第16章

Theboysgrewfast。Ineverydaytheygrewayear’sgrowth，andineverynightanotheryear’sgrowth，butatdawn，whenthestarswerefading，theygrewthreeyears’growthinthetwinklingofaneye。Andtheygrewinotherthingsbesidesheight，too。Thriceinage，andthriceinwisdom，andthriceinknowledge。Andwhenthreedaysandthreenightshadpassedtheyweretwelveyearsinage，twenty—fourinstrength，andthirty—sixinwisdom。

’Nowtakeustoourfather，’saidthey。Sothefishermangavethemeachalambskincapwhichhalfcoveredtheirfaces，andcompletelyhidtheirgoldenhairandthestarsontheirforeheads，andledthemtothecourt。

Bythetimetheyarrivedthereitwasmidday，andthefishermanandhischargeswentuptoanofficialwhowasstandingabout。

’Wewishtospeakwiththeemperor，’saidoneoftheboys。

’Youmustwaituntilhehasfinishedhisdinner，’repliedtheporter。

’No，whileheiseatingit，’saidthesecondboy，steppingacrossthethreshold。

Theattendantsallranforwardtothrustsuchimpudentyoungstersoutsidethepalace，buttheboysslippedthroughtheirfingerslikequicksilver，andenteredalargehall，wheretheemperorwasdining，surroundedbyhiswholecourt。

’Wedesiretoenter，’saidoneoftheprincessharplytoaservantwhostoodnearthedoor。

’Thatisquiteimpossible，’repliedtheservant。

’Isit？letussee！’saidthesecondprince，pushingtheservantstorightandleft。

Buttheservantsweremany，andtheprincesonlytwo。Therewasthenoiseofastruggle，whichreachedtheemperor’sears。

’Whatisthematter？’askedheangrily。

Theprincesstoppedatthesoundoftheirfather’svoice。

’Twoboyswhowanttoforcetheirwayin，’repliedoneoftheservants，approachingtheemperor。

’ToFORCEtheirwayin？Whodarestouseforceinmypalace？

Whatboysarethey？’saidtheemperorallinonebreath。

’Weknownot，Omightyemperor，’answeredtheservant，’buttheymustsurelybeakintoyou，fortheyhavethestrengthoflions，andhavescatteredtheguardsatthegate。Andtheyareasproudastheyarestrong，fortheywillnottaketheircapsfromtheirheads。’

Theemperor，ashelistened，grewredwithanger。

’Thrustthemout，’criedhe。’Setthedogsafterthem。’

’Leaveusalone，andwewillgoquietly，’saidtheprinces，andsteppedbackwards，weepingsilentlyattheharshwords。Theyhadalmostreachedthegateswhenaservantranuptothem。

’Theemperorcommandsyoutoreturn，’pantedhe:’theempresswishestoseeyou。’

Theprincesthoughtamoment:thentheywentbackthewaytheyhadcome，andwalkedstraightuptotheemperor，theircapsstillontheirheads。

Hesatatthetopofalongtablecoveredwithflowersandfilledwithguests。Andbesidehimsattheempress，supportedbytwelvecushions。Whentheprincesenteredoneofthecushionsfelldown，andthereremainedonlyeleven。

’Takeoffyourcaps，’saidoneofthecourtiers。

’Acoveredheadisamongmenasignofhonour。Wewishtoseemwhatweare。’

’Nevermind，’saidtheemperor，whoseangerhaddroppedbeforethesilverytonesoftheboy’svoice。’Stayasyouare，buttellmeWHOyouare！Wheredoyoucomefrom，andwhatdoyouwant？’

’Wearetwins，twoshootsfromonestem，whichhasbeenbroken，andhalfliesinthegroundandhalfsitsattheheadofthistable。Wehavetravelledalongway，wehavespokenintherustleofthewind，havewhisperedinthewood，wehavesunginthewaters，butnowwewishtotellyouastorywhichyouknowwithoutknowingit，inthespeechofmen。’

