she had finished all

Starting point is 08:20:18 the springs and wells about, she drank up first the river and then a lake, but by this time she had drunk so much that she could not rise from the ground. In the evening, when it was time for the animals to have their drink before going to bed, they found the lake quite dry, and they had to make up their minds to be thirsty till the water flowed again, and the streams were full. Even then, for some time, the lake was very dirty, and the lion, as king of the beast, commanded that no one should drink till it was quite clear again. But the little hare, who was fond of having his own way, and was very thirsty besides, stole quietly off when the rest were asleep in their dens,

Starting point is 08:21:00 and crept down to the margin of the lake and drank his fill. Then he smeared the dirty water all over the rabbit's face and paws, so that it might look as if it were he who had been disobeying Big Lion's orders. The next day, as soon as it was light, Big lion marched straight for the lake, and all the other bees followed him. He saw at once that the water had been troubled again, and was very angry. "'Who has been drinking my water?' said he, and the little hare gave a jump and pointed to the rabbit.

Starting point is 08:21:33 He answered, "'Look there! It must be he! Why, there is mud all over his face and paws!' The rabbit frightened out of his wits, tried to deny the fact, exclaiming, "'Oh, no! Indeed I never did!' But Big Lion would not listen, and commanded them to cane him with a birch-rod. Now the little hare was very much pleased with his cleverness in causing the rabbit to be beaten instead of himself,

Starting point is 08:21:57 and went about boasting of it. At last one of the other animals overheard him and called out, "'Little hare! Little hair! What is that you are saying?' But the little hare hastily replied, "'I only asked you to pass me my stick!' An hour or two later, thinking that no one was near him, he said to himself again, "'It was really I who drank up the water, but I made them think it was the rabbit.'

Starting point is 08:22:24 But one of the beasts, whose ears were longer than the rest, caught the words, and went to tell Big Lion about it. "'Do you hear what the Little Hare is saying?' So Big Lion sent for the little hare, and asked him what he meant by talking like that. The little hare saw that there was no use trying to hide it, so he answered pertly, "'It was I who drank the water, but I made them think it was the rabbit. Then he turned and ran as fast as he could, with all the other beasts pursuing him. They were almost up to him when he dashed into a very narrow cleft in the rock,

Starting point is 08:23:01 much too small for them to follow, but in his hurry he had left one of his long ears sticking out, which they just managed to seize. but pull as hard as they might they could not drag him out of the hole, and at last they gave it up and left him, with his ear very much torn and scratched. When the last tail was out of sight, the little hair crept cautiously out, and the first person he met was the rabbit.

Starting point is 08:23:29 He had plenty of impudence, so he put a bold face on the matter and said, Well, my good rabbit, you see I have had a beating as well as you. But the rabbit was still sore and sulky, and he did not care to talk, so he answered coldly, You have treated me very badly. It was really you who drank that water, and you accused me of having done it.

Starting point is 08:23:52 Oh, my good rabbit, never mind that. I've got such a wonderful secret to tell you. Do you know what to do as to escape death? No, I don't. Well, we must begin by digging a hole. So they dug a hole. Then the little hare said, the next thing is to make a fire in the hole.

Starting point is 08:24:11 And they set to work to collect wood, and lit quite a large fire. When it was burning brightly, the little hair said to the rabbit, Rabbit, my friend, throw me into the fire, and when you hear my fur crackling, and I call itchy, itchy, then be quick and pull me out.

Starting point is 08:24:29 The rabbit did as he was told, and threw the little hair into the fire. But no sooner did the little hair begin to feel the heat of the flames, then he took some green bay leaves he had plucked for the purpose and held them in the middle of the fire, where they crackled and made a great noise. Then he called loudly, Itchy, itchy, rabbit, my friend, be quick, be quick.

Starting point is 08:24:48 Don't you hear how my skin is crackling? And the rabbit came in a great hurry and pulled him out. Then the little hare said, Now it is your turn, and he threw the rabbit in the fire. The moment the rabbit felt the flames he cried out, Itchy, itchy, I am burning, pull me out quick, my friend. But the little hare only laughed and said, No, you must stay there.

Starting point is 08:25:11 It is your own fault. Why were you such a fool as to let yourself be thrown in? Didn't you know that fire burns? And in a very few minutes, nothing was left of the rabbit but a few bones. When the fire was quite out, the little hair went and picked up one of these bones, and made a flute out of it,

Starting point is 08:25:29 and sang this song. Pea, oh flute that I love, Pea, rabbits are, but little boys, pee, pee, he would have burned me if he could, pee, pee, but I burned him, and he crackled finally. When he got tired of going through the world singing this, the little hare went back to his friends and entered the service of Big Lion. One day he said to his master, Grandfather,

Starting point is 08:25:55 Shall I show you a splendid way to kill game? What is it? asked Big Lion. We must dig a ditch, and then you must lie in it and pretend to be dead. Big Lion did as he was told, and when he had lain down the little hare got up on a wall, blew a trumpet and shouted, "'Pee, pee, all you animals come and see, Big Lion is dead, and now peace will be!' Directly they heard this, they all came running. The little hare received them and said,

Starting point is 08:26:23 "'Pass on this way to the lion!' So they all entered into the animal kingdom. Last of all came the monkey with her baby on her back. She approached the ditch and took a blade of grass and tickled big lion's nose, and his nostrils moved in spite of his efforts to keep them still. Then the monkey cried, "'Come, my baby, climb on my back and let us go. What sort of a dead body is it that can still feel when it is tickled?'

