第6章

Twomoreyearsslippedby，whenonedayduringtheking’sabsencethestepmotherfoundDotterinesittingunderalimetree。Shefellasusualintoapassion，andbeatthechildsobadlythatDotterinewentstaggeringtoherownroom。Hernursewasnotthere，butsuddenly，asshestoodweeping，hereyesfelluponthegoldencaseinwhichlaythepreciousbasket。Shethoughtitmightcontainsomethingtoamuseher，andlookedeagerlyinside，butnothingwastheresaveahandfulofwoolandtwoemptyeggshells。Verymuchdisappointed，sheliftedthewool，andtherelaythegoose’swing。’Whatoldrubbish，’saidthechildtoherself，and，turning，threwthewingoutoftheopenwindow。

Inamomentabeautifulladystoodbesideher。’Donotbeafraid，’saidthelady，strokingDotterine’shead。’Iamyourgodmother，andhavecometopayyouavisit。Yourredeyestellmethatyouareunhappy。Iknowthatyourstepmotherisveryunkindtoyou，butbebraveandpatient，andbetterdayswillcome。Shewillhavenopoweroveryouwhenyouaregrownup，andnooneelsecanhurtyoueither，ifonlyyouarecarefulnevertopartfromyourbasket，ortolosetheeggshellsthatareinit。

Makeasilkencaseforthelittlebasket，andhideitawayinyourdressnightanddayandyouwillbesafefromyourstepmotherandanyonethattriestoharmyou。Butifyoushouldhappentofindyourselfinanydifficulty，andcannottellwhattodo，takethegoose’swingfromthebasket，andthrowitoutofthewindow，andinamomentIwillcometohelpyou。Nowcomeintothegarden，thatImaytalktoyouunderthelimetrees，wherenoonecanhearus。’

Theyhadsomuchtosaytoeachother，thatthesunwasalreadysettingwhenthegodmotherhadendedallthegoodadviceshewishedtogivethechild，andsawitwastimeforhertobegoing。’Handmethebasket，’saidshe，’foryoumusthavesomesupper。Icannotletyougohungrytobed。’

Then，bendingoverthebasket，shewhisperedsomemagicwords，andinstantlyatablecoveredwithfruitsandcakesstoodonthegroundbeforethem。Whentheyhadfinishedeating，thegodmotherledthechildback，andonthewaytaughtherthewordsshemustsaytothebasketwhenshewantedittogivehersomething。

Inafewyearsmore，Dotterinewasagrown—upyounglady，andthosewhosawherthoughtthattheworlddidnotcontainsolovelyagirl。

Aboutthistimeaterriblewarbrokeout，andthekingandhisarmywerebeatenbackandback，tillatlengththeyhadtoretireintothetown，andmakereadyforasiege。Itlastedsolongthatfoodbegantofail，andeveninthepalacetherewasnotenoughtoeat。

SoonemorningDotterine，whohadhadneithersuppernorbreakfast，andwasfeelingveryhungry，letherwingflyaway。

Shewassoweakandmiserable，thatdirectlyhergodmotherappearedsheburstintotears，andcouldnotspeakforsometime。

’Donotcryso，dearchild，’saidthegodmother。’Iwillcarryyouawayfromallthis，buttheothersImustleavetotaketheirchance。’Then，biddingDotterinefollowher，shepassedthroughthegatesofthetown，andthroughthearmyoutside，andnobodystoppedthem，orseemedtoseethem。

Thenextdaythetownsurrendered，andthekingandallhiscourtiersweretakenprisoners，butintheconfusionhissonmanagedtomakehisescape。Thequeenhadalreadymetherdeathfromaspearcarelesslythrown。

AssoonasDotterineandhergodmotherwereclearoftheenemy，Dotterinetookoffherownclothes，andputonthoseofapeasant，andinordertodisguiseherbetterhergodmotherchangedherfacecompletely。’Whenbettertimescome，’herprotectresssaidcheerfully，’andyouwanttolooklikeyourselfagain，youhaveonlytowhisperthewordsIhavetaughtyouintothebasket，andsayyouwouldliketohaveyourownfaceoncemore，anditwillbeallrightinamoment。Butyouwillhavetoendurealittlelongeryet。’Then，warningheroncemoretotakecareofthebasket，theladybadethegirlfarewell。

