A Bag Full of Surprises

A Bag Full of Surprises


Edited by Mr Valentinos

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Table of Contents

Sleeping Beauty – o5

Thumbelina – 13

The Story of Cinderella – 37

Ramirez – 45

The Story of Beauty and the Beast – 53

The Donkey Skin Girl – 63

The Ugly Duckling – 85

The Golden Crab – 91

How the Beggar Boy Turned into the Count Piro – 103

Jack and his Golden Snuff-Box – 120

Lazy Jack – 139

The Magic Swan – 144

The Magic Mirror – 153

Blue Bird – 176

Jack and the Bean-Stalk – 189

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Table of Contents Continues

Jack the Giant Killer – 216

Puss in Boots – 240

The Enchanted Stag – 249

The Fair One with the Golden Locks – 263

The Golden Goose – 283

The Three Bears – 294

The Twelve Brothers – 298

One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes – 308

Tom Thumb – 324

The White Cat – 337

The Monkey and the Dolphin – 365

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – 368

The Wise Little Girl – 375

The Princess and the Pea – 384

Three Little Pigs – 387

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Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree – 393

Table of Contents Continues

The Horned Women – 402

The Sprightly Tailor and the Haunted Church – 409

The Story-Teller at Fault - 414

The Tale of Ivan – 437

Jack and His Master – 445

Little Red Riding Hood - 461

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The Sleeping Beauty

A long time ago there were a king and queen who were unhappy because they were childless. But it happened that once when the queen was bathing, a frogcrept out of the water on to the land, and said to her, "Your wish shall be fulfilled, before a year has gone by, you shall have a daughter."

What the frog hadsaid came true, andthe queen had alittle girl who wasso pretty that theking could notcontain himself forjoy, and ordered a great feast. He invited not only his kindred, friends and acquaintances, but also the wise women, in order that they might be kindand well disposed towards the child. There were thirteen of them in his 5 | P a g e

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kingdom, but, as he had only twelve golden plates for them to eat out of, one of them had to be left at home.

The feast was held with all manner of splendour and when it came to an end the wise women bestowed their magic gifts upon the baby - one gave virtue, another beauty, a third riches,and so on with everything in the world that one can wish for.

When eleven of them had made their promises, suddenly the thirteenth came in. She wished to avenge herself for not having been invited, and without greeting, or even looking at anyone, she cried with a loud voice, "The king's daughter shall in her fifteenth year prick herself with a spindle, and fall down dead." And, without saying a word more, she turned round and left the room.

They were all shocked, but the twelfth,whose good wish still remained

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unspoken, came forward, and as she could not undo the evil sentence, but only soften it, she said, it shall not be death, but a deep sleep of a hundredyears, into which the princess shall fall.

The king, who would fain keep his dear child from the misfortune, gave orders that every spindle in the whole kingdomshould be burnt. Meanwhile the gifts ofthe wise women were plenteously fulfilled on the young girl, for she was so beautiful, modest, good-natured,and wise, that everyone who saw her wasbound to love her.

It happened that on the very day when she was fifteen years old, the king andqueen were not at home, and the maiden was left in the palace quite alone. So she went round into all sorts of places, looked into rooms and bed-chambers just as she liked, and at lastcame to an old tower. She climbed up the narrow winding staircase, and

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reached a little door. A rusty key was in the lock, and when she turned it thedoor sprang open, and there in a littleroom sat an old woman with a spindle, busily spinning her flax.

"Good day, old mother," said the king'sdaughter, "what are you doing there?" "I am spinning," said the old woman, and nodded her head. "What sort of thing is that, that rattles round so merrily," said the girl, and she took the spindle and wanted to spin too. But scarcely had she touched the spindle when the magic decree was fulfilled, and she pricked her finger with it.

And, in the very moment when she felt the prick, she fell down upon the bed that stood there, and lay in a deep sleep. And this sleep extended over thewhole palace, the king and queen who had just come home, and had entered thegreat hall, began to go to sleep, and the whole of the court with them. The

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horses, too, went to sleep in the stable, the dogs in the yard, the pigeons upon the roof, the flies on thewall, even the fire that was flaming onthe hearth became quiet and slept, the roast meat left off frizzling, and the cook, who was just going to pull the hair of the scullery boy, because he had forgotten something, let him go, and went to sleep. And the wind fell, and on the trees before the castle not a leaf moved again.

But round about the castle there began to grow a hedge of thorns, which every year became higher, and at last grew close up round the castle and all over it, so that there was nothing of it to be seen, not even the flag upon the roof. But the story of the beautiful sleeping Briar Rose, for so the princess was named, went about the country, so that from time to time kings' sons came and tried to get through the thorny hedge into the castle. But they found it impossible,

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for the thorns held fast together, as if they had hands, and the youths were caught in them, could not get loose again, and died a miserable death.

After long, long years a king's son came again to that country, and heard an old man talking about the thorn hedge, and that a castle was said to stand behind it in which a wonderfully beautiful princess, named Briar Rose, had been asleep for a hundred years, and that the king and queen and the whole court were asleep likewise. He had heard, too, from his grandfather, that many kings, sons had already come,and had tried to get through the thornyhedge, but they had remained sticking fast in it, and had died a pitiful death.

Then the youth said, "I am not afraid, I will go and see the beautiful Briar Rose." The good old man might dissuade him as he would, he did not listen to his words.

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But by this time the hundred years had just passed, and the day had come when Briar Rose was to awake again. When theking's son came near to the thorn hedge, it was nothing but large and beautiful flowers, which parted from each other of their own accord, and lethim pass unhurt, and then they closed again behind him like a hedge. In the castle yard he saw the horses and the spotted hounds lying asleep, on the roof sat the pigeons with their heads under their wings. And when he entered the house, the flies were asleep upon the wall, the cook in the kitchen was still holding out his hand to seize theboy, and the maid was sitting by the black hen which she was going to pluck.

He went on farther, and in the great hall he saw the whole of the court lying asleep, and up by the throne laidthe king and queen. Then he went on still farther, and all was so quiet

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that a breath could be heard, and at last he came to the tower, and opened the door into the little room where Briar Rose was sleeping.

There she lay, so beautiful that he could not turn his eyes away, and he stooped down and gave her a kiss. But as soon as he kissed her, Briar Rose opened her eyes and awoke, and looked at him quite sweetly.

Then they went down together, and the king awoke, and the queen and the wholecourt, and looked at each other in great astonishment. And the horses in the courtyard stood up and shook themselves, the hounds jumped up and wagged their tails, the pigeons upon the roof pulled out their heads from under their wings, looked round, and flew into the open country, the flies on the wall crept again, the fire in the kitchen burned up and flickered andcooked the meat, the joint began to turn and sizzle again, and the cook

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gave the boy such a box on the ear thathe screamed, and the maid finished plucking the fowl.

And then the marriage of the king's sonwith Briar Rose was celebrated with allsplendour, and they lived contented to the end of their days.

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Thumbelina

There was once a woman who wished very much to have a little child, but she could not obtain her wish. At last she went to a witch, and said, "I should sovery much like to have a little child; can you tell me where I can find one?"

"Oh, that can be easily managed," said the witch. "Here is a barleycorn of a different kind to those which grow in the farmer's fields, and which the chickens eat; put it into a flower-pot,and see what will happen."

"Thank you," said thewoman, and she gave the witch twelve shillings, which was the price of the barleycorn. Then she went home and planted

it, and immediately there grew up a large handsome flower, something like atulip in appearance, but with its

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leaves tightly closed as if it were still a bud. "It is a beautiful flower," said the woman, and she kissedthe red and golden coloured leaves, andwhile she did so the flower opened, andshe could see that it was a real tulip.Within the flower, upon the green velvet stamens, sat a very delicate andgraceful little maiden. She was scarcely half as long as a thumb and they gave her the name of "Thumbelina,"or Tiny, because she was so small. A walnut shell, elegantly polished, served her for a cradle; her bed was formed of blue violet-leaves, with a roseleaf for a counterpane.

Here she slept at night, but during theday she amused herself on a table, where the woman had placed a plateful of water. Round this plate were wreathsof flowers with their stems in the water, and upon it floated a large tulip-leaf, which served Tiny for a boat. Here the little maiden sat and rowed herself from side to side, with

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two oars made of white horsehair. It really was a very pretty sight. Tiny could, also, sing so softly and sweetlythat nothing like her singing had ever before been heard. One night, while shelay in her pretty bed, a large, ugly, wet toad crept through a broken pane ofglass in the window, and leaped right upon the table where Tiny lay sleeping under her roseleaf quilt. "What a pretty little wife this would make for my son, said the toad, and she took up the walnut-shell in which little Tiny lay asleep, and jumped through the window with it into the garden.

In the swampy margin of a broad stream in the garden lived the toad, with her son. He was uglier even than his mother, and when he saw the pretty little maiden in her elegant bed, he could only cry, "Croak, croak, croak."

"Don't speak so loud, or she will wake," said the toad, "and then she might run away, for she is as light as

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swan's down. We will place her on one of the water-lily leaves out in the stream; it will be like an island to her, she is so light and small, and then she cannot escape; and, while she is away, we will make haste and preparethe state-room under the marsh, in which you are to live when you are married."

Far out in the stream grew a number of water lilies, with broad green leaves, which seemed to float on the top of thewater. The largest of these leaves appeared farther off than the rest, andthe old toad swam out to it with the walnut-shell, in which little Tiny lay still asleep. The tiny little creature woke very early in the morning, and began to cry bitterly when she found where she was, for she could see nothing but water on every side of the large green leaf, and no way of reaching the land. Meanwhile the old toad was very busy under the marsh, decking her room with rushes and wild

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yellow flowers, to make it look pretty for her new daughter-in-law. Then she swam out with her ugly son to the leaf on which she had placed poor little Tiny. She wanted to fetch the pretty bed, that she might put it in the bridal chamber to be ready for her. Theold toad bowed low to her in the water,and said, "Here is my son, he will be your husband, and you will live happilyin the marsh by the stream."

"Croak, croak, croak," was all her son could say for himself; so the toad tookup the elegant little bed, and swam away with it, leaving Tiny all alone onthe green leaf, where she sat and wept.She could not bear to think of living with the old toad, and having her ugly son for a husband. The little fishes, which swam about in the water beneath, had seen the toad, and heard what she said, so they lifted their heads above the water to look at the little maiden.As soon as they caught sight of her, they saw she was very pretty, and it

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made them very sorry to think that she must go and live with the ugly toads. "No, it must never be!" so they assembled together in the water, round the green stalk which held the leaf on which the little maiden stood, and gnawed it away at the root with their teeth. Then the leaf floated down the stream, carrying Tiny far away out of reach of land.

Tiny sailed past many towns, and the little birds in the bushes saw her, andsang, "What a lovely little creature;" so the leaf swam away with her farther and farther, till it brought her to other lands. A graceful little white butterfly constantly fluttered round her, and at last alighted on the leaf. Tiny pleased him, and she was glad of it, for now the toad could not possiblyreach her, and the country through which she sailed was beautiful, and thesun shone upon the water, till it glittered like liquid gold. She took off her girdle and tied one end of it

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round the butterfly, and the other end of the ribbon she fastened to the leaf,which now glided on much faster than ever, taking little Tiny with it as shestood. Presently a large cockchafer flew by; the moment he caught sight of her, he seized her round her delicate waist with his claws, and flew with herinto a tree. The green leaf floated away on the brook, and the butterfly flew with it, for he was fastened to it, and could not get away.

Oh, how frightened little Tiny felt when the cockchafer flew with her to the tree! But especially was she sorry for the beautiful white butterfly whichshe had fastened to the leaf, for if hecould not free himself he would die of hunger. But the cockchafer did not trouble himself at all about the matter. He seated himself by her side on a large green leaf, gave her some honey from the flowers to eat, and toldher she was very pretty, though not in the least like a cockchafer. After a

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time, all the cockchafers turned up their feelers, and said, "She has only two legs! How ugly that looks." "She has no feelers," said another. "Her waist is quite slim. Pooh! She is like a human being."

"Oh! She is ugly," said all the lady cockchafers, although Tiny was very pretty. Then the cockchafer who had runaway with her, believed all the others when they said she was ugly, and would have nothing more to say to her, and told her she might go where she liked. Then he flew down with her from the tree, and placed her on a daisy, and she wept at the thought that she was sougly that even the cockchafers would have nothing to say to her. And all thewhile she was really the loveliest creature that one could imagine, and astender and delicate as a beautiful roseleaf.

During the whole summer poor little Tiny lived quite alone in the wide

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forest. She wove herself a bed with blades of grass, and hung it up under abroad leaf, to protect herself from therain. She sucked the honey from the flowers for food, and drank the dew from their leaves every morning. So passed away the summer and the autumn, and then came the winter,- the long, cold winter. All the birds who had sungto her so sweetly were flown away, and the trees and the flowers had withered.The large cloverleaf under the shelter of which she had lived, was now rolled together and shrivelled up, nothing remained but a yellow withered stalk.

She felt dreadfully cold, for her clothes were torn, and she was herself so frail and delicate, that poor littleTiny was nearly frozen to death. It began to snow too; and the snowflakes, as they fell upon her, were like a whole shovelful falling upon one of us,for we are tall, but she was only an inch high. Then she wrapped herself up in a dry leaf, but it cracked in the

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middle and could not keep her warm, andshe shivered with cold. Near the wood in which she had been living lay a cornfield, but the corn had been cut a long time; nothing remained but the bare dry stubble standing up out of thefrozen ground. It was to her like struggling through a large wood. Oh! How she shivered with the cold. She came at last to the door of a field mouse, which had a little den under thecorn-stubble. There dwelt the field mouse in warmth and comfort, with a whole roomful of corn, a kitchen, and abeautiful dining room. Poor little Tinystood before the door just like a little beggar-girl, and begged for a small piece of barleycorn, for she had been without a morsel to eat for two days.

"You poor little creature," said the field-mouse, who was really a good old field-mouse, "come into my warm room and dine with me." She was very pleasedwith Tiny, so she said, "You are quite

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welcome to stay with me all the winter,if you like; but you must keep my roomsclean and neat, and tell me stories, for I shall like to hear them very much." And Tiny did all the field mouseasked her, and found herself very comfortable.

"We shall have a visitor soon," said the field-mouse one day; "my neighbor pays me a visit once a week. He is better off than I am; he has large rooms, and wears a beautiful black velvet coat. If you could only have himfor a husband, you would be well provided for indeed. But he is blind, so you must tell him some of your prettiest stories.

But Tiny did not feel at all interestedabout this neighbour, for he was a mole. However, he came and paid his visit dressed in his black velvet coat.

"He is very rich and learned, and his

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house is twenty times larger than mine," said the field mouse.

He was rich and learned, no doubt, but he always spoke slighting of the sun and the pretty flowers, because he had never seen them. Tiny was obliged to sing to him, "Lady-bird, lady-bird, flyaway home," and many other pretty songs. And the mole fell in love with her because she had such a sweet voice;but he said nothing yet, for he was very cautious. A short time before, themole had dug a long passage under the earth, which led from the dwelling of the field mouse to his own, and here she had permission to walk with Tiny whenever she liked. But he warned them not to be alarmed at the sight of a dead bird which lay in the passage. It was a perfect bird, with a beak and feathers, and could not have been dead long, and was lying just where the molehad made his passage. The mole took a piece of phosphorescent wood in his mouth, and it glittered like fire in

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the dark; then he went before them to light them through the long, dark passage.

When they came to the spot where lay the dead bird, the mole pushed his broad nose through the ceiling, the earth gave way, so that there was a large hole, and the daylight shone intothe passage. In the middle of the floorlay a dead swallow, his beautiful wingspulled close to his sides, his feet andhis head drawn up under his feathers; the poor bird had evidently died of thecold. It made little Toby very sad to see it, she did so love the little birds; all the summer they had sung andtwittered for her so beautifully. But the mole pushed it aside with his crooked legs, and said, "He will sing no more now. How miserable it must be to be born a little bird! I am thankfulthat none of my children will ever be birds, for they can do nothing but cry,'Tweet, tweet,' and always die of hunger in the winter."

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"Yes, you may well say that, as a clever man!" exclaimed the field-mouse,"What is the use of his twittering, forwhen winter comes he must either starveor be frozen to death. Still birds are very high bred."

Toby said nothing; but when the two others had turned their backs on the bird, she stooped down and stroked aside the soft feathers which covered the head, and kissed the closed eyelids. "Perhaps this was the one who sang to me so sweetly in the summer," she said; "and how much pleasure it gave me, you dear, pretty bird."

The mole now stopped up the hole through which the daylight shone, and then accompanied the lady home. But during the night Toby could not sleep; so she got out of bed and wove a large,beautiful carpet of hay; then she carried it to the dead bird, and spreadit over him; with some down from the

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flowers which she had found in the field-mouse's room. It was as soft as wool, and she spread some of it on eachside of the bird, so that he might lie warmly in the cold earth. "Farewell, you pretty little bird," said she, "farewell; thank you for your delightful singing during the summer, when all the trees were green, and the warm sun shone upon us. Then she laid her head on the bird's breast, but she was alarmed immediately, for it seemed as if something inside the bird went "thump, thump." It was the bird's heart; he was not really dead, only benumbed with the cold, and the warmth had restored him to life.

In autumn, all the swallows fly away into warm countries, but if one happensto linger, the cold seizes it, it becomes frozen, and falls down as if dead; it remains where it fell, and thecold snow covers it. Toby trembled verymuch; she was quite frightened, for thebird was large, a great deal larger

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than herself,- she was only an inch high. But she took courage, laid the wool more thickly over the poor swallow, and then took a leaf which shehad used for her own counterpane, and laid it over the head of the poor bird.The next morning she again stole out tosee him. He was alive but very weak; hecould only open his eyes for a moment to look at Toby, who stood by holding apiece of decayed wood in her hand, for she had no other lantern. "Thank you, pretty little maiden," said the sick swallow; "I have been so nicely warmed,that I shall soon regain my strength, and be able to fly about again in the warm sunshine."

"Oh," said she, "it is cold out of doors now; it snows and freezes. Stay in your warm bed; I will take care of you."

Then she brought the swallow some waterin a flower-leaf, and after he had drank, he told her that he had wounded

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one of his wings in a thorn-bush, and could not fly as fast as the others, who were soon far away on their journeyto warm countries. Then at last he had fallen to the earth, and could rememberno more, nor how he came to be where she had found him. The whole winter theswallow remained underground, and Toby nursed him with care and love. Neither the mole nor the field mouse knew anything about it, for they did not like swallows. Very soon the springtimecame, and the sun warmed the earth. Then the swallow bade farewell to Toby,and she opened the hole in the ceiling which the mole had made. The sun shone in upon them so beautifully, that the swallow asked her if she would go with him; she could sit on his back, he said, and he would fly away with her into the green woods. But Toby knew it would make the field-mouse very grievedif she left her in that manner, so she said, "No, I cannot."

"Farewell, then, farewell, you good,

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pretty little maiden," said the swallow; and he flew out into the sunshine.

Toby looked after him, and the tears rose in her eyes. She was very fond of the poor swallow.

"Tweet, tweet," sang the bird, as he flew out into the green woods, and Tobyfelt very sad. She was not allowed to go out into the warm sunshine. The cornwhich had been sown in the field over the house of the field mouse had grown up high into the air, and formed a thick wood to Toby, who was only an inch in height.

"You are going to be married, Toby," said the field mouse. "My neighbour hasasked for you. What good fortune for a poor child like you. Now we will prepare your wedding clothes. They mustbe both woollen and linen. Nothing mustbe wanting when you are the mole's wife."

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Toby had to turn the spindle, and the field mouse hired four spiders, which were to weave day and night. Every evening the mole visited her, and was continually speaking of the time when the summer would be over. Then he wouldkeep his wedding-day with Toby; but nowthe heat of the sun was so great that it burned the earth, and made it quite hard, like a stone. As soon, as the summer was over, the wedding should take place. But Toby was not at all pleased; for she did not like the tiresome mole. Every morning when the sun rose, and every evening when it went down, she would creep out at the door, and as the wind blew aside the ears of corn, so that she could see theblue sky, she thought how beautiful andbright it seemed out there, and wished so much to see her dear swallow again. But he never returned; for by this timehe had flown far away into the lovely green forest.

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When autumn arrived, Toby had her outfit quite ready; and the field mousesaid to her, "In four weeks the weddingmust take place."

Then Toby wept, and said she would not marry the disagreeable mole.

"Nonsense," replied the field mouse. "Now don't be obstinate, or I shall bite you with my white teeth. He is a very handsome mole; the queen herself does not wear more beautiful velvets and furs. His kitchen and cellars are quite full. You ought to be very thankful for such good fortune."

So the wedding-day was fixed, on which the mole was to fetch Toby away to livewith him, deep under the earth, and never again to see the warm sun, because he did not like it. The poor child was very unhappy at the thought of saying farewell to the beautiful sun, and as the field mouse had given her permission to stand at the door,

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she went to look at it once more.

"Farewell bright sun," she cried, stretching out her arm towards it; and then she walked a short distance from the house; for the corn had been cut, and only the dry stubble remained in the fields. "Farewell, farewell," she repeated, twining her arm round a little red flower that grew just by herside. "Greet the little swallow from me, if you should see him again."

"Tweet, tweet," sounded over her head suddenly. She looked up, and there was the swallow himself flying close by. Assoon as he spied Toby, he was delighted; and then she told him how unwilling she felt to marry the ugly mole, and to live always beneath the earth, and never to see the bright sun any more. And as she told him she wept.

"Cold winter is coming," said the swallow, "and I am going to fly away

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into warmer countries. Will you go withme? You can sit on my back, and fasten yourself on with your sash. Then we canfly away from the ugly mole and his gloomy rooms,- far away, over the mountains, into warmer countries, wherethe sun shines more brightly- than here; where it is always summer, and the flowers bloom in greater beauty. Fly now with me, dear little Toby; you saved my life when I lay frozen in thatdark passage."

"Yes, I will go with you," said Toby; and she seated herself on the bird's back, with her feet on his outstretchedwings, and tied her girdle to one of his strongest feathers.

Then the swallow rose in the air, and flew over forest and over sea, high above the highest mountains, covered with eternal snow. Toby would have beenfrozen in the cold air, but she crept under the bird's warm feathers, keepingher little head uncovered, so that she

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might admire the beautiful lands over which they passed. At length they reached the warm countries, where the sun shines brightly, and the sky seems so much higher above the earth. Here, on the hedges, and by the wayside, grewpurple, green, and white grapes; lemonsand oranges hung from trees in the woods; and the air was fragrant with myrtle and orange blossoms. Beautiful children ran along the country lanes, playing with large gay butterflies; andas the swallow flew farther and farther, every place appeared still lovelier.

At last they came to a blue lake, and by the side of it, shaded by trees of the deepest green, stood a palace of dazzling white marble, built in the olden times. Vines clustered round its lofty pillars, and at the top were manyswallows' nests, and one of these was the home of the swallow that carried Toby.

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"This is my house," said the swallow; "but it would not do for you to live there- you would not be comfortable. You must choose for yourself one of those lovely flowers, and I will put you down upon it, and then you shall have everything that you can wish to make you happy."

"That will be delightful," she said, and clapped her little hands for joy.

A large marble pillar lay on the ground, which, in falling, had been broken into three pieces. Between thesepieces grew the most beautiful large white flowers; so the swallow flew downwith Toby, and placed her on one of thebroad leaves. But how surprised she wasto see in the middle of the flower, a Toby little man, as white and transparent as if he had been made of crystal! He had a gold crown on his head, and delicate wings at his shoulders, and was not much larger thanToby herself. He was the angel of the

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flower; for a Toby man and a Toby womandwell in every flower; and this was theking of them all.

"Oh, how beautiful he is!" whispered Toby to the swallow.

The little prince was at first quite frightened at the bird, which was like a giant, compared to such a delicate little creature as himself; but when hesaw Toby, he was delighted, and thoughther the prettiest little maiden he had ever seen. He took the gold crown from his head, and placed it on hers, and asked her name, and if she would be hiswife, and queen over all the flowers.

This certainly was a very different sort of husband to the son of a toad, or the mole, with my black velvet and fur; so she said, "Yes," to the handsome prince. Then all the flowers opened, and out of each came a little lady or a Toby lord, all so pretty it was quite a pleasure to look at them.

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Each of them brought Toby a present; but the best gift was a pair of beautiful wings, which had belonged to a large white fly and they fastened them to Toby's shoulders, so that she might fly from flower to flower. Then there was much rejoicing, and the little swallow, who sat above them, in his nest, was asked to sing a wedding song, which he did as well as he could;but in his heart he felt sad for he wasvery fond of Toby, and would have likednever to part from her again.

"You must not be called Toby anymore," said the spirit of the flowers to her. "It is an ugly name, and you are so very pretty. We will call you Maia."

"Farewell, farewell," said the swallow,with a heavy heart as he left the warm countries to fly back into Denmark. There he had a nest over the window of a house in which dwelt the writer of fairy tales. The swallow sang, "Tweet,

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tweet," and from his song came the whole story.

The Story of Cinderella

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Once upon a time... there lived an unhappy young girl. Unhappy she was, for her mother was dead, her father hadmarried another woman, a widow with twodaughters, and her stepmother didn't like her one little bit.All the nice things, kindthoughts and loving toucheswere for her own daughters.And not just the kindthoughts and love, but alsodresses, shoes, shawls,delicious food, comfy beds, as well as every home comfort. All this was laid on for her daughters. But, for the poorunhappy girl, there was nothing at all.No dresses, only her stepsisters' hand-me-downs. No lovely dishes, nothing butscraps. No nice rests and comfort. For she had to work hard all day, and only when evening came was she allowed to sit for a while by the fire, near the cinders. That is how she got her nickname, for everybody called her Cinderella. Cinderella used to spend long hours all alone talking to the

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cat. The cat said,

"Miaow", which really meant, "Cheer up!You have something neither of your stepsisters have and that is beauty."

It was quite true. Cindarella, even dressed in rags with a dusty gray face from the cinders, was a lovely girl. While her stepsisters, no matter how splendid and elegant their clothes, were still clumsy, lumpy and ugly and always would be.

One day, beautiful new dresses arrived at the house. A ball was to be held at Court and the stepsisters were getting ready to go to it. Cinderella, didn't even dare ask, "What about me?" for she knew very well what the answer to that would be:

"You? My dear girl, you're staying at home to wash the dishes, scrub the floors and turn down the beds for your stepsisters. They will come home tired

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and very sleepy." Cinderella sighed at the cat.

"Oh dear, I'm so unhappy!" and the cat murmured "Miaow".

Suddenly something amazing happened. Inthe kitchen, where Cinderella was sitting all by herself, there was a burst of light and a fairy appeared.

"Don't be alarmed, Cinderella," said the fairy. "The wind blew me your sighs. I know you would love to go to the ball. And so you shall!"

"How can I, dressed in rags?" Cinderella replied. "The servants will turn me away!" The fairy smiled. With aflick of her magic wand... Cinderella found herself wearing the most beautiful dress, the loveliest ever seen in the realm.

"Now that we have settled the matter ofthe dress," said the fairy, "we'll need

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to get you a coach. A real lady would never go to a ball on foot!"

"Quickly! Get me a pumpkin!" she ordered.

"Oh of course," said Cinderella, rushing away. Then the fairy turned to the cat.

"You bring me seven mice!"

"Seven mice!" said the cat."I didn't know fairies ate mice too!"

"They're not for eating, silly! Do as you are

told ... and, remember they must be alive!"

Cinderella soon returned with a fine pumpkin and the cat with seven mice he had caught in the cellar.

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magic wand... wonder of wonders! The pumpkin turned into a sparkling coach and the mice became six white horses, while the seventh mouse turned into a coachman, in a smart uniform and carrying a whip. Cinderella could hardly believe her eyes.

"I shall present you at Court. You willsoon see that the Prince, in whose honour the ball is being held, will be enchanted by your loveliness. But remember! You must leave the ball at midnight and come home. For that is when the spell ends. Your coach will turn back into a pumpkin, the horses will become mice again and the coachmanwill turn back into a mouse... and you will be dressed again in rags and wearing clogs instead of these dainty little slippers! Do you understand?" Cinderella smiled and said,

"Yes, I understand!"

When Cinderella entered the ballroom at

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the palace, a hush fell. Everyone stopped in mid-sentence to admire her elegance, her beauty and grace.

"Who can that be?" people asked each other. The two stepsisters also wondered who the newcomer was, for never in a month of Sundays, would theyever have guessed that the beautiful girl was really poor Cinderella who talked to the cat!

When the prince set eyes on Cinderella,he was struck by her beauty. Walking over to her, he bowed deeply and asked her to dance. And to the great disappointment of all the young ladies,he danced with Cinderella all evening.

"Who are you, fair maiden?" the Prince kept asking her. But Cinderella only replied:

"What does it matter who I am! You willnever see me again anyway."

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"Oh, but I shall, I'm quite certain!" he replied.

Cinderella had a wonderful time at the ball... But, all of a sudden, she heard the sound of a clock: the first stroke of midnight!

She remembered what the fairy had said,and without a word of goodbye she slipped from the Prince's arms and ran down the steps. As she ran she lost oneof her slippers, but not for a moment did she dream of stopping to pick it up! If the last stroke of midnight wereto sound... oh... what a disaster that would be! Out she fled and vanished into the night.

The Prince, who was now madly in love with her, picked up her slipper and said to his ministers,

"Go and search everywhere for the girl whose foot this slipper fits. I will never be content until I find her!" So

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the ministers tried the slipper on the foot of all the girls... and on Cinderella's foot as well... Surprise! The slipper fitted perfectly.

"That awful untidy girl simply cannot have been at the ball," snapped the stepmother. "Tell the Prince he ought to marry one of my two daughters! Can'tyou see how ugly Cinderella is! Can't you see?"

Suddenly she broke off, for the fairy had appeared.

"That's enough!" she exclaimed, raisingher magic wand. In a flash, Cinderella appeared in a splendid dress, shining with youth and beauty. Her stepmother and stepsisters gaped at her in amazement, and the ministers said,

"Come with us, fair maiden! The Prince waits to present you with his engagement ring!" So Cinderella joyfully went with them, and lived

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happily ever after with her Prince. Andas for the cat, he just said "Miaow"!

Ramirez

There was once a couple who had long invain wished for a child. At length the woman hoped that God was about to granther desire. They had a little window atthe back of their house from which a splendid garden could be seen, which was full of beautiful flowers and herbs. It was, however, surrounded by a high wall, and no one dared to go into it because it belonged to an enchantress, who had great power and

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was dreaded by the entire world. One day the woman was standing by this window and looking down into the garden, when she saw a bed which was planted with the most beautiful rampion - Ramirez, and it looked so fresh and green that she longed for it, and had the greatest desire to eat some. This desire increased every day, and

as she knew that she could not get any of it, she quite pined away, and began to look pale and miserable. Her husbandwas alarmed, and asked, "What makes yousad, dear wife." "Ah", she replied, "IfI can't eat some of the rampion, which is in the garden behind our house, I shall die". The man, who loved her, thought, sooner than let your wife die,bring her some of the rampion yourself,let it cost what it will. At twilight,

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he clambered down over the wall into the garden of the enchantress, hastily clutched a handful of rampion, and tookit to his wife. She at once made herself a salad of it, and ate it greedily. It tasted so good to her - sovery good, that the next day she longedfor it three times as much as before. If he was to have any rest, her husbandmust once more descend into the garden.In the gloom of evening, therefore, he let himself down again. But when he hadclambered down the wall he was terriblyafraid, for he saw the enchantress standing before him. "How dare you", said she with angry look, "descend intomy garden and steal my rampion like a thief. You shall suffer for it". He answered, "Let mercy take the place of justice, I only made up my mind to do it out of necessity. My wife saw your rampion from the window, and felt such a longing for it that she would have died if she had not got some to eat". Then the enchantress allowed her anger to be softened, and said to him, if the

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case be as you say, I will allow you totake away with you as much rampion as you will, only I make one condition, you must give me the child which your wife will bring into the world. It shall be well treated, and I will care for it like a mother. The man in his terror consented to everything, and when the woman was brought to bed, the enchantress appeared at once, gave the child the name of Ramirez, and took it away with her. Ramirez grew into the most beautiful child under the sun.

When she was twelve years old, the enchantress shut her into a tower, which lay in a forest, and had neither stairs nor door, but quite at the top was a little window. When the enchantress wanted to go in, she placedherself beneath it and cried, "Ramirez,Ramirez, let down your hair to me".

Ramirez had magnificent long hair, fineas spun gold, and when she heard the voice of the enchantress she unfastened

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her braided tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above, and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress climbed up byit.

After a year or two, it came to pass that the king's son rode through the forest and passed by the tower. Then heheard a song, which was so charming that he stood still and listened. This wasRamirez, who in her solitude passed hertime in letting her sweet voice resound. The king's son wanted to climbup to her, and looked for the door of the tower, but none was to be found. Herode home, but the singing had so deeply touched his heart, that every day he went out into the forest and listened to it. Once when he was thus standing behind a tree, he saw that an enchantress came there, and he heard how she cried,

"If that is the ladder by which one

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mounts, I too will try my fortune". Thought he, and the next day when it began to grow dark, he went to the tower and cried, "Ramirez, Ramirez, letdown your hair". Immediately the hair fell down and the king's son climbed up. At first Ramirez was terribly frightened when a man, such as her eyeshad never yet beheld, came to her. But the king's son began to talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced to see her. Then Ramirez lost her fear, and when he asked her ifshe would take him for her husband, andshe saw that he was young and handsome,she thought, he will love me more than old dame gothic does. And she said yes,and laid her hand in his. She said, I will willingly go away with you, but I do not know how to get down. Bring withyou a skein of silk every time that youcome, and I will weave a ladder with it, and when that is ready I will descend, and you will take me on your

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horse. They agreed that until that timehe should come to her every evening, for the old woman came by day. The enchantress remarked nothing of this, until once Ramirez said to her, tell me, how it happens that you are so muchheavier for me to draw up than the young king's son - he is with me in a moment. Ah. You wicked child, cried theenchantress. What do I hear you say? I thought I had separated you from the entire world, and yet you have deceivedme. In her anger she clutched Ramirez'sbeautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand, seized a pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, and the lovelybraids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless that she took poor Ramirez into a desert where she had to live in great grief and misery.

On the same day that she cast out Ramirez, however, the enchantress fastened the braids of hair, which she had cut off, to the hook of the window,

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and when the king's son came and cried,Ramirez, Ramirez, let down your hair, she let the hair down. The king's son ascended, but instead of finding his dearest Ramirez, he found the enchantress, who gazed at him with wicked and venomous looks. Aha, she cried mockingly, you would fetch your dearest, but the beautiful bird sits nolonger singing in the nest. The cat hasgot it, and will scratch out your eyes as well. Ramirez is lost to you. You will never see her again. The king's son was beside himself with pain, and in his despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life, but the thorns into which he fell pierced his eyes. Then he wandered quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but rootsand berries, and did naught but lament and weep over the loss of his dear wife. Thus he roamed about in misery for some years, and at length came to the desert where Ramirez, with the twins to which she had given birth, a boy and a girl, lived in wretchedness.

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He heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached, Ramirez knew him and fell on his neck and wept.Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they grew clear again, and he could seewith them as before. He led her to his kingdom where he was joyfully received,and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented.

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The Story of Beauty and the Beast

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Once upon a time as a merchant set off for market, he asked each of his three daughters what she would like as a present on his return. The first daughter wanted a brocade dress, the second a pearl necklace, but the third,whose name was Beauty, the youngest, prettiest and sweetest of them all, said to her father:

"All I'd like is a rose you've picked specially for me!"

When the merchant had finished his business, he set off for home. However, a sudden storm blew up, andhis horse could hardly make

headway in the howling gale. Cold and weary, the merchant had lost all hope of reaching an inn when he suddenly noticed a bright light shining in the middle of a wood. As he drew near, he

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saw that it was a castle, bathed in light.

"I hope I'll find shelter there for thenight," he said to himself. When he reached the door, he saw it was open, but though he shouted, nobody came to greet him. Plucking up courage, he wentinside, still calling out to attract attention. On a table in the main hall,a splendid dinner lay already served. The merchant lingered, still shouting for the owner of the castle. But no one came, and so the starving merchant sat down to a hearty meal.

Overcome by curiosity, he ventured upstairs, where the corridor led into magnificent rooms and halls. A fire crackled in the first room and a soft bed looked very inviting. It was now late, and the merchant could not resist. He lies down on the bed and fell fast asleep. When he woke next morning, an unknown hand had placed a

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mug of steaming coffee and some fruit by his bedside.

The merchant had breakfast and after tidying himself up, went downstairs to thank his generous host. But, as on theevening before, there was nobody in sight. Shaking his head in wonder at the strangeness of it all, he went towards the garden where he had left his horse, tethered to a tree. Suddenly, a large rose bush caught his eye.

Remembering his promise to Beauty, he bent down to pick a rose. Instantly, out of the rose garden, sprang a horrible beast, wearing splendid clothes. Two bloodshot eyes, gleaming angrily, glared at him and a deep, terrifying voice growled: "Ungrateful man! I gave you shelter, you ate at my table and slept in my own bed, but now all the thanks I get is the theft of myfavourite flowers! I shall put you to death for this slight!" Trembling with

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fear, the merchant fell on his knees before the Beast.

"Forgive me! Forgive me! Don't kill me!I'll do anything you say! The rose wasn't for me; it was for my daughter Beauty. I promised to bring her back a rose from my journey!" The Beast dropped the paw it had clamped on the unhappy merchant.

"I shall spare your life, but on one condition, that you bring me your daughter!" The terror-stricken merchant, faced with certain death if he did not obey, promised that he woulddo so. When he reached home in tears, his three daughters ran to greet him. After he had told them of his dreadful adventure, Beauty put his mind at rest immediately.

"Dear father, I'd do anything for you! Don't worry, you'll be able to keep your promise and save your life! Take me to the castle. I'll stay there in

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your place!" The merchant hugged his daughter.

"I never did doubt your love for me. For the moment I can only thank you forsaving my life." So Beauty was led to the castle. The Beast, however, had quite an unexpected greeting for the girl. Instead of menacing doom as it had done with her father, it was surprisingly pleasant.

In the beginning, Beauty was frightenedof the Beast, and shuddered at the sight of it. Then she found that, in spite of the monster's awful head, her horror of it was gradually fading as time went by. She had one of the finestrooms in the Castle, and sat for hours,embroidering in front of the fire. And the Beast would sit, for hours on end, only a short distance away, silently gazing at her. Then it started to say afew kind words, till in the end, Beautywas amazed to discover that she was actually enjoying its conversation. The

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days passed, and Beauty and the Beast became good friends. Then one day, the Beast asked the girl to be his wife.

Taken by surprise, Beauty did not know what to say. Marry such an ugly monster? She would rather die! But she did not want to hurt the feelings of one who, after all, had been kind to her. And she remembered too that she owed it her own life as well as her father's.

"I really can't say yes," she began shakily. "I'd so much like to..." The Beast interrupted her with an abrupt gesture.

"I quite understand! And I'm not offended by your refusal!" Life went onas usual, and nothing further was said.One day, the Beast presented Beauty with a magnificent magic mirror. When Beauty peeped into it, she could see her family, far away.

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"You won't feel so lonely now," were the words that accompanied the gift. Beauty stared for hours at her distant family. Then she began to feel worried.One day, the Beast found her weeping beside the magic mirror.

"What's wrong?" he asked, kindly as always. "My father is gravely ill and close to dying! Oh, how I wish I could see him again, before it's too late!" But the Beast only shook its head. "No! You will never leave this castle!"And off it stalked in a rage. However, a little later, it returned and spoke solemnly to the girl. "If you swear that you will return herein seven days time, I'll let you go andvisit your father!" Beauty threw herself at the Beast's feet in delight. "I swear! I swear I will! How kind you are! You've made a loving daughter so happy!" In reality, the merchant had fallen ill from a broken heart at

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knowing his daughter was being kept prisoner.

When he embraced her again, he was soonon the road to recovery. Beauty stayed beside him for hours on end, describingher life at the Castle, and explaining that the Beast was really good and kind. The days flashed past, and at last the merchant was able to leave hisbed. He was completely well again. Beauty was happy at last. However, she had failed to notice that seven days had gone by.

Then one night she woke from a terriblenightmare. She had dreamt that the Beast was dying and calling for her, twisting in agony.

"Come back! Come back to me!" it was pleading. The solemn promise she had made drove her to leave home immediately.

"Hurry! Hurry, good horse!" she said, whipping her steed onwards towards the

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castle, afraid that she might arrive too late. She rushed up the stairs, calling, but there was no reply. Her heart in her mouth, Beauty ran into thegarden and there crouched the Beast, its eyes shut, as though dead. Beauty threw herself at it and hugged it tightly.

"Don't die! Don't die! I'll marry you .. ." At these words, a miracle took place. The Beast's ugly snout turned magically into the face of a handsome young man.

"How I've been longing for this moment!" he said. "I was suffering in silence, and couldn't tell my frightfulsecret.

An evil witch turned me into a monster and only the love of a maiden willing to accept me as I was, could transform me back into my real self. My dearest! I'll be so happy if you'll marry me."

The wedding took place shortly after

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and, from that day on; the young Princewould have nothing but roses in his gardens. And that's why, to this day, the castle is known as the Castle of the Rose.

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The Donkey Skin Girl

There was once upon a time a king who was so much loved by hissubjects that he thoughthimself the happiest man in thewhole world, and he hadeverything his heart coulddesire. His palace was filledwith the rarest of curiosities, and hisgardens with the sweetest flowers, while in the marble stalls of his stables stood a row of milk-white Arabs, with bigbrown eyes.

