28. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lange. The Golden Lion. Sicilian Ash Marachan, Adel Gozenbach. There was once a rich merchant who had three sons, and when they were grown up the eldest said to him, Father, I wish to travel and see the world. I pray you let me. So the father ordered a beautiful ship to be fitted up, and the young man sailed away in it. After some weeks the vessel cast anchor before a large town, and the merchant's son went on shore. The first thing he saw was a large notice written on a board saying that if any man could find the king's daughter within eight days he should have her to wife, but that if he tried and failed his head must be the forfeit. Well thought the youth as he read this proclamation. That ought not to be a very difficult matter. And he asked an audience of the king, and told him that he wished to seek for the princess. Certainly, replied the king, you have the whole palace to search in, but remember, if you fail it will cost you your head. So saying he commanded the doors to be thrown open and food and drink to be set up before the young man, who, after he had eaten, began to look for the princess. But though he visited every corner and chest and cupboard she was not in any of them, and after eight days he gave it up, and his head was cut off. All this time his father and brothers had had no news of him, and they were very anxious. At last the second son could bear it no longer and said, Dear Father, give me I pray for you a large ship and some money, and let me go and seek for my brother. So another ship was fitted out, and the young man sailed away, and was blown by the wind into the same harbour where his brother had landed. Now when he saw the first ship lying at anchor, his heart beat high, and he said to himself, My brother cannot surely be far off, and he ordered a boat and was put on shore. As he jumped on to the pier his eye caught the notice about the princess, and he thought, he is undertaken to find her and has certainly lost his head. I must try myself and seek him as well as her. It cannot be such a very difficult matter.  So now there was only the youngest at home, and when the other two never came he also begged for a ship that he might go in search of his lost brothers. And when the vessel started a high wind arose, and blew him straight to the harbour where the notice was set. Oh, ho! said he, as he read. Whoever can find the king's daughter shall have her to wife? It is quite clear now what has befallen my brothers, but in spite of that I think I must try my luck. And he took the road to the castle. On the way he met an old woman who stopped and begged. Leave me in peace, old woman, replied he. Oh, do not send me away empty, she said. You are such a handsome young man. You will surely not refuse an old woman a few pence. I tell you, old woman, leave me alone. You are in some trouble, she asked. Tell me what it is, and perhaps I can help you. And he told her how he had set his heart on finding the king's daughter. I can easily manage that for you as long as you have enough money. Oh, as to that I have plenty, answered he. Well, you must take it to a goldsmith and get him to make it into a golden lion with eyes of crystal, and inside it must have something that will enable it to play tunes. When it is ready bring it to me. The young man did as he was bid, and when the lion was made the old woman hid the youth in it, and brought it to the king, who was so delighted with it that he wanted to buy it. But she replied, It does not belong to me, and my master will not part from it at any price. At any rate, leave it with me for a few days, said he. I should like to show it to my daughter. Yes, I can do that, answered the old woman. Tomorrow I must have it back again. And she went away. The king watched her till she was quite out of sight, so as to make sure that she was not spying upon him. Then he took the golden lion into his room and lifted some loose boards from the floor. Below the floor there was a staircase, which he went down till he reached a door at the foot. This he unlocked and found himself in a narrow passage closed by another door, which he also opened. The young man, hidden in the golden lion, kept count of everything, and marked that there were in all seven doors. After they had all been unlocked the king entered a lovely hall, where the princess was amusing herself with eleven friends. All twelve girls wore the same clothes, and were as like each other as two peas. What bad luck! thought the youth. Even supposing that I managed to find my way here again I don't see how I could ever tell which one was the princess. And he stared hard at the princess as she clapped her hands with joy, and ran up to them crying, Oh, do let us keep that delicious beast for to-night. It will make such a nice play-thing. The king did not stay long, and when he left he handed over the lion to the maidens, who amused themselves with it for some time till they got sleepy, and thought it was time to go to bed. But the princess took the lion into her own room and laid it on the floor. She was just beginning to doze, when she heard a voice quite close to her which made her jump, Oh, lovely princess, if you only knew what I have gone through to find you. The princess jumped out of bed screaming, The lion, the lion! But her friends thought it was a nightmare, and did not trouble themselves to get up. Oh, lovely princess, continued the voice, Fear nothing, I am the son of a rich merchant, and desire above all things to have you for my wife, and in order to get to you I have hidden myself in this golden lion. What use is that? she asked, for if you cannot pick me out from among my companions you will still lose your head. I look to you to help me, he said. I have done so much for you that you might do this one thing for me. Then listen to me. On the eighth day I will tie a white sash round my waist, and by that you will know me. The next morning the king came very early to fetch the lion, as the old woman was already at the palace asking for it. When they were safe from view she let the young man out, and he returned to the king and told him that he wished to find the princess. Very good, said the king, who by this time was almost tired of repeating the same words.  So the youth remained quietly in the castle, eating and looking at all the beautiful things around him, and every now and then pretending to be searching busily in all the closets and corners. On the eighth day he entered the room where the king was sitting. Take up the floor in this place, he said. The king gave a cry but stopped himself and asked, What do you want the floor up for? There is nothing there. But as all his courtiers were watching him he did not like to make any more objections and ordered the floor to be taken up, as the young man desired. The youth then went straight down the staircase till he reached the door, then he turned and demanded that the keys should be brought. So the king was forced to unlock the door, and the next, and the next, and the next, till all seven were open, and they entered into the hall where the twelve maidens were standing all in a row, so like that none might tell them apart. But as he looked one of them silently drew a white sash from her pocket and slipped it round her waist, and the young man sprang to her and said, This is the princess, and I claim her for my wife. And the king owned himself beaten, and commanded that the wedding feast should be held. After eight days the bridal pair said farewell to the king, and set sail for the youth's own country, taking with them a whole shipload of treasures as the princess dowry. But they did not forget the old woman who had brought about all their happiness, and they gave her enough money to make her comfortable to the end of her days. The Sprig of Rosemary Quintos papelares catalans por lo doctor Francisco D. S. Marpóns Vailabros, Barcelona, Liberia de Don Alvar, Veguidar, 1885. Once upon a time there lived a man with one daughter, and he made her work hard all the day. One morning, when she had finished everything it said her to do, he told her to go out into the woods and get some dry leaves and sticks to kindle a fire. The girl went out and soon collected a large bundle, and then she plucked at a sprig of sweet-smelling rosemary for herself. But the harder she pulled the firmer seen the plant, and at last determined not to be beaten she gave one great tug, and the rosemary remained in her hands. Then she heard a voice close to her saying, well, and turning she saw before her a handsome young man, who asked why she had come to steal his firewood. The girl, who felt much confused, only managed to stammer out as an excuse that her father had sent her. Very well, replied the young man, then come with me. So he took her through the opening made by the torn-up root, and they traveled till they reached a beautiful palace, splendidly furnished, but only lighted from the top. And when they had entered he told her that he was a great lord, and that never had he seen a maiden so beautiful as she, and that if she would give him her heart they would be married and live happily for ever after. And the maiden said yes she would, and so they were married. The next day the old aim who looked after the house handed her all the keys, but pointed her out one that she would do well never to use, for if she did the whole palace would fall to the ground, and the grass would grow over it, and the damsel herself would be remembered no more. The bride promised to be careful, but, in a little while, when there was nothing left for her to do, she began to wonder what could be in the chest which was opened by the key. As everybody knows, if we once begin to think we soon begin to do, and it was not very long before the key was no longer in the maiden's hand, but in the lock of her chest. But the lock was stiff and resisted all her efforts, and, in the end, she had to break it. And what was inside after all? Why nothing but a serpent's skin, which her husband, who was unknown to her, a magician, put on when he was at work, and at the sight of it the girl was turning away in disgust. When the earth shook violently under her feet, the palace vanished as if it had never been, and the bride found herself in the middle of a field, not knowing where she was or with her to go. She burst into a flood of bitter tears, partly at her own folly, but more for the loss of her husband whom she dearly loved. Then, breaking a sprig of rosemary off a bush hard by, she resolved, cost what it might, to seek him through the world till she found him. So she walked, and she walked, and she walked, till she arrived at a house built of straw, and she knocked at the door, and asked if they wanted a servant. The mistress said she did, and if the girl was willing she might stay. But day by day the poor maiden grew more and more sad, till at last her mistress begged her to say what was the matter. Then she told her story, how she was going through the world seeking after her husband. And the mistress answered her, Where he is none can tell better than the sun, the moon, and the wind, for they go everywhere. On hearing these words the damsel set forth once more, and walked till she reached the golden castle, where lived the sun. And she knocked boldly at the door, saying, All hail, old sun! I have come to ask if, of your charity, you will help me in my need. By my own fault I have fallen into these straits, and I am weary, for I seek my husband through the wide world. Indeed, spoke the sun, do you, rich as you are, need help? But though you live in a palace without windows the sun enters everywhere, and he knows you. Then the bride told him the whole story, and did not hide her own ill-doing. And the sun listened, and was sorry for her. And though he could not tell her where to go, he gave her a nut, and bid her open it in a time of great distress. The damsel thanked him with all her heart, and departed. And walked and walked and walked till she came to another castle, and knocked at the door which was opened by an old woman. All hail, said the girl, I have come, of your charity, to ask your help. It is my mistress the moon you seek. I will tell