FormanydaysDotterinewanderedfromoneplacetoanotherwithoutfindingshelter，andthoughthefoodwhichshegotfromthebasketpreventedherfromstarving，shewasgladenoughtotakeserviceinapeasant’shousetillbrighterdaysdawned。Atfirsttheworkshehadtodoseemedverydifficult，buteithershewaswonderfullyquickinlearning，orelsethebasketmayhavesecretlyhelpedher。Anyhowattheendofthreedaysshecoulddoeverythingaswellasifshehadcleanedpotsandsweptroomsallherlife。

OnemorningDotterinewasbusyscouringawoodentub，whenanobleladyhappenedtopassthroughthevillage。Thegirl’sbrightfaceasshestoodinthefrontofthedoorwithhertubattractedthelady，andshestoppedandcalledthegirltocomeandspeaktoher。

’Wouldyounotliketocomeandentermyservice？’sheasked。

’Verymuch，’repliedDotterine，’ifmypresentmistresswillallowme。’

’Oh，Iwillsettlethat，’answeredthelady;andsoshedid，andthesamedaytheysetoutforthelady’shouse，Dotterinesittingbesidethecoachman。

Sixmonthswentby，andthencamethejoyfulnewsthattheking’ssonhadcollectedanarmyandhaddefeatedtheusurperwhohadtakenhisfather’splace，butatthesamemomentDotterinelearnedthattheoldkinghaddiedincaptivity。Thegirlweptbitterlyforhisloss，butinsecrecy，asshehadtoldhermistressnothingaboutherpastlife。

Attheendofayearofmourning，theyoungkingletitbeknownthatheintendedtomarry，andcommandedallthemaidensinthekingdomtocometoafeast，sothathemightchooseawifefromamongthem。Forweeksallthemothersandallthedaughtersinthelandwerebusypreparingbeautifuldressesandtryingnewwaysofputtinguptheirhair，andthethreelovelydaughtersofDotterine’smistresswereasmuchexcitedastherest。Thegirlwascleverwithherfingers，andwasoccupiedalldaywithgettingreadytheirsmartclothes，butatnightwhenshewenttobedshealwaysdreamedthathergodmotherbentoverherandsaid，’Dressyouryoungladiesforthefeast，andwhentheyhavestartedfollowthemyourself。Nobodywillbesofineasyou。’

Whenthegreatdaycame，Dotterinecouldhardlycontainherself，andwhenshehaddressedheryoungmistressesandseenthemdepartwiththeirmothersheflungherselfonherbed，andburstintotears。Thensheseemedtohearavoicewhispertoher，’Lookinyourbasket，andyouwillfindiniteverythingthatyouneed。’

Dotterinedidnotwanttobetoldtwice！Upshejumped，seizedherbasket，andrepeatedthemagicwords，andbehold！therelayadressonthebed，shiningasastar。Sheputitonwithfingersthattrembledwithjoy，and，lookingintheglass，wasstruckdumbatherownbeauty。Shewentdownstairs，andinfrontofthedoorstoodafinecarriage，intowhichshesteppedandwasdrivenawaylikethewind。

Theking’spalacewasalongwayoff，yetitseemedonlyafewminutesbeforeDotterinedrewupatthegreatgates。Shewasjustgoingtoalight，whenshesuddenlyrememberedshehadleftherbasketbehindher。Whatwasshetodo？Gobackandfetchit，lestsomeill—fortuneshouldbefallher，orenterthepalaceandtrusttochancethatnothingevilwouldhappen？Butbeforeshecoulddecide，alittleswallowflewupwiththebasketinitsbeak，andthegirlwashappyagain。

Thefeastwasalreadyatitsheight，andthehallwasbrilliantwithyouthandbeauty，whenthedoorwasflungwideandDotterineentered，makingalltheothermaidenslookpaleanddimbesideher。Theirhopesfadedastheygazed，buttheirmotherswhisperedtogether，saying，’Surelythisisourlostprincess！’

Theyoungkingdidnotknowheragain，butheneverlefthersidenortookhiseyesfromher。Andatmidnightastrangethinghappened。Athickcloudsuddenlyfilledthehall，sothatforamomentallwasdark。Thenthemistsuddenlygrewbright，andDotterine’sgodmotherwasseenstandingthere。