Strangers who hadheard of themarvels which theking had collected, and made long journeys to see them, were, however, surprised to find the most splendid stall of all occupied by a donkey, withparticularly large and drooping ears. It was a very fine donkey; but still, as far as they could tell, nothing so

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very remarkable as to account for the care with which it was lodged; and theywent away wondering, for they could notknow that every night, when it was asleep, bushels of gold pieces tumbled out of its ears, which were picked up each morning by the attendants.

After many years of prosperity a sudden blowfell upon the king in the death of his wife, whom he loved dearly. But before she died, the

queen, who had always thought first of his happiness, gathered all her strength, and said to him:

'Promise me one thing: you must marry again, I know, for the good of your people, as well as of yourself. But do not set about it in a hurry. Wait untilyou have found a woman more beautiful and better formed than myself.'

'Oh, do not speak to me of marrying,'

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sobbed the king; ‘rather let me die with you!' But the queen only smiled faintly, and turned over on her pillow and died.

For some months the king's grief was great; then gradually he began to forget a little, and, besides, his counsellors were always urging him to seek another wife. At first he refused to listen to them, but by-and-by he allowed himself to be persuaded to think of it, only stipulating that the bride should be more beautiful and attractive than the late queen, according to the promise he had made her.

Overjoyed at having obtained what they wanted, the counsellors sent envoys farand wide to get portraits of all the most famous beauties of every country. The artists were very busy and did their best, but, alas! Nobody could even pretend that any of the ladies could compare for a moment with the

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late queen.

At length, one day, when he had turnedaway discouraged from a fresh collection of pictures, the king's eyesfell on his adopted daughter, who had lived in the palace since she was a baby, and he saw that, if a woman existed on the whole earth more lovely than the queen, this was she! He at once made known what his wishes were, but the young girl, who was not at all ambitious, and had not the faintest desire to marry him, was filled with dismay, and begged for time to think about it. That night, when everyone wasasleep, she started in a little car drawn by a big sheep, and went to consult her fairy godmother.

'I know what you have come to tell me,'said the fairy, when the maiden steppedout of the car; 'and if you don't wish to marry him, I will show you how to avoid it. Ask him to give you a dress that exactly matches the sky. It will

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be impossible for him to get one, so you will be quite safe.' The girl thanked the fairy and returned home again.

The next morning,when her father(as she had alwayscalled him) cameto see her, shetold him that shecould give him no answer until he had presented her with a dress the colour of the sky. The king, overjoyed at thisanswer, sent for all the choicest weavers and dressmakers in the kingdom,and commanded them to make a robe the colour of the sky without an instant's delay, or he would cut off their heads at once.

Dreadfully frightened at this threat, they all began to dye and cut and sew, and in two days they brought back the dress, which looked as if it had been cut straight out of the heavens! The poor girl was thunderstruck, and did

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not know what to do; so in the night she harnessed her sheep again, and wentin search of her godmother.

'The king is cleverer than I thought,' said the fairy; ‘but tell him you must have a dress of moonbeams.'

And the next day, when the king summoned her into his presence, the girl told him what she wanted.

'Madam, I can refuse you nothing,' saidhe; and he ordered the dress to be ready in twenty-four hours, or every man should be hanged.

They set to work with all their might, and by dawn next day, the dress of moonbeams was laid across her bed. The girl, though she could not help admiring its beauty, began to cry, tillthe fairy, who heard her, came to her help.

Well, I could not have believed it of

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him!' said she; ‘but ask for a dress ofsunshine, and I shall be surprised indeed if he manages that!'

The goddaughter did not feel much faithin the fairy after her two previous failures; but not knowing what else to do, she told her father what she was told.

The king made no difficulties about it,and even gave his finest rubies and diamonds to ornament the dress, which was so dazzling, when finished, that itcould only be looked through smoked glasses!

When the princess saw it, she pretendedthat the sight hurt her eyes, and retired to her room, where she found the fairy awaiting her, very much ashamed of herself.

'There is only one thing to be done now,' cried she; ‘you must demand the skin of the ass he treasures by. It is

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from that donkey he obtains all his vast riches, and I am sure he will never give it to you.'

The princess was not so certain; however, she went to the king, and toldhim she could never marry him till he had given her the ass's skin.

The king was both astonished and grieved at this new request, but did not hesitate an instant. The ass was sacrificed, and the skin lay at the feet of the princess.

The poor girl, seeing no escape from the fate she dreaded, wept afresh, and tore her hair; when, suddenly, the fairy stood before her.

Take heart,' she said, 'all will now go well! Wrap yourself in this skin, and leave the palace and go as far as you can. I will look after you. Your dresses and your jewels shall follow you underground, and if you strike the

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earth whenever you need anything, you will have it at once. But go quickly: you have no time to lose.'

So the princess clothed herself in the ass's skin, and slipped from the palacewithout being seen by anyone.

Directly she was missed there was a great hue and cry, and every corner, possible and impossible, was searched. Then the king sent out parties along all the roads, but the fairy threw her invisible mantle over the girl when they approached, and none of them couldsee her.

The princess walked on a long, long way, trying to find someone who would take her in, and let her work for them;but though the cottagers, whose houses she passed, gave her food from charity,the ass's skin was so dirty they would not allow her to enter their houses. For her flight had been so hurried she had had no time to clean it.

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Tired and disheartened at her ill-fortune, she was wandering, one day, past the gate of a farmyard, situated just outside the walls of a large town,when she heard a voice calling to her. She turned and saw the farmer's wife standing among her turkeys, and making signs to her to come in.

'I want a girl to wash the dishes and feed the turkeys, and clean out the pig-sty,' said the women, 'and, to judge by your dirty clothes, you would not be too fine for the work.'

The girl accepted her offer with joy, and she was at once set to work in a corner of the kitchen, where all the farm servants came and made fun of her,and the ass's skin in which she was wrapped.

But by-and-by they got so used to the sight of it that it ceased to amuse them, and she worked so hard and so well, that her mistress grew quite fond

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of her. And she was so clever at keeping sheep and herding turkeys that you would have thought she had done nothing else during her whole life!

One day she was sitting on the banks ofa stream bewailing her wretched lot, when she suddenly caught sight of herself in the water. Her hair and partof her face was quite concealed by the ass's head, which was drawn right over like a hood, and the filthy matted skincovered her whole body.

It was the first time she had seen herself as other people saw her, and she was filled with shame at the spectacle. Then she threw off her disguise and jumped into the water, plunging in again and again, till she shone like ivory.

When it was time to go back to the farm, she was forced to put on the skinwhich disguised her, and now seemed more dirty than ever; but, as she did so, she comforted herself with the

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thought that to-morrow was a holiday, and that she would be able for a few hours to forget that she was a farm girl, and be a princess once more.

So, at break of day, she stamped on theground, as the fairy had told her, and instantly the dress like the sky lay across her tiny bed.

Her room was so small that there was noplace for the train of her dress to spread itself out, but she pinned it upcarefully when she combed her beautifulhair and piled it up on the top of her head, as she had always worn it.

When she had done, she was so pleased with herself that she determined never to let a chance pass of putting on her splendid clothes, even if she had to wear them in the fields, with no one toadmire her but the sheep and turkeys.

Now the farm was a royal farm, and, one holiday, when ‘Donkey

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Skin' (as they had nicknamed the princess) had locked the door of her room and clothed herself in her dress of sunshine, the king's son rode through the gate, and asked if he mightcome and rest himself a little after hunting. Some food and milk were set before him in the garden, and when he felt rested he got up, and began to explore the house, which was famous throughout the whole kingdom for its age and beauty.

He opened one door after the other, admiring the old rooms, when he came toa handle that would not turn. He stooped and peeped through the keyhole to see what was inside, and was greatlyastonished at beholding a beautiful girl, clad in a dress so dazzling that he could hardly look at it.

The dark gallery seemed darker than ever as he turned away, but he went back to the kitchen and inquired who slept in the room at the end of the passage. The scullery maid, they told

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him, whom everybody laughed at, and called ‘ Donkey Skin' and though he perceived there was some strange mystery about this, he saw quite clearly there was nothing to be gained by asking any more questions. So he rode back to the palace, his head filled with the vision he had seen through the keyhole.

All night long he tossed about, and awoke the next morning in a high fever.The queen, who had no other child, and lived in a state of perpetual anxiety about this one, at once gave him up forlost, and indeed his sudden illness puzzled the greatest doctors, who triedthe usual remedies in vain.

At last they told the queen that some secret sorrow must be at the bottom of all this and she threw herself on her knees beside her son's bed, and implored him to confide his trouble to her. If it was ambition to be king, hisfather would gladly resign the cares ofthe crown, and suffer him to reign in

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his stead; or, if it was love, everything should be sacrificed to get for him the wife he desired, even if she were daughter of a king with whom the country was at war at present!

'Madam,' replied the prince, whose weakness would hardly allow him to speak, 'do not think me as unnatural asto wish to deprive my father of his crown. As long as he lives I shall remain the most faithful of his subjects! And as to the princesses you speak of, I have seen none that I should care for as a wife, though I would always obey your wishes, whateverit might cost me.'

'Ah! My son,' cried she, 'we will do anything in the world to save your life----and ours too, for if you die, we shall die also.'

'Well, then,' replied the prince, 'I will tell you the only thing that will cure me ---a cake made by the hand of

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"Donkey Skin." '

'Donkey Skin?' exclaimed the queen, whothought her son had gone mad; 'and who or what is that?'

'Madam,' answered one of the attendantspresent, who had been with the prince at the farm, '"Donkey Skin" is, next tothe wolf, the most disgusting creature on the face of the earth. She is a girlwho wears a black, greasy skin, and lives at your farmer's as hen-wife.'

'Never mind,' said the queen; 'my son seems to have eaten some of her pastry.It is the whim of a sick man, no doubt;but sends at once and let her bake a cake.'

The attendant bowed and ordered a page to ride with the message.

Now it is by no means certain that ‘Donkey Skin' had not caught a

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glimpse of the prince, either when his eyes looked through the keyhole, or else from her little window, which was over the road.

But whether she had actually seen him or only heard him spoken of, directly she received the queen's command, she flung off the dirty skin, washed herself from head to foot, and put on askirt and bodice of shining silver. Then, locking herself into her room, she took the richest cream, the finest flour, and the freshest eggs on the farm, and set about making her cake.

As she was stirring the mixture in the saucepan a ring that she sometimes worein secret slipped from her finger and fell into the dough. Perhaps ‘Donkey Skin' saw it, or perhaps she did not; but, any way, she went on stirring, andsoon the cake was ready to be put in the oven.

When it was nice and brown she took offher dress and put on her dirty skin,

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and gave the cake to the page, asking at the same time for news of the prince. But the page turned his head aside, and would not even condescend toanswer.

The page rode like the wind, and as soon as he arrived at the palace he snatched up a silver tray and hastened to present the cake to the prince. The sick man began to eat it so fast that the doctors thought he would choke; and, indeed, he very nearly did, for the ring was in one of the bits which he broke off, though he managed to extract it from his mouth without anyone seeing him.

The moment the prince was left alone hedrew the ring from under his pillow andkissed it a thousand times. Then he sethis mind to find how he was to see the owner---for even he did not dare to confess that he had only beheld ‘DonkeySkin' through a keyhole, lest they should laugh at this sudden passion.

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All this worry brought back the fever, which the arrival of the cake had diminished for the time; and the doctors, not knowing what else to say, informed the queen that her son was simply dying of love. The queen, stricken with horror, rushed into the king's presence with the news, and together they hastened to their son's bedside.

'My boy, my dear boy!' cried the king, 'who is it you want to marry? We will give her to you for a bride; even if she is the humblest of our slaves. Whatis there in the whole world that we would not do for you?'

The prince, moved to tears at these words, drew the ring, which was an emerald of the purest water, from underhis pillow.

'Ah, dear father and mother let this bea proof that she whom I love is no peasant girl. The finger which that

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ring fits has never been thickened by hard work. But be her condition what itmay, I will marry no other.'

The king and queen examined the tiny ring very closely, and agreed, with their son, that the wearer could be no mere farm girl. Then the king went out and ordered heralds and trumpeters to go through the town, summoning every maiden to the palace. And she whom the ring fitted would someday be queen.

First came all the princesses, then allthe duchesses' daughters, and so on, inproper order. But not one of them couldslip the ring over the tip of her finger, to the great joy of the prince,whom excitement was fast curing. At last, when the high-born damsels had failed, the shop girls and chambermaidstook their turn; but with no better fortune.

'Call in the scullions and shepherdesses,' commanded the prince;

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but the sight of their fat, red fingerssatisfied everybody.

'There is not a woman left, your Highness,' said the chamberlain; but the prince waved him aside.

'Have you sent for "Donkey Skin," who made me the cake?' asked he, and the courtiers began to laugh, and replied that they would not have dared to introduce so dirty a creature into the palace.

'Let someone go for her at once,' ordered the king. 'I commanded the presence of every maiden, high or low, and I meant it.'

The princess had heard the trumpets andthe proclamations, and knew quite well that her ring was at the bottom of it all. She, too, had fallen in love with the prince in the brief glimpse she hadhad of him, and trembled with fear lest

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someone else's finger might be as smallas her own.

When, therefore, the messenger from thepalace rode up to the gate, she was nearly beside herself with delight. Hoping all the time for such a summons,she had dressed herself with great care, putting on the garment of moonlight, whose skirt was scattered over with emeralds. But when they begancalling to her to come down, she hastily covered herself with her donkey-skin and announced she was readyto present herself before his Highness.She was taken straight into the hall, where the prince was awaiting her, but at the sight of the donkey-skin his heart sank. Had he been mistaken after all?

'Are you the girl,' he said, turning his eyes away as he spoke, ‘are you thegirl who has a room in the furthest corner of the inner court of the farmhouse?'

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'Yes, my lord, I am,' she answered.

'Hold out your hand then,' continued the prince, feeling that he must keep his word, whatever the cost, and, to the astonishment of every one present, a little hand, white and delicate, camefrom beneath the black and dirty skin. The ring slipped on with the utmost ease, and, as it did so, the skin fell to the ground, disclosing a figure of such beauty that the prince, weak as hewas, fell on his knees before her, while the king and queen joined their prayers to his.

Indeed, their welcome was so warm, and their caresses so bewildering, that theprincess hardly knew how to find words to reply, when the ceiling of the hall opened, and the fairy godmother appeared, seated in a car made entirelyof white lilac.

In a few words she explained the history of the princess, and how she came to be there, and, without losing a

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moment, preparations of the most magnificent kind were made for the wedding.

The kings of everycountry in the earthwere invited, including,of course, theprincess's adoptedfather (who by this timehad married a widow),and not one refused.

But what a strange assembly it was! Each monarch travelled in the way he thought most impressive; and some came borne in litters, others had carriages of every shape and kind, while the restwere mounted on elephants, tigers, and even upon eagles.

So splendid a wedding had never been seen before; and when it was over the king announced that it was to be followed by a coronation, for he and the queen were tired of reigning, and the young couple must take their place.

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The rejoicings lasted for three whole months, then the new sovereigns settleddown to govern their kingdom, and made themselves so much beloved by their subjects, that when they died, a hundred years later, each man mourned them as his own father and mother.

The Ugly Duckling

Once upon a time down on an old farm, lived a duck family, and Mother Duck had been sitting on a clutch of new eggs. One nice morning, the eggs hatched and out popped six chirpy ducklings. But one egg was bigger than the rest, and it didn't hatch. Mother Duck couldn't recall laying that

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seventh egg. How did it get there? TOCK! TOCK! The little prisoner was pecking inside his shell.

"Did I count the eggswrongly?" Mother Duckwondered. But before she had time to thinkabout it, the last egg finally hatched. A strange looking

duckling with gray feathers that shouldhave been yellow gazed at a worried mother. The ducklings grew quickly, butMother Duck had a secret worry.

"I can't understand how this ugly duckling can be one of mine!" she said to herself, shaking her head as she looked at her last born. Well, the grayduckling certainly wasn't pretty, and since he ate far more than his brothers, he was outgrowing them.

As the days went by, the poor ugly duckling became more and more unhappy. His brothers didn't want to play with

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him, he was so clumsy, and all the farmyard folks simply laughed at him. He felt sad and lonely, while Mother Duck did her best to console him.

"Poor little ugly duckling!" she would say. "Why are you so different from theothers?" And the ugly duckling felt worse than ever. He secretly wept at night. He felt nobody wanted him.

"Nobody loves me, they all tease me! Why am I different from my brothers?"

Then one day, at sunrise, he ran away from the farmyard. He stopped at a pondand began to question all the other birds. "Do you know of any ducklings with gray feathers like mine?" But everyone shook their heads in scorn.

"We don't know anyone as ugly as you." The ugly duckling did not lose heart, however, and kept on making inquiries. He went to another pond, where a pair of large geese gave him the same answer

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to his question. What's more, they warned him: "Don't stay here! Go away! It's dangerous. There are men with gunsaround here!" The duckling was sorry hehad ever left the farmyard.

Then one day, his travels took him nearan old countrywoman's cottage. Thinkinghe was a stray goose, she caught him.

"I'll put this in a hutch. I hope it's a female and lays plenty of eggs!" saidthe old woman, whose eyesight was poor.But the ugly duckling laid not a singleegg. The hen kept frightening him.

"Just wait! If you don't lay eggs, the old woman will bring your neck and pop you into the pot!" And the cat chipped in: "Hee! Hee! I hope the woman cooks you, and then I can gnaw at your bones!" The poor ugly duckling was so scared that he lost his appetite, though the old woman kept stuffing him with food and grumbling: "If you won't lay eggs, at least hurry up and get

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plump!"

"Oh, dear me!" moaned the now terrifiedduckling. "I'll die of fright first! And I did so hope someone would love me!"

Then one night, finding the hutch door ajar, he escaped. Once again he was allalone. He fled as far away as he could,and at dawn, he found himself in a thick bed of reeds. "If nobody wants me, I'll hide here forever."

There was plenty a food and the duckling began to feel a little happier, though he was lonely. One day at sunrise, he saw a flight of beautiful birds’ wing overhead. White, with long slender necks, yellow beaks and large wings, they were migrating south.

"If only I could look like them, just for a day!" said the duckling, admiringly. Winter came and the water in the reed bed froze. The poor

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duckling left home to seek food in the snow. He dropped exhausted to the ground, but a farmer found him and put him in his big jacket pocket.

"I'll take him home to my children. They'll look after him. Poor thing, he's frozen!" The duckling was showeredwith kindly care at the farmer's house.In this way, the ugly duckling was ableto survive the bitterly cold winter.

However, by springtime, he had grown sobig that the farmer decided: "I'll set him free by the pond!" That was when the duckling saw himself mirrored in the water.

"Goodness! How I've changed! I hardly recognize myself!" The flight of swans winged north again and glided on to thepond. When the duckling saw them, he realized he was one of their kinds, andsoon made friends.

"We're swans like you!" they said,

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warmly. "Where have you been hiding?"

"It's a long story," replied the young swan, still astounded. Now, he swam majestically with his fellow swans. Oneday, he heard children on the river bank exclaim: "Look at that young swan!He's the finest of them all!"

And he almost burst with happiness.

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The Golden Crab

Once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three children. Every morning he used to go out fishing, and whatever fish he caught hesold to the King. One day, among the other fishes, he caught a golden crab.

When he came home he put all the fishestogether into a great dish, but he keptthe Crab separate because it shone so beautifully, and placed it upon a high shelf in the cupboard. Now while the old woman, his wife, was cleaning the fish, and had tucked up her gown so that her feet were visible, she suddenly heard a voice, which said:

'Let down, let down thy petticoat that lets thy feet be seen.'

She turned round in surprise, and then she saw the little creature, the GoldenCrab.

'What! You can speak, can you, you

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ridiculous crab?' she said, for she wasnot quite pleased at the Crab's remarks. Then she took him up and placed him on a dish.

When her husband came home and they satdown to dinner, they presently heard the Crab's little voice saying, 'Give me some too.' They were all very much surprised, but they gave him something to eat. When the old man came to take away the plate which had contained the Crab's dinner, he found it full of gold, and as the same thing happened every day he soon became very fond of the Crab.

One day the Crab said to the fisherman's wife, 'Go to the King and tell him I wish to marry his younger daughter.'

The old woman went accordingly, and laid the matter before the King, who laughed a little at the notion of his daughter marrying a crab, but did not decline the proposal altogether, because he was a prudent monarch, and knew that the Crab was likely to be a prince in disguise.

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He said, therefore, to the fisherman's wife, 'Go, old woman, and tell the CrabI will give him my daughter if by to-morrow morning he can build a wall in front of my castle much higher than my tower, upon which all the flowers of the world must grow and bloom.'

The fisherman's wife went home and gavethis message.

Then the Crab gave her a golden rod, and said, 'Go and strike with this rod three times upon the ground on the place which the King showed you, and to-morrow morning the wall will be there.'

The old woman did so and went away again.

The next morning, when the King awoke, what do you think he saw? The wall stood there before his eyes, exactly ashe had bespoken it!

Then the old woman went back to the King and said to him, 'Your Majesty's orders have been fulfilled.'

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'That is all very well,' said the King,'but I cannot give away my daughter until there stands in front of my palace a garden in which there are three fountains, of which the first must play gold, the second diamonds, and the third brilliants.'

So the old woman had to strike again three times upon the ground with the rod, and the next morning the garden was there. The King now gave his consent, and the wedding was fixed for the very next day.

Then the Crab said to the old fisherman, 'Now take this rod; go and knock with it on a certain mountain; then a black man will come out and ask you what you wish for.

Answer him thus: ''Your master, the King, has sent me to tell you that you must send him his golden garment that is like the sun.'' Make him give you, besides, the queenly robes of gold and precious stones which are like the flowery meadows, and bring them both tome. And bring me also the golden

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cushion.'

The old man went and did his errand. When he had brought the precious robes,the Crab put on the golden garment and then crept upon the golden cushion, andin this way the fisherman carried him to the castle, where the Crab presentedthe other garment to his bride.

Now the ceremony took place, and when the married pair were alone together the Crab made himself known to his young wife, and told her how he was theson of the greatest king in the world, and how he was enchanted, so that he became a crab by day and was a man onlyat night; and he could also change himself into an eagle as often as he wished.

No sooner had he said this than he shook himself, and immediately became ahandsome youth, but the next morning hewas forced to creep back again into hiscrab-shell. And the same thing happenedevery day. But the Princess's affectionfor the Crab, and the polite attention with which she behaved to him, surprised the royal family very much.

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They suspected some secret, but though they spied and spied, they could not discover it. Thus a year passed away, and the Princess had a son, whom she called Benjamin. But her mother still thought the whole matter very strange.

At last she said to the King that he ought to ask his daughter whether she would not like to have another husband instead of the Crab. But when the daughter was questioned she only answered:

'I am married to the Crab, and him onlywill I have.'

Then the King said to her, 'I will appoint a tournament in your honour, and I will invite all the princes in the world to it, and if any one of thempleases you, you shall marry him.'

In the evening the Princess told this to the Crab, who said to her, 'Take this rod, go to the garden gate and knock with it, then a black man will come out and say to you, ''Why have youcalled me, and what do you require of

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me?'' Answer him thus: 'your master theKing has sent me hither to tell you to send him his golden armour and his steed and the silver apple.'' And bringthem to me.'

The Princess did so, and brought him what he desired.

The following evening the Prince dressed himself for the tournament. Before he went he said to his wife, 'Now mind you do not say when you see me that I am the Crab. For if you do this evil will come of it. Place yourself at the window with your sisters; I will ride by and throw you the silver apple. Take it in your hand,but if they ask you who I am, say that you do not know.' So saying, he kissed her, repeated his warning once more, and went away.

The Princess went with her sisters to the window and looked on at the tournament. Presently her husband rode by and threw the apple up to her. She caught it in her hand and went with it to her room, and by-and-by her husband came back to her. But her father was

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much surprised that she did not seem tocare about any of the Princes; he therefore appointed a second tournament.

The Crab then gave his wife the same directions as before, only this time the apple which she received from the black man was of gold. But before the Prince went to the tournament he said to his wife, 'Now I know you will betray me to-day.'

But she swore to him that she would nottell who he was. He then repeated his warning and went away.

In the evening, while the Princess, with her mother and sisters, was standing at the window, the Prince suddenly galloped past on his steed andthrew her the golden apple. Then her mother flew into a passion, gave her a box on the ear, and cried out, 'Does not even that prince please you, you fool?'

The Princess in her fright exclaimed, 'That is the Crab himself!'

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Her mother was still angrier because she had not been told sooner, ran into her daughter's room where the crab-shell was still lying, took it up and threw it into the fire. Then the poor Princess cried bitterly, but it was of no use; her husband did not come back.

Now we must leave the Princess and turnto the other persons in the story. One day an old man went to a stream to dip in a crust of bread which he was going to eat, when a dog came out of the water, snatched the bread from his hand, and ran away.

The old man ran after him, but the dog reached a door, pushed it open, and ranin, the old man following him. He did not overtake the dog, but found himselfabove a staircase, which he descended. Then he saw before him a stately palace, and, entering, he found in a large hall a table set for twelve persons. He hid himself in the hall behind a great picture, which he might see what would happen. At noon he hearda great noise, so that he trembled withfear. When he took courage to look out

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from behind the picture, he saw twelve eagles flying in.

At this sight his fear became still greater. The eagles flew to the basin of a fountain that was there and bathedthem, when suddenly they were changed into twelve handsome youths. Now they seated themselves at the table, and oneof them took up a goblet filled with wine, and said, 'A health to my father!' And another said, 'A health tomy mother!' and so the healths went round.

Then one of them said:'A health to my dearest lady,Long may she live and well!But a curse on the cruel motherThat burnt my golden shell!'

And so saying he wept bitterly. Then the youths rose from the table, went back to the great stone fountain, turned themselves into eagles again, and flew away.

Then the old man went away too, returned to the light of day, and went home. Soon after he heard that the 110 | P a g e


Princess was ill, and that the only thing that did her good was having stories told to her. He therefore went to the royal castle, obtained an audience of the Princess, and told her about the strange things he had seen inthe underground palace. No sooner had he finished than the Princess asked himwhether he could find the way to that palace.

'Yes,' he answered, 'certainly.'

And now she desired him to guide her thither at once. The old man did so, and when they came to the palace he hidher behind the great picture and advised her to keep quite still, and heplaced himself behind the picture also.

Presently the eagles were coming flyingin, and changed themselves into young men, and in a moment the Princess recognised her husband amongst them all, and tried to come out of her hiding-place; but the old man held her back.

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The youths seated themselves at the table; and now the Prince said again, while he took up the cup of wine:'A health to my dearest lady,Long may she live and well!But a curse on the cruel motherThat burnt my golden shell!'

Then the Princess could restrain herself no longer, but ran forward and threw her arms round her husband. And immediately he knew her again, and said:

'Do you remember how I told you that day that you would betray me? Now you see that I spoke the truth. But all that bad time is past. Now listen to me: I must still remain enchanted for three months. Will you stay here with me till that time is over?'

So the Princess stayed with him, and said to the old man, 'Go back to the castle and tell my parents that I am staying here.'

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Her parents were very much vexed when the old man came back and told them this, but as soon as the three months of the Prince's enchantment were over, he ceased to be an eagle and became once more a man, and they returned hometogether. And then they lived happily, and we who hear the story are happier still.

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How the Beggar Boy Turned into Count Piro

Once upon a time there lived a man who had only one son, a lazy, stupid boy, who would never do anything he

was told. When the father was dying, he sent for his son and told him that he would soon be left alone in the world, with no possessions but the small cottage they lived in, and a pear tree which grew behind

it, and that, whether he liked it or not, he would have to work, or else he would starve. Then the old man died.

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But the boy did not work; instead, he idled about as before, contenting himself with eating the pears off his tree, which, unlike other pear trees before or since, bore fruit the whole year round.

Indeed, the pears were so much finer than any you could get even in the autumn, that one day, in the middle of the winter; they attracted the notice of a fox that was creeping by.

'Dear me; what lovely pears!' he said to the youth. 'Do give me a basket of them. It will bring you luck!'

'Ah, little fox, but if I give you a basketful, what am I to eat?' asked theboy.

'Oh, trust me, and do what I tell you,'said the fox; 'I know it will bring youluck.' So the boy got up and picked some of the ripest pears and put them into a rush basket. The fox thanked

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him, and, taking the basket in his mouth,trotted offto the king'spalace andmade his waystraight tothe king.

'Your Majesty, my master sends you a few of his bestpears, and begs you will graciously accept them,' he said, laying the basket at the feet of the king.

'Pears! At this season?' cried the king, peering down to look at them; 'and, pray, who is your master?'

'The Count Piro,' answered the fox.

'But how does he manage to get pears inmidwinter?' asked the king.

'Oh, he has everything he wants,' replied the fox; 'he is richer even

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than you are, your Majesty.'

'Then what can I send him in return forhis pears?' said the king.

'Nothing, your Majesty, or you would hurt his feelings,' answered the fox.

'Well, tell him how heartily I thank him, and how much I shall enjoy them.' And the fox went away. He trotted back to the cottage with his empty basket and told his tale, but the youth did not seem as pleased to hear as the fox was to tell.

'But, my dear little fox,' said he, ' you have brought me nothing in return, and I am so hungry!'

'Let me alone,' replied the fox; 'I know what I am doing. You will see, it will bring you luck.'

A few days after this the fox came backagain.

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'I must have another basket of pears,' said he.

'Ah, little fox, what I shall eat if you take away all my pears?' answered the youth.

'Be quiet, it will be all right,' said the fox; and taking a bigger basket than before, he filled it quite full ofpears. Then he picked it up in his mouth, and trotted off to the palace. 'Your Majesty, as you seemed to like the first basket ofpears, I havebrought you somemore,' said he,'with my master, theCount Piro's humblerespects.'

'Now, surely it is not possible to growsuch pears with deep snow on the ground?' cried the king.

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'Oh, that never affects them,' answeredthe fox lightly; 'he is rich enough to do anything. But to-day he sends me to ask if you will give him your daughter in marriage?'

'If he is so much richer than I am,' said the king, 'I shall be obliged to refuse. My honour would not permit me to accept his offer.'

'Oh, your Majesty, you must not think that,' replied the fox; 'and do not letthe question of a dowry trouble you. The Count Piro would not dream of asking anything but the hand of the princess.'

‘is he really so rich that he can do without a dowry?' asked the king.

'Did I not tell your Majesty that he was richer than you?' answered the fox reproachfully.

'Well, beg him to come here, that we

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may talk together,' said the king.

So the fox went back to the young man and said: 'I have told the king that you are Count Piro, and have asked his daughter in marriage.'

'Oh, little fox, what have you done?' cried the youth in dismay; 'when the king sees me he will order my head to be cut off.'

'Oh, no, hewon't!' repliedthe fox; 'just doas I tell you.'And he went off tothe town, andstopped at the house of the best tailor.

'My master, the Count Piro, begs that you will send him at once the finest coat that you have in your shop,' said the fox, putting on his grandest air, 'and if it fits him I will call and pay

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for it to-morrow! Indeed, as he is in agreat hurry, perhaps it might be as well if I took it round myself.'

The tailor was not accustomed to serve counts, and he at once got out all the coats he had ready. The fox chose out abeautiful one of white and silver, badethe tailor tie it up in a parcel, and carrying the string in his teeth, he left the shop, and went to a horse-dealer's, whom he persuaded to send hisfinest horse round to the cottage, saying that the king had bidden his master to the palace.

Very unwillingly the young man put on the coat and mounted the horse, and rode up to meet the king, with the fox running before him.

'What am I to say to his Majesty, little fox?' he asked anxiously; 'you know that I have never spoken to a kingbefore.'

'Say nothing,' answered the fox, 'but

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leave the talking to me. "Good morning,your Majesty," will be all that is necessary for you.'

By this time they had reached the palace, and the king came to the door to receive Count Piro, and led him to the great hall, where a feast was spread. The princess was already seatedat the table, but was as dumb as Count Piro himself.

'The Count speaks very little,' the king said at last to the fox, and the fox answered: 'He has so much to think about in the management of his propertythat he cannot afford to talk like ordinary people.' The king was quite satisfied, and they finished dinner, after which Count Piro and the fox tookleave.

The next morning the fox came round again.

'Give me another basket of pears,' he

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said.

'Very well, little fox; but remember itmay cost me my life,' answered the youth.

'Oh, leave it to me, and do as I tell you, and you will see that in the end it will bring you luck,' answered the fox; and plucking the pears he took them up to the king.

'My master, Count Piro, sends you thesepears,' he said, 'and asks for an answer to his proposal.'

'Tell the count that the wedding can take place whenever he pleases,' answered the king, and, filled with pride, the fox trotted back to deliver his message.

'But I can't bring the princess here, little fox?' cried the young man in dismay.

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'You leave everything to me,' answered the fox; ' have I not managed well so far?'

And up at the palace preparations were made for a grand wedding, and the youthwas married to the princess.

After a week of feasting, the fox said to the king: 'My master wishes to take his young bride home to his own castle.'

'Very well, I will accompany them,' replied the king; and he ordered his courtiers and attendants to get ready, and the best horses in his stable to bebrought out for himself, Count Piro andthe princess. So they all set out, and rode across the plain, the little fox running before them.

He stopped at the sight of a great flock of sheep, which was feeding peacefully on the rich grass. 'To whom do these sheep belong?' asked he of the

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shepherd. 'To an ogre,' replied the shepherd.

'Hush,' said the fox in a mysterious manner. 'Do you see that crowd of armedmen riding along? If you were to tell them that those sheep belonged to an ogre, they would kill them, and then the ogre would kill you! If they ask, just say the sheep belong to Count Piro; it will be better for everybody.'And the fox ran hastily on, as he did not wish to be seen talking to the shepherd.

Very soon the king came up.

'What beautiful sheep!' he said, drawing up his horse. 'I have none so fine in my pastures. Whose are they?'

'Count Piro's,' answered the shepherd, who did not know the king.

'Well, he must be a very rich man,' thought the king to himself, and

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rejoiced that he had such a wealthy son-in-law.

Meanwhile the fox had met with a huge herd of pigs, snuffling about the rootsof some trees.

'To whom do these pigs belong?' he asked of the swineherd.

'To an ogre,' replied he.

'Hush!' whispered the fox, though nobody could hear him; 'do you see thattroop of armed men riding towards us? If you tell them that the pigs belong to the ogre they will kill them, and then the ogre will kill you! If they ask, just say that the pigs belong to Count Piro; it will be better for everybody.' And he ran hastily on.

Soon after that the king rode up.

'What fine pigs!' he said, reining in his horse. 'They are fatter than any I

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have got on my farms. Whose are they?'

'Count Piro's,' answered the swineherd,who did not know the king; and again the king felt he was lucky to have sucha rich son-in-law.

This time the fox ran faster than before, and in a flowery meadow he found a troop of horses feeding. 'Whosehorses are these?' he asked of the man who was watching them. 'An ogre's,' replied he. 'Hush!' whispered the fox, 'do you see that crowd of armed men coming towards us? If you tell them the horses belong to an ogre they will drive them off, and then the ogre will kill you! If they ask, just say they are Count Piro's; it will be better for everybody.' And he ran on again.

In a few minutes the king rode up.

'Oh, what lovely creatures! how I wish they were mine!' he exclaimed. 'Whose

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are they?'

Count Piro's,' answered the man, who did not know the king; and the king's heart leapt as he thought that if they belonged to his rich son-in-law they were as good as his.

At last thefox came tothe castleof the ogrehimself. Heran up thesteps, withtearsfalling from his eyes, and crying:

'Oh, you poor, poor people, what a sad fate is yours!'

'What has happened?' asked the ogre, trembling with fright.

'Do you see that troop of horsemen who are riding along the road? They are

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sent by the king to kill you!'

'Oh, dear little fox, help us, we implore you!' cried the ogre and his wife.

'Well, I will do what I can,' answered the fox. 'The best place is for you both to hide in the big oven, and when the soldiers have gone by I will let you out.'

The ogre and ogress scrambled into the oven as quick as thought and the fox banged the door on them; just as he didso the king came up.

'Do us the honour to dismount, your Majesty,' said the fox, bowing low. 'This is the palace of Count Piro!'

'Why it is more splendid than my own!' exclaimed the king, looking round on all the beautiful things that filled the hall. But why are there no servants?'

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'His Excellency the Count Piro wished the princess to choose them for herself,' answered the fox, and the king nodded his approval. He then rode on, leaving the bridal pair in the castle. But when it was dark and all was still, the fox crept downstairs andlit the kitchen fire, and the ogre and his wife were burned to death. The nextmorning the fox said to Count Piro:

'Now that you are rich and happy, you have no more need of me; but, before I go, there is one thing I must ask of you in return: when I die, promise me that you will give me a magnificent coffin, and bury me with due honours.'

'Oh, little, little fox, don't talk of dying,' cried the princess, nearly weeping, for she had taken a great liking to the fox.

After some time the fox thought he would see if the Count Piro was really

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grateful to him for all he had done, and went back to the castle, where he lay down on the door-step, and pretended to be dead.

The princess was just going out for a walk, and directly she saw him lying there, she burst into tears and fell onher knees beside him.

'My dear little fox, you are not dead,'she wailed; 'you poor, poor little creature, you shall have the finest coffin in the world!'

'A coffin for an animal?' said Count Piro. 'What nonsense! Just take him by the leg and throw him into the ditch.'

Then the fox sprang up and cried: 'you wretched, thankless beggar; have you forgotten that you owe all your riches to me?'

Count Piro was frightened when he heardthese words, as he thought that perhapsthe fox might have power to take away

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the castle, and leave him as poor as when he had nothing to eat but the pears off his tree.

So he tried to soften the fox's anger, saying that he had only spoken in joke,as he had known quite well that he was not really dead. For the sake of the princess, the fox let himself be softened, and he lived in the castle for many years, and played with Count Piro's children.

And when he actually did die, his coffin was made of silver, and Count Piro and his wife followed him to the grave.

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Jack and his Golden Snuff-Box

Once upon a time, and a very good time it was, though it was neither in my time nor in your time nor in any

one else’s time,there was an old man and an old

woman, and they had one son, and they lived in a great forest. And their son never saw any other people in his life,but he knew that there was some more inthe world besides his own father and mother, because he had lots of books, and he used to read every day about them.

And when he read about some pretty young women, he used to go mad to see some of them; till one day, when his father was out cutting wood, he told his mother that he wished to go away to

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look for his living in some other country, and to see some other people besides them two. And he said, "I see nothing at all here but great trees around me; and if I stay here, maybe I shall go mad before I see anything." The young man’s father was out all thistime, when this talk was going on between him and his poor old mother.

The old woman begins by saying to her son before leaving, "Well, well, my poor boy, if you want to go, it’s

better for you to go, and God be with you."– (The old woman thought for the best when she said that.)–"But stop a bit before yougo. Which would you like best for me to make you, alittle cake and bless you,or a big cake and curse you?"

"Dear, dear!" said he, "Make me a big cake. Maybe I shall be hungry on the road." The old woman made the big cake,

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and she went on top of the house, and she cursed him as far as she could see him.

He presently meets with his father, andthe old man says to him: "Where are yougoing, my poor boy?" when the son told the father the same tale as he told hismother. "Well," says his father, "I’m sorry to see you going away, but if you’ve made your mind to go, it’s better for you to go."

The poor lad had not gone far, when hisfather called him back; then the old man drew out of his pocket a golden snuff-box, and said to him: "Here, takethis little box, and put it in your pocket, and be sure not to open it tillyou are near your death."

And away went poor Jack upon his road, and walked till he was tired and hungry, for he had eaten all his cake upon the road; and by this time night was upon him, so he could hardly see his way before him. He

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could see some light a long way before him, and he made up to it, and found the back door and knocked at it, till one of the maid-servants came and askedhim what he wanted.

He said that night was on him, and he wanted to get some place to sleep. The maid-servant called him in to the fire,and gave him plenty to eat, good meat and bread and beer; and as he was eating his food by the fire, there camethe young lady to look at him, and she loved him well and he loved her.

And the young lady ran to tell her father, and said there was a pretty young man in the back kitchen; and immediately the gentleman came to him, and questioned him, and asked what workhe could do. Jack said, the silly fellow, that he could do anything. (He meant that he could do any foolish bit of work, which would be wanted about the house.)

"Well," says the gentleman to him, "if

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you can do anything, at eight o’clock in the morning I must have a great lakeand some of-the largest man-of-war vessels sailing before my mansion, and one of the largest vessels must fire a royal salute, and the last round must break the leg of the bed where my youngdaughter is sleeping. And if you don’t do that, you will have to forfeit your life."

"All right," said Jack; and away he went to his bed, and said his prayers quietly, and slept till it was near eight o’clock, and he had hardly any time to think what he was to do, till all of a sudden he remembered about thelittle golden box that his father gave him. And he said to himself: "Well, well, I never was so near my death as Iam now;" and then he felt in his pocket, and drew the little box out. And when he opened it, out there hoppedthree little red men, and asked Jack: "What is your will with us?"

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"Well," said Jack, "I want a great lakeand some of the largest man-of-war vessels in the world before this mansion, and one of the largest vesselsto fire a royal salute, and the last round to break one of the legs of the bed where this young lady is sleeping.""All right," said the little men; "go to sleep."

Jack had hardly time to bring the wordsout of his mouth, to tell the little men what to do, but what it struck eight o’clock, when Bang, bang went oneof the largest man-of-war vessels; and it made Jack jump out of bed to look through the window; and I can assure you it was a wonderful sight for him tosee, after being so long with his father and mother living in a wood.

