Grimms' Fairy Tales Compilation - 8.5+ Hours - Sleep Support

Enjoy this bumper sleep-support reading of 26 of the classic Grimms' Fairy Tales!

8.5+ hours of continuous play, to help you sleep through the night. Please note: for your safety, do not listen to this sleep track while driving or operating heavy machinery.

The Grimms' Fairy Tales were originally a collection of over 200 folk tales, collected by the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in Germany and published in the early 1800s.

There are many different stories in the collection and many of them are indeed quite "grim", yet they form the backbones of so many of our familiar fairy tales today!

Playlist:

Doctor Knowall
Clever Gretel
The Three Languages
Fundevogel
The King of The Golden Mountain
Jorinda and Jorindel
The Youth Who Went Forth to Learn Fear
King Grisly-Beard
Iron Hans
The Raven
The Golden Goose
Frederick and Kate
Sweetheart Roland
The Seven Ravens
The Blue Light
The Juniper Tree
The Turnip
The Valiant Little Tailor
The Little Peasant
The Salad
The White Snake
The Elves and The Cobbler
The Travelling Musicians
Clever Elsie
The Queen Bee
The Wolf and The Seven Kids

Transcript

Doctor Know-All There was once upon a time a poor peasant called Crab who drove with two oxen a load of wood to the town and sold it to a doctor for two tailors. When the money was being counted out to him, It so happened that the doctor was sitting at a table and when the peasant saw how well he ate and drank, His heart desired what he saw and would willingly have been a doctor too. So he remained standing a while and at length inquired if he too could not be a doctor. Oh yes, Said the doctor, That is soon managed. What must I do? Asked the peasant. In the first place, Buy yourself an ABC book of the kind which has a cockerel on the frontispiece. In the second, Turn your cart and your two oxen into money and get yourself some clothes and whatsoever else pertains to medicine. Thirdly, Have a sign painted for yourself with the words I am Doctor Know-All and have that nailed up above your house door. The peasant did everything that he had been told to do. When he had doctored people a while, But not long, A rich and great lord had some money stolen. Then he was told about Doctor Know-All who lived in such and such a village and must know what had become of the money. So the lord had the horses harnessed to his carriage, Drove out to the village and asked Crab if he were Doctor Know-All. Yes, He was, He said. Then he was to go with him and bring back the stolen money. Oh, Yes, But Greta, My wife, Must go too. The lord was willing and let both of them have a seat in the carriage and they all drove away together. When they came to the nobleman's castle, The table was spread and Crab was told to sit down and eat. Yes, But my wife, Greta, Too, Said he, And he seated himself with her at the table. And when the first servant came with a dish of delicate fare, The peasant nudged his wife and said, Greta, That was the first, Meaning that was the servant who brought the first dish. The servant, However, Thought he intended by that to say, That is the first thief. And as he actually was so, He was terrified and said to his comrade outside, The doctor knows all. We shall fare ill. He said I was the first. The second did not want to go in at all, But was forced. So when he went in with his dish, The peasant nudged his wife and said, Greta, That is the second. This servant was equally alarmed and he got out as fast as he could. The third fared no better for the peasant again said, Greta, That is the third. The fourth had to carry in a dish that was covered and the Lord told the doctor that he was to show his skill and guess what was beneath the cover. Actually, There were crabs. The doctor looked at the dish, Had no idea what to say and cried, Ah, Poor crab. When the Lord heard that, He cried, There, He knows it. He must also know who has the money. On this, The servants looked terribly uneasy and made a sign to the doctor that they wished him to step outside for a moment. When, Therefore, He went out, All four of them confessed to him that they had stolen the money and said that they would willingly restore it and give him a heavy sum into the bargain if he would not denounce them. For if he did, They would be hanged. They led him to the spot where the money was concealed. With this, The doctor was satisfied and returned to the hall, Sat down to the table and said, My Lord, Now will I search in my book where the gold is hidden. The fifth servant, However, Crept into the stove to hear if the doctor knew still more. But the doctor sat still and opened his ABC book, Turned the pages backwards and forwards and looked for the cockerel. As he could not find it immediately, He said, I know you were there, So you had better come out. Then the fellow in the stove thought that the doctor meant him and, Full of terror, Sprang out, Crying, That man knows everything. Then Doctor Know-all showed the Lord where the money was but did not say who had stolen it and received from both sides much money in reward and became a renowned man. Clever Gretel There was once a cook named Gretel who wore shoes with red heels and when she walked out with them on, She turned herself this way and that, Was quite happy and thought, You certainly are a pretty girl. And when she came home, She drank, In her gladness of heart, A draught of wine and as wine excites a desire to eat, She tasted the best of whatever she was cooking until she was satisfied and said, The cook must know what the food is like. It came to pass that the master one day said to her, Gretel, There is a guest coming this evening. Prepare me two fowls, Very daintily. I will see to it, Master, Answered Gretel. She killed two fowls, Scalded them, Plucked them, Put them on the spit and towards evening set them before the fire that they might roast. The fowls began to turn brown and were nearly ready, But the guest had not yet arrived. Then Gretel called out to her master, If the guest does not come, I must take the fowls away from the fire. But it will be a sin and a shame if they are not eaten the moment they are at their juiciest. The master said, I will run myself and fetch the guest. When the master had turned his back, Gretel laid the spit with the fowls on one side and thought, Standing so long by the fire there makes one sweat and thirsty. Who knows when they will come? Meanwhile, I will run into the cellar and take a drink. She ran down, Set a jug, Said, God bless it for you, Gretel, And took a good drink and thought that wine should flow on and should not be interrupted and took yet another hearty draft. Then she went and put the fowls down again to the fire, Basted them and drove the spit merrily round. But as the roast meat smelt so good, Gretel thought something might be wrong. It ought to be tasted. She touched it with her finger and said, Oh, How good fowls are. It certainly is a sin and a shame that they are not eaten at the right time. She ran to the window to see if the master was not coming with his guest, But she saw no one and went back to the fowls and thought, One of the wings is burning. I had better take it off and eat it. So she cut it off, Ate it and enjoyed it. And when she had done, She thought, The other must go down, Too, Or else master will observe that something is missing. When the two wings were eaten, She went and looked for her master and did not see him. It suddenly occurred to her, Who knows? They are perhaps not coming at all and have turned in somewhere. Then she said, Well, Gretel, Enjoy yourself. One fowl has been cut into. Take another drink and eat it up entirely. When it is eaten, You will have some peace. Why should God's good gifts be spoiled? So she ran into the cellar again, Took an enormous drink and ate up the one chicken in great glee. When one of the chickens was swallowed down and still her master did not come, Gretel looked at the other and said, What one is, The other should be likewise. The two go together. What's right for the one is right for the other. I think if I were to take another draft, It would do me no harm. So she took another hearty drink and let the second chicken follow the first. While she was making the most of it, Her master came and cried, Hurry up, Gretel, The guest is coming directly after me. Yes, Sir, I will soon serve up, Answered Gretel. Meantime, The master looked to see that the table was properly laid and took the great knife wherewith he was going to carve the chickens and sharpened it on the steps. Presently, The guest came and knocked politely and courteously at the house door. Gretel ran and looked to see who was there. And when she saw the guest, She put her finger to her lips and said, Hush, Hush, Go away as quickly as you can. If my master catches you, It will be the worst for you. He certainly did ask you to supper, But his intention is to cut off your two ears. Just listen how he is sharpening the knife for it. The guest heard the sharpening and hurried down the steps again as fast as he could. Gretel was not idle. She ran screaming to her master and cried, You have invited a fine guest. Why, Gretel, What do you mean by that? Yes, Said she, He has taken the chickens, Which I was just going to serve up, Off the dish and has run away with them. That's a nice trick, Said her master and lamented the fine chickens. If he had but left me one, So that something remained for me to eat. He called to him to stop, But the guest pretended not to hear. Then he ran after him with the knife still in his hand, Crying, Just one, Just one, Meaning that the guest should leave him just one chicken and not take both. The guest, However, Thought no otherwise than that he was to give up one of his ears and ran as if fire were burning under him in order to take them both with him. The Three Languages An aged count once lived in Switzerland who had an only son, But he was stupid and could learn nothing. Then, Said the father, Hark you, My son, Try as I will, I can get nothing into your head. You must go from hence, I will give you into the care of a celebrated master, Who shall see what he can do with you. The youth was sent into a strange town and remained a whole year with the master. At the end of this time he came home again and his father asked, Now, My son, What have you learnt? Father, I have learnt what the dogs say when they bark. Lord have mercy on us, Cried the father. Is that all you have learnt? I will send you into another town, To another master. The youth was taken thither and stayed a year with this master likewise. When he came back the father again asked, My son, What have you learnt? He answered, Father, I have learnt what the birds say. Then the father fell into a rage and said, Oh, You lost man. You have spent the precious time and learnt nothing. Are you not ashamed to appear before my eyes? I will send you to a third master. But if you learn nothing this time also, I will no longer be your father. The youth remained a whole year with the third master also. And when he came home again and his father inquired, My son, What have you learnt? He answered, Dear father, I have this year learnt what the frogs croak. Then the father fell into the most furious anger, Sprang up, Called his people thither and said, This man is no longer my son. I drive him forth and command you to take him out into the forest and kill him. They took him forth. But when they should have killed him, They could not do it for pity and let him go. And they cut the eyes and tongue out of a deer that they might carry them to the old man as a token. The youth wandered on and after some time came to a fortress where he begged for a night's lodging. Yes, Said the lord of the castle. If you will pass the night down there in the old tower, Go thither. But I warn you, It is at the peril of your life. For it is full of wild dogs which bark and howl without stopping. And at certain hours a man has to be given to them, Whom they at once devour. The whole district was in sorrow and dismay because of them. And yet no one could do anything to stop this. The youth, However, Was without fear and said, Just let me go down to the barking dogs and give me something that I can throw to them. They will do nothing to harm me. As he himself would have it so, They gave him some food for the wild animals and led him down to the tower. When he went inside, The dogs did not bark at him, But wagged their tails quite amicably around him, Ate what he set before them and did not hurt one hair of his head. Next morning, To the astonishment of everyone, He came out again safe and unharmed and said to the lord of the castle, The dogs have revealed to me in their own language why they dwell there and bring evil on the land. They are bewitched and are obliged to watch over a great treasure which is below in the tower, And they can have no rest until it is taken away. And I have likewise learnt from their discourse how that is to be done. Then all who heard this rejoiced, And the lord of the castle said he would adopt him as a son. If he accomplished it successfully, He went down again, And as he knew what he had to do, He did it thoroughly and brought a chest full of gold out with him. The howling of the wild dogs was henceforth heard no more. They had disappeared, And the country was freed from the trouble. After some time, He took it into his head that he would travel to Rome. On the way, He passed by a marsh in which a number of frogs were sitting croaking. He listened to them, And when he became aware of what they were saying, He grew very thoughtful and sad. At last he arrived in Rome, Where the pope had just died, And there was great doubt among the cardinals as to whom they should appoint as his successor. They at length agreed that the person should be chosen as pope who should be distinguished by some divine and miraculous token. And just as that was decided on, The young count entered into the church, And suddenly two snow-white doves flew on his shoulders and remained sitting there. The ecclesiastics recognized therein the token from above and asked him on the spot if he would be pope. He was undecided and knew not if he were worthy of this, But the doves counselled him to do it, And at length he said yes. Then he was anointed and consecrated and thus was fulfilled what he had heard from the frogs on his way, Which had so affected him that he was to be his holiness the pope. Then he had to sing a mass and did not know one word of it, But the two doves sat continually on his shoulders and said it all in his ear. Fundevogel There was once a forester who went into the forest to hunt, And as he entered it he heard a sound of screaming as if a little child were there. He followed the sound and at last came to a high tree, And at the top of this a little child was sitting. For the mother had fallen asleep under the tree with the child, And a bird of prey had seen it in her arms, Had flown down, Snatched it away and set it on the high tree. The forester climbed up, Brought the child down and thought to himself, You will take him home with you and bring him up with your leaner. He took it home therefore, And the two children grew up together. And the one which he had found on a tree was called Fundevogel, Because a bird had carried it away. Fundevogel and Lina loved each other so dearly, That when they did not see each other they were sad. Now, The forester had an old cook, Who one evening took two pails and began to fetch water, And did not go once only, But many times out to the spring. Lina saw this and said, Listen, Old sanna, Why are you fetching so much water? If you'll never repeat it to anyone, I will tell you why. So Lina said no, She would never repeat it to anyone. And then the cook said, Early tomorrow morning, When the forester is out hunting, I will heat the water, And when it is boiling in the kettle, I will throw in Fundevogel, And will boil him in it. Early next morning the forester got up and went out hunting, And when he was gone the children were still in bed. Then Lina said to Fundevogel, If you will never leave me, I too will never leave you. Fundevogel said, Neither now nor ever will I leave you. Then said Lina, Then will I tell you. Last night old sanna carried so many buckets of water into the house that I asked her why she was doing that, And she said that if I would promise not to tell anyone, And she said