Starting point is 08:26:49 And she and her baby went away in a fright. Then the little hare said to the other bees, "'Now shut the gate of the animal kingdom,' and it was shut, and great stones were rolled against it, When everything was tight-closed, the little hair turned to Big Lion and said, Now! And Big Lion bounded out of the ditch and tore the other animals in pieces. But Big Lion kept all the choice bits for himself,

Starting point is 08:27:16 and only gave away the little scraps that he did not care about eating, and the little hair grew very angry and determined to have his revenge. He had long ago found out that Big Lion was very easily taken in. So he laid his plans accordingly. he said to him, as if the idea had just come into his head, Grandfather, let us build a hut, and Big Lion consented. And when they had driven the stakes into the ground, and had made the walls of the hut,

Starting point is 08:27:44 the little hare told Big Lion to climb upon the top while he stayed inside. When he was ready, he called out, Now, Grandfather, Big In! And Big Lion passed his rod through the reeds with which the roofs are always covered in that country. The little hare took it and cried, Now it is my turn to pierce him. And as he spoke, he passed the rod back through the reeds

Starting point is 08:28:07 and gave Big Lion's tail a sharp poke. What is pricking me so? asked Big Lion. Oh, just a little branch sticking out. I am going to break it, answered the little hare. But of course he had done it on purpose, as he wanted to fix Big Lion's tail so firmly to the hut that he would not be able to move.

Starting point is 08:28:27 In a little while he gave another prick, and Big Lion called again, What is pricking me so? This time, the little hare said to himself, He will find out what I am at. I must try some other plan. So he called out, Grandfather, you had better put your tongue here, so that the branches shall not touch you.

Starting point is 08:28:49 Big Lion did as he was bid, and the little hair tied it tightly to the stakes of the wall. Then he went outside and shouted, but, Grandfather, you can come down now. And Big Lion tried, but he could not move an inch. Then the little hare began quietly to eat Big Lion's dinner right before his eyes, and, paying no attention at all to his growls of rage, when he had quite done he climbed up on the hut,

Starting point is 08:29:14 and, blowing his flute, he chanted, Pee, pee, fall, rain and hail. And directly the sky was full of clouds. The thunder roared, and huge hailstones whitened the roof of, the hut. The little hare, who had taken refuge within, called out again, Big Lion, be quick and come down and dine with me. But there was no answer, not even a growl, for the hailstones had killed Big Lion. The little hare enjoyed himself vastly for some time, living comfortably in the hut, with plenty of food to eat and no trouble at all

Starting point is 08:29:49 in getting it. But one day a great wind arose, and flung down the Big Lion's half-dried skin from the roof of the hut. The little hair bounded with terror at the noise, for he thought Big Lion must have come to life again. But on discovering what had happened, he set about cleaning the skin, and propped the mouth open with sticks, so that he could get through.

Starting point is 08:30:12 So, dressed in Big Lion's skin, the little hair started on his travels. The first visit he paid was to the hyenas, who trembled at the sight of him, and whispered to each other, how shall we escape from this terrible beast? Meanwhile, the little hare did not trouble himself about them, but just as where the king of the hyenas lived,

Starting point is 08:30:33 and made himself quite at home there. Every morning, each hyena thought to himself, Today he is certain to eat me. But several days went by, and they were all still alive. At length, one evening, the little hare, looking around for something to amuse him, noticed a great pot full of boiling water, so he strolled up to one of the hyenas and said, Go and get in.

Starting point is 08:30:57 The hyena dared not disobey, and in a few minutes was scalded to death. Then the little hare went the round of the village, saying to every hyena he met, go and get in the boiling water, so that in a little while there was hardly a male left in the village. One day all the hyenas that remained alive went out very early into the fields,

Starting point is 08:31:17 leaving only one little daughter at home. The little hare, thinking he was all of love, alone, came into the enclosure, and wishing to feel what it was like to be a hair again, threw off big lion's skin and began to jump and dance singing, I am just the little hair, the little hair, the little hair, I am just the little hair who killed the great hyenas. The little hyena gazed at him in surprise, saying to herself, What?

Starting point is 08:31:44 Was it really this tiny beast who put to death all our best people? When suddenly a gust of wind rustled the reeds that surrounded the enclosure, and the little hair in a fright hastily sprang back into big lion's skin. When the hyenas returned to their homes, the little hyena said to her father, Father, our tribe has very nearly been swept away, and all this has been the work of a tiny creature dressed in the lion's skin. But her father answered, Oh, my dear child, you don't know what you are talking about. She replied, Yes, father, it is quite true. I saw it with my own eyes.

Starting point is 08:32:22 The father did not know what to think and told one of his friends who said, Tomorrow we had better keep watch ourselves. And the next day they hid themselves and waited till the little hare came out of the Royal Hut. He walked gaily toward the sea enclosure, threw off big lion's skin and sang and danced as before. I am just the little hair, the little hair, I am just the little hair who killed the great hyenas. That night, the two hyenas told all the rest, saying, Do you know that we have allowed ourselves to be trampled on by a wretched creature with nothing of the lion about him but his skin?

Starting point is 08:33:02 When supper was being cooked that evening, before they all went to bed, the little hair, looking fierce and terrible in big lion's skin, said, as usual, to one of the hyenas, go and get into the boiling water. But the hyena never stirred. There was silence for a moment. Then a hyena took a stone and flung it with all his force against the lion's skin. The little hair jumped out through the mouth with a single spring and fled away like lightning.

Starting point is 08:33:30 All the hyenas in full pursuit uttering great cries. As he turned a corner, the little hair cut off both his ears so that they should not know him and pretended to be working at a grindstone which lay there. The hyena soon came up to him and said, Tell me, my friend, have you seen the little hair go by? No, I have seen no one. Where can he be? said the hyaine is one to another. Of course this creature is quite different, and not at all like the little hair.