’This，’shesaid，turningtotheking，’isthegirlwhomyouhavealwaysbelievedtobeyoursister，andwhovanishedduringthesiege。Sheisnotyoursisteratall，butthedaughterofthekingofaneighbouringcountry，whowasgiventoyourmothertobringup，tosaveherfromthehandsofawizard。’

Thenshevanished，andwasneverseenagain，northewonder—workingbasketeither;butnowthatDotterine’stroubleswereovershecouldgetonwithoutthem，andsheandtheyoungkinglivedhappilytogethertilltheendoftheirdays。

[EhstnischeMarchen。]

STANBOLOVAN

Onceuponatimewhathappeneddidhappen，andifithadnothappenedthisstorywouldneverhavebeentold。

Ontheoutskirtsofavillagejustwheretheoxenwereturnedouttopasture，andthepigsroamedaboutburrowingwiththeirnosesamongtherootsofthetrees，therestoodasmallhouse。Inthehouselivedamanwhohadawife，andthewifewassadalldaylong。

’Dearwife，whatiswrongwithyouthatyouhangyourheadlikeadroopingrosebud？’askedherhusbandonemorning。’Youhaveeverythingyouwant;whycannotyoubemerrylikeotherwomen？’

’Leavemealone，anddonotseektoknowthereason，’repliedshe，burstingintotears，andthemanthoughtthatitwasnotimetoquestionher，andwentawaytohiswork。

Hecouldnot，however，forgetallaboutit，andafewdaysafterheinquiredagainthereasonofhersadness，butonlygotthesamereply。Atlengthhefelthecouldbearitnolonger，andtriedathirdtime，andthenhiswifeturnedandansweredhim。

’Goodgracious！’criedshe，’whycannotyouletthingsbeastheyare？IfIweretotellyou，youwouldbecomejustaswretchedasmyself。Ifyouwouldonlybelieve，itisfarbetterforyoutoknownothing。’

Butnomanyetwasevercontentwithsuchananswer。Themoreyoubeghimnottoinquire，thegreaterishiscuriositytolearnthewhole。

’Well，ifyouMUSTknow，’saidthewifeatlast，’Iwilltellyou。Thereisnoluckinthishouse——noluckatall！’

’Isnotyourcowthebestmilkerinallthevillage？Arenotyourtreesasfulloffruitasyourhivesarefullofbees？Hasanyonecornfieldslikeours？Reallyyoutalknonsensewhenyousaythingslikethat！’

’Yes，allthatyousayistrue，butwehavenochildren。’

ThenStanunderstood，andwhenamanonceunderstandsandhashiseyesopeneditisnolongerwellwithhim。Fromthatdaythelittlehouseintheoutskirtscontainedanunhappymanaswellasanunhappywoman。Andatthesightofherhusband’smiserythewomanbecamemorewretchedthanever。

Andsomatterswentonforsometime。

Someweekshadpassed，andStanthoughthewouldconsultawisemanwholivedaday’sjourneyfromhisownhouse。Thewisemanwassittingbeforehisdoorwhenhecameup，andStanfellonhiskneesbeforehim。’Givemechildren，mylord，givemechildren。’

’Takecarewhatyouareasking，’repliedthewiseman。’Willnotchildrenbeaburdentoyou？Areyourichenoughtofeedandclothethem？’

’Onlygivethemtome，mylord，andIwillmanagesomehow！’andatasignfromthewisemanStanwenthisway。

Hereachedhomethateveningtiredanddusty，butwithhopeinhisheart。Ashedrewnearhishouseasoundofvoicesstruckuponhisear，andhelookeduptoseethewholeplacefullofchildren。Childreninthegarden，childrenintheyard，childrenlookingoutofeverywindow——itseemedtothemanasifallthechildrenintheworldmustbegatheredthere。Andnonewasbiggerthantheother，buteachwassmallerthantheother，andeveryonewasmorenoisyandmoreimpudentandmoredaringthantherest，andStangazedandgrewcoldwithhorrorasherealisedthattheyallbelongedtohim。