that early tomorrow morning when father was out hunting, She would set the kettle full of water, Throw you into it, And boil you. But we will get up quickly, Dress ourselves, And go away together. The two children therefore got up, Dressed themselves quickly, And went away. When the water in the kettle was boiling, The cook went into the bedroom to fetch Fundevogel and throw him into it, But when she came in and went to the beds, Both the children were gone. Then she was terribly alarmed, And she said to herself, What shall I say now? When the forester comes home and sees that the children are gone, They must be followed instantly to get them back again. Then the cook sent three servants after them, Who were to run and overtake the children. The children, However, Were sitting outside the forest, And when they saw from afar the three servants running, Lina said to Fundevogel, Never leave me, And I will never leave you. Fundevogel said, Neither now nor ever. Then said Lina, Do you become a rose tree, And I the rose upon it. When the three servants came to the forest, Nothing was there but a rose tree, And one rose on it, But the children were nowhere. Then they said, There is nothing to be done here, And they went home, And told the cook that they had seen nothing in the forest but a little rose bush with one rose on it. Then the old cook scolded and said, You simpletons, You should have cut the rose bush in two, And have broken off the rose and brought it home with you. Go and do it at once. They had therefore to go out and look for the second time. The children, However, Saw them coming from a distance. Then Lina said, Fundevogel, Never leave me, And I will never leave you. Fundevogel said, Neither now nor ever. Said Lina, Then do you become a church, And I'll be the chandelier in it. So when the three servants came, Nothing was there but a church with a chandelier in it. They said therefore to each other, What can we do here? Let us go home. When they got home, The cook asked if they had not found them. So they said no. They had found nothing but a church and there was a chandelier in it. And the cook scolded them and said, You fools, Why did you not pull the church to pieces and bring the chandelier home with you? And now the old cook herself got on her legs and went with the three servants in pursuit of the children. The children, However, Saw from afar that the three servants were coming and the cook waddling after them. Then said Lina, Fundevogel, Never leave me, And I will never leave you. Then said Fundevogel, Neither now nor ever. Said Lina, Be a fishpond, And I will be the duck upon it. The cook, However, Came up to them and when she saw the pond, She lay down by it and was about to drink it up. But the duck swam quickly to her, Seized her head in its beak and drew her into the water. And there the old witch had to drown. Then the children went home together and were heartily delighted. And if they have not died, They are living still. THE KING OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN There was once a merchant who had only one child, A son, That was very young and barely able to run alone. He had two richly laden ships then making a voyage upon the seas in which he had embarked all his wealth in the hope of making great gains when the news came that both were lost. Thus, From being a rich man, He became all at once so very poor that nothing was left to him but one small plot of land. And there he often went in an evening to take his walk and ease his mind of a little of his trouble. One day, As he was roaming along in a brown study, Thinking with no great comfort on what he had been and what he now was and was like to be, All on a sudden there stood before him a little rough-looking black dwarf. "'Pretty friend, Why so sorrowful? ' said he to the merchant. "'What is it you take so deeply to heart? ' "'If you would do me any good, I would willingly tell you, ' said the merchant. "'Who knows? But I may, ' said the little man. "'Tell me what ails you, And perhaps you will find I may be of some use. ' Then the merchant told him how all his wealth was gone to the bottom of the sea and how he had nothing left but that little plot of land. "'Oh, Trouble not yourself about that, ' said the dwarf. "'Only undertake to bring me here twelve years hence. "'Whatever meets you first on your going home, "'and I will give you as much as you please. ' The merchant thought this was no great thing to ask, That it would most likely be his dog or his cat or something of that sort, But forgot his little boy Heinel. So he agreed to the bargain and signed and sealed the bond to do what was asked of him. But as he drew near home, His little boy was so glad to see him that he crept behind him and laid fast hold of his legs and looked up in his face and laughed. Then the father started trembling with fear and horror and saw what it was that he had bound himself to do. But as no gold was come, He made himself easy by thinking that it was only a joke that the dwarf was playing him and that at any rate, When the money came, He should see the bearer and would not take it in. About a month afterwards, He went upstairs into a lumber room to look for some old iron that he might sell it and raise a little money. And there, Instead of his iron, He saw a large pile of gold lying on the floor. At the sight of this, He was overjoyed and forgetting all about his son, Went into trade again and became a richer merchant than before. Meantime, Little Heinel grew up and as the end of the 12 years drew near, The merchant began to call to mind his bond and became very sad and thoughtful so that care and sorrow were written upon his face. The boy one day asked what was the matter, But his father would not tell for some time. At last, However, He said that he had, Without knowing it, Sold him for gold to a little ugly looking black dwarf and that the 12 years were coming round when he must keep his word. Then Heinel said, Father, Give yourself very little trouble about that. I shall be too much for the little man. When the time came, The father and son went out together to the place agreed upon and the son drew a circle on the ground and set himself and his father in the middle of it. The little black dwarf soon came and walked round and round about the circle but could not find any way to get into it and he either could not or dared not jump over it. At last, The boy said to him, Have you anything to say to us, My friend? Or what do you want? Now Heinel had found a friend in a good fairy that was fond of him and had told him what to do for this fairy knew what good luck was in store for him. Have you brought me what you said you would? Said the dwarf to the merchant. The old man held his tongue. But Heinel said again, What do you want here? The dwarf said, I come to talk with your father, Not with you. You have cheated and taken in my father, Said the son. Pray, Give him up his bond at once, Fair and softly. Pray, Said the little old man, Right is right. I have paid my money and your father has had it and spent it. So, Be so good as to let me have what I paid it for. You must have my consent to that first, Said Heinel. So, Please to step in here and let us talk it over. The old man grinned and showed his teeth as if he should have been very glad to get into the circle if he could. Then, At last, After a long talk, They came to terms. Heinel agreed that his father must give him up and that so far the dwarf should have his way. But, On the other hand, The fairy had told Heinel what fortune was in store for him if he followed his own course. And he did not choose to be given up to his hump-backed friend who seemed so anxious for his company. So, To make a sort of drawn battle of the matter, It was settled that Heinel should be put into an open boat that lay on the seashore hard by, That the father should push him off with his own hand and that he should thus be set adrift and left to the bad or good luck of wind and weather. Then he took leave of his father and set himself in the boat. But before it got far off, A wave struck it and it fell with one side low in the water so the merchant thought that poor Heinel was lost and went home very sorrowful. While the dwarf went his way thinking that, At any rate, He had had his revenge. The boat, However, Did not sink for the good fairy took care of her friend and soon raised the boat up again and it went safely on. The young man sat safe within. Till at length it ran ashore upon an unknown land. As he jumped upon the shore he saw before him a beautiful castle but empty and dreary within for it was enchanted. Here, Said he to himself, Must I find the prize the good fairy told me of. So he once more searched the whole palace through till at last he found a white snake lying coiled up on a cushion in one of the chambers. Now the white snake was an enchanted princess and she was very glad to see him and said, Are you at last come to set me free? Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither, As she promised for you alone can save me. This night twelve men will come. Their faces will be black and they will be dressed in chain armour. They will ask what you do here but give no answer and let them do what they will They will beat, Whip, Pinch, Prick or torment you. Bare all. Only speak not a word and at twelve o'clock they must go away. The second night twelve others will come and the third night twenty-four who will even cut off your head but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone and I shall be free and will come and bring you the water of life and will wash you with it and bring you back to life and health and all came to pass as she had said Heinel bore all and spoke not a word and the third night the princess came and fell on his neck and kissed him. Joy and gladness burst forth throughout the castle the wedding was celebrated and he was crowned King of the Golden Mountain. They lived together very happily and the queen had a son and thus eight years had passed over their heads when the king thought of his father and he began to long to see him once again but the queen was against his going and said I know well that misfortunes will come upon us if you go however he gave her no rest till she agreed at his going away she gave him a wishing ring and said take this ring and put it on your finger whatever you wish it will bring you only promise never to make use of it to bring me hence to your father's house then he said he would do what she asked and put the ring on his finger and wished himself near the town where his father lived Heinel found himself at the gates in a moment but the guards would not let him go in because he was so strangely clad so he went up to a neighbouring hill where a shepherd dwelt and borrowed his old frock and thus passed unknown into the town when he came to his father's house he said he was his son but the merchant would not believe him and said he had had but one son his poor Heinel who he knew was long since dead and as he was only dressed like a poor shepherd he would not even give him anything to eat the king however still vowed that he was his son and said is there no mark by which you would know me if I am really your son yes said his mother our Heinel had a mark like a raspberry on his right arm then he showed them the mark and they knew that what he had said was true he next told them how he was king of the golden mountain and was married to a princess and had a son seven years old but the merchant said that can never be true he must be a fine king truly who travels about in a shepherd's frock at this the son was vexed and forgetting his word turned his ring and wished for his queen and son in an instant they stood before him but the queen wept and said he had broken his word and bad luck would follow he did all he could to soothe her and she at last seemed to be appeased but she was not so in truth and was only thinking how she should punish him one day he took her to walk with him out of the town and showed her the spot where the boat was set adrift upon the wide waters then he sat himself down and said I am very much tired sit by me I will rest my head in your lap and sleep a while as soon as he had fallen asleep however she drew the ring from his finger and crept softly away and wished herself and her son at home in their kingdom and when he awoke he found himself alone and saw that the ring was gone from his finger I can never go back to my father's house said he they would say I am a sorcerer I will journey forth into the world till I come again to my kingdom so saying he set out and travelled till he came to a hill where three giants were sharing their father's goods and as they saw him pass they cried out and said little men have sharp wits ye shall part the goods between us now there was a sword that cut off an enemy's head whenever the wearer gave the words heads off a cloak that made the owner invisible or gave him any form he pleased and a pair of boots that carried the wearer wherever he wished Heinel said they must first let him try these wonderful things then he might know how to set a value upon them then they gave him the cloak and he wished himself a fly and in a moment he was a fly the cloak is very well said he now give me the sword no said they not unless you undertake not to say heads off for if you do we are all dead men so they gave it to him charging him to try it on a tree he next asked for the boots also and the moment he had all three in his power he wished himself at the golden mountain and there he was at once so the giants were left behind with no goods to share or quarrel about as Heinel came near his castle he heard the sound of merry music and the people around told him that his queen was about to marry another husband then he threw his cloak around him and passed through the castle hall and placed himself by the side of the queen where no one saw him but when anything to eat was put upon her plate he took it away and ate it himself and when a glass of wine was handed to her he took it and drank it and thus though they kept on giving her meat and drink her plate and cup were always empty upon this fear and remorse came over her and she went into her chamber alone and sat there weeping and he followed her there alas said she to herself was I not once set free? Why then does this enchantment still seem to bind me false and fickle one said he one indeed came who set thee free and he is now near thee again but how have you used him? Ought he to have had such treatment from thee? Then he went out and sent away the company and said the wedding was at an end for that he was come back to the kingdom but the princes, Peers and great men mocked at him however he would enter into no parley with them but only asked them if they would go in peace or not. Then they turned upon him and tried to seize him, But he drew his sword. Heads off! Cried he, And with the word the traitor's heads fell before him, And Heinel was once more king of the golden mountain. Yorinda and Yorindel There was once an old castle that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy wood, And in the castle lived an old fairy. Now, This fairy could take any shape she pleased. All the day long she flew about in the form of an owl, Or crept about the country like a cat, But at night she always became an old woman again. When any young man came within a hundred paces of her castle, He became quite fixed, And could not move a step till she came and set him free, Which she would not do till he had given her his word never to come there again. But when any pretty maiden came within that space, She was changed into a bird, And the fairy put her into a cage and hung her up in a chamber in the castle. There were seven hundred of these cages hanging in the castle, And all with beautiful birds in them. Now, There was once a maiden whose name was Yorinda. She was prettier than all the pretty girls that ever were seen before. And a shepherd lad, Whose name was Yorindel, Was very fond of her, And they were soon to be married. One day they went to walk in the wood, That they might be alone, And Yorindel said, We must take care that we don't go too near to the fairy's castle. It was a beautiful evening. The last rays of the setting sun shone bright through the long stems of the trees upon the green underwood beneath. Yorinda sat down to gaze upon the sun. Yorindel sat by her side, And