Starting point is 08:34:00 Then they went on their way, but finding no traces of the little hair, they returned sadly to their village, saying, To think we should have allowed ourselves to be swept away by a wretched creature like that. End of The Little Hair. Recording by Elliot Miller. Voice of E.com. Section 39 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 08:34:33 Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Sparrow with the Slit Tong. From the Japanese Martian Unzagan. A long, long time ago, an old couple dwelt in the very heart of a high mountain. They lived together in peace and harmony, although they were very different in character,

Starting point is 08:34:55 the man being good-natured and honest, and the wife being greedy and quarrelsome when anyone came her way that she could possibly quarrel with. One day, the old man was sitting in front of his cottage, as he was very fond of doing, when he saw flying towards him a little sparrow, followed by a big black raven. The poor little thing was very much frightened and cried out as it flew,

Starting point is 08:35:19 and the great bird came behind it terribly fast, flapping its wings and craning its beak, for it was hungry and wanted some dinner. But as they drew near the old man, he jumped up and beat back the raven, which mounted with hoarse screams of disappointment into the sky, and the little bird, freed from its enemy, nestled into the old man's hand,

Starting point is 08:35:39 and he carried it into the house. He stroked its feathers, and told it not to be afraid, for it was quite safe. But as he still felt its heart beating, he put it into a cage where it soon plucked up courage to Twitter and hop about. The old man was fond of all creatures, and every morning he used to open the cage door,

Starting point is 08:36:00 and the sparrow flew happily about until it caught sight of a cat or a rat or some other fierce beast, when it would instantly return to the cage, knowing that there no harm could come to it. The woman, who was always on the lookout for something to grumble at, grew very jealous of her husband's affections for the bird,

Starting point is 08:36:20 and would gladly have it done some harm had she dared. At last, one morning her opportunity came. Her husband had gone to the town some miles away down the mountain, and would not be back for several hours. But before he left, he did not forget to open the door of the cage. The sparrow hopped about as usual, twittering happily, and thinking no evil. And all the while the woman's brow became blacker and blacker, and at length her fury broke out. She threw her broom at the bird, who was perched on a brachers, back it high up on the wall. The broom missed the bird, but knocked down and broke the vase on the bracket, which did not sue the angry woman. Then she chased it from place to place,

Starting point is 08:37:03 and at last had it safe between her fingers, almost as frightened as on the day that it had made its first entrance into the hut. By this time the woman was more furious than ever. If she had dared she would have killed the sparrow then and there, but as it was, she only ventured to slit its tongue. The bird struggled and piped, but there was no one to hear it, and then, crying out loud with the pain, it flew from the house and was lost in the depths of the forest. By and by, the old man came back, and it once began to ask for his pet. His wife, who was still in a very bad temper, told him the whole story, and scolded him roundly for being so silly as to make such a fuss over a bird. But the old man, who was much trouble,

Starting point is 08:37:49 declared she was a bad, hard-hearted woman, to have behaved so to a poor, harmless bird. Then he left the house and went into the forest to seek for his pet. He walked many hours whistling and calling for it, but it never came, and he went sadly home, resolved to be out with the dawn and never to rest till he had brought the wanderer back. Day after day he searched and called, and evening after evening he returned in despair. At length he gave up hope and made up his mind that he should see his little friend no more. One hot summer morning, the old man was walking slowly under the cool shadows of the big trees,

Starting point is 08:38:32 and without thinking where he was going, he entered a bamboo thicket. As the bamboos became thinner, he found himself opposite to a beautiful garden, in the center of which stood a tiny, spick-and-span little house, and out of the house came a lovely maiden, who unlatched the gate and invited him, him in the most hospitable way to enter and rest. Oh, my dear old friend, she exclaimed. How glad I am you have found me at last. I am your little sparrow, whose life you saved, and whom you took such care of.

Starting point is 08:39:05 The old man seized her hands eagerly, but no time was given him to ask any questions, for the maiden drew him into the house, and set food before him and waited on him herself. While he was eating, the damsel and her maids took their lutes, and sang, and danced to him, and altogether the hours passed so swiftly that the old man never saw that darkness had come, or remembered the scolding he would get from his wife for returning home so late. Thus, in dancing and singing and talking over the days when the maiden was a sparrow hopping in and out of her cage, the night passed away, and when the first rays of sun broke through the hedge of bamboo, the old man started up, thanked his hostess

Starting point is 08:39:46 for her friendly welcome, and prepared to say farewell. "'I'm not going to let you depart like that,' said she. "'I have a present for you, which you must take as a sign of my gratitude. And as she spoke, her servants brought in two chests, one of them very small, the other large and heavy. Now choose which of them you will carry with you. So the old man chose the small chest, and hid it under his cloak, and set out on his homeward way. But as he drew near the house, his heart sank a little, for he knew what a fear

Starting point is 08:40:20 his wife would be in, and how she would abuse him for his absence. And it was even worse than he expected. However, long experience had taught him to let her storm and say nothing, so he lit his pipe and waited till she was tired out. The woman was still raging and did not seem likely to stop, when her husband, who by this time had forgotten all about her, drew out the chest from under his cloak and opened it. Oh, what a blaze met his eyes! and precious stones were heaped up to the very lid, and lay dancing in the sunlight. At the sight

Starting point is 08:40:54 of these wonders even the scolding tongues ceased, and the woman approached, and took the stones in her hand, setting greedily aside those that were the largest and most costly. Then her voice softened, and she begged him quite politely to tell where he had spent his evening, and how he had come by these wonderful riches. So he told her the whole story, and she listened with amazement, till he came to the choice which had been given him between the two chests. At this her tongue broke loose again, as she abused him for his folly in taking the little one, and she never rested till her husband had described the exact way

Starting point is 08:41:31 which led to the sparrow princess's house. When she had got it into her head, she put on her best clothes and set out at once. But in her blind haste, she often missed the path, and she wandered for several hours before she at length reached the little house. She walked boldly up to the door and entered the room as if the whole place belonged to her, and quite frightened the poor girl, who was startled at the sight of her old enemy. However, she concealed her feelings as well as she could, and bade the intruder welcome,

Starting point is 08:42:03 placing before her food and wine, hoping that when she had eaten and drunk she might take her leave, but nothing of the sort. "'You will not let me go without a little present?' said the greedy wife, as she saw no signs of one being offered her. Of course not, replied the girl, and at her orders two chests were brought in, as they had been before. The old woman instantly seized the bigger,

Starting point is 08:42:29 and staggering under the weight of it, disappeared into the forest, hardly waiting even to say goodbye. It was a long way to her own house, and the chest seemed to grow heavier at every step. Sometimes she felt as if it would be impotivated, possible for her to get on at all, but her greed gave her strength, and at last she arrived at her own door. She sank down on the threshold, overcome with weariness, but in a moment