By this time Jack dressed himself, and said his prayers, and came down laughing; for he was proud, he was, because the thing was done so well. Thegentleman comes to him, and says to

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him: "Well, my young man, I must say that you are very clever indeed. Come and have some breakfast."

And the gentleman tells him, "Now thereare two more things you have to do, andthen you shall have my daughter in marriage." Jack gets his breakfast, andhas a good squint at the young lady, and also she at him.

The other thing that the gentleman toldhim to do was to fell all the great trees for miles around by eight o’clockin the morning; and, to make my long story short, it was done, and it pleased the gentleman well The gentleman said to him: "The other thingyou have to do"–(and it was the last thing)–"you must get me a great castle standing on twelve golden pillars; and there must come regiments of soldiers and go through their drill. At eight o’clock the commanding officer must say, ’Shoulder up.’"

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"All right," said Jack; when the third and last morning came the third great feat was finished, and he had the youngdaughter in marriage. But, oh dear! There is worse to come yet.

The gentleman now makes a large huntingparty, and invites all the gentlemen around the country to it, and to see the castle as well. And by this time Jack has a beautiful horse and a scarlet dress to go with them.

On that morning his valet, when puttingJack’s clothes by, after changing them to go a hunting, put his hand in one ofJack’s waistcoat-pockets, and pulled out the little golden snuffbox, as poorJack left behind in a mistake. And thatman opened the little box, and there hopped the three little red men out, and asked him what he wanted with them."Well," said the valet to them, "I wantthis castle to be moved from this placefar and far across the sea." "All right," said the little red men to him;"do you wish to go with it?" "Yes,"

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said he. "Well, get up," said they to him; and away they went far and far over the great sea.

Now the grand hunting party comes back,and the castle upon the twelve golden pillars had disappeared, to the great disappointment of those gentlemen as did not see it before.

That poor silly Jack is threatened by taking his beautiful young wife from him, for taking them in the way he did.But the gentleman at last made an agreement with him, and he is to have atwelvemonths and a day to look for it; and off he goes with a good horse and money in his pocket.

Now poor Jack goes in search of his missing castle, over hills, dales, valleys, and mountains, through woolly woods and sleepwalks, further than I can tell you or ever intend to tell you. Until at last he comes up to the place where lives the King of all the little mice in the world. There was one

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of the little mice on sentryat the front gate going up to the palace,and did try tostop Jack fromgoing in.

He asked the little mouse: "Where does the King live? I should like to see him." This one sent another with him toshow him the place; and when the King saw him, he called him in. And the Kingquestioned him, and asked him where he was going that way.

Well, Jack told him all the truth, which he had lost the great castle, andwas going to look for it, and he had a whole twelvemonths and a day to find itout. And Jack asked him whether he knewanything about it; and the King said: "No, but I am the King of all the little mice in the world, and I will call them all up in the morning, and maybe they have seen something of it."

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Then Jack got a good meal and bed, and in the morning he and the King went on to the fields; and the King called all the mice together, and asked them whether they had seen the great beautiful castle standing on golden pillars. And all the little mice said, No, there was none of them had seen it.

The old King said to him that he had two other brothers: "One is the King ofall the frogs; and my other brother, who is the oldest; he is the King of all the birds in the world. And if you go there, may be they know something about the missing castle."

The King said to him: "Leave your horsehere with me till you come back, and take one of my best horses under you, and give this cake to my brother; he will know then who you got it from. Mind and tell him I am well, and shouldlike dearly to see him." And then the King and Jack shook hands together.

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And when Jack was going through the gates, the little mouse asked him, should he go with him; and Jack said tohim: "No, I shall get myself into trouble with the King." And the little thing told him: "It will be better for you to let me go with you; maybe I shall do some good to you some time without you knowing it."

"Jump up, then." And the little mouse ran up the horse’s leg, and made it dance; and Jack put the mouse in his pocket.

Now Jack, after wishing good morning tothe King and pocketing the little mousewhich was on sentry, trudged on his way; and such a long way he had to go and this was his firstday.

At last he found theplace; and there was oneof the frogs on sentry,and gun upon hisshoulder, and did try to

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hinder Jack from going in; but when Jack said to him that he wanted to see the King, he allowed him to pass; and Jack made up to the door. The King came out, and asked him his business; and Jack told him all from beginning toend.

"Well, well, come in." He gets good entertainment that night; and in the morning the King made such a funny sound, and collected all the frogs in the world. And he asked them, did they know or see anything of a castle that stood upon twelve golden pillars; and they all made a curious sound, Kro-kro,kro-kro, and said, No.

Jack had to take another horse, and a cake to this King’s brother, who is theKing of all the fowls of the air; and as Jack was going through the gates, the little frog that was on sentry asked John should he go with him. Jack refused him for a bit; but at last he told him to jump up, and Jack put him in his other waistcoat pocket.

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And away he went again on his great long journey; it was three times as long this time as it was the first day;however, he found the place, and there was a fine bird on sentry. And Jack passed him, and he never said a word tohim; and he talked with the King, and told him everything, all about the castle. "Well," said the King to him, "you shall know in the morning from my birds, whether they know anything or not." Jack put up his horse in the stable, and then went to bed, after having something to eat.

And when he got up in the morning the King and he went on to some field, and there the King made some funny noise, and there came all the fowls that were in the entire world. And the King askedthem; "Did they see the fine castle?" and all the birds answered, No. "Well,"said the King, "where is the great bird?" They had to wait then for a longtime for the eagle to make his appearance, when at last he came all inperspiration, after sending two little

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birds high up in the sky to whistle on him to make all the haste he possibly could.

The King asked the great bird, did he see the great castle? And the bird said: "Yes, I came from there where it now is." "Well," says the King to him; "this young gentleman has lost it, and you must go with him back to it; but stop till you get a bit of something toeat first."

They killed a thief, and sent the best part of it to feed the eagle on his journey over the seas, and had to carryJack on his back. Now when they came insight of the castle, they did not know what to do to get the little golden box.

Well, the little mouse said to them: "Leave me down, and I will get the little box for you." So the mouse stoleinto the castle, and got hold of the box; and when he was coming down the stairs, it fell down, and he was very

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near being caught. He came running out with it, laughing his best. "Have you got it?" Jack said to him; he said: "Yes;" and off they went back again, and left the castle behind.

As they were all of them (Jack, mouse, frog, and eagle) passing over the greatsea, they fell to quarrelling about which it was that got the little box, till down it slipped into the water. (It was by them looking at it and handing it from one hand to the other that they dropped the little box to thebottom of the sea.) "Well, well," said the frog, "I knew that I would have to do something, so you had better let me go down in the water." And they let himgo, and he was down for three days and three nights; and up he comes, and shows his nose and little mouth out of the water; and all of them asked him, did he get it? And he told them, No. "Well, what are you doing there, then?""Nothing at all," he said, "Only I wantmy full breath;" and the poor little

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frog went down the second time, and he was down for a day and a night, and up he brings it.

And away they did go, after being therefour days and nights; and after a long tug overseas and mountains, arrive at the palace of the old King, who is the master of all the birds in the world. And the King is very proud to see them,and has a hearty welcome and a long conversation. Jack opens the little box, and told the little men to go backand to bring the castle here to them; "and all of you make as much haste backagain as you possibly can." The three little men went off; and whenthey came near the castle they were afraid to go to it till the gentleman and lady and all the servants were goneout to some dance. And there was no oneleft behind there only the cook and another maid with her; and the little red men asked them which would them rather–go, or stop behind? And they both said: "I will go with you;" and

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the little men told them to run upstairs quick.

They were no sooner up and in one of the drawing-rooms than here come just in sight the gentleman and lady and allthe servants; but it was too late. Off the castle went at full speed, with thewomen laughing at them through the window, while they made motions for them to stop, but all to no purpose.

They were nine days on their journey, in which they did try to keep the Sunday holy, when one of the little menturned to be the priest, the other the clerk, and third presided at the organ,and the women were the singers, for they had a grand chapel in the castle already. Very remarkable, there was a discord made in the music, and one of the little men ran up one of the organ-pipes to see where the bad sound came from, when he found out it only happened to be that the two women were laughing at the little red man stretching his little legs full length

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on the bass pipes, also his two arms the same time, with his little red night-cap, which he never forgot to wear, and what they never witnessed before, could not help calling forth some good merriment while on the face of the deep.

And poor thing! Through them not going on with what they begun with, they verynear came to danger, as the castle was once very near sinking in the middle ofthe sea.

At length, after a merry journey, they come again to Jack and the King. The King was quite struck with the sight ofthe castle; and going up the golden stairs, went to see the inside.

The King was very much pleased with thecastle, but poor Jack’s time of a twelvemonths and a day was drawing to aclose; and he, wishing to go home to his young wife, gives orders to the three little men to get ready by the next morning at eight o’clock to be off

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to the next brother, and to stop there for one night; also to proceed from there to the last or the youngest brother, the master of all the mice in the world, in such place where the castle shall be left under his care until it’s sent for. Jack takes a farewell of the King, and thanks him very much for his hospitality.

Away went Jack and his castle again, and stopped one night in that place; and away they went again to the third place, and there left the castle under his care. As Jack had to leave the castle behind, he had to take to his own horse, which he left there when he first started.

Now poor Jack leaves his castle behind and faces towards home; and after having so much merriment with the threebrothers every night, Jack became sleepy on horseback, and would have lost the road if it was not for the little men a-guiding him. At last he

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arrived weary and tired, and they did not seem to receive him with any kindness whatever, because he had not found the stolen castle; and to make itworse, he was disappointed in not seeing his young and beautiful wife to come and meet him, through being hindered by her parents. But that did not stop long. Jack put full power on and despatched the little men off to bring the castle from there, and they soon got there.

Jack shook hands with the King, and returned many thanks for his kingly kindness in minding the castle for him;and then Jack instructed the little mento spur up and put speed on. And off they went, and were not long before they reached their journey’s end, when out comes the young wife to meet him with a fine lump of a young SON, and they all lived happy ever afterwards.

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Lazy Jack

Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived with his mother on a common.

They were very poor, and the old woman got her living by spinning, but Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing

but baskin the sun in the hot

weather, and sit by the corner of the hearth in the winter-time.

So they called him Lazy Jack. His mother could not get him to do anything

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for her, and at last told him, one Monday, that if he did not begin to work for his porridge she would turn him out to get his living as he could.

This roused Jack, and he went out and hired himself for the next day to a neighbouring farmer for a penny; but ashe was coming home, never having had any money before; he lost it in passingover a brook. "You stupid boy," said his mother, "you should have put it in your pocket." "I’ll do so another time," replied Jack.

On Wednesday, Jack went out again and hired himself to a cow-keeper, who gavehim a jar of milk for his day’s work. Jack took the jar and put it into the large pocket of his jacket, spilling itall, long before he got home. "Dear me!" said the old woman; "you should have carried it on your head." "I’ll doso another time," said Jack.

So on Thursday, Jack hired himself

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again to a farmer, who agreed to give him a cream cheese for his services. Inthe evening Jack took the cheese, and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home the cheese was all spoilt, part of it being lost, and partmatted with his hair. "You stupid lout," said his mother, "you should have carried it very carefully in your hands." "I’ll do so another time," replied Jack.

On Friday, Lazy Jack again went out, and hired himself to a baker, who wouldgive him nothing for his work but a large tom-cat. Jack took the cat, and began carrying it very carefully in hishands, but in a short time pussy scratched him so much that he was compelled to let it go. When he got home, his mother said to him, "You silly fellow, you should have tied it with a string, and dragged it along after you." "I’ll do so another time," said Jack.

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So on Saturday, Jack hired himself to abutcher, who rewarded him by the handsome present of a shoulder of mutton. Jack took the mutton, tied it to a string, and trailed it along afterhim in the dirt, so that by the time hehad got home the meat was completely spoilt. His mother was this time quite out of patience with him, for the next day was Sunday, and she was obliged to make do with cabbage for her dinner. "You ninety-hammer," said she to her son; "you should have carried it on your shoulder." "I’ll do so another time," replied Jack.

On the next Monday, Lazy Jack went oncemore, and hired himself to a cattle-keeper, who gave him a donkey for his trouble. Jack found it hard to hoist the donkey on his shoulders, but at last he did it, and began walking slowly home with his prize. Now it happened that in the course of his journey there lived a rich man with his

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only daughter, a beautiful girl, but deaf and dumb.

Now she had never laughed in her life, and the doctors said she would never speak till somebody made her laugh. This young lady happened to be looking out of the window when Jack was passingwith the donkey on his shoulders, with the legs sticking up in the air, and the sight was so comical and strange that she burst out into a great fit of laughter, and immediately recovered herspeech and hearing.

Her father was overjoyed, and fulfilledhis promise by marrying her to Lazy Jack, who was thus made a rich gentleman. They lived in a large house,and Jack’s mother lived with them in great happiness until she died.

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The Magic Swan

There were once upon a time three brothers; the eldest was called Jacob, the second Frederick, and the youngest Peter. This youngest brother was treated shamefully by the other two. Ifanything went wrong Peter had to bear

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the blame and put things right for them. He had to endure all this ill treatment because he was weak and delicate and could not defend himself against his stronger brothers. One day,when he was in the woods gathering sticks, a little old woman came up to him and he told her all his troubles.

'Come, my good youth,' said the old dame, when he had finished his tale of

woe, 'isn't the world wide enough? Set out and try your fortune elsewhere:

Peter took her words to heart and left his father's house early one morning. But he felt very bitterly parting from the home where he had been born, and where at least he had passed a happy childhood. Sitting down on a hill he gazed once more fondly on his native place.

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Suddenly the little old woman stood before him and, tapping him on the shoulder, said, 'So far so good, my boy. What do you mean to do now?'

Peter was at a loss what to answer, forhe had always thought fortune would drop into his mouth like a ripe cherry.The old woman, who guessed his thoughts, laughed kindly, and said:

'I'll tell you what you must do, for I have taken a fancy to you. I am sure you will not forget me when you have made your fortune.'

Peter promised faithfully he would not,and the old woman continued, 'This evening, at sunset, go to yonder pear tree growing at the crossroads. Under it you will find a man lying asleep, and a beautiful large swan will be fastened to the tree close to him. Be careful not to weaken the man, but

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unfasten the swan and take it away withyou.

Everyone will fall in love with its beautiful plumage, and you must allow anyone who likes to pull out a feather.But as soon as the swan feels as much as a finger on it, it will scream. Thenyou must say, "Swan, hold fast." The hand of the person who has touched the bird will be held and nothing will set it free, unless you touch it with this little stick, of which I make you a present.

When you have captured a whole lot of people in this way, lead your train straight on with you. You will come to a big town where a princess lives who has never been known to laugh. If you can only make her laugh your fortune ismade. Then I beg you will not forget your old friend.'

Peter promised again that he would not,and at sunset he went to the tree the old woman had mentioned. The man lay

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there fast asleep, and a large beautiful swan was fastened to the treebeside him by a red cord. Peter loosed the bird and led it away with him without disturbing its sleeping master.

He walked on with the swan for some time and came, at last, to a yard wheresome men were busily at work. They wereall lost in admiration of the bird's beautiful plumage. One forward youth, who was covered with clay from head to foot, called out:

'Oh, if I'd only one of those feathers how happy I should be!'

'Pull one out then,' said Peter kindly.The youth seized one from the bird's tail. Instantly the swan screamed, and Peter called out, 'Swan, hold fast.' And do what he would the poor youth could not get his hand away. The more he howled the more the others laughed, till a girl who had been washing

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clothes in the neighbouring stream hurried up. When she saw the poor boy fastened to the swan she felt so sorry for him that she stretched out her handto free him. The bird screamed.

'Swan, hold fast,' called out Peter, and the girl was caught also.

When Peter had gone on for a bit with his captives, they met a chimney sweep,who laughed loudly over the extraordinary troop, and asked the girlwhat she was doing.

'Oh, dearest John,' replied the girl, 'give me your hand and set me free fromthis young man:

'Most certainly, I will,' replied the sweep, and gave the girl his hand. The bird screamed.

'Swan, hold fast,' said Peter, and the sweep was added to their number.

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They soon came to a village where a fair was being held. A travelling circus was giving a performance and theclown was just doing his tricks. He opened his eyes wide with amazement when he saw the remarkable trio fastened to the swan's tail.

'Have you gone raving mad, Blackie?' heasked as well as he could for laughing.

When the bird screamed, Peter called, 'Swan, hold fast!'

'It is no laughing matter,' the sweep replied. 'This wench has so tight hold of me I feel as if I were glued to her.Do set me free, like a good clown, and I shall do you a good turn some day.'

Without a moment's hesitation the clowngrasped the outstretched hand. The birdscreamed.

'Swan, hold fast,' called out Peter,

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and the clown became the fourth of the party.

Now in the front row of the spectators sat the respected and popular mayor of the village. He was much put out by what he considered nothing but a foolish trick. So much annoyed was he that he seized the clown by the hand and tried to tear him away, to hand himover to the police.

Then the bird screamed, and Peter called out, 'Swan, hold fast,' and the dignified mayor was caught fast as the others were.

The mayoress, a long thin stick of a woman, enraged at the insult done her husband, seized his free arm and tore at it with all her might. The only result was that she too was forced to join the procession. After this no one else had any wish to aid them.

Soon Peter saw the towers of the

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capital in front of him. Just before entering the city, a glittering carriage came out to meet him.

In it was a young lady as beautiful as the day, but with a very solemn and serious expression. No sooner had she perceived the motley crowd fastened to the swan's tail than she burst into loud laughter, in which she was joined by all her servants and ladies-in-waiting.

'The princess has laughed at last!" they all cried with joy.

She stepped out of her carriage to lookmore closely at the wonderful sight andlaughed again over the capers of the poor captives. She ordered her carriageto be turned round and drove slowly back into town, never taking her eyes off Peter and his procession.

When the king heard the news that his daughter had actually laughed, he was more than delighted and had Peter and

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his marvellous train brought before him. When he saw them he laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks.

'My good friend,' he said to Peter, 'doyou know what I promised the person whosucceeded in making the princess laugh?'

'No, I don't,' said Peter.

'Then I will tell you,' answered the king. 'A thousand gold crowns or a piece of land. Which will you choose?' Peter decided in favour of the land. Then he touched the youth, the girl, the sweep, the clown, the mayor and themayoress with his little stick, and they were all free again and ran away home as if a fire were burning behind them. Their flight gave rise to renewedmerriment.

Then the princess felt moved to stroke the swan, at the same time admiring itsplumage. The bird screamed.

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'Swan, hold fast,' called out Peter, and so he won the princess for his bride. But the swan flew up into the air and vanished into the blue horizon.

Peter now received a duchy as a presentand became a very great man indeed. He did not forget the little old woman whohad been the cause of all his good fortune and appointed her as head housekeeper to him and his royal bride in their magnificent castle.

The Magic Mirror

One day in the middle of winter, when the snowflakes fell from the sky like feathers, a queen sat at window netting. Her netting-needle was of black ebony, and as she worked, and thesnow glittered, she pricked her finger,and three drops of blood fell into the

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snow. The red spots looked so beautifulin the white snow that the queen thought to herself: "Oh, if I only had a little child, I should like it to be as fair as snow, as rosy as the red blood, and with hair and eyes as black as ebony."

Very soon after this the queen had a little daughter who was very fair, had rosy cheeks, and hair as black as ebony; and they gave her the name of Snow-white. But at the birth of the little child the queen died.

When Snow-white was a year old, the king took another wife. She was very handsome, but so proud and vain that she could not endure that anyone shouldsurpass her in beauty. She possessed a wonderful mirror, and when she stood before it to look at herself she would say:

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,

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Am I most beautiful of all?"

Then the mirror would reply:

"Young queen, thou are so wondrous fair,None can with thee at all compare."

Then she would go away quite contented,for she knew the magic mirror could speak only the truth.Years went by, andas Snow-white grewup, she became dayafter day morebeautiful, till shereached the age ofseven years, andthen people began totalk about her, andsay that she would be more lovely even than the queen herself. So the proud woman went to her magic looking-glass, and asked:"Mirror, mirror on the wall,Am I most beautiful of all?"

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But the mirror answered:

"Queen, thou are lovely still to see,But Snow-white will beA thousand times more beautiful than thee."

Then the queen was terrified, and turned green and yellow with jealousy. If she had caught sight of Snow-white at that moment, she would have been ready to tear her heart out of her body; she hated the maiden so fiercely.

And this jealousy and envy grew every day stronger and stronger in her heart,like a disease, till she had no rest day or night.

At last she sent for a hunter, who lived near a forest, and said to him, "Hunter, I want to get rid of that child. Take her out into the wood, and if you bring me some proofs that she isdead, I will reward you handsomely.

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Never let her appear before my eyes again."

So the hunter enticed the child into the wood; but when he took out his hunting-knife to thrust into Snow-white's innocent heart, she fell on herknees and wept, and said, "Ah, dear hunter, leave me my life; I will run away into the wild wood, and never, never come home anymore."

She looked so innocent and beautiful asshe knelt, that the hunter's heart was moved with compassion: "Run away, then,thou poor child," he cried; "I cannot harm thee."

Snow-white thanked him so sweetly, and was out of sight in a few moments.

"She will be devoured by wild beasts," he said to himself. But the thought that he had not killed her was as if a stone-weight had been lifted from his heart.

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To satisfy the queen, he took part of the inside of a young fawn, which the wicked woman thought was poor little Snow-white, and was overjoyed to think she was dead.But the poor little motherless child, when she found herself alone in the wood, and saw nothing but trees and leaves, was dreadfully frightened, and knew not what to do. At last she began to run over the sharp stones and through the thorns, and though the wildbeasts sprang out before her, they did her no harm.

She ran on as long as she could till her little feet became quite sore; and towards evening she saw, to her great joy, a pretty little house. So she wentup to it, and found the door open and no one at home.

It was a tiny little house, but everything in it was so clean and neat and elegant that it is beyond description. In the middle of the room

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stood a small table, covered with a snow-white table-cloth, ready for supper. On it were arranged seven little plates, seven little spoons, seven little knives and forks, and seven mugs. By the wall stood seven little beds, near each other, covered with white quilts.

Poor Snow-white, who was hungry and thirsty, ate a few vegetables and a little bread from each plate, and dranka little drop of wine from each cup, for she did not like to take all she wanted from one alone.

After this, feeling very tired, she thought she would lie down and rest on one of the beds, but she found it difficult to choose one to suit her. One was too long, another too short; soshe tried them all till she came to theseventh, and that was so comfortable that she laid herself down, and was soon fast asleep.

When it was quite dark the masters of

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the house came home. They were seven little dwarfs, who dug and searched in the mountains for minerals. First they lighted seven little lamps, and as soonas the room was full of light they saw that someone had been there, for everything did not stand in the order in which they had left it.

Then said the first, "Who has been sitting in my little chair?"

The second exclaimed, "Who has been eating from my little plate?"

The third cried, "Someone has taken part of my bread."

"Who has been eating my vegetables?" said the fourth.Then said the fifth, "Someone has used my fork."

The sixth cried, "And who has been cutting with my knife?"

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"And someone has been drinking out of my cup," said the seventh.

Then the eldest looked at his bed, and,seeing that it looked tumbled, cried out that someone had been upon it. The others came running forward, and found all their beds in the same condition.

But when the seventh approached his bed, and saw Snow-white lying there fast asleep, he called the others, who came quickly, and holding their lights over their heads, cried out in wonder as they beheld the sleeping child. "Oh,what a beautiful little child!" they said to each other, and were so delighted that they would not awaken her, but left her to sleep as long as she liked in the little bed, while its owner slept with one of his companions,and so the night passed away.

In the morning, when Snow-white awoke, and saw all the dwarfs, she was terribly frightened. But they spoke kindly to her, till she lost all fear,

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and they asked her name.

"I am called Snow-white," she replied."But how came you to our house?" asked one.

Then she related to them all that had happened; how her stepmother had sent her into the wood with the hunter, who had spared her life, and that, after wandering about for a whole day, she had found their house.

The dwarfs talked a little while together, and then one said, "Do you think you could be our little housekeeper, to make the beds, cook thedinner, and wash and sew and knit for us, and keep everything neat and clean and orderly? If you can, then you shallstay here with us, and nobody shall hurt you."

"Oh yes, I will try," said Snow-white. So they let her stay, and she was a clever little thing. She managed very

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well, and kept the house quite clean and in order. And while they were gone to the mountains to find gold, she got their supper ready, and they were very happy together.

But every morning when they left her, the kind little dwarfs warned Snow-white to be careful. While the maiden was alone they knew she was in danger, and told her not to show herself, for her stepmother would soon find out where she was, and said, "Whatever you do, let nobody into the house while we are gone."

After the wicked queen had proved, as she thought, that Snow-white was dead, she felt quite satisfied there was no one in the world now likely to become so beautiful as herself, so she steppedup to her mirror and asked:"Mirror, mirror on the wall,Who is most beautiful of all?"

To her vexation the mirror replied:

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"Fair queen, at home there is none likethee,But over the mountains is Snow-white free,With seven little dwarfs, who are strange to see;A thousand times fairer than thou is she."

The queen was furious when she heard this, for she knew the mirror was truthful, and that the hunter must havedeceived her, and that Snow-white stilllived. So she sat and pondered over these facts, thinking what would be best to do, for as long as she was not the most beautiful woman in the land, her jealousy gave her no peace.

After a time, she decided what to do. First, she painted her face, and whitened her hair; then she dressed herself in old woman's clothes, and wasso disguised that no one could have recognised her.

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Watching an opportunity, she left the castle, and took her way to the wood near the mountains, where the seven little dwarfs lived. When she reached the door, she knocked, and cried, "Beautiful goods to sell; beautiful goods to sell."

Snow-white, when she heard it, peeped through the window, and said, "Good-day, old lady. What have you in your basket for me to buy?"

"Everything that is pretty," she replied; "laces, and pearls, and earrings, and bracelets of every colour;" and she held up her basket, which was lined with glittering silk.

"I can let in this respectable old woman," thought Snow-white; "she will not harm me." So she unbolted the door,and told her to come in.

Oh, how delighted Snow-white was with the pretty things; she bought several trinkets, and a beautiful silk lace for

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her stays, but she did not see the evileye of the old woman who was watching her. Presently she said, "Child, come here; I will show you how to lace your stays properly." Snow-white had no suspicion, so she placed herself beforethe old woman that she might lace her stays. But no sooner was the lace in the holes than she began to lace so fast and pull so tight that Snow-white could not breathe, and presently fell down at her feet as if dead.

"Now you are beautiful indeed," said the woman, and, fancying she heard footsteps, she rushed away as quickly as she could.

Not long after, the seven dwarfs came home, and they were terribly frightenedto see dear little Snow-white lying on the ground without motion, as if she were dead.

They lifted her up, and saw in a momentthat her stays had been laced too tightquickly they cut the stay-lace in two,

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till Snow-white began to breathe a little, and after a time was restored to life. But when the dwarfs heard whathad happened, they said: "That old market-woman was no other than your wicked stepmother. Snow-white, you mustnever again let anyone in while we are not with you."

The wicked queen when she returned home, after, as she thought, killing Snow-white, went to her looking-glass and asked:

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,Am I most beautiful of all?"

Then answered the mirror:

"Queen, thou art not the fairest now;Snow-white over the mountain's browA thousand times fairer is than thou."

When she heard this she was so terrified that the blood rushed to her heart, for she knew that after all she

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had done Snow-white was still alive. "Imust think of something else," she saidto herself, "to get rid of that odious child."

Now this wicked queen had some knowledge of witchcraft, and she knew how to poison a comb, so that whoever used it would fall dead. This the wicked stepmother soon got ready, and dressing herself again like an old woman, but quite different from the last, she started off to travel over the mountains to the dwarfs' cottage.

When Snow-white heard the old cry, "Goods to sell, fine goods to sell," she looked out of the window and said:

"Go away, go away; I must not let you in."

"Look at this, then," said the woman; "you shall have it for your own if you like," and she held up before the child's eyes the bright tortoise-shell

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comb which she had poisoned.

Poor Snow-white could not refuse such apresent, so she opened the door and letthe woman in, quite forgetting the advice of the dwarfs. After she had bought a few things, the old woman said, "Let me try this comb in your hair; it is so fine it will make it beautifully smooth and glossy."

So Snow-white, thinking no wrong, stoodbefore the woman to have her hair dressed; but no sooner had the comb touched the roots of her hair than the poison took effect, and the maiden fellto the ground lifeless.

"You paragon of beauty," said the wicked woman, "all has just happened asI expected," and then she went away quickly.

Fortunately evening soon arrived, and the seven dwarfs returned home. When they saw Snow-white lying dead on the

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ground, they knew at once that the stepmother had been there again; but onseeing the poisoned comb in her hair they pulled it out quickly, and Snow-white very soon came to herself, and related all that had passed.

Again they warned her not to let anyoneenter the house during their absence, and on no account to open the door; butSnow-white was not clever enough to resist her clever wicked stepmother, and she forgot to obey.

The wicked queen felt sure now that shehad really killed Snow-white; so as soon as she returned home she went to her looking-glass, and inquired:

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,Who is most beautiful of all?"

But the mirror replied:

"Queen, thou art the fairest here,But not when Snow-white is near;

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Over the mountains still is she,Fairer a thousand times than thee."

As the looking-glass thus replied, the queen trembled and quaked with rage. "Snow-white shall die," cried she, "if it costs me my own life!"

Then she went into a lonely forbidden chamber where no one was allowed to come, and poisoned a beautiful apple. Outwardly it looked ripe and tempting, of a pale green with rosy cheeks, so that it made everyone's mouth water to look at it, but whoever ate even a small piece must die.

As soon as this apple was ready, the wicked queen painted her face, disguised her hair, dressed herself as a farmer's wife, and went again over the mountains to the dwarfs' cottage.

When she knocked at the door, Snow-white stretched her head out of the window, and said, "I dare not let you

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in; the seven dwarfs have forbidden me."

"But I am all right," said the farmer'swife. "Stay, I will show you my apples.Are they not beautiful? Let me make youa present of one."

"No, thank you," cried Snow-white; "I dare not take it."

"What!" cried the woman, "are you afraid it is poisoned? Look here now, Iwill cut the apple in halves; you shallhave the rosy-cheek side, and I will eat the other."

The apple was so cleverly made that thered side alone was poisonous. Snow-white longed so much for the beautiful fruit as she saw the farmer's wife eat one half that she could not any longer resist, but stretched out her hand fromthe window and took the poisoned half. But no sooner had she taken one mouthful than she fell on the ground

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dead.

Then the wicked queen glanced in at thewindow with a horrible look in her eye,and laughed aloud as she exclaimed:

"White as snow, red as blood, and blackas ebony; this time the dwarfs will notbe able to awake thee."

And as soon as she arrived at home, andasked her mirror who was the most beautiful in the land, it replied:

"Fair queen, there is none in all the landSo beautiful as thou."

Then had her envious heart rest, at least such rest as a heart full of envyand malice ever can have.

The little dwarfs, when they came home in the evening, found poor Snow-white on the ground; but though they lifted her up, there were no signs of breath

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from her mouth, and they found she was really dead.

Yet they tried in every way to restore her; they tried to extract the poison from her lips, they combed her hair, and washed it with wine and water, but all to no purpose: the dear child gave no signs of life, and at last they knewshe was dead.

Then they laid her on a bier, and the seven dwarfs seated themselves round her, and wept and mourned for three days. They would have buried her then, but there was no change in her appearance; her face was as fresh, and her cheeks and lips had their usual colour. Then said one of them: "We cannot lay this beautiful child in the dark, cold earth."

So they agreed to have a coffin made entirely of glass, transparent all over, that they might watch for any signs of decay, and they wrote in letters of gold her name on the lid,

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and that she was the daughter of a king. The coffin was placed on the sideof the mountain, and each of them watched it by turns, so that it was never left alone.

And the birds of the air came near and mourned for Snow-white; first the owl, then the raven, and at last the dove. Snow-white lay for a long, long time inthe glass coffin, but showed not the least signs of decay. It seemed as if she slept; for her skin was snow white,her cheeks rosy red, and her hair blackas ebony.

It happened one day that the son of a king, while riding in the forest, came by chance upon the dwarfs' house and asked for a night's lodging. As he leftthe next morning he saw the coffin on the mountain-side, with beautiful Snow-white lying in it, and read what was written upon the lid in letters of gold.

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Then he said to the dwarfs, "Let me have this coffin, and I will give you for it whatever you ask."

But the elder dwarf answered, "We wouldnot give it thee for all the gold in the world."

But the prince answered, "Let me have it as a gift, then. I know not why, butmy heart is drawn towards this beautiful child, and I feel I cannot live without her. If you will let me have her, she shall be treated with thegreatest honour and respect as one dearly beloved."

As he thus spoke the good little dwarfswere full of sympathy for him, and gavehim the coffin. Then the prince called his servants, and the coffin was placedon their shoulders, and they carried itaway, followed by the king's son, who watched it carefully.

Now it happened that one of them made afalse step and stumbled. This shook the

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coffin, and caused the poisoned piece of apple which Snow-white had bitten toroll out of her mouth. A little while after she suddenly opened her eyes, lifted up the coffin-lid, raised her and was again alive.

"Oh! Where am I?" she cried.

Full of joy, the king's son approached her, and said, "Dear Snow-white, you are safe; you are with me."

Then he related to her all that had happened, and what the little dwarfs had told him about her, and said at last, "I love you better than all in the world besides, dear little Snow-white, and you must come with me to my father's castle and be my wife."

Then was Snow-white taken out of the coffin and placed in a carriage to travel with the prince, and the king was so pleased with his son's choice that the marriage was soon after

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celebrated with great pomp and magnificence.

Now it happened that the stepmother of Snow-white was invited, among other guests, to the wedding-feast. Before she left her house she stood in all herrich dress before the magic mirror to admire her own appearance, but she could not help saying;"Mirror, mirror on the wall,Am I most beautiful of all?"

Then to her surprise the mirror replied:

"Fair queen, thou art the fairest here,But at the palace, now,The bride will prove a thousand timesMore beautiful than thou."

Then the wicked woman uttered a curse, and was so dreadfully alarmed that she knew not what to do. At first she declared she would not go to this wedding at all, but she felt it

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impossible to rest until she had seen the bride, so she determined to go.

But what was her astonishment and vexation when she recognised in the young bride Snow-white herself, now grown a charming young woman, and richly dressed in royal robes!

Her rage and terror were so great that she stood still and could not move for some minutes. At last she went into theballroom, but the slippers she wore were to her as iron bands full of coalsof fire, in which she was obliged to dance. And so in the red, glowing shoesshe continued to dance till she fell dead on the floor, a sad example of envy and jealousy.

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Blue Bird

There was, some time ago, a gentleman who was very rich. He had fine town andcountry houses, his dishes and plates were all of gold or silver, his rooms were hung with damask, his chairs and sofas were covered with the richest silks, and his carriages were all gilt with gold in a grand style. But it

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happened that this gentleman had a blue beard, which made him sovery frightful and ugly,that none of the ladies,in the parts where he

lived, would venture to go into his company.

Now there was a certain lady of rank, who lived very near him, and had two daughters, both of them of very great beauty. Blue Beard asked her to bestow one of them upon him for a wife, and left it to herself to choose which of the two it should be. But both the young ladies again and again said they would never marry Blue Beard; yet, to be as civil as they could, each of themsaid, the only reason why she would nothave him was, because she was loath to hinder her sister from the match, whichwould be such a good one for her.

Still the truth of the matter was, theycould neither of them bear the thoughtsof having a husband with a blue beard;

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and besides, they had heard of his having been married to several wives before, and nobody could tell what had ever become of any of them.

As Blue Beard wished very much to gain their favour, he asked the lady and herdaughters, and some ladies who were on a visit at their house, to go with him to one of his country seats, where theyspent a whole week, during which they passed all their time in nothing but parties for hunting and fishing, music,dancing, and feasts. No one even thought of going to bed, and the nightswere passed in merry-makings of all kinds.

In short, the time rolled on in so muchpleasure, that the younger of the two sisters began to think that the beard which she had been so much afraid of was not so very blue and that the gentleman who owned it was vastly civiland pleasing. Soon after their return home, she told her mother that she had no longer any dislike to accept of Blue

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Beard for her husband; and in a very short time they were married.

About a month after the marriage had taken place, Blue Beard told his wife that he should be forced to leave her for a few weeks, as he had some affairsto attend to in the country. He desiredher to be sure to indulge herself in every kind of pleasure, to invite as many of her friends as she liked, and to treat them with all sorts of dainties, that her time might pass pleasantly till he came back again.

"Here," said he, "are the keys of the two large wardrobes. This is the key ofthe great box that contains the best plate, which we use for company, this belongs to my strong box, where I keep my money, and this belongs to the casket, in which are all my jewels. Here also is a master-key to all the rooms in the house; but this small key belongs to the closet at the end of thelong gallery on the ground floor. I give you leave," said he, "to open, or

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to do what you like with all the rest except this closet. This, my dear, you must not enter, nor even put the key into the lock, for the entire world. Ifyou do not obey me in this one thing, you must expect the most dreadful punishments." She promised to obey his orders in the most faithful manner; andBlue Beard, after kissing her tenderly,stepped into his coach, and drove away.

When Blue Beard was gone, the friends of his wife did not wait to be asked, so eager were they to see all the riches and fine things she had gained by marriage; for they had none of them gone to the wedding, on account of their dislike to the blue beard of the bridegroom.

As soon as ever they came to the house,they ran about from room to room, from closet to closet, and then from wardrobe to wardrobe, looking into eachwith wonder and delight, and said, thatevery fresh one they came to was richer

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and finer than what they had seen the moment before. At last they came to thedrawing-rooms, where their surprise wasmade still greater by the costly grandeur of the hangings, the sofas, the chairs, carpets, tables, sideboards, and looking-glasses; the frames of these last were silver-gilt, most richly adorned, and in the glassesthey saw themselves from head to foot.

In short, nothing could exceed the richness of what they saw; and they alldid not fail to admire and envy the good fortune of their friend. But all this time the bride herself was far from thinking about the fine speeches they made to her, for she was eager to see what was in the closet her husband had told her not to open.

So great, indeed, was her desire to do this, that, without once thinking how rude it would be to leave her guests, she slipped away down a private staircase that led to this forbidden closet, and in such a hurry, that she

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was two or three times in danger of falling down stairs and breaking her neck.

When she reached the door of the closet, she stopped for a few moments to think of the order her husband had given her, and how he had told her thathe would not fail to keep his word and punish her very severely, if she did not obey him. But she was so very curious to know what was inside, that she made up her mind to venture in spite of everything.

She then, with a trembling hand, put the key into the lock, and the door straight flew open. As the window shutters were closed, she at first could see nothing; but in a short time she saw that the floor was covered withclotted blood, on which the bodies of several dead women were lying.

These were all the wives whom Blue Beard had married, and killed one afteranother. At this sight she was ready to

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sink with fear, and the key of the closet door, which she held in her hand, fell on the floor. When she had alittle got the better of her fright, she took it up, locked the door, and made haste back to her own room, that she might have a little time to get into a humour to amuse her company; butthis she could not do, so great was herfright at what she had seen. As she found that the key of the closet had got stained with blood in falling on the floor, she wiped it two or three times over to clean it; yet still the blood kept on it the same as before. She next washed it, but the blood did not move at all. She then scoured it with brick dust, and after with sand, but in spite of all she could do, the blood was still there; for the key was a fairy who was Blue

Beard's friend; so that as fast as she got off the blood on one side, it came again on the other. Early in the same evening Blue Beard came home, saying, that before he had gone far on his

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journey he was met by a horseman, who was coming to tell him that his affair in the country was settled without his being present; upon which his wife saideverything she could think of, to make him believe she was in a transport of joy at his sudden return.

The next morning he asked her for the keys: she gave them to him; but as she could not help showing her fright, BlueBeard easily guessed what had been the matter. "How is it," said he, "that thekey of the closet upon the ground flooris not here?" "Is it not?" said the wife, "then I must have left it on my dressing-table." "Be sure you give it me by and by," replied Blue Beard. After going a good many times backwardsand forwards, as if she was looking forthe key, she was at last forced to giveit to Blue Beard. He looked hard at it,and then said: "How came this blood upon the key?" "I am sure I do not know," replied the poor lady, at the same time turning as white as a sheet.

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"You do not know?" said Blue Beard sternly, "but I know well enough. You have been in the closet on the ground floor! Very well, madam: since you are so mighty fond of this closet, you shall be sure to take your place among the ladies you saw there." His wife, who was almost dead with fear, now fellupon her knees, asked his pardon a thousand times for her fault, and begged him to forgive her, looking all the time so very mournful and lovely, that she would have melted any heart that was not harder than a rock. But Blue Beard only said, "No, no, madam; you shall die this very minute!" "Alas!" said the poor trembling creature, "if I must die, give me, as least, a little time to say my prayers." "I give you," replied the cruel Blue Beard, "half a quarter of anhour: not a moment longer." When Blue Beard had left her to herself, she called her sister; and after telling her, as well as she could for sobbing, that she had but half a quarter of an

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hour to live; "Prithee," said she, "sister Anne," (this was her sister's name), "run up to the top of the tower,and see if my brothers are not in sight, for they said they would visit me to-day, and if you see them, make a sign for them to gallop on as fast as ever they can." Her sister straight didas she was desired; and the poor trembling lady every minute cried out to her: "Anne! Sister Anne! Do you see anyone coming?" Her sister said, "I seenothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass, which looks green."

