第10章

thenheshutupthebox，andputitinhispocket。

Theyrushedonasfastasghosts，aswhirlwinds，asvampireswhentheyhuntatmidnight，andhowlongtheyrodenomancantell，forthewayisfar。

’Stop！Ihavesomeadvicetogiveyou，’saidthehorseatlast。

’Whatisit？’askedPetru。

’Youhaveknownwhatitistosuffercold;youwillhavetoendureheat，suchasyouhaveneverdreamedof。Beasbravenowasyouwerethen。Letnoonetemptyoutotrytocoolyourself，orevilwillbefallyou。’

’Forwards！’answeredPetru。’Donotworryyourself。IfIhaveescapedwithoutbeingfrozen，thereisnochanceofmymelting。’

’Whynot？Thisisaheatthatwillmeltthemarrowinyourbones——aheatthatisonlytobefeltinthekingdomoftheGoddessofThunder。’[3]

[3]IntheGerman’Donnerstag’——thedayoftheThunderGod，i。e。

Jupiter。

AnditWAShot。Theveryironofthehorse’sshoesbegantomelt，butPetrugavenoheed。Thesweatrandownhisface，buthedrieditwithhisgauntlet。Whatheatcouldbeheneverknewbefore，andontheway，notastone’sthrowfromtheroad，laythemostdeliciousvalleys，fullofshadytreesandbubblingstreams。WhenPetrulookedatthemhisheartburnedwithinhim，andhismouthgrewparched。Andstandingamongtheflowerswerelovelymaidenswhocalledtohiminsoftvoices，tillhehadtoshuthiseyesagainsttheirspells。

’Come，myhero，comeandrest;theheatwillkillyou，’saidthey。

Petrushookhisheadandsaidnothing，forhehadlostthepowerofspeech。

Longherodeinthisawfulstate，howlongnonecantell。

Suddenlytheheatseemedtobecomeless，and，inthedistance，hesawalittlehutonahill。ThiswasthedwellingoftheGoddessofThunder，andwhenhedrewreinatherdoorthegoddessherselfcameouttomeethim。

Shewelcomedhim，andkindlyinvitedhimin，andbadehimtellherallhisadventures。SoPetrutoldherallthathadhappenedtohim，andwhyhewasthere，andthentookfarewellofher，ashehadnotimetolose。’For，’hesaid，’whoknowshowfartheFairyoftheDawnmayyetbe？’

’Stayforonemoment，forIhaveawordofadvicetogiveyou。

YouareabouttoenterthekingdomofVenus;[4]goandtellher，asamessagefromme，thatIhopeshewillnottemptyoutodelay。Onyourwayback，cometomeagain，andIwillgiveyousomethingthatmaybeofusetoyou。’

[4]’Vineri’isFriday，andalso’Venus。’

SoPetrumountedhishorse，andhadhardlyriddenthreestepswhenhefoundhimselfinanewcountry。Hereitwasneitherhotnorcold，buttheairwaswarmandsoftlikespring，thoughthewayranthroughaheathcoveredwithsandandthistles。

’Whatcanthatbe？’askedPetru，whenhesawalong，longwayoff，attheveryendoftheheath，somethingresemblingahouse。

’ThatisthehouseofthegoddessVenus，’repliedthehorse，’andifweridehardwemayreachitbeforedark’;andhedartedofflikeanarrow，sothatastwilightfelltheyfoundthemselvesnearingthehouse。Petru’sheartleapedatthesight，forallthewayalonghehadbeenfollowedbyacrowdofshadowyfigureswhodancedabouthimfromrighttoleft，andfrombacktofront，andPetru，thoughabraveman，feltnowandthenathrilloffear。

’Theywon’thurtyou，’saidthehorse;’theyarejustthedaughtersofthewhirlwindamusingthemselveswhiletheyarewaitingfortheogreofthemoon。’

Thenhestoppedinfrontofthehouse，andPetrujumpedoffandwenttothedoor。

’Donotbeinsuchahurry，’criedthehorse。’ThereareseveralthingsImusttellyoufirst。YoucannotenterthehouseofthegoddessVenuslikethat。Sheisalwayswatchedandguardedbythewhirlwind。’