Starting point is 08:42:57 was on her feet again, fumbling with the lock of the chest. But by this time night had come, and there was no light in the house, and the woman was in too much hurry to get to her treasures, to go and look for one. At length, however, the lock gave way, and the lid flew open, when oh horror Instead of golden jewels She saw before her serpents With glittering eyes and forky tongues And they twined themselves about her

Starting point is 08:43:25 And darted poison into her veins And she died And no man regretted her End of The Sparrow with a Slit Tongue Recording by Elliot Miller www.com Section 40 of the Pink Fairy Book

Starting point is 08:43:49 This Librevox recording is in the public Domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. The Story of Sikou from Sicilianeshmerchan. Once upon a time there lived a man who had three sons. The eldest was called Pepe, the second alfin, and the youngest Siku. They were all very poor and at last things got so bad that they really had not enough to eat. So the father called his sons and said to them, my dear boys, I am too old to work anymore, and there is nothing left for me but to beg in the streets. No, no, exclaimed his sons.

Starting point is 08:44:34 That you shall never do. Rather, if it must be, would we do it ourselves? But we have thought of a better plan than that. What is it? asked the father. Well, we will take you in the forest, where you shall cut wood. and then we will bind it up in bundles and sell it in the town. So their father let them do as they said, and they all made their way into the forest.

Starting point is 08:45:01 And as the old man was weak from lack of food, his sons took it in turns to carry him on their backs. Then they built a little hut where they might take shelter and set to work. Every morning early the father cut his sticks, and the sons bound them in bundles and carried them to the town, bringing back the food the old man so much needed. Some months passed in this way, and then the father suddenly fell ill, and knew that the time had come when he must die.

Starting point is 08:45:31 He bade his sons fetch a lawyer so that he might make his will, and when the man arrived he explained his wishes. I have, said he, a little house in the village, and over it grows a fig tree. The house I leave to my sons, who are to live in it together. The fig tree I divide as follows. To my son Pepe, I leave the branches. To my son Elfin, I leave the trunk. To my son Ziku, I leave the fruit. Beside the house in the tree, I have an old coverlet, which I leave to my eldest son.

Starting point is 08:46:10 And an old purse which I leave to my second son, and a horn, which I leave to my youngest son. and now farewell. Thus speaking, he laid himself down and died quietly. The brothers wept bitterly for their father whom they loved, and when they had buried him they began to talk over their future lives. What shall we do now, said they. Shall we live in the wood or go back to the village? And they made up their minds to say where they were

Starting point is 08:46:40 and continue to earn their living by selling firewood. One very hot evening, after they had been working hard all day, they fell asleep under a tree in front of the hut, and as they slept there, came by three fairies, who stopped to look at them. "'What fine fellows,' said one. "'Let us give them a present.' "'Yes, what shall it be?' asked another.

Starting point is 08:47:05 "'This youth has a coverlet over him,' said the first fairy. "'When he wraps it round him, "'and wishes himself in any place, "'he will find himself there in an instant.' "'Then said the second fairy, This youth has a purse in his hand. I will promise that it shall always give him as much gold as he asked for. Last came the turn of the third fairy.

Starting point is 08:47:28 This one has a horn slung round him. When he blows at the small end, the sea shall be covered with ships, and if he blows at the wide end, they shall all be sunk in the waves. So they vanished, without knowing that Siku had been awake and heard all they said. The next day, when they were all cutting wood, he said to his brothers, "'That old coverlet and the purse are no use to you. I wish you would give them to me.

Starting point is 08:47:54 I have a fancy for them, for the sake of old times.' Now, Pepe and Alfon were very fond of Sikku, and never refused him anything, so they let him have the coverlet and the purse without a word. When he had got them safely, Sikku went on, Dear brothers, I am tired of the forest. I want to live in the town and work at some trade. "'Oh, Siku, stay with us,' they cried.

Starting point is 08:48:19 "'We are very happy here, and who knows how we shall get on elsewhere?' "'We can always try,' answered Sikku, "'and if times are bad we can come back here and take up wood-cutting.' So saying he picked up his bundle of sticks, and his brothers did the same. But when they reached the town they found that the market was overstocked with firewood, and they did not sell enough to buy themselves a dinner, far less to get any food to carry home. They were wondering sadly what they should do when Siku said,

Starting point is 08:48:50 Come with me to the inn, and let us have something to eat. They were so hungry by this time they did not care much whether they paid for it or not, so they followed Sikku, who gave his orders to the host. Bring us three dishes, the nicest that you have, and a good bottle of wine. Siku, Siku! whispered his brothers, horrified at this extravagance. Are you mad? How do you ever mean to pay for it?' "'Let me alone,' replied Sikou.

Starting point is 08:49:18 "'I know what I am about.' And when they had finished their dinner, Sikku told the others to go on, and he would wait to pay the bill. The brothers hurried on without needing to be told twice. Four, thought they, he has no money. And of course there will be a row. When they were out of sight, Sikko asked the landlord how much he owed, and then said to his purse, dear purse, give me, I pray you, six florins. And instantly six florins were in the purse.

Starting point is 08:49:49 Then he paid the bill and joined his brothers. How did you manage? they asked. Never you mind, answered he. I have paid every penny. And no more would he say. But the other two were very uneasy, for they felt sure something must be wrong. And the sooner they parted company with Siku, the better. Siku understood what they were thinking, and drawing forty gold pieces from his pocket, he held out twenty to each, saying, Take these and turn them to good account. I am going away to seek my own fortune. Then he embraced them, and struck down another road. He wandered on for many days, till at length he came to the town where the king had his court.

Starting point is 08:50:32 The first thing Siko did was to order himself some fine clothes, and then buy a grand house just opposite the palace. Next, he locked his door and ordered a shower of gold to cover the staircase. And when this was done, the door was flung wide open, and everyone came and peeped at the shining gold stairs. Lastly, the rumor of these wonders reached the ears of the king, who left his palace to behold these splendors with his own eyes, and Siku received him with all respect and showed him over the house.