Andasecondcushionfelldown。

’Letthemtaketheirsillinesshome，’saidtheempress。

’Oh，no，letthemgoon，’saidtheemperor。’Youwishedtoseethem，butIwishtohearthem。Goon，boys，singmethestory。’

Theempresswassilent，buttheprincesbegantosingthestoryoftheirlives。

’Therewasonceanemperor，’beganthey，andthethirdcushionfelldown。

Whentheyreachedthewarlikeexpeditionoftheemperorthreeofthecushionsfelldownatonce。

Andwhenthetalewasfinishedtherewerenomorecushionsundertheempress，butthemomentthattheyliftedtheircaps，andshowedtheirgoldenhairandthegoldenstars，theeyesoftheemperorandofallhisguestswerebentonthem，andtheycouldhardlybearthepowerofsomanyglances。

Andtherehappenedintheendwhatshouldhavehappenedinthebeginning。Laptitzasatnextherhusbandatthetopofthetable。Thestepmother’sdaughterbecamethemeanestsewingmaidinthepalace，thestepmotherwastiedtoawildhorse，andeveryoneknewandhasneverforgottenthatwhoeverhasamindturnedtowickednessissuretoendbadly。

[RumanischeMarchen。]

THEFROG

Onceuponatimetherewasawomanwhohadthreesons。Thoughtheywerepeasantstheywerewelloff，forthesoilonwhichtheylivedwasfruitful，andyieldedrichcrops。Onedaytheyallthreetoldtheirmothertheymeanttogetmarried。Towhichtheirmotherreplied:’Doasyoulike，butseethatyouchoosegoodhousewives，whowilllookcarefullyafteryouraffairs;and，tomakecertainofthis，takewithyouthesethreeskeinsofflax，andgiveittothemtospin。Whoeverspinsthebestwillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’

Nowthetwoeldestsonshadalreadychosentheirwives;sotheytooktheflaxfromtheirmother，andcarrieditoffwiththem，tohaveitspunasshehadsaid。Buttheyoungestsonwaspuzzledwhattodowithhisskein，asheknewnogirl（neverhavingspokentoany）towhomhecouldgiveittobespun。Hewanderedhitherandthither，askingthegirlsthathemetiftheywouldundertakethetaskforhim，butatthesightoftheflaxtheylaughedinhisfaceandmockedathim。Thenindespairhelefttheirvillages，andwentoutintothecountry，and，seatinghimselfonthebankofapondbegantocrybitterly。

Suddenlytherewasanoiseclosebesidehim，andafrogjumpedoutofthewaterontothebankandaskedhimwhyhewascrying。

Theyouthtoldherofhistrouble，andhowhisbrotherswouldbringhomelinenspunforthembytheirpromisedwives，butthatnoonewouldspinhisthread。

Thenthefroganswered:’Donotweeponthataccount;givemethethread，andIwillspinitforyou。’And，havingsaidthis，shetookitoutofhishand，andfloppedbackintothewater，andtheyouthwentback，notknowingwhatwouldhappennext。

Inashorttimethetwoelderbrotherscamehome，andtheirmotheraskedtoseethelinenwhichhadbeenwovenoutoftheskeinsofflaxshehadgiventhem。Theyallthreelefttheroom;

andinafewminutesthetwoeldestreturned，bringingwiththemthelinenthathadbeenspunbytheirchosenwives。Buttheyoungestbrotherwasgreatlytroubled，forhehadnothingtoshowfortheskeinofflaxthathadbeengiventohim。Sadlyhebetookhimselftothepond，andsittingdownonthebank，begantoweep。

Flop！andthefrogappearedoutofthewaterclosebesidehim。

’Takethis，’shesaid;’hereisthelinenthatIhavespunforyou。’

Youmayimaginehowdelightedtheyouthwas。Sheputthelinenintohishands，andhetookitstraightbacktohismother，whowassopleasedwithitthatshedeclaredshehadneverseenlinensobeautifullyspun，andthatitwasfarfinerandwhiterthanthewebsthatthetwoelderbrothershadbroughthome。