her of your prayer. So the moon came out, and when she saw the maiden she knew her again, for she had watched her sleeping both in the college and in the palace, and she spake to her and said, Do you, rich as you are, need help? Then the girl told her the whole story, and the moon listened, and felt sorry for her. And though she could not tell her where to find her husband, she gave her an almond, and told her to crack it when she was in great need. So the damsel thanked her and departed. And walked and walked and walked till she came to another castle, and she knocked at the door and said, All hail, I have come to ask if, of your charity, you will help me in my need. It is my Lord the wind that you want, answered the old woman who opened it. I will tell him of your prayer. And the wind looked on her and knew her again, for he had seen her in the cottage and in the palace, and he spake to her and said, Do you, rich as you are, want help? And she told him the whole story, and the wind listened, and was sorry for her. And he gave her a walnut that she was to eat in time of need. But the girl did not go, as the wind expected. She was tired and sad, and knew not where to turn. So she began to weep bitterly. The wind wept too for company and said, Don't be frightened. I will go and see if I can find out something. And the wind departed with a great noise and fuss, and in the twinkling of an eye he was back again, beaming with delight. From what one person and another have let fall, he exclaimed. I have contrived to learn that he is in the palace of the king, who keeps him hidden lest anyone should see him, and that tomorrow he is to marry the princess, who, ugly creatures that she is, has not been able to find any man to wed her. Who can tell the despair which seized the poor maiden when she heard this news? As soon as she could speak, she implored the wind to do all he could to get the wedding put off for two or three days, for it would take her all that time to reach the palace of the king. The wind gladly promised to do what he could, and as he traveled much faster than the maiden, he soon arrived at the palace, where he found five tailors working night and day at the wedding close of the princess. Down came the wind right in the middle of their lace and satin and trimmings of pearl. Away they all went, whish, through the open windows, right up into the tops of the trees, across the river, among the dancing ears of corn. After them raced the tailors, catching, jumping, climbing, but all to no purpose. The lace was torn, the satin stained, the pearls knocked off. There was nothing for it but to go to the shops to buy fresh and begin all over again. It was plainly quite impossible that the wedding close could be ready next day. However, the king was much too anxious to see his daughter married to listen to any excuses, and he declared that a dress must be put together somehow for the bride to wear. But when he went to look at the princess, she was such a figure that he agreed that it would be unfitting for her position to be seen in such a gown, and he ordered the ceremony and the banquet to be postponed for a few hours, so that the tailors might take the dress to pieces and make it fit. But by this time the maiden had arrived, foot sore and weary at the castle, and as soon as she reached the door she cracked her nut and drew out of it the most beautiful mantle in the world. Then she rang the bell and asked, Is not the princess to be married today? Yes, she is. Ask her if she would like to buy this mantle. And when the princess saw the mantle she was delighted, for her wedding mantle had been spoiled with all the other things, and it was too late to make another, so she told the maiden to ask what price she would, and should it be given her. The maiden fixed a large sum, many pieces of gold, but the princess had set her heart on the mantle and gave it readily. Now the maiden hid her gold in the pocket of her dress and turned away from the castle. The moment she was out of sight she broke her almond and drew from it the most magnificent petticoats that ever were seen. Then she went back to the castle and asked if the princess wished to buy any petticoats. No sooner did the princess cast her eyes on the petticoats than she declared that they were even more beautiful than the mantle and that she would give the maiden whatever price she wanted for them. And the maiden named many pieces of gold, which the princess paid her gladly. So pleased was she with her new possessions. Then the girl went down the steps where none could watch her and cracked her walnut, and out came the most blended court dress that any dressmaker had ever invented, and carrying it carefully in her arms she knocked at the door and asked if the princess wished to buy a court dress. When the message was delivered the princess sprang to her feet with delight, for she had been thinking that after all it was not much used to have a lovely mantle and elegant petticoats if she had no dress, and she knew the tailors would never be ready in time, so she sent at once to say she would buy the dress, and what some did the maiden want for it. This time the maiden answered that the price of the dress was the permission to see the bridegroom. The princess was not at all pleased when she heard the maiden's reply, but as she could not do without the dress she was forced to give in, and contented herself with thinking that after all it did not matter much. So the maiden was led to the rooms which had been given to her husband, and when she came near she touched him with the sprig of rosemary that she carried, and his memory came back and he knew her, and kissed her, and declared that she was his true wife, and that he loved her and no other. Then they went back to the maiden's home, and grew to be very old, and lived happily all the days of their life. The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The White Dove From the Danish A king had two sons. They were a pair of reckless fellows who always had something foolish to do. One day they rode out alone on the sea in a little boat. It was beautiful weather when they set out, but as soon as they had got some distance from the shore there arose a terrific storm. The oars went overboard at once, and the little boat was tossed about on the rolling billows like a nutshell. The princes had to hold fast by the seats to keep from being thrown out of the boat. In the midst of all this they met a wonderful vessel. It was a Doetrof, in which there sat an old woman. She called to them, and said that they could still get to shore alive if they would promise her the son that was next to come to their mother the queen. We can't do that, shouted the princes. He doesn't belong to us, so we can't give him away. Then you can rot at the bottom of the sea, both of you, said the old woman, and perhaps it may be the case that your mother would rather keep the two sons she has than the one she hasn't got yet. Then she rode away in a Doetrof, while the storm howled still louder than before, and the water dashed over their boat until it was almost sinking. Then the princes thought that there was something in what the old woman had said about their mother and, being, of course, eager to save their lives, they shouted to her, and promised that she should have their brother if she would deliver them from this danger. As soon as they had done so the storm ceased and the waves fell. The boat drove ashore below their father's castle, and both princes were received with open arms by their father and mother, who had suffered great anxiety for them. The two brothers said nothing about what they had promised, neither at that time nor later on when the queen's third son came, a beautiful boy whom she loved more than anything else in the world. He was brought up and educated in his father's house until he was full grown, and still his brothers had never seen or heard anything about the witch to whom they had promised him before he was born. It happened one evening that there arose a raging storm, with mist and darkness. It howled and roared around the king's palace, and in the midst of it there came a loud knock on the door of the hall where the youngest prince was. He went to the door and found there an old woman with a do-trough on her back, who said to him that he must go with her at once. His brothers had promised him to her if she would save their lives.  They therefore went down to the beach together, where he had to take his seat in the trove, along with the witch, who sailed away with him over the sea, home to her dwelling. The prince was now in the witch's power, and in her service. The first thing she said him to do was to pick feathers. The heap of feathers that you see here, said she, you must get finished before I come home in the evening, otherwise you shall be set to harder work. He started to the feathers, and picked and picked until there was only a single feather left that had not passed through his hands. But then there came a whirlwind, and sent all the feathers flying, and swept them along the floor into a heap, where they lay as if they were trampled together. He had now to begin all his work over again. But by this time it only wanted an hour of evening when the witch was to be expected home. And he easily saw that it was impossible for him to be finished by that time. Then he heard something tapping at the window-pane, and a thin voice said, Let me in, and I will help you. It was a white dove, which sat outside the window, and was pecking at it with its beak. He opened the window, and the dove came in and set to work at once, and picked all the feathers out of the heap with its beak. Before the hour was passed the feathers were all nicely arranged. The dove flew out at the window, and at the same moment the witch came in at the door. Well, well, said she. It was more than I would have expected of you to get all the feathers put in order so nicely. However, such a prince might be expected to have neat fingers. Next morning the witch said to the prince, Today you shall have some easy work to do. Outside the door I have some firewood lying. You must split that for me into the little bits that I can kindle the fire with. That will soon be done, but you must be finished before I come home. The prince got a little axe and set to work at once. He split and clove away, and thought that he was getting on fast. But the day wore on until it was long past midday, and he was still very far from having finished. He thought, in fact, that the pile of wood rather grew bigger than smaller, in spite of what he took off it. So he let his hands fall by his side, and dried the sweat from his forehead, and was ill at ease, for he knew that it would be bad for him if he was not finished with the work before the witch came home. Then the white dove came flying and settled down on the pile of wood, and cued and said, Shall I help you? Yes, said the prince, many thanks for your help yesterday, and for what you offer today. Thereupon this little dove seized one piece of wood after another, and split it with its beak. The prince could not take away the wood as quickly as the dove could split it, and in a short time it was all cleft into little sticks. The dove then flew up on his shoulder and sat there, and the prince thanked it, and stroked and caressed its white feathers, and kissed its little red beak. With that it was a dove no longer but a beautiful young maiden who stood by his side. She told him that she was a princess whom the witch had stolen, and had changed to this shape. But with his kiss she had got her human form again, and if he would be faithful to her, and take her to wife, she could free them both from the witch's power. The prince was quite captivated by the beautiful princess, and was quite willing to do anything whatsoever to get her for himself. She then said to him, When the witch comes home, you must ask her to grant you a wish, when you have accomplished so well all that she has demanded of you. When she agrees to this, you must ask her straight out for the princess that she has flying about as a white dove. But just now you must take a red silk thread and tie it round my little finger, so that you may be able to recognize me again, into whatever shape she turns me. The prince made haste to get the silk thread tied round her little white finger. At the same moment the princess became a dove again, and flew away, and immediately after that the old witch came home with her do-trah on her back. Well, said she, I must say that you are clever at your work, and it is something, too, that such princely hands are not accustomed to. Since you are so well pleased with my work, said the prince, you will no doubt be willing to give me a little pleasure, too, and give me something that I have taken a fancy to? Oh, yes, indeed, said the old woman, what is it that you want? I want the princess here who is in the shape of a white dove, said the prince. What nonsense! said the witch. Why should you imagine that there are princesses here flying about in the shape of white doves? But if you will have a princess, you can get one such as we have them.  