Starting point is 08:51:04 When the king went home, he told such stories of what he had seen that his wife and daughter declared that they must go and see them too. So the king sent to ask Siku's leave, and Situ answered that if the queen and the princess would be pleased to do him such great honor, he would show them anything they wished. Now, the princess was as beautiful as the son, and when Siku looked upon her, his heart went out to her, and he longed to have her to wife.

Starting point is 08:51:32 The princess saw what was passing. in his mind, and how she could make use of it to satisfy her curiosity as to the golden stairs. So she praised him and flattered him, and put cunning questions, till at length Siku's head was quite turned, and he told her the whole story of the fairies and her gifts. Then she begged him to lend her the purse for a few days, so that she could have one made like it, and so great was the love he had for her that he gave it to her at once. returned to the palace, taking with her the purse, which she had not the smallest intention

Starting point is 08:52:09 of ever restoring to Siku. Very soon Siku had spent all the money he had by him, and could get no more without the help of his purse. Of course he went at once to the king's daughter, and asked her if she had done with it, but she put him off with some excuse and told him to come back next day. The next day it was the same thing, and the next, till the great rage filled Sikou's heart. of the love that had been there. And when night came, he took in his hand a thick stick, wrapped himself in the coverlet,

Starting point is 08:52:41 and wished himself in the chamber of the princess. The princess was asleep, but Siku seized her arm and pulled her out of bed, and beat her till she gave back the purse. Then he took up the coverlet, and wished he was safe in his own house. No sooner had he gone than the princess hastened to her father and complained of her sufferings. Then the king rose up in a fury and commanded Siku to be brought before him. You richly deserve death, said he, but I will allow you to live if you will instantly hand over to me the coverlet, the purse, and the horn.

Starting point is 08:53:20 What could Siku do? Life was sweet, and he was in the power of the king, so he gave up silently his ill-gotten goods and was as poor as when he was a boy. While he was wondering how he was to live, it suddenly came into his mind that this was the season for the figs to ripen, and he said to himself, I will go and see if the tree has borne well. So he set off home, where his brothers still lived, and found them living very uncomfortably, for they had spent all their money and did not know how to make any more. However, he was pleased to see that the fig tree looked in splendid condition and was full

Starting point is 08:53:59 of fruit. He ran and fetched a basket and was just feeling the figs to make sure which of them were ripe, when his brother Pepe called to him, "'Stop! The figs, of course, are yours, but the branches they grow on are mine, and I forbid you to touch them.' Siku did not answer, but set a ladder against the tree, so that he could reach the top most branches, and had his foot already on the first rung when he heard the voice of his brother Alphen. Stop! The trunk belongs to me, and I forbid you to touch it. Then they began to quarrel violently, and there seemed no chance that they would ever cease, till one of them said, Let us go before a judge. The others agreed, and when they had found a man whom they could

Starting point is 08:54:46 trust, Siku told him the whole story. This is my verdict, said the judge. The figs in truth belong to you, but you cannot pluck them without touching both the trunk and the branches. Therefore, you must give your first basketful to your brother Pepe, as the price of his leave to put your ladder against the tree. And the second basketful to your brother Alfin, for leave to shake his boughs, the rest you can keep for yourself.

Starting point is 08:55:16 And the brothers were contented and returned home, saying one to the other, We will each of us send a basket of figs to the king. Perhaps he will give us something in return, and if he does, we will divide it faithfully between us. So the best figs were carefully packed in a basket, and Pepe set out with it to the castle. On the road, he met a little old man who stopped and said to him,

Starting point is 08:55:41 What have you got there, my fine fellow? What is that to you, was the answer? Mind your own business. But the old man only repeated his question, and Pepe, to get rid of him, exclaimed in anger, dirt. Good, replied the old man. Dirt you have said, and dirt let it be. Pepe only tossed his head and went on his way till he got to the castle, where he knocked

Starting point is 08:56:07 at the door. I have a basket of lovely figs for the king, he said to the servant who opened it, if his majesty will be graciously pleased to accept them with my humble duty. The king loved figs and ordered Pepe to be admitted to his presence, and a silver dish to be brought on which to put the figs. When Pepe uncovered his basket, sure enough, a layer of beautiful purple figs met the king's eyes, but underneath there was nothing but dirt.

Starting point is 08:56:36 How dare you play me such a trick? Shrieked the king in a rage, take him away and give him fifty lashes. This was done, and Pepe returned home, sore and angry, but determined to say nothing about his adventure. And when his brothers asked him what had happened, he only answered, We have all three been, I will tell you. A few days after this, more figs were ready for plucking,

Starting point is 08:57:04 and Alfin, in his turn, set out for the palace. He had not gone far down the road before he met the old man, who asked him what he had in his basket. Horns, answered Alfin shortly. Good, replied the old man, Horns you have said, and horns let it be. When Alphin reached the castle,

Starting point is 08:57:26 he knocked at the door and said to the servant, Here is a basket of lovely figs, if His Majesty will be good enough to accept them with my humble duty. The king commanded that Alphin should be admitted to his presence, and a silver dish to be brought on which to lay the figs. When the basket was uncovered, some beautiful purple figs lay on the top, but underneath there was nothing but home.

Starting point is 08:57:51 horns. Then the king was beside himself with passion and screamed out, "'Is this a plot to muck me? Take him away and give him a hundred and fifty lashes.' So Alphin went sadly home, but would not tell anything about his adventures, only saying grimly, now it is Sikku's turn. Siku had to wait a little before he gathered the last figs on the tree, and these were not nearly so good as the the first set. However, he plucked them as they had agreed and set out for the king's palace. The old man was still on the road, and he came up and said to Siku, What have you got in that basket? Figs for the king, answered he.