In the meanwhile, Blue Beard, with a great sabre in his hand, bawled as loudas he could to his wife, "Come down at once, or I will fetch you." "One momentlonger, I beseech you," replied she, and again called softly to her sister, "Sister Anne, do you see anyone coming?" To which she answered, "I see nothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass, which looks

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green." Blue Beard now again bawled out, "Come down, I say, this very moment, or I shall come to fetch you." "I am coming; indeed I will come in oneminute," sobbed his wretched wife. Thenshe once more cried out, "Anne! Sister Anne! Do you see anyone coming?" "I see," said her sister, "a cloud of dusta little to the left." "Do you think itis my brothers?" said the wife. "Alas! No, dear sister," replied she, "it is only a flock of sheep." "Will you come down, madam?" said Blue Beard, in the greatest rage. "Only one single moment more," said she. And then she called out for the last time, "Sister Anne! Sister Anne! Do you see no one coming?""I see," replied her sister, "two men on horseback coming; but they are stilla great way off." "Thank God," cried she, "they are my brothers; beckon themto make haste." Blue Beard now cried out so loud for her to come down, that his voice shook the whole house. The poor lady, with her hair loose, and allin tears, now came down, and fell on

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her knees, begging him to spare her life; but he stopped her, saying, "All this is of no use, for you shall die," and then, seizing her by the hair, raised his sabre to strike off her head. The poor woman now begged a single moment to say one prayer.

"No, no," said Blue Beard, "I will giveyou no more time. You have had too muchalready." And again he raised his arm. Just at this instant a loud knocking was heard at the gates, which made BlueBeard wait for a moment to see who it was.

The gates now flew open, and two officers, dressed in their uniform, came in, and, with their swords in their hands, ran straight to Blue Beard, who, seeing they were his wife'sbrothers, tried to escape from their presence; but they pursued and seized him before he had gone twenty steps, and plunging their swords into his bodyhe fell down dead at their feet.

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The poor wife, who was almost as dead as her husband, was not able at first to rise and embrace her brothers; but she soon came to herself; and, as Blue Beard had no heirs, she found herself the owner of his great riches. She gavea part of his vast fortune as a marriage dowry to her sister Anne, who soon after became the wife of a young gentleman who had long loved her.

Some of the money she laid out in buying captains' commissions for her two brothers, and the rest she gave to a worthy gentleman whom she married shortly after, and whose kind treatmentsoon made her forget Blue Beard's cruelty.

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Jack and the Bean-Stalk

In the days of King Alfred, there liveda poor woman whose cottage was situatedin a remote country village, a great many miles from London. She had been a widow some years, and had an only child

named Jack, whom she indulged to a fault. The consequence of her blind partiality was that Jackdid not pay the least attention to anything she

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said, but was indolent, careless, and extravagant. His follies were not owingto a bad disposition, but that his mother had never checked him. By degrees she disposed of all she possessed—scarcely any thing remained but a cow. The poor woman one day met Jack with tears in her eyes; her distress was great, and for the first time in her life she could not help reproaching him, saying, "Oh! You wicked child, by your ungrateful courseof life you have at last brought me to beggary and ruin. Cruel, cruel boy! I have not money enough to purchase even a bit of bread for another day—nothing now remains to sell but my poor cow! I am sorry to part with her; it grieves me sadly, but we must not starve." For a few minutes, Jack felt a degree of remorse, but it was soon over, and he began teasing his mother to let him sell the cow at the next village, so much, that she at last consented. As hewas going along, he met a butcher, who inquired why he was driving the cow

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from home? Jack replied, he was going to sell it. The butcher held some curious beans in his hat; they were of various colours, and attracted Jack's attention. This did not pass unnoticed by the butcher, who, knowing Jack's easy temper, thought now was the time to take an advantage of it; and determined not to let slip so good an opportunity, asked what was the price of the cow, offering at the same time all the beans in his hat for her. The silly boy could not conceal the pleasure he felt at what he supposed sogreat an offer, the bargain was struck instantly, and the cow exchanged for a few paltry beans. Jack made the best ofhis way home, calling aloud to his mother before he reached home, thinkingto surprise her.

When she saw the beans, and heard Jack's account, her patience quite forsook her. She kicked the beans away in a passion—they flew in all directions—some were scattered in the

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garden. Not having anything to eat, they both went supper less to bed. Jackwoke early in the morning, and seeing something uncommon from the window of his bed-chamber ran down stairs into the garden, where he soon discovered that some of the beans had taken root, and sprung up surprisingly:the stalks were of an immense thickness, and had so entwined, that they formed a ladder nearly like a chain in appearance. Looking upward, hecould not discern the top, it appeared to be lost in the clouds: he tried it, found it firm, and not to be shaken. Hequickly formed the resolution of endeavouring to climb up to the top, inorder to seek his fortune, and ran to communicate his intention to his mother, not doubting but she would be equally pleased with himself. She declared he should not go; said it would break her heart if he did—entreated, and threatened—but all in vain. Jack set out, and after climbing for some hours, reached the top of the

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bean-stalk, fatigued and quite exhausted. Looking around, he found himself in a strange country; it appeared to be a desert, quite barren, not a tree, shrub, house, or living creature to be seen; here and there were scattered fragments of stone; and at unequal distances, small heaps of earths were loosely thrown together.

Jack seated himself pensively upon a block of stone, and thought of his mother—he reflected with sorrow upon his disobedience in climbing the bean-stalk against her will; and concluded that he must die with hunger. However he walked on, hoping to see a house where he might beg something to eat anddrink; presently a handsome young womanappeared at a distance: as she approached, Jack could not help admiring how beautiful and lively she looked; she was dressed in the most elegant manner, and had a small white wand in her hand, on the top of which was a peacock of pure gold. While Jack

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was looking with great surprise at thischarming female, she came up to him, and with a smile of the most bewitchingsweetness, inquired how he came there.

Jack related the circumstance of the bean-stalk. She asked him if he recollected his father; he replied he did not; and added, there must be some mystery relating to him, because if he asked his mother who his father was, she always burst into tears, and appeared violently agitated, nor did she recover herself for some days after; one thing, however, he could notavoid observing upon these occasions, which was that she always carefully avoided answering him, and even seemed afraid of speaking, as if there was some secret connected with his father'shistory which she must not disclose. The young woman replied, "I will revealthe whole story; your mother must not. But, before I begin, I require a solemnpromise on your part to do what I command; I am a fairy, and if you do not perform exactly what I desire, you

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will be destroyed," Jack was frightenedat her menaces, but promised to fulfil her injunctions exactly, and the fairy thus addressed him:

"Your father was a rich man, his disposition remarkably benevolent: he was very good to the poor, and constantly relieving them. He made it arule never to let a day pass without doing good to some person. On one particular day in the week, he kept open house, and invited only those who were reduced and had lived well. He always presided himself, and did all inhis power to render his guests comfortable; the rich and the great were not invited. The servants were allhappy, and greatly attached to their master and mistress. Your father, though only a private gentleman, was asrich as a prince, and he deserved all he possessed, for he only lived to do well. Such a man was soon known and talked of. A giant lived a great many miles off: this man was altogether as

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wicked as your father was good; he was in his heart envious, covetous, and cruel; but he had the art of concealingthose vices. He was poor, and wished toenrich himself at any rate. Hearing your father spoken of, he formed the design of becoming acquainted with him,hoping to ingratiate himself into your father's favour.

He removed quickly into your neighbourhood, caused to be reported that he was a gentleman who had just lost all he possessed by an earth-quake, and found it difficult to escapewith his life; his wife was with him. Your father gave credit to his story, and pitied him, gave him handsome apartments in his own house, and causedhim and his wife to be treated like visitors of consequence, little imagining that the giant was meditatinga horrid return for all his favours.

"Things went on in this way for some time, the giant becoming daily more impatient to put his plan into

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execution; at last a favourable opportunity presented itself. Your father's house was at some distance from the seashore, but with a glass thecoast could be seen distinctly. The giant was one day using the telescope; the wind was very high; he saw a fleet of ships in distress off the rocks; he hastened to your father, mentioned the circumstance, and eagerly requested he would send all the servants he could spare to relieve the sufferers. Everyone was instantly despatched, except the porter and your nurse; the giant then joined your father in the study, and appeared to be delighted—he really was so. Your father recommended a favourite book, and was handing it down: the giant took the opportunity, and stabbed him; he instantly fell downdead. The giant left the body, found the porter and nurse, and presently despatched them; being determined to have no living witnesses of his crimes.You were then only three months old; your mother had you in her arms in a

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remote part of the house, and was ignorant of what was going on; she wentinto the study, but how was she shocked, on discovering your father a corpse, and weltering in his blood! Shewas stupefied with horror and grief, and was motionless. The giant, who was seeking her, found her in that state, and hastened to serve her and you as hehad done her husband, but she fell at his feet, and in a pathetic manner besought him to spare your life and hers.

"Remorse, for a moment, seemed to touchthe barbarian's heart: he granted your lives; but first he made her take a most solemn oath, never to inform you who your father was, or to answer any questions concerning him: assuring her that if she did, he would certainly discover her, and put both of you to death in the most cruel manner. Your mother took you in her arms, and fled as quickly as possible; she was scarcely gone when the giant repented

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that he had suffered her to escape. He would have pursued her instantly; but he had to provide for his own safety; as it was necessary he should be gone before the servants returned. Having gained your father's confidence, he knew where to find all his treasure: hesoon loaded himself and his wife set the house on fire in several places, and when the servants returned, the house was burned quite down to the ground. Your poor mother, forlorn, abandoned, and forsaken, wandered with you a great many miles from this scene of desolation. Fear added to her haste.She settled in the cottage where you were brought up, and it was entirety owing to her fear of the giant that shenever mentioned your father to you. I became your father's guardian at his birth; but fairies have laws to which they are subject as well as mortals. A short time before the giant went to your father's, I transgressed; my punishment was a suspension of power for a limited time—an unfortunate

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circumstance, as it totally prevented my succouring your father.

"The day, on which you met the butcher,as you went to sell your mother's cow, my power was restored. It was I who secretly prompted you to take the beansin exchange for the cow. By my power, the bean-stalk grew to so great a height, and formed a ladder. I need notadd that I inspired you with a strong desire to ascend the ladder. The giant lives in this country: you are the person appointed to punish him for all his wickedness. You will have dangers and difficulties to encounter, but you must persevere in avenging the death ofyour father, or you will not prosper inany of your undertakings, but will always be miserable. As to the giant's possessions, you may seize on all you can; for everything he has is yours, though now you are unjustly deprived ofit. One thing I desire—do not let your mother know you are acquainted with your father's history, till you see me

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again. Go along the direct road, you will soon see the house where your cruel enemy lives. While you do as I order you, I will protect and guard you; but, remember, if you dare disobeymy commands, a most dreadful punishmentawaits you."

When the fairy had concluded, she disappeared, leaving Jack to pursue hisjourney. He walked on till after sunset, when, to his great joy, he espied a large mansion. This agreeable sight revived his drooping spirits; he redoubled his speed, and soon reached it. A plain-looking woman was at the door—he accosted her, begging she wouldgive him a morsel of bread and a night's lodging. She expressed the greatest surprise at seeing him; and said it was quite uncommon to see a human being near their house, for it was well known that her husband was a large and very powerful giant, and thathe would never eat anything but human flesh, if he could possibly get it;

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that he did not think anything of walking fifty miles to procure it, usually being out the whole day for that purpose.

This account greatly terrified Jack, but still he hoped to elude the giant, and therefore he again entreated the woman to take him in for one night only, and hide him where she thought proper. The good woman at last sufferedherself to be persuaded, for she was ofa compassionate and generous disposition, and took him into the house. First, they entered a fine largehall, magnificently furnished; they then passed through several spacious rooms, all in the same style of grandeur; but they appeared to be quiteforsaken and desolate. A long gallery was next; it was very dark—just light enough to show that, instead of a wall on one side, there was a grating of iron, which parted off a dismal dungeon, from whence issued the groans of those poor victims whom the cruel

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giant reserved in confinement for his own voracious appetite. Poor Jack was half dead with fear, and would have given the world to have been with his mother again, for he now began to fear that he should never see her more, and gave himself up for lost; he even mistrusted the good woman, and thought she had let him into the house for no other purpose than to lock him up amongthe unfortunate people in the dungeon. At the farther end of the gallery therewas a spacious kitchen, and a very excellent fire was burning in the grate. The good woman bid Jack sits down, and gave him plenty to eat and drink. Jack, not seeing any thing here to make him uncomfortable, soon forgot his fear, and was just beginning to enjoy himself, when he was aroused by aloud knocking at the street-door, whichmade the whole house shake: the giant'swife ran to secure him in the oven, andthen went to let her husband in. Jack heard him accost her in a voice like thunder, saying: "Wife, I smell fresh

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meat." "Oh! My dear," replied she, "it is nothing but the people in the dungeon." The giant appeared to believeher, and walked into the very kitchen where poor Jack was concealed, who shook, trembled, and was more terrifiedthan he had yet been. At last, the monster seated himself quietly by the fire-side, whilst his wife prepared supper. By degrees Jack recovered himself sufficiently to look at the giant through a small crevice. He was quite astonished to see what an amazingquantity he devoured, and thought he never would have done eating and drinking. When supper was ended, the giant desired his wife to bring him hishen. A very beautiful hen was then brought, and placed on the table beforehim. Jack's curiosity was very great tosee what would happen: he observed thatevery time the giant said "Lay!" the hen laid an egg of solid gold. The giant amused himself a long time with his hen; meanwhile his wife went to bed. At length the giant fell asleep by

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the fire-side, and snored like the roaring of cannon. At daybreak, Jack, finding the giant still asleep, and not likely to awaken soon, crept softly out of his hiding-place, seized the hen, and ran off withher. He met with some difficulty in finding his way out of the house, but at last he reached the road with safety. He easily found the way to the bean-stalk, and descended it better andquicker than he expected. His mother was overjoyed to see him; he found her crying bitterly, and lamenting his hardfate, for she concluded he had come to some shocking end through his rashness.Jack was impatient to show his hen, andinform his mother how valuable it was. "And now, mother," said Jack, "I have brought home that which will quickly make us rich; and I hope to make you some amends for the affliction I have caused you through my idleness, extravagance, and folly." The hen produced as many golden eggs as they desired: they sold them, and in a

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little time became possessed of as muchriches as they wanted. For some months Jack and his mother lived very happily together; but he being very desirous oftravelling, recollecting the fairy's commands, and fearing that if he delayed, she would put her threats intoexecution, longed to climb the bean-stalk, and pay the giant another visit,in order to carry away some more of histreasures; for, during the time that Jack was in the giant's mansion, whilsthe lay concealed in the oven, he learned from the conversation that tookplace between the giant and his wife, that he possessed some wonderful curiosities. Jack thought of his journey again and again, but still he could not summon resolution enough to break it to his mother, being well assured that she would endeavour to prevent his going. However, one day he told her boldly that he must take a journey up the bean-stalk; she begged and prayed him not to think of it, and tried all in her power to dissuade him:

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she told him that the giant's wife would certainly know him again, and that the giant would desire nothing better than to get him into his power, that he might put him to a cruel death,in order to be revenged for the loss ofhis hen. Jack, finding that all his arguments were useless, pretended to give up the point, though resolved to go at all events. He had a dress prepared which would disguise him, and something to colour his skin. He thought it impossible for anyone to recollect him in this dress.

In a few mornings after this, he arose very early, changed his complexion, and, unperceived by any one, climbed the bean-stalk a second time. He was greatly fatigued when he reached the top and very hungry. Having rested sometime on one of the stones, he pursued his journey to the giant's mansion. He reached it late in the evening: the woman was at the door as before. Jack addressed her, at the same time telling

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her a pitiful tale, and requesting thatshe would give him some victuals and drinks, and also a night's lodging.

She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband being a powerful and cruel giant; and also thatshe one night admitted a poor, hungry, friendless boy, who was half dead with travelling; that the little ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant's treasures; and, ever since that, her husband had been worse than before, used her very cruelly, and continually upbraided her with being the cause of his misfortune. Jack was at no loss to discover that he was attending to the account of a story in which he was the principal actor. He did his best to persuade the good woman to admit him, but found it a very hard task. At last she consented; and as she led the way, Jack observed that everything was just as he had found it before. She took himinto the kitchen, and after he had doneeating and drinking, she hid him in an

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old lumber-closet. The giant returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily, that the house was shaken to its foundation. He seated himself by the fire, and soon after exclaimed: "Wife! I smell fresh meat!" The wife replied, it was the crows, which had brought a piece of raw meat, and left it on the top of the house. Whilst supper was preparing, the giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, frequently lifting up his hand to strike his wife, for not being quick enough; she, however, was always so fortunate as to elude the blow. He was also continually up-braiding her with the loss of his wonderful hen. The giant at last having ended his voracious supper, and eaten till he wasquite satisfied, said to his wife: "I must have something to amuse me; eithermy bags of money or my harp." After a great deal of ill-humour, and having teased his wife some he commanded her to bring down his bags of gold and silver. Jack, as before, peeped out of

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his hiding-place, and presently his wife brought two bags into the room: they were of a very large size; one wasfilled with New guineas, and the other with new shillings. They were both placed before the giant, who began reprimanding his poor wife most severely for staying so long; she replied, trembling with fear, that theywere so heavy, that she could scarcely lift them; and concluded, at last, thatshe would never again bring them down stairs; adding, that she had nearly fainted, owing to their weight This so exasperated the giant, that he raised his hand to strike her; she, however, escaped, and went to bed, leaving him to count over his treasure, by way of amusement. The giant took his bags, andafter turning them over and over, to see that they were in the same state ashe left them, began to count their contents. First, the bag which contained the silver was emptied, and the contents placed upon the table. Jack viewed the glittering heaps with

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delight, and most heartily wished them in his own possession. The giant (little thinking he was so narrowly watched) reckoned the silver over several times; and then, having satisfied himself that all was safe, put it into the bag again, which he made very secure. The other bag was opened next, and the guineas placed upon the table. If Jack was pleased at the sight of the silver, how much more delighted he felt when he saw such a heap of glittering gold! He even had the boldness to think of gaming both bags; but suddenly recollecting himself, he began to fear that the giant would sham sleep, the better to entrap anyone who might be concealed. When the giant had counted over the gold till he was tired, he put it up, if possible, more secure than he had put up the silver before; he then fell back on his chair by the fire-side and fell asleep. He snored so loud, that Jack compared his noise to the roaring of the sea in a high wind, when the

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tide is coming in. At last, Jack concluded him to be asleep, and therefore secure, stole out of his hiding-place, and approached the giant,in order to carry off the two bags of money; but just as he laid his hand upon one of the bags, a little dog, whom he had not perceived before, started from under the giant's chair, and barked at Jack most furiously, who now gave himself up for lost. Fear riveted him to the spot. Instead of endeavouring to escape, he stood still,though expecting his enemy to awake every instant. Contrary, however, to his expectation, the giant continued ina sound sleep, and the dog grew weary of barking. Jack now began to recollecthimself, and on looking round, saw a large piece of meat; this he threw to the dog, which instantly seized it, andtook it into the lumber-closet, which Jack had just left. Finding himself delivered from a noisy and troublesome enemy, and seeing the giant did not awake, Jack boldly seized the bags, and

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throwing them over his shoulders, ran out of the kitchen. He reached the street door in safety, and found it quite daylight. In his way to the top of the bean-stalk, he found himself greatly incommoded with the weight of the money-bags; and really they were soheavy that he could scarcely carry them. Jack was overjoyed when he found himself near the bean-stalk; he soon reached the bottom, and immediately ranto seek his mother; to his great surprise, the cottage was deserted; he ran from one room to another, without being able to find any one; he then hastened into the village, hoping to see some of the neighbours, who could inform him where he could find his mother. An old woman at last directed him to a neighbouring house, where she was ill of a fever. He was greatly shocked on finding her apparently dying, and could scarcely bear his own reflections, on knowing himself to be the cause. On being informed of our hero's safe return, his mother, by

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degrees, revived, and gradually recovered. Jack presented her with his two valuable bags. They lived happily and comfortably; the cottage was rebuilt, and well furnished.

For three years Jack heard no more of the bean-stalk, but he could not forgetit; though he feared making his mother unhappy. She would not mention the hated bean-stalk, lest it should remindhim of taking another journey. Notwithstanding the comforts Jack enjoyed at home, his mind dwelt continually upon the bean-stalk; for the fairy's menaces, in case of his disobedience, were ever present to his mind, and prevented him from being happy; he could think of nothing else. It was in vain endeavouring to amuse himself; he became thoughtful, and would arise at the first dawn of day, and view the bean-stalk for hours together. His mother saw that somethingpreyed heavily upon his mind, and endeavoured to discover the cause; but

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Jack knew too well what the consequencewould be, should she succeed. He did his utmost, therefore, to conquer the great desire he had for another journeyup the bean-stalk. Finding, however, that his inclination grew too powerful for him, he began to make secret preparations for his journey, and on the longest day, arose as soon as it was light, ascended the bean-stalk, andreached the top with some little trouble. He found the road, journey, etc., much as it was on the two former times; he arrived at the giant's mansion in the evening, and found his wife standing, as usual, at the door. Jack had disguised himself so completely, that she did not appear to have the least recollection of him; however, when he pleaded hunger and poverty, in order to gain admittance, he found it very difficult to persuade her. At last he prevailed, and was concealed in the copper. When the giantreturned, he said, "I smell fresh meat!" But Jack felt quite composed, as

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he had said so before, and had been soon satisfied. However, the giant started up suddenly, and, notwithstanding his entire wife could say, he searched all round the room. Whilst this was going forward, Jack wasexceedingly terrified, and ready to diewith fear, wishing himself at home a thousand times; but when the giant approached the copper, and put his handupon the lid, Jack thought his death was certain. The giant ended his searchthere, without moving the lid, and seated himself quietly by the fire-side. This fright nearly overcame poor Jack; he was afraid of moving or even breathing, lest he should be discovered.

The giant at last ate a hearty supper. When he had finished, he commanded his wife to fetch down his harp. Jack peeped under the copper-lid, and soon saw the most beautiful harp that could be imagined: it was placed by the gianton the table, who said, "Play!" and it

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instantly played of its own accord, without being touched.

The music was uncommonly fine. Jack wasdelighted, and felt more anxious to getthe harp into his possession, than either of the former treasures. The giant's soul was not attuned to harmony, and the music soon lulled him into a sound sleep.

Now, therefore, was the time to carry off the harp, as the giant appeared to be in a more profound sleep than usual Jack soon determined, got out of the copper, and seized the harp, The harp was enchanted by a fairy: it called outloudly: "Master! Master!" The giant awoke, stood up, and tried to pursue Jack; but he had drunk so much, that hecould hardly stand. Poor Jack ran as fast as he could. In a little time the giant recovered sufficiently to walk slowly, or rather, to reel after him.

Had he been sober, he must have overtaken Jack instantly; but, as he then was, Jack contrived to be first at

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the top of the bean-stalk. The giant called after him in a voice like thunder, and sometimes was very near him. The moment Jack got down the bean-stalk he called out for a hatchet; one was brought him directly; just at that instant, the giant was beginning to descend; but Jack, with his hatchet, cut the bean-stalk close off at the root, which made the giant fall headlong into the garden: the fall killed him, thereby releasing the worldfrom a barbarous enemy.

Jack's mother was delighted when she saw the bean-stalk destroyed. At this instant the fairy appeared: she first addressed Jack's mother and explained every circumstance relating to the journeys up the bean-stalk. The fairy charged Jack to be dutiful to his mother, and to follow his father's goodexample, which was the only way to be happy. She then disappeared. Jack heartily begged his mother's pardon forall the sorrow and affliction he had caused her, promising most faithfully

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to be very dutiful and obedient to her for the future.

Jack the Giant Killer

In the reign of the famous King Arthur,there lived near the Land's End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer, who had an only son named Jack. Jack was a boy of a bold

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temper; he took pleasure in hearing or reading stories of wizards, conjurers, giants, and fairies, and used to listeneagerly while his father talked of the great deeds of the brave knights of King Arthur's Round Table. When Jack was sent to take care of the sheep and oxen in the fields, he used to amuse himself with planning battles, sieges, and the means to conquer or surprise a foe. He was above the common sports of children; but hardly anyone could equalhim at wrestling; or, if he met with a match for himself in strength, his skill and address always made him the victor. In those days there lived on St. Michael's Mount of Cornwall, which rises out of the sea at some distance from the main land, a huge giant. He was eighteen feet high, and three yardsround; and his fierce and savage looks were the terror of all his neighbours. He dwelt in a gloomy cavern on the verytop of the mountain, and used to wade over to the main land in search of his prey. When he came near, the people left their houses; and after he had glutted his appetite upon their cattle,he would throw half-a-dozen oxen upon his back, and tie three times as many

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sheep and hogs round his waist, and so march back to his own abode. The giant had done this for many years, and the coast of Cornwall was greatly hurt by his thefts, when Jack boldly resolved to destroy him. He therefore took a horn, a shovel, pickaxe, and a dark lantern, and early in a long winter's evening he swam to the mount. There he fell to work at once, and before morning he had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep, and almost as many broad. Hecovered it over with sticks and straw, and strewed some of the earth over them, to make it look just like solid ground. He then put his horn to his mouth, and blew such a loud and long tantivy, that the giant awoke and came towards Jack, roaring like thunder: "You saucy villain, you shall pay dearly for breaking my rest; I will broil you for my breakfast." He had scarcely spoken these words, when he came advancing one step farther; but then he tumbled headlong into the pit, and his fall shook the very mountain. "O ho, Mr. Giant!" said Jack, looking into the pit, "have you found your way so soon to the bottom? How is your appetite now? Will nothing serve you

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http://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/jack_the_giant_killer.htm


for breakfast this cold morning but broiling poor Jack?" The giant now tried to rise, but Jack struck him a blow on the crown of the head with his pickaxe, which killed him at once. Jackthen made haste back to rejoice his friends with the news of the giant's death. When the justices of Cornwall heard of this valiant action, they sentfor Jack, and declared that he should always be called Jack the Giant Killer;and they also gave him a sword and belt, upon which was written in lettersof gold:

"This is the valiant CornishmanWho slew the Giant Cormoran."

The news of Jack's exploits soon spreadover the western parts of England; and another giant, called Old Blunderbore, vowed to have revenge on Jack, if it should ever be his fortune to get him into his power. This giant kept an enchanted castle in the midst of a lonely wood. About four months after the death of Cormoran, as Jack was taking a journey into Wales, he passed through this wood; and as he was very weary, he sat down to rest by the side

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of a pleasant fountain, and there he fell into a deep sleep. The giant came to the fountain for water just at this time, and found Jack there; and as the lines on Jack's belt showed who he was,the giant lifted him up and laid him gently upon his shoulder to carry him to his castle: but as he passed throughthe thicket, the rustling of the leaveswaked Jack; and he was sadly afraid when he found himself in the clutches of Blunderbore. Yet this was nothing tohis fright soon after; for when they reached the castle, he beheld the floorcovered all over with the skulls and bones of men and women. The giant took him into a large room where lay the hearts and limbs of persons who had been lately killed; and he told Jack, with a horrid grin, that men's hearts, eaten with pepper and vinegar, were hisnicest food; and also, that he thought he should make a dainty meal on his heart. When he had said this, he lockedJack up in that room, while he went to fetch another giant who lived in the same wood, to enjoy a dinner off Jack'sflesh with him. While he was away, Jackheard dreadful shrieks, groans, and cries, from many parts of the castle;

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and soon after he heard a mournful voice repeat these lines:

"Haste, valiant stranger, haste away,Lest you become the giant's prey.On his return he'll bring another,Still more savage than his brother:A horrid, cruel monster, who,Before he kills, will torture you.Oh valiant stranger, haste away,Or you'll become these giants' prey."

This warning was so shocking to poor Jack, that he was ready to go mad. He ran to the window, and saw the two giants coming along arm in arm. This window was right over the gates of the castle. "Now," thought Jack, "either mydeath or freedom is at hand." There were two strong cords in the room: Jackmade a large noose with a slip-knot at the ends of both these, and as the giants were coming through the gates, he threw the ropes over their heads. Hethen made the other ends fast to a beamin the ceiling, andpulled with all hismight till he had almoststrangled them. When hesaw that they were both

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quite black in the face, and had not the least strength left, he drew his sword, and slid down the ropes; he thenkilled the giants, and thus saved himself from the cruel death they meantto put him to. Jack next took a great bunch of keys from the pocket of Blunderbore, and went into the castle again. He made a strict search through all the rooms; and in them found three ladies tied up by the hair of their heads, and almost starved to death. They told him that their husbands had been killed by the giants, who had thencondemned them to be starved to death, because they would not eat the flesh oftheir own dead husbands. "Ladies," saidJack, "I have put an end to the monsterand his wicked brother; and I give you this castle and all the riches it contains, to make you some amends for the dreadful pains you have felt." He then very politely gave them the keys of the castle, and went further on his journey to Wales. As Jack had not takenany of the giant's riches for himself, and so had very little money of his own, he thought it best to travel as fast as he could. At length he lost hisway, and when night came on he was in a

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lonely valley between two lofty mountains, where he walked about for some hours without seeing any dwelling place, so he thought himself very luckyat last, in finding a large and handsome house.

He went up to it boldly, and knocked loudly at the gate, when, to his great terror and surprise, there came forth amonstrous giant with two heads. He spoke to Jack very civilly, for he was a Welsh giant, and all the mischief he did was by private and secret malice, under the show of friendship and kindness. Jack told him that he was a traveller who had lost his way, on which the huge monster made him welcome, and led him into a room, wherethere was a good bed to pass the night in. Jack took off his clothes quickly; but though he was so weary he could notgo to sleep. Soon after this he heard the giant walking backward and forward in the next room, and saying to himself:

"Though here you lodge with me this night,You shall not see the morning light;

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My club shall dash your brains out quite."

"Say you so?" thought Jack; "are these tricks upon travellers? But I hope to prove as cunning as you." Then getting out of bed, he groped about the room, and at last found a large thick billet of wood; he laid it in his own place inthe bed, and then hid himself in a darkcorner of the room. In the middle of the night the giant came with his greatclub, and struck many heavy blows on the bed, in the very place where Jack had laid the billet, and then he went back to his own room, thinking he had broken all his bones. Early in the morning, Jack put a bold face upon the matter, and walked into the giant's room to thank him for his lodgings. Thegiant started when he saw him, and he began to stammer out, "Oh, dear me! Is it you? Pray, how did you sleep last night? Did you hear or see anything in the dead of the night?" "Nothing worth speaking of," said Jack carelessly; "a rat, I believe, gave me three or four slaps with his tail, and disturbed me alittle; but I soon went to sleep again." The giant wondered more and

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more at this; yet he did not answer a word, but went to bring two great bowlsof hasty-pudding for their breakfast. Jack wished to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as himself. So he contrived to button a leather baginside his coat, and slipped the hasty-pudding into this bag, while he seemed to put it into his mouth. When breakfast was over, he said to the giant: "Now I will show you a fine trick; I can cure all wounds with a touch; I could cut off my head one minute, and the next, put it sound again on my shoulders: you shall see anexample." He then took hold of the knife, ripped up the leather bag, and all the hasty-pudding tumbled out upon the floor. "Ods splutter hurl nails," cried the Welsh giant, who was ashamed to be outdone by such a little fellow as Jack, "hurl can do that herself." Sohe snatched up the knife, plunged it into his stomach, and in a moment dropped down dead.

As soon as Jack had thus tricked the Welsh monster, he went farther on his journey; and a few days after he met with King Arthur's only son, who had

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got his father's leave to travel into Wales, to deliver a beautiful lady fromthe power of a wicked magician, who held her in his enchantments. When Jackfound that the young prince had no servants with him, he begged leave to attend him; and the prince at once agreed to this, and gave Jack many thanks for his kindness. The prince wasa handsome, polite, and brave knight, and so good-natured that he gave money to everybody he met. At length he gave his last penny to an old woman, and then turned to Jack, and said: "How shall we be able to get food for ourselves the rest of our journey?" "Leave that to me sir," said Jack; "I will provide for my prince." Night now came on, and the prince began to grow uneasy at thinking where they should lodge. "Sir," said Jack, "please have agood heart; two miles farther there lives a large giant, whom I know well. He has three heads, and will fight fivehundred men, and make them fly before him." "Alas!" replied the king's son, "we had better never have been born than meet with such a monster." "My lord, leave me to manage him, and wait here in quiet till I return." The

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prince now stayed behind, while Jack rode on full speed. And when he came tothe gates of the castle, he gave a loudknock. The giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out: "Who is there?" And Jack made answer, and said: "No onebut your poor cousin Jack." "Well," said the giant, "what news, Cousin Jack?" "Dear uncle," said Jack, "I havesome heavy news." "Pooh!" said the giant, "what heavy news can come to me?I am a giant with three heads; and can fight five hundred men, and make them fly before me." "Alas!" said Jack, "Here is the king's son, coming with two thousand men, to kill you, and to destroy the castle and all that you have." "Oh, Cousin Jack," said the giant, "This is heavy news indeed! But I have a large cellar underground, where I will hide myself, and you shalllock, and bar me in, and keep the keys till the king's son is gone."

Now when Jack had made the giant fast in the vault, he went back and fetched the prince to the castle; they both made themselves merry with the wine andother dainties that were in the house. So that night they rested very

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pleasantly, while the poor giant lay trembling and shaking with fear in the cellar underground. Early in the morning, Jack gave the king's son gold and silver out of the giant's treasure,and set him three miles forward on his journey. He then went to let his uncle out of the hole, who asked Jack what heshould give him as a reward for saving his castle. "Why, good uncle," said Jack, "I desire nothing but the old coat and cap, with the old rusty sword and slippers, which are hanging at yourbed's head," Then said the giant: "You shall have them; and pray keep them formy sake, for they are things of great use: the coat will keep you invisible, the cap will give you knowledge, the sword cut through anything, and the shoes are of vast swiftness; these may be useful to you in all times of danger, so take them with all my heart." Jack gave many thanks to the giant, and then set off to the prince. When he had come up with the king's son, they soon arrived at the dwelling of the beautiful lady, who was under the power of a wicked magician. She received the prince very politely, and made a noble feast for him; and when it

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was ended, she rose, and wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, said: "My lord, you must submit to the customof my palace; to-morrow morning I command you to tell me on whom I bestowthis handkerchief or lose your head." She then went out of the room. The young prince went to bed very mournful:but Jack put on his cap of knowledge, which told him that the lady was forced, by the power of enchantment, tomeet the wicked magician every night inthe middle of the forest. Jack now put on his coat of darkness, and his shoes of swiftness, and was there before her.When the lady came, she gave the handkerchief to the magician. Jack withhis sword of sharpness, at one blow, cut off his head; the enchantment was then ended in a moment, and the lady was restored to her former virtue and goodness.

She was married to the prince on the next day, and soon after went back withher royal husband, and a great company,to the court of King Arthur, where theywere received with loud and joyful welcomes; and the valiant hero Jack, for the many great exploits he had done

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for the good of his country, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table. As Jack had been so lucky in all his adventures, he resolved not to be idle for the future, but still to do what services he could for the honour of theking and the nation. He therefore humbly begged his majesty to furnish him with a horse and money, which he might travel in search of new and strange exploits. "For," said he to theking, "there are many giants yet livingin the remote parts of Wales, to the great terror and distress of your majesty's subjects; therefore if it please you, sire, to favour me in my design, I will soon rid your kingdom ofthese giants and monsters in human shape." Now when the king heard this offer, and began to think of the cruel deeds of these blood-thirsty giants andsavage monsters, he gave Jack everything proper for such a journey. After this Jack took leave of the king,the prince, and all the knights, and set off; taking with him his cap of knowledge, his sword of sharpness, his shoes of swiftness, and his invisible coat, the better to perform the great exploits that might fall in his way. He

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went along over high hills and lofty mountains, and on the third day he cameto a large wide forest, through which his road led. He had hardly entered theforest, when on a sudden he heard very dreadful shrieks and cries. He forced his way through the trees, and saw a monstrous giant dragging along by the hair of their heads a handsome knight and his beautiful lady. Their tears andcries melted the heart of honest Jack to pity and compassion; he alighted from his horse, and tying him to an oaktree he put on his invisible coat, under which he carried his sword of sharpness.

When he came up to the giant, he made several strokes at him, but could not reach his body, on account of the enormous height of the terrible creature, but he wounded his thighs in several places; and at length, putting both hands to his sword, and aiming with all his might, he cut off both thegiant's legs just below the garter; andthe trunk of his body tumbling to the ground, made not only the trees shake, but the earth itself tremble with the force of his fall. Then Jack, setting

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his foot upon his neck, exclaimed, "Thou barbarous and savage wretch, behold I come to execute upon thee the just reward for all thy crimes;" and instantly plunged his sword into the giant's body. The huge monster gave a hideous groan, and yielded up his life into the hands of the victorious Jack the Giant Killer, whilst the noble knight and the virtuous lady were both joyful spectators of his sudden death and their deliverance. The courteous knight and his fair lady, not only returned Jack hearty thanks for their deliverance, but also invited him to their house, to refresh himself after his dreadful encounter, as likewise to receive a reward for his good services."No," said Jack, "I cannot be at ease till I find out the den that was the monster's habitation." The knight on hearing this grew very sorrowful, and replied, "Noble stranger, it is too much to run a second hazard; this monster lived in a den under yonder mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce and cruel than himself; therefore, if you should go thither, and perish in the attempt, it would be a heart-breaking thing to me and my

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lady; so let me persuade you to go withus, and desist from any farther pursuit." "Nay," answered Jack, "if there be another, even if there were twenty, I would shed the last drop of blood in my body before one of them should escape my fury. When I have finished this task, I will come and paymy respects to you." So when they had told him where to find them again, he got on his horse and went after the dead giant's brother.

Jack had not rode a mile and a half, before he came in sight of the mouth ofthe cavern; and nigh the entrance of it, he saw the other giant sitting on ahuge block of fine timber, with a knotted iron club lying by his side, waiting for his brother. His eyes looked like flames of fire, his face was grim and ugly, and his cheeks seemed like two fitches of bacon; the bristles of his beard seemed to be thick rods of iron wire; and his long locks of hair hung down upon his broad shoulders like curling snakes. Jack gotdown from his horse, and turned him into a thicket; then he put on his coatof darkness, and drew a little nearer

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to behold this figure, and said softly:"Oh, monster! Are you there? It will not be long before I shall take you fast by the beard." The giant all this while could not see him, by reason of his invisible coat: so Jack came quite close to him, and struck a blow at his head with his sword of sharpness, but he missed his aim, and only cut off hisnose, which made him roar like loud claps of thunder. And though he rolled his glaring eyes round on every side, he could not see who had given him the blow; yet he took up his iron club, andbegan to lay about him like one that was mad with pain and fury.

"Nay," said Jack, "if this be the case I will kill you at once." So saying, heslipped nimbly behind him, and jumping upon the block of timber, as the giant rose from it, he stabbed him in the back; when, after a few howls, he dropped down dead. Jack cut off his head, and sent it with the head of his brother, whom he had killed before in the forest, to King Arthur, by a wagon which he hired for that purpose, with an account of all his exploits. When Jack had thus killed these two

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monsters, he went into their cave in search of their treasure: he passed through many turnings and windings, which led him to a room paved with freestone; at the end of it was a boiling caldron, and on the right hand stood a large table where the giants used to dine. He then came to a window that was secured with iron bars, through which he saw a number of wretched captives, who cried out when they saw Jack, "Alas! Alas! Young man, you are come to be one among us in thishorrid den." "I hope," said Jack, "you will not stay here long; but pray tell me what is the meaning of your being here at all?" "Alas!" said one poor oldman, "I will tell you, sir. We are persons that have been taken by the giants who hold this cave, and are kepttill they choose to have a feast, and then one of us is to be killed, and cooked to please their taste. It is notlong since they took three for the samepurpose." "Well," said Jack, "I have given them such a dinner that it will be long enough before they have any more." The captives were amazed at his words. "You may believe me," said Jack;"for I have killed them both with the

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edge of the sword, and have sent their large heads to the court of King Arthur, as marks of my great success."

To show them that what he said was true, he unlocked the gate, and set them all free. Then he led them to the great room, placed them round the table, and set before them two quartersof beef, with bread and wine; upon which they feasted to their fill. When supper was over, they searched the giants' coffers, and Jack shared the store in them among the captives, who thanked him for their escape. The next morning they set off to their homes, and Jack to the knight's house, whom hehad left with his lady not long before.It was just at the time of sunrise thatJack mounted his horse to proceed on his journey.

He arrived at the knight's house, wherehe was received with the greatest joy by the thankful knight and his lady, who, in honour of Jack's exploits, gavea grand feast, to which all the nobles and gentry were invited. When the company were assembled, the knight declared to them the great actions of

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Jack, and gave him, as a mark of respect, a fine ring, on which was engraved the picture of the giant dragging the knight and the lady by thehair, with this motto round it:

"Behold, in dire distress were we,Under a giant's fierce command;But gained our lives and liberty,From valiant Jack's victorious hand."