Will you have this? said she. You can't get any other princess. The prince used his eyes and saw the red silk thread on one of the ass's hooves. So he said, Yes, just let me have it. What will you do with it? asked the witch. I will ride on it, said the prince. But with that the witch dragged it away again and came back with an old wrinkled toothless hag whose hands trembled with age. You can have no other princesses, said she. Will you have her? Yes, I will, said the prince, for he saw the red silk thread on the old woman's finger. At this the witch became so furious that she danced about and knocked everything to pieces that she could lay her hands upon, so that the splinters flew about the ears of the prince and princess, who now stood there in her own beautiful shape. Then their marriage had to be celebrated, for the witch had to stick to what she had promised, and he must get the princess whatever might happen afterwards. The princess now said to him, At the marriage feast you may eat what you please, but you must not drink anything whatever, for if you do that you will forget me. This, however, the prince forgot on the wedding day, and stretched out his hand and took a cup of wine. But the princess was keeping watch over him, and gave him a push with her elbow, so that the wine flew over the tablecloth. Then the witch got up and laid about her among the plates and dishes, so that the pieces flew about their ears, just as she had done when she was cheated the first time. They were then taken to the bridal chamber, and the door was shut. Then the princess said, Now the witch has kept her promise, but she will do no more if she can help it, so we must fly immediately. I shall lay two pieces of wood in the bed to answer for us when the witch speaks to us. You can take the flower pot and the glass of water that stands in the window, and we must slip out by that and get away. No sooner said than done they hurried off out into the dark night, the princess leading, because she knew the way, having spied it out while she flew about as a dove. At midnight the witch came to the door of the room and called into them, and the two pieces of wood answered her, so that she believed they were there, and went away again. Before daybreak she was at the door again and called to them, and again the pieces of wood answered for them. She thus thought that she had them, and when the sun rose the bridal night was past. She had then kept her promise, and could vent her anger and revenge on both of them. With the first sun-beam she broke into the room, but there she found no prince and no princess, nothing but the two pieces of firewood which lay in the bed, and stared, and spoke not a word. These she threw on the floor, so that they were splintered into a thousand pieces, and off she hastened after the fugitives. With the first sun-beam the princess said to the prince, Look round, do you see anything behind us? Yes, I see a dark cloud far away, said he.  When this was done there was a large thick forest behind them. When the witch came to the forest she could not get through it until she went home and brought her axe to cut a path. A little after this the princess said again to the prince, Look round, do you see anything behind us? Yes, said the prince. The big black cloud is there again. Then throw the glass of water over your head, said she. When he had done this there was a great lake behind them, and this the witch could not cross until she ran home again and brought her dotra. Meanwhile the fugitives had reached the castle which was the prince's home. They climbed over the garden wall, ran across the garden, and crept in and an open window. By this time the witch was just at their heels, but the princess stood in the window and blew upon the witch.  And there she stands to this day in the shape of a large flint stone outside the window. Within the castle there was great rejoicing over the prince and his bride. His two elder brothers came and knelt before him and confessed what they had done, and said that he alone should inherit the kingdom, and there would always be his faithful subjects. End of The White Dove Recording by Elliot Miller Section 31 of The Pink Fairy Book This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang The Troll's Daughter from the Danish There was once a lad who went to look for a place. As he went along he met a man who asked him where he was going. He told him as errant and the stranger said, Then you can serve me.  A bushel of money the first year, two the second year, and three the third year. For you must serve me three years and obey me in everything, however strange it seems to you. You need not be afraid of taking service with me, for there is no danger in it if you only know how to obey. The bargain was made, and the lad went home with the man to whom he had engaged himself. It was a strange place indeed, for he lived in a bank in the middle of the wild forest, and the lad saw there was no other person than his master. The latter was a great troll, and had marvelous power over men and beasts. Next day the lad had to begin his service. The first thing that the troll said him to do was to feed all the wild animals from the forest. These the troll had tied up, and there were both wolves and bears, deer and hares, which the troll had gathered in the stalls and folds in the stable down beneath the ground. And that stable was a mile long. The boy, however, accomplished all this work on that day, and the troll praised him and said that it was very well done. The next morning the troll said to him, Today the animals are not to be fed. They don't get the like of that every day. You shall have leave to play about for a little, until they are to be fed again. Then the troll said some words to him which he did not understand, and with that the lad turned into a hare, and ran out into the wood. He got plenty to run for, too, for all the hunters aimed at him, and tried to shoot him, and the dogs barked and ran after him whenever they got wind of him. He was the only animal that was left in the wood now, for the troll had tied up all the others. And every hunter in the whole country was eager to knock him over. But in this they met with no success. There was no dog that could overtake him, and no marksman that could hit him. They shot and shot at him, and he ran and ran. It was an unquiet life, but in the long run he got used to it, when he saw that there was no danger in it, and it even amused him to befool all the hunters and dogs that were so eager after him. Thus a whole year passed. And when it was over the troll called him home, for he was now in his power like all the other animals. The troll then said some words to him which he did not understand, and the hare immediately became a human being again. Well, how do you like to serve me? said the troll. And how do you like being a hare? The lad replied that he liked it very well. He had never been able to go over the ground so quickly before. The troll then showed him the bushel of money that he had already earned, and the lad was well pleased to serve him for another year. The first day of the second year the boy had the same work to do as on the previous one, namely to feed all the wild animals in the troll's stable. When he had done this the troll again said some words to him. And with that he became a raven, and flew high up into the air. This was delightful, though I thought. He could go even faster now than when he was a hare, and the dogs could not come after him here. This was a great delight to him, but he soon found out that he was not to be left quite at peace, for all the marksmen and hunters who saw him aimed at him and fired away, for they had no other birds to shoot at than himself, as the troll had tied up all the others. This, however, he also got used to. When he saw that they could never hit him, and in this way he flew about all that year, until the troll called him home again, said some strange words to him, and gave him his human shape again.  I liked it very well, said the lad, for never in all my days have I been able to rise so high. The troll then showed him the two bushels of money which he had earned that year, and the lad was well content to remain in his service for another year. Next day he got his old task of feeding all the wild beasts. When this was done the troll again said some words to him, and at these he turned into a fish and sprang into the river. He swam up and he swam down, and thought it was pleasant to let himself drive with the stream. In this way he came right out into the sea and swam further and further out. At last he came to a glass palace, which stood at the bottom of the sea. He could see into all the rooms and halls where everything was very grand. All the furniture was of white ivory, inlaid with gold and pearl. There were soft rugs and cushions of all the colors of the rainbow, and beautiful carpets that looked like the finest moss, and flowers and trees with curiously crooked branches, both green and yellow, white and red, and there were also little fountains which sprang up from the most beautiful snail shells, and fell into bright mussel shells, and at the same time made a most delightful music, which filled the whole palace. The most beautiful thing of all, however, was a young girl who went about there all alone. She went about from one room to another, but did not seem to be happy with all the grandeur she had around her. She walked in solitude and melancholy, and never even thought of looking at her own image in the polished glass walls that were on every side of her, although she was the prettiest creature anyone could wish to see. The lad thought so too while he swam around the palace and peeped in from every side. Here indeed it would be better to be a man than such a poor dumb fish, as I am now, said he to himself. If I could only remember the words that the troll says when he changes my shape, then perhaps I could help myself to become a man again. He swam and he pondered and he thought over this until he remembered the sound of what the troll said, and then he tried to say it himself. In a moment he stood in human form at the bottom of the sea. He made haste to enter the glass palace and went up to the young girl and spoke to her. At first he nearly frightened the life out of her, but he talked to her so kindly and explained how he had come down there that she soon recovered from her alarm, and was very pleased to have some company to relieve the terrible solitude that she lived in. Time passed so quickly for both of them that the youth, for now he was quite a young man and no more lad, forgot altogether how long he had been there. One day the girl said to him that now it was close on the time when he must become a fish again. The troll would soon call him home, and he would have to go, but before that he must put on the shape of a fish, otherwise he could not pass through the sea alive. Before this, while he was staying down there, she had told him that she was a daughter of the same troll whom the youth served, and he had shut her up there to keep her away from everyone. She had now devised a plan by which they could perhaps succeed in getting to see each other again, and spending the rest of their lives together. But there was much to attend