Starting point is 08:58:38 Let me have a peep, and Sikku lifted the lid. Oh, do give me one. I am so fond of figs, begged the little man. I am afraid if I do that the hole will show, replied Sikou, but as he was very good-natured he gave him one. The old man ate it greedily and kept the stalk in his hand, and then asked for another, and another, till he had eaten half the basket full. But there are not enough left to take to the king, murmured Siku. Don't be anxious, said the old man,

Starting point is 08:59:10 throwing the stalks back into the basket. Just go on and carry the basket to the castle, and it will bring you luck. Sikku did not much like it, However, he went on his way, and with a trembling heart rang the castle bell. Here are some lovely figs for the king, said he, if his majesty will graciously accept them with my humble duty. When the king was told that there was another man with a basket of figs, he cried out,

Starting point is 08:59:38 Oh, have him in, have him in, I suppose it is a wager. But Siku uncovered the basket, and there lay a pile of beautiful ripe figs. And the king was delighted. and emptied them himself on the silver dish, and gave five Florence to Siku, and offered besides to take him into his service. Siku accepted gratefully, but said he must first return home and give the five Florence to his brothers. When he got home Pepe spoke, Now we will see what we each have got from the king. I myself received from him fifty lashes. And I, a hundred and fifty, added Alphin.

Starting point is 09:00:18 And I, five florins and some sweets, which you can divide between you, for the king has taken me into his service. Then Siku went back to the court and served the king, and the king loved him. The other two brothers heard that Sikou had become quite an important person, and they grew envious, and thought how they could put him to shame. At last they came to the king and said to him, Oh, king, your palace is beautiful indeed, but to be worthy of you it lacks one thing. the sword of the man-eater. How can I get it? asked the king.

Starting point is 09:00:54 Oh, Siku can get it for you. Ask him. So the king sent for Siku and said to him, Siku, you must at any price manage to get the sword of the man-eater. Siku was very much surprised at this sudden command, and he walked thoughtfully away to the stables and began to stroke his favorite horse, saying to himself, Ah, my pet, we must be able to be able to. bid each other goodbye, for the king has sent me away to get the sword of the man-eater.

Starting point is 09:01:23 Now this horse was not like other horses, for it was a talking horse, and knew a great deal about many things, so it answered. Fear nothing, and do as I tell you, beg the king to give you fifty old pieces, and leave to ride me, and the rest will be easy. Siku believed what the horse said, and prayed the king to grant him what he asked, Then the two friends set out, but the horse chose what roads he pleased, and directed Siku in everything. It took them many days hard riding before they reached the country where the man-eater lived, and then the horse told Siku to stop a group of old women who were coming chattering through the wood,

Starting point is 09:02:07 and offered them each a shilling if they would collect a number of mosquitoes and tie them up in a back. When the bag was full, Siko put it on his shoulder and stole the bag. into the house of the man-eater, who had gone to look for his dinner, and let them all out in his bedroom. He himself hid carefully under the bed and waited. The man-eater came in late, very tired with his long walk, and flung himself on the bed, placing his sword with its shining blade by his side. Scarcely had he lain down, then the mosquitoes began to buzz about and bite him, and he rolled from side to side trying to catch them, which he could never do, though they always seemed to be close to his nose.

Starting point is 09:02:50 He was so busy over the mosquitoes that he did not hear Siku steal softly out or see him catch up the sword. But the horse heard and stood ready at the door, and as Siku came flying down the stairs and jumped on his back, he sped away like the wind, and never stopped till they arrived at the king's palace. The king had suffered much pain in his absence,

Starting point is 09:03:13 thinking that if the man-eater ate Siku, it would be all his fault. and he was so overjoyed to have him safe that he almost forgot the sword which he had sent him to bring. But the two brothers did not love Siku any better, because he had succeeded in what they hoped he would have failed. And one day they spoke to the king. It is all very well for Siku to have got possession of the sword, but it would have been far more for your majesty's honor if he had captured the man-eater himself. The king thought upon these words,

Starting point is 09:03:47 and at last he said to Siku, Siku, I shall never rest until you bring me back the man-eater himself. You may have any help you like, but somehow or other you must manage to do it. Sikku felt very much cast down at these words, and went to the stable to ask advice of his friend the horse. Fear nothing, said the horse. Just say you want me in fifty pieces of gold.

Starting point is 09:04:15 Siku did as he was bid, and the two set out together. When they reached the country of the man-eater, Siku made all the church bells toll and the proclamation to be made. Siku, the servant of the king, is dead. The man-eater soon heard what everyone was saying, and was glad in his heart, for he thought, Well, it's good news that the thief who stole my sword is dead. But Siku bought an axe and a saw, and cut down a pine tree in the nearest wood, and began to hew it into planks.

Starting point is 09:04:51 What are you doing in my wood? asked the man-eater coming up. Noble Lord, answered Siku, I am making a coffin for the body of Siku, who is dead. Don't be in a hurry, answered the man-eater, who of course did not know whom he was talking to, and perhaps I can help you. and they set to work sawing and fitting, and very soon the coffin was finished. Then Siku scratched his ear thoughtfully and cried, Idiot that I am! I never took any measures! How am I to know if it is big enough?

Starting point is 09:05:26 But now, I come to think of it, Siku was just about your size. I wonder if you would be so good as to just put yourself in the coffin, and see if there's enough room? Oh, delighted, said the man-eater, and laid himself at full length in the coffin. Siku clapped on the lid and put a strong cord round it, tied it fast to his horse, and rode back to the king. And when the king saw that he really had brought back the man-eater,

Starting point is 09:05:54 he commanded a huge iron chest to be brought, and locked the coffin up inside. Just about this time the queen died, and soon after the king thought he should like to marry again. He saw it everywhere, but could not hear of any princess that took his fancy. Then the two envious brothers came to him and said, O King, there is but one woman that is worthy of being your wife,

Starting point is 09:06:18 and that is she who is the fairest in the whole world. But where can I find her? asked the King. Oh, Siku will know, and he will bring her to you. Now the king had got so used to depending on Siku that he really believed he could do everything. So he sent for him and said, Siku, unless within eight days you bring me the fairest in the world, I will have you hewn into a thousand pieces.