’WhatamItodothen？’

’Takethecopperwreath，andgowithittothatlittlehilloverthere。Whenyoureachit，saytoyourself，"Werethereeversuchlovelymaidens！suchangels！suchfairysouls！"Thenholdthewreathhighintheairandcry，"Oh！ifIknewwhetheranyonewouldacceptthiswreathfromme……ifIknew！ifIknew！"

andthrowthewreathfromyou！’

’AndwhyshouldIdoallthis？’saidPetru。

’Asknoquestions，butgoanddoit，’repliedthehorse。AndPetrudid。

Scarcelyhadheflungawaythecopperwreaththanthewhirlwindflunghimselfuponit，andtoreitinpieces。

ThenPetruturnedoncemoretothehorse。

’Stop！’criedthehorseagain。’Ihaveotherthingstotellyou。

TakethesilverwreathandknockatthewindowsofthegoddessVenus。Whenshesays，"Whoisthere？"answerthatyouhavecomeonfootandlostyourwayontheheath。Shewillthentellyoutogoyourwaybackagain;buttakecarenottostirfromthespot。Instead，besureyousaytoher，"No，indeedIshalldonothingofthesort，asfrommychildhoodIhaveheardstoriesofthebeautyofthegoddessVenus，anditwasnotfornothingthatIhadshoesmadeofleatherwithsolesofsteel，andhavetravelledfornineyearsandninemonths，andhavewoninbattlethesilverwreath，whichIhopeyoumayallowmetogiveyou，andhavedoneandsufferedeverythingtobewhereInowam。"Thisiswhatyoumustsay。Whathappensafterisyouraffair。’

Petruaskednomore，butwenttowardsthehouse。

Bythistimeitwaspitchdark，andtherewasonlytherayoflightthatstreamedthroughthewindowstoguidehim，andatthesoundofhisfootstepstwodogsbegantobarkloudly。

’Whichofthosedogsisbarking？Ishetiredoflife？’askedthegoddessVenus。

’ItisI，Ogoddess！’repliedPetru，rathertimidly。’Ihavelostmywayontheheath，anddonotknowwhereIamtosleepthisnight。’

’Wheredidyouleaveyourhorse？’askedthegoddesssharply。

Petrudidnotanswer。Hewasnotsureifhewastolie，orwhetherhehadbettertellthetruth。

’Goaway，myson，thereisnoplaceforyouhere，’repliedshe，drawingbackfromthewindow。

ThenPetrurepeatedhastilywhatthehorsehadtoldhimtosay，andnosoonerhadhedonesothanthegoddessopenedthewindow，andingentletonessheaskedhim:

’Letmeseethiswreath，myson，’andPetruhelditouttoher。

’Comeintothehouse，’wentonthegoddess;’donotfearthedogs，theyalwaysknowmywill。’Andsotheydid，forastheyoungmanpassedtheywaggedtheirtailstohim。

’Goodevening，’saidPetruasheenteredthehouse，and，seatinghimselfnearthefire，listenedcomfortablytowhateverthegoddessmightchoosetotalkabout，whichwasforthemostpartthewickednessofmen，withwhomshewasevidentlyveryangry。

ButPetruagreedwithherineverything，ashehadbeentaughtwasonlypolite。

Butwasanybodyeversooldasshe！IdonotknowwhyPetrudevouredhersowithhiseyes，unlessitwastocountthewrinklesonherface;butifsohewouldhavehadtolivesevenlives，andeachlifeseventimesthelengthofanordinaryone，beforehecouldhavereckonedthemup。

ButVenuswasjoyfulinherheartwhenshesawPetru’seyesfixeduponher。

’Nothingwasthatis，andtheworldwasnotaworldwhenIwasborn，’saidshe。’WhenIgrewupandtheworldcameintobeing，everyonethoughtIwasthemostbeautifulgirlthateverwasseen，thoughmanyhatedmeforit。Buteveryhundredyearstherecameawrinkleonmyface。AndnowIamold。’ThenshewentontotellPetruthatshewasthedaughterofanemperor，andtheirnearestneighbourwastheFairyoftheDawn，withwhomshehadaviolentquarrel，andwiththatshebrokeoutintoloudabuseofher。