both felt sad. They knew not why, But it seemed as if they were to be parted from one another forever. They had wandered a long way, And when they looked to see which way they should go home, They found themselves at a loss to know what path to take. The sun was setting fast, And already half of its circle had sunk behind the hill. Yorindel, On a sudden, Looked behind him, And saw through the bushes that they had, Without knowing it, Sat down close under the old walls of the castle. Then he shrank for fear, Turned pale, And trembled. Yorinda was just singing. The ring dove sang from the willow spray, Well a day, Well a day, He mourned for the fate of his darling maid, Well a day. When her song stopped suddenly, Yorindel turned to see the reason, And beheld his Yorinda changed into a nightingale, So that her song ended with a mournful chug, Chug. An owl with fiery eyes flew three times round them, And three times screamed, Poo-woo, Poo-woo, Poo-woo. Yorindel could not move. He stood fixed as a stone, And could neither weep, Nor speak, Nor stir hand or foot. And now the sun went quite down. The gloomy night came, The owl flew into a bush, And a moment after, The old fairy came forth, Pale and meagre, With staring eyes, And a nose and chin that almost met one another. She mumbled something to herself, Seized the nightingale, And went away with it in her hand. Poor Yorindel. So the nightingale was gone, But what could he do? He could not speak, He could not move from the spot where he stood. At last, The fairy came back and sang with a hoarse voice, Till the prisoner is fast, And her doom is cast. There, Stay, Oh, Stay, When the charm is around her, And the spell has bound her. I away, Away. On a sudden, Yorindel found himself free. Then he fell on his knees before the fairy, And prayed her to give him back his dear Yorinda. But she laughed at him, And said he should never see her again. Then she went her way. He prayed, He wept, He sorrowed, But all in vain. Alas, He said, What will become of me? He could not go back to his own home, So he went to a strange village and employed himself in keeping sheep. Many a time did he walk round and round, As near to the hated castle as he dared go, But all in vain. He heard or saw nothing of Yorinda. At last, He dreamt one night that he found a beautiful purple flower, And that in the middle of it lay a costly pearl. And he dreamt that he plucked the flower, And went with it in his hand into the castle, And that everything he touched with it was disenchanted, And that there he found his Yorinda again. In the morning, When he awoke, He began to search over hill and dale for this pretty flower. And eight long days he sought for it in vain. But on the ninth day, Early in the morning, He found the beautiful purple flower, And in the middle of it was a large dewdrop, As big as a costly pearl. Then he plucked the flower, And set out, And travelled day and night till he came again to the castle. He walked nearer than a hundred paces to it, And yet he did not become fixed as before, But found that he could go quite close up to the door. Yorinda was very glad indeed to see this. Then he touched the door with the flower, And it sprang open, So that he went in through the court, And listened when he heard so many birds singing. At last he came to the chamber where the fairy sat, With the seven hundred birds singing in the seven hundred cages. When she saw Yorinda, She was very angry, And screamed with rage. But she could not come within two yards of him, For the flower he held in his hand was his safeguard. He looked around at the birds, But alas, There were many, Many nightingales. And how then should he find out which was his Yorinda? While he was thinking what to do, He saw the fairy had taken down one of the cages, And was making the best of her way off through the door. He ran, Or flew after her, Touched the cage with the flower, And Yorinda stood before him, And threw her arms round his neck, Looking as beautiful as ever. As beautiful as when they walked together in the wood. Then he touched all the other birds with the flower, So that they all took their old forms again, And he took Yorinda home, Where they were married, And lived happily together many years. And so did a good many other lads, Whose maidens had been forced to sing in the old fairy's cages by themselves, Much longer than they liked. A certain father had two sons, The elder of who was smart and sensible, And could do everything. But the younger was stupid, And could neither learn nor understand anything. And when people saw him, They said, There's a fellow who will give his father some trouble. When anything had to be done, It was always the elder who was forced to do it. But if his father bade him fetch anything when it was late, Or in the night time, And the way led through the churchyard, Or any other dismal place, He answered, Oh no father, I'll not go there, It makes me shudder. For he was afraid. Or when stories were told by the fire at night, Which made the flesh creep, The listeners sometimes said, Oh, It makes us shudder. The younger sat in a corner and listened with the rest of them, And could not imagine what they could mean. They are always saying, It makes me shudder, It makes me shudder. Does not make me shudder, Thought he. That too, Must be an art of which I understand nothing. Now, It came to pass that his father said to him one day, Hearken to me, You fellow in the corner there. You are growing tall and strong, And you too must learn something by which you can earn your bread. Look how your brother works, But you do not even earn your salt. Well father, He replied, I am quite willing to learn something. Indeed, If it could but be managed, I should like to learn how to shudder. I don't understand that at all yet. The elder brother smiled when he heard that, And thought to himself, Goodness, What a blockhead that brother of mine is. He will never be good for anything as long as he lives. He who wants to be a sickle must bend himself betimes. The father sighed, And answered him, You shall soon learn what it is to shudder, But you will not earn your bread by that. Soon after this, The sexton came to the house on a visit, And the father bewailed his trouble, And told him how his younger son was so backward in every respect that he knew nothing, Nothing, And learnt nothing. Just think, Said he, When I asked him how he was going to earn his bread, He actually wanted to learn to shudder. If that be all, Replied the sexton, He can learn that with me. Send him to me, And I will soon polish him. The father was glad to do it, For he thought it will train the boy a little. The sexton therefore took him into his house, And he had to ring the church bell. After a day or two, The sexton awoke him at midnight, And bade him arise and go up into the church tower and ring the bell. You shall soon learn what shuddering is, Thought he, And secretly went there before him, And when the boy was at the top of the tower, And turned round, And was just going to take hold of the bell rope, He saw a white figure standing on the stairs opposite the sounding hole. Who is there? Cried he, But the figure made no reply, And did not move or stir. Give an answer, Cried the boy, Or take yourself off. You have no business here at night. The sexton, However, Remained, Standing motionless, That the boy might think he was a ghost. The boy cried a second time, What do you want here? Speak, If you are an honest fellow, Or I will throw you down the steps. The sexton thought he can't mean to be as bad as his words, Uttered no sound, And stood as if he were made of stone. Then the boy called to him for the third time, And as that was also to no purpose, He ran against him and pushed the ghost down the stairs, So that it fell down the ten steps, And remained lying there in a corner. Thereupon he rang the bell, Went home, And without saying a word, Went to bed and fell asleep. The sexton's wife waited a long time for her husband, But he did not come back. At length she became uneasy, And wakened the boy and asked, Do you know where my husband is? He climbed up the tower before you did. No, I don't know, Replied the boy, But someone was standing by the sounding hole on the other side of the steps, And as he would neither give an answer nor go away, I took him for a scoundrel, And threw him downstairs. Just go there and you will see if it was he. I should be sorry if it were. The woman ran away and found her husband, Who was lying moaning in the corner, And had broken his leg. She carried him down, And then with loud screams, She hastened to the boy's father. Your boy, Cried she, Has been the cause of a great misfortune. He has thrown my husband down the steps, So that he broke his leg. Take the good-for-nothing fellow out of our house. The father was terrified, And ran thither and scolded the boy. What wicked tricks are these, Said he, The devil must have put them into your head. Father, He replied, Do listen to me, I am quite innocent. He was standing there by night, Like one intent on doing evil. I did not know who it was, And I entreated him three times, Either to speak or to go away. Oh, Said the father, I have nothing but unhappiness with you. Go out of my sight. I will see you no more. Yes, Father, Write willingly, Wait only until it is day, Then will I go forth and learn how to shudder, And then I shall, At any rate, Understand one art which will support me. Learn what you will, Spoke the father, It is all the same to me. Here are fifty tailors for you, Take these, And go into the wide world, And tell no one from whence you come, And who is your father, For I have reason to be ashamed of you. Yes, Father, It shall be as you will. If you desire nothing more than that, I can easily keep it in mind. When the day dawned, Therefore, The boy put his fifty tailors into his pocket, And went forth on the great highway, And continually said to himself, If I could but shudder, If I could but shudder, Then a man approached, Who heard this conversation which the youth was holding with himself, And when they had walked a little farther to where they could see the gallows, The man said to him, Look, There is the tree where seven men have married the rope maker's daughter, And are now learning how to fly. Sit down beneath it, And wait till night comes, And you will soon learn how to shudder. If that is all that is wanted, Answered the youth, It is easily done, But if I learn how to shudder as fast as that, You shall have my fifty tailors. Just come back to me early in the morning. Then the youth went to the gallows, Sat down beneath it, And waited till evening came, And as he was cold, He lighted himself a fire, But at midnight, The wind blew so sharply, That in spite of his fire, He could not get warm, And as the wind knocked the hanged men against each other, And they moved backwards and forwards, He thought to himself, If you shiver below by the fire, How those up above must freeze and suffer, And as he felt pity for them, He raised the ladder, And climbed up, Unbound one of them after the other, And brought down all seven. Then he stoked the fire, Blew it, And set them all round it to warm themselves. But they sat there, And did not stir, And the fire caught their clothes, So he said, Take care, Or I will hang you up again. The dead men, However, Did not hear, But were quite silent, And let their rags go on burning. At this, He grew angry, And said, If you will not take care, I cannot help you. I will not be burnt with you, And he hung them up again, Each in his turn. Then he sat down by his fire, And fell asleep. And the next morning, The man came to him, And wanted to have the fifty tailors, And said, Well, Do you know how to shudder? No, Answered he, How should I know? Those fellows up there did not open their mouths, And were so stupid that they let the few old rags which they had on their bodies get burnt. Then the man saw that he would not get the fifty tailors that day, And went away, Saying, Such a youth has never come my way before. The youth likewise went his way, And once more began to mutter to himself, If I could but shudder, If I could but shudder. A waggoner, Who was striding behind him, Heard this, And asked, Who are you? I don't know, Answered the youth. Then the waggoner asked, From whence do you come? I know not. Who is your father? That I may not tell you. What is it that you are always muttering between your teeth? Ah, Replied the youth, I do so wish. I could shudder, But no one can teach me how. Enough of your foolish chatter, Said the waggoner. Come, Go with me, I will see about a place for you. The youth went with the waggoner, And in the evening they arrived at an inn, Where they wished to pass the night. Then, At the entrance of the parlour, The youth again said, Quite loudly, If I could but shudder, If I could but shudder. The host, Who heard this, Laughed, And said, If that is your desire, There ought to be a good opportunity for you here. Ah, Be silent, Said the hostess, So many prying persons have already lost their lives. Ah, It would be a pity and a shame, If such beautiful eyes as these, Should never see the daylight again. But the youth said, However difficult it may be, I will learn it. For this purpose, Indeed, Have I journeyed forth. He let the host have no rest, Until the latter told him, That not far from thence stood a haunted castle, Where anyone could very easily learn what shuddering was, If he would but watch in it for three nights. The king had promised, That he who would venture, Should have his daughter to wife. And she, Was the most beautiful maiden, The sun shone on. Likewise, In the castle, Lay great treasures, Which were guarded by evil spirits. And these treasures would then be freed, And would make a poor man rich enough. Already, Many men had gone into the castle, But as yet, None had come out again. Then, The youth went next morning to the king, And said, If it be allowed, I will willingly watch three nights in the haunted castle. The king looked at him. And as the youth pleased him, He said, You may ask for three things to take into the castle with you, But they must be things without life. Life. Then, He answered, Then I ask for a fire, A turning lathe, And a cutting board with a knife. The king had these things carried into the castle for him during the day. When night was drawing near, The youth went up and made himself a bright fire in one of the rooms, Placed the cutting board and knife beside it, And seated himself by the turning lathe. Ah, If I could but shudder, Said he, But I shall not learn it here either. Towards midnight, He was about to poke his fire, And as he was blowing it, Something cried suddenly from one corner. You fools, Cried he, What are you crying about? If you are cold, Come and take a seat by the fire and warm yourselves. And when he had said that, Two great black cats came with one tremendous leap and sat down on each side of him and looked savagely at him with their fiery eyes. After a short time, When they had warmed themselves, They said, Comrade, Shall we have a game of cards? Why not? He replied, But just show me your paws. Then they stretched out their claws. Oh, Said he, What long nails you have. Wait, I must first cut them for you. Thereupon, He seized them by the throats, Put them on the cutting board, And screwed their feet fast. I have looked at your fingers, Said he, And my fancy for card playing has gone. And he struck them dead and threw them out into the water. But when he had made a way with these two and was about to sit down again by his fire, Out from every hole and corner came black cats and black dogs with red hot chains. And more and more of them came until he could no longer move. And they yelled horribly and got on his fire, Pulled it to pieces and tried to put it out. He watched them for a while, Quietly. But at last, When they were going too far, He seized his cutting knife and cried, Away with you vermin, And began to cut them down. Some of them ran away, The others he killed and threw out into the fish pond. When he came back, He fanned the embers of his fire again and warmed himself. And as he thus sat, His eyes would keep open no longer, And he felt a desire to sleep. Then he looked round and saw a great bed in the corner. That is the very thing for me, Said he, And got into it. When he was just going to shut his eyes, However, The bed began to move of its own accord and