Starting point is 09:06:48 This mission seemed to Siku a hundred times worse than either of the others, and with tears in his eyes he took his way to the stables. Cheer up, laughed the horse, tell the king you must have some bread and honey, and a purse of gold, and leave the rest to me. did as he was bid, and they started at a gallop. After they had ridden some way, they saw a swarm of bees lying down on the ground, so hungry and weak that they were unable to fly. "'Get down and give the poor thing some honey,' said the horse, and Siku dismounted. By and by they came to a stream, on the bank of which was a fish, flapping feebly about

Starting point is 09:07:28 in its efforts to reach the water. Jumped down and throw the fish into the water. He will be useful to us." And Siku did so. Farther along the hillside they saw an eagle whose leg was caught in a snare. Go and free that eagle from the snare. He will be useful to us. And in a moment the eagle was soaring up into the sky. At length they came to the castle where the fairest in the world lived with their parents.

Starting point is 09:07:58 Then said the horse, You must get down and sit upon that stone, for I must enter the castle alone. directly, you see me come tearing by with the princess on my back. Jump up behind and hold her tight, so that she does not escape you. If you fail to do this, we are both lost. Segu seated himself on the stone, and the horse went on to the courtyard of the castle, where he began to trot round in a graceful and elegant manner. Soon a crowd collected first to watch him, and then to pat him, and the king and quingian princess came with the rest.

Starting point is 09:08:35 The eyes of the fairest in the world brightened as she looked, and she sprang on the horse's saddle, crying, Oh, I really must ride him a little! But the horse made one bound forward, and the princess was forced to hold tight by his mane, lest she should fall off. And as they dashed past the stone where Siku was waiting for them, he swung himself up and held her round the waist.

Starting point is 09:08:57 As he put his arms round her waist, the fairest in the world unwound the veil from her head, head and cast it to the ground. And then she drew a ring from her finger and flung it into the stream. But she said nothing, and they rode on fast, fast. The king of Sikku's country was watching for them at the top of a tower, and when he saw in the distance a cloud of dust he ran down to the steps so as to be ready to receive them. Bowing low before the fairest in the world he spoke, noble lady, will you do me the honor to become my wife? But she answered,

Starting point is 09:09:33 that can only be when Siku brings me the veil that I let fall on my way here. And the king turned to Siku and said, Siku, if you do not find the veil at once, you shall lose your head. Siku, who by this time had hoped for a little peace, felt his heart sink at this fresh errand, and he went into the stable to complain to the faithful. horse. It will be all right, answered the horse, when he had heard his tale.

Starting point is 09:10:02 Just take enough food for the day for both of us, and then get on my back. They rode back all the way they had come till they reached the place where they had found the eagle caught in the snare. Then the horse bade Siko to call three times on the king of the birds, and when he replied to beg him to fetch the veil which the fairest in the world had let fall. Wait a moment, answered a voice. to come from somewhere very high up indeed. An eagle was playing with it just now,

Starting point is 09:10:30 but he will be here with it in an instant. And a few minutes after there was the sound of wings, and an eagle came fluttering towards them with the veil in his beak, and Sikku saw it was the very same eagle that he had freed from the snare. So he took the veil and rode back to the king. Now the king was enchanted to see him so soon, and took the veil from Siku and flung it over the princess, crying, Here is the veil you asked for, so I claim you for my wife."

Starting point is 09:11:01 "'Not so fast,' answered she. "'I can never be your wife till Siku puts on my finger the ring I threw into the stream. Siku, who was standing by expecting something of the sort, bowed his head when he heard her words and went straight to the horse. "'Mounted once,' said the horse, this time it is very simple, and he carried Siku to the banks of the little stream. Now call three times on the Emperor of the Fish's and beg him to restore you the ring that the Princess dropped."

Starting point is 09:11:30 Siku did as the horse told him, and a voice was heard in answer that seemed to come from a very long way off. "'What is your will?' it asked, and Sika replied that he had been commanded to bring back the ring that the Princess had flung away, as she rode past. "'A fish is playing with it just now,' replied the voice. However, you shall have it without delay. And sure enough, very soon a little fish was seen rising to the surface with a lost ring in its mouth, and Siku knew him to be the fish that he had saved from death.

Starting point is 09:12:06 And he took the ring and rode back with it to the king. This is not enough, exclaimed the princess when she saw the ring. Before we can be man and wife, the oven must be heated for three days and three nights, and Siku must jump in. And the king forgot how Siku had served him, and desired him to do as the princess had said. This time Siku felt that no escape was possible, and he went to the horse and laid his hand on his neck. Now it is indeed goodbye, and there is no help to be got even from you. And he told him what fate awaited him.

Starting point is 09:12:42 But the horse said, Oh, never lose heart, but jump on my back and make me go till the foam flies and flex about me, then get down and scrape off the foam with a knife. This you must rub all over you, and when you are quite covered, you may suffer yourself to be cast into the oven, for the fire will not hurt you, nor anything else. And Siku did exactly as the horse bade him, and went back to the king,

Starting point is 09:13:07 and before the eyes of the fairest in the world, he sprang into the oven. And when the fairest in the world saw what he had done, Love entered into her heart, and she said to the king, One thing more, before I can be your wife, you must jump into the oven as Sikku had done." "'Willingly,' replied the king, stooping over the oven, but on the brink he paused a moment and called to Siku. Tell me, Sikou, how did you manage to prevent the fire burning you?'

Starting point is 09:13:38 Now Sikku could not forgive his master, whom he had served so faithfully for setting him to his death without a thought. So he answered, I rubbed myself over with fat, and I am not even singed. When he heard these words, the king, whose head was full of the princess, never stopped to inquire if they could be true, and smeared himself over with fat, and sprang into the oven, and in a moment the fire caught him, and he was burned up. Then the fairest in the world held out her hand to Siku and smiled, saying, now we will be man and wife. So Siku married the fairest in the world and became king of the country.

Starting point is 09:14:22 End of the story of Siku. Recording by Elliot Miller. www. www.vo.vo.com A. Section 41 of The Pink Fairy Book. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Starting point is 09:14:42 Don Giovanni di la Fortuna, Sicilianesh Martian. There was once a man whose name was Don Giovanni di la Fortuna, and he lived in a beautiful house that his father had built, and spent a great deal of money. Indeed, he spent so much that very soon there was none left, and Don Giovanni, instead of being a rich man with everything he could wish for, was forced to put on the dress of a pilgrim, and to wander from place to place begging his bread.