Among the guests then present were fiveaged gentlemen, who were fathers to some of those captives who had been freed by Jack from the dungeon of the giants. As soon as they heard that he was the person who had done such wonders, they pressed round him with tears of joy, to return him thanks for the happiness he had caused to them. After this the bowl went round, and every one drank to the health and long life of the gallant hero. Mirth increased, and the hall was filled withpeals of laughter and joyful cries. But, on a sudden, a herald, pale and breathless with haste and terror, rushed into the midst of the company, and told them that Thundel, a savage giant with two heads, had heard of the

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death of his two kinsmen, and was come to take his revenge on Jack; and that he was now within a mile of the house; the people flying before him like chaffbefore the wind. At this news the very boldest of the guests trembled; but Jack drew his sword, and said: "Let himcome, I have a rod for him also. Pray, ladies and gentlemen, do me the favour to walk into the garden, and you shall soon behold the giant's defeat and death." To this they all agreed, and heartily wished him success in his dangerous attempt. The knight's house stood in the middle of a moat, thirty feet deep and twenty wide, over which lay a drawbridge. Jack set men to work to cut the bridge on both sides, almostto the middle; and then dressed himselfin his coat of darkness, and went against the giant with his sword of sharpness. As he came close to him, though the giant could not see him, forhis invisible coat, yet he found some danger was near, which made him cry out:

"Fa, fe, fi, fo, fum,I smell the blood of an Englishman;

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Let him be alive, or let him be dead,I'll grind his bones to make me bread."

"Say you so my friend?" said Jack, "Youare a monstrous miller indeed." "Art thou," cried the giant, "the villain that killed my kinsmen? Then I will tear thee with my teeth, and grind thy bones to powder." "You must catch me first," said Jack; and throwing off hiscoat of darkness, and putting on his shoes of swiftness, he began to run; the giant following him like a walking castle, making the earth shake at everystep.

Jack led him round and round the walls of the house, that the company might see the monster; and to finish the workJack ran over the drawbridge, the giantgoing after him with his club. But whenthe giant came to the middle, where thebridge had been cut on both sides, the great weight of his body made it break,and he tumbled into the water, and rolled about like a large whale. Jack now stood by the side of the moat, and laughed and jeered at him, saying: "I think you told me, you would grind my bones to powder. When will you begin?"

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The giant foamed at both his horrid mouths with fury, and plunged from sideto side of the moat; but he could not get out having revenge on his little foe. At last Jack ordered a cart rope to be brought to him. He then drew it over his two heads, and by the help of a team of horses, dragged him to the edge of the moat, where he cut off the monster's heads; and before he either eat or drank, he sent them both to the court of King Arthur. He then went backto the table with the company, and the rest of the day was spent in mirth and good cheer. After staying with the knight for some time, Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out againin search of new adventures. He went over the hills and dales without meeting any, till he came to the foot of a very high mountain.

Here he knocked at the door of a small and lonely house; and an old man, with a head as white as snow, let him in. "Good father" said Jack, "can you lodgea traveller who has lost his way?"

"Yes," said the hermit, "I can, if you will accept such fare as my poor house

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affords." Jack entered, and the old manset before him some bread and fruit forhis supper.

When Jack had eaten as much as he chose, the hermit said, "My son, I knowyou are the famous conqueror of giants;now, on the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle, kept by a giant namedGalligantus, who, by the help of a vilemagician, gets many knights into his castle, where he changes them into the shape of beasts.

Above all I lament the hard fate of a duke's daughter, whom they seized as she was walking in her father's garden,and brought hither through the air in achariot drawn by two fiery dragons, andturned her into the shape of a deer. Many knights have tried to destroy the enchantment, and deliver her; yet none have been able to do it, by reason of two fiery griffins who guard the gate of the castle, and destroy all who comenigh. But as you, my son, have an invisible coat, you may pass by them without being seen; and on the gates ofthe castle, you will find engraved, by

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what means the enchantment may be broken."

Jack promised that in the morning, at the risk of his life he would break theenchantment: and after a sound sleep hearose early, put on his invisible coat,and got ready for the attempt.

When he had climbed to the top of the mountain, he saw the two fiery griffins; but he passed between them without the least fear of danger; for they could not see him because of his invisible coat. On the castle gate he found a golden trumpet, under which were written these lines:

"Whoever can this trumpet blow,Shall cause the giant's overthrow."

As soon as Jack had read this, he seized the trumpet, and blew a shrill blast which made the gates fly open andthe very castle itself tremble. The giant and the conjurer now knew that their wicked course was at an end, and they stood biting their thumbs and shaking with fear. Jack, with his swordof sharpness, soon killed the giant. The magician was then carried away by a266 | P a g e


whirlwind and every knight and beautiful lady, who had been changed into birds and beasts, returned to their proper shapes.

The castle vanished away like smoke andthe head of the giant Galligantus was sent to King Arthur. The knights and ladies rested that night at the old man's hermitage, and next day they set out for the court. Jack then went up tothe king, and gave his majesty an account of all his fierce battles.

Jack's fame had spread through the whole country; and at the king's desire, the duke gave him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of the entire kingdom. After this the king gave him alarge estate; on which he and his lady lived the rest of their days, in joy and content.

Puss in Boots

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There was a miller who had three sons, and when he died he divided what he possessed among them in the following manner: He gave his mill to the eldest,his ass to the second, and his cat to the youngest. Each of the brothers accordingly took what belonged to him, without the help of an attorney, who would soon have brought their little fortune to nothing, in law expenses. The poor young fellow who had nothing but the cat, complained that he was hardly used: "My brothers," said he, "by joining their stocks together, may do well in the world, but for me, when I have eaten my cat, and made a fur capof his skin, I may soon die of hunger!"The cat, which all this time sat listening just inside the door of a cupboard, now ventured to come out and addressed him as follows: "Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master. You have only to give me a bag, and get a pair of boots made for me, so that I may scamper through the dirt and the brambles, and you shall see that you are not so ill provided for as you imagine." Though the cat's master did not much depend upon these promises, yet, as he had often observed the

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cunning tricks puss used to catch the rats and mice, such as hanging upon hishind legs, and hiding in the meal to make believe that he was dead, he did not entirely despair of his being of some use to him in his unhappy condition.

When the cat had obtained what he askedfor, he gaily began to equip himself: he drew on his boots; and putting the bag about his neck, he took hold of thestrings with his fore paws, and biddinghis master take courage, immediately sallied forth. The first attempt Puss made was to go into a warren in which there were a great number of rabbits. He put some bran and some parsley into his bag; and then stretching himself out at full length as if he was dead, he waited for some young rabbits, who as yet knew nothing of the cunning tricks of the world, to come and get into the bag, the better to feast upon the dainties he had putinto it. Scarcely hadhe lain down before hesucceeded as well ascould be wished. Agiddy young rabbit

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crept into the bag, and the cat immediately drew the strings, and killed him without mercy. Puss, proud of his prey, hastened directly to the palace, where he asked to speak to the king. On being shown into the apartmentof his majesty, he made a low bow, and said, "I have brought you, sire, and this rabbit from the warren of my lord the marquis of Carabas, who commanded me to present it to your majesty with the assurance of his respect." (This was the title the cat thought proper tobestow upon his master.) "Tell my lord marquis of Carabas," replied the king, "that I accept of his present with pleasure, and that I am greatly obligedto him." Soon after, the cat laid himself down in the same manner in a field of corn, and had as much good fortune as before; for two fine partridges got into his bag, which he immediately killed and carried to the palace: the king received them as he had done the rabbit, and ordered his servants to give the messenger something to drink. In this manner he continued to carry presents of game to the king from my lord

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marquis of Carabas, once at least in every week.

One day, the cat having heard that the king intended to take a ride that morning by the river's side with his daughter, who was the most beautiful princess in the world, he said to his master: "If you will but follow my advice, your fortune is made. Take off your clothes, and bathe yourself in theriver, just in the place I shall show you, and leave the rest to me," The marquis of Carabas did exactly as he was desired, without being able to guess at what the cat intended. While he was bathing, the king passed by, andpuss directly called out as loud as he could bawl: "Help! Help! My lord marquis of Carabas is in danger of being drowned!" The king hearing the cries put his head out at the window ofhis carriage to see what the matter was: when, perceiving the very cat thathad brought him so many presents, he ordered his attendants to go directly to the assistance of my lord marquis ofCarabas. While they were employed in taking the marquis out of the river, the cat ran to the king's carriage, and

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told his majesty, that while his masterwas bathing, some thieves had run off with his clothes as they lay by the river's side; the cunning cat all the time having hid them under a large stone. The king hearing this, commandedthe officers of his wardrobe to fetch one of the handsomest suits it contained, and present it to my lord marquis of Carabas, at the same time loading him with a thousand attentions.As the fine clothes they brought him made him look like a gentleman, and setoff his person, who was very comely, tothe greatest advantage, the king's daughter was mightily taken with his appearance, and the marquis of Carabas had no sooner cast upon her two or three respectful glances, then she became violently in love with him.

The king insisted on his getting into the carriage and taking a ride with them. The cat, enchanted to see how well his scheme was likely to succeed, ran before to a meadow that was reaping, and said to the reapers: "Goodpeople, if you do not tell the king, who will soon pass this way, that the meadow you are reaping belongs to my

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lord marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as mince meat." The king did not fail to ask the reapers towhom the meadow belonged? "To my lord marquis of Carabas," said they all at once; for the threats of the cat had terribly freighted them. "You have herea very fine piece of land, my lord marquis," said the king. "Truly, sire,"replied he, "it does not fail to bring me every year a plentiful harvest." Thecat who still went on before, now came to a field where some other labourers were making sheaves of the corn they had reaped, to whom he said as before: "Good people, if you do not tell the king who will presently pass this way, that the corn you have reaped in this field belongs to my lord marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as mince meat." The king accordingly passed a moment after, and inquired to whom the corn he saw belonged? "To my lord marquis of Carabas," they answeredvery glibly; upon which the king again complimented the marquis upon his noblepossessions. The cat still continued togo before, and gave the same charge to all the people he met with; so that theking was greatly astonished at the

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splendid fortune of my lord marquis of Carabas. Puss at length arrived at a stately castle, which belonged to an Ogre, the richest ever known; for all the lands the king had passed through and admired were his. The cat took careto learn every particular about the Ogre, and what he could do, and then asked to speak with him, saying, as he entered the room in which he was, that he could not pass so near his castle without doing himself the honour to inquire after his health. The Ogre received him as civilly as an Ogre could do, and desired him to be seated,"I have been informed," said the cat, "that you have the gift of changing yourself to all sorts of animals; into a lion or an elephant for example." "Itis very true," replied the Ogre somewhat sternly; "and to convince you I will directly take the form of a lion." The cat was so much terrified atfinding himself so near to a lion, thathe sprang from him, and climbed to the roof of the house; but not without muchdifficulty, as his boots were not very fit to walk upon the tiles.

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Some minutes after, the cat perceiving that the Ogre had quitted the form of alion, ventured to come down from the tiles, and owned that he had been a good deal frightened, "I have been further informed," continued the cat, "but I know not how to believe it, thatyou have the power of taking the form of the smallest animals also; for example of changing yourself to a rat or a mouse: I confess I should think this impossible." "Impossible! You shall see;" and at the same instant he changed himself into a mouse, and beganto frisk about the room.

The cat no sooner cast his eyes upon the Ogre in this form, than he sprang upon him and devoured him in an instant. In the meantime the king, admiring as he came near it, the magnificent castle of the Ogre, orderedhis attendants to drive up to the gates, as he wished to take a nearer view of it.

The cat, hearing the noise of the carriage on the drawbridge, immediatelycame out, saying: "Your majesty is welcome to the castle of my lord

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marquis of Carabas." "And is this splendid castle yours also, my lord marquis of Carabas? I never saw anything statelier than the building, or more beautiful than the park and pleasure grounds around it; no doubt the castle is no less magnificent within than without: pray, my lord marquis, indulge me with a sight of it."

The marquis gave his hand to the young princess as she alighted, and followed the king who went before; they entered a spacious hall, where they found a splendid collation which the Ogre had prepared for some friends he had that day expected to visit him; but who, hearing that the king with the princessand a great gentleman of the court werewithin, had not dared to enter.

The king was so much charmed with the amiable qualities and noble fortune of the marquis of Carabas, and the young princess too had fallen so violently inlove with him, that when the king had partaken of the collation, and drunk a few glasses of wine, he said to the marquis: "It will be you own fault, my

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lord marquis of Carabas, if you do not soon become my son-in-law." The marquisreceived the intelligence with a thousand respectful acknowledgments, accepted the honour conferred upon him,and married the princess that very day.The cat became a great lord, and never after ran after rats and mice but for his amusement.

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The Enchanted Stag

There were once a brother and sister who loved each other dearly; their mother was dead, and their father had married again a woman who was most unkind and cruel to them. One day the boy took his sister's hand, and said toher, "Dear little sister, since our mother died we have not had one happy hour. Our stepmother gives us dry hard crusts for dinner and supper; she oftenknocks us about, and threatens to kick us out of the house. Even the little

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dogs under the table fare better than we do, for she often throws them nice pieces to eat. Heaven pity us! Oh, if our dear mother knew! Come; let us go out into the wide world!"

So they went out, and wandered over fields and meadows the whole day till evening. At last they found themselves in a large forest; it began to rain andthe little sister said, "See, brother, heaven and our hearts weep together." At last, tired out with hunger and sorrow, and the long journey, they crept into a hollow tree, laid themselves down, and slept till morning.

When they awoke the sun was high in theheavens, and shone brightly into the hollow tree, so they left their place of shelter and wandered away in search of water.

"Oh, I am so thirsty!" said the boy. "If we could only find a brook or a

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stream." He stopped to listen, and said, "Stay, I think I hear a running stream." So he took his sister by the hand, and they ran together to find it.

Now, the stepmother of these poor children was a wicked witch. She had seen the children go away, and, following them cautiously like a snake,had bewitched all the springs and streams in the forest. The pleasant trickling of a brook over the pebbles was heard by the children as they reached it, and the boy was just stooping to drink, when the sister heard in the babbling of the brook:

"Whoever drinks of me, a tiger soon will be."

Then she cried quickly, "Stay, brother,stay! Do not drink or you will become awild beast, and tear me to pieces."

Thirsty as he was, the brother

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conquered his desire to drink at her words, and said, "Dear sister, I will wait till we come to a spring." So theywandered farther, but as they approached, she heard in the bubbling spring the words.

"Who drinks of me, a wolf will be."

"Brother, I pray you, do not drink of this brook; you will be changed into a wolf, and devour me." Again the brotherdenied himself and promised to wait; but he said, "At the next stream I mustdrink, say what you will, my thirst is so great."

Not far off ran a pretty streamlet, looking clear and bright; but here alsoin its murmuring waters, the sister heard the words.

"Who dares to drink of me, Turned to a stag will be."

"Dear brother, do not drink," she

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began; but she was too late, for her brother had already knelt by the streamto drink, and as the first drop of water touched his lips he became a fawn. How the little sister wept over the enchanted brother, and the fawn wept also.

He did not run away, but stayed close to her; and at last she said, "Stand still, dear fawn; don't fear, I must take care of you, but I will never leave you." So she untied her little golden garter and fastened it round theneck of the fawn; then she gathered some soft green rushes, and braided them into a soft string, which she fastened to the fawn's golden collar, and then led him away into the depths of the forest.

After wandering about for some time, they at last found a little deserted hut, and the sister was overjoyed, for she thought it would form a nice shelter for them both. So she led the

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fawn in, and then went out alone, to gather moss and dried leaves, to make him a soft bed.

Every morning she went out to gather dried roots, nuts, and berries, for herown food, and sweet fresh grass for thefawn, which he ate out of her hand, andthe poor little animal went out with her, and played about as happy as the day was long.

When evening came, and the poor sister felt tired, she would kneel down and say her prayers, and then lay her delicate head on the fawn's back, whichwas a soft warm pillow, on which she could sleep peacefully. Had this dear brother only kept his own proper form, how happy they would have been together! After they had been alone in the forest for some time, and the little sister had grown a lovely maiden, and the fawn a large stag, a numerous hunting party came to the forest and amongst them the king of the

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country.

The sounding horn, the barking of the dogs, the halloo of the huntsmen, resounded through the forest, and was heard by the stag, which became eager to join his companions.

"Oh dear," he said, "do let me go and see the hunt; I cannot restrain myself." And he begged so hard that at last she reluctantly consented.

"But remember," she said, "I must lock the cottage door against those huntsmen, so when you come back in the evening, and knock, I shall not admit you, unless you say, 'Dear little sister let me in.'"

He bounded off as she spoke, scarcely stopping to listen, for it was so delightful for him to breathe the freshair and be free again.

He had not run far when the king's

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chief hunter caught sight of the beautiful animal, and started off in chase of him; but it was no easy matterto overtake such rapid footsteps. Once,when he thought he had him safe, the fawn sprang over the bushes and disappeared.

As it was now nearly dark, he ran up tothe little cottage, knocked at the door, and cried, "Dear little sister, let me in." The door was instantly opened, and oh, how glad his sister wasto see him safely resting on his soft pleasant bed!

A few days after this, the huntsmen were again in the forest; and when the fawn heard the halloo, he could not rest in peace, but begged his sister again to let him go.

She opened the door, and said, "I will let you go this time; but pray do not forget to say what I told you, when youreturn this evening."

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The chief hunter very soon espied the beautiful fawn with the golden collar, pointed it out to the king, and they determined to hunt it.

They chased him with all their skill till the evening; but he was too light and nimble for them to catch, till a shot wounded him slightly in the foot, so that he was obliged to hide himself in the bushes, and, after the huntsmen were gone, limp slowly home.

One of them, however, determined to follow him at a distance, and discover where he went. What was his surprise atseeing him go up to a door and knock, and to hear him say, "Dear little sister, let me in." The door was only opened a little way, and quickly shut; but the huntsman had seen enough to make him full of wonder, when he returned and described to the king whathe had seen.

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"We will have one more chase to-morrow," said the king, "and discover this mystery."

In the meantime the loving sister was terribly alarmed at finding the stag's foot wounded and bleeding. She quickly washed off the blood, and, after bathing the wound, placed healing herbson it, and said, "Lie down on your bed,dear fawn, and the wound will soon heal, if you rest your foot."

In the morning the wound was so much better that the fawn felt the foot almost as strong as ever, and so, when he again heard the halloo of the hunters, he could not rest. "Oh, dear sister, I must go once more; it will beeasy for me to avoid the hunters now, and my foot feels quite well; they willnot hunt me unless they see me running,and I don't mean to do that."

But his sister wept, and begged him notto go: "If they kill you, dear fawn, I

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shall be here alone in the forest, forsaken by the whole world."

"And I shall die of grief," he said, "if I remain here listening to the hunter's horn."

So at length his sister, with a heavy heart, set him free, and he bounced away joyfully into the forest. As soon as the king caught sight of him, he said to the huntsmen, "Follow that stagabout, but don't hurt him." So they hunted him all day, but at the approachof sunset the king said to the hunter who had followed the fawn the day before, "Come and show me the little cottage."

So they went together, and when the king saw it he sent his companion home,and went on alone so quickly that he arrived there before the fawn; and, going up to the little door, knocked and said softly, "Dear little sister, let me in."

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As the door opened, the king stepped in, and in great astonishment saw a maiden more beautiful than he had ever seen in his life standing before him. But how frightened she felt to see instead of her dear little fawn a noblegentleman walk in with a gold crown on his head.

However, he appeared very friendly, andafter a little talk he held out his hand to her, and said, "Wilt thou go with me to my castle and be my dear wife?"

"Ah yes," replied the maiden, "I would willingly; but I cannot leave my dear fawn: he must go with me wherever I am."

"He shall remain with you as long as you live," replied the king, "and I will never ask you to forsake him."

While they were talking, the fawn came

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bounding in, looking quite well and happy. Then his sister fastened the string of rushes to his collar, took itin her hand, and led him away from the cottage in the wood to where the king'sbeautiful horse waited for him.

The king placed the maiden before him on his horse and rode away to his castle, the fawn following by their side. Soon after, their marriage was celebrated with great splendour, and the fawn was taken the greatest care of, and played where he pleased, or roamed about the castle grounds in happiness and safety.

In the meantime the wicked stepmother, who had caused these two young people such misery, supposed that the sister had been devoured by wild beasts, and that the fawn had been hunted to death.Therefore when she heard of their happiness, such envy and malice arose in her heart that she could find no rest till she had tried to destroy it.

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She and her ugly daughter came to the castle when the queen had a little baby, and one of them pretended to be anurse, and at last got the mother and child into their power.

They shut the queen up in the bath, andtried to suffocate her, and the old woman put her own ugly daughter in the queen's bed that the king might not know she was away.

She would not, however, let him speak to her, but pretended that she must be kept quite quiet.

The queen escaped from the bath-room, where the wicked old woman had locked her up, but she did not go far, as she wanted to watch over her child and the little fawn.

For two nights the baby's nurse saw a figure of the queen come into the room and take up her baby and nurse it. Then

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she told the king, and he determined towatch himself. The old stepmother, who acted as nurse to her ugly daughter, whom she tried to make the king believewas his wife, had said that the queen was too weak to see him, and never lefther room. "There cannot be two queens,"said the king to himself, "so to-night I will watch in the nursery." As soon as the figure came in and took up her baby, he saw it was his real wife, and caught her in his arms, saying, "You are my own beloved wife, as beautiful as ever."

The wicked witch had thrown her into a trance, hoping she would die and that the king would then marry her daughter;but on the king speaking to her, the spell was broken. The queen told the king how cruelly she had been treated by her stepmother and on hearing this he became very angry, and had the witchand her daughter brought to justice. They were both sentenced to die—the daughter to be devoured by wild beasts,

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and the mother to be burnt alive.

No sooner, however, was she reduced to ashes than the charm which held the queen's brother in the form of a stag was broken; he recovered his own natural shape, and appeared before thema tall, handsome young man.

After this, the brother and sister lived happily and peacefully for the rest of their lives.

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The Fair One with the Golden Locks

There was once a most beautiful and amiable princess who was called "The Fair One with Locks of Gold," for her hair shone brighter than gold, and flowed in curls down to her feet, her head was always encircled by a wreath of beautiful flowers, and pearls and diamonds.

A handsome, rich, young prince, whose territories joined to hers, was deeply in love with the reports he heard of her, and sent to demand her in marriage. The ambassador sent with proposals was most sumptuously attired,and surrounded by lackeys on beautiful horses, as well as charged with every kind of compliment, from the anxious prince, who hoped he would bring the princess back with him; but whether it was that she was not that day in a goodhumour, or that she did not like the speeches made by the ambassador, I don't know, but she returned thanks to his master for the honour he intended her, and said she had no inclination tomarry. When the ambassador arrived at

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the king's chief city, where he was expected with great impatience, the people were extremely afflicted to see him return without the Fair One with the Locks of Gold; and the king wept like a child. There was a youth at court whose beauty outshone the sun, the gracefulness of whose person was not to be equalled, and for his gracefulness and wit, he was called Avenant: the king loved him, and indeed

everybody except the envious. Avenant being one day in company with some persons,inconsiderately said, "If the kinghad sent me to the

Fair One with Locks of Gold, I dare sayI could have prevailed on her to returnwith me." These enviers of Avenant's prosperity immediately ran open mouthedto the king, saying, "Sir sir, what does your majesty think Avenant says? He boasts that if you had sent him to the Fair One with the Golden Hair, he could have brought her with him; which shows he is so vain as to think himselfhandsomer than your majesty and that

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her love for him would have made her follow him wherever he went." This put the king into a violent rage. "What!" said he, "does this youngster make a jest at my misfortune, and pretend to set himself above me? Go and put him immediately in my great tower, and there let him starve to death." The king's guards went and seized Avenant who thought no more of what he had said, dragged him to prison, and used him in the cruelest manner.

One day when he was almost quite spent,he said to himself, fetching a deep sigh, "Wherein can I have offended the king? He has not a more faithful subject than me; nor have I ever done anything to displease him." The king happened at that time to pass by the tower; and stopped to hear him, notwithstanding the persuasions of those that were with him; "Hold your peace," replied the king, "and let me hear him out." Which having done, and being greatly moved by his sufferings, he opened the door of the tower, and called him by his name. Upon which Avenant came forth in a sad condition, and, throwing himself at the king's

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feet, "What have I done, sir," said he,"that your majesty should use me thus severely?" "Thou hast ridiculed me and my ambassador” replied the king; "and hast said that if I had sent thee to the Fair One with Locks of Gold, thou couldst have brought her with thee." "It is true, sir," replied Avenant, "for I would have so thoroughly convinced her of your transcending qualities, that it should not have beenin her power to have denied me; and this, surely, I said in the name of your majesty." The king found in reality he had done no injury; so, he took him away with him, repenting heartily of the wrong he had done him. After having given him an excellent supper, the king sent for him into his cabinet. "Avenant," said he, "I still love the Fair One with Locks of Gold; Ihave a mind to send thee to her, to trywhether thou canst succeed," Avenant replied, he was ready to obey his majesty in all things, and would departthe very next morning. "Hold," said theking, "I will provide thee first with amost sumptuous equipage." "There is no necessity for that," answered Avenant; "I need only a good horse and your

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letters of credence." Upon this the king embraced him; being overjoyed to see him so soon ready.

It was upon a Monday morning that he took leave of the king and his friends.Being on his journey by break of day, and entering into a spacious meadow, a fine thought came into his head; he alighted immediately, and seated himself by the bank of a little stream that watered one side of the meadow, and wrote the sentiment down in his pocket book. After he had done writing,he looked about him every way, being charmed with the beauties of the place,and suddenly perceived a large gilded carp, which stirred a little, and that was all it could do, for having attempted to catch some little flies, it had leaped so far out of the water, as to throw itself upon the grass, where it was almost dead, not being able to recover its natural element. Avenant took pity on the poor creature,and though it was a fish-day, and he might have carried it away for his dinner, he took it up, and gently put it again into the river, where the carp, feeling the refreshing coolness

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of the water, began to rejoice, and sunk to the bottom; but soon rising up again, brisk and gay, to the side of the river; "Avenant," said the carp, "Ithank you for the kindness you have done me; had it not been for you, I haddied; but you have saved my life, and Iwill reward you." After this short compliment, the carp darted itself to the bottom of the water, leaving Avenant not a little surprised at its wit and great civility.

Another day, as he was pursuing his journey, he saw a crow in great distress: being pursued by a huge eagle, he took his bow, which he alwayscarried abroad with him, and aiming at the eagle, let fly an arrow, which pierced him through the body, so that he fell down dead; which the crow seeing, came in an ecstasy of joy, and perched upon a tree. "Avenant," said the crow, "you have been extremely generous to succour me, who am but a poor wretched crow; but I am not ungrateful and will do you as good a turn." Avenant admired the wit of the crow, and continuing his journey, he entered into a wood so early one

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morning, that he could scarcely see hisway, where he heard an owl crying out like an owl in despair. So looking about everywhere, he at length came to a place where certain fowlers had spread their nets in the night-time to catch little birds. "What pity 'tis," said he, "men are only made to torment one another, or else to persecute poor animals who never do them any harm?" Sosaying, he drew his knife, cut the cords, and set the owl at liberty; who,before he took wing, said, "Avenant, the fowlers are coming, I should have been taken, and must have died, withoutyour assistance: I have a grateful heart, and will remember it."

These were the three most remarkable adventures that befell Avenant in his journey; and when he arrived at the endof it, he washed himself, combed and powdered his hair, and put on a suit ofcloth of gold: which having done, he put a rich embroidered scarf about his neck, with a small basket, wherein was a little dog which he was very fond of.And Avenant was so amiable, and did everything with so good a grace, that when he presented himself at the gate

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of the palace, all the guards paid him great respect, and every one strove whoshould first give notice to the Fair One with Locks of Gold, that Avenant, the neighbouring king's ambassador, demanded audience. The princess on hearing the name of Avenant, said, "It has a pleasing sound, and I dare say heis agreeable and pleases everybody; andshe said to her maids of honour, go fetch me my rich embroidered gown of blue satin, dress my hair, and bring mywreaths of fresh flowers: let me have my high shoes, and my fan, and let my audience chamber and throne be clean, and richly adorned; for I would have him everywhere with truth say, that I am really the Fair One with Locks of Gold." Thus all her women were employedto dress her as a queen should be. At length, she went to her great gallery of looking-glasses, to see if anything was wanting; after which she ascended her throne of gold, ivory, and ebony, the fragrant smell of which was superior to the choicest balm. She alsocommanded her maids of honour to take their instruments, and play to their own singing so sweetly that none shouldbe disgusted.

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Avenant was conducted into the chamber of audience, were he stood so transported with admiration, that, as he afterwards said, he had scarcely power to open his lips. At length, however, he took courage, and made his speech wonderfully well; wherein he prayed the princess not to let him be so unfortunate as to return without her. "Gentle Avenant," said she, "all the reasons you have laid before me, are very good, and I assure you, I would rather favour you than any other;but you must know, about a month since,I went to take the air by the side of ariver, with my maids of honour; as I was pulling off my glove, I pulled a ring from my finger, which by accident fell into the river. This ring I valuedmore than my whole kingdom; whence you may judge how much I am afflicted by the loss of it. And I have made a vow never to hearken to any proposals of marriage, unless the ambassador who makes them shall also bring my ring. This is the present which you have to make me; otherwise you may talk your heart out, for months and even years shall never change my resolution." Whenhe returned to his lodgings, he went to

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bed supperless; and his little dog, whowas called Cabriole, made a fasting night of it too, and went and lay down by his master; who did nothing all night but sigh and lament, saying, "Howcan I find a ring that fell into a great river a month ago? It would be folly to attempt it. The princess enjoined me this task, merely because she knew it was impossible," he continued, greatly afflicted; which Cabriole observing, said, "My dear master, pray do not despair of your good fortune; for you are too good to be unhappy. Therefore, when it is day, let us go to the river side." Avenant made no answer, but gave his dog two little cuffs with his hand, and being overwhelmed with grief, fell asleep.

But when Cabriole perceived it was broad day, he fell a barking so loud that he walked his master. "Rise, sir,"said he, "put on your clothes, and let us go and try our fortune." Avenant took his little dog's advice; got up, and dressed himself, went down into thegarden, and out of the garden he walkedinsensibly to the river side, with his hat over his eyes, and his arms across,

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thinking of nothing but taking his leave; when all on a sudden he heard a voice call, "Avenant, Avenant!" upon which he looked around him, but seeing nothing, he concluded it was an illusion, and was proceeding in his walk; but he presently heard himself called again. "Who calls me?" said he; Cabriole, who was very little and looked closely into the water, cried out, "Never believe me, if it is not a gilded carp." Immediately the carp appeared, and with an audible voice said, "Avenant, you saved my life in the poplar meadow, where I must have died without your assistance; and now Iam come to requite your kindness. Here,my dear Avenant, here is the ring whichthe Fair One with Locks of Gold droppedinto the river." Upon which he stooped and took it out of the carp's mouth; towhom he returned a thousand thanks. Andnow, instead of returning home, he wentdirectly to the palace with little Cabriole, who skipped about, and waggedhis tail for joy, that he had persuadedhis master to walk by the side of the river. The princess being told that Avenant desired an audience: "Alas," said she, "the poor youth has come to

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take his leave of me! He has consideredwhat I enjoined him as impossible, and is returning to his master." But Avenant being admitted, presented her the ring, saying, "Madam, behold I haveexecuted your command; and now, I hope,you will receive my master for your royal consort." When she saw her ring, and that it was noways injured, she wasso amazed that she could hardly believeher eyes. "Surely, courteous Avenant," said she, "you must be favoured by somefairy; for naturally this is impossible." "Madam," said he, "I am acquainted with no fairy; but I was willing to obey your command." "Well, then, seeing you have so good a will," continued she, "you must do me another piece of service, without which I will never marry. There is a certain prince who lives not far from hence, whose name is Galifron, and whom nothing would serve but that he must marry me. He declared his mind to me, with most terrible menaces, that if I denied him,he would enter my kingdom with fire andsword; but you shall judge whether I would accept his proposal: he is a giant, as high as a steeple; he devoursmen as an ape eats chestnuts; when he

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goes into the country, he carries cannons in his pocket, to use instead of pistols; and when he speaks aloud hedeafens the ears of those that stand near him. I answered him, that I did not choose to marry, and desired him toexcuse me. Nevertheless, he has not ceased to persecute me, and has put an infinite number of my subjects to the sword: therefore, before all other things you must fight him, and bring mehis head."

Avenant was somewhat startled by this proposal; but, having considered it awhile, "Well, madam," said he, "I willfight this Galifron; I believe I shall be vanquished; but I will die like a man of courage." The princess was astonished at his intrepidity, and saida thousand things to dissuade him from it, but all in vain. At length he arrived at Galifron's castle, the roadsall the way being strewed with the bones and carcasses of men which the giant had devoured, or cut in pieces. It was not long before Avenant saw the monster approach, and he immediately challenged him; but there was no occasion for this, for he lifted his

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iron mace, and had certainly beat out the gentle Avenant's brains at the first blow, had not a crow at that instant perched upon the giant's head, and with his bill pecked out both his eyes. The blood trickled down his face,whereat he grew desperate, and laid about him on every side; but Avenant took care to avoid his blows, and gave him many great wounds with his sword, which he pushed up to the very hilt; sothat the giant fainted, and fell down with loss of blood. Avenant immediatelycut off his head; and while he was in an ecstasy of joy, for his good success, the crow perched upon a tree, and said, "Avenant, I did not forget the kindnesses I received at your hands, when you killed the eagle that pursued me; I promised to make you amends, and now I have been as good as my word." "I acknowledge your kindness,Mr. Crow," replied Avenant; "I am stillyour debtor, and your servant." So saying, he mounted his courser, and rode away with the giant's horrid head.When he arrived at the city, everybody crowded after him, crying out, "Long live the valiant Avenant, who has slainthe cruel monster!" so that the

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princess, who heard the noise, and trembling for fear she should have heard of Avenant's death, durst not inquire what was the matter. But presently after, she saw Avenant enter with the giant's head; at the sight of which she trembled, though there was nothing to fear. "Madam," said he, "behold your enemy is dead; and now, I hope, you will no longer refuse the king my master." "Alas!" replied the Fair One with Locks of Gold, "I must still refuse him, unless you can find means to bring me some of the water of the gloomy cave. Not far from hence," continued she, "there is a very deep cave, about six leagues in compass; theentrance into which is guarded by two dragons. The dragons dart fire from their mouths and eyes; and when you have got into this cave, you will meet with a very deep hole, into which you must go down, and you will find it fullof toads, adders and serpents. At the bottom of this hole there is a kind of cellar, through which runs the fountainof beauty and health. This is the waterI must have; its virtues are wonderful;for the fair, by washing in it, preserve their beauty; and the deformed

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it renders beautiful; if they are young, it preserves them always youthful; and if old it makes them young again. Now judge you, Avenant, whether I will ever leave my kingdom without carrying some of this water along with me." "Madam," said he, "you are so beautiful, that this water will be of no use to you; but I am an unfortunate ambassador, whose death youseek. However, I will go in search of what you desire, though I am certain never to return."

At length he arrived at the top of a mountain; where he sat down to rest himself; giving his horse liberty to feed, and Cabriole to run after the flies. He knew that the gloomy cave wasnot far off, and looked about to see whether he could discover it; and at length he perceived a horrid rock as black as ink, whence issued a thick smoke; and immediately after he spied one of the dragons casting forth fire from his jaws and eyes; his skin all over yellow and green, with prodigious claws and a long tail rolled up in an hundred folds. Avenant, with a resolution to die in the attempt, drew

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his sword, and with the phial which theFair One with Locks of Gold had given him to fill with the water of beauty, went towards the cave, saying to his little dog, "Cabriole, here is an end of me; I never shall be able to get this water, it is so well guarded by the dragons; therefore when I am dead, fill this phial with my blood, and carry it to my princess, that she may see what her severity has cost me: thengo to the king my master and give him an account of my misfortunes." While hewas saying this, he heard a voice call "Avenant, Avenant!" "Who calls me?" said he; and presently he espied an owlin the hole of an old hollow tree, who,calling him again, said, "You rescued me from the fowler's net, where I had been assuredly taken, had you not delivered me. I promised to make you amends, and now the time is come; give me your phial; I am acquainted with allthe secret inlets into the gloomy cave,and will go and fetch you the water of beauty." Avenant most gladly gave the phial, and the owl, entering without any impediment into the cave, filled it, and in less than a quarter of an hour returned with it well stopped.

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Avenant was overjoyed at his good fortune, gave the owl a thousand thanks, and returned with a merry heartto the city. Being arrived at the palace, he presented the phial to the Fair One with Locks of Gold, who had then nothing further to say. She returned Avenant thanks, and gave orders for everything that was requisite for her departure: after which she set forward with him. The Fair One with Locks of Gold thought Avenant very amiable, and said to him sometimes upon the road, "If you had been willing, I could have made you a king; and then we need not have left mykingdom." But Avenant replied, "I wouldnot have been guilty of such a piece oftreachery to my master for all the kingdoms of the earth; though I must acknowledge your beauties are more resplendent than the sun."

At length they arrived at the king's chief city, who understanding that the Fair One with Locks of Gold was arrived, he went forth to meet her, andmade her the richest presents in the world. The nuptials were solemnized with such demonstrations of joy, which

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nothing else was discoursed of. But theFair One with Locks of Gold, who loved Avenant in her heart, was never pleasedbut when she was in his company, and would be always speaking in his praise:"I had never come hither," said she to the king, "had it not been for Avenant,who, to serve me, has conquered impossibilities; you are infinitely obliged to him; he procured me the water of beauty and health; by which I shall never grow old, and shall always preserve my health and beauty." The enviers of Avenant's happiness, who heard the queen's words, said to the king, "Were your majesty inclined to bejealous, you have reason enough to be so, for the queen is desperately in love with Avenant." "Indeed," said the king, "I am sensible of the truth of what you tell me; let him be put in thegreat tower, with fetters upon his feetand hands." Avenant was immediately seized. However, his little dog Cabriole never forsook him, but cheeredhim the best he could, and brought him all the news of the court. When the Fair One with Locks of Gold was informed of his misfortunes, she threw herself at the king's feet, and all in

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tears besought him to release Avenant out of prison. But the more she besought him the more he was incensed, believing it was her affection that made her so zealous a suppliant in his behalf. Finding she could not prevail, she said no more to him, but grew very pensive and melancholy.

The king took it into his head that shedid not think him handsome enough; so he resolved to wash his face with the water of beauty, in hopes that the queen would then conceive a greater affection for him than she had. This water stood in a phial upon a table in the queen's chamber, where she had put it, that it might not be out of her sight.

But one of the chambermaids going to kill a spider with her besom, by accident threw down the phial, and broke it, so that the water was lost. She dried it up with all the speed she could, and not knowing what to do, she bethought herself that she had seen a phial of clear water in the king's cabinet very like that she had broken.

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Without any more ado, therefore, she went and fetched that phial, and set itupon the table in place of the other. This water which was in the king's cabinet, was a certain water which he made use of to poison the great lords and princes of his court when they wereconvicted of any great crime; to which purpose, instead of cutting off their heads, or hanging them, he caused theirfaces to be rubbed with this water, which cast them into so profound a sleep that they never waked again.

Now the king one evening took this phial, and rubbed his face well with the water, after which he fell asleep and died. Cabriole was one of the firstthat came to knowledge of this accident, and immediately ran to informAvenant of it who bid him go to the Fair One with Locks of Gold, and remindher of the poor prisoner.

Cabriole slipped unperceived through the crowd, for there was a great noise and hurry at court upon the king's death; and getting to the queen, "Madam," said he, "remember poor Avenant." She presently called to mind

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the afflictions he had suffered for hersake, and his fidelity.

Without speaking a word, she went directly to the great tower, and took off the fetters from Avenant's feet andhands herself; after which, putting thecrown upon his head, and the royal mantle about his shoulders, "Amiable Avenant," said she, "I will make you a sovereign prince, and take you for my consort." Avenant threw himself at her feet, and in terms the most passionate and respectful returned her thanks. Everybody was overjoyed to have him fortheir king: the nuptials were the most splendid in the world; and the Fair One. With Locks of Gold lived a long time with her beloved Avenant, both happy and contented in the enjoyment ofeach other.

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The Golden Goose

There was a man who had three sons, theyoungest of whom was considered very silly, and everybody used to mock him and make fun of him. The eldest son wanted to go and cut wood in the

forest, and before he left home his motherprepared beautiful pancakes and a bottle of wine for him to take

with him, so that he might not suffer

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from hunger or thirst.

As he entered the forest he met a gray old man, who bade him "Good-morning," and said: "Give me a little piece of cake out of your basket and a drop of wine out of your bottle, for I am very hungry and thirsty."

But the clever son replied: "What give you my cake and my wine! Why, if I did,I should have none for myself. Not I, indeed, so take you off!" and he left the man standing and went on.

The young man began cutting down a tree, but it was not long before he made a false stroke: the axe slipped and cut his arm so badly that he was obliged to go home and have it bound up. Now, this false stroke was caused by the little gray old man.

Next day the second son went into the forest to cut wood, and his mother gavehim a cake and a bottle of wine. As he

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entered the wood the same little old man met him, and begged for a piece of cake and a drop of wine. But the secondson answered rudely: "What I might giveto you I shall want myself, so be off."

Then he left the little old man standing in the road, and walked on. His punishment soon came; he had scarcely given two strokes on a tree with his axe, when he hit his leg such a terrible blow that he was obliged to limp home in great pain.

Then the stupid son said to his father,"Let me go for once and cut wood in theforest."

But his father said: "No, your brothershave been hurt already, and it would beworse for you, who don't understand wood-cutting."

The boy, however, begged so hard to be allowed to go that his father said:

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"There, get along with you; you will buy your experience very dearly, I expect."

His mother, however, gave him a cake which had been made with water and baked in the ashes, and a bottle of sour beer.