Thensheturnedtohersonsandsaid:’Butthisisnotenough，mysons，Imusthaveanotherproofastowhatsortofwivesyouhavechosen。Inthehousetherearethreepuppies。Eachofyoutakeone，andgiveittothewomanwhomyoumeantobringhomeasyourwife。Shemusttrainitandbringitup。Whicheverdogturnsoutthebest，itsmistresswillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’

Sotheyoungmensetoutontheirdifferentways，eachtakingapuppywithhim。Theyoungest，notknowingwheretogo，returnedtothepond，satdownoncemoreonthebank，andbegantoweep。

Flop！andclosebesidehim，hesawthefrog。’Whyareyouweeping？’shesaid。Thenhetoldherhisdifficulty，andthathedidnotknowtowhomheshouldtakethepuppy。

’Giveittome，’shesaid，’andIwillbringitupforyou。’

And，seeingthattheyouthhesitated，shetookthelittlecreatureoutofhisarms，anddisappearedwithitintothepond。

Theweeksandmonthspassed，tillonedaythemothersaidshewouldliketoseehowthedogshadbeentrainedbyherfuturedaughters—in—law。Thetwoeldestsonsdeparted，andreturnedshortly，leadingwiththemtwogreatmastiffs，whogrowledsofiercely，andlookedsosavage，thatthemeresightofthemmadethemothertremblewithfear。

Theyoungestson，aswashiscustom，wenttothepond，andcalledonthefrogtocometohisrescue。

Inaminuteshewasathisside，bringingwithherthemostlovelylittledog，whichsheputintohisarms。Itsatupandbeggedwithitspaws，andwentthroughtheprettiesttricks，andwasalmosthumaninthewayitunderstoodanddidwhatitwastold。

Inhighspiritstheyouthcarrieditofftohismother。Assoonasshesawit，sheexclaimed:’ThisisthemostbeautifullittledogIhaveeverseen。Youareindeedfortunate，myson;youhavewonapearlofawife。’

Then，turningtotheothers，shesaid:’Herearethreeshirts;

takethemtoyourchosenwives。Whoeversewsthebestwillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’

Sotheyoungmensetoutoncemore;andagain，thistime，theworkofthefrogwasmuchthebestandtheneatest。

Thistimethemothersaid:’NowthatIamcontentwiththetestsIgave，Iwantyoutogoandfetchhomeyourbrides，andIwillpreparethewedding—feast。’

Youmayimaginewhattheyoungestbrotherfeltonhearingthesewords。Whencewashetofetchabride？Wouldthefrogbeabletohelphiminthisnewdifficulty？Withbowedhead，andfeelingverysad，hesatdownontheedgeofthepond。

Flop！andoncemorethefaithfulfrogwasbesidehim。

’Whatistroublingyousomuch？’sheaskedhim，andthentheyouthtoldhereverything。

’Willyoutakemeforawife？’sheasked。

’WhatshouldIdowithyouasawife，’hereplied，wonderingatherstrangeproposal。

’Oncemore，willyouhavemeorwillyounot？’shesaid。

’Iwillneitherhaveyou，norwillIrefuseyou，’saidhe。

Atthisthefrogdisappeared;andthenextminutetheyouthbeheldalovelylittlechariot，drawnbytwotinyponies，standingontheroad。Thefrogwasholdingthecarriagedooropenforhimtostepin。

’Comewithme，’shesaid。Andhegotupandfollowedherintothechariot。

Astheydrovealongtheroadtheymetthreewitches;thefirstofthemwasblind，thesecondwashunchbacked，andthethirdhadalargethorninherthroat。Whenthethreewitchesbeheldthechariot，withthefrogseatedpompouslyamongthecushions，theybrokeintosuchfitsoflaughterthattheeyelidsoftheblindoneburstopen，andsherecoveredhersight;thehunchbackrolledaboutonthegroundinmerrimenttillherbackbecamestraight，andinaroaroflaughterthethornfelloutofthethroatofthethirdwitch。Theirfirstthoughtwastorewardthefrog，whohadunconsciouslybeenthemeansofcuringthemoftheirmisfortunes。