went over the whole of the castle. That's right, Said he, But go faster. Then the bed rolled on as if six horses were harnessed to it, Up and down, Over thresholds and stairs. But suddenly, Hop, Hop, It turned over upside down and lay on him like a mountain. But he threw quilts and pillows up in the air, Got out and said, Now anyone who likes may drive, And lay down by his fire and slept till it was day. In the morning, The king came, And when he saw him lying there on the ground, He thought the evil spirits had killed him, And he was dead. Then, Said he, After all, It is a pity, For so handsome a man, The youth heard it, Got up and said, It has not come to that yet. Then the king was astonished, But very glad, And asked how he had fared. Very well indeed, Answered he, One night is past, The two others will pass likewise. Then he went to the innkeeper, Who opened his eyes very wide, And said, I never expected to see you alive again. Have you learnt how to shudder yet? No, Said he, It is all in vain, If someone would but tell me. The second night, He again went up into the old castle, Sat down by the fire, And once more began his old song, If I Could But Shudder. When midnight came, An uproar and noise of tumbling about was heard. At first it was low, But it grew louder and louder. Then it was quiet for a while, And at length, With a loud scream, Half a man came down the chimney and fell before him. Hello, Cried he, Another half belongs to this, This is not enough. Then the uproar began again, There was a roaring and howling, And the other half fell down likewise. Wait, Said he, I will just stoke up the fire a little for you. When he had done that, And looked around again, The two pieces were joined together, And a hideous man was sitting in his place. That is no part of our bargain, Said the youth, The bench is mine. The man wanted to push him away, The youth, However, Would not allow that. But thrust him off with all his strength, And seated himself again in his own place. Then still more men fell down, One after the other. They brought nine dead men's legs and two skulls, And set them up and played at nine pins with them. The youth also wanted to play, And said, Listen you, Can I join you? Yes, If you have any money. Money enough, Replied he, But your balls are not quite round. Then he took the skulls and put them in the lathe, And turned them till they were round. There, Now they will roll better, Said he. Hurrah, Now we'll have fun. He played with them, And lost some of his money, But when it struck twelve, Everything vanished from his sight. He lay down, And quietly fell asleep. The next morning the king came to inquire after him. How has it fared with you this time? Asked he. I have been playing at nine pins, He answered, And have lost a couple of farthings. Have you not shuddered then? What? Said he. I have had a wonderful time, If I did but know what it was to shudder. The third night, He sat down again on his bench, And said, Quite sadly, If I could but shudder. When it grew late, Six tall men came in, And brought a coffin. Then he said, Ha, Ha, That is certainly my little cousin, Who died only a few days ago. And he beckoned with his finger, And cried, Come, Little cousin, Come. They placed the coffin on the ground, But he went to it, And took the lid off, And a dead man lay therein. He felt his face, But it was cold as ice. Hmm, Wait, Said he, I will warm you a little. And went to the fire, And warmed his hand, And laid it on the dead man's face. But he remained cold. Then he took him out, And sat down by the fire, And laid him on his breast, And rubbed his arms that the blood might circulate again, As this also did no good. He thought to himself, Hmm, When two people lie in bed together, They warm each other. And carried him to the bed, Covered him over, And lay down by him. After a short time, The dead man became warm too, And began to move. Then, Said the youth, See, Little cousin, Have I not warmed you? The dead man, However, Got up and cried, Now will I strangle you. What, Said he, Is that the way you thank me? You shall at once go into your coffin again. And he took him up, Threw him into it, And shut the lid. Then came the six men, And carried him away again. I cannot manage to shudder, Said he, I shall never learn it here, As long as I live. Then, A man entered, Who was taller than all others, And looked terrible. Terrible. He was old, However, And had a long white beard. You wretch, Cried he, You shall soon learn what it is to shudder, For you shall die. Not so fast, Replied the youth, If I am to die, I shall have to have a say in it. I will soon seize you, Said the fiend. Softly, Softly, Do not talk so big, I am as strong as you are, And perhaps even stronger. We shall see, Said the old man, If you are stronger, I will let you go. Come, We will try. Then, He led him, By dark passages, To a smith's forge, Took an axe, And with one blow, Struck an anvil into the ground. I can do better than that, Said the youth, And went to the other anvil. The old man placed himself near, And wanted to look on, And his white beard hung down. Then the youth seized the axe, Split the anvil with one blow, And in it, Caught the old man's beard. Now I have you, Said the youth, Now it is your turn to die. Then he seized an iron bar, And beat the old man, Till he moaned, And entreated him to stop. When he would give him great riches, The youth drew out the axe, And let him go. The old man led him back into the castle, And in a cellar, Showed him three chests full of gold. Of these, Said he, One part is for the poor, The other for the king, The third yours. In the meantime, It struck twelve, And the spirit disappeared, So that the youth stood in darkness. I shall still be able to find my way out, Said he, And felt about, Found the way into the room, And slept there by his fire. Next morning, The king came, And said, Now you must have learnt what shuddering is? No, He answered, What can it be? My dead cousin was here, And a bearded man came, And showed me a great deal of money down below, But no one told me what it was to shudder. Then, Said the king, You have saved the castle, And shall marry my daughter. That is all very well, Said he, But still I do not know what it is to shudder. Then the gold was brought up, And the wedding celebrated, But howsoever much the young king loved his wife, And however happy he was, He still said always, If I could but shudder, If I could but shudder, And this at last angered her. Her waiting maid said, I will find a cure for him, He shall soon learn what it is to shudder. She went out to the stream which flowed through the garden, And had a whole bucketful of gudgeons brought to her. At night, When the young king was sleeping, His wife was to draw the clothes off him, And empty the bucket full of cold water with the gudgeons in it over him, So that the little fishes would sprawl about him. Then he woke up and cried, Oh, What makes me shudder so, What makes me shudder so dear wife, Ah, Now I know what it is to shudder. King Grisly-Beard A great king of a land far away in the east had a daughter who was very beautiful, But so proud and haughty and conceited, That none of the princes who came to ask her in marriage was good enough for her. And she only made sport of them. Once upon a time the king held a great feast and asked thither all her suitors, And they all sat in a row, Ranged according to their rank, Kings and princes and dukes and earls and counts and barons and knights. Then the princess came in, And as she passed by them, She had something spiteful to say to every one. The first was too fat, He's as round as a tub, Said she. The next was too tall, What a maple, Said she. The next was too short, What a dumpling, Said she. The fourth was too pale, And she called him Wall Face. The fifth was too red, So she called him Cock's Comb. The sixth was not straight enough, So she said he was like a green stick that had been laid to dry over a baker's oven. And thus she had some joke to crack upon every one. But she laughed more than all at a good king who was there. Look at him, Said she, His beard is like an old mop. He shall be called Grizzly Beard. So the king got the nickname of Grizzly Beard. But the old king was very angry when he saw how his daughter behaved and how she ill-treated all his guests. And he vowed that, Willing or unwilling, She should marry the first man, Be he prince or beggar, That came to the door. Two days after, There came by a travelling fiddler, Who began to play under the window and beg alms. And when the king heard him, He said, Let him come in. So they brought in a dirty-looking fellow. And when he had sung before the king and the princess, He begged a boon. Then the king said, You have sung so well that I will give you my daughter for your wife. The princess begged and prayed, But the king said, I have sworn to give you to the first comer and I will keep my word. So words and tears were of no avail. The parson was sent for and she was married to the fiddler. When this was over, The king said, Now, Get ready to go. You must not stay here. You must travel on with your husband. Then the fiddler went his way and took her with him. And they soon came to a great wood. Pray, Said she, Whose is this wood? It belongs to King Grizzlybeard, Answered he. Hadst thou taken him, All had been thine. Unlucky wretch that I am, Sighed she. Would that I had married King Grizzlybeard. Next they came to some fine meadows. Whose are these beautiful green meadows? Said she. They belong to King Grizzlybeard. Hadst thou taken him, They had all been thine. Unlucky wretch that I am, Said she. Would that I had married King Grizzlybeard. Then they came to a great city. Whose is this noble city? Said she. It belongs to King Grizzlybeard. Hadst thou taken him, It had all been thine. Oh, Wretch that I am, Sighed she. Why did I not marry King Grizzlybeard? That is no business of mine, Said the fiddler. Why should you wish for another husband? Am not I good enough for you? At last they came to a small cottage. What a paltry place, Said she. To whom does that little dirty hole belong? Then the fiddler said, That is your and my house, Where we are to live. Where are your servants? Cried she. What do we want with servants? Said he. You must do for yourself whatever is to be done. Now, Make the fire, And put on water, And cook my supper, For I am very tired. But the princess knew nothing of making fires and cooking, And the fiddler was forced to help her. When they had eaten a very scanty meal, They went to bed. But the fiddler called her up very early in the morning to clean the house. Thus they lived for two days, And when they had eaten up all there was in the cottage, The man said, Wife, We can't go on thus, Spending money and earning nothing. You must learn to weave baskets. Then he went out and cut willows and brought them home, And she began to weave, But it made her fingers very sore. I see this work won't do, Said he. Try and spin, Perhaps you will do that better. So she sat down and tried to spin, But the threads cut her tender fingers till the blood ran. See now, Said the fiddler, You are good for nothing. You can do no work. What a bargain I have got! However, I'll try and set up a trade in pots and pans, And you shall stand in the market and sell them. Alas, Sighed she, If any of my father's court should pass by and see me standing in the market, How they will laugh at me. But her husband did not care for that, And said she must work if she did not wish to die of hunger. At first the trade went well, For many people seeing such a beautiful woman went to buy her wares and paid their money without thinking of taking away the goods. They lived on this as long as it lasted, And then her husband bought a fresh lot of ware and she sat herself down with it in the corner of the market. But a drunken soldier soon came by and rode his horse against her stall and broke all her goods into a thousand pieces. Then she began to cry and knew not what to do. What will become of me, Said she, What will my husband say? So she ran home and told him all. Who would have thought you would have been so silly, Said he, As to put an earthenware stall in the corner of the market where everybody passes? But let us have no more crying, I see you are not fit for this sort of work. So I have been to the king's palace and asked if they did not want a kitchen maid, And they say they will take you, And there you will have plenty to eat. Thus the princess became a kitchen maid and helped the cook to do all the dirtiest work, But she was allowed to carry home some of the meat that was left, And on this they lived. She had not been there long before she heard that the king's eldest son was passing by, Going to be married, And she went to one of the windows and looked out. Everything was ready and all the pomp and brightness of the court was there. Then she bitterly grieved for the pride and folly which had brought her so low. And the servants gave her some of the rich meats which she put into her basket to take home. All of a sudden, As she was going out, In came the king's son, In golden clothes, And when he saw a beautiful woman at the door, He took her by the hand and said she should be his partner in the dance. But she trembled for fear, For she saw that it was King Grizzlybeard who was making sport of her. However, He kept fast hold and led her in, And the cover of the basket came off so that the meats in it fell about. Then everybody laughed and jeered at her, And she was so abashed that she wished herself a thousand feet deep in the earth. She sprang to the door to run away, But on the steps, King Grizzlybeard overtook her and brought her back and said, Fear me not, I am the fiddler who has lived with you in the hut. I brought you there because I really loved you. I am also the soldier that overset your stall. I have done all this only to cure you of your silly pride and to show you the folly of your ill-treatment of me. Now all is over, You have learnt wisdom, And it is time to hold our marriage feast. Then the Chamberlains came and brought her the most beautiful robes, And her father and his whole court were there already and welcomed her home on her marriage. Joy was in every face and every heart, The feast was grand, They danced and sang, All were merry. And I only wish that you and I had been of the party. Iron Hans There was once upon a time a king who had a great forest near his palace, Full of all kinds of wild animals. One day he sent out a huntsman to shoot him a roe, But he did not come back. Perhaps some accident has befallen him, Said the king. And the next day he sent out two more huntsmen who were to search for him, But they too stayed away. Then on the third day he sent for all his huntsmen and said, Scour the whole forest through, And do not give up until you have found all three. But of these also, None came home again, None were seen again. From that time forth no one would any longer venture into the forest, And it lay there in deep stillness and solitude, And nothing was seen of it, But sometimes an eagle or a hawk flying over it. This lasted for many years, When an unknown huntsman announced himself to the king as seeking a situation and offered to go into the dangerous forest. The king, However, Would not give his consent and said, It is not safe in there. I fear it would fare with you no better than with the others, And you would never come out again. The huntsman replied, Lord, I will venture it at my own risk. Of fear I know nothing. The huntsman therefore betook himself with his dog to the forest. It was not long before the dog fell in with some game on the way and wanted to pursue it, But hardly had the dog run two steps when it stood before a deep pool, Could go no farther, And a naked arm stretched itself out of the water, Seized it, And drew it under. When the huntsman saw that, He went back and fetched three men to come with buckets and bail out the water. When they could see to the bottom, There lay a wild man whose body was brown like rusty iron and whose hair hung over his face down to his knees. They bound him with cords and led him away to the castle. There was great astonishment over the wild man. The king, However, Had him put in an iron cage in his courtyard and forbade the door to be opened on pain of death, And the queen herself was to take the key into her keeping. And from this time forth, Everyone