Petrudidnotknowwhattodo。Helistenedinsilenceforthemostpart，butnowandthenhewouldsay，’Yes，yes，youmusthavebeenbadlytreated，’justforpoliteness’sake;whatmorecouldhedo？

’Iwillgiveyouatasktoperform，foryouarebrave，andwillcarryitthrough，’continuedVenus，whenshehadtalkedalongtime，andbothofthemweregettingsleepy。’ClosetotheFairy’shouseisawell，andwhoeverdrinksfromitwillblossomagainlikearose。Bringmeaflagonofit，andIwilldoanythingtoprovemygratitude。Itisnoteasy！nooneknowsthatbetterthanIdo！Thekingdomisguardedoneverysidebywildbeastsandhorribledragons;butIwilltellyoumoreaboutthat，andIalsohavesomethingtogiveyou。’Thensheroseandliftedthelidofaniron—boundchest，andtookoutofitaverytinyflute。

’Doyouseethis？’sheasked。’AnoldmangaveittomewhenI

wasyoung:whoeverlistenstothisflutegoestosleep，andnothingcanwakehim。TakeitandplayonitaslongasyouremaininthekingdomoftheFairyoftheDawn，andyouwillbesafe。

Atthis，PetrutoldherthathehadanothertasktofulfilatthewelloftheFairyoftheDawn，andVenuswasstillbetterpleasedwhensheheardhistale。

SoPetrubadehergood—night，putthefluteinitscase，andlaidhimselfdowninthelowestchambertosleep。

Beforethedawnhewasawakeagain，andhisfirstcarewastogivetoeachofhishorsesasmuchcornashecouldeat，andthentoleadthemtothewelltowater。Thenhedressedhimselfandmadereadytostart。

’Stop，’criedVenusfromherwindow，’Ihavestillapieceofadvicetogiveyou。Leaveoneofyourhorseshere，andonlytakethree。Rideslowlytillyougettothefairy’skingdom，thendismountandgoonfoot。Whenyoureturn，seethatallyourthreehorsesremainontheroad，whileyouwalk。ButaboveallbewarenevertolooktheFairyoftheDawnintheface，forshehaseyesthatwillbewitchyou，andglancesthatwillbefoolyou。

Sheishideous，morehideousthananythingyoucanimagine，withowl’seyes，foxyface，andcat’sclaws。Doyouhear？doyouhear？Besureyouneverlookather。’

Petruthankedher，andmanagedtogetoffatlast。

Far，faraway，wheretheheavenstouchtheearth，wherethestarskisstheflowers，asoftredlightwasseen，suchastheskysometimeshasinspring，onlylovelier，morewonderful。

ThatlightwasbehindthepalaceoftheFairyoftheDawn，andittookPetrutwodaysandnightsthroughflowerymeadowstoreachit。Andbesides，itwasneitherhotnorcold，brightnordark，butsomethingofthemall，andPetrudidnotfindthewayasteptoolong。

AftersometimePetrusawsomethingwhiteriseupoutoftheredofthesky，andwhenhedrewnearerhesawitwasacastle，andsosplendidthathiseyesweredazzledwhentheylookedatit。

Hedidnotknowtherewassuchabeautifulcastleintheworld。

Butnotimewastobelost，soheshookhimself，jumpeddownfromhishorse，and，leavinghimonthedewygrass，begantoplayonhisfluteashewalkedalong。

Hehadhardlygonemanystepswhenhestumbledoverahugegiant，whohadbeenlulledtosleepbythemusic。Thiswasoneoftheguardsofthecastle！Ashelaythereonhisback，heseemedsobigthatinspiteofPetru’shastehestoppedtomeasurehim。

ThefurtherwentPetru，themorestrangeandterriblewerethesightshesaw——lions，tigers，dragonswithsevenheads，allstretchedoutinthesunfastasleep。Itisneedlesstosaywhatthedragonswerelike，fornowadayseveryoneknows，anddragonsarenotthingstojokeabout。Petruranthroughthemlikethewind。Wasithasteorfearthatspurredhimon？