to, and he must give careful heed to all that she told him. She told him then that all the kings in the country round about were in debt to her father the troll, and the king of a certain kingdom, the name of which she told him, was the first who had to pay, and if he could not do so at the time appointed he would lose his head. And he cannot pay, said she, I know that for certain. Now you must, first of all, give up your service with my father. The three years are past, and you are at liberty to go. You will go off with your six bushels of money to the kingdom that I have told you of, and there enter the service of the king. When the time comes near for his debt becoming due, you will be able to notice by his manner that he is ill at ease. You shall then say to him that you know well enough what it is that is weighing upon him, that it is the debt which he owes to the troll and cannot pay, but that you can lend him the money. The amount is six bushels, just what you have. You shall, however, only lend them to him on the condition that you may accompany him when he goes to make the payment, and that you then have permission to run before him as a fool. When you arrive at the trolls abode you must perform all kinds of foolish tricks, and see that you break a whole lot of his windows and do all other damage that you can. My father will then get very angry, and as the king must answer for what his fool does, he will sentence him, even although he has paid his debt, either to answer three questions or to lose his life. The first question my father will ask will be, where is my daughter? Then you shall step forward and answer, she is at the bottom of the sea. He will then ask you whether you can recognize her, and to this you will answer yes. Then he will bring forward a whole troop of women, and cause them to pass before you, in order that you may pick out the one that you take for his daughter. You will not be able to recognize me at all, and therefore I will catch hold of you as I go past so that you may notice it, and you must then make haste to catch me and hold me fast. You have then answered his first question. His next question will be, where is my heart? You shall then step forward again and answer, it is in a fish. Do you know that fish, he will say, and you will again answer yes. He will then cause all kinds of fish to come before you, and you shall choose between them. I shall take good care to keep by your side, and when the right fish comes I will give you a little push, and with that you will seize the fish and cut it up. Then all will be over with the troll. He will ask no more questions, and we shall be free to wed. When the youth had got all these directions, as to what he had to do when he got ashore again, the next thing was to remember the words which the troll said when he had changed him from a human being to an animal. But these he had forgotten, and the girl did not know them either. He went about all day in despair and thought and thought, but he could not remember what they sounded like. During the night he could not sleep, until towards morning he fell into a slumber, and all at once it flashed upon him what the troll used to say. He made haste to repeat the words, and at the same moment he became a fish again and slipped out into the sea. Immediately after this he was called upon, and swam through the sea up the river to where the troll stood on the bank and restored him to human shape with the same words as before. Well, how do you like to be a fish? asked the troll. It was what he had liked best of all, said the youth, and that was no lie as everybody can guess. The troll then showed him the three bushels of money which he had earned during the past year. They stood beside the other three, and all the six now belong to him. Perhaps you will serve me for another year yet, said the troll, and you will get six bushels of money for it. That makes twelve in all, and that's a pretty penny. No, said the youth. He thought he had done enough, and was anxious to go to some other place to serve, and learn other people's ways. But he would perhaps come back to the troll some other time. The troll said that he would always be welcome. He had served him faithfully for the three years they had agreed upon, and he could make no objections to his leaving now. The youth then got his six bushels of money, and with these he betook himself straight to the kingdom which his sweetheart had told him of. He got his money buried in a lonely spot close to the king's palace, and then went in there and asked to be taken into service. He obtained his request, and was taken on as a stable man, to tend the king's horses. Some time passed, and he noticed how the king always went about sorrowing and grieving, and was never glad or happy. One day the king came into the stable, where there was no one present except the youth, who said straight out to him that, with his majesty's permission, he wished to ask him why he was so sorrowful. It is of no use speaking about that, said the king. You cannot help me at any rate. You don't know about that, said the youth. I know well enough what it is that lies so heavy on your mind, and I know also of a plan to get the money paid. This was quite another case, and the king had more talk with the stableman, who said that he could easily lend the king the six bushels of money, but would only do it on condition that he should be allowed to accompany the king when he went to pay the debt, and that he should then be dressed like the king's court fool and run before him. He would cause some trouble for which the king would be severely spoken to, but he would answer for it that no harm would befall him. The king gladly agreed to all that the youth proposed, and now it was high time for them to set out. When they came to the troll's dwelling it was no longer in the bank, but on the top of this there stood a large castle which the youth had never seen before. The troll could in fact make it visible or invisible just as he pleased, and, knowing as much as he did of the troll's magic arts, the youth was not at all surprised at this. When they came near to this castle which looked as if it was a pure glass, the youth ran on in front as the king's fool. Heron sometimes facing forwards, sometimes backwards, stood sometimes on his head, and sometimes on his feet, and he dashed in pieces so many of the troll's big glass windows that it was something awful to see, and overturned everything he could, and made a fearful disturbance. The troll came rushing out and was so angry and furious and abused the king with all his might for bringing such a wretched fool with him, as he was sure that he could not pay the least bit of all the damage that had been done when he could not even pay off his old debt. The fool, however, spoke up and said that he could do so quite easily, and the king then came forward with the six bushels of money which the youth had lent him. They were measured and found to be correct. This the troll had not reckoned on, but he could make no objection against it. The old debt was honestly paid, and the king got his bond back again. But there still remained all the damage that had been done that day, and the king had nothing with which to pay for this. The troll therefore sentenced the king either to answer three questions that he would put to him or have his head taken off, as was agreed in the old bond. There was nothing else to be done than to try to answer the troll's riddles. The fool then stationed himself just by the king's side while the troll came forward with his questions. His first asked, Where is my daughter? The fool spoke up and said, She is at the bottom of the sea. How do you know that? said the troll.    The troll made a whole crowd of women go past them, one after the other. But all these were nothing but shadows and deceptions. Amongst the very last was the troll's real daughter, who pinched the fool as she went past him, to make him aware of her presence. He thereupon caught her round the waist and held her fast, and the troll had to admit that his first riddle was solved. Then the troll asked again, Where is my heart?    Then all the fishes came swimming past them, and meanwhile the troll's daughters took just by the used side. When at last the right fish came swimming along she gave him a nudge, and he seized it at once, drove his knife into it and split it up, took the heart out of it, and cut it through the middle.  With that all the bonds that the troll had bound were broken, all the wild beasts and birds which he had caught and hid under the ground were free now, and dispersed themselves in the woods and in the air. The youth and his sweetheart entered the castle, which was now theirs, and held their wedding, and all the kings round about, who had been in the troll's debt, were now out of it, came to the wedding, and saluted the youth as their emperor, and he ruled over them all, and kept peace between them, and lived in his castle with his beautiful empress in great joy and magnificence, and if they had not died since they are living there to this day. End of The Troll's Daughter Recording by Elliott Miller www.voiceofe.com Section 32 of The Pink Fairy Book This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliott Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Esben and the Witch From the Danish There was once a man who had twelve sons. The eleven eldest were both big and strong, but the twelfth, whose name was Esben, was only a little fellow. The eleven eldest went out with their father to field and forest, but Esben preferred to stay at home with his mother, and so he was never reckoned at all by the rest, but was a sort of outcast among them. When the eleven had grown up to be men, they decided to go out into the world to try their fortune, and they plagued their father to give them what they required for the journey. The father was not much in favour of this, for he was now old and weak, and could not well spare them from helping him with his work. But in the long run he had to give in. Each one of the eleven got a fine white horse and money for the journey, and so they said farewell to their father and their home, and rode away. As for Esben, no one had ever thought about him. His brothers had not even said farewell to him. After the eleven were gone, Esben went to his father and said, Father, give me also a horse and money. I should also like to see round about me in the world.  