could again go into the forest with safety. The king had a son of eight years, Who was once playing in the courtyard, And while he was playing, His golden ball fell into the cage. The boy ran thither and said, Give me my ball out. Not till you have opened the door for me, Answered the man. No, Said the boy, I will not do that, The king has forbidden it, And ran away. The next day he again went and asked for his ball. The wild man said, Open my door, But the boy would not. On the third day, The king had ridden out hunting, And the boy went once more and said, I cannot open the door even if I wished, For I have not the key. Then the wild man said, It lies under your mother's pillow. You can get it there. The boy, Who wanted to have his ball back, Cast all thought to the winds and brought the key. The door opened with difficulty, And the boy pinched his fingers. When it was open, The wild man stepped out, Gave him the golden ball, And hurried away. The boy had become afraid. He called and cried after him, Oh, Wild man, Do not go away, Or I shall be beaten. The wild man turned back, Took him up, Set him on his shoulder, And went with hasty steps into the forest. When the king came home, He observed the empty cage, And asked the queen how that had happened. She knew nothing about it, And sought the key, But it was gone. She called the boy, But no one answered. The king sent out people to seek for him in the fields, But they did not find him. Then he could easily guess what had happened, And much grief reigned in the royal court. When the wild man had once more reached the dark forest, He took the boy down from his shoulder, And said to him, You will never see your father and mother again, But I will keep you with me, For you have set me free, And I have compassion on you. If you do all I bid you, You shall fare well. Of treasure and gold have I enough, And more than anyone in the world. He made a bed of moss for the boy on which he slept, And the next morning the man took him to a well, And said, Behold, The gold well is as bright and clear as crystal. You shall sit beside it, And take care that nothing falls into it, Or it will be polluted. I will come every evening to see if you have obeyed my order. The boy placed himself by the brink of the well, And often saw a golden fish or a golden snake show itself therein, And took care that nothing fell in. As he was thus sitting, His finger hurt him so violently that he involuntarily put it in the water. He drew it quickly out again, But saw that it was quite gilded, And whatsoever pains he took to wash the gold off again, All was to no purpose. In the evening, I and Hans came back, Looked at the boy, And said, What has happened to the well? Nothing, Nothing, He answered, And held his finger behind his back that the man might not see it, But he said, You have dipped your finger into the water. This time it may pass, But take care you do not again let anything go in. By daybreak, The boy was already sitting by the well and watching it. His finger hurt him again, And he passed it over his head, And then unhappily a hair fell down into the well. He took it quickly out, But it was already quite gilded. At night, I and Hans came and already knew what had happened. You have let a hair fall into the well, Said he. I will allow you to watch by it once more, But if this happens for the third time, Then the well is polluted, And you can no longer remain with me. On the third day, The boy sat by the well and did not stir his finger, However much it hurt him, But the time was long to him, And he looked at the reflection of his face on the surface of the water, And as he still bent down more and more while he was doing so, And trying to look straight into the eyes, His long hair fell down from his shoulders into the water. He raised himself up quickly, But the whole of the hair of his head was already golden, And shone like the sun. You can imagine how terrified the poor boy was. He took his pocket handkerchief and tied it round his head in order that the man might not see it. But when he came, He already knew everything, And said, And took the handkerchief off, Then the golden hair streamed forth, And let the boy excuse himself as he might, It was of no use. You have not stood the trial, And can stay here no longer. Go forth into the world, There you will learn what poverty is, But as you have not a bad heart, And as I mean well by you, There is one thing I will grant you. If you fall into any difficulty, Come to the forest and cry, And then I will come and help you. My power is great, Greater than you think, And I have gold and silver in abundance. Then the king's son left the forest, And walked by beaten and unbeaten paths ever onwards, Until at length he reached a great city. There he looked for work, But could find none, And he learnt nothing by which he could help himself. At length he went to the palace, And asked if they would take him in. The people about court did not at all know what use they could make of him, But they liked him, And told him to stay. At length the cook took him into his service, And said he might carry wood and water, And rake the cinders together. Once, When it so happened that no one else was at hand, The cook ordered him to carry the food to the royal table. But as he did not like to let his golden hair be seen, He kept his little cap on. Such a thing as that had never yet come under the king's notice, And he said, When you come to the royal table, You must take your hat off. He answered, Ah, Lord, I cannot, I have a bad sore place on my head. Then the king had the cook called before him, And scolded him, And asked how he could take such a boy as that into his service, And that he was to send him away at once. The cook, However, Had pity on him, And exchanged him for the gardener's boy. And now the boy had to plant and water the garden, Hoe and dig, And bear the wind and bad weather. Once in summer, When he was working alone in the garden, The day was so warm. He took his little cap off that the air might cool him. As the sun shone on his hair, It glittered and flashed so that the rays fell into the bedroom of the king's daughter. And up she sprang to see what that could be. Then she saw the boy, And cried to him, Boy, Bring me a wreath of flowers. He put his cap on with all haste, And gathered wild field flowers and bound them together. When he was ascending the stairs with them, The gardener met him and said, How can you take the king's daughter a garland of such common flowers? Go, Quickly, And get another, And seek out the prettiest and rarest. Oh no, Replied the boy, The wild ones have more scent, And will please her better. When he got into the room, The king's daughter said, Take your cap off, It is not seemly to keep it on in my presence. He again said, I may not, I have a sore head. She, However, Caught at his cap and pulled it off, And then his golden hair rolled down on his shoulders, And it was splendid to behold. He wanted to run out, But she held him by the arm and gave him a handful of ducats. With these he departed, But he cared nothing for the gold pieces. He took them to the gardener and said, I present them to your children, They can play with them. The following day the king's daughter again called to him that he was to bring her a wreath of field flowers, And then he went in with it. She instantly snatched at his cap and wanted to take it away from him, But he held it fast with both hands. She again gave him a handful of ducats, But he would not keep them, And gave them to the gardener for playthings for his children. On the third day things went just the same. She could not get his cap away from him, And he would not have her money. Not long afterwards the country was overrun by war. The king gathered together his people, And did not know whether or not he could offer any opposition to the enemy who was superior in strength, And had a mighty army. Then said the gardener's boy, I am grown up and will go to the wars also, Only give me a horse. The others laughed and said, Seek one for yourself when we are gone, We will leave one behind us in the stable for you. When they had gone forth, He went into the stable and led the horse out. It was lame of one foot, And limped, Hobblety jib, Hobblety jib. Nevertheless, He mounted it, And rode away to the dark forest. When he came to the outskirts he called, Iron Hans, Three times, So loudly that it echoed through the trees. Thereupon the wild man appeared immediately, And said, What do you desire? I want a strong steed, For I am going to the wars. That you shall have, And still more than you ask for. Then the wild man went back into the forest, And it was not long before a stable boy came out of it, Who led a horse that snorted with its nostrils, And could hardly be restrained, And behind them followed a great troop of warriors, Entirely equipped in iron, And their swords flashed in the sun. The youth, Made over his three-legged horse to the stable boy, Mounted the other and rode at the head of the soldiers. When he got near the battlefield, A great part of the king's men had already fallen, And little was wanting to make the rest give way. Then the youth galloped thither with his iron soldiers, Broke like a hurricane over the enemy, And beat down all who opposed him. They began to flee, But the youth pursued and never stopped, Until there was not a single man left. Instead of returning to the king, However, He conducted his troop by byways back to the forest, And called forth iron hands. What do you desire? Asked the wild man. Take back your horse and your troops, And give me my three-legged horse again. All that he asked was done, And soon he was riding on his three-legged horse. When the king returned to his palace, His daughter went to meet him and wished him joy of his victory. I am not the one who carried away the victory, Said he, But a strange knight who came to my assistance with his soldiers. The daughter wanted to hear who the strange knight was, But the king did not know, And said he followed the enemy, And I did not see him again. She inquired of the gardener where his boy was, But he smiled and said he has just come home on his three-legged horse, And the others have been mocking him and crying, Here comes our hobblety jib back again. They asked too, Under what hedge have you been lying sleeping all the time? So he said, I did the best of all, And it would have gone badly without me, And then he was still more ridiculed. The king said to his daughter, I will proclaim a great feast that shall last for three days, And you shall throw a golden apple. Perhaps the unknown man will show himself. When the feast was announced, The youth went out to the forest and called iron hands. What do you desire? Asked he, That I may catch the king's daughter's golden apple. It is as safe as if you had it already, Said iron hands. You shall likewise have a suit of red armour for the occasion, And ride on a spirited chestnut horse. When the day came, The youth galloped to the spot, Took his place amongst the knights, And was recognised by no one. The king's daughter came forward and threw a golden apple to the knights, But none of them caught it but he. Only as soon as he had it, He galloped away. On the second day, Iron hands equipped him as a white knight, And gave him a white horse. Again, He was the only one who caught the apple, And he did not linger an instant, But galloped off with it. The king grew angry and said, That is not allowed. He must appear before me and tell his name. He gave the order that if the knight who caught the apple should go away again, They should pursue him, And if he would not come back willingly, They were to cut him down and stab him. On the third day, He received from iron hands a suit of black armour and a black horse, And again he caught the apple. But when he was riding off with it, The king's attendants pursued him, And one of them got so near him that he wounded the youth's leg with the point of his sword. The youth nevertheless escaped from them, But his horse leapt so violently that the helmet fell from the youth's head, And they could see that he had golden hair. They rode back and announced this to the king. The following day, The king's daughter asked the gardener about his boy. He is at work in the garden. The queer creature has been at the festival too and only came home yesterday evening. He has likewise shown my children three golden apples which he has won. The king had him summoned into his presence, And he came and again had his little cap on his head, But the king's daughter went up to him and took it off, And then his golden hair fell down over his shoulders, And he was so handsome that all were amazed. Are you the knight who came every day to the festival, Always in different colours, And who caught the three golden apples? Asked the king. Yes, Answered he, And here the apples are, And he took them out of his pocket and returned them to the king. If you desire further proof, You may see the wound which your people gave me when they followed me. But I am likewise the knight who helped you to your victory over your enemies. If you can perform such deeds as that, You are no gardener's boy. Tell me, Who is your father? My father is a mighty king. And gold have I in plenty as great as I require. I will see, Said the king, That I owe my thanks to you. Can I do anything to please you? Yes, Answered he, That indeed you can. Give me your daughter to wife. The maiden laughed and said, He does not stand much on ceremony. But I have already seen by his golden hair that he was no gardener's boy. And then she went and kissed him. His father and mother came to the wedding and were in great delight, For they had given up all hope of ever seeing their dear son again. And as they were sitting at the marriage feast, The music suddenly stopped, The doors opened, And a stately king came in with a great retinue. He went up to the youth, Embraced him, And said, I am Iron Hans, And was, By enchantment, A wild man, But you have set me free. All the treasures which I possess shall be your property. The Raven There was once a queen who had a little daughter, Still too young to run alone. One day, The child was very troublesome, And the mother could not quiet it, Do what she would. She grew impatient, And seeing the ravens flying round the castle, She opened the window and said, I wish you were a raven and would fly away, Then I should have a little peace. Scarcely were the words out of her mouth when the child in her arms was turned into a raven. And flew away from her through the open window. The bird took its flight to a dark wood and remained there for a long time. And meanwhile, The parents could hear nothing of their child. Long after this, A man was making his way through the wood, When he heard a raven calling, And he followed the sound of the voice. As he drew near, The raven said, I am by birth a king's daughter, But am now under the spell of some enchantment. You can, However, Set me free. What am I to do? He asked. She replied, Go farther into the wood, Until you come to a house wherein lives an old woman. She will offer you food and drink, But you must not take of either. If you do, You will fall into a deep sleep and will not be able to help me. In the garden behind the house is a large tan heap, And on that you must stand and watch for me. I shall drive there in my carriage at two o'clock in the afternoon for three successive days. The first day it will be drawn by four white, The second by four chestnut, And the last by four black horses. But if you fail to keep awake and I find you sleeping, I shall not be set free. The man promised to do all that she wished, But the raven said, Alas, I know even now that you will take something from the woman and be unable to save me. The man assured her again that he would on no account touch a thing to eat or drink. When he came to the house and went inside, The old woman met him and said, Poor man, How tired you are. Come in and rest, And let me give you something to eat and drink. No, Answered the man, I will neither eat nor drink. But she would not leave him alone, And urged him, Saying, If you will not eat anything, At least you might take a draught of wine. One drink counts for nothing. And at last, He allowed himself to be persuaded and drank. As it drew towards the appointed hour, He went outside into the garden and mounted the tan heap