Atlasthecametoariver，butletnobodythinkforamomentthatthisriverwaslikeotherrivers？Insteadofwater，thereflowedmilk，andthebottomwasofpreciousstonesandpearls，insteadofsandandpebbles。Anditranneitherfastnorslow，butbothfastandslowtogether。Andtheriverflowedroundthecastle，andonitsbankssleptlionswithironteethandclaws;

andbeyondweregardenssuchasonlytheFairyoftheDawncanhave，andontheflowerssleptafairy！AllthissawPetrufromtheotherside。

Buthowwashetogetover？Tobesuretherewasabridge，but，evenifithadnotbeenguardedbysleepinglions，itwasplainlynotmeantformantowalkon。Whocouldtellwhatitwasmadeof？Itlookedlikesoftlittlewoollyclouds！

Sohestoodthinkingwhatwastobedone，forgetacrosshemust。

Afterawhile，hedeterminedtotaketherisk，andstrodebacktothesleepinggiant。’Wakeup，mybraveman！’hecried，givinghimashake。

ThegiantwokeandstretchedouthishandtopickupPetru，justasweshouldcatchafly。ButPetruplayedonhisflute，andthegiantfellbackagain。Petrutriedthisthreetimes，andwhenhewassatisfiedthatthegiantwasreallyinhispowerhetookoutahandkerchief，boundthetwolittlefingersofthegianttogether，drewhissword，andcriedforthefourthtime，’Wakeup，mybraveman。’

WhenthegiantsawthetrickwhichhadbeenplayedonhimhesaidtoPetru。’Doyoucallthisafairfight？Fightaccordingtorules，ifyoureallyareahero！’

’Iwillby—and—by，butfirstIwanttoaskyouaquestion！WillyouswearthatyouwillcarrymeovertheriverifIfighthonourablywithyou？’Andthegiantswore。

Whenhishandswerefreed，thegiantflunghimselfuponPetru，hopingtocrushhimbyhisweight。Buthehadmethismatch。Itwasnotyesterday，northedaybefore，thatPetruhadfoughthisfirstbattle，andheborehimselfbravely。

Forthreedaysandthreenightsthebattleraged，andsometimesonehadtheupperhand，andsometimestheother，tillatlengththeybothlaystrugglingontheground，butPetruwasontop，withthepointofhisswordatthegiant’sthroat。

’Letmego！letmego！’shriekedhe。’IownthatIambeaten！’

’Willyoutakemeovertheriver？’askedPetru。

’Iwill，’gaspedthegiant。

’WhatshallIdotoyouifyoubreakyourword？’

’Killme，anywayyoulike！Butletmelivenow。’

’Verywell，’saidPetru，andheboundthegiant’slefthandtohisrightfoot，tiedonehandkerchiefroundhismouthtopreventhimcryingout，andanotherroundhiseyes，andledhimtotheriver。

Oncetheyhadreachedthebankhestretchedonelegovertotheotherside，and，catchingupPetruinthepalmofhishand，sethimdownonthefurthershore。

’Thatisallright，’saidPetru。Thenheplayedafewnotesonhisflute，andthegiantwenttosleepagain。Eventhefairieswhohadbeenbathingalittlelowerdownheardthemusicandfellasleepamongtheflowersonthebank。Petrusawthemashepassed，andthought，’Iftheyaresobeautiful，whyshouldtheFairyoftheDawnbesougly？’Buthedarednotlinger，andpushedon。

Andnowhewasinthewonderfulgardens，whichseemedmorewonderfulstillthantheyhaddonefromafar。ButPetrucouldseenofadedflowers，noranybirds，ashehastenedthroughthemtothecastle。Noonewastheretobarhisway，forallwereasleep。Eventheleaveshadceasedtomove。

Hepassedthroughthecourtyard，andenteredthecastleitself。

Whathebeheldthereneednotbetold，foralltheworldknowsthatthepalaceoftheFairyoftheDawnisnoordinaryplace。

Goldandpreciousstoneswereascommonaswoodwithus，andthestableswherethehorsesofthesunwerekeptweremoresplendidthanthepalaceofthegreatestemperorintheworld。

Petruwentupthestairsandwalkedquicklythrougheight—and—fortyrooms，hungwithsilkenstuffs，andallempty。