If I could have let you go and kept your eleven brothers at home, it would have been better for me in my old age. Well, you will soon be rid of me at any rate, said Esben. As he could get no other horse, he went into the forest, broke off a branch, stripped the bark off of it, so that it became still wider than his brother's horses, and mounted on this road off after his eleven brothers. The brothers rode on the whole day, and towards evening they came to a great forest, which they entered. Far within the wood they came to a little house and knocked at the door. There came an old, ugly bearded hag and opened it, and they asked her whether all of them could get quarters for the night. Yes, said the old bearded hag, you shall all have quarters for the night, and in addition each of you shall have one of my daughters. The eleven brothers thought that they had come to very hospitable people. They were well attended to, and when they went to bed, each of them got one of the hag's daughters. Esben had been coming along behind them, and had followed the same way, and had also found the same house and the forest. He slipped into this without either the witch or the daughters noticing him, and hid himself under one of the beds. A little before midnight he crept quietly out and wakened his brothers. He told these to change nightcaps with the witch's daughters. The brothers saw no reason for this, but, to get rid of Esben's persistence, they made the exchange and slept soundly again. When midnight came, Esben heard the old witch come creeping along. She had a broad-bladed axe in her hand, and went over all the eleven beds. It was so dark that she could not see a hand's breath before her. But she felt her way, and hacked the heads off all the sleepers who had the men's nightcaps on, and these were her own daughters. As soon as she had gone her way, Esben wakened his brothers, and they hastily took their horses and rode off from the witch's house, glad that they had escaped so well. They quite forgot to thank Esben for what he had done for them. When they had ridden onwards for some time, they reached a king's palace, and inquired there whether they could be taken into service. Quite easily, they were told, if they would be stablemen, otherwise the king had no use for them. They were quite ready for this, and got the task of looking after all the king's horses. Long after them came Esben riding on his stick, and he also wanted to get a place in the palace. But no one had any use for him, and he was told that he could just go back the way it had come. However, he stayed there and occupied himself as best he could. He got his food, but nothing more, and by night he lay just where he could. At this time there was in the palace a knight who was called Sir Red. He was very well liked by the king, but hated by everyone else, for he was wicked both in will and deed. This Sir Red became angry with the eleven brothers, because they would not always stand at attention for him, so he determined to avenge himself on them. One day, therefore, he went to the king, and said that the eleven brothers who had come to the palace a little while ago, and served as stablemen, could do a great deal more than they pretended. One day he had heard them say that if they liked they could get for the king a wonderful dove which had a feather of gold and a feather of silver time about. But they would not procure it unless they were threatened with death. The king then had the eleven brothers called before him and said to them, You have said that you can get me a dove which has feathers of gold and silver time about. All the eleven assured him that they had never said anything of the kind, and they did not believe that such a dove existed in the whole world. Take your own mind of it, said the king, but if you don't get that dove within three days you shall lose your heads, the whole lot of you. With that the king let them go, and there was great grief among them, some wept and others lamented. At that moment Esben came along and, seeing their sorrowful look, said to them, Hello, what's the matter with you?  You can't help us. Oh, you don't know that, answered Esben. I have helped you before. In the end they told him how unreasonable the king was, and how he had ordered them to get for him a dove with feathers of gold and silver time about. Give me a bag of peas, said Esben, and I shall see what I can do for you.  Straight away the stick carried him across the river and straight into the old witch's courtyard. Esben had noticed that she had such a dove, so when he arrived in the courtyard he shook the peas out of the bag and the dove came fluttering down to pick them up. Esben caught it at once and put it into the bag, and hurried off before the witch caught sight of him, but the next moment she came running and shouted after him, Hi, hey, is that you, Esben? Yes. Is it you that has taken my dove? Yes.  Yes. Are you coming back again? That may be, said Esben. Then you'll catch it, shouted the witch. The stick carried Esben with the dove back to the king's palace, and his brothers were greatly delighted. The king thanked them many times for the dove and gave them in return both silver and gold. At this Sir Red became still more embittered and again thought of how to avenge himself on the brothers. One day he went to the king and told him that the dove was by no means the best thing that the brothers could get for him. For one day he had heard them talking quietly among themselves, and they had said that they could procure a bore whose bristles were of gold and silver time about. The king again summoned the brothers before him and asked whether it was true that they had said that they could get for him a bore whose bristles were of gold and silver time about. No, said the brothers, they had never said nor thought such a thing, and they did not believe that there was such a bore in the whole world.  With that they had to go. This was still worse than before, they thought. Where could they get such a marvelous bore? They all went about hanging their heads, but when only one day remained of the three, Esben came along. When he saw his brothers' sorrowful looks he cried, Hello, what's the matter now? Oh, what's the use of telling you, said his brothers, you can't help us at any rate. Ah, you don't know that, said Esben, I've helped you before. In the end they told him how Sir Red had stirred up the king against them, so that he had ordered him to get for him a bore with bristles of gold and silver time about. That's all right, said Esben. Give me a sack of malt, and it is not quite impossible that I may be able to help you. Esben got his sack of malt.  Off went the stick with him, and very soon he was again in the witch's courtyard. There he emptied out the malt, and next moment came the bore, which had every second bristle of gold and of silver. Esben at once put it into his sack and hurried off before the witch should catch sight of him. But the next moment she came running and shouted after him, Hey, is that you, Esben? Yes. Is it you that has taken my pretty bore? Yes. It was also you that took my dove? Yes.  Yes. Are you coming back again? That may be, said Esben. Then you'll catch it, said the witch. Esben was soon back at the palace with the bore, and his brothers scarcely knew which leg to stand on, so rejoiced for they that they were safe again. Not one of them, however, ever thought of thanking Esben for what he had done for them. The king was still more rejoiced over the bore than he had been over the dove, and did not know what to give the brothers for it. At this, Sir Red was again possessed with anger and envy, and again he went about and planned how to get the brothers into trouble. One day he went again to the king and said, These eleven brothers have now procured the dove and the bore, but they can do much more than that. I know they have said if they liked they could get for the king a lamp that can shine over seven kingdoms. If they have said that, said the king, they shall also be made to bring it to me. That would be a glorious lamp for me. Again the king sent a message to the brothers to come up to the palace. They went accordingly, although very unwillingly, but they suspected that Sir Red had fallen on some new plan to bring them into trouble. As soon as they came before the king, he said to them, You brothers have said that you could, if you liked, get for me a lamp that can shine over seven kingdoms. That lamp must be mine within three days, or it will cost you your lives. The brothers assured him that they had never said so, and they were sure that no such lamp existed, but their words were of no avail. The lamp, said the king, or it will cost you your heads. The brothers were now in greater despair than ever. They did not know what to do for such a lamp no one had ever heard of. But just as things looked their worst, along came Esben. Something wrong again? said he. What's the matter with you now? Oh, it's no use telling you, said they. You can't help us at any rate. Oh, you might as least tell me, said Esben. I have helped you before. In the end they told him that the king had ordered them to bring him a lamp which could shine over seven kingdoms, but such a lamp no one had ever heard tell of. Give me a bushel of salt, said Esben, and we shall see how matters go.  With that, both he and his bushel of salt were over beside the witch's courtyard. But now matters were less easy, for he could not get inside the yard, as it was evening and the gate was locked. Finally he hit upon a plan. He got up on the roof and crept down the chimney. He searched all round for the lamp, but could find it nowhere, for the witch always had it safely guarded, as it was one of her most precious treasures. When he became tired of searching for it, he crept into the baking oven, intending to lie down there and sleep till morning. But just at that moment he heard the witch calling from her bed to one of her daughters, and telling her to make some porridge for her.  The daughter got out of bed, kindled the fire, and put on a pot with water in it. "'You mustn't put any salt in the porridge, though,' cried the witch. "'No, neither will I,' said the daughter. But while she was away, getting the meal, Esmond slipped out of the oven and emptied the whole bushel of salt into the pot. The daughter came back then and put it in the meal. And after it had boiled a little, she took it into her mother. The witch took a spoonful and tasted it. "'Oh,' said she, "'didn't I tell you not to put any salt in it? And it's just as salt as the sea?' So the daughter had to go and make new porridge, and her mother warned her strictly not to put any salt in it. But now there was no water in the house, so she asked her mother to give her the lamp so that she could go out to the well for more. "'There you have it then,' said the witch, "'but take good care of it.' The daughter took the lamp, which shone over seven kingdoms, and went out to the well for water, while Esmond slipped out after her. When she was going to draw the water from the well, she set the lamp down on a stone beside her. Esmond watched his chants, seized the lamp, and gave her a push from behind so that she plumped head-first into the well. Then he made off with the lamp. But the witch got out of her bed and ran after him crying, "'Hey, is that you again, Esmond?' "'Yes.  Was it also you that took my boar?' "'Yes.  And now you have taken my lamp and drowned my twelfth daughter in the well?' "'Yes. Are you coming back again?' "'That may be,' said Esmond. "'Then you'll catch it,' said the witch. It was only a minute before the stick had again landed Esmond at the king's palace, and the brothers were then freed from their distress. The king gave them many fine presents, but Esmond did not get even so much as thanks from them. Never had Sir Red been so eaten up with envy as he was now, and he wracked his brain day and night to find something quite impossible to demand from the brothers. One day he went to the king and told him that the lamp the brothers had procured was good enough, but they could still get for him something that was far better. The king asked him what it was. "'It is,' said Sir Red, the most beautiful coverlet that any mortal ever heard tell of. It also has the property that, when anyone touches it, it sounds so that it can be heard over eight kingdoms. "'That must be a splendid coverlet,' said the king, and he had once sent for the brothers. "'You have said that you know of a coverlet, the most beautiful in the whole world, and which sounds over eight kingdoms when anyone touches it. "'You shall procure it for me, or else lose your lives,' said he. The brothers answered him that they had never said a word about such a coverlet. They did not believe it existed, and that it was quite impossible for them to procure it. But the king would not hear a word. He drove them away, telling them that if they did not get it very soon it would cost them their heads. Things looked very black again for the brothers, for they were sure there was no escape for them. The youngest of them indeed asked where Esben was, but the others said that the little fool could scarcely keep himself in clothes, and it was not to be expected that he could help them. Not one of them thought it worthwhile to look for Esben, but he soon came along of himself. "'Well, what's the matter now?' said he. "'Oh, what's the use of telling you?' said the brothers. "'You can't help us at any rate.' "'Ah, who knows that?' said Esben. I have helped you before.' In the end the brothers told him about the coverlet which, when one touched it, sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms. Esben thought that this was the worst errand he had had yet, but he could do no worse than fail, and so he would make the attempt.  