When he reached the wood the very same little old man met him, and after greeting him kindly, said: "Give me a little of your cake and a drop from your bottle, for I am very hungry and thirsty."

"Oh," replied the simple youth, "I haveonly a cake, which has been baked in the ashes, and some sour beer; but you are welcome to a share of it. Let us sit down, and eat and drink together."

So they seated themselves, and, lo and behold, when the youth opened his basket, the cake had been turned into abeautiful cake, and the sour beer into

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wine. After they had eaten and drank enough, the little old man said: "Because you have been kind-hearted, and shared your dinner with me, I will make you in future lucky in all you undertake. There stands an old tree; cut it down, and you will find something good at the root."

Then the old man said "Farewell," and left him.

The youth set to work, and very soon succeeded in felling the tree, when he found sitting at the roots a goose, whose feathers were of pure gold. He took it up, and, instead of going home,carried it with him to an inn at a little distance, where he intended to pass the night.

The landlord had three daughters, who looked at the goose with envious eyes. They had never seen such a wonderful bird, and longed to have at least one of its feathers. "Ah," thought the

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eldest, "I shall soon have an opportunity to pluck one of them;" and so it happened, for not long after the young man left the room. She instantly went up to the bird and took hold of its wing, but as she did so, the fingerand thumb remained and stuck fast. In ashort time after the second sister camein with the full expectation of gaininga golden feather, but as she touched her sister to move her from the bird, her hand stuck fast to her sister's dress, and neither of them could free her. At last, in came the third sister with the same intention. "Keep away, keep away!" screamed the other two; "inheaven's name keep away!"

But she could not imagine why she should keep away. If they were near thegolden bird, why should not she be there? So she made a spring forward andtouched her second sister, and immediately she also was made a prisoner, and in this position they were obliged to remain by the goose all

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night.

In the morning the young man came in, took the goose on his arm, and went away without troubling himself about the three girls, who were following close behind him. And as he walked quickly, they were obliged to run one behind the other, left or right of him,just as he was inclined to go.

In the middle of a field they were met by the parson of the parish, who lookedwith wonder at the procession as it came near him. "Shame on you!" he criedout. "What are you about, you bold-faced hussies, running after a young man in that way through the fields? Go home, all of you."

He placed his hand on the youngest to pull her back, but the moment he touched her he also became fixed, and was obliged to follow and run like the rest. In a few minutes the clerk met them, and when he saw the parson

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running after the girls, he wondered greatly, and cried out, "Halloa, masterparson, where are you running in such haste? Have you forgotten that there isa christening to-day?" And as the procession did not stop, he ran after it, and seized the parson's gown.

In a moment he found that his hand was fixed, and he also had to run like the rest. And now there were five trotting along, one behind the other. Presently two peasants came by with their sicklesfrom the field. The parson called out to them, and begged them to come and release him and the clerk. Hardly had they touched the clerk when they also stuck fast as the others, and the simpleton with his golden goose travelled with the seven.

After awhile they came to a city in which reigned a king who had a daughterof such a melancholy disposition that no one could make her laugh; therefore he issued a decree that whoever would

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make the princess laugh should have herin marriage.

Now, when the simple youth heard this, he ran before her, and the whole seven trotted after him. The sight was so ridiculous that the moment the princesssaw it she burst into a violent fit of laughter and they thought she would never leave off.

After this, the youth went to the king,and demanded his daughter in marriage, according to the king's decree; but hismajesty did not quite like to have the young man for a son-in-law, so he said that, before he could consent to the marriage, the youth must bring him a man who could drink all the wine in theking's cellar.

The simpleton went into the forest, forhe thought, "If anyone can help me, it is the little gray man." When he arrived at the spot where he had cut down the tree, there stood a man with a

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very miserable face.

The youth asked him why he looked so sorrowful.

"Oh," he exclaimed, "I suffer such dreadful thirst that nothing seems ableto quench it; and cold water I cannot endure. I have emptied a cask of wine already, but it was just like a drop ofwater on a hot stone."

"I can help you," cried the young man; "come with me, and you shall have your fill, I promise you."

Upon this he led the man into the king's cellar, where he opened the casks one after another, and drank and drank till his back ached; and before the day closed he had quite emptied theking's cellar. Again the young man asked for his bride, but the king was annoyed at the thought of giving his daughter to such a common fellow, and to get rid of him he made another

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condition. He said that no man should have his daughter who could not find someone able to eat up a whole mountainof bread.

Away went the simpleton to the forest as before and there in the same place sat a man binding himself round tightlywith a belt, and making the most horrible faces. As the youth approached, he cried, "I have eaten a whole oven full of rolls, but it has not satisfied me a bit; I am as hungry as ever, and my stomach feels so empty that I am obliged to bind it round tightly, or I should die of hunger."

The simpleton could hardly contain himself for joy when he heard this. "Get up," he exclaimed, "and come with me, and I will give you plenty to eat, I'll warrant."

So he led him to the king's court, where his majesty had ordered all the flour in the kingdom to be made into

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bread, and piled up in a huge mountain.The hungry man placed himself before the bread, and began to eat, and beforeevening the whole pile had disappeared.

Then the simpleton went a third time tothe king, and asked for his bride, but the king made several excuses, and at last said that if he could bring him a ship that would travel as well by land as by water, then he should, without any further conditions, marry his daughter.

The youth went at once straight to the forest and saw the same old gray man towhom he had given his cake. "Ah," he said, as the youth approached, "it was I who sent the men to eat and drink, and I will also give you a ship that can travel by land or by sea, because when you thought I was poor you were kind-hearted, and gave me food and drink."

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The youth took the ship, and when the king saw it he was quite surprised; buthe could not any longer refuse to give him his daughter in marriage. The wedding was celebrated with great pomp,and after the king's death the simple wood-cutter inherited the whole kingdom, and lived happily with his wife.

The Three Bears

In a far-off country there was once a little girl who was called Silver-hair,because her curly hair shone brightly. She was a sad romp, and so restless that she could not be kept quiet at home, but must need run out and away,

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without leave.

One day she started off into a wood to gather wild flowers, and into the fields to chase butterflies. She ran here and she ran there, and went so far, at last, that she found herself ina lonely place, where she saw a snug little house, in which three bears lived; but they were not then at home.

The door was ajar, and Silver-hair pushed it open and found the place to be quite empty, so she made up her mindto go in boldly and look all about the place, little thinking what sort of people lived there.

Now the three bears had gone out to walk a little before this. They were the Big Bear, and the Middle-sized Bear, and the Little Bear; but they hadleft their porridge on the table to cool. So when Silver-hair came into thekitchen, she saw the three bowls of porridge. She tasted the largest bowl,

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which belonged to the Big Bear, and found it too cold; then she tasted the middle-sized bowl, which belonged to the Middle-sized Bear, and found it toohot; then she tasted the smallest bowl,which belonged to the Little Bear, and it was just right, and she ate it all.

She went into the parlour, and there were three chairs. She tried the biggest chair, which belonged to the Big Bear, and found it too high; then she tried the middle-sized chair, whichbelonged to the Middle-sized Bear, and she found it too broad; then she tried the little chair, which belonged to theLittle Bear, and found it just right, but she sat in it so hard that she broke it.

Now Silver-hair was by this time very tired, and she went upstairs to the chamber, and there she found three beds. She tried the largest bed, which belonged to the Big Bear, and found it too soft; then she tried the middle-

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sized bed, which belonged to the Middle-sized Bear, and she found it toohard; then she tried the smallest bed, which belonged to the Little Bear, and found it just right, so she lay down upon it, and fell fast asleep.

While Silver-hair was lying fast asleep, the three bears came home from their walk. They came into the kitchen,to get their porridge, but when the BigBear went to his, he growled out: "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN TASTING MY PORRIDGE!"

and the Middle-sized Bear looked into his bowl, and said: "Somebody Has Been Tasting My Porridge!" and the Little Bear piped: "Somebody has tasted my porridge and eaten it all up!"

Then they went into the parlour, and the Big Bear growled: "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY

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CHAIR!"

and the Middle-sized Bear said: "Somebody Has Been Sitting In My Chair!" and the Little Bear piped:

"Somebody has been sitting in my chair,and has broken it all to pieces!"

So they went upstairs into the chamber,and the Big Bear growled: "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN TUMBLING MY BED!"

and the Middle-sized Bear said: "Somebody Has Been Tumbling My Bed!" and the little Bear piped: "Somebody has been tumbling my bed, andhere she is!"

At that, Silver-hair woke in a fright, and jumped out of the window and ran away as fast as her legs could carry her, and never went near the Three Bears' snug little house again.

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The Twelve Brothers

There were once a king and queen who had twelve children—all boys. Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born all the sons must die—that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.

So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and ineach was the little pillow for the dead. He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone. But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.

He had the Bible name of Benjamin, and was always with his mother.

"Dear mother," he said, "why are you sosorrowful?"

"My child, I may not tell you," she replied; but the boy allowed her no rest till she unlocked the door of the

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private room, and showed him the twelvecoffins filled with shavings.

"Dearest Benjamin," she said, "these coffins are for you and your brothers; for if you should ever have a little sister, you will all die, and be buriedin them."

She wept bitterly as she told him, but her son comforted her, and said, "Do not weep, dear mother. We will take care of ourselves, and go far away."

Then she took courage, and said, "Yes, go away with your eleven brothers, and remain in the forest; and let one climba tree, from whence he will be able to see the tower of the castle; If I should have a son, a white flag shall be hoisted, and then you may return home; but if you see a red flag, you will know it is a girl, and then hastenaway as fast as you can, and may Heavenprotect you! Every night I will pray for you, that you may not suffer from the cold in winter or the heat in summer."

Then she blessed all her sons, and theywent away into the forest, while each

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in turn mounted a high tree daily, to watch for the flag on the tower.

Eleven days passed, and it was Benjamin's turn to watch. He saw the flag hoisted, and it was red—the signalthat they must die. The brothers were angry, and said, "Shall we suffer deathon account of a maiden? When we find one then we will kill her, to avenge ourselves."

They went still farther into the forest, and came upon a most pleasant little cottage, which was uninhabited. "We will make this our home," they said; "and Benjamin, as you are the youngest and weakest, you shall stay athome and keep house, while we go out and procure food."

So they wandered about the forest, shooting hares, wild rabbits, pigeons and other birds, which they brought to Benjamin to prepare for food. In this cottage they lived for ten years happily together, so that the time passed quickly.

Their little sister was growing a greatgirl. She had a sweet disposition, and

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was very beautiful to look upon. She wore rich clothes, and a golden star onher forehead.

One day, when she was about ten years old, she discovered in her mother's wardrobe twelve shirts. "Mother," she exclaimed, "whose shirts are these? They are much too small for my father."

The queen sighed as she replied, "Dear child, these shirts belong to your twelve brothers."

"Twelve brothers!" cried the little maiden. "Where are they? I have not even heard of them."

"Heaven knows where they are,” was the reply; "but they are wandering about the world somewhere." Then the queen took her little daughter to the privateroom in the castle, and showed her the twelve coffins which had been prepared for her brothers, and related to her, with many tears, why they had left home.

"Dear mother," said the child, "do not weep. I will go and seek my brothers."

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So she took the twelve shirts with her,and wandered away into the forest.

She walked for a whole day, and in the evening came to a cottage, stepped in, and found a young boy, who starred withastonishment at seeing a beautiful little girl dressed in rich clothing and wearing a golden star on her forehead.

At last he said, "Who are you, and whatdo you want?"

"I am a king's daughter," she said, "and I seek my twelve brothers, and I intend to search for them till I find them;" and she showed him their shirts.

Then Benjamin knew that she was his sister, and said, "I am your youngest brother, Benjamin." Then she wept for joy. They kissed each other with deep affection, and were for a time very happy.

At last Benjamin said, "Dear sister, wehave made a vow that the first young maiden we meet should die, because through a maiden we have lost our kingly rights."

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"I would willingly die," she said, "if by so doing I could restore my brothersto their rightful possessions."

"No, you shall not die," he replied. "Hide yourself behind this tub until our eleven brothers come home; then I will make an agreement with them."

At night the brothers returned from hunting, and the supper was ready. While they sat at table, one of them said, "Well, Benjamin, have you any news?"

"Perhaps I have," he said, "although itseems strange that I, who stay at home,should know more than you, who have been out."

"Well, tell us your news," said one. Sohe said:

"I will tell you if you will make one promise."

"Yes, yes!" they all cried. "What is it?"

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"Well, then, promise me that the first maiden you meet with in the forest shall not die."

"Yes, yes!" said they all; "she shall have mercy, but tell us."

"Then," said the youngest brother, "oursister is here;" and, rising, he liftedthe tub, and the king's daughter came forth in her royal robes and with a golden star on her forehead, and looking so fair and delicate and beautiful that the brothers were full of joy, and kissed and embraced her with the fondest affection.

She stayed with Benjamin, and helped him in keeping the house clean and cooking the game which the others brought home. Everything was so nicely managed now and with so much order, thecurtains and the quilts were beautifully white, and the dinners cooked so well that the brothers were always contented, and lived in great unity with their little sister.

There was a pretty garden around the house in which they lived, and one day,when they were all at home dining

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together, and enjoying themselves, the maiden went out into the garden to gather them some flowers.

She had tended twelve lilies with greatcare, and they were now in such splendid bloom that she determined to pluck them for her brothers, to please them.

But the moment she gathered the lilies,her twelve brothers were changed into twelve ravens, and flew away over the trees of the forest, while the charminghouse and garden vanished from her sight. Now was the poor little maiden left all alone in the wild wood, and knew not what to do; but on turning round she saw a curious old woman standing near, who said to her, "My child, what hast thou done? Why didst thou not leave those white flowers to grow on their stems? They were thy twelve brothers, and now they will always remain ravens."

"Is there no way to set them free?" asked the maiden, weeping.

"No way in the world," she replied, "but one, and that is far too difficult

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for thee to perform; yet it would breakthe spell and set them free. Hast thou firmness enough to remain dumb seven years, and not speak to anyone, or evenlaugh? For if ever you utter a single word, or fail only once in the seven years, all you have done before will bevain, and at this one word your brothers will die."

"Yes," said the maiden, "I can do this to set my brothers free."

Then the maiden climbed into a tree, and, seating herself in the branches, began to knit.

She remained here, living on the fruit that grew on the tree, and without laughing or uttering a word.

As she sat in her tree, the king, who was hunting, had a favourite hound, whovery soon discovered her, ran to the tree on which the maiden sat, sprang upto it, and barked at her violently.

The king came nearer, and saw the beautiful king's daughter with the golden star on her forehead. He was so struck with her beauty that he begged

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her to come down, and asked her to be his bride. She did not speak a word, but merely nodded her head. Then the king himself climbed up into the tree, and bringing her down, seated her on his own horse and galloped away with her to his home.

The marriage was soon after celebrated with great pomp, but the bride neither spoke nor laughed.

When they had lived happily together for some years, the king's mother, a wicked woman, began to raise evil reports about the queen, and said to the king, "It is some beggar girl you have picked up. Who can tell what wicked tricks she practises? She can't help being dumb, but why does she neverlaugh?

Unless she has a guilty conscience." The king at first would listen to none of these suspicions, but she urged him so long, and accused the queen of such wicked conduct, that at last he condemned her to be burnt to death.

Now in the court-yard a great fire was kindled, and the king stood weeping at

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a window overlooking the court of the palace, for he still loved her dearly. He saw her brought forth and tied to the stake; the fire kindled, and the flames with their forked tongues were creeping towards her, when at the last moment the seven years were past, and suddenly a rustling noise of wings was heard in the air; twelve black ravens alighted on the earth and instantly assumed their own forms—they were the brothers of the queen.

They tore down the pile and extinguished the fire, set their sisterfree, and embraced her tenderly. The queen, who was now able to speak, told the king why she had been dumb and had never laughed.

The delight of the king was only equalled by his anger against the wicked witch, who was brought to justice and ordered to be thrown into avat of oil full of poisonous snakes, where she died a dreadful death.

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One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes

There was once a woman who had three daughters, of whom the eldest was named"One Eye," because she had only one eyein the middle of her forehead. The second had two eyes, like other people,and she was called "Two Eyes." The youngest had three eyes, two like her second sister, and one in the middle ofher forehead, like the eldest, and she bore the name of "Three Eyes."

Now because little Two Eyes looked justlike other people, her mother and sisters could not endure her. They saidto her, "You are not better than commonfolks, with your two eyes; you don't belong to us."

So they pushed her about, and threw alltheir old clothes to her for her to wear, and gave her only the pieces thatwere left to eat, and did everything that they could to make her miserable. It so happened that little Two Eyes was

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sent into the fields to take care of the goats, and she was often very hungry, although her sisters had as much as they liked to eat. So one day she seated herself on a mound in the field, and began to weep and cry so bitterly those two little rivulets flowed from her eyes. Once, in the midst of her sorrow she looked up, and saw a woman standing near her who said,"What are you weeping for, little Two Eyes?"

"I cannot help weeping," she replied; "for because I have two eyes, like other people, my mother and sisters cannot bear me; they push me about fromone corner to another and make we wear their old clothes, and give me nothing to eat but what is left, so that I am always hungry. To-day they gave me so little that I am nearly starved."

"Dry up your tears, little Two Eyes," said the wise woman; "I will tell you something to do which will prevent

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you from ever being hungry again. You have only to say to your own goat:

"'Little goat, if you're able, pray deck out my table,'

"and immediately therewill be a pretty littletable before you full ofall sorts of good thingsfor you to eat, as muchas you like. And whenyou have had enough, and you do not want the table any more, you need only say:

"'Little goat, when you're able,Remove my nice table,'"and it will vanish from your eyes."

Then the wise woman went away. "Now," thought little Two Eyes, "I will try ifwhat she says is true, for I am very hungry," so she said:

"Little goat, if you're able,

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Pray deck out my table."

The words were scarcely spoken, when a beautiful little table stood really before her; it had a white cloth and plates, and knives and forks, and silver spoons, and such a delicious dinner, smoking hot as if it had just come from the kitchen. Then little Two Eyes sat down and said the shortest grace she knew—"Pray God be our guest for all time. Amen"—before she allowed herself to taste anything. But oh, how she did enjoy her dinner! And when she had finished, she said, as the wise woman had taught her:

"Little goat, when you're able,Remove my nice table."

In a moment, the table and everything upon it had disappeared. "That is a pleasant way to keep house," said little Two Eyes, and felt quite contented and happy. In the evening, when she went home with the goat, she

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found an earthenware dish with some scraps which her sisters had left for her, but she did not touch them.

The next morning she went away with thegoat, leaving them behind where they had been placed for her. The first and second times that she did so, the sisters did not notice it; but when they found it happened every day, they said one to the other, "There is something strange about little Two Eyes, she leaves her supper every day, and all that has been put for her has been wasted; she must get food somewhere else."

So they determined to find out the truth, and they arranged that when Two Eyes took her goat to the field, One Eye should go with her to take particular notice of what she did, and discover if anything was brought for her to eat and drink.

So when Two Eyes started with her goat,One Eye said to her, "I am going with

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you to-day to see if the goat gets her food properly while you are watching the rest."

But Two Eyes knew what she had in her mind. So she drove the goat into the long grass, and said, "Come, One Eye, let us sit down here and rest, and I will sing to you."

One Eye seated herself, and, not being accustomed to walk so far, or to be outin the heat of the sun, she began to feel tired, and as little Two Eyes kepton singing, she closed her one eye and fell fast asleep.

When Two Eyes saw this, she knew that One Eye could not betray her, so she said:

"Little goat, if you are able,Come and deck my pretty table."

She seated herself when it appeared, and ate and drank very quickly, and

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when she had finished she said:

"Little goat, when you are able,Come and clear away my table."

It vanished in the twinkling of an eye;and then Two Eyes woke up One Eye, and said, "Little One Eye, you are a cleverone to watch goats; for, while you are asleep, they might be running all over the world. Come, let us go home!"

So they went to the house, and little Two Eyes again left the scraps on the dish untouched, and One Eye could not tell her mother whether little Two Eyeshad eaten anything in the field; for she said to excuse herself, "I was asleep."

The next day the mother said to Three Eyes, "You must go to the field this time, and find out whether there is anyone who brings food to little Two Eyes; for she must eat and drink secretly."

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So when little Two Eyes started with her goat, Three Eyes followed, and said, "I am going with you to-day, to see if the goats are properly fed and watched."

But Two Eyes knew her thoughts; so she led the goat through the long grass to tire Three Eyes, and at last she said, "Let us sit down here and rest, and I will sing to you, Three Eyes."

She was glad to sit down, for the walk and the heat of the sun had really tired her; and, as her sister continuedher song, she was obliged to close two of her eyes, and they slept, but not the third. In fact, Three Eyes was wideawake with one eye, and heard and saw all that Two Eyes did; for poor little Two Eyes, thinking she was asleep, saidher speech to the goat, and the table came with all the good things on it, and was carried away when Two Eyes had eaten enough; and the cunning Three

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Eyes saw it all with her one eye. But she pretended to be asleep when her sister came to wake her and told her she was going home.

That evening, when little Two Eyes again left the supper they placed asidefor her, Three Eyes said to her mother,"I know where the proud thing gets her good eating and drinking;" and then shedescribed all she had seen in the field. "I saw it all with one eye," shesaid; "for she had made my other two eyes close with her fine singing, but luckily the one in my forehead remainedopen."

Then the envious mother cried out to poor little Two Eyes, "You wish to havebetter food than we, do you? You shall lose your wish!" She took up a butcher's knife, went out, and stuck the good little goat in the heart, and it fell dead.

When little Two Eyes saw this, she went

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out into the field, seated herself on amound, and wept most bitter tears.

Presently the wise woman stood again before her, and said, "Little Two Eyes,why do you weep?"

"Ah!" she replied, "I must weep. The goat, who every day spread my table so beautifully, has been killed by my mother, and I shall have again to suffer from hunger and sorrow."

"Little Two Eyes," said the wise woman,"I will give you some good advice. Go home, and ask your sister to give you the inside of the slaughtered goat, andthen go and bury it in the ground in front of the house-door."

On saying this wise woman vanished.Little Two Eyes went home quickly, and said to her sister, "Dear sister, give me some part of my poor goat. I don't want anything valuable; only give me the inside."

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Her sister laughed, and said, "Of course you can have that, if you don't want anything else."

So little Two Eyes took the inside; andin the evening, when all was quiet, buried it in the ground outside the house-door, as the wise woman had told her to do.

The next morning, when they all rose and looked out of the window, there stood a most wonderful tree, with leaves of silver and apples of gold hanging between them. Nothing in the wide world could be more beautiful or more costly. They none of them knew howthe tree could come there in one night,excepting little Two Eyes. She supposedit had grown up from the inside of the goat; for it stood over where she had buried it in the earth.Then said the mother to little One Eye:"Climb up, my child, and break off someof the fruit from the tree."

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One Eye climbed up, but when she tried to catch a branch and pluck one of the apples, it escaped from her hand, and so it happened every time she made the attempt, and, do what she would, she could not reach one.

"Three Eyes," said the mother, "climb up, and try what you can do; perhaps you will be able to see better with your three eyes than One Eye can."

One Eye slid down from the tree, and Three Eyes climbed up. But Three Eyes was not more skilful; with all her efforts she could not draw the branches, or the fruit, near enough to pluck even a leaf, for they sprang backas she put out her hand.

At last the mother was impatient, and climbed up herself, but with no more success, for, as she appeared to grasp a branch, or fruit, her hand closed upon thin air.

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"May I try?" said little Two Eyes; "perhaps I may succeed." "You, indeed!" cried her sisters; "you,with your two eyes, what can you do?"

But Two Eyes climbed up, and the goldenapples did not fly back from her when she touched them, but almost laid them on her hand, and she plucked them one after another, till she carried down her own little apron full.

The mother took them from her, and gavethem to her sisters, as she said littleTwo Eyes did not handle them properly; but this was only from jealousy, because little Two Eyes was the only one who could reach the fruit, and she went into the house feeling more spiteful to her than ever.It happened that while all three sisters were standing under the tree together a young knight rode by. "Run away, quick, and hide yourself, little Two Eyes; hide yourself somewhere, for

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we shall be quite ashamed for you to beseen." Then they pushed the poor girl, in great haste, under an empty cask, which stood near the tree, and several of the golden apples that she had plucked along with her.

As the knight came nearer they saw he was a handsome man; and presently he halted, and looked with wonder and pleasure at the beautiful tree with itssilver leaves and golden fruit.

At last he spoke to the sisters, and asked: "To whom does this beautiful tree belong? If a man possessed only one branch he might obtain all he wished for in the world."

"This tree belongs to us," said the twosisters, "and we will break off a branch for you if you like." They gave themselves a great deal of trouble in trying to do as they offered; but all to no purpose, for the branches and thefruit evaded their efforts, and sprung

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back at every touch.

"This is wonderful," exclaimed the knight, "that the tree should belong toyou, and yet you are not able to gathereven a branch."

They persisted, however, in declaring that the tree was their own property. At this moment little Two Eyes, who wasangry because her sisters had not told the truth, caused two of the golden apples to slip out from under the cask,and they rolled on till they reached the feet of the knight's horse. When hesaw them, he asked in astonishment where they came from.

The two ugly maidens replied that they had another sister, but they dared not let him see her, for she had only two eyes, like common people, and was namedlittle Two Eyes.

But the knight felt very anxious to seeher, and called out, "Little Two Eyes

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come here." Then came Two Eyes, quite comforted, from the empty cask, and theknight was astonished to find her so beautiful.

Then he said: "Little Two Eyes, can youbreak off a branch of the tree for me?"

"Oh yes," she replied, "I can, very easily, for the tree belongs to me." And she climbed up, and, without any trouble, broke off a branch with its silver leaves and golden fruit and gaveit to the knight.

He looked down at her as she stood by his horse, and said: "Little Two Eyes, what I shall give you for this?"

"Ah!" she answered, "I suffer from hunger and thirst, and sorrow, and trouble, from early morning till late at night; if you would only take me with you, and release me, I should be so happy."

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Then the knight lifted the little maiden on his horse, and rode home withher to his father's castle. There she was given beautiful clothes to wear, and as much to eat and drink as she wished, and as she grew up the young knight loved her so dearly that they were married with great rejoicings.

Now, when the two sisters saw little Two Eyes carried away by the handsome young knight, they were overjoyed at their good fortune. "The wonderful treebelongs to us now," they said; "even ifwe cannot break off a branch, yet everybody who passes will stop to admire it, and make acquaintance with us, and, who knows? We may get husbandsafter all."

But when they rose the next morning, lo! The tree had vanished, and with it all their hopes. And on this very morning, when little Two Eyes looked out of her chamber window of the castle, she saw, to her great joy, that

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the tree had followed her.

Little Two Eyes lived for a long time in great happiness; but she heard nothing of her sisters, till one day two poor women came to the castle, to beg for alms. Little Two Eyes saw them,and, looking earnestly in their faces, she recognised her two sisters, who hadbecome so poor that they were obliged to beg their bread from door to door.But the good sister received them most kindly, and promised to take care of them and give them all they wanted. Andthen they did indeed repent and feel sorry for having treated her so badly in their youthful days.

Tom Thumb

In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, themost learned enchanter of his time, wason a journey; and, being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an

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honest ploughman to ask for refreshment. The ploughman's wife, withgreat civility, immediately brought himsome milk in a wooden bowl and some

brown bread on awooden platter. Merlin could nothelp observing, that, although everything within the

cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughmanand his wife had the most sorrowful airimaginable. So he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children. The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes,that she should be the happiest creature in the world if she had a son,although he were no bigger than his father's thumb. Merlin was much amused with the thoughts of a boy no bigger than a man's thumb, and, as soon as he returned home, he sent for the queen of

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the fairies (with whom he was very intimate), and related to her the desire of the ploughman and his wife tohave a son the size of his father's thumb. The queen of the fairies liked the plan exceedingly, and declared their wish should speedily be granted. Accordingly the ploughman's wife had a son, who in a few minutes grew as tall as his father's thumb. The queen of thefairies came in at the window as the mother was sitting up in bed admiring the child. The queen kissed the infant,and giving it the name of Tom Thumb, immediately summoned several fairies from Fairy Land to clothe her little new favourite:

"An oak leaf hat he had for his crown,His shirt it was by spiders spun;With doublet wove of thistle's down,His trousers up with points were done.His stockings, of apple rind, they tieWith eye-lash plucked from his mother'seye,

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His shoes were made of a mouse's skin,Nicely tanned, with the hair within."

Tom never was any bigger than his father's thumb, which was not a large thumb either; but, as he grew older, hebecame very cunning and sly, for which his mother did not sufficiently correcthim, so that when he was able to play with the boys for cherry stones, and had lost all his own, he used to creep into the boys' bags, fill his pockets, and come out again to play. But one dayas he was getting out of a bag of cherry stones, the boy to whom it belonged chanced to see him. "Ah ha, mylittle Tom Thumb!" said the boy, "have I caught you at your bad tricks at last? Now I will reward you for thieving." Then drawing the string tight round his neck, and shaking the bag heartily, the cherry stones bruisedTom's legs, thighs, and body sadly; which made him beg to be let out, and promise never to be guilty of such things any more. Shortly afterwards, Tom's mother was making a batter

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pudding, and, that he might see how shemixed it, he climbed on the edge of thebowl; but his foot happening to slip, he fell over head and ears into the batter, and his mother not observing him, stirred him into the pudding, and popped him into the pot to boil. The hot water made Tom kick and struggle; and his mother, seeing the pudding jumpup and down in such a furious manner, thought it was bewitched; and a tinker coming by just at the time, she quicklygave him the pudding, which put it intohis budget and walked on.

As soon as Tom could get the batter outof his mouth, he began to cry aloud; which so frightened the poor tinker, that he flung the pudding over the hedge, and ran away from it as fast as he could run. The pudding being broken to pieces by the fall, Tom was released, and walked home to his mother, who gave him a kiss and put himto bed. Tom Thumb's mother once took him with her when she went to milk the

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cow; and it being a very windy day, shetied him with a needle full of thread to a thistle, that he might not be blown away. The cow liking his oak leafhat took him and the thistle up at one mouthful. While the cow chewed the thistle, Tom, terrified at her great teeth, which seemed ready to crush him to pieces, roared, "Mother, Mother!" asloud as he could bawl. "Where are you, Tommy, my dear Tommy?" said the mother."Here, mother, here in the red cow's mouth." The mother began to cry and wring her hands; but the cow surprised at such odd noises in her throat, opened her mouth and let him drop out. His mother clapped him into her apron, and ran home with him. Tom's father made him a whip of a barley straw to drive the cattle with, and being one day in the field, he slipped into a deep furrow. A raven flying over, picked him up with a grain of corn, andflew with him to the top of a giant's castle, by the seaside, where he left him; and old Grumbo the giant, coming

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soon after to walk upon his terrace, swallowed Tom like a pill, clothes and all. Tom presently made the giant very uncomfortable, and he threw him up intothe sea. A great fish then swallowed him. The fish was soon after caught, and sent as a present to King Arthur. When it was cut open, everybody was delighted with little Tom Thumb. The king made him his dwarf; he was the favourite of the whole court; and, by his merry pranks, often amused the queen and the Knights of the Round Table. The king, when he rode on horseback, frequently took Tom in his hand; and, if a shower of rain came on,he used to creep into the king's waist-coat pocket, and sleep till the rain was over. The king also, sometimes questioned Tom concerning his parents; and when Tom informed his majesty they were very poor people, the king led himinto his treasury, and told him he should pay his friends a visit, and take with him as much money as he couldcarry. Tom procured a little purse, and

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putting a three penny piece into it, with much labour and difficulty got it upon his back; and, after travelling two days and nights, arrived at his father's house.

His mother met him at the door, almost tired to death, having in forty-eight hours travelled almost half a mile witha huge silver three pence upon his back. His parents were glad to see him,especially when he had brought such an amazing sum of money with him. They placed him in a walnut shell by the fire side, and feasted him for three days upon a hazel nut, which made him sick, for a whole nut usually served him a month. Tom got well, but could not travel because it had rained; therefore his mother took him in her hand, and with one puff blew him into King Arthur's court; where Tom entertained the king, queen, and nobility at tilts and tournaments, at which he exerted himself so much that he brought on a fit of sickness, and

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his life was despaired of. At this juncture the queen of the fairies came in a chariot drawn by flying mice, placed Tom by her side, and drove through the air, without stopping till they arrived at her palace; when, afterrestoring him to health, and permittinghim to enjoy all the gay diversions of Fairy Land, the queen commanded a fair wind, and, placing Tom before it, blew him straight to the court of King Arthur. But just as Tom should have alighted in the courtyard of the palace, the cook happened to pass alongwith the king's great bowl of firmity (King Arthur loved firmity), and poor Tom Thumb fell plump into the middle ofit and splashed the hot firmity into the cook's eyes. Down went the bowl. "Oh dear; oh dear!" cried Tom. "Murder!Murder!" bellowed the cook! And away ran the king's nice firmity into the kennel. The cook was a red-faced, crossfellow, and swore to the king, that Tomhad done it out of mere mischief; so hewas taken up, tried, and sentenced to

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be beheaded. Tom hearing this dreadful sentence, and seeing a miller stand by with his mouth wide open, he took a good spring, and jumped down the miller's throat, unperceived by all, even by the miller himself.

Tom being lost, the court broke up, andaway went the miller to his mill. But Tom did not leave him long at rest, he began to roll and tumble about, so thatthe miller thought himself bewitched, and sent for a doctor. When the doctor came, Tom began to dance and sing; the doctor was as much frightened as the miller, and sent in great haste for five more doctors, and twenty learned men. While all these were debating uponthe affair, the miller (for they were very tedious) happened to yawn, and Tom, taking the opportunity, made another jump, and alighted on his feet in the middle of the table. The miller,provoked to be thus tormented by such alittle creature, fell into a great passion, caught hold of Tom, and threw

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him out of the window, into the river. A large salmon swimming by, snapped himup in a minute. The salmon was soon caught and sold in the market to the steward of a lord. The lord, thinking it an uncommon fine fish, made a present of it to the king, who ordered it to be dressed immediately. When the cook cut open the salmon, he found poorTom, and ran with him directly to the king; but the king being busy with state affairs, desired that he might bebrought another day. The cook resolvingto keep him safely this time, as he hadso lately given him the slip, clapped him into a mouse-trap, and left him to amuse himself by peeping through the wires for a whole week; when the king sent for him, he forgave him for throwing down the firmity, ordered him new clothes and knighted him.

"His shirt was made of butterflies' wings; His boots were made of chicken skins;His coat and breeches were made with

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pride;A tailor's needle hung by his side;A mouse for a horse he used to ride."

Thus dressed and mounted, he rode a hunting with the king and nobility, whoall laughed heartily at Tom and his fine prancing steed. As they rode by a farm house one day, a cat jumped from behind the door, seized the mouse and little Tom, and began to devour the mouse. However, Tom boldly drew his sword and attacked the cat, which then let him fall. The king and his nobles seeing Tom falling went to his assistance, and one of the lords caughthim in his hat; but poor Tom was sadly scratched, and his clothes were torn bythe claws of the cat. In this conditionhe was carried home, when a bed of downwas made for him in a little ivory cabinet. The queen of the fairies came,and took him again to Fairy Land, whereshe kept him for some years; and then, dressing him in bright green, sent him flying once more through the air to theearth, in the days of King Thunstone.

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The people flocked far and near to lookat him; and the king, before whom he was carried, asked him who he was, whence he came, and where he lived? Tomanswered:

"My name is Tom Thumb,From the Fairies I come;When King Arthur shone,This court was my home.In me he delighted,By him I was knighted,Did you never hear ofSir Thomas Thumb?"

The king was so charmed with this address, that he ordered a little chairto be made, in order that Tom might siton his table, and also a palace of golda span high, with a door an inch wide, for little Tom to live in. He also gavehim a coach drawn by six small mice. This made the queen angry, because she had not a new coach too. Therefore, resolving to ruin Tom, she complained to the king that he had behaved very insolently to her. The king sent for

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him in a rage. Tom, to escape his fury,crept into an empty snail-shell, and there lay till he was almost starved; when peeping out of the shell, he saw afine butterfly settled on the ground. He now ventured out, and getting astride, the butterfly took wing, and mounted into the air with little Tom onhis back. Away he flew from field to field, from tree to tree, till at last he flew to the king's court. The king, queen, and nobles, all strove to catch the butterfly, but could not. At lengthpoor Tom, having neither bridle nor saddle, slipped from his seat, and fellinto a white pot, where he was found almost drowned. The queen vowed he should be guillotined: but while the guillotine was getting ready, he was secured once more in a mouse-trap; whenthe cat seeing something stir, and supposing it to be the mouse, patted the trap about till she broke it, and set Tom at liberty. Soon afterwards a spider, taking him for a fly, made at him. Tom drew his sword and fought

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valiantly, but the spider's poisonous breath overcame him:

"He fell dead on the ground where late he had stood, And the spider sucked up the last drop of his blood."

King Thunstone and his whole court wentinto mourning for little Tom Thumb. They buried him under a rosebush, and raised a nice white marble monument over his grave, with the following epitaph:

"Here lies Tom Thumb, King Arthur's knight,Who died by spider's cruel bite.He was well known in Arthur's court,Where he afforded gallant sport;He rode at tilt and tournament,And on a mouse a hunting went;Alive he filled the court with mirth,His death to sorrow soon gave birth.Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your headAnd cry, 'Alas! Tom Thumb is dead.'"

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The White Cat

There was once a king who had three sons, all remarkably handsome in their persons, and in their tempers brave andnoble. Some wicked courtiers made the king believe that the princes were impatient to wear the crown, and that they were contriving a plot to deprive him of his sceptre and his kingdom. Theking felt he was growing old; but as hefound himself as capable of governing as he had ever been, he had no inclination to resign his power; and therefore, that he might pass the rest of his days peaceably, he determined toemploy the princes in such a manner, asat once to give each of them the hope of succeeding to the crown, and fill upthe time they might otherwise spend in

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so undutiful a manner. He sent for themto his cabinet and after conversing with them kindly, he added: "You must be sensible, my dear children, which mygreat age prevents me from attending asclosely as I have hitherto done to state affairs. I fear this may be injurious to my subjects; I therefore desire to place my crown on the head ofone of you, but it is no more than just, that in return for such a present, you should procure me some amusement in my retirement, before I leave the Capital for ever. I cannot help thinking, that a little dog, that is handsome, faithful, and engaging, would be the very thing to make me happy; so that without bestowing a preference on either of you, I declare that he who brings me the most perfect little dog shall be my successor." The princes were much surprised at the fancy of their father to have a little dog, yet they accepted the proposition with pleasure: and accordingly, after taking leave of the king, who presented

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them with abundance of money and jewels, and appointed that day twelvemonth for their return, they set off on their travels.

Before taking leave of each other, however, they took some refreshment together; in an old palace about three miles out of town where they agreed to meet in the same place on that day twelvemonth, and go all together with their presents to court. They also agreed to change their names, that theymight be unknown to everyone in their travels.

Each took a different road; but it is intended to relate the adventures of only the youngest, which was the handsomest, most amiable, and accomplished prince that had ever been seen. No day passed, as he travelled from town to town, that he did not buy all the handsome dogs that fell in his way; and as soon as he saw one that washandsomer than those he had before, he

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made a present of the last; for twenty servants would have been scarcely sufficient to take care of all the dogshe was continually buying.

At length, wandering he knew not whither, he found himself in a forest; night suddenly came on, and with it a violent storm of thunder, lightning, and rain. To add to his perplexity, he lost his path, and could find no way out of the forest. After he had groped about for a long time, he perceived a light, which made him suppose that he was not far from some house: he accordingly pursued his way towards it,and in a short time found himself at the gates of the most magnificent palace he ever beheld. The door that opened into it was made of gold, covered with sapphire stones, which cast so resplendent a brightness over everything around, that scarcely could the strongest eyesight bear to look at it. This was the light the prince had seen from the forest. The walls of the

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building were of transparent porcelain,variously coloured, and represented thehistory of all the fairies that had existed from the beginning of the world. The prince coming back to the golden door, observed a deer's foot fastened to a chain of diamonds; he could not help wondering at the magnificence he beheld, and the security in which the inhabitants seemed to live; "for," said he to himself, "nothing can be easier than for thieves to steal this chain, and asmany of the sapphire stones as would make their fortunes." He pulled the chain, and heard a bell the sound of which was exquisite. In a few moments the door was opened; but he perceived nothing but twelve hands in the air, each holding a torch. The prince was soastonished that he durst not move a step; when he felt himself gently pushed on by some other hands from behind him. He walked on, in great perplexity, till he entered a vestibuleinlaid with porphyry and lapis-stone.

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There the most melodious voice he had ever heard chanted the following words:

"Welcome, prince, no danger fear,Mirth and love attend you here;You shall break the magic spell,That on a beauteous lady fell.