Intheforty—ninthhefoundtheFairyoftheDawnherself。

Inthemiddleofthisroom，whichwasaslargeasachurch，Petrusawthecelebratedwellthathehadcomesofartoseek。Itwasawelljustlikeotherwells，anditseemedstrangethattheFairyoftheDawnshouldhaveitinherownchamber;yetanyonecouldtellithadbeenthereforhundredsofyears。AndbythewellslepttheFairyoftheDawn——theFairyoftheDawn——herself！

AndasPetrulookedatherthemagicflutedroppedbyhisside，andheheldhisbreath。

Nearthewellwasatable，onwhichstoodbreadmadewithdoes’

milk，andaflagonofwine。Itwasthebreadofstrengthandthewineofyouth，andPetrulongedforthem。Helookedonceatthebreadandonceatthewine，andthenattheFairyoftheDawn，stillsleepingonhersilkencushions。

Ashelookedamistcameoverhissenses。ThefairyopenedhereyesslowlyandlookedatPetru，wholosthisheadstillfurther;

buthejustmanagedtorememberhisflute，andafewnotesofitsenttheFairytosleepagain，andhekissedherthrice。Thenhestoopedandlaidhisgoldenwreathuponherforehead，ateapieceofthebreadanddrankacupfulofthewineofyouth，andthishedidthreetimesover。Thenhefilledaflaskwithwaterfromthewell，andvanishedswiftly。

Ashepassedthroughthegardenitseemedquitedifferentfromwhatitwasbefore。Theflowerswerelovelier，thestreamsranquicker，thesunbeamsshonebrighter，andthefairiesseemedgayer。AndallthishadbeencausedbythethreekissesPetruhadgiventheFairyoftheDawn。

Hepassedeverythingsafelyby，andwassoonseatedinhissaddleagain。Fasterthanthewind，fasterthanthought，fasterthanlonging，fasterthanhatredrodePetru。Atlengthhedismounted，and，leavinghishorsesattheroadside，wentonfoottothehouseofVenus。

ThegoddessVenusknewthathewascoming，andwenttomeethim，bearingwithherwhitebreadandredwine。

’Welcomeback，myprince，’saidshe。

’Goodday，andmanythanks，’repliedtheyoungman，holdingouttheflaskcontainingthemagicwater。Shereceiveditwithjoy，andafterashortrestPetrusetforth，forhehadnotimetolose。

Hestoppedafewminutes，ashehadpromised，withtheGoddessofThunder，andwastakingahastyfarewellofher，whenshecalledhimback。

’Stay，Ihaveawarningtogiveyou，’saidshe。’Bewareofyourlife;makefriendswithnoman;donotridefast，orletthewatergooutofyourhand;believenoone，andfleeflatteringtongues。Go，andtakecare，forthewayislong，theworldisbad，andyouholdsomethingveryprecious。ButIwillgiveyouthisclothtohelpyou。Itisnotmuchtolookat，butitisenchanted，andwhoevercarriesitwillneverbestruckbylightning，piercedbyalance，orsmittenwithasword，andthearrowswillglanceoffhisbody。’

Petruthankedherandrodeoff，and，takingouthistreasurebox，inquiredhowmattersweregoingathome。Notwell，itsaid。Theemperorwasblindaltogethernow，andFloreaandCostanhadbesoughthimtogivethegovernmentofthekingdomintotheirhands;buthewouldnot，sayingthathedidnotmeantoresignthegovernmenttillhehadwashedhiseyesfromthewelloftheFairyoftheDawn。ThenthebrothershadgonetoconsultoldBirscha，whotoldthemthatPetruwasalreadyonhiswayhomebearingthewater。Theyhadsetouttomeethim，andwouldtrytotakethemagicwaterfromhim，andthenclaimastheirrewardthegovernmentoftheemperor。

’Youarelying！’criedPetruangrily，throwingtheboxontheground，whereitbrokeintoathousandpieces。

Itwasnotlongbeforehebegantocatchglimpsesofhisnativeland，andhedrewreinnearabridge，thebettertolookatit。

Hewasstillgazing，whenheheardasoundinthedistanceasifsomeonewascallinghitbyhisname。

’You，Petru！’itsaid。

’On！on！’criedthehorse;’itwillfareillwithyouifyoustop。’