Thefirstwitchwavedhermagicwandoverthefrog，andchangedherintotheloveliestgirlthathadeverbeenseen。Thesecondwitchwavedthewandoverthetinychariotandponies，andtheywereturnedintoabeautifullargecarriagewithprancinghorses，andacoachmanontheseat。Thethirdwitchgavethegirlamagicpurse，filledwithmoney。Havingdonethis，thewitchesdisappeared，andtheyouthwithhislovelybridedrovetohismother’shome。Greatwasthedelightofthemotheratheryoungestson’sgoodfortune。Abeautifulhousewasbuiltforthem;shewasthefavouritedaughter—in—law;everythingwentwellwiththem，andtheylivedhappilyeverafter。

[FromtheItalian。]

THEPRINCESSWHOWASHIDDENUNDERGROUND

Oncetherewasakingwhohadgreatriches，which，whenhedied，hedividedamonghisthreesons。Thetwoeldestoftheselivedinriotingandfeasting，andthuswastedandsquanderedtheirfather’swealthtillnothingremained，andtheyfoundthemselvesinwantandmisery。Theyoungestofthethreesons，onthecontrary，madegooduseofhisportion。Hemarriedawifeandsoontheyhadamostbeautifuldaughter，forwhom，whenshewasgrownup，hecausedagreatpalacetobebuiltunderground，andthenkilledthearchitectwhohadbuiltit。Nextheshutuphisdaughterinside，andthensentheraldsallovertheworldtomakeknownthathewhoshouldfindtheking’sdaughtershouldhavehertowife。Ifhewerenotcapableoffindingherthenhemustdie。

Manyyoungmensoughttodiscoverher，butallperishedintheattempt。

Aftermanyhadmettheirdeaththus，therecameayoungman，beautifultobehold，andascleverashewasbeautiful，whohadagreatdesiretoattempttheenterprise。Firsthewenttoaherdsman，andbeggedhimtohidehiminasheepskin，whichhadagoldenfleece，andinthisdisguisetotakehimtotheking。Theshepherdlethimselfbepersuadedsotodo，tookaskinhavingagoldenfleece，sewedtheyoungmaninit，puttinginalsofoodanddrink，andsobroughthimbeforetheking。

Whenthelattersawthegoldenlamb，heaskedtheherd:’Willyousellmethislamb？’

Buttheherdanswered:’No，ohking;Iwillnotsellit;butifyoufindpleasuretherein，Iwillbewillingtoobligeyou，andI

willlendittoyou，freeofcharge，forthreedays，afterthatyoumustgiveitbacktome。’

Thisthekingagreedtodo，andhearoseandtookthelambtohisdaughter。Whenhehadleditintoherpalace，andthroughmanyrooms，hecametoashutdoor。Thenhecalled’Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth！’andthedooropenedofitself。Afterthattheywentthroughmanymorerooms，andcametoanothercloseddoor。Againthekingcalledout:’Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth！’andthisdooropenedliketheother，andtheycameintotheapartmentwheretheprincessdwelt，thefloor，walls，androofofwhichwereallofsilver。

Whenthekinghadembracedtheprincess，hegaveherthelamb，tohergreatjoy。Shestrokedit，caressedit，andplayedwithit。

Afterawhilethelambgotloose，which，whentheprincesssaw，shesaid:’See，father，thelambisfree。’

Butthekinganswered:’Itisonlyalamb，whyshoulditnotbefree？’

Thenheleftthelambwiththeprincess，andwenthisway。

Inthenight，however，theyoungmanthrewofftheskin。Whentheprincesssawhowbeautifulhewas，shefellinlovewithhim，andaskedhim:’Whydidyoucomeheredisguisedinasheepskinlikethat？’

Thenheanswered:’WhenIsawhowmanypeoplesoughtyou，andcouldnotfindyou，andlosttheirlivesinsodoing，Iinventedthistrick，andsoIamcomesafelytoyou。’