"Welcome, prince, no danger fear,Mirth and love attend you here,"

The prince now advanced with confidence, wondering what these words could mean; the hands moved him forwardtowards a large door of coral, which opened of itself to give him admittanceinto a splendid apartment built of mother-of-pearl, through which he passed into others so richly adorned with paintings and jewels, and so resplendently lighted with thousands oflamps, girandoles and lustres, that theprince imagined he must be in an enchanted palace. When he had passed through sixty apartments, all equally splendid, he was stopped by the hands,

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and a large easy-chair advanced of itself towards the chimney; and the hands, which he observed were extremelywhite and delicate, took off his wet clothes, and supplied their place with the finest linen imaginable, and then added a commodious wrapping-gown, embroidered with the brightest gold, and all over enriched with pearls. The hands next brought him an elegant dressing-table, and combed his hair so very gently that he scarcely felt theirtouch. They held before him a beautifulbasin, filled with perfumes, for him towash his face and hands, and afterwardstook off the wrapping-gown and dressed him in a suit of clothes of still greater splendour. When his dress was complete, they conducted him to an apartment he had not yet seen, and which also was magnificently furnished.There was in it a table spread for a repast, and everything upon it was of the purest gold adorned with jewels. The prince observed there were two covers set, and was wondering who was

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to be his companion, when his attentionwas suddenly caught by a small figure not a foot high, which just then entered the room, and advanced towards him. It had on a long black veil, and was supported by two cats dressed in mourning, and with swords by their sides: they were followed by a numerousretinue of cats, some carrying cages full of rats and others mousetraps fullof mice.The prince was at a loss what to think.The little figure now approached, and throwing aside her veil, he beheld a most beautiful white cat. She seemed young and melancholy, and addressing herself to the prince, she said, "Youngprince, you are welcome; your presence affords me the greatest pleasure." "Madam," replied the prince, "I would fain thank you for your generosity, norcan I help observing that you must be an extraordinary creature to possess with your present form the gift of speech and the magnificent palace I have seen." "All this is very true,"

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answered the beautiful cat, "but, prince, I am not fond of talking, and least of all do I like compliments; letus therefore sit down to supper." The trunk less hands then placed the disheson the table, and the prince and white cat seated themselves. The first dish was a pie made of young pigeons, and the next was a fricassee of the fattestmice. The view of the one made the prince almost afraid to taste the othertill the white cat, who guessed his thoughts, assured him that there were certain dishes at table in which there was not a morsel of either rat or mouse, which had been dressed on purpose for him. Accordingly he ate heartily of such as she recommended. When supper was over, the prince perceived that the white cat had a portrait set in gold hanging to one of her feet. He begged her permission to look at it; when, to his astonishment, he saw the portrait of a handsome youngman, which exactly resembled himself! He thought there was something very

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extraordinary in all this: yet, as the white cat sighed and looked very sorrowful, he did not venture to ask any questions. He conversed with her ondifferent subjects, and found her extremely well versed in everything that was passing in the world. When night was far advanced, the white cat wished him a good night, and he was conducted by the hands to his bedchamber, which was different still from anything he had seen in the palace, being hung with the wings of butterflies, mixed with the most curious feathers. His bed was of gauze,festooned with bunches of the gayest ribands, and the looking-glasses reached from the floor to the ceiling. The prince was undressed and put into bed by the hands, without speaking a word. He however slept little, and in the morning was awaked by a confused noise. The hands took him out of bed, and put on him a handsome hunting-jacket. He looked into the court-yard, and perceived more than five hundred

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cats, busily employed in preparing for the field, for this was a day of festival. Presently the white cat came to his apartment; and having politely inquired after his health, she invited him to partake of their amusement. The prince willingly accepted, mounted a wooden horse, richly caparisoned, whichhad been prepared for him, and which hewas assured would gallop to admiration.The beautiful white cat mounted a monkey, dressed in a dragoon's bonnet, which made her look so fierce that all the rats and mice ran away in the utmost terror.

Every thing being ready, the horns sounded, and away they went; no huntingwas ever more agreeable; the cats ran faster than the hares and rabbits; and when they caught any they were hunted in the presence of the white cat, and athousand cunning tricks were played. Nor were the birds in safety; for the monkey made nothing of climbing up the trees, with the white cat on his back,

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to the nest of the young eagles. When the hunting was over, the whole retinuereturned to the palace; and the white cat immediately exchanged her dragoon'scap for the veil, and sat down to supper with the prince, who, being veryhungry, ate heartily, and afterwards partook with her of the most delicious liqueurs, which being often repeated made him forget that he was to procure a little dog for the old king. He thought no longer of anything but of pleasing the sweet little creature who received him so courteously; accordingly every day was spent in new amusements. The prince had almost forgotten his country and relations, and sometimes even regretted that he was not a cat, so great was his affection for his mewing companions. "Alas!" said he to the white cat, "how will it afflict me to leave you whom I love so much! Either make yourself a lady, or make me a cat." She smiled at the prince's wish, but made him scarcely any reply. At length the

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twelvemonth was nearly expired; the white cat, who knew the very day when the prince was to reach his father's palace, reminded him that he had but three days longer to look for a perfectlittle dog. The prince, astonished at his own forgetfulness, began to afflicthimself; when the cat told him not to be so sorrowful, since she would not only provide him with a little dog, butalso with a wooden horse which should convey him safely in less than twelve hours. "Look here," said she, showing him an acorn, "this contains what you desire." The prince put the acorn to his ear, and heard the barking of a little dog. Transported with joy, he thanked the cat a thousand times, and the next day, bidding her tenderly adieu, he set out on his return.

The prince arrived first at the place of rendezvous, and was soon joined by his brothers; they mutually embraced, and began to give an account of their success; when the youngest showed them

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only a little mongrel cur, telling themhe thought it could not fail to please the king from its extraordinary beauty,the brothers trod on each other's toes under the table; as much as to say, we have not much to fear from this sorry looking animal. The next day they went together to the palace. The dogs of thetwo elder princes were lying on cushions, and so curiously wrapped around with embroidered quilts, that one would scarcely venture to touch them. The youngest produced his cur, dirty all over, and all wondered how the prince could hope to receive a crown for such a present. The king examined the two little dogs of the elder princes, and declared he thought them so equally beautiful that he knew not to which, with justice, he could give the preference. They accordingly began to dispute; when the youngest prince, taking his acorn from his pocket, soon ended their contention; for a little dog appeared which could with ease go through the smallest ring,

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and was besides a miracle of beauty. The king could not possibly hesitate indeclaring his satisfaction; yet, as he was not more inclined than the year before to part with his crown, he couldthink of nothing more to his purpose than telling his sons that he was extremely obliged to them for the painsthey had taken; and that since they hadsucceeded so well, he could not but wish they would make a second attempt; he therefore begged they would take another year for procuring him a piece of cambric, so fine as to be drawn through the eye of a small needle.

The three princes thought this very hard; yet they set out in obedience to the king's command. The two eldest tookdifferent roads, and the youngest remounted his wooden horse, and in a short time arrived at the palace of hisbeloved white cat, who received him with the greatest joy, while the trunk less hands helped him to dismount, and provided him with immediate

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refreshments; after which the prince gave the white cat an account of the admiration which had been bestowed on the beautiful little dog, and informed her of his father's farther injunction."Make yourself perfectly easy, dear prince," said she, "I have in my palacesome cats that are perfectly clever in making such cambric as the king requires; so you have nothing to do butto give me the pleasure of your companywhile it is making; and I will procure you all the amusement possible." She accordingly ordered the most curious fireworks to be played off in sight of the window of the apartment in which they were sitting; and nothing but festivity and rejoicing was heard throughout the palace for the prince's return. As the white cat continually gave proofs of an excellent understanding, the prince was by no means tired of her company; she talked with him of state affairs, of theatres,of fashions; in short, she was at a loss on no subject whatever; so that

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when the prince was alone, he had plenty of amusement in thinking how it could possibly be that a small white cat could be endowed with all the powers of human creatures.

The twelvemonth in this manner again passed insensibly away; but the cat took care to remind the prince of his duty in proper time. "Foronce, my prince," said she, "I will have the pleasure of equipping you as suits your high rank;" when looking into the courtyard, he saw a superb car, ornamented all over with gold, silver, pearls and diamonds, drawn by twelve horses as white as snow, and harnessed in the most sumptuous trappings; and behind the car a thousand guards richly apparelled were in waiting to attend on the prince's person. She then presented him with a nut: "You will find in it," said she, "the piece of cambric I promised you. Do not break the shell till you are in the presence of the king your father."

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Then, to prevent the acknowledgments which the prince was about to offer, she hastily bade him adieu. Nothing could exceed the speed with which the snow-white horses conveyed this fortunate prince to his father's palace, where his brothers had just arrived before him. They embraced each other, and demanded an immediate audience of the king, who received themwith the greatest kindness. The princeshastened to place at the feet of his majesty the curious present he had required them to procure. The eldest produced a piece of cambric that was soextremely fine, that his friends had nodoubt of its passing the eye of the needle, which was now delivered to the king, having been kept locked up in thecustody of his majesty's treasurer all the time, Every one supposed he would certainly obtain the crown. But when the king tried to draw it through the eye of the needle, it would not pass, though it failed but very little. Then came the second prince, who made as

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sure of obtaining the crown as his brother had done; but, alas! With no better success: for though his piece ofcambric was exquisitely fine, yet it could not be drawn through the eye of the needle. It was now the youngest prince's turn, which accordingly advanced, and opening an elegant littlebox inlaid with jewels, he took out a walnut, and cracked the shell, imagining he should immediately perceive his piece of cambric; but whatwas his astonishment to see nothing buta filbert! He did not however lose his hopes; he cracked the filbert, and it presented him with a cherry-stone. The lords of the court, who had assembled to witness this extraordinary trial, could not, any more than the princes his brothers; refrain from laughing, tothink he should be so silly as to claimwith them the crown on no better pretensions. The prince however crackedthe cherry-stone, which was filled witha kernel: he divided it, and found in the middle a grain of wheat, and in

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that grain millet seed. He was now absolutely confounded, and could not help muttering between his teeth: "O white cat, white cat, thou hast deceived me!" At this instant he felt his hand scratched by the claw of a cat: upon which he again took courage, and opening the grain of millet seed, to the astonishment of all present, he drew forth a piece of cambric four hundred yards long, and fine enough to be drawn with perfect ease through the eye of the needle. When the king found he had no pretext left for refusing thecrown to his youngest son, he sighed deeply, and it was easy to be seen thathe was sorry for the prince's success. "My sons," said he, "it is so gratifying to the heart of a father to receive proofs of his children's love and obedience, that I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of requiring ofyou one thing more. You must undertake another expedition; and whichever, by the end of a year, brings me the most beautiful lady, shall marry her, and

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obtain my crown."

So they again took leave of the king and of each other, and set out without delay, and in less than twelve hours our young prince arrived in his splendid car at the palace of his dear white cat. Everything went on as before, till the end of another year. At length only one day remained of the year, when the white cat thus addressedhim: "To-morrow, my prince, you must present yourself at the palace of your father, and give him a proof of your obedience. It depends only on you to conduct thither the most beautiful princess ever yet beheld, for the time is come when the enchantment by which Iam bound may be ended. You must cut offmy head and tail," she continued, "and throw them into the fire." "I!" said the prince hastily, "I cut off your head and tail! You surely mean to try my affection, which, believe me, beautiful cat, is truly yours." "You mistake me, generous prince," said she,

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"I do not doubt your regard; but if youwish to see me in any other form than that of a cat, you must consent to do as I desire. Then you will have done mea service I shall never be able sufficiently to repay." The prince's eyes filled with tears as she spoke, yet he considered himself obliged to undertake the dreadful task, and the cat continuing to press him with greater eagerness, with a trembling hand he drew his sword, cut off her head and tail, and threw them into the fire. No sooner was this done, than themost beautiful lady his eyes had ever seen stood before him: and before he had sufficiently recovered from his surprise to speak to her, a long train of attendants, who, at the same moment as their mistress, were changed to their natural shapes, came to offer their congratulations to the queen, andinquire her commands. She received themwith the greatest kindness; and ordering them to withdraw, she thus addressed the astonished prince. "Do

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not imagine, dear prince, that I have always been a cat, or that I am of obscure birth. My father was the monarch of six kingdoms; he tenderly loved my mother, leaving her always at liberty to follow her own inclinations.Her prevailing passion was to travel; and a short time before my birth, having heard of some fairies that were in possession of the largest gardens filled with the most delicious fruits, she had so strong a desire to eat some of them, which she set out for the country in which they lived. She arrived at their abode which she found to be a magnificent palace, on all sides glittering with gold and preciousstones. She knocked a long time at the gates; but no one came, nor could she perceive the least sign that it had anyinhabitant. The difficulty, however, did but increases the violence of my mother's longing; for she saw the tops of the trees above the garden walls loaded with the most luscious fruits. The queen, in despair, ordered her

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attendants to place tents close to the door of the palace; but having waited six weeks, without seeing any one pass the gates, she fell sick of vexation, and her life was despaired of.

"One night, as she lay half asleep, sheturned herself about, and opening her eyes, perceived a little old woman, very ugly and deformed, seated in the easy chair by her bedside. 'I, and my sister fairies,' said she, 'take it very ill that your majesty should so obstinately persist in getting some of our fruit; but since so precious a lifeis at stake, we consent to give you as much as you can carry away, provided you will give us in return what we shall ask.' 'Ah! Kind fairy,' cried thequeen, 'I will give you anything I possess, even my very kingdoms, on condition that I eat of your fruit.' The old fairy then informed the queen that what they required was, that she would give them the child she was goingto have, as soon as she should be born;

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adding, that every possible care shouldbe taken of her, and that she should become the most accomplished princess. The queen replied, that however cruel the condition, she must accept it, since nothing but the fruit could save her life. In short, dear prince," continued the lady, "my mother instantly got out of bed, was dressed by her attendants, entered the palace, and satisfied her longing. When the queen had eaten her fill, she ordered four thousand mules to be procured, andloaded with the fruit, which had the virtue of continuing all the year roundin a state of perfection. Thus provided, she returned to the king, my father, who with the whole court received her with rejoicings, as it wasbefore imagined she would die of disappointment. All this time the queensaid nothing to my father of the promise she had made, to give her daughter to the fairies; so that, when the time was come that she expected my birth, she grew very melancholy; till

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at length, being pressed by the king, she declared to him the truth. Nothing could exceed his affliction, when he heard that his only child, when born, was to be given to the fairies. He boreit, however, as well as he could, for fear of adding to my mother's grief; and also believing he should find some means of keeping me in a place of safety, which the fairies would not be able to approach. As soon therefore as I was born, he had me conveyed to a tower in the palace, to which there were twenty flights of stairs, and a door to each, of which my father kept the key, so that none came near me without his consent. When the fairies heard of what had been done, they sent first to demand me; and on my father's refusal, they let loose a monstrous dragon, who devoured men, women and children, and the breath of whose nostrils destroyed everything it came near, so that the trees and plants began to die in great abundance. The grief of the king, at seeing this,

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could scarcely be equalled; and findingthat his whole kingdom would in a shorttime be reduced to famine, he consentedto give me into their hands. I was accordingly laid in a cradle of mother-of-pearl, ornamented with gold and jewels, and carried to their palace, when the dragon immediately disappeared. The fairies placed me in atower of their palace, elegantly furnished, but to which there was no door, so that whoever approached was obliged to come by the windows, which were a great height from the ground: from these I had the liberty of gettingout into a delightful garden, in which were baths, and every sort of cooling fruit. In this place was I educated by the fairies, who behaved to me with thegreatest kindness; my clothes were splendid, and I was instructed in everykind of accomplishment. In short, prince, if I had never seen anyone but themselves, I should have remained veryhappy. One of the windows of my tower overlooked a long avenue shaded with

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trees, so that I had never seen in it ahuman creature. One day, however, as I was talking at this window with my parrot, I perceived a young gentleman who was listening to our conversation. As I had never seen a man, but only in pictures, I was not sorry for the opportunity of gratifying my curiosity.I thought him a very pleasing object, and he at length bowed in the most respectful manner, without daring to speak, for he knew that I was in the palace of the fairies. When it began togrow dark he went away, and I vainly endeavoured to see which road he took. The next morning, as soon as it was light, I again placed myself at the window, and had the pleasure of seeing that the gentleman had returned to the same place. He now spoke to me through a speaking-trumpet, and informed me he thought me a most charming lady, and that he should be very unhappy if he did not pass his life in my company."I resolved to find some means of escaping from my tower with the

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engaging prince I had seen. I was not long in devising a means for the execution of my project. I begged the fairies to bring me a netting-needle, amesh and some cord, saying I wished to make some nets to amuse myself with catching birds at my window. This they readily complied with, and in a short time I completed a ladder long enough to reach the ground. I now sent my parrot to the prince, to beg he would come to his usual place, as I wished tospeak with him. He did not fail, and finding the ladder, mounted it, and quickly entered my tower. This at firstalarmed me; but the charms of his conversation had restored me to tranquillity, when all at once the window opened, and the fairy Violent, mounted on the dragon's back, rushed into the tower. My beloved prince thought of nothing but how to defend mefrom their fury; for I had had time to relate to him my story, previous to this cruel interruption; but their numbers overpowered him, and the fairy

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Violent had the barbarity to command the dragon to devour my prince before my eyes. In my despair, I would have thrown myself also into the mouth of the horrible monster, but this they took care to prevent, saying my life should be preserved for greater punishment. The fairy then touched me with her wand, and I instantly became awhite cat. She next conducted me to this palace, which belonged to my father, and gave me a train of cats formy attendants, together with the twelvehands which waited on your highness. She then informed me of my birth, and the death of my parents, and pronouncedupon me what she imagined the greatest of maledictions: That I should not be restored to my natural figure till a young prince, the perfect resemblance of him I had lost, should cut off my head and tail. You are that perfect resemblance; and, accordingly, you haveended the enchantment. I need not add that I already love you more than my life. Let us therefore hasten to the

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palace of the king your father, and obtain his approbation to our marriage."

The prince and princess accordingly setout side by side, in a car of still greater splendour than before, and reached the palace just as the two brothers had arrived with two beautifulprincesses. The king, hearing that eachof his sons had succeeded in finding what he had required, again began to think of some new expedient to delay the time of his resigning his crown; but when the whole court were with the king assembled to pass judgment, the princess who accompanied the youngest, perceiving his thoughts by his countenance, stepped majestically forward, and thus addressed him: "What pity that your majesty, who is so capable of governing, should think of resigning the crown! I am fortunate enough to have six kingdoms in my possession; permit me to bestow one on each of the eldest princes, and to

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enjoy the remaining four in the societyof the youngest. And may it please yourmajesty to keep your own kingdom, and make no decision concerning the beauty of three princesses, who, without such a proof of your majesty's preference, will no doubt live happily together!" The air resounded with the applauses ofthe assembly. The young prince and princess embraced the king, and next their brothers and sisters; the three weddings immediately took place; and the kingdoms were divided as the princess had proposed.

The Monkey and the Dolphin

A sailor, bound on a long voyage, took along with him a Monkey to amuse him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a violent storm

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arose in which the ship was wrecked andhe, along with his Monkey and all the crew were thus forced to swim for theirlives.

A Dolphin saw theMonkey fighting withthe waves, andthinking him to be aman (whom he isalways said tobefriend), came andplaced himself under him, to convey himon his back safely to the shore.

When the Dolphin arrived with his burden in sight of land not far from Athens, he asked the Monkey if he were an Athenian. The latter replied that hewas, and that he had a very noble origin. The Dolphin then inquired if heknew the Piraeus-the famous harbour of Athens. Supposing that a man was meant,the Monkey answered boastfully that he knew him very well and that he was his close friend.

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The Dolphin, indignant at these false words, dipped the Monkey under the water and drowned him in the deep blue sea.

Moral of the story: Those who pretend to be what they are not, sooner or later, find themselves in "deep" trouble.

The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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Once upon a time in a great castle, a Prince's daughter grew up happy and contented, in spite of a jealous stepmother. She was very pretty, with blue eyes and long black hair. Her skinwas delicate and fair, and so she was called Snow White.

Though herstepmother was awicked woman, shetoo was verybeautiful, and amagic mirror toldher this everyday, whenever sheasked it. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the loveliest lady in the land?"The reply was always; "You are, your Majesty," until the dreadful day when she heard it say, "Snow White is the loveliest in the land." The stepmother was furious and, wild with jealousy, began plotting to get rid of her. Calling one of her servants, she bribedhim with a rich reward to take Snow

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White into the forest, far away from the castle. Then, unseen, he was to puther to death. The greedy servant, attracted to the reward, agreed to do this deed, and he led the sweet little girl away. However, when they came to the fatal spot, the man's courage betrayed him and, leaving Snow White sitting beside a tree, he mumbled an excuse and ran off. Snow White was thusleft all alone in the forest.

Night came, but the servant did not return. Snow White, alone in the dark forest, began to cry bitterly. She thought she could feel terrible eyes spying on her, and she heard strange sounds and rustlings that made her heart thump. At last, overcome by tiredness, she fell asleep curled undera tree.

Snow White slept fitfully, wakening from time to time with a start and staring into the darkness round her. Several times, she thought she

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felt something, or somebody touch her as she slept.

At last, dawn woke the forest to the song of the birds, and Snow White too, awoke. A whole world was stirring to life and the little girl was glad to see how silly her fears had been. However, the thick trees were like a wall round her, and as she tried to find out where she was, she came upon apath. She walked along it, till she came to a clearing. There stood a strange cottage, with a tiny door, tinywindows and a tiny chimney pot. Everything about the cottage was much tinier than it ought to be. Snow White pushed the door open.

"l wonder who lives here?" she said to herself, peeping round the kitchen. "What tiny plates! And spoons! There must be seven of them; the table's laidfor seven people." Upstairs was a bedroom with seven neat little beds. Going back to the kitchen, Snow White

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had an idea.

"I'll make them something to eat. When they come home, they'll be glad to finda meal ready." Towards dusk, seven tinymen marched homewards singing. But whenthey opened the door, to their surprisethey found a bowl of hot steaming soup on the table. Upstairs was Snow White, fast asleep on one of the beds. The chief dwarf prodded her gently.

"Who are you?" he asked. Snow White told them her sad story, and tears sprang to the dwarfs' eyes. Then one ofthem said, as he noisily blew his nose:

"Stay here with us!" "Hooray! Hooray!" they cheered, dancingjoyfully rounds the little girl. The dwarfs said to Snow White:

"You can live here and tend to the house while we're down the mine. Don't worry about your stepmother leaving you

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in the forest. We love you and we'll take care of you!" Snow White gratefully accepted their hospitality, and next morning the dwarfs set off forwork. But they warned Snow White not toopen the door to strangers.

Meanwhile, the servant had returned to the castle, with the heart of a roe deer. He gave it to the cruel stepmother, telling her it belonged to Snow White, so that he could claim the reward. Highly pleased, the stepmother turned again to the magic mirror. But her hopes were dashed, for the mirror replied: "The loveliest in the land is still Snow White, who lives in the seven dwarfs' cottage, down in the forest." The stepmother was beside herself with rage.

"She must die! She must die!" she screamed. Disguising herself as an old peasant woman, she put a poisoned applewith the others in her basket. Then, taking the quickest way into the

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forest, she crossed the swamp at the edge of the trees. She reached the bankunseen, just as Snow White stood wavinggoodbye to the seven dwarfs on their way to the mine.

Snow White was in the kitchen when she heard the sound at the door: KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Who's there?" she called suspiciously,remembering the dwarf’s advice.

"I'm an old peasant woman selling apples," came the reply.

"I don't need any apples, thank you," she replied.

"But they are beautiful apples and everso juicy!" said the velvety voice from outside the door.

"I'm not supposed to open the door to anyone," said the little girl, who was reluctant to disobey her friends.

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"And you are quite right too! Good girl! If you promised not to open up tostrangers, then of course you can't buy. You are a good girl indeed!" Then the old woman went on.

"And as a reward for being good, I'm going to make you a gift of one of my apples!" Without a further thought, Snow White opened the door just a tiny crack, to take the apple.

"There! Now isn't that a nice apple?" Snow White bit into the fruit, and as she did, fell to the ground in a faint:the effect of the terrible poison left her lifeless instantly.

Now chuckling evilly, the wicked stepmother hurried off. But as she ran back across the swamp, she tripped and fell into the quicksand. No one heard her cries for help, and she disappearedwithout a trace.

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Meanwhile, the dwarfs came out of the mine to find the sky had grown dark andstormy. Loud thunder echoed through thevalleys and streaks of lightning rippedthe sky. Worried about Snow White they ran as quickly as they could down the mountain to the cottage.

There they found Snow White, lying still and lifeless, the poisoned apple by her side. They did their best to bring her alive, but it was of no use.

They wept and wept for a long time. Then they laid her on a bed of rose petals, carried her into the forest andput her in a crystal coffin. Each day they laid a flower there.

Then one evening, they discovered a strange young man admiring Snow White'slovely face through the glass. After listening to the story, the Prince (forhe was a prince!) made a suggestion.

"If you allow me to take her to the

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Castle, I'll call in famous doctors to waken her from this peculiar sleep. She's so lovely I'd love to kiss her!" He did, and as though by magic, the Prince's kiss broke the spell. To everyone's astonishment, Snow White opened her eyes. She had amazingly comeback to life! Now in love, the Prince asked Snow White to marry him, and the dwarfs reluctantly had to bid good bye to Snow White.

From that day on, Snow White lived happily in a great castle. But from time to time, she was drawn back to visit the little cottage down in the forest, to her dwarf friends.

The Wise Little Girl

Once upon a time in the immense Russiansteppe, lay a little village where nearly all the inhabitants bred horses.It was the month of October, when a biglivestock market was held yearly in themain town. Two brothers, one rich and 418 | P a g e


the other one poor, set off for market.The rich man rode a stallion, and the poor brother a young mare.

At dusk, they stoppedbeside an empty hut and tethered their horses outside, before going to sleepthemselves on two heaps of straw. Great

was their surprise, when, next morning they saw three horses outside, instead of two. Well, to be exact the newcomer was not really a horse. It was a foal, to which the mare had given birth during the night. Soon it had the strength to struggle to its feet, and after a drink of its mother's milk, thefoal staggered its first few steps. Thestallion greeted it with a cheerful whinny, and when the two brothers set eyes on it for the first time, the foalwas standing beside the stallion.

"It belongs to me!" exclaimed Daniel,

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the rich brother, the minute he saw it."It's my stallion's foal." Ivan, the poor brother, began to laugh.

"Whoever heard of a stallion having a foal? It was born to my mare!"

"No, that's not true! It was standing close to the stallion, so it's the stallion's foal. And therefore it's mine!" The brothers started to quarrel,and then they decided to go to town andbring the matter before the judges. Still arguing, they headed for the big square where the courtroom stood. But what they didn't know was that it was a special day, the day when, once a year, the Emperor himself administered the law. He himself received all who came seeking justice. The brothers wereushered into his presence, and they told him all about the dispute.

Of course, the Emperor knew perfectly well who the owner of the foal was. He was on the point of proclaiming in

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favour of the poor brother, when suddenly Ivan developed an unfortunate twitch in his eye. The Emperor was greatly annoyed by this familiarity by a humble peasant, and decided to punishIvan for his disrespect. After listening to both sides of the story, he declared it was difficult, indeed impossible, to say exactly who was the foal's rightful owner. And being in themood for a spot of fun, and since he loved posing riddles and solving them as well, to the amusement of his counsellors, he exclaimed.

"I can't judge which of you should havethe foal, so it will be awarded to whichever of you solves the following four riddles: what is the fastest thingin the world? What is the fattest? What's the softest and what is the mostprecious? I command you to return to the palace in a week's time with your answers!" Daniel started to puzzle overthe answers as soon as he left the courtroom. When he reached home,

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however, he realized he had nobody to help him.

"Well, I'll just have to seek help, forif I can't solve these riddles, I'll lose the foal!" Then he remembered a woman, one of his neighbours, to whom he had once lent a silver ducat. That had been some time ago, and with the interest, the neighbour now owed him three ducats. And since she had a reputation for being quick-witted, but also very astute, he decided to ask heradvice, in exchange for cancelling partof her debt. But the woman was not slowto show how astute she really was, and promptly demanded that the whole debt be wiped out in exchange for the answers.

"The fastest thing in the world is my husband's bay horse," she said. "Nothing can beat it! The fattest is our pig! Such a huge beast has never been seen! The softest is the quilt I made for the bed, using my own goose's

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feathers. It's the envy of all my friends. The most precious thing in theworld is my three-month old nephew. There isn't a more handsome child. I wouldn't exchange him for all the gold on earth, and that makes him the most precious thing on earth!" Daniel was rather doubtful about the woman's answers being correct. On the other hand, he had to take some kind ofsolution back to the Emperor. And he guessed, quite rightly, that if he didn't, he would be punished.

In the meantime, Ivan, who was a widower, had gone back to the humble cottage where he lived with his small daughter. Only seven years old, the little girl was often left alone, and as a result, was thoughtful and very clever for her age. The poor man took the little girl into his confidence, for like his brother, he knew he would never be able to find the answers by himself. The child sat in silence for amoment, and then firmly said.

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"Tell the Emperor that the fastest thing in the world is the cold north wind in winter. The fattest is the soilin our fields whose crops give life to men and animals alike, the softest thing is a child's caress and the most precious is honesty."

The day came when the two brothers wereto return before the Emperor. They wereled into his presence. The Emperor was curious to hear what they had to say, but he roared with laughter at Daniel'sfoolish answers. However, when it was Ivan's turn to speak, a frown spread over the Emperor's face. The poor brother's wise replies made him squirm,especially the last one, about honesty, the most precious thing of all. The Emperor knew perfectly well that he had been dishonest in his dealings with the poor brother, for he had denied him justice. But he could not bear to admit it in front of his own counsellors, so he angrily

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demanded:

"Who gave you these answers?" Ivan toldthe Emperor that it was his small daughter. Still annoyed, the great man said.

"You shall be rewarded for having such a wise and clever daughter. You shall be awarded the foal that your brother claimed, together with a hundred silverducats... But... but..." and the Emperor winked at his counsellors.

"You will come before me in seven days'time, bringing your daughter. And sinceshe's so clever, she must appear beforeme neither naked nor dressed, neither on foot nor on horseback, neither bearing gifts nor empty-handed. And if she does this, you will have your reward. If not, you'll have your head chopped off for your impudence!"

The onlookers began to laugh, knowing that the poor man would never to able

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to fulfil the Emperor's conditions. Ivan went home in despair, his eyes brimming with tears. But when he had told his daughter what had happened, she calmly said.

"Tomorrow, go and catch a hare and a partridge. Both must be alive! You'll have the foal and the hundred silver ducats! Leave it to me!" Ivan did as his daughter said. He had no idea what the two creatures were for, but he trusted in his daughter's wisdom.

On the day of the audience with the Emperor, the palace was thronged with bystanders, waiting for Ivan and his small daughter to arrive. At last, the little girl appeared, draped in fishingnet, riding the hare and holding the partridge in her hand. She was neither naked nor dressed, on foot or on horseback. Scowling, the Emperor told her.

"I said neither bearing gifts nor

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empty-handed!" At these words, the little girl held out the partridge. TheEmperor stretched out his hand to graspit, but the bird fluttered into the air. The third condition had been fulfilled. In spite of himself, the Emperor could not help admiring the little girl who had so cleverly passed such a test, and in a gentler voice, hesaid.

"Is your father terribly poor, and doeshe desperately need the foal."

"Oh, yes!" replied the little girl. "Welive on the hares he catches in the rivers and the fish he picks from the trees!"

"Aha!" cried the Emperor triumphantly. "So you're not as clever as you seem tobe! Whoever heard of hares in the riverand fish in the trees! To which the little girl swiftly replied.

"And whoever heard of a stallion having

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a foal?" At that, both Emperor and Court burst into peals of laughter. Ivan was immediately given his hundred silver ducats and the foal, and the Emperor proclaimed.

"Only in my kingdom could such a wise little girl be born!"

The Princess and the Pea

Once upon a time there lived a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but shewould have to be a 'real' princess. He travelled far and wide to find one but nowhere could he get what he wanted.

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There were many princesses, but it was hard to decide how far 'real' they were. So he returned home sadly.

One evening a terrible storm rose along with thunder and lightning, and rain poured down heavily. Suddenly a knock was heard at the castle gate. On opening it was found that a princess was standing atthe door. But, good

gracious! What a sight the weather had done to her.

The water ran down from her hair and clothes; and she was in a very bad condition and "yetshe said that she was a real princess"?thought the queen.

We'll soon find that out," thought the old queen. But she said nothing. She went into the bed-room, took all

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the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds ontop of the mattresses.

On this the princess had to lie all night. In the morning she was asked howshe had slept. "Oh, very badly!" said she. "I hardly closed my eyes all night. God only knows what was in the bed… I was lying on something hard. It was horrible!"

Now they knew that she was a 'real' princess because she had felt the pea right through the twenty mattresses andthe twenty eider-down beds.

Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that.

So the prince took her for his wife, for now he knew that he had a 'real' princess; and the pea was put in the

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museum, where it may still be seen, provided no one has stolen it!

Three Little Pigs

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Once upon a time there were three little pigs, which left their parents to see the world.

All summer long, they roamed through the woods

and over the plains, playing games and having fun. None were happier than the three little pigs, and they easily madefriends with everyone. Wherever they went, they were given a warm welcome, but as summer drew to a close, they realized that all drifting back to their usual jobs, and preparing for winter. Autumn came and it began to rain. The three little pigs started to feel they needed a real home. Sadly, they knew that the fun was over now andthey must set to work like the others, or they'd be left in the cold and rain,

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with no roof over their heads. They talked about what to do, but each decided for himself. The laziest littlepig said he'd build a straw hut.

"It will only take a day,' he said. Theothers disagreed.

"It's too fragile," they said but he refused to listen. Not quite so lazy, the second little pig went in search of planks of seasoned wood. It took him two days to nail them together. But the third little pig did not like the wooden house.” It takes time, patience and hard work to build a housethat is strong enough to stand up to wind, rain, and snow, and most of all, protects us from the wolf!"

The days passed, and the wisest little pig's house took shape, brick by brick.From time to time, his brothers visitedhim, saying,

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"Why are you working so hard? Why don'tyou come and play?" But the stubborn bricklayer pig just said "no". "I shall finish my house first. It mustbe strong. And then I'll come and play!" he said.” He, who laughs last, laughs longest!"

Now, it was the wisest little pig that found the tracks of a big wolf in the neighbourhood.

The little pigs rushed home in alarm. Along came the wolf, scowling fiercely at the laziest pig's straw hut.

"Come out!" ordered the wolf, his mouthwatering. I want to speak to you!"

"I'd rather stay where I am!" replied the little pig in a tiny voice.

"I'll make you come out!" growled the wolf angrily, and puffing out his chest, he took a very deep breath. Thenhe blew with all his might, right onto

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the house. And all the straw the silly pig had heaped against some thin poles fell down. Excited by his own cleverness, the wolf did not notice that the little pig had slipped out from underneath the heap of straw, and was dashing towards his brother's wooden house. When he realized that thelittle pig was escaping, the wolf grew wild with rage.

"Come back!" he roared, trying to catchthe pig as he ran into the wooden house.

"I hope this house won't fall down! Let's lean against the door so he can'tbreak in!" said the little pig to his brother.

Outside, the wolf could hear the littlepigs' words. Starving as he was, at theidea of a two course meal, he rained blows on the door.

"Open up! Open up! I only want to speak

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to you!"

Inside, the two brothers wept in fear and did their best to hold the door fast against the blows. Then the furious wolf braced himself a new effort: he drew in a really enormous breath, and went ... WHOOOOO! The wooden house collapsed like a pack of cards. Luckily, the wisest little pig had beenwatching the scene from the window of his own brick house, and he rapidly opened the door to his fleeing brothers. Soon after, the wolf came hammering furiously on the door. This time, the wolf had grave doubts. This house had a much more solid air than the others. He blew once; he blew againand then for a third time but all in vain. For the house did not budge an inch. The three little pigs watched himand their fear began to fade. Quite exhausted by his efforts, the wolf decided to try one of his tricks. He scrambled up a nearby ladder, on to the

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roof to have a look at the chimney. However, the wisest little pig had seenthis ploy, and he quickly said.

"Quick! Light the fire!" With his long legs thrust down the chimney, the wolf was not sure if he should slide down the black hole. It wouldn't be easy to get in, but the sound of the little pigs' voices below only made him feel hungrier.

"I'm dying of hunger! I'm going to try and get down." And he let himself drop.But landing was rather hot, too hot! The wolf landed in the fire. The flames licked his hairy coat and his tail became a flaring torch.

“Never again will I go down a chimney" he squealed, as he tried to put out theflames in his tail. Then he ran away asfast as he could.

Then the three happy little pigs, dancing round and round the yard, began

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to sing. "Tra-la-la! Tra-la-la! The wicked black wolf will never come back...!"

From that terrible day on, the wisest little pig's brothers set to work with a will. In less than no time, up went the two new brick houses. The wolf did return once to roam in the neighbourhood, but when he caught sightof three chimneys, he remembered the terrible pain of a burnt tail, and he left for good. Now safe and happy, the wisest little pig called to his brothers. "No more work! Come on, let's go and play!"

Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree

Once upon a time there was a king who had a wife, whose name was Silver tree,and a daughter, whose name was Gold tree. On a certain day of the days, Gold-tree and Silver-tree went to a glen, where there was a well, and in itthere was a trout.438 | P a g e


Said Silver-tree,"Troutie, bonnylittle fellow, amnot I the mostbeautiful queen inthe world?"

"Oh! Indeed youare not.""Who then?""Why, Gold-tree, your daughter."

Silver-tree went home, blind with rage.She lay down on the bed, and vowed she would never be well until she could getthe heart and the liver of Gold-tree, her daughter, to eat.At nightfall the king came home, and itwas told him that Silver- tree, his wife, was very ill. He went where she was, and asked her what was wrong with her.

"Oh! Only a thing--which you may heal

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if you like."

"Oh! Indeed there is nothing at all which I could do for you that I would not do."

"If I get the heart and the liver of Gold-tree, my daughter, to eat, I shallbe well."

Now it happened about this time that the son of a great king had come from abroad to ask Gold-tree for marrying. The king now agreed to this, and they went abroad.

The king then went and sent his lads tothe hunting-hill for a he- goat, and hegave its heart and its liver to his wife to eat; and she rose well and healthy.

A year after this Silver-tree went to the glen, where there was the well in which there was the trout.

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"Troutie, bonny little fellow," said she, "am not I the most beautiful queenin the world?"

"Oh! Indeed you are not."

"Who then?"

"Why, Gold-tree, your daughter."

"Oh! Well, it is long since she was living. It is a year since I ate her heart and liver."

"Oh! Indeed she is not dead. She is married to a great prince abroad."Silver-tree went home, and begged the king to put the long-ship in order, andsaid, "I am going to see my dear Gold-tree, for it is so long since I saw her." The long-ship was put in order, and they went away.

It was Silver-tree herself that was at the helm, and she steered the ship so well that they were not long at all

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before they arrived.

The prince was out hunting on the hills. Gold-tree knew thelong-

ship of her father coming.

"Oh!" said she to the servants, "my mother is coming, and she will kill me.""She shall not kill you at all; we willlock you in a room where she cannot getnear you."

This is how it was done; and when Silver-tree came ashore, she began to cry out:"Come to meet your own mother, when shecomes to see you," Gold tree said that

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she could not, that she was locked in the room, and that she could not get out of it.

"Will you not put out," said Silver tree, "your little finger through the key-hole, so that your own mother may give a kiss to it?"

She put out her little finger, and Silver-tree went and put a poisoned stab in it, and Gold-tree fell dead.

When the prince came home, and found Gold-tree dead, he was in great sorrow,and when he saw how beautiful she was, he did not bury her at all, but he locked her in a room where nobody wouldget near her.

In the course of time he married again,and the whole house was under the hand of this wife but one room, and he himself always kept the key of that room. On a certain day of the days he forgot to take the key with him, and the second wife got into the room. What

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did she see there but the most beautiful woman that she ever saw?

She began to turn and try to wake her, and she noticed the poisoned stab in her finger. She took the stab out, and Gold-tree rose alive, as beautiful as she was ever.

At the fallof night theprince camehome from thehunting-hill,looking verydowncast.

"What gift,"said hiswife, "wouldyou give methat I could make you laugh?"

"Oh! Indeed, nothing could make me laugh, except Gold-tree was to come alive again."

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"Well, you'll find her alive down therein the room." When the prince saw Gold-tree alive he made great rejoicings, and he began to kiss her, and kiss her, and kiss her. Said the second wife, "Since she is thefirst one you had it is better for you to stick to her, and I will go away."

"Oh! Indeed you shall not go away, but I shall have both of you." At the end of the year, Silver-tree went to the glen, where there was the well, in which there was the trout."Troutie, bonny little fellow," said she, "am not I the most beautiful queenin the world?"

"Oh! Indeed you are not.""Who then?"

"Why, Gold-tree, your daughter?" "Oh! Well, she is not alive. It is a year since I put the poisoned stab into her finger.""Oh! Indeed she is not dead at all, at all."

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Silver-tree, went home, and begged the king to put the long-ship in order, forthat she was going to see her dear Goldtree, as it was so long since she saw her. The long-ship was put in order, and they went away. It was Silver-tree herself that was at the helm, and she steered the ship so well that they werenot long at all before they arrived.

The prince was out hunting on the hills. Gold-tree knew her father's ship coming.

"Oh!" said she, "my mother is coming, and she willkill me.""Not at all," said the second wife; "wewill go down to meet her."

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Silver-tree came ashore. "Come down, Gold-tree, love," said she, "for your own mother has come to you with a precious drink."

"It is a custom in this country," said the second wife, "that the person who offers a drink takes a draught out of it first."

Silver-tree put her mouth to it, and the second wife went and struck it so that some of it went down her throat, and she fell dead. They had only to carry her home a dead corpse and bury her.

The prince and his two wives were long alive after this, pleased and peaceful.

I left them there.

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The Horned Women

A rich woman sat up late one night carding and preparing wool, whiles all the family and servants were asleep. Suddenly a knock was given at the door,and a voice called, "Open! Open!"

"Who is there?" said the woman of the house.