’No，letusstop，andseewhoandwhatitis！’answeredPetru，turninghishorseround，andcomingfacetofacewithhistwobrothers。HehadforgottenthewarninggivenhimbytheGoddessofThunder，andwhenCostanandFloreadrewnearwithsoftandflatteringwordshejumpedstraightoffhishorse，andrushedtoembracethem。Hehadathousandquestionstoask，andathousandthingstotell。Buthisbrownhorsestoodsadlyhanginghishead。

’Petru，mydearbrother，’atlengthsaidFlorea，’woulditnotbebetterifwecarriedthewaterforyou？Someonemighttrytotakeitfromyouontheroad，whilenoonewouldsuspectus。’

’Soitwould，’addedCostan。’Floreaspeakswell。’ButPetrushookhishead，andtoldthemwhattheGoddessofThunderhadsaid，andabouttheclothshehadgivenhim。Andbothbrothersunderstoodtherewasonlyonewayinwhichtheycouldkillhim。

Atastone’sthrowfromwheretheystoodranarushingstream，withcleardeeppools。

’Don’tyoufeelthirsty，Costan？’askedFlorea，winkingathim。

’Yes，’repliedCostan，understandingdirectlywhatwaswanted。

’Come，Petru，letusdrinknowwehavethechance，andthenwewillsetoutonourwayhome。Itisagoodthingyouhaveuswithyou，toprotectyoufromharm。’

Thehorseneighed，andPetruknewwhatitmeant，anddidnotgowithhisbrothers。

No，hewenthometohisfather，andcuredhisblindness;andasforhisbrothers，theyneverreturnedagain。

[FromRumanischeMarchen。]

THEENCHANTEDKNIFE

Onceuponatimetherelivedayoungmanwhovowedthathewouldnevermarryanygirlwhohadnotroyalbloodinherveins。Onedayhepluckedupallhiscourageandwenttothepalacetoasktheemperorforhisdaughter。Theemperorwasnotmuchpleasedatthethoughtofsuchamatchforhisonlychild，butbeingverypolite，heonlysaid:

’Verywell，myson，ifyoucanwintheprincessyoushallhaveher，andtheconditionsarethese。Ineightdaysyoumustmanagetotameandbringtomethreehorsesthathaveneverfeltamaster。Thefirstispurewhite，thesecondafoxy—redwithablackhead，thethirdcoalblackwithawhiteheadandfeet。Andbesidesthat，youmustalsobringasapresenttotheempress，mywife，asmuchgoldasthethreehorsescancarry。’

Theyoungmanlistenedindismaytothesewords，butwithanefforthethankedtheemperorforhiskindnessandleftthepalace，wonderinghowhewastofulfilthetaskallottedtohim。

Luckilyforhim，theemperor’sdaughterhadoverheardeverythingherfatherhadsaid，andpeepingthroughacurtainhadseentheyouth，andthoughthimhandsomerthananyoneshehadeverbeheld。

Soreturninghastilytoherownroom，shewrotehimaletterwhichshegavetoatrustyservanttodeliver，beggingherwooertocometoherroomsearlythenextday，andtoundertakenothingwithoutheradvice，ifheeverwishedhertobehiswife。

Thatnight，whenherfatherwasasleep，shecreptsoftlyintohischamberandtookoutanenchantedknifefromthechestwherehekepthistreasures，andhiditcarefullyinasafeplacebeforeshewenttobed。

Thesunhadhardlyrisenthefollowingmorningwhentheprincess’snursebroughttheyoungmantoherapartments。

Neitherspokeforsomeminutes，butstoodholdingeachother’shandsforjoy，tillatlasttheybothcriedoutthatnothingbutdeathshouldpartthem。Thenthemaidensaid:

’Takemyhorse，andridestraightthroughthewoodtowardsthesunsettillyoucometoahillwiththreepeaks。Whenyougetthere，turnfirsttotherightandthentotheleft，andyouwillfindyourselfinasunmeadow，wheremanyhorsesarefeeding。