to await the raven. Suddenly, A feeling of fatigue came over him, And unable to resist it, He lay down for a little while, Fully determined, However, To keep awake. But in another minute, His eyes closed of their own accord, And he fell into such a deep sleep that all the noises in the world would not have awakened him. At two o'clock, The raven came driving along, Drawn by her four white horses. But even before she reached the spot, She said to herself, Sighing, I know, He has fallen asleep. When she entered the garden, There she found him, As she had feared, Lying on the tan heap, Fast asleep. She got out of her carriage and went to him. She called him and shook him, But it was all in vain. He still continued sleeping. The next day, At noon, The old woman came to him again with food and drink, Which he at first refused. At last, Overcome by her persistent entreaties that he would take something, He lifted the glass and drank again. Towards two o'clock, He went into the garden and onto the tan heap to watch for the raven. He had not been there long before he began to feel so tired that his limbs seemed hardly able to support him, And he could not stand upright any longer. So, Again, He lay down and fell fast asleep. As the raven drove along her four chestnut horses, She said sorrowfully to herself, I know, He has fallen asleep. She went, As before, To look for him, But he slept and it was impossible to awaken him. The following day, The old woman said to him, What is this? You are not eating or drinking anything. Do you want to kill yourself? He answered, I may not and will not either eat or drink. But she put down the dish of food and the glass of wine in front of him, And when he smelt the wine, He was unable to resist the temptation and took a deep draught. When the hour came round again, He went, As usual, Onto the tan heap in the garden to await the king's daughter. But he felt even more overcome with weariness than on the two previous days, And throwing himself down, He slept like a log. At two o'clock, The raven could be seen approaching, And this time her coachmen and everything about her, As well as her horses, Were black. She was sadder than ever as she drove along and said mournfully, I know, He has fallen asleep and will not be able to set me free. She found him sleeping heavily, And all her efforts to awaken him were of no avail. Then she placed beside him a loaf and some meat and a flask of wine of such a kind that however much he took of them, They would never grow less. After that, She drew a gold ring, On which her name was engraved, Off her finger and put it upon one of his. Finally, She laid a letter near him, In which, After giving him particulars of the food and drink she had left for him, She finished with the following words, I see that as long as you remain here, You will never be able to set me free. If, However, You still wish to do so, Come to the golden castle of Stromberg. This is well within your power to accomplish. She then returned to her carriage and drove to the golden castle of Stromberg. When the man awoke and found that he had been sleeping, He was grieved at heart. And said, She has no doubt been here and driven away again, And it is now too late for me to save her. Then his eyes fell on the things which were lying beside him. He read the letter and knew from it all that had happened. He rose up without delay, Eager to start on his way and to reach the castle of Stromberg. But he had no idea in which direction he ought to go. He travelled about a long time in search of it, And came at last to a dark forest, Through which he went on walking for fourteen days, And still could not find a way out. Once more the night came on, And, Worn out, He lay down under a bush and fell asleep. Again the next day he pursued his way through the forest, And that evening, Thinking to rest again, He lay down as before, But he heard such a howling and wailing, That he found it impossible to sleep. He waited till it was darker, And people had begun to light up their houses, And then, Seeing a little glimmer ahead of him, He went towards it. He found that the light came from a house which looked smaller than it really was, From the contrast of its height with that of an immense giant who stood in front of it. He thought to himself, If the giant sees me going in, My life will not be worth much. However, After a while, He summoned up courage and went forward. When the giant saw him, He called out, It is lucky for that you have come, For I have not had anything to eat for a long time. I can have you now for my supper. I would rather you let that alone, Said the man, For I do not willingly give myself up to be eaten. If you are wanting food, I have enough to satisfy your hunger. If that is so, Replied the giant, I will leave you in peace. I only thought of eating you because I had nothing else. So they went indoors together and sat down, And the man brought out the bread, Meat and wine, Which, Although he had eaten and drunk of them, Were still unconsumed. The giant was pleased with the good cheer and ate and drank to his heart's content. When he had finished his supper, The man asked him if he could direct him to the castle of Stromberg. The giant said, I will look on my map. On it are marked all the towns, Villages and houses. So he fetched his map and looked for the castle, But could not find it. Never mind, He said, I have larger maps upstairs in the cupboard. We will look on those. But they searched in vain, For the castle was not marked even on these. The man now thought he should like to continue his journey, But the giant begged him to remain for a day or two longer until the return of his brother, Who was away in search of provisions. When the brother came home, They asked him about the castle of Stromberg. And he told them he would look on his own maps, As soon as he had eaten and appeased his hunger. Accordingly, When he had finished his supper, They all went up together to his room and looked through his maps, But the castle was not to be found. Then he fetched other older maps and they went on looking for the castle until, At last, They found it, But it was many thousand miles away. How shall I be able to get there, Asked the man. I have two hours to spare, Said the giant, And I will carry you into the neighbourhood of the castle. I must then return to look after the child who is in our care. The giant, Thereupon, Carried the man to within about a hundred leagues of the castle. Where he left him, Saying, You will be able to walk the remainder of the way yourself. The man journeyed on, Day and night, Till he reached the golden castle of Stromberg. He found it situated, However, On a glass mountain, And looking up from the foot, He saw the enchanted maiden drive round her castle and then go inside. He was overjoyed to see her. He longed to get to the top of the mountain, But the sides were so slippery that every time he attempted to climb, He fell back again. When he saw that it was impossible to reach her, He was greatly grieved, And said to himself, I will remain here and wait for her. So, He built himself a little hut, And there he sat and watched for a whole year. And every day, He saw the king's daughter driving round her castle, But still was unable to get nearer to her. Looking out from his hut one day, He saw three robbers fighting, And he called out to them, God be with you. They stopped when they heard the call. But looking round and seeing nobody, They went on again with their fighting, Which now became more furious. God be with you, He cried again, And again they paused and looked about, But seeing no one, Went back to their fighting. A third time, He called out, God be with you, And then thinking he should like to know the cause of dispute between the three men, He went out and asked them why they were fighting so angrily with one another. One of them said that he had found a stick, And that he had but to strike it against any door through which he wished to pass, And it immediately flew open. Another told him that he had found a cloak, Which rendered its wearer invisible. And the third had caught a horse, Which would carry its rider over any obstacle and even up the glass mountain. They had been unable to decide whether they would keep together and have the things in common, Or whether they would separate. On hearing this, The man said, I will give you something in exchange for those three things. Not money, For that I have not got, But something that is of far more value. I must first, However, Prove whether all you have told me about your three things is true. The robbers therefore made him get on the horse, And handed him the stick and the cloak. And when he had put this round him, He was no longer visible. Then he fell upon them with the stick and beat them, One after another, Crying, There, You idle vagabonds, You have got what you deserve. Are you satisfied now? After this, He rode up the glass mountain, When he reached the gate of the castle. He found it closed, But he gave it a blow with his stick, And it flew wide open at once. And he passed through. He mounted the steps, And entered the room where the maiden was sitting, With a golden goblet full of wine in front of her. She could not see him, For he still wore his cloak. He took the ring, Which she had given him, Off his finger, And threw it into the goblet, So that it rang as it touched the bottom. That is my own ring, She exclaimed, And if that is so, The man must also be here who is coming to set me free. She sought for him about the castle, But could find him nowhere. Meanwhile, He had gone outside again and mounted his horse and thrown off the cloak, When, Therefore, She came to the castle gate, She saw him, And cried aloud for joy. Then he dismounted and took her in his arms, And she kissed him, And said, Now you have indeed set me free, And tomorrow we will celebrate our marriage. The Golden Goose There was a man who had three sons, The youngest of whom was called Dumbling, And was despised, Mocked, And sneered at on every occasion. It happened that the eldest wanted to go into the forest to Hugh Wood, And before he went, His mother gave him a beautiful sweet cake and a bottle of wine, In order that he might not suffer from hunger or thirst. When he entered the forest, He met a little grey-haired old man, Who bade him good day, And said, Do give me a piece of cake out of your pocket, And let me have a draught of your wine. I am so hungry and thirsty. But the clever son answered, If I give you my cake and wine, I shall have none for myself. Be off with you. And he left the little man standing, And went on. But when he began to Hugh down a tree, It was not long before he made a false stroke, And the axe cut him in the arm, So that he had to go home and have it bound up. And this was the little grey man's doing. After this, The second son went into the forest, And his mother gave him, Like the eldest, A cake and a bottle of wine. The little old grey man met him likewise, And asked him for a piece of cake and a drink of wine. But the second son, Too, Said sensibly enough, What I give you will be taken away from myself. Be off. And he left the little man standing, And went on. His punishment, However, Was not delayed. When he had made a few blows at the tree, He struck himself in the leg, So that he had to be carried home. Then Dumling said, Father, Do let me go and cut wood. The father answered, Your brothers have hurt themselves with it. Leave it alone. You do not understand anything about it. But Dumling begged so long, That at last he said, Just go then. You will get wiser by hurting yourself. His mother gave him a cake made with water, And baked in the cinders, And with it a bottle of sour beer. When he came to the forest, The little old grey man met him likewise, And, Greeting him, Said, Give me a piece of your cake and a drink out of your bottle. I am so hungry and thirsty. Dumling answered, I have only cinder cake and sour beer. If that pleases you, We will sit down and eat. So they sat down. And when Dumling pulled out his cinder cake, It was a fine, Sweet cake. And the sour beer had become good wine. So they ate and drank. And after that, The little man said, Since you have a good heart, And are willing to divide what you have, I will give you good luck. There stands an old tree. Cut it down, And you will find something at the roots. Then the little man took leave of him. Dumling went and cut down the tree. And when it fell, There was a goose sitting in the roots with feathers of pure gold. He lifted her up and, Taking her with him, Went to an inn where he thought he would stay the night. Now, The host had three daughters who saw the goose and were curious to know what such a wonderful bird might be and would have liked to have one of its golden feathers. The eldest thought, I shall soon find an opportunity of pulling out a feather. And as soon as Dumling had gone out, She seized the goose by the wing. But her finger and hand remained sticking fast to it. The second came soon afterwards, Thinking only of how she might get a feather for herself. But she had scarcely touched her sister. Then she was held fast. At last, The third also came with the like intent, And the others screamed out, Keep away! For goodness sake, Keep away! But she did not understand why she was to keep away. The others are there, She thought. I may as well be there too, And ran to them. But as soon as she had touched her sister, She remained sticking fast to her. So they had to spend the night with the goose. The next morning, Dumling took the goose under his arm and set out without troubling himself about the three girls who were hanging on to it. They were obliged to run after him continually, Now left, Now right, Wherever his legs took him. In the middle of the fields, The parson met them. And when he saw the procession, He said, For shame! You good-for-nothing girls! Why are you running across the fields after this young man? Is that seemly? At the same time, He seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away. But as soon as he touched her, He likewise stuck fast, And was himself obliged to run behind. Before long, The sexton came by and saw his master, The parson, Running behind three girls. He was astonished at this, And called out, Hi! Your reverence wither away so quickly. Do not forget that we have a christening today. And running after him, He took him by the sleeve, But was also held fast to it. Whilst the five were trotting thus, One behind the other, Two labourers came with their hoes from the fields. The parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free. But they had scarcely touched the sexton when they were held fast, And now there were seven of them running behind Dumling and the goose. Soon afterwards, He came to a city where a king ruled who had a daughter who was so serious that no one could make her laugh. So he had put forth a decree that whosoever should be able to make her laugh should marry her. When Dumling heard this, He went with his goose and all her train before the king's daughter. And as soon as she saw the seven people running on and on, One behind the other, She began to laugh quite loudly and as if she would never stop. Thereupon, Dumling asked to have her for his wife. But the king did not like the son-in-law and made all manner of excuses and said he must first produce a man who could drink a cellarful of wine. Dumling thought of the little grey man who could certainly help him. So he went into the forest, And in the same place where he had felled the tree, He saw a man sitting who had a very sorrowful face. Dumling asked him what he was taking to heart so sorely, And he answered, I have such a great thirst and cannot quench it. Cold water I cannot stand. A barrel of wine I have just emptied, But that to me is like a drop on a hot stone. There I can help you, Said Dumling. Just come with me and you shall be satisfied. He led him into the king's cellar and the man bent over the huge barrels and drank and drank till his loins hurt, And before the day was out he had emptied all the barrels. Then Dumling asked once more for his bride, But the king was vexed. He thought that such an ugly fellow whom everyone called Dumling should take away his daughter. And he made a new condition. He must first find a man who could eat a whole mountain of bread. Dumling did not think long, But went straight into the forest