Starting point is 09:15:12 One day he was walking down a broad road when he was stopped by a handsome man he had never seen before, who, little as Don Giovanni knew it, was the devil himself. Would you like to be rich? asked the devil, and to lead a pleasant life. Yes, of course I should, replied the Don. Well, here is a purse. Take it and say to it, Dear purse, give me some money, and you will get as much as you can want, but the charm will only work if you promise to remain three years, three months, and three days without washing and without combing and without shaving your beard or changing your clothes.

Starting point is 09:16:04 If you do all this faithfully, when the time is up, you shall keep the purse for yourself. and I will let you off any other conditions. Now, Don Giovanni was a man who never troubled his head about the future. He did not once think how very uncomfortable he should be all those three years, but only that he should be able, by means of the purse, to have all sorts of things he had been obliged to do without. So he joyfully put the purse in his pocket and went on his way. He soon began to ask for money for the mere pleasure of it, and there was always as much as he needed.

Starting point is 09:16:47 For a little while he even forgot to notice how dirty he was getting. But this did not last long, for his hair became matted with dirt and hung over his eyes, and his pilgrim's dress was a mass of horrible rags and tatters. He was in this state when, one morning, he happened to be passing a fine palace, and as the sun was shining bright and warm he sat down on the steps and tried to shake off some of the dust which he had picked up on the road. But in a few minutes a maid saw him and said to her master, I pray you, sir, to drive away that beggar who is sitting on the steps,

Starting point is 09:17:26 or he will fill the whole house with his dirt. So the master went out and called from some distance off, for he was really afraid to go near the man. "'You filthy beggar! Leave my house at once!' "'You need not be so rude,' said Don Giovanni. "'I am not a beggar, and if I choose I could force you and your wife to leave your house.' "'What is that you can do?' laughed the gentleman. "'Will you sell me your house?' asked Don Giovanni.

Starting point is 09:17:58 "'I will buy it from you on the spot.' "'Oh, the dirty creature is quite mad,' thought the gentleman. I shall just accept his offer for a joke. And aloud, he said, All right, follow me, and we will go to a lawyer and get him to make a contract. And Don Giovanni followed him, and an agreement was drawn up by which the house was to be sold at once,

Starting point is 09:18:23 and a large sum of money paid down in eight days. Then the Don went to an inn where he hired two rooms, and standing in one of them, said to his purse, Dear purse, fill this room with gold. And when the eight days were up, it was so full you could not have put in another sovereign. When the owner of the house came to take away his money, Don Giovanni led him into the room and said, There, just bucket what you want. The gentleman stared with open mouth at the astonishing sight.

Starting point is 09:18:56 But he had given his word to sell the house, so he took his money, as he was told, and went away with his wife to look for some place to live in. And Don Giovanni left the inn and dwelt in the beautiful rooms, where his rags and dirt looked sadly out of place, and every day these got worse and worse. By and by the fame of his riches reached the ears of the king, and as he himself was always in need of money, he sent for Don Giovanni, as he wished to borrow a large sum. Don Giovanni readily agreed to lend him what he wanted, and sent the next day a huge wagon laden with sacks of gold. "'Who can he be?' thought the king to himself. "'Why, he is much richer than I.' The king took as much as he had need of,

Starting point is 09:19:46 then ordered the rest to be returned to Don Giovanni, who refused to receive it, saying, "'Tell His Majesty I am hurt at his proposal. I shall certainly not take back that handful of gold, and if he declines to accept it, keep it yourself.' The servant departed and delivered the message, and the king wondered more than ever how anyone could be so rich. At last he spoke to the queen.

Starting point is 09:20:13 Dear wife, this man has done me a great service, and has, besides, behaved like a gentleman and not allowing me to send back the money. I wish to give him the hand of our eldest daughter. The queen was quite pleased at this idea, and again messenger was sent to Don Giovanni, offering him the hand of the eldest princess. "'His Majesty is too good,' he replied.

Starting point is 09:20:39 "'I can only humbly accept the honor.' The messenger took back this answer, but a second time returned with a request that Don Giovanni would present them with his picture, so that they might know what sort of person to expect. But when it came, and the princess saw the horrible figure, she screamed out, "'What? Married this dirty beggar?

Starting point is 09:21:00 Never, never!' "'Ah, child,' answered the king, how could I ever guess that the rich Don Giovanni would ever look like that? But I have passed my royal word and I cannot break it. So there is no help for you. No, father, you may cut off my head if you choose, but marry that horrible beggar. I never will. And the queen took her part and reproached her husband bitterly for wishing his daughter to marry a creature like that.

Starting point is 09:21:32 Then the youngest daughter spoke. Dear father, do not look so sad, as you have given your word, I will marry Don Giovanni. The king fell on her neck and thanked her and kissed her, but the queen and the elder girl had nothing for her but laughs and jeers. So it was settled, and then the king made one of his lords go to Don Giovanni and ask him when the wedding day was to be, so that the princess might make ready. Let it be in two months, answered Don Giovanni. for the time was nearly up that the devil had fixed, and he wanted a whole month to himself

Starting point is 09:22:10 to wash off the dirt of the past three years. The very minute that the compact with the devil had come to an end, his beard was shaved, his hair was cut, and his rags were burned, and day and night he lay in a bath of clear warm water. At length he felt he was clean again, and he put on splendid clothes. and hired a beautiful ship and arrived in state at the king's palace. The whole of the royal family came down to the ship to receive him, and the whole way the queen and the elder princess teased the sister about the dirty husband she was going to have.

Starting point is 09:22:52 But when they saw how handsome he really was, their hearts were filled with envy and anger, so that their eyes were blinded, and they fell over into the sea and were drowned. and the youngest daughter rejoiced in the good luck that had come to her, and they had a splendid wedding when the days of morning for her mother and sister were ended. Soon after, the old king died, and Don Giovanni became king, and he was rich and happy to the end of his days, for he loved his wife,

Starting point is 09:23:24 and his purse always gave him money. End of Don Giovanni di la Fortuna. recording by Elliot Miller End of The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

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