Carry me across the stream!' Next moment he was across the river and beside the witch's house. It was evening and the door was locked, but he knew the way down the chimney. When he had got into the house, however, the worst yet remained to do, for the coverlet was on the bed in which the witch lay and slept. He slipped into the room without either she or her daughter wakening, but, as soon as he touched the coverlet to take it, it sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms. The witch awoke, sprang out of bed, and caught hold of Esben. He struggled with her, but could not free himself, and the witch called to her daughter, "'Come and help me! We shall put him into the little dark room to be fattened. Ho-ho! Now I have him!' Esben was now put into a little dark hole, where he neither saw sun nor moon, and there he was fed on sweet milk and nut kernels. The daughter had enough to do cracking nuts for him, and at the end of fourteen days she had only one tooth left in her mouth. She had broken all the rest with the nuts. In this time, however, she had taken a liking to Esben, and would willingly have set him free, but could not. When some time had passed, the witch told her daughter to go and cut a finger off Esben, so that she could see whether he was nearly fat enough yet. The daughter went and told Esben, and asked him what she should do. Esben told her to take an iron nail and wrap a piece of skin round it. She could give her mother this to buy that. The daughter did so, but when the witch bit it, she cried, "'Oh! No, no! This is nothing but skin and bone. He must be fattened much longer yet.' So Esben was fed for a while longer on sweet milk and nut kernels, until one day the witch thought that now he must surely be fat enough, and told her daughter again to go and cut a finger off him. By this time Esben was tired of staying in the dark hole, so he told her to go and cut a teat off a cow and give it to the witch to buy that. This the daughter did, and the witch cried, "'Ah! Now he is fat! So fat that one can scarcely feel the bone in him! Now he shall be killed!' Now this was just the very time that the witch had to go to Trom's church, where all the witches gather once every year, so she had no time to deal with Esben herself. She therefore told her daughter to heat up the big oven while she was away, take Esben out of his prison, and roast him in there before she came back. The daughter promised all this, and the witch went off on her journey. The daughter then made the oven as hot as could be, and took Esben out of his prison in order to roast him. She brought the oven spade and told Esben to seat himself on it, so that she could shoot him into the oven. Esben accordingly took his seat on it, but when she had got him to the mouth of the oven, he spread his legs out wide, so that she could not get him pushed in. "'You mustn't sit like that,' said she. "'How then?' said Esben. "'You must cross your legs,' said the daughter, but Esben could not understand what she meant by this. "'Get out of the way,' said she, and I will show you how to place yourself.' She seated herself on the oven spade, but no sooner had she done so than Esben laid a hole of it, shot her into the oven, and fastened the door of it. Then he ran and seized the coverlet, but as soon as he did so, it sounded so that it could be heard over eight kingdoms.  At this the witch became so furious that she sprang into numberless pieces of flint, and from this came all the flint stones that one finds about the country. Esben had found again his little stick, which the witch had taken from him, so he said, "'Fly quick, my little stick, carry me across the stream.'" Next moment he was back at the king's palace. Here things were in a bad way, for the king had thrown all the eleven brothers into prison, and they were to be executed very shortly because they had not brought him the coverlet. Esben now went up to the king and gave him the coverlet, with which the king was greatly delighted. When he touched it it could be heard over eight kingdoms, and all the other kings sat and were angry because they had not one like it. Esben also told how everything had happened, and how Sir Red had done the brothers all the ill he could devise because he was envious of them. The brothers were at once set at liberty while Sir Red, for his wickedness, was hanged on the highest tree that could be found, and so he got the reward he deserved. Much was made of Esben and his brothers, and these now thanked him for all that he had done for them. The twelve of them received as much gold and silver as they could carry, and betook themselves home to their old father. When he saw again his twelve sons whom he had never expected to see more, he was so glad that he wept for joy. The brothers told him how much Esben had done, and how he had saved their lives, and from that time forward he was no longer the butt of the rest at home. End of Esben and the Witch Recording by Elliot Miller www.voiceofe.com Section 33 of The Pink Fairy Book This LibraVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Princess Minion Minnet Bibliotheque de Frise et esgénis Once upon a time there lived a young king whose name was Susie, and he had been brought up ever since he was a baby by the fairy inconstancy. Now the fairy Jourette had a kind heart, but she was a very trying person to live with, for she never knew her own mind for two minutes together. And as she was the sole ruler at court till the prince grew up, everything was always at sixes and sevens.  Then, quite suddenly, she resigned the reins of government into his hands, but, unluckily, it was too late to train him properly for the post. However, the fairy did not think of that, but carried away by her new ideas she hastily formed a council, and named as Prime Minister the excellent Ditto, so called because he had never been known to contradict anybody. Young Prince Susie had a handsome face, and, at the bottom, a good deal of common sense, but he had never been taught good manners, and was shy and awkward, and had, besides, never learned how to use his brains. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the council did not get through much work. Indeed, the affairs of the country fell into such disorder that at last the people broke out into open rebellion, and it was only the courage of the king who continued to play the flute while swords and spears were flashing before the palace gate that prevented civil war from being declared. No sooner was the revolt put down than the council turned their attention to the question of the young king's marriage. Various princesses were proposed to him, and the fairy, who was anxious to get the affair over before she left the court forever, gave it as her opinion that the princess Diathana would make the most suitable wife. Accordingly, envoys were sent to bring back an exact report of the princess's looks and ways, and they returned saying that she was tall and well-made, but so very light that the equaries who accompanied her in her walks had to be always watching her, lest she should suddenly be blown away. This had happened so often that her subjects lived in terror of losing her all together, and tried everything they could think of to keep her to the ground. They even suggested that she should carry weights in her pockets, or have them tied to her ankles. But this idea was given up, as the princess found it so uncomfortable. At length it was decided that she was never to go out in a wind, and in order to make matters sure still the equaries each held the end of a string which was fastened to her waist. The council talked over this report for some days, and then the king made up his mind that he would judge for himself, and pretend to be his own ambassador. This plan was by no means new, but it had often succeeded, and anyhow they could think of nothing better. Such a splendid embassy had never before been seen in any country. The kingdom was left in the charge of the prime minister, who answered, ditto, to everything. But the choice was better than it seemed, for the worthy man was much beloved by the people, as he agreed with all they said, and they left him feeling very pleased with themselves, and their own wisdom. When the king arrived at Dayafana's court, he found a magnificent reception awaiting him, for, though they pretended not to know who he was, secrets like this are never hidden. Now the young king had a great dislike to long ceremonies, so he proposed that his second interview with the princess should take place in the garden. The princess made some difficulties, but, as the weather was lovely and very still, she at last consented to the king's wishes. But no sooner had they finished their first bowels and curtsies than a slight breeze sprung up, and began to sway the princess, whose equaries had retired out of respect. But the wind that he caused only drove her further away from him. He rushed after her, exclaiming, oh, princess, are you really running away from me? Could gracious know, she replied, run a little quicker and you will be able to stop me, and I shall be forever grateful. That is what comes of talking in a garden, she added in disgust, as if one wasn't much better in a room that was tightly closed all round. The king ran as fast as he could, but the wind ran faster still, and in a moment the princess was whirl to the bottom of the garden, which was bounded by a ditch. She cleared it like a bird, and the king, who was obliged to stop short at the edge, saw the lovely Dayafana flying over the plain, sometimes driven to the right, sometimes to the left, till at last she vanished out of sight. By this time the whole court were running over the plain, some on foot and some on horseback, all hurrying to the help of their princess, who really was in some danger, for the wind was rising to the force of a gale. The king looked on for a little and then returned with his attendance to the palace, reflecting all the while on the extreme lightness of his proposed bride and the absurdity of having a wife that rose in the air better than any kite. He thought on the whole that it would be wiser not to wait longer, but to depart at once, and he started on horseback at the very moment when the princess had been found by her followers, wet to the skin and blown against a brick. Susy met the carriage which was bringing her home and stopped to congratulate her on her escape, and to advise her to put on dry clothes. Then he continued his journey. It took a good while for the king to get home again, and he was rather cross at having had so much trouble for nothing, besides which his courtiers made fun at his adventure and he did not like being laughed at, though of course they did not dare do it before his face. And the end of it was that very soon he started on his travels again, only allowing one equity to accompany him, and even this attendant he managed to lose the moment he had left his own kingdom behind him. Now it was the custom in those days for princes and princesses to be brought up by fairies who loved them as their own children, and did not mind what inconvenience they put other people to for their sakes, for all the world as if they had been real mothers. The fairy Aveline, who lived in a country that touched at one point the kingdom of King Susie, had under her care the lovely princess Minion Minet, and had made up her mind to marry her to the young king, who, in spite of his awkward manners, which could be improved, was really very much nicer than most of the young men she was likely to meet. So Aveline made her preparations accordingly, and began by arranging that the equaries should lose himself in the forest, after which she took away the king's sword and his horse while he lay asleep under a tree. Her reason for this was that she felt persuaded that finding himself suddenly alone and robbed of everything, the king would hide his real birth, and would have to fall back on his powers of pleasing, like other men, which would be much better for him. When the king awoke and found that the tree to which he had tied his horse had its lower branch broken, and that nothing living was in sight, he was much dismayed, and sought high and low for his lost treasure, but all in vain. After a time he began to get hungry, so he decided that he'd better try to find his way out of the forest, and perhaps he might have a chance of getting something to eat.  