where in the same place there sat a man who was tying up his body with a strap and making an awful face and saying, I have eaten a whole oven full of rolls, But what good is that when one has such a hunger as I? My stomach remains empty and I must tie myself up if I am not to die of hunger. At this Dumling was glad and said, Get up and come with me. You shall eat yourself full. He led him to the king's palace where all the flour in the whole kingdom was collected and from it he caused a huge mountain of bread to be baked. The man from the forest stood before it, Began to eat and by the end of one day the whole mountain had vanished. Then Dumling for the third time asked for his bride, But the king again saw a way out and ordered a ship which could sail on land and on water. As soon as you come sailing back in it, Said he, You shall have my daughter for wife. Dumling went straight into the forest and there sat the little grey man to whom he had given his cake. When he heard what Dumling wanted, He said, Since you have given me to eat and to drink, I will give you the ship and I do all this because you once were kind to me. Then he gave him the ship which could sail on land and water and when the king saw that, He could no longer prevent him from having his daughter. The wedding was celebrated and after the king's death, Dumling inherited his kingdom and lived for a long time contentedly with his wife. Frederick and Catherine There was once a man called Frederick. He had a wife whose name was Catherine and they had not long been married. One day Frederick said, Kate, I am going to work in the fields. When I come back, I shall be hungry. So let me have something nice cooked and a good draft of ale. Very well, Said she, It shall all be ready. When dinner time drew nigh, Catherine took a nice steak, Which was all the meat she had, And put it on the fire to fry. The steak soon began to look brown and to crackle in the pan and Catherine stood by with a fork and turned it. Then she said to herself, The steak is almost ready. I may as well go to the cellar for the ale. So she left the pan on the fire and took a large jug and went into the cellar and tapped the ale cask. The beer ran into the jug and Catherine stood looking on. At last it popped into her head. The dog is not shut up. He may be running away with the steak. That's well thought of. So up she ran from the cellar and sure enough, The rascally cur had got the steak in his mouth and was making off with it. Away ran Catherine and away ran the dog across the field, But he ran faster than she and stuck close to the steak. It's all gone and what can't be cured must be endured, Said Catherine. So she turned round and as she had run a good way and was tired she walked home leisurely to cool herself. Now all this time the ale was running too, For Catherine had not turned the cock and when the jug was full the liquor ran upon the floor till the cask was empty. When she got to the cellar stairs she saw what had happened. My stars, Said she. What shall I do to keep Frederick from seeing all this slopping about? So she thought a while and at last remembered that there was a sack of fine meal bought at the last fair and that if she sprinkled this over the floor it would suck up the ale nicely. What a lucky thing, Said she, That we kept that meal. We have now a good use for it. So away she went for it but she managed to set it down just upon the great jug full of beer and upset it and thus all the ale that had been saved was set swimming on the floor also. Oh well, Said she, When one goes another may as well follow. Then she strewed the meal all about the cellar and was quite pleased with her cleverness and said how very neat and clean it looks. At noon Frederick came home. Now wife, Cried he, What have you for dinner? Oh, Frederick, Answered she, I was cooking you a steak but while I went down to draw the ale the dog ran away with it and while I ran after him the ale ran out and when I went to dry up the ale with the sack of meal that we got at the fair I upset the jug but the cellar is now quite dry and looks so clean. Kate, Kate, Said he, How could you do all this? Why did you leave the steak to fry and the ale to run and then spoil all the meal? Why, Frederick, Said she, I did not know I was doing wrong. You should have told me before. The husband thought to himself if my wife manages matters thus I must look sharp myself. Now, He had a good deal of gold in the house so he said to Catherine, What pretty yellow buttons these are. I shall put them into a box and bury them in the garden but take care that you never go near or meddle with them. No, Frederick, Said she, That I never will. As soon as he was gone there came by some peddlers with earthenware plates and dishes and they asked her whether she would buy. Oh, Dear me, I should like to buy very much but I have no money. If you had any use for yellow buttons I might deal with you. Yellow buttons, Said they. Let us have a look at them. Go into the garden and dig where I tell you and you will find the yellow buttons. I dare not go myself. So the rogues went and when they found what these yellow buttons were. They took them all away and left her plenty of plates and dishes. Then she set them all about the house for a show and when Frederick came back he cried out, Kate what have you been doing? See, Said she, I have bought all these with your yellow buttons. But I did not touch them myself. The peddlers went themselves and took them up. Wife, Wife, Said Frederick, What a pretty piece of work you have made. Those yellow buttons were all my money. How came you to do such a thing? Why, Answered she, I did not know there was any harm in it. You should have told me. Catherine stood musing for a while and at last said to her husband, Hark ye Frederick, We will soon get the gold back. Let us run after the thieves. Well, We will try, Answered he, But take some butter and cheese with you that we may have something to eat by the way. Very well, Said she, And they set out and as Frederick walked the fastest he left his wife some way behind. It does not matter, Thought she, When we turn back I shall be so much nearer home than he. Presently she came to the top of a hill down the side of which there was a road so narrow that the cart wheels always chafed the trees on each side as they passed. Ah, See now, Said she, How they have bruised and wounded those poor trees. They will never get well. So she took pity on them and made use of the butter to grease them all so that the wheels might not hurt them so much. While she was doing this kind office one of her cheeses fell out of the basket and rolled down the hill. Catherine looked but could not see where it had gone. So she said, Well, I suppose the other will go the same way and find you. He has younger legs than I have. Then she rolled the other cheese after it and away it went. Nobody knows where down the hill but she said she supposed that they knew the road and would follow her and she could not stay there all day waiting for them. At last she overtook Frederick who desired her to give him something to eat. Then she gave him the dry bread. Where are the butter and cheese, Said he. Oh, Answered she, I used the butter to grease those poor trees that the wheels chafed so. And one of the cheeses ran away. So I sent the other after it to find it. And I suppose they are both on the road together somewhere. What a goose you are to do such silly things, Said the husband. How can you say so, Said she. I am sure you never told me not. They ate the dry bread together. And Frederick said, Kate, I hope you locked the door safe when you came away. No, Answered she, You did not tell me. Then go home and do it now before we go any farther, Said Frederick, And bring with you something to eat. Catherine did as he told her and thought to herself, By the way, Frederick wants something to eat. But I don't think he is very fond of butter and cheese. I'll bring him a bag of fine nuts and the vinegar, For I have often seen him take some. When she reached home, She bolted the back door, But the front door she took off the hinges and said, Frederick told me to lock the door. But surely it can nowhere be so safe if I take it with me. So she took her time, By the way, And when she overtook her husband, She cried out, There, Frederick, There is the door itself. You may watch it as carefully as you please. Alas, Alas, Said he, What a clever wife I have. I sent you to make the house fast and you take the door away so that everybody may go in and out as they please. However, As you have brought the door, You shall carry it about with you for your pains. Very well, Answered she, I'll carry the door, But I'll not carry the nuts and vinegar bottle also. That would be too much of a load. So if you please, I'll fasten them to the door. Frederick, Of course, Made no objection to that plan and they set off into the wood to look for the thieves, But they could not find them. And when it grew dark, They climbed up into a tree to spend the night there. Scarcely were they up than who should come by but the very rogues they were looking for. They were, In truth, Great rascals and belonged to that class of people who find things before they are lost. They were tired, So they sat down and made a fire under the very tree where Frederick and Catherine were. Frederick slipped down on the other side and picked up some stones. Then he climbed up again and tried to hit the thieves on the head with them, But they only said, It must be near morning, For the wind shakes the fir apples down. Catherine, Who had the door on her shoulder, Began to be very tired. But she thought it was the nuts upon it that were so heavy. So she said softly, Frederick, I must let the nuts go. No, Answered he, Not now. They will discover us. I can't help that. They must go. Well then, Make haste and throw them down if you will. Then away rattled the nuts, Down among the boughs, And one of the thieves cried, Bless me, It is hailing. A little while after, Catherine thought the door was still very heavy, So she whispered to Frederick, I must throw the vinegar down. Pray don't, Answered he, It will discover us. I can't help that, Said she, Go it must. So she poured all the vinegar down, And the thieves said, What a heavy dew there is. At last it popped into Catherine's head that it was the door itself that was so heavy all the time. So she whispered, Frederick, I must throw the door down soon. But he begged and prayed her not to do so, For he was sure it would betray them. Here goes, However, Said she, And down went the door with such a clatter upon the thieves that they cried out, Murder! And not knowing what was coming, Ran away as fast as they could and left all the gold. So when Frederick and Catherine came down, There they found all their money safe and sound. Sweetheart Rowland There was once upon a time a woman who was a real witch, And had two daughters, One ugly and wicked, And this one she loved because she was her own daughter, And one beautiful and good, And this one she hated because she was her step-daughter. The step-daughter once had a pretty apron, Which the other fancied so much that she became envious and told her mother that she must and would have that apron. Be quiet, My child, Said the old woman, And you shall have it. Your step-sister has long deserved death. Tonight, When she is asleep, I will come and cut her head off. Only be careful that you are at the far side of the bed, And push her well to the front. It would have been all over with the poor girl if she had not just then been standing in a corner and heard everything. All day long she dared not go out of doors, And when bedtime had come, The witch's daughter got into bed first, So as to lie at the far side, But when she was asleep, The other pushed her gently to the front, And took for herself the place at the back close by the wall. In the night, The old woman came creeping in. She held an axe in her right hand, And felt with her left to see if anyone were lying at the outside, And then she grasped the axe with both hands and cut her own child's head off. When she had gone away, The girl got up and went to her sweetheart, Who was called Roland, And knocked at his door. When he came out, She said to him, Listen, Dearest Roland, We must fly in all haste. My stepmother wanted to kill me, But has struck her own child. When daylight comes, And she sees what she has done, We shall be lost. But, Said Roland, I counsel you first to take away her magic wand, Or we cannot escape if she pursues us. The maiden fetched the magic wand, And she took the dead girl's head, And dropped three drops of blood on the ground, One in front of the bed, One in the kitchen, And one on the stairs. Then she hurried away with her lover. When the old witch got up next morning, She called her daughter and wanted to give her the apron, But she did not come. Then the witch cried, Where are you? Here on the stairs I am sweeping, Answered the first drop of blood. The old woman went out, But saw no one on the stairs, And cried again, Where are you? Here in the kitchen I am warming myself, Cried the second drop of blood. She went into the kitchen, But found no one. Then she cried again, Where are you? Here in the bed I am sleeping, Cried the third drop of blood. She went into the room to the bed. What did she see there? Her own child, Whose head she had cut off, Bathed in her blood. The witch fell into a passion, Sprang to the window, And as she could look forth quite far into the world, She perceived her step-daughter hurrying away with her sweetheart, Roland. That shall not help you, Cried she, Even if you have got a long way off. You shall still not escape me. She put on her many-league boots, In which she covered an hour's walk at every step, And it was not long before she overtook them. The girl, However, When she saw the old woman striding towards her, Changed, With her magic wand, Her sweetheart, Roland, Into a lake, And herself into a duck swimming in the middle of it. The witch placed herself on the shore, Threw breadcrumbs in, And went to endless trouble to entice the duck, But the duck did not let herself be enticed, And the old woman had to go home at night as she had come. At this, The girl and her sweetheart, Roland, Resumed their natural shapes again, And they walked on the whole night until daybreak. Then the maiden changed herself into a beautiful flower, Which stood in the midst of a briar hedge, And her sweetheart, Roland, Into a fiddler. It was not long before the witch came striding up towards them, And said to the musician, Dear musician, May I pluck that beautiful flower for myself? Oh, Yes, He replied. I will play to you while you do it. As she was hastily creeping into the hedge, And was just going to pluck the flower, Knowing perfectly well who the flower was, He began to play, And whether she would or not, She was forced to dance. For it was a magical dance. The faster he played, The more violent springs she was forced to make, And the thorns tore her clothes from her body, And pricked her and wounded her till she bled, And as he did not stop, She had to dance till she lay dead on the ground. As they were now set free, Roland said, Now I will go to my father and arrange for the wedding. Then, In the meantime, I will stay here and wait for you, Said the girl. And that no one may recognize me, I will change myself into a red stone landmark. Then Roland went away, And the girl stood like a red landmark in the field, And waited for her beloved. But when Roland got home, He fell into the snares of another who so fascinated him that he forgot the maiden. The poor girl remained there a long time, But at length, As he did not return at all, She was sad and changed herself into a flower and thought, Someone will surely come this way and trample me down. It befell, However, That a shepherd kept his sheep in the field and saw the flower, And as it was so pretty, Plucked it, Took it with him, And laid it away in his chest. From that time forth, Strange things happened in the shepherd's house. When he arose in the morning, All the work was already done. The room was swept, The table and benches cleaned, The fire in the hearth was lighted, And the water was fetched. And at noon, When he came home, The table was laid and a good dinner served. He could not conceive how this came to pass. For he never saw a human being in his house, And