Outoftheseyoumustpickoutthethreedescribedtoyoubymyfather。Iftheyproveshy，andrefusetoletyougetnearthem，drawoutyourknife，andletthesunshineonitsothatthewholemeadowislitupbyitsrays，andthehorseswillthenapproachyouoftheirownaccord，andwillletyouleadthemaway。Whenyouhavethemsafely，lookabouttillyouseeacypresstree，whoserootsareofbrass，whoseboughsareofsilver，andwhoseleavesareofgold。Gotoit，andcutawaytherootswithyourknife，andyouwillcometocountlessbagsofgold。Loadthehorseswithalltheycancarry，andreturntomyfather，andtellhimthatyouhavedoneyourtask，andcanclaimmeforyourwife。’

Theprincesshadfinishedallshehadtosay，andnowitdependedontheyoungmantodohispart。Hehidtheknifeinthefoldsofhisgirdle，mountedhishorse，androdeoffinsearchofthemeadow。Thishefoundwithoutmuchdifficulty，butthehorseswereallsoshythattheygallopedawaydirectlyheapproachedthem。Thenhedrewhisknife，andheldituptowardsthesun，anddirectlythereshonesuchaglorythatthewholemeadowwasbathedinit。Fromallsidesthehorsesrushedpressinground，andeachonethatpassedhimfellonitskneestodohimhonour。

Butheonlychosefromthemallthethreethattheemperorhaddescribed。Thesehesecuredbyasilkenropetohisownhorse，andthenlookedaboutforthecypresstree。Itwasstandingbyitselfinonecorner，andinamomenthewasbesideit，tearingawaytheearthwithhisknife。Deeperanddeeperhedug，tillfardown，belowtherootsofbrass，hisknifestruckupontheburiedtreasure，whichlayheapedupinbagsallaround。Withagreateffortheliftedthemfromtheirhidingplace，andlaidthemonebyoneonhishorses’backs，andwhentheycouldcarrynomoreheledthembacktotheemperor。Andwhentheemperorsawhim，hewondered，butneverguessedhowitwastheyoungmanhadbeentoocleverforhim，tillthebetrothalceremonywasover。Thenheaskedhisnewlymadeson—in—lawwhatdowryhewouldrequirewithhisbride。Towhichthebridegroommadeanswer，’Nobleemperor！allIdesireisthatImayhaveyourdaughterformywife，andenjoyforevertheuseofyourenchantedknife。’

[VolksmarchenderSerben。]

JESPERWHOHERDEDTHEHARES

Therewasonceakingwhoruledoverakingdomsomewherebetweensunriseandsunset。Itwasassmallaskingdomsusuallywereinoldtimes，andwhenthekingwentuptotheroofofhispalaceandtookalookroundhecouldseetotheendsofitineverydirection。Butasitwasallhisown，hewasveryproudofit，andoftenwonderedhowitwouldgetalongwithouthim。Hehadonlyonechild，andthatwasadaughter，soheforesawthatshemustbeprovidedwithahusbandwhowouldbefittobekingafterhim。Wheretofindonerichenoughandcleverenoughtobeasuitablematchfortheprincesswaswhattroubledhim，andoftenkepthimawakeatnight。

Atlasthedevisedaplan。Hemadeaproclamationoverallhiskingdom（andaskedhisnearestneighbourstopublishitintheirsaswell）thatwhoevercouldbringhimadozenofthefinestpearlsthekinghadeverseen，andcouldperformcertaintasksthatwouldbesethim，shouldhavehisdaughterinmarriageandinduetimesucceedtothethrone。Thepearls，hethought，couldonlybebroughtbyaverywealthyman，andthetaskswouldrequireunusualtalentstoaccomplishthem。

Therewereplentywhotriedtofulfilthetermswhichthekingproposed。Richmerchantsandforeignprincespresentedthemselvesoneaftertheother，sothatsomedaysthenumberofthemwasquiteannoying;but，thoughtheycouldallproducemagnificentpearls，notoneofthemcouldperformeventhesimplestofthetaskssetthem。Someturnedup，too，whoweremereadventurers，andtriedtodeceivetheoldkingwithimitationpearls;buthewasnottobetakeninsoeasily，andtheyweresoonsentabouttheirbusiness。Attheendofseveralweeksthestreamofsuitorsbegantofalloff，andstilltherewasnoprospectofasuitableson—in—law。