She staggered along the path and almost fell at his feet, and Sorcy, afraid that she might have hurt herself, picked her up and set her on her feet again before passing on his way. But he was not to be let off so easy. What about my bundle? cried the old woman. Where is your politeness? Really, you seem to have been very nicely brought up. What have they taught you? Taught me. Nothing, replied he. I can well believe it, she said. You don't know even how to pick up a bundle. Oh, you can come near. I am cleverer than you and know how to pick up a bundle very well. The king blushed at her words, which he felt had a great deal of truth in them, and took up the bundle meekly. Aveline, delighted at the success of her first experiment, hobbled along after him, chattering all the while as old women do. I wish, she said, that all kings had done as much once in their lives. Then they would know that a lot of trouble it takes to get wood for their fires. Sorcy felt this to be true and was sorry for the old woman. Where are we going to? asked he, to the castle of the White Demon. And if you are in want of work, I will find you something to do. But I can't do anything, he said, except carry a bundle, and I shan't earn much by that. Oh, you are learning! replied the old woman. And it isn't bad for a first lesson. But the king was paying very little attention to her, for he was rather cross and very tired. Indeed he felt that he really could not carry the bundle any further, and was about to lay it down when up came a young maiden, more beautiful than the day, and covered with precious stones. She ran to them, exclaiming to the old woman, Oh, you poor thing, I was just coming after you to see if I could help you. Here is a young man, replied the old woman. Who will be quite ready to give you up the bundle? You see he does not look as if he enjoyed carrying it. Will you let me take it, sir? she asked. But the king felt ashamed of himself, and held on to it tightly, while the presence of the princess put him in a better temper. So they all travelled together till they arrived at a very ordinary-looking house, which Aveline pointed out as the castle of the white demon, and told the king that he might put down his bundle in the courtyard. The young man was terribly afraid of being recognized by someone in this strange position, and would have turned on his heel and gone away had it not been for the thought of Minion Menat. Still he felt very awkward and lonely, for both the princess and the old woman had entered the castle without taking the slightest notice of the young man, who remained where he was for some time not quite knowing what he had better do. At length a servant arrived and led him up into a beautiful room filled with people, who were either playing on musical instruments or talking in a lively manner, which astonished the king, who stood silently listening, and not at all pleased at the want of attention paid him. Matters went on this way for some time. Every day the king felt more and more in love with Minion Menat, and every day the princess seemed more and more taken up with other people. At last, in despair, the prince sought out the old woman to try to get some advice from her, as to his conduct or, anyway, to have the pleasure of talking about Minion Menat. He found her spinning in an underground chamber, but quite ready to tell him all he wanted to know. In answer to his questions, he learned that in order to win the hand of the princess it was not enough to be born a prince, for she would marry nobody who had not proved himself faithful and had, besides, all those talents and accomplishments which helped to make people happy. For a moment Susie was very much cast down on hearing this, but then he plucked up. Tell me what I must do in order to win the heart of the princess, and, no matter how hard it is, I will do it, and show me how I can repay you for your kindness, and you shall have anything I can give you.  It is enough that you should have made the offer, replied the old woman, and she added, holding out a scheme of thread. Take this. One day you will be thankful for it, and when it becomes useless your difficulties will be passed. Is it the scheme of my life, he asked? It is the scheme of your love's ill luck, she said, and he took it and went away. Now the fairy Giroette, who had brought up Susie, had an old friend called Grimus, the protectress of Prince Fluid. Grimus often talked over the young prince's affairs with Giroette, and when she decided that he was old enough to govern his own kingdom, consulted Giroette as to a suitable wife. Giroette, who never stopped to think or make inquiries, drew such a delightful picture of Minion Manette that Grimus determined to spare no pains to bring about the marriage, and accordingly Fluid was presented at court. But, though the young man was pleasant and handsome, the princess thought him rather womanish in some ways, and displayed her opinion so openly as to draw upon herself and Aveline the anger of the fairy, who declared that Minion Manette should never know happiness till she had found a bridge without an arch and a bird without feathers, so saying she also went away. Before the king set out afresh on his travels, Aveline had restored to him his horse and his sword, and though these were but small consolation for the absence of the princess, they were better than nothing, for he felt that somehow they might be the means of leading him back to her. After crossing several deserts, the king arrived at length in a country that seemed inhabited, but the instant he stepped over the border, he was seized and flung into chains, and dragged it once to the capital. He asked his guards why he was treated like this, but the only answer he got was that he was in the territory of the Iron King, for in those days countries had no names of their own, but were called after their rulers. The young man was led into the presence of the Iron King, who was seated on a black throne in a hall also hung with black, as a token of mourning for all the relations whom he had put to death. What are you doing in my country? he cried fiercely. I came here by accident, replied Susie, and if I ever escape from your clutches, I will take warning by you and treat my subjects differently. Do you dare to insult me in my own court? cried the king, away with him to Little Ease. Now Little Ease was an iron cage hung by four thick chains in the middle of a great vaulted hall, and the prisoner inside could neither sit nor stand nor lie, and beside that he was made to suffer by turns unbearable heat and cold, while a hundred heavy bolts kept everything safe. Jirwet, whose business it was to see after Susie, had forgotten his existence in the excitement of some new idea, and he would not have been alive long to trouble anybody if Aveline had not come to the rescue and whispered in his ear, and the skein of thread. He took it up obediently, though he did not see how it would help him, but he tied it round one of the iron bars of his cage, which seemed the only thing he could do, and gave a pull. To his surprise the bar gave way at once, and he found he could break it into a thousand pieces. After this it did not take him long to get out of his cage, or to treat the closely barred windows of the hall in the same manner. But even after he had done all this, freedom appeared as far from him as ever, for between him and the open country was a high wall, and so smooth that not even a monkey could climb it. Then Susie's heart died within him. He saw nothing for it but to submit to some horrible death. But he determined that the iron king should not profit more than he could help, and flung his precious thread into the air, saying as he did so, O fairy, my misfortunes are greater than your power. I am grateful for your good will, but take back your gift. The fairy had pity on his youth and want of faith, and took care that one end of the thread remained in his hand.  Better, he said to himself, trust to a thread than to the mercies of a king. And gliding down he found himself safe on the other side of the wall. Then he rolled up the thread and put it carefully into his pocket, breathing silent thanks to the fairy. Now a minion minnet had been kept informed by Aveline of the Prince's adventures, and when she heard of the way in which he had been treated by the iron king, she became furious, and began to prepare for war. She made her plans with all the secrecy she could, but when great armies are collected people are apt to suspect a storm is brewing, and, of course, it is very difficult to keep anything hidden from fairy godmothers. Anyway, Grimus soon heard of it, and as she had never forgiven Minion Minnet for refusing Prince Fluid, she felt that here was her chance of revenge. Up to this time, Aveline had been able to put a stop to many of Grimus's spiteful tricks, and to keep guard over Minion Minnet. But she had no power over anything that happened at a distance, and when the Princess declared her intention of putting herself at the head of her army, and began to train herself to bear fatigue by hunting daily, the fairy entreated her to be careful never to cross the borders of her dominions, without Aveline to protect her. The Princess had once gave her promise, and all went well for some days, unluckily one morning as Minion Minnet was cantering slowly on her beautiful white horse. Thinking a great deal about Susie, and not at all of the boundaries of her kingdom, of which, indeed, she was very ignorant, she suddenly found herself in front of a house made entirely of dead leaves, which somehow brought all sorts of unpleasant things into her head. She remembered Aveline's warning, and tried to turn her horse, but it stood as still as if it had been marble. Then the Princess felt that she was slowly, and against her will, being dragged to the ground. She shrieked, and clung tightly to the saddle, but it was all in vain. She longed to fly, but something outside herself proved too strong for her, and she was forced to take the path that led to the house of dead leaves. Scarcely had her feet touch the threshold, and grimace appeared. So here you are at last, Minion Minnet. I have been watching you a long time, and my trap was ready for you from the beginning. Come here, my darling. I will teach you to make war on my friends. Things won't turn out exactly as you fancied. What you have got to do now is to go on your knees to the King, and crave his pardon, and before he consents to a peace you will have to implore him to grant you the favour of becoming his wife. Meanwhile you will have to be my servant. From that day the poor Princess was put to the hardest and dirtiest work, and each morning something more disagreeable seemed to await her. Besides which, she had no food but a little black bread, and no bed but a little straw. Out of pure spite she was sent in the heat of the day to look after the geese, and would most likely have got a sunstroke if she had not happened to pick up in the fields a large fan, with which she sheltered her face. To be sure a fan seems a rather an odd possession for a goose girl, but the Princess did not think of that, and she forgot all her troubles when, on opening a fan to use it as a parasol, outtumbled a letter from her lover. Then she felt sure that the fairy had not forgotten her, and took heart. When Grimus saw that Minion Manette still managed to look as white as snow, instead of being burnt as brown as a berry, she wondered what could have happened, and began to watch her closely. The following day, when the sun was at his highest and hottest, she noticed her draw a fan from the folds of her dress and hold it before her eyes. The fairy in a rage tried to snatch it from her, but the Princess would not let it go. Give me that fannot once! cried Grimus. Never while I live! answered the Princess, and, not knowing where it would be safest, placed it under her feet. In an instant she felt herself rising from the ground, with the fan always beneath her, and while Grimus was too much blinded by her fury to notice what was going on, the Princess was quickly soaring out of her reach. All this time Susie had been wandering