’Goodgracious！howmanythereare！howmany！’hemutteredtohimself。

’Oh，butnotonetoomany，’smiledhiswife，comingupwithacrowdmorechildrenclingingtoherskirts。

Butevenshefoundthatitwasnotsoeasytolookafterahundredchildren，andwhenafewdayshadpassedandtheyhadeatenupallthefoodtherewasinthehouse，theybegantocry，’Father！Iamhungry——Iamhungry，’tillStanscratchedhisheadandwonderedwhathewastodonext。Itwasnotthathethoughtthereweretoomanychildren，forhislifehadseemedmorefullofjoysincetheyappeared，butnowitcametothepointhedidnotknowhowhewastofeedthem。Thecowhadceasedtogivemilk，anditwastooearlyforthefruittreestoripen。

’Doyouknow，oldwoman！’saidheonedaytohiswife，’Imustgooutintotheworldandtrytobringbackfoodsomehow，thoughI

cannottellwhereitistocomefrom。’

Tothehungrymananyroadislong，andthentherewasalwaysthethoughtthathehadtosatisfyahundredgreedychildrenaswellashimself。

Stanwandered，andwandered，andwandered，tillhereachedtotheendoftheworld，wherethatwhichis，ismingledwiththatwhichisnot，andtherehesaw，alittlewayoff，asheepfold，withsevensheepinit。Intheshadowofsometreeslaytherestoftheflock。

Stancreptup，hopingthathemightmanagetodecoysomeofthemawayquietly，anddrivethemhomeforfoodforhisfamily，buthesoonfoundthiscouldnotbe。Foratmidnightheheardarushingnoise，andthroughtheairflewadragon，whodroveapartaram，asheep，andalamb，andthreefinecattlethatwerelyingdowncloseby。Andbesidesthesehetookthemilkofseventy—sevensheep，andcarriedithometohisoldmother，thatshemightbatheinitandgrowyoungagain。Andthishappenedeverynight。

Theshepherdbewailedhimselfinvain:thedragononlylaughed，andStansawthatthiswasnottheplacetogetfoodforhisfamily。

Butthoughhequiteunderstoodthatitwasalmosthopelesstofightagainstsuchapowerfulmonster，yetthethoughtofthehungrychildrenathomeclungtohimlikeaburr，andwouldnotbeshakenoff，andatlasthesaidtotheshepherd，’WhatwillyougivemeifIridyouofthedragon？’

’Oneofeverythreerams，oneofeverythreesheep，oneofeverythreelambs，’answeredtheherd。

’Itisabargain，’repliedStan，thoughatthemomenthedidnotknowhow，supposingheDIDcomeoffthevictor，hewouldeverbeabletodrivesolargeaflockhome。

However，thatmattercouldbesettledlater。Atpresentnightwasnotfaroff，andhemustconsiderhowbesttofightwiththedragon。

Justatmidnight，ahorriblefeelingthatwasnewandstrangetohimcameoverStan——afeelingthathecouldnotputintowordseventohimself，butwhichalmostforcedhimtogiveupthebattleandtaketheshortestroadhomeagain。Hehalfturned;

thenherememberedthechildren，andturnedback。

’YouorI，’saidStantohimself，andtookuphispositionontheedgeoftheflock。

’Stop！’hesuddenlycried，astheairwasfilledwitharushingnoise，andthedragoncamedashingpast。

’Dearme！’exclaimedthedragon，lookinground。’Whoareyou，andwheredoyoucomefrom？’

’IamStanBolovan，whoeatsrocksallnight，andinthedayfeedsontheflowersofthemountain;andifyoumeddlewiththosesheepIwillcarveacrossonyourback。’

Whenthedragonheardthesewordshestoodquitestillinthemiddleoftheroad，forheknewhehadmetwithhismatch。

’Butyouwillhavetofightmefirst，’hesaidinatremblingvoice，forwhenyoufacedhimproperlyhewasnotbraveatall。

’Ifightyou？’repliedStan，’whyIcouldslayyouwithonebreath！’Then，stoopingtopickupalargecheesewhichlayathisfeet，headded，’Goandgetastonelikethisoutoftheriver，sothatwemaylosenotimeinseeingwhoisthebestman。’