"I am the Witch of one Horn," was answered.

The mistress,supposing that one of

her neighbours had called and required assistance, opened the door, and a woman entered, having in her hand a pair of wool-carders, and bearing a horn on her forehead, as if growing

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there. She sat down by the fire in silence, and began to card the wool with violent haste. Suddenly she paused, and said aloud: "Where are the women? They delay too long."

Then a second knock came to the door, and a voice called as before, "Open! Open!"

The mistress felt herself obliged to rise and open to the call, and immediately a second witch entered, having two horns on her forehead, and in her hand a wheel for spinning wool.

"Give me place," she said; "I am the Witch of the two Horns," and she began to spin as quick as lightning.

And so the knocks went on, and the callwas heard, and the witches entered, until at last twelve women sat round the fire - the first with one horn, thelast with twelve horns.

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And they carded the thread, and turned their spinning-wheels, and wound and wove, all singing together an ancient rhyme, but no word did they speak to the mistress of the house. Strange to hear, and frightful to look upon, were these twelve women, with their horns and their wheels; and the mistress feltnear to death, and she tried to rise that she might call for help, but she could not move, nor could she utter a word or a cry, for the spell of the witches was upon her.

Then one of themcalled to her inIrish, and said,"Rise, woman, andmake us a cake."

Then the mistresssearched for avessel to bring water from the well that she might mix the meal and make the cake, but she could find none.

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And they said to her, "Take a sieve andbring water in it."

And she took the sieve and went to the well - but the water poured from it, and she could fetch none for the cake, and she sat down by the well and wept.

Then a voice came by her and said, "Take yellow clay and moss, and bind them together, and plaster the sieve sothat it will hold."

This she did, and the sieve held the water for the cake - and the voice saidagain:

"Return, and when thou comest to the north angle of the house, cry aloud three times and say, 'The Mountain of the Fenian women and the sky over it isall on fire.'"

And she did so.

When the witches inside heard the call,

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a great and terrible cry broke from their lips, and they rushed forthwith wild lamentations and shrieks, and fledaway to Slievenamon, where was their chief abode? But the Spirit of the Wellbade the mistress of the house to enterand prepare her home against the enchantments of the witches if they returned again.

And first, to break their spells, she sprinkled the water in which she had

washed her child'sfeet, the feet-water, outside thedoor on the threshold - secondly, she tookthe cake which in her absence the witches had made of meal mixed withthe blood drawn from the sleeping family, and she broke the cake in

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bits, and placed a bit in the mouth of each sleeper, and they were restored - and she took the cloth they had woven, and placed it half in and half out of the chest with the padlock - and lastly, she secured the door with a great crossbeam fastened in the jambs, so that the witches could not enter, and having done these things she waited.

Not long were the witches in coming back, and they raged and called for vengeance.

"Open! Open!" they screamed; "open, feet-water!"

"I cannot," said the feet-water; "I am scattered on the ground, and my path isdown to the Lough."

"Open, open, wood and trees and beam!" they cried to the door.

"I cannot," said the door, "for the

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beam is fixed in the jambs and I have no power to move."

"Open, open, cake that we have made andmingled with blood!" they cried again.

"I cannot," said the cake, "for I am broken and bruised, and my blood is on the lips of the sleeping children."Then the witches rushed through the airwith great cries, and fled back to Slievenamon, uttering strange curses onthe Spirit of the Well, who had wished their ruin - but the woman and the house were left in peace, and a mantle dropped by one of the witches in her flight was kept hung up by the mistressin memory of that night; and this mantle was kept by the same family fromgeneration to generation for five hundred years after.

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The Sprightly Tailor and the Haunted Church

A sprightly tailor was employed by the great Macdonald, in his castle at Saddell, in order to make the laird a pair of trees, used in olden time. And trees being the vest and breeches united in one piece, and ornamented with fringes, were very comfortable, and suitable to be worn in walking or

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dancing. And Macdonald had said to the tailor, that if he would make the treesby night in the church, he would get a handsome reward. For it was thought that the old ruined church was haunted,and that fearsome things were to be seen there at night.

The tailor was well aware of this - buthe was a sprightly man, and when the laird dared him to make the trees by night in the church, the tailor was notto be daunted, but took it in hand to gain the prize. So, when night came, away he went up the glen, about half a mile distance from the castle, till he came to the old church. Then he chose him a nice gravestone for a seat and helighted his candle, and put on his thimble, and set to work at the trees -plying his needle nimbly, and thinking about the hire that the laird would have to give him.

For some time he got on pretty well, until he felt the floor all of a

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tremble under his feet - and looking about him, but keeping his fingers at works, he saw the appearance of a greathuman head rising up through the stone

pavement of the church.And when the head had risen above the surface, there camefrom it a great, great voice. And the voice said, "Do you see this great head of mine?"

"I see that, but I'll sew this!" replied the sprightly tailor - and he stitched away at the

trees.

Then the head rose higher up through the pavement, until its neck appeared. And when its neck was shown, the thundering voice came again and said, "Do you see this great neck of mine?"

"I see that, but I'll sew this!" said

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the sprightly tailor - and he stitched away at his trees.

Then the head and neck rose higher still, until the great shoulders and chest were shown above the ground. And again the mighty voice thundered, "Do you see this great chest of mine?"

And again the sprightly tailor replied,"I see that, but I'll sew this!" and stitched away at his trees.

And still it kept rising through the pavement, until it shook a great pair of arms in the tailor's face, and said,"Do you see these great arms of mine?"

"I see those, but I'll sew this!" answered the tailor - and he stitched hard at his trees, for he knew that he had no time to lose.

The sprightly tailor was taking the long stitches, when he saw it graduallyrising and rising through the floor,

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until it liftedout a great leg,and stamping withit upon thepavement, said ina roaring voice,"Do you see thisgreat leg ofmine?"

"Aye, aye, I seethat, but I'll sew this!" cried the tailor - and his fingers flew with the needle, and he took such long stitches,that he was just come to the end of thetrees, when it was taking up its other leg. But before it could pull it out ofthe pavement, the sprightly tailor had finished his task - and, blowing out his candle, and springing from off his gravestone, he buckled up, and ran out of the church with the trees under his arm. Then the fearsome thing gave a loud roar, and stamped with both his feet upon the pavement, and out of the church he went after the sprightly

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tailor.

Down the glen they ran, faster than thestream when the flood rides it - but the tailor had got the start and a nimble pair of legs, and he did not choose to lose the laird's reward. And though the thing roared to him to stop,yet the sprightly tailor was not the man to be beholden to a monster. So he held his trees tight, and let no darkness grow under his feet, until he had reached Saddell Castle. He had no sooner got inside the gate, and shut it, than the apparition came up to it -and, enraged at losing his prize, struck the wall above the gate, and left there the mark of his five great fingers. Ye may see them plainly to this day, if you'll only peer close enough.

But the sprightly tailor gained his reward - for Macdonald paid him handsomely for the trees, and never

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discovered that a few of the stitches were somewhat long.

The Story-Teller at Fault

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At the time when the Tuatha De Dannan held the sovereignty of Ireland, there reigned in Leinster a king, who was remarkably fond of hearing stories. Like the other princes and chieftains of the island, he had a favourite story-teller, who held a large estate from his Majesty, on condition of telling him a new story every night of his life, before he went to sleep. Manyindeed were the stories he knew, so that he had already reached a good old age without failing even for a single

night in his task; and suchwas the skill he displayed that whatever cares of stateor other annoyances might prey upon the monarch's mind, his

story-teller was sure to send him to

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sleep.

One morning the story-teller arose early, and as his custom was, strolled out into his garden turning over in hismind incidents which he might weave into a story for the king at night. Butthis morning he found himself quite at fault; after pacing his whole demesne, he returned to his house without being able to think of anything new or strange. He found no difficulty in "there was once a king who had three sons" or "one day the king of all Ireland," but further than that he could not get. At length he went in to breakfast, and found his wife much perplexed at his delay.

"Why don't you come to breakfast, my dear?" said she.

"I have no mind to eat anything," replied the story-teller; "long as I have been in the service of the king ofLeinster, I never sat down to breakfast

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without having a new story ready for the evening, but this morning my mind is quite shut up, and I don't know whatto do. I might as well lie down and dieat once. I'll be disgraced for ever this evening, when the king calls for his story-teller."

Just at this moment the lady looked outof the window.

"Do you seethat blackthing at theend of thefield?" saidshe."I do,"replied herhusband.

They drewnigh, and sawa miserable looking old man lying on the ground with a wooden leg placed beside him.

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"Who are you, my good man?" asked the story-teller.

"Oh, then, 'tis little matter who I am.I'm a poor, old, lame, decrepit, miserable creature, sitting down here to rest awhile."

"An' what are you doing with that box and dice I see in your hand?"

"I am waiting here to see if anyone will play a game with me," replied the beggar man.

"Play with you! Why what has a poor oldman like you to play for?""I have one hundred pieces of gold in this leathern purse," replied the old man."You may as well play with him," said the story-teller's wife; "and perhaps you'll have something to tell the king in the evening."

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A smooth stone was placed between them,and upon it they cast their throws.

It was but a little while and the story-teller lost every

penny of his money.

"Much good may it do you, friend," saidhe. "What better hap could I look for, fool that I am!"

"Will you play again?" asked the old man.

"Don't be talking, man: you have all mymoney."

"Haven't you chariot and horses and

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hounds?"

"Well, what of them!"

"I'll stake all the money I have against thine."

"Nonsense, man! Do you think for all the money in Ireland, I'd run the risk of seeing my lady tramp home on foot?""Maybe you'd win," said the bocough.

"Maybe I wouldn't," said the story-teller.

"Play with him, husband," said his wife. "I don't mind walking, if you do,love."

"I never refused you before," said the story-teller, "and I won't do so now."

Down he sat again, and in one throw lost houses, hounds, and chariot.

"Will you play again?" asked the

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beggar.

"Are you making game of me, man; what else have I to stake?"

"I'll stake all my winnings against your wife," said the old man.

The story-teller turned away in silence, but his wife stopped him."Accept his offer," said she. "This is the third time, and who knows what luckyou may have? You'll surely win now."

They played again, and the story-tellerlost. No sooner had he done so, than tohis sorrow and surprise, his wife went and sat down near the ugly old beggar.

"Is that the way you're leaving me?" said the story-teller.

"Sure I was won," said she. "You would not cheat the poor man, would you?"

"Have you any more to stake?" asked the

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old man.

"You know very well I have not," replied the story-teller.

"I'll stake the whole now, wife and all, against your own self," said the old man.Again they played, and again the story-teller lost.

"Well! Here I am, and what do you want with me?"

"I'll soon let you know," said the old man, and he took from his pocket a longcord and a wand.

"Now," said he to the story-teller, "what kind of animal would you rather be, a deer, a fox, or a hare? You have your choice now, but you may not have it later."

To make a long story short, the story-teller made his choice of a hare; the

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old man threw the cord round him, struck him with the wand, and lo! a long-eared, frisking hare was skipping and jumping on the green.

But it wasn't for long; that but his wife called the hounds, and set them onhim. The hare fled, the dogs followed. Round the field ran a high wall, so that run as he might, he couldn't get out, and mightily diverted were beggar and lady to see him twist and double.

In vain did he take refuge with his wife; she kicked him back again to the hounds, until at length the beggar stopped the hounds, and with a stroke of the wand, panting and breathless, the story-teller stood before them again.

"And how did you like the sport?" said the beggar.

"It might be sport to others," replied the story-teller looking at his wife,

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"for my part I could well put up with the loss of it."

"Would it be asking too much," he went on to the beggar, "to know who you are at all, or where you come from, or why you take a pleasure in plaguing a poor old man like me?"

"Oh!" replied the stranger, "I'm an oddkind of good-for-little fellow, one daypoor, another day rich, but if you wishto know more about me or my habits, come with me and perhaps I may show youmore than you would make out if you went alone."

"I'm not my own master to go or stay," said the story-teller, with a sigh.

The stranger put one hand into his wallet and drew out of it before their eyes a well-looking middle-aged man, towhom he spoke as follows:

"By all you heard and saw since I put

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you into my wallet, take charge of thislady and of the carriage and horses, and have them ready for me whenever I want them."

Scarcely had he said these words when all vanished, and the story- teller found himself at the Foxes' Ford, near the castle of Red Hugh O'Donnell. He could see all but none could see him.

O'Donnell was in his hall, and heaviness of flesh and weariness of spirit were upon him."Go out," said he to his doorkeeper, "and see who or what may be coming."

The doorkeeper went, and what he saw was a lank, grey beggar man; half his sword bared behind his haunch, his two shoes full of cold road-a-wayish water sousing about him, the tips of his two ears out through his old hat, his two shoulders out through his scant tattered cloak, and in his hand a greenwand of holly.

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"Save you,O'Donnell," saidthe lank greybeggar man."And youlikewise," saidO'Donnell. "Whencecome you and whatis your craft?"

"I come from theoutmost stream ofearth,From the glens where the white swans glide,A night in Islay, a night in Man,A night on the cold hillside.""It's the great traveller you are," said O'Donnell."Maybe you've learnt something on the road."

"I am a juggler," said the lank grey beggar man, "and for five pieces of silver you shall see a trick of mine."

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"You shall have them," said O'Donnell; and the lank grey beggar man took threesmall straws and placed them in his hand.

"The middle one," said he, "I'll blow away; the other two I'll leave.""Thou canst not do it," said one and all.

But the lank grey beggar man put a finger on both outside straw and, whiffs; away he blew the middle one.

"'Tis a good trick," said O'Donnell; and he paid him his five pieces of silver."For half the money," said one of the chief's lads, "I'll do the same trick.""Take him at his word, O'Donnell."

The lad put the three straws on his hand and a finger on either outside straw and he blew; and what happened but that the fist was blown away with the straw.

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"Thou art sore, and thou wilt be sorer," said O'Donnell.

"Six more pieces, O'Donnell, and I'll do another trick for thee," said the lank grey beggar man."Six shalt thou have."

"Seest thou my two ears! One I'll move but not other.""'Tis easy to see them, they're big enough, but thou canst never move one ear and not the two together."

The lank grey beggar man put his hand to his ear, and he gave it a pull.

O'Donnell laughed and paid him the six pieces.

"Call that a trick," said the fist lesslad, "anyone can do that," and so saying, he put up his hand, pulled his ear, and what happened was that he pulled away ear and head.

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"Sore thou art; and sorer thou'lt be," said O'Donnell."Well, O'Donnell," said the lank grey beggar man, "strange are the tricks I've shown thee, but I'll show thee a stranger one yet for the same money.""Thou hast my word for it," said O'Donnell.

With that the lank grey beggar man tooka bag from under his armpit, and from out the bag a ball of silk, and he unwound the ball and he flung it slantwise up into the clear blue heavens, and it became a ladder; then he took a hare and placed it upon the thread, and up it ran; again he took out a red-eared hound, and it swiftly ran up after the hare.

"Now," said the lank grey beggar man; "has any one a mind to run after the dog and on the course?""I will," said a lad of O'Donnell's."Up with you then," said the juggler;

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"but I warn you if you let my hare be killed I'll cut off your head when you come down."

The lad ran up the thread and all threesoon disappeared. After looking up for a long time, the lank grey beggar man said: "I'm afraid the hound is eating the hare, and that our friend has fallen asleep."

Saying this he began to win the thread,and down came the lad fast asleep; and down came the red-eared hound and in his mouth the last morsel of the hare.

He struck the lad a stroke with the edge of his sword, and so cast his headoff. As for the hound, if he used it noworse, he used it no better.

"It's little I'm pleased, and sore I'm angered," said O'Donnell, "that a houndand a lad should be killed at my court."

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"Five pieces of silver twice over for each of them," said the juggler, "and their heads shall be on them as before."

"Thou shalt get that," said O'Donnell.

Five pieces, and again five were paid him, and lo! the lad had his head and the hound his. And though they lived tothe uttermost end of time, the hound would never touch a hare again, and thelad took good care to keep his eyes open.

Scarcely had the lank grey beggarman done this when he vanished from out their sight, and no one present could say if he had flown through the air or if the earth had swallowed him up.

He moved as wavetumbling o'erwaveAs whirlwindfollowing

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whirlwind,As a furious wintry blast,So swiftly, sprucely, cheerily,Right proudly,And no stop madeUntil he cameTo the court of Leinster's King,He gave a cheery light leapO'er top of turret,Of court and cityOf Leinster's King.

Heavy was the flesh and weary the spirit of Leinster's king. 'Twas the hour he was wont to hear a story, but send he might right and left, not a jolt of tidings about the story-teller could he get.

"Go to the door," said he to his doorkeeper, "and see if a soul is in sight who may tell me something about my story-teller."

The doorkeeper went, and what he saw was a lank grey beggar man, half his

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sword bared behind his haunch, his two old shoes full of cold road-a-wayish water sousing about him, the tips of his two ears out through his old hat, his two shoulders out through his scanttattered cloak, and in his hand a three-stringed harp.

"What canst thou do?" said the doorkeeper.

"I can play," said the lank grey beggarman.

"Never fear," added he to the story-teller, "thou shalt see all, and not a man shall see thee."

When the king heard a Harper was outside, he bade him in.

"It is I that has the best harpers in the five-fifths of Ireland," said he, and he signed them to play. They did so, and if they played, the lank grey beggar man listened.

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"Heardst thou ever the like?" said the king.

"Did you ever, O king, hear a cat purring over a bowl of broth, or the buzzing of beetles in the twilight, or a shrill tongued old woman scolding your head off?"

"That I have often," said the king.

"More melodious to me," said the lank grey beggar man, "were the worst of these sounds than the sweetest harping of thy harpers."

When the harpers heard this, they drew their swords and rushed at him, but instead of striking him, their blows fell on each other and soon not a man but was cracking his neighbour's skull and getting his own cracked in turn.

When the king saw this, he thought it hard the harpers weren't content with

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murdering their music, but must need murder each other."Hang the fellow who began it all," said he; "and if I can't have a story, let me have peace."

Up came the guards, seized the lank grey beggar man, marched him to the gallows and hanged him high and dry. Back they marched to the hall, and who should they see but the lank grey beggar man seated on a bench with his mouth to a flagon of ale.

"Never welcome you in," cried the captain of the guard, "didn't we hang you this minute, and what brings you here?"

"Is it me myself, you mean?"

"Who else?" said the captain.

"May your hand turn into a pig's foot with you when you think of tying the rope; why should you speak of hanging

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me?"

Back they scurried to the gallows, and there hung the king's favourite brother.

Back they hurried to the king who had fallen fast asleep.

"Please your Majesty," said the captain, "we hanged that strolling vagabond, but here he is back again as well as ever."

"Hang him again," said the king, and off he went to sleep once more.

They did as they were told, but what happened was that they found the king'schief Harper hanging where the lank grey beggar man should have been.The captain of the guard was sorely puzzled.

"Are you wishful to hang me a third time?" said the lank grey beggar man.

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"Go where you will," said the captain, "and as fast as you please if you'll only go far enough. It's trouble enoughyou've given us already.""Now you're reasonable," said the beggar man; "and since you've given up trying to hang a stranger because he finds fault with your music, I don't mind telling you that if you go back tothe gallows you'll find your friends sitting on the sward none the worse forwhat has happened."

As he said these words he vanished; andthe story-teller found himself on the spot where they first met, and where his wife still was with the carriage and horses.

"Now," said the lank grey beggar man, "I'll torment you no longer. There's your carriage and your horses, and yourmoney and your wife; do what you pleasewith them."

"For my carriage and my houses and my

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hounds," said the story- teller, "I thank you; but my wife and my money youmay keep."

"No," said the other. "I want neither, and as for your wife, don't think ill of her for what she did, she couldn't help it.""Not help it! Not help kicking me into the mouth of my own hounds! Not help casting me off for the sake of beggarlyold-"

"I'm not as beggarly or as old as ye think. I am Angus of the Bruff; many a good turn you've done me with the King of Leinster. This morning my magic toldme the difficulty you were in, and I made up my mind to get you out of it. As for your wife there, the power that changed your body changed her mind. Forget and forgive as man and wife should do, and now you have a story forthe King of Leinster when he calls for one;" and with that he disappeared.

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Its true enough he now had a story fit for a king. From first to last he told all that had befallen him; so long and loud laughed the king that he couldn't go to sleep at all. And he told the story- teller never to trouble for fresh stories, but every night as long as he lived he listened again and he laughed afresh at the tale of the lank grey beggar man.

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The Tale of Ivan

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There were formerly a man and a woman living in the parish of Llanlavan, in the place which is called Hwrdh. And work became scarce, so the man said to his wife, "I will go search for work, and you may live here." So he took fairleave, and travelled far toward the East, and at last came to the house of a farmer and asked for work.

"What work can ye do?" said the farmer."I can do all kinds of work," said Ivan. Then they agreed upon three pounds for the year's wages.

When the end ofthe year came hismaster showed himthe three pounds."See, Ivan," saidhe, "here's yourwage; but if youwill give it meback I'll give youa piece of adviceinstead."

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"Give me my wage," said Ivan.

"No, I'll not," said the master; "I'll explain my advice."

"Tell it me, then," said Ivan.Then said the master: "Never leave the old road for the sake of a new one."

After that they agreed for another yearat the old wages, and at the end of it Ivan took instead a piece of advice, and this was it: "Never lodge where an old man is married to a young woman."

The same thing happened at the end of the third year, when the piece of advice was: "Honesty is the best policy."

But Ivan would not stay longer, but wanted to go back to his wife.

"Don't go to-day," said his master; "mywife bakes to-morrow, and she shall

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make thee a cake to take home to thy good woman."

And when Ivan was going to leave, "Here," said his master, "here is acake for thee to take home to thy

wife, and, when ye are most joyous together, then break the cake, and not sooner."

So he took fair leave of them and travelled towards home, and at last he came to Wayn Her, and there he met three merchants from Tre Rhyn, of his own parish, coming home from Exeter Fair. "Oho! Ivan," said they, "come with us; glad are we to see you. Where have you been so long?"

"I have been in service," said Ivan, "and now I'm going home to my wife."

"Oh, come with us! You’ll be right

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welcome." But when they took the new road Ivan kept to the old one. And robbers fell upon them before they had gone far from Ivan as they were going by the fields of the houses in the meadow. They began to cry out, "Thieves!" and Ivan shouted out "Thieves!" too. And when the robbers heard Ivan's shout they ran away, and the merchants went by the new road and Ivan by the old one till they met again at Market-Jew.

"Oh, Ivan," said the merchants, "we arebeholding to you; but for you we would have been lost men. Come lodge with us at our cost, and welcome."

When they came to the place where they used to lodge, Ivan said, "I must see the host."

"The host," they cried; "what do you want with the host? Here is the hostess, and she's young and pretty. Ifyou want to see the host you'll find

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him in the kitchen."So he went into the kitchen to see the host; he found him a weak old man turning the spit."Oh! Oh!" quote Ivan, "I'll not lodge here, but will go next door."

"Not yet," said the merchants, "sup with us, and welcome."

Now it happened that the hostess had plotted with a certain monk in Market-Jew to murder the old man in his bed that night while the rest were asleep, and they agreed to lay it on the lodgers.

So while Ivan was in bed next door, there was a hole in the pine-end of thehouse, and he saw a light through it. So he got up and looked, and heard the monk speaking. "I had better cover thishole," said he, "or people in the next house may see our deeds." So he stood with his back against it while the hostess killed the old man.

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But meanwhile Ivan out with his knife, and putting it through the hole, cut a round piece off the monk's robe. The very next morning the hostess raised the cry that her husband was murdered, and as there was neither man nor child in the house but the merchants, she declared they ought to be hanged for it.

So they were taken and carried to prison, till a last Ivan came to them. "Alas! Alas! Ivan," they cried, "bad luck sticks to us; our host was killed last night, and we shall be hanged for it."

"Ah, tell the justices," said Ivan, "tosummon the real murderers.""Who knows," they replied, "who committed the crime?""Who committed the crime!" said Ivan. "if I cannot prove who committed the crime, hang me in your stead."

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So he told all he knew, and brought outthe piece of cloth from the monk's robe, and with that the merchants were set at liberty, and the hostess and themonk were seized and hanged.

Then they came all together out of Market-Jew, and they said to him: "Comeas far as Coed Carrn y Wylfa, the Wood of the Heap of Stones of Watching, in the parish of Burman." Then their two roads separated, and though the merchants wished Ivan to go with them, he would not go with them, but went straight home to his wife.

And when his wife saw him she said: "Home in the nick of time. Here's a purse of gold that I've found; it has no name, but sure it belongs to the great lord yonder. I was just thinking what to do when you came."

Then Ivanthought ofthe third

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counsel, and he said "Let us go and give it to the great lord."

So they went up to the castle, but the great lord was not in it, so they left the purse with the servant that minded the gate, and then they went home againand lived in quiet for a time.

But one day the great lord stopped at their house for a drink of water, and Ivan's wife said to him: "I hope your lordship found your lordship's purse quite safe with all its money in it."

"What purse is that you are talking about?" said the lord."Sure, it's your lordship's purse that I left at the castle," said Ivan."Come with me and we will see into the matter," said the lord.

So Ivan and his wife went up to the castle, and there they pointed out the man to whom they had given the purse, and he had to give it up and was sent

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away from the castle. And the lord was so pleased with Ivan that he made him his servant in the stead of the thief.

"Honesty's the best policy!" quote Ivan, as he skipped about in his new quarters. "How joyful I am!"Then he thought of his old master's cake that he was to eat when he was most joyful, and when he broke it, to and behold, inside it was his wages forthe three years he had been with him.

Jack and His Master

A poor woman had three sons. The eldestand second eldest were cunning clever fellows, but they called the youngest Jack the Fool, because they thought he was no better than a simpleton. The eldest got tired of staying at home, and said he'd go look for service. He stayed away a whole year, and then cameback one day, dragging one foot after the other, and a poor wizened face on him, and he as cross as two sticks. 496 | P a g e


When he was rested and got something toeat, he told them how he got service with the Gray Churl of the Town land ofMischance, and that the agreement was, whoever would first say he was sorry for his bargain, should get an inch wide of the skin of his back, from shoulder to hips, taken off. If it was the master, he should also pay double wages; if it was the servant, he shouldget no wages at all. "But the thief," says he, "gave me so little to eat, andkept me so hard at work, that flesh andblood couldn't stand it; and when he asked me once, when I was in a passion,if I was sorry for my bargain, I was mad enough to say I was, and here I am disabled for life."

Vexed enough were the poor mother and brothers; and the second eldest said onthe spot he'd go and take service with the Gray Churl, and punish him by all

the annoyance he'd give him till he'd make him say he was

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sorry for his agreement. "Oh, won't I be glad to see the skin coming off the old villain's back!" said he. All they could say had no effect: he started offfor the Town land of Mischance, and in a twelvemonth he was back just as miserable and helpless as his brother.

All the poor mother could say didn't prevent Jack the Fool from starting to see if he was able to regulate the GrayChurl. He agreed with him for a year for twenty pounds, and the terms were the same.

"Now, Jack," said the Gray Churl, "if you refuse to do anything you are able to do, you must lose a month's wages." "I'm satisfied," said Jack ; "and if you stop me from doing a thing after telling me to do it, you are to give mean additional month's wages."

"I am satisfied," says the master. "Or if you blame me for obeying your orders, you must give the same."

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"I am satisfied," said the master again.

The first day that Jack served he was fed very poorly, and was worked to the saddle skirts. Next day he came in justbefore the dinner was sent up to the parlour. They were taking the goose offthe spit, but well becomes Jack he whips a knife off the dresser, and cutsoff one side of the breast, one leg andthigh, and one wing, and fell to. In came the master, and began to abuse himfor his assurance. "Oh, you know, master, you're to feed me, and whereverthe goose goes won't have to be filled again till supper. Are you sorry for our agreement?"

The master was going to cry out he was,but he bethought himself in time. "Oh no, not at all," said he.

"That's well," said Jack.

Next day Jack was to go clamp turf on

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the bog. They weren't sorry to have himaway from the kitchen at dinner time. He didn't find his breakfast very heavyon his stomach; so he said to the mistress, "I think, ma'am, it will be better for me to get my dinner now, andnot lose time coming home from the bog."

"That's true, Jack," said she. So she brought out a good cake, and a print ofbutter, and a bottle of milk, thinking he'd take them away to the bog. But Jack kept his seat, and never drew reintill bread, butter, and milk went down the red lane.

"Now, mistress," said he, “I’ll be earlier at my work to-morrow if I sleepcomfortably on the shelter side of a pile of dry peat on dry grass, and not be coming here and going back. So you may as well give me my supper, and be done with the day's trouble." She gave him that, thinking he'd take it to the bog; but he fell to on the spot, and

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did not leave a scrap to tell tales on him; and the mistress was a little astonished.

He called to speak to the master in thehaggard, and said he, "What are servants asked to do in this country after attend their supper?"

"Nothing at all, but to go to bed." "Oh, very well, sir." He went up on thestable-loft, stripped, and lay down, and some one that saw him told the master. He came up. "Jack, you anointed scoundrel, what do you mean?" "To go to sleep, master. The mistress, God bless her, is after giving me my breakfast, dinner, and supper, and yourself told me that bed was the next thing. Do you blame me, sir?"

"Yes, you rascal, I do." "Hand me out one pound thirteen and four pence, if you please, sir." "One drivel and thirteen imps, you

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tinker! What for?" "Oh, I see, you've forgot your bargain.Are you sorry for it?" "Oh, yeah -- NO, I mean. I'll give you the money after your nap."

Next morning early, Jack asked how he'dbe employed that day. "You are to be holding the plough in that fallow, outside the paddock." The master went over about nine o'clock to see what kind of a ploughman was Jack, and what did he see but the little boy driving the bastes and the sock and coulter of the plough skimming along the sod, and Jack pulling ding-dong again' the horses.

"What are you doing, you contrary thief?" said the master.

"And am I not striving to hold this drivel of a plough, as you told me; butthat uncrown of a boy keeps whipping onthe bastes in spite of all I say; will you speak to him?"

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"No, but I'll speak to you. Didn't you know, you bosthoon, that when I said 'holding the plough,' I meant reddeningthe ground."

"Faith, an' if you did, I wish you had said so. Do youblame me forwhat I havedone?"

The mastercaught himselfin time, but hewas sostomached, hesaid nothing.

"Go on and redden the ground now, you knave, as other ploughmen do." "An' are you sorry for our agreement?" "Oh, not at all, not at all!"

Jack ploughed away like a good workman all the rest of the day.

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In a day or two the master bade him go and mind the cows in a field that had half of it under young corn. "Be sure, particularly," said he, "to keep Browney from the wheat; while she's outof mischief there's no fear of the rest."

About noon, he went to see how Jack wasdoing his duty, and what did he find but Jack asleep with his face to the sod, Browney grazing near a thorn-tree,one end of a long rope round her horns,and the other end round the tree, and the rest of the beasts all trampling and eating the green wheat. Down came the switch on Jack.

"Jack, you vagabond, do you see what the cows are at?" "And do you blame, master?" "To be sure, you lazy sluggard, I do?"

"Hand me out one pound thirteen and four pence, master. You said if I only

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kept Browney out of mischief, the rest would do no harm. There she is as harmless as a lamb. Are you sorry for hiring me, master?"

"To be -- that is, not at all. I'll give you your money when you go to dinner. Now, understand me; don't let acow go out of the field nor into the wheat the rest of the day."

"Never fear, master!" and neither did he. But the churl would rather than a great deal he had not hired him.

The next day three heifers were missing, and the master bade Jack go insearch of them.

"Where will I look for them?" said Jack. "Oh, every place likely and unlikely for them all to be in."

The churl was getting very exact in hiswords. When he was coming into the bawd

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at dinner-time, what work did he find Jack at but pulling armfuls of the thatch off the roof, and peeping into the holes he was making?

"What are you doing there, you rascal?" "Sure, I'm looking for the heifers, poor things!" "What would bring them there?"

"I don't think anything could bring them in it; but I looked first into thelikely places, that is, the cow-houses,and the pastures, and the fields next them, and now I'm looking in the unlikeliest place I can think of. Maybeit's not pleasing to you it is."

"And to be sure it isn't pleasing to me, you aggravating goose-cap!"

"Please, sir, hand me one pound thirteen and four pence before you sit down to your dinner. I'm afraid it's sorrow that's on you for hiring me at

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all."

"May the div -- oh no; I'm not sorry. Will you begin, if you please, and put in the thatch again, just as if you were doing it for your mother's cabin?"

"Oh, faith I will, sir, with a heart and a half;" and by the time the farmercame out from his dinner, Jack had the roof better than it was before, for he made the boy give him new straw.

Says the master when he came out, "Go, Jack, and look for the heifers, and bring them home."

"And where will I look for them?" "Go and search for them as if they wereyour own. The heifers were all in the paddock before sunset.

Next morning, says the master, "Jack, the path across the bog to the pasture is very bad; the sheep does be sinking

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in it every step; go and make the sheep's feet a good path." About an hour after he came to the edge of the bog, and what did he find Jack at but sharpening a carving knife and the sheep standing or grazing round?

"Is this the way you are mending the path, Jack?" said he.

"Everything must have a beginning, master," said Jack, "and a thing well begun is half done. I am sharpening theknife, and I'll have the feet off everysheep in the flock while you'd be blessing yourself."

"Feet off my sheep, you anointed rogue!And what would you be taking their feetoff for?"

"An' sure to mend the path as you told me. Says you, 'Jack, make a path with the foot of the sheep.' " "Oh, you fool, I meant make good the path for the sheep's feet."

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"It's a pity youdidn't say so,master. Hand meout one poundthirteen and fourpence if you don'tlike me to finishmy job."

"Drivel does yougood with your onepound thirteen and four pence!" "It's better pray than curse, master. Maybe you are sorry for your bargain?" "And to be sure I am -- not yet, anyway."

The next night the master was going to a wedding; and says he to Jack, before he set out: "I'll leave at midnight; and I wish you to come and be with me home, for fear I might be overtaken with the drink. If you're there before,you may throw a sheep's eye at me, and I'll be sure to see that they'll give you something for yourself."

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About eleven o'clock, while the master was in great spirits, he felt somethingclammy hit him on the cheek. It fell beside his tumbler, and when he looked at it what it was but the eye of a sheep. Well, he couldn't imagine who threw it at him, or why it was thrown at him. After a little he got a blow onthe other cheek, and still it was by another sheep's eye. Well, he was very vexed, but he thought better to say nothing. In two minutes more, when he was opening his mouth to take a sup, another sheep's eye was slapped into it. He sputtered it out, and cried, "Man o' the house, isn't it a great shame for you to have any one in the room that would do such a nasty thing?"

"Master," says Jack, "don't blame the honest man. Sure it's only I that was throwing them sheep's eyes at you, to remind you I was here, and that I wanted to drink the bride and

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bridegroom's health. You know yourself bade Me."

"I know that you are a great rascal; and where did you get the eyes?"

"An' where would I get them but in the heads of your own sheep? Would you haveme meddle with the bastes of any neighbour, who might put me in the Stone Jug for it?"

"Sorrow on me that ever I had the bad luck to meet with you."

"You're all witness," said Jack, "that my master says he is sorry for having met with me. My time is up. Master, hand me over double wages, and come into the next room, and lay yourself out like a man that has some decency inhim, till I take a strip of skin an inch broad from your shoulder to your hip." Every one shouted out against that; but, says Jack, "You didn't hinder him

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when he took the same strips from the backs of my two brothers, and sent themhome in that state, and penniless, to their poor mother."

When the company heard the rights of the business, they were only too eager to see the job done. The master bawled and roared, but there was no help at hand. He was stripped to his hips, and laid on the floor in the next room, andJack had the carving knife in his hand ready to begin.

"Now you cruel old villain," said he, giving the knife a couple of scrapes along the floor, "I'll make you an offer. Give me, along with my double wages, two hundred guineas to support my poor brothers, and I'll do without the strap."

"No!" said he, "I'd let you skin me from head to foot first."

"Here goes then," said Jack with a

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grin, but the first little scar he gave, Churl roared out. “Stop your hand; I'll give the money."

"Now, neighbours," said Jack, "you mustn't think worse of me than I deserve. I wouldn't have the heart to take an eye out of a rat itself; I got half a dozen of them from the butcher, and only used three of them."

So all came again into the other room, and Jack was made sit down, and everybody drank his health, and he drank everybody's health at one offer. And six stout fellows saw himself and the master home, and waited in the parlour while he went up and brought down the two hundred guineas and doublewages for Jack himself. When he got home, he brought the summer along with him to the poor mother and the disabledbrothers; and he was no more Jack the Fool in the people's mouths, but “Skin Churl Jack."

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Little Red Riding Hood

Once upon a time in the middle of a thick forest stood a small cottage, thehome of a pretty little girl known to everyone as Little Red Riding Hood. Oneday, her Mummy waved her goodbye at thegarden gate, saying: "Grandma is ill. Take her this basket of cakes, but be very careful. Keep to the path through the wood and don't ever stop. That way,you will come to no harm."

Little Red Riding Hoodkissed her mother andran off. "Don'tworry," she said,"I'll run all the wayto Grandma's withoutstopping."

Full of good intentions, the little girl made her way through the wood, butshe was soon to forget her mother's 514 | P a g e


wise words. "What lovely strawberries! And so red."

Laying her basket on the ground, LittleRed Riding Hood bent over the strawberry plants. "They're nice and ripe, and so big! Yummy! Delicious! Just another one. And one more. This isthe last. Well, this one ... yes."

The red fruit peeped invitingly throughthe leaves in the grassy glade, and Little Red Riding Hood ran back and forth popping strawberries into hermouth. Suddenly she remembered her mother, her promise, Grandma and the basket and hurried back towards the path. The basket was still in the grassand, humming to herself, Little Red Riding Hood walked on.

The wood became thicker and thicker. Suddenly a yellow butterfly fluttered down through the trees. Little Red Riding Hood started to chase the butterfly.

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http://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/little_red_riding_hood.htm


"I'll catch you! I'll catch you!" she called. Suddenly she saw some large daisies in the grass.

"Oh, how sweet!" she exclaimed and, thinking of Grandma, she picked a largebunch of flowers.

In the meantime, two wicked eyes were spying on her from behind a tree. A strange rustling in the woods made Little Red Riding Hood's heart thump.

Now quite afraid she said to herself. "I must find the path and run away fromhere!"

At last she reached the path again but her heart leapt into her mouth at the sound of a gruff voice which said: "Where are you going, my pretty girl, all alone in the woods?"

"I'm taking Grandma some cakes. She lives at the end of the path," said

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http://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/little_red_riding_hood.htm


Little Riding Hood in a faint voice.

When he heard this, the wolf (for it was the big bad wolf himself) politely asked: "Does Grandma live by herself?"

"Oh, yes," replied Little Red Riding Hood, "and she never opens the door to strangers!"

"Goodbye. Perhaps we'll meet again," replied the wolf. Then he loped away thinking to himself "I'll gobble the grandmother first, and then lie in waitfor the grandchild!" At last, the cottage came in sight. Knock! Knock! The wolf rapped on the door.

"Who's there?" cried Grandma from her bed. "It's me, Little Red Riding Hood. I've brought you some cakes because you're ill," replied the wolf, trying hard to hide his gruff voice.

"Lift the latch and come in," said

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Grandma, unaware of anything amiss, till a horrible shadow appeared on the wall. Poor Grandma! For in one bound, the wolf leapt across the room and, in a single mouthful, swallowed the old lady. Soon after, Little Red Riding Hood tapped on the door. "Grandma, can I come in?" she called.

Now, the wolf had put on the old lady'sshawl and cap and slipped into the bed.Trying to imitate Grandma's quavering little voice, he replied: "Open the latch and come in!

"What a deep voice you have," said the little girl in surprise. "The better to greet you with," said the wolf. "Goodness, what big eyes you have." "The better to see you with." "And what big hands you have!" exclaimed Little Red Riding Hood, stepping over to the bed. "The better to hug you with," said the wolf.

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"What a big mouth you have," the littlegirl murmured in a weak voice. "The better to eat you with!" growled the wolf, and jumping out of bed, he swallowed her up too. Then, with a fat full tummy, he fell fast asleep.

In the meantime, a hunter had emerged from the wood, and on noticing the cottage, he decided to stop and ask fora drink. He had spent a lot of time trying to catch a large wolf that had been terrorizing the neighbourhood, buthad lost its tracks. The hunter could hear a strange whistling sound; it seemed to be coming from inside the cottage. He peered through the window and saw the large wolf himself, with a fat full tummy, snoring away in Grandma's bed.

"The wolf! He won't get away this time!"

Without making a sound, the hunter carefully loaded his gun and gently

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opened the window. He pointed the barrel straight at the wolf's head and BANG! The wolf was dead.

"Got you at last!" shouted the hunter in glee. "You'll never frighten anyone again.

He cut open the wolf's stomach and to his amazement, out popped Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood, safe and unharmed.

"You arrived just in time," murmured the old lady, quite overcome by all theexcitement. "It's safe to go home now," the hunter told Little Red Riding Hood. "The big bad wolf is dead and gone, and there isno danger on the path.

Still scared, the little girl hugged her grandmother.

Much later, Little Red Riding Hood's mother arrived, all out of breath,

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worried because her little girl had notcome home. And when she saw Little Red Riding Hood, safe and sound, she burst into tears of joy.

After thanking the hunter again, LittleRed Riding Hood and her mother set off towards the wood. As they walked quickly through the trees, the little girl told her mother: "We must always keep to the path and never stop. That way, we come to no harm!"

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A Bag Full of Surprises

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Transcript of A Bag Full of Surprises