through the world with his precious thread carefully fastened round him, seeking every possible and impossible place where his beloved Princess might chance to be. But, though he sometimes found traces of her, or even messages scratched on a rock, or cut in the bark of a tree, she herself was nowhere to be found. If she is not on the earth, said Susie to himself, perhaps she is hiding somewhere in the air. It is there that I shall find her. So by the help of his thread he tried to mount upwards, but he could go such a little way and hurt himself dreadfully when he tumbled back to earth again. Still, he did not give up, and after many days of efforts and tumbles he found his great joy that he could go a little higher and stay up a little longer than he had done at first. And, by and by, he was able to live in the air altogether. But, alas, the world of the air seemed as empty of her as the world below, and Susie was beginning to despair, and to think that he must go and search the world that lay in the sea. He was floating sadly along, not paying any heed to where he was going, when he saw in the distance a beautiful bright sort of bird coming toward him. His heart beat fast. He did not know why, and as they both drew near the voice of the Princess exclaimed, Behold the bird without feathers and the bridge without an arch. So their first meeting took place in the air, but it was nonetheless happy for that, and the fan grew big enough to hold the King as well as Aveline, who had hastened to give them some good advice. She guided the fan above the spot where the two armies lay encamped before each other, ready to give battle. The fight was long and bloody, but in the end the Iron King was obliged to give way and surrender to the Princess, who set him to keep King Susie's sheep, first making him swear a solemn oath that he would treat them kindly. Then the marriage took place in the presence of Girorette, whom they had the greatest trouble to find, and who was much astonished to discover how much business had been got through in her absence. END OF PRINCESS MINION MANET THE PINK FAIRY BOOK by Andrew Lang Maiden Brideye from the Danish Once upon a time there was a man and his wife who had two children, a boy and a girl. The wife died and the man married again. His new wife had an only daughter, who was both ugly and untidy, whereas her stepdaughter was a beautiful girl, and was known as Maiden Brideye. Her stepmother was very cruel to her on this account. She had always to do the hardest work, and got very little to eat, and no attention paid to her. But to her own daughter she was all that was good. She was spared from all the hardest of the housework and had always the prettiest clothes to wear. Maiden Brideye had also to watch the sheep, but, of course, it would never do to let her go idle and enjoy herself too much at this work. So she had to pull Heather while she was out on the moors with them. Her stepmother gave her pancakes to take with her for her dinner. But she had mixed the flour with ashes and made them just as bad as she could. The little girl came out on the moor and began to pull Heather on the side of a little mound. But next minute a little fellow with a red cap on his head popped up out of the mound and said, Who's that pulling the roof off my house?  My mother sent me out here and told me to pull Heather. If you will be good to me, I will give you a bit of my dinner. The little fellow was quite willing, and she gave him the biggest share of her pancakes. They were not particularly good, but when one is hungry anything tastes well. After he had got them all eaten, he said to her, Now I shall give you three wishes, for you are a very nice little girl. But I will choose the wishes for you. You are beautiful, and much more beautiful shall you be, yes, so lovely that there will not be your like in the world. The next wish shall be that every time you open your mouth a gold coin shall fall out of it, and your voice shall be like the most beautiful music. The third wish shall be that you may be married to the young king, and become the queen of the country.  Maiden Bright I thanked the little Bergman ever so often, and drove home her sheep in the evening. By that time she had grown so beautiful that her people could scarcely recognize her. Her stepmother asked her how it had come about that she had grown so beautiful. She told the whole story, for she always told the truth, that a little man had come to her out on the moor and had given her all this beauty. She did not tell, however, that she had given him a share of her dinner. The stepmother thought to herself, if one can become so beautiful by going out there, my own daughter shall also be sent, for she can well stand being made a little prettier. Next morning she baked for her the finest cakes, and dressed her priddley to go out with the sheep. But she was afraid to go away there without having a stick to defend herself with if anything should come near her. She was not very much inclined for pulling the heather, as she never was in the habit of doing any work. But she was only a minute or so adept when up came the same little fellow with the red cap, and said, Who's that pulling the roof off my house? What's that to you? said she. Well, if you will give me a bit of your dinner, I won't do you any mischief, said he. I will give you something else in place of my dinner, said she. I can easily eat it myself, but if you will have something you can have a whack of my stick. And with that she raised it in the air and struck the bergman over the head with it.  But you shall be done the better of this. I shall give you three wishes, and choose them for you.    The girl went home in the evening, and when her mother saw her she was as vexed as she could be, and with good reason, too. But it was still worse when she saw the toads fall out of her mouth and heard her voice. Now we must hear something about the stepson. He had gone out into the world to look about him, and took service in the king's palace. About this time he got permission to go home and see his sister. And when he saw how lovely and beautiful she was, he was so pleased and delighted that when he came back to the king's palace everyone there wanted to know what he was always so happy about. He told him that it was because he had such a lovely sister at home. At last it came to the ears of the king what the brother said about his sister, and, besides that, the report of her beauty spread far and wide so that the youth was summoned before the king, who asked him if everything was true that was told about the girl. He said it was quite true, for he had seen her beauty with his own eyes, and had heard with his own ears how sweetly she could sing, and what a lovely voice she had. The king then took a great desire for her, and ordered her brother to go home and bring her back with him, for he trusted no one better to accomplish that errand. He got a ship, and everything else that he required, and sailed home for his sister. As soon as the stepmother heard what his errand was she had once said to herself, this will never come about if I can do anything to hinder it. She must not be allowed to come to such honour. She then got a dress made for her own daughter, like the finest robe for a queen, and she had a mask prepared and put upon her face so that she looked quite pretty, and gave her strict orders not to take it off until the king had promised to wed her. The brother now set sail with his two sisters, for the stepmother pretended that the ugly one wanted to see the other a bit on her way. But when they got out to sea, and maiden bright eye came up on deck, the sister did as her mother had instructed her. She gave her a push and made her fall into the water. When the brother learned what had happened he was greatly distressed, and did not know what to do. He could not bring himself to tell the truth about what had happened, nor did he expect that the king would believe it. In the long run he decided to hold on his way, and let things go as they liked. What he had expected happened. The king received his sister and wedded her at once, but repented it after the first night. As he could scarcely put down his foot in the morning for all the toads that were about the room, and when he saw her real face he was so enraged against the brother that he had then thrown into a pit full of serpents. He was so angry, not merely because he had been deceived, but because he could not get rid of the ugly wretch that was now tied to him for life. Now we shall hear a little about maiden bright eye. When she fell into the water she was fortunate enough to get the Bergman's camp put on her head. For now she was in danger of her life, and she was at once transformed into a duck. The duck swam away after the ship and came to the king's palace on the next evening. There it waddled up the drain, and so into the kitchen, where her little dog lay on the her stone. It could not bear to stay in the fine chambers along with the ugly sister, and had taken refuge down there. The duck hopped up till it could talk to the dog. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where is my brother? He is in the serpent pit. Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king. Alas, alas, I am here this evening, and shall be for two evenings yet, and then I shall never come again. When it had said this the duck waddled off again. Several of the servant-girls heard the conversation and were greatly surprised at it, and thought that it would be worthwhile to catch the bird next evening and see into the matter a little more closely. They had heard it say that it would come again. Next evening it appeared as it had said, and a great many were present to see it. It came waddling in by the drain and went up to the dog, which was lying on the hearth stone. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where is my brother? He is in the serpent pit. Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king. Alas, alas, I am here this evening, and I shall be for one evening yet, and then I shall never come again. After this it slipped out, and no one could get hold of it. But the king's cook thought to himself, I shall see if I can't get hold of you tomorrow evening. On the third evening the duck again came waddling in by the drain, and up to the dog on the hearth stone. Good evening, it said. Thanks, maiden bright eye, said the dog. Where is my brother? He is in the serpent pit. Where is my wicked sister? She is with the noble king. Alas, alas, now I shall never come again. With this it slipped out again. But in the meantime the cook had posted himself at the outer end of the drain with a net, which he threw over it as it came out. In this way he caught it, and came into the others with the most beautiful duck they had ever seen, with so many golden feathers on it that everyone marveled. No one, however, knew what was to be done with it. But after what they had learned they knew that there was something uncommon about it, so they took good care of it. At this time the brother in the serpent pit dreamed that his right sister had come swimming to the king's palace in the shape of a duck, and that she could not regain her own form until her beak was cut off. He got this dream told to someone, so that the king at last came to hear of it, and had him taken up out of the pit and brought before him. The king then asked him if he could produce to him his sister as beautiful as he had formally described her. The brother said he could if they would bring him the duck and a knife. Both of them were brought to him, and he said, I wonder how you would look if I were to cut the point off your beak.  Next moment Maiden Bright-Eye stood there, as lovely and beautiful as he had seen her when he was home. This was his sister now, he said, and the whole story now came out of how the other had behaved to her. The wicked sister was put into a barrel with spikes rounded, which was dragged off by six wild horses, and so she came to her end. But the king was delighted with Maiden Bright-Eye, and immediately made her his queen, while her brother became his prime minister. End of Maiden Bright-Eye, recording by Elliott Miller, www.voisevee.com