ThedragondidasStanbadehim，andbroughtbackastoneoutofthebrook。

’Canyougetbuttermilkoutofyourstone？’askedStan。

Thedragonpickeduphisstonewithonehand，andsqueezedittillitfellintopowder，butnobuttermilkflowedfromit。’OfcourseIcan’t！’hesaid，halfangrily。

’Well，ifyoucan’t，Ican，’answeredStan，andhepressedthecheesetillbuttermilkflowedthroughhisfingers。

Whenthedragonsawthat，hethoughtitwastimehemadethebestofhiswayhomeagain，butStanstoodinhispath。

’Wehavestillsomeaccountstosettle，’saidhe，’aboutwhatyouhavebeendoinghere，’andthepoordragonwastoofrightenedtostir，lestStanshouldslayhimatonebreathandburyhimamongtheflowersinthemountainpastures。

’Listentome，’hesaidatlast。’Iseeyouareaveryusefulperson，andmymotherhasneedofafellowlikeyou。Supposeyouenterherserviceforthreedays，whichareaslongasoneofyouryears，andshewillpayyoueachdaysevensacksfullofducats。’

Threetimessevensacksfullofducats！Theofferwasverytempting，andStancouldnotresistit。Hedidnotwastewords，butnoddedtothedragon，andtheystartedalongtheroad。

Itwasalong，longway，butwhentheycametotheendtheyfoundthedragon’smother，whowasasoldastimeitself，expectingthem。Stansawhereyesshininglikelampsfromafar，andwhentheyenteredthehousetheybeheldahugekettlestandingonthefire，filledwithmilk。Whentheoldmotherfoundthathersonhadarrivedempty—handedshegrewveryangry，andfireandflamedartedfromhernostrils，butbeforeshecouldspeakthedragonturnedtoStan。

’Stayhere，’saidhe，’andwaitforme;Iamgoingtoexplainthingstomymother。’

Stanwasalreadyrepentingbitterlythathehadevercometosuchaplace，but，sincehewasthere，therewasnothingforitbuttotakeeverythingquietly，andnotshowthathewasafraid。

’Listen，mother，’saidthedragonassoonastheywerealone，’I

havebroughtthismaninordertogetridofhim。Heisaterrificfellowwhoeatsrocks，andcanpressbuttermilkoutofastone，’andhetoldherallthathadhappenedthenightbefore。

’Oh，justleavehimtome！’shesaid。’Ihaveneveryetletamanslipthroughmyfingers。’SoStanhadtostayanddotheoldmotherservice。

Thenextdayshetoldhimthatheandhersonshouldtrywhichwasthestrongest，andshetookdownahugeclub，boundseventimeswithiron。

Thedragonpickeditupasifithadbeenafeather，and，afterwhirlingitroundhishead，flungitlightlythreemilesaway，tellingStantobeatthatifhecould。

Theywalkedtothespotwheretheclublay。Stanstoopedandfeltit;thenagreatfearcameoverhim，forheknewthatheandallhischildrentogetherwouldneverliftthatclubfromtheground。

’Whatareyoudoing？’askedthedragon。

’Iwasthinkingwhatabeautifulclubitwas，andwhatapityitisthatitshouldcauseyourdeath。’

’Howdoyoumean——mydeath？’askedthedragon。

’OnlythatIamafraidthatifIthrowityouwillneverseeanotherdawn。Youdon’tknowhowstrongIam！’

’Oh，nevermindthatbequickandthrow。’

’Ifyouarereallyinearnest，letusgoandfeastforthreedays:thatwillatanyrategiveyouthreeextradaysoflife。’

Stanspokesocalmlythatthistimethedragonbegantogetalittlefrightened，thoughhedidnotquitebelievethatthingswouldbeasbadasStansaid。

Theyreturnedtothehouse，tookallthefoodthatcouldbefoundintheoldmother’slarder，andcarrieditbacktotheplacewheretheclubwaslying。ThenStanseatedhimselfonthesackofprovisions，andremainedquietlywatchingthesettingmoon。

’Whatareyoudoing？’askedthedragon。

’Waitingtillthemoongetsoutofmyway。’

’Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstand。’

’Don’tyouseethatthemoonisexactlyinmyway？Butofcourse，ifyoulike，Iwillthrowtheclubintothemoon。’