Theprincessexclaimed:’Youhavedonewellsotodo;butyoumustknowthatyourwagerisnotyetwon，formyfatherwillchangemeandmymaidensintoducks，andwillaskyou，"Whichoftheseducksistheprincess？"ThenIwillturnmyheadback，andwithmybillwillcleanmywings，sothatyoumayknowme。’

Whentheyhadspentthreedaystogether，chattingandcaressingoneanother，theherdcamebacktotheking，anddemandedhislamb。Thenthekingwenttohisdaughtertobringitaway，whichtroubledtheprincessverymuch，forshesaidtheyhadplayedsonicelytogether。

Butthekingsaid:’Icannotleaveitwithyou，mydaughter，foritisonlylenttome。’Sohetookitawaywithhim，andgaveitbacktotheshepherd。

Thentheyoungmanthrewtheskinfromoffhim，andwenttotheking，saying:’Sire，IampersuadedIcanfindyourdaughter。’

Whenthekingsawhowhandsomehewas，hesaid:’Mylad，Ihavepityonyouryouth。Thisenterprisehasalreadycostthelivesofmany，andwillcertainlybeyourdeathaswell。’

Buttheyoungmananswered，’Iacceptyourconditions，ohking;I

willeitherfindherorlosemyhead。’

Thereuponhewentbeforetheking，whofollowedafterhim，tilltheycametothegreatdoor。Thentheyoungmansaidtotheking:’Speakthewordsthatitmayopen。’

Andthekinganswered:’Whatarethewords？ShallIsaysomethinglikethis:"Shut;shut;shut"？’

’No，’saidhe;’say"Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth。"’

Whenthekinghadsosaid，thedooropenedofitself，andtheywentin，whilethekinggnawedhismoustacheinanger。Thentheycametotheseconddoor，wherethesamethinghappenedasatthefirst，andtheywentinandfoundtheprincess。

Thenspokethekingandsaid:’Yes，truly，youhavefoundtheprincess。NowIwillturnheraswellasallhermaidensintoducks，andifyoucanguesswhichoftheseducksismydaughter，thenyoushallhavehertowife。’

Andimmediatelythekingchangedallthemaidensintoducks，andhedrovethembeforetheyoungman，andsaid:’Nowshowmewhichismydaughter。’

Thentheprincess，accordingtotheirunderstanding，begantocleanherwingswithherbill，andtheladsaid:’Shewhocleansherwingsistheprincess。’

Nowthekingcoulddonothingmorebutgivehertotheyoungmantowife，andtheylivedtogetheringreatjoyandhappiness。

[FromtheGerman。]

THEGIRLWHOPRETENDEDTOBEABOY

Onceuponatimetherelivedanemperorwhowasagreatconqueror，andreignedovermorecountriesthananyoneintheworld。Andwheneverhesubduedafreshkingdom，heonlygrantedpeaceonconditionthatthekingshoulddeliverhimoneofhissonsfortenyears’service。

Nowonthebordersofhiskingdomlayacountrywhoseemperorwasasbraveashisneighbour，andaslongashewasyounghewasthevictorineverywar。Butasyearspassedaway，hisheadgrewwearyofmakingplansofcampaign，andhispeoplewantedtostayathomeandtilltheirfields，andatlasthetoofeltthathemustdohomagetotheotheremperor。

Onething，however，heldhimbackfromthisstepwhichdaybydayhesawmoreclearlywastheonlyonepossible。Hisnewoverlordwoulddemandtheserviceofoneofhissons。Andtheoldemperorhadnoson;onlythreedaughters。

Lookonwhichsidehewould，nothingbutruinseemedtoliebeforehim，andhebecamesogloomy，thathisdaughterswerefrightened，anddideverythingtheycouldthinkoftocheerhimup，butalltonopurpose。

Atlengthonedaywhentheywereatdinner，theeldestofthethreesummonedupallhercourageandsaidtoherfather:

’Whatsecretgriefistroublingyou？Areyoursubjectsdiscontented？orhavewegivenyoucausefordispleasure？Tosmoothawayyourwrinkles，wewouldgladlyshedourblood，forourlivesareboundupinyours;andthisyouknow。’

’Mydaughter，’answeredtheemperor，’whatyousayistrue。

Neverhaveyougivenmeonemoment’spain。Yetnowyoucannothelpme。Ah！whyisnotoneofyouaboy！’

’Idon’tunderstand，’sheansweredinsurprise。’Telluswhatiswrong:andthoughwearenotboys，wearenotquiteuseless！’

’Butwhatcanyoudo，mydearchildren？Spin，sew，andweave——thatisallyourlearning。Onlyawarriorcandelivermenow，ayounggiantwhoisstrongtowieldthebattle—axe:whosesworddealsdeadlyblows。’

’ButWHYdoyouneedasonsomuchatpresent？Tellusallaboutit！Itwillnotmakemattersworseifweknow！’

’Listenthen，mydaughters，andlearnthereasonofmysorrow。

YouhaveheardthataslongasIwasyoungnomaneverbroughtanarmyagainstmewithoutitcostinghimdear。Buttheyearshavechilledmybloodanddrunkmystrength。Andnowthedeercanroamtheforest，myarrowswillneverpiercehisheart;strangesoldierswillsetfiretomyhousesandwatertheirhorsesatmywells，andmyarmcannothinderthem。No，mydayispast，andthetimehascomewhenItoomustbowmyheadundertheyokeofmyfoe！Butwhoistogivehimthetenyears’servicethatispartofthepricewhichthevanquishedmustpay？’

’_I_will，’criedtheeldestgirl，springingtoherfeet。Butherfatheronlyshookhisheadsadly。

’NeverwillIbringshameuponyou，’urgedthegirl。’Letmego。

AmInotaprincess，andthedaughterofanemperor？’

’Gothen！’hesaid。

Thebravegirl’sheartalmoststoppedbeatingfromjoy，asshesetaboutherpreparations。Shewasnotstillforasinglemoment，butdancedaboutthehouse，turningchestsandwardrobesupsidedown。Shesetasideenoughthingsforawholeyear——dressesembroideredwithgoldandpreciousstones，andagreatstoreofprovisions。Andshechosethemostspiritedhorseinthestable，witheyesofflame，andacoatofshiningsilver。

Whenherfathersawhermountedandcurvettingaboutthecourt，hegavehermuchwiseadvice，astohowshewastobehaveliketheyoungmansheappearedtobe，andalsohowtobehaveasthegirlshereallywas。Thenhegaveherhisblessing，andshetouchedherhorsewiththespur。

Thesilverarmourofherselfandhersteeddazzledtheeyesofthepeopleasshedartedpast。Shewassoonoutofsight，andifafterafewmilesshehadnotpulleduptoallowherescorttojoinher，therestofthejourneywouldhavebeenperformedalone。

Butthoughnoneofhisdaughterswereawareofthefact，theoldemperorwasamagician，andhadlaidhisplansaccordingly。Hemanaged，unseen，toovertakehisdaughter，andthrowabridgeofcopperoverastreamwhichshewouldhavetocross。Then，changinghimselfintoawolf，helaydownunderoneofthearches，andwaited。

Hehadchosenhistimewell，andinabouthalfanhourthesoundofahorse’shoofswasheard。Hisfeetwerealmostonthebridge，whenabiggreywolfwithgrinningteethappearedbeforetheprincess。Withadeepgrowlthatfrozetheblood，hedrewhimselfup，andpreparedtospring。

Theappearanceofthewolfwassosuddenandsounexpected，thatthegirlwasalmostparalysed，andneverevendreamtofflight，tillthehorseleapedviolentlytooneside。Thensheturnedhimround，andurginghimtohisfullestspeed，neverdrewreintillshesawthegatesofthepalacerisingbeforeher。