no one could have concealed himself in it. He was certainly pleased with this good attendance, But still, At last, He was so afraid that he went to a wise woman and asked for her advice. The wise woman said, There is some enchantment behind it. Listen very early some morning if anything is moving in the room, And if you see anything, No matter what it is, Throw a white cloth over it. And then the magic will be stopped. The shepherd did as she bade him. And next morning, Just as day dawned, He saw the chest open and the flower come out. Swiftly, He sprang towards it and threw a white cloth over it. Instantly, The transformation came to an end and a beautiful girl stood before him, Who admitted to him that she had been the flower. And that up to this time, She had attended to his housekeeping. She told him her story, And as she pleased him, He asked her if she would marry him. But she answered no, For she wanted to remain faithful to her sweetheart, Roland, Although he had deserted her. Nevertheless, She promised not to go away, But to continue keeping house for the shepherd. And now the time drew near when Roland's wedding was to be celebrated. And then, According to an old custom in the country, It was announced that all the girls were to be present at it and sing in honour of the bridal pair. When the faithful maiden heard of this, She grew so sad that she thought her heart would break, And she would not go thither. But the other girls came and took her. When it came to her turn to sing, She stepped back until at last she was the only one left, And then she could not refuse. But when she began her song, And it reached Roland's ears, He sprang up and cried, I know the voice! That is the true bride! I will have no other! Everything he had forgotten, And which had vanished from his mind, Had suddenly come home again to his heart. Then the faithful maiden held her wedding with her sweetheart Roland, And grief came to an end, And joy began. THE SEVEN RAVENS There was once a man who had seven sons and, Last of all, One daughter. Although the little girl was very pretty, She was so weak and small that they thought she could not live. But they said she should at once be christened. So the father sent one of his sons in haste to the spring to get some water, But the other six ran with him. Each wanted to be first at drawing the water, And so they were in such a hurry that all let their pitchers fall into the well. And they stood very foolishly looking at one another and did not know what to do, For none dared go home. In the meantime, The father was uneasy and could not tell what made the young men stay so long. Surely, Said he, The whole seven must have forgotten themselves over some game of play. And when he had waited still longer and they yet did not come, He flew into a rage and wished them all turned into ravens. Scarcely had he spoken these words when he heard a croaking over his head and looked up and saw seven ravens, As black as coal, Flying round and round. Sorry as he was to see his wish so fulfilled, He did not know how what was done could be undone, And comforted himself as well as he could for the loss of his seven sons with his dear little daughter, Who soon became stronger and every day more beautiful. For a long time she did not know that she had ever had any brothers, For her father and mother took care not to speak of them before her. But one day, By chance, She heard the people about her speak of them. Yes, Said they, She is beautiful indeed, But still, Tis a pity that her brothers should have been lost for her sake. Then she was much grieved and went to her father and mother and asked if she had any brothers and what had become of them. So they dared no longer hide the truth from her, But said it was the will of heaven and that her birth was only the innocent cause of it. But the little girl mourned sadly about it every day and thought herself bound to do all she could to bring her brothers back. And she had neither rest nor ease till, At length, One day she stole away and set out into the wide world to find her brothers, Wherever they might be, And free them, Whatever it might cost her. She took nothing with her but a little ring which her father and mother had given her, A loaf of bread in case she should be hungry, A little pitcher of water in case she should be thirsty, And a little stool to rest upon when she should be weary. Thus she went on and on and journeyed till she came to the world's end. Then she came to the sun, But the sun looked much too hot and fiery, So she ran away quickly to the moon, But the moon was cold and chilly and said, I smell flesh and blood this way, So she took herself away in a hurry and came to the stars, And the stars were friendly and kind to her, And each star sat upon his own little stool, But the morning star rose up and gave her a little piece of wood and said, If you have not this little piece of wood, You cannot unlock the castle that stands on the glass mountain, And there your brothers live. The little girl took the piece of wood, Rolled it up in a little cloth, And went on again until she came to the glass mountain and found the door shut. Then she felt for the little piece of wood, But when she unwrapped the cloth it was not there, And she saw she had lost the gift of the good stars. What was to be done? She wanted to save her brothers and had no key of the castle of the glass mountain. So, This faithful little sister took a knife out of her pocket and cut off her little finger that was just the size of the piece of wood she had lost, And put it in the door and opened it. As she went in, A little dwarf came up to her and said, What are you seeking for? I seek for my brothers, The seven ravens, Answered she. Then the dwarf said, My masters are not at home. But if you will wait till they come, Pray, Step in. Now the little dwarf was getting their dinner ready, And he brought their food upon seven little plates, And their drink in seven little glasses, And set them upon the table. And out of each little plate their sister ate a small piece, And out of each little glass she drank a small drop. But she let the ring that she had brought with her fall into the last glass. On a sudden she heard a fluttering and croaking in the air, And the dwarf said, Here come my masters. When they came in, They wanted to eat and drink, And looked for their little plates and glasses. Then said one after the other, Who has eaten from my little plate, And who has been drinking out of my little glass? Well, I ween, Mortal lips have this way been. When the seventh came to the bottom of his glass, And found there the ring, He looked at it and knew that it was his father's and mother's, And said, Oh, That our little sister would but come, Then we should be free. When the little girl heard this, For she stood behind the door all the time and listened, She ran forward, And in an instant all the ravens took their right form again, And all hugged and kissed each other, And went merrily home. THE BLUE LIGHT There was once upon a time a soldier who for many years had served the king faithfully, But when the war came to an end could serve no longer because of the many wounds which he had received. The king said to him, You may return to your home, I need you no longer, And you will not receive any more money, For he only receives wages who renders me service for them. Then the soldier did not know how to earn a living, Went away greatly troubled, And walked the whole day until in the evening he entered a forest. When darkness came on, He saw a light, Which he went up to and came to a house wherein lived a witch. Do give me one night's lodging and a little to eat and drink, Said he to her, Or I shall starve. Oh, She answered, Who gives anything to a runaway soldier? Yet will I be compassionate and take you in, If you will do what I wish. What do you wish? Said the soldier, That you should dig all round my garden for me tomorrow. The soldier consented, And next day laboured with all his strength, But could not finish it by the evening. I see well enough, Said the witch, That you can do no more today, But I will keep you yet another night, In payment for which you must tomorrow chop me a load of wood, And chop it small. The soldier spent the whole day in doing it, And in the evening the witch proposed that he should stay one night more. Tomorrow you shall only do me a very trifling piece of work. Behind my house there is an old dry well, Into which my light has fallen. It burns blue and never goes out, And you shall bring it up again. Next day the old woman took him to the well, And let him down in a basket. He found the blue light, And made her a signal to draw him up again. She did draw him up, But when he came near the edge, She stretched down her hand and wanted to take the blue light away from him. No, Said he, Perceiving her evil intention. I will not give you the light until I am standing with both feet upon the ground. The witch fell into a passion, Let him fall again into the well, And went away. The poor soldier fell without injury on the moist ground, And the blue light went on burning, But of what use was that to him? He saw very well that he could not escape death. He sat for a while, Very sorrowfully. Then suddenly he felt in his pocket and found his tobacco pipe, Which was still half full. This shall be my last pleasure, Thought he. Pulled it out, Lit it at the blue light, And began to smoke. When the smoke had circled about the cavern, Suddenly a little black dwarf stood before him and said, Lord, What are your commands? What my commands are? Replied the soldier, Quite astonished. I must do everything you bid me, Said the little man. Good, Said the soldier, Then in the first place, Help me out of this well. The little man took him by the hand and led him through an underground passage, But he did not forget to take the blue light with him. On the way, The dwarf showed him the treasures which the witch had collected and hidden there, And the soldier took as much gold as he could carry. When he was above, He said to the little man, Now, Go and bind the old witch and carry her before the judge. In a short time, She came by like the wind, Riding on a wild tomcat and screaming frightfully. Nor was it long before the little man reappeared. It is all done, Said he, And the witch is already hanging on the gallows. What further commands has my lord? Inquired the dwarf. At this moment, None, Answered the soldier. You can return home. Only be at hand immediately if I summon you. Nothing more is needed than that you should light your pipe at the blue light and I will appear before you at once. Thereupon, He vanished from his sight. The soldier returned to the town from which he came. He went to the best inn. Ordered himself handsome clothes and then bade the landlord furnish him a room as handsome as possible. When it was ready and the soldier had taken possession of it, He summoned the little black mannequin and said, I have served the king faithfully. But he has dismissed me and left me to hunger. And now I want to take my revenge. What am I to do? Asked the little man. Late at night, When the king's daughter is in bed, Bring her here in her sleep. She shall do servants work for me. The mannequin said, That is an easy thing for me to do. But a very dangerous thing for you. For if it is discovered, You will fare ill. When twelve o'clock had struck, The door sprang open and the mannequin carried in the princess. Aha, Are you there? Cried the soldier. Get to your work at once. Fetch the broom and sweep the chamber. When she had done this, He ordered her to come to his chair and then he stretched out his feet and said, Pull off my boots. And then he threw them in her face and made her pick them up again and clean and brighten them. She, However, Did everything he bade her without opposition, Silently and with half shut eyes. When the first cock crowed, The mannequin carried her back to the royal palace and laid her in her bed. Next morning, When the princess arose, She went to her father and told him that she had had a very strange dream. I was carried through the streets with the rapidity of lightning, Said she, And taken into a soldier's room. And I had to wait upon him like a servant, Sweep his room, Clean his boots and do all kinds of menial work. It was only a dream and yet I am just as tired as if I really had done everything. The dream may have been true, Said the king. I will give you a piece of advice. Fill your pocket full of peas and make a small hole in the pocket. And then, If you are carried away again, They will fall out and leave a track in the streets. But unseen by the king, The mannequin was standing beside him when he said that and heard all. At night, When the sleeping princess was again carried through the streets, Some peas certainly did fall out of her pocket, But they made no track. For the crafty mannequin had just before scattered peas in every street there was. And again, The princess was compelled to do servant's work until cock crow. Next morning, The king sent his people out to seek the track. But it was all in vain, For in every street poor children were sitting, Picking up peas and saying, It must have rained peas last night. We must think of something else, Said the king. Keep your shoes on when you go to bed. And before you come back from the place where you are taken, Hide one of them there. I will soon contrive to find it. And the black mannequin heard this plot. And at night, When the soldier again ordered him to bring the princess, Revealed it to him and told him that he knew of no expedient to counteract this stratagem and that if the shoe were found in the soldier's house, It would go badly with him. Do what I bid you, Replied the soldier. And again, This third night, The princess was obliged to work like a servant. But before she went away, She hid her shoe under the bed. Next morning, The king had the entire town searched for his daughter's shoe. It was found at the soldier's. And the soldier himself, Who at the entreaty of the dwarf had gone outside the gate, Was soon brought back and thrown into prison. In his flight, He had forgotten the most valuable things he had, The blue light and the gold, And he had only one ducat in his pocket. And now, Loaded with chains, He was standing at the window of his dungeon when he chanced to see one of his comrades passing by. The soldier tapped at the pane of glass, And when this man came up, Said to him, Be so kind as to fetch me the small bundle I have left lying in the inn and I will give you a ducat for doing it. His comrade ran thither and brought him what he wanted. As soon as the soldier was alone again, He lighted his pipe and summoned the black mannequin. Have no fear said the latter to his master. Go where so ever they take you and let them do what they will only take the blue light with you. Next day the soldier was tried and though he had done nothing wicked the judge condemned him to death. When he was led forth to die he begged a last favour of the king. What is it? Asked the king. That I may smoke one more pipe on my way. You may smoke three answered the king but do not imagine that I will spare your life. Then the soldier pulled out his pipe and lighted it at the blue light and as soon as a few wreaths of smoke had ascended the mannequin was there with a small cudgel in his hand and said what does my lord command? Strike down to earth that false judge there and his constable and spare not the king who has treated me so ill. Then the mannequin fell on them like lightning darting this way and that way and whosoever was so much as touched by his cudgel fell to earth and did not venture to stir again. The king was terrified he threw himself on the soldier's mercy and merely to be allowed to live at all gave him his kingdom for his own and his daughter to wife. The Juniper Tree Long long ago some two thousand years or so there lived a rich man with a good and beautiful wife. They loved each other dearly but sorrowed much that they had no children. So greatly did they desire to have one that the wife prayed for it day and night but still they remained childless. In front of the house there was a court in which grew a juniper tree. One winter's day the wife stood under the tree to peel some apples and as she was peeling them she cut her finger and the blood fell on the snow. Ah sighed the woman heavily if I had but a child as red