Atthesewordsthedragongrewuncomfortableforthesecondtime。

Heprizedtheclub，whichhadbeenlefthimbyhisgrandfather，veryhighly，andhadnodesirethatitshouldbelostinthemoon。

’I’lltellyouwhat，’hesaid，afterthinkingalittle。’Don’tthrowtheclubatall。Iwillthrowitasecondtime，andthatwilldojustaswell。’

’No，certainlynot！’repliedStan。’Justwaittillthemoonsets。’

Butthedragon，indreadlestStanshouldfulfilhisthreats，triedwhatbribescoulddo，andintheendhadtopromiseStansevensacksofducatsbeforehewassufferedtothrowbacktheclubhimself。

’Oh，dearme，thatisindeedastrongman，’saidthedragon，turningtohismother。’WouldyoubelievethatIhavehadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventinghimfromthrowingtheclubintothemoon？’

Thentheoldwomangrewuncomfortabletoo！Onlytothinkofit！

Itwasnojoketothrowthingsintothemoon！Sonomorewasheardoftheclub，andthenextdaytheyhadallsomethingelsetothinkabout。

’Goandfetchmewater！’saidthemother，whenthemorningbroke，andgavethemtwelvebuffaloskinswiththeordertokeepfillingthemtillnight。

Theysetoutatonceforthebrook，andinthetwinklingofaneyethedragonhadfilledthewholetwelve，carriedthemintothehouse，andbroughtthembacktoStan。Stanwastired:hecouldscarcelyliftthebucketswhentheywereempty，andheshudderedtothinkofwhatwouldhappenwhentheywerefull。Butheonlytookanoldknifeoutofhispocketandbegantoscratchuptheearthnearthebrook。

’Whatareyoudoingthere？Howareyougoingtocarrythewaterintothehouse？’askedthedragon。

’How？Dearme，thatiseasyenough！Ishalljusttakethebrook！’

Atthesewordsthedragon’sjawdropped。Thiswasthelastthingthathadeverenteredhishead，forthebrookhadbeenasitwassincethedaysofhisgrandfather。

’I’lltellyouwhat！’hesaid。’Letmecarryyourskinsforyou。’

’Mostcertainlynot，’answeredStan，goingonwithhisdigging，andthedragon，indreadlestheshouldfulfilhisthreat，triedwhatbribeswoulddo，andintheendhadagaintopromisesevensacksofducatsbeforeStanwouldagreetoleavethebrookaloneandlethimcarrythewaterintothehouse。

OnthethirddaytheoldmothersentStanintotheforestforwood，and，asusual，thedragonwentwithhim。

BeforeyoucouldcountthreehehadpulledupmoretreesthanStancouldhavecutdowninalifetime，andhadarrangedthemneatlyinrows。Whenthedragonhadfinished，Stanbegantolookabouthim，and，choosingthebiggestofthetrees，heclimbedupit，and，breakingoffalongropeofwildvine，boundthetopofthetreetotheonenextit。Andsohedidtoawholelineoftrees。

’Whatareyoudoingthere？’askedthedragon。

’Youcanseeforyourself，’answeredStan，goingquietlyonwithhiswork。

’Whyareyoutyingthetreestogether？’

’Nottogivemyselfunnecessarywork;whenIpullupone，alltheotherswillcomeuptoo。’

’Buthowwillyoucarrythemhome？’

’Dearme！don’tyouunderstandthatIamgoingtotakethewholeforestbackwithme？’saidStan，tyingtwoothertreesashespoke。

’I’lltellyouwhat，’criedthedragon，tremblingwithfearatthethoughtofsuchathing;’letmecarrythewoodforyou，andyoushallhaveseventimessevensacksfullofducats。’

’Youareagoodfellow，andIagreetoyourproposal，’answeredStan，andthedragoncarriedthewood。

Nowthethreedays’servicewhichweretobereckonedasayearwereover，andtheonlythingthatdisturbedStanwas，howtogetallthoseducatsbacktohishome！

Intheeveningthedragonandhismotherhadalongtalk，butStanheardeverywordthroughacrackintheceiling。

’Woebetous，mother，’saidthedragon;’thismanwillsoongetusintohispower。Givehimhismoney，andletusberidofhim。’