Theoldemperor，whohadgotbacklongsince，cametothedoortomeether，andtouchinghershiningarmour，hesaid，’DidInottellyou，mychild，thatfliesdonotmakehoney？’

Thedayspassedon，andonemorningthesecondprincessimploredherfathertoallowhertotrytheadventureinwhichhersisterhadmadesuchafailure。Helistenedunwillingly，feelingsureitwasnouse，butshebeggedsohardthatintheendheconsented，andhavingchosenherarms，sherodeaway。

Butthough，unlikehersister，shewasquitepreparedfortheappearanceofthewolfwhenshereachedthecopperbridge，sheshowednogreatercourage，andgallopedhomeasfastasherhorsecouldcarryher。Onthestepsofthecastleherfatherwasstanding，andasstilltremblingwithfrightshekneltathisfeet，hesaidgently，’DidInottellyou，mychild，thateverybirdisnotcaughtinanet？’

Thethreegirlsstayedquietlyinthepalaceforalittlewhile，embroidering，spinning，weaving，andtendingtheirbirdsandflowers，whenearlyonemorning，theyoungestprincessenteredthedooroftheemperor’sprivateapartments。’Myfather，itismyturnnow。PerhapsIshallgetthebetterofthatwolf！’

’What，doyouthinkyouarebraverthanyoursisters，vainlittleone？Youwhohavehardlyleftyourlongclothesbehindyou！’butshedidnotmindbeinglaughedat，andanswered，’Foryoursake，father，Iwouldcutthedevilhimselfintosmallbits，orevenbecomeadevilmyself。IthinkIshallsucceed，butifIfail，Ishallcomehomewithoutmoreshamethanmysisters。’

Stilltheemperorhesitated，butthegirlpettedandcoaxedhimtillatlasthesaid，’Well，well，ifyoumustgo，youmust。ItremainstobeseenwhatIshallgetbyit，exceptperhapsagoodlaughwhenIseeyoucomebackwithyourheadbentandyoureyesontheground。’

’Helaughsbestwholaughslast，’saidtheprincess。

Happyathavinggotherway，theprincessdecidedthatthefirstthingtobedonewastofindsomeoldwhite—hairedboyard，whoseadviceshecouldtrust，andthentobeverycarefulinchoosingherhorse。Soshewentstraighttothestableswherethemostbeautifulhorsesintheempirewerefeedinginthestalls，butnoneofthemseemedquitewhatshewanted。Almostindespairshereachedthelastboxofall，whichwasoccupiedbyherfather’sancientwar—horse，oldandwornlikehimself，stretchedsadlyoutonthestraw。

Thegirl’seyesfilledwithtears，andshestoodgazingathim。

Thehorseliftedhishead，gavealittleneigh，andsaidsoftly，’Youlookgentleandpitiful，butIknowitisyourloveforyourfatherwhichmakesyoutendertome。Ah，whatawarriorhewas，andwhatgoodtimeswesharedtogether！ButnowItoohavegrownold，andmymasterhasforgottenme，andthereisnoreasontocarewhethermycoatisdullorshining。Yet，itisnottoolate，andifIwereproperlytended，inaweekIcouldviewithanyhorseinthestables！’

’Andhowshouldyoubetended？’askedthegirl。

’Imustberubbeddownmorningandeveningwithrainwater，mybarleymustbeboiledinmilk，becauseofmybadteeth，andmyfeetmustbewashedinoil。’

’Ishouldliketotrythetreatment，asyoumighthelpmeincarryingoutmyscheme。’

’Tryitthen，mistress，andIpromiseyouwillneverrepent。’

Soinaweek’stimethehorsewokeuponemorningwithasuddenshiverthroughallhislimbs;andwhenithadpassedaway，hefoundhisskinshininglikeamirror，hisbodyasfatasawatermelon，hismovementlightasachamois。

Thenlookingattheprincesswhohadcomeearlytothestable，hesaidjoyfully，’Maysuccessawaitonthestepsofmymaster’sdaughter，forshehasgivenmebackmylife。TellmewhatIcandoforyou，princess，andIwilldoit。’