Buttheoldmotherwasfondofmoney，anddidnotlikethis。

’Listentome，’saidshe;’youmustmurderhimthisverynight。’

’Iamafraid，’answeredhe。

’Thereisnothingtofear，’repliedtheoldmother。’Whenheisasleeptaketheclub，andhithimontheheadwithit。Itiseasilydone。’

Andsoitwouldhavebeen，hadnotStanheardallaboutit。Andwhenthedragonandhismotherhadputouttheirlights，hetookthepigs’troughandfilleditwithearth，andplaceditinhisbed，andcovereditwithclothes。Thenhehidhimselfunderneath，andbegantosnoreloudly。

Verysoonthedragonstolesoftlyintotheroom，andgaveatremendousblowonthespotwhereStan’sheadshouldhavebeen。

Stangroanedloudlyfromunderthebed，andthedragonwentawayassoftlyashehadcome。Directlyhehadclosedthedoor，Stanliftedoutthepigs’trough，andlaydownhimself，aftermakingeverythingcleanandtidy，buthewaswiseenoughnottoshuthiseyesthatnight。

Thenextmorninghecameintotheroomwhenthedragonandhismotherwerehavingtheirbreakfast。

’Goodmorning，’saidhe。

’Goodmorning。Howdidyousleep？’

’Oh，verywell，butIdreamedthatafleahadbittenme，andI

seemtofeelitstill。’

Thedragonandhismotherlookedateachother。’Doyouhearthat？’whisperedhe。’Hetalksofaflea。Ibrokemyclubonhishead。’

Thistimethemothergrewasfrightenedasherson。Therewasnothingtobedonewithamanlikethis，andshemadeallhastetofillthesackswithducats，soastogetridofStanassoonaspossible。ButonhissideStanwastremblinglikeanaspen，ashecouldnotliftevenonesackfromtheground。Sohestoodstillandlookedatthem。

’Whatareyoustandingtherefor？’askedthedragon。

’Oh，IwasstandingherebecauseithasjustoccurredtomethatIshouldliketostayinyourserviceforanotheryear。IamashamedthatwhenIgethometheyshouldseeIhavebroughtbacksolittle。Iknowthattheywillcryout，"JustlookatStanBolovan，whoinoneyearhasgrownasweakasadragon。"’

Hereashriekofdismaywasheardbothfromthedragonandhismother，whodeclaredtheywouldgivehimsevenorevenseventimesseventhenumberofsacksifhewouldonlygoaway。

’I’lltellyouwhat！’saidStanatlast。’Iseeyoudon’twantmetostay，andIshouldbeverysorrytomakemyselfdisagreeable。Iwillgoatonce，butonlyonconditionthatyoushallcarrythemoneyhomeyourself，sothatImaynotbeputtoshamebeforemyfriends。’

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforethedragonhadsnatchedupthesacksandpiledthemonhisback。ThenheandStansetforth。

Theway，thoughreallynotfar，wasyettoolongforStan，butatlengthheheardhischildren’svoices，andstoppedshort。Hedidnotwishthedragontoknowwherehelived，lestsomedayheshouldcometotakebackhistreasure。Wastherenothinghecouldsaytogetridofthemonster？SuddenlyanideacameintoStan’shead，andheturnedround。

’Ihardlyknowwhattodo，’saidhe。’Ihaveahundredchildren，andIamafraidtheymaydoyouharm，astheyarealwaysreadyforafight。However，Iwilldomybesttoprotectyou。’

Ahundredchildren！Thatwasindeednojoke！Thedragonletfallthesacksfromterror，andthenpickedthemupagain。Butthechildren，whohadhadnothingtoeatsincetheirfatherhadleftthem，camerushingtowardshim，wavingknivesintheirrighthandsandforksintheirleft，andcrying，’Giveusdragon’sflesh;wewillhavedragon’sflesh。’

Atthisdreadfulsightthedragonwaitednolonger:heflungdownhissackswherehestoodandtookflightasfastashecould，soterrifiedatthefatethatawaitedhimthatfromthatdayhehasneverdaredtoshowhisfaceintheworldagain。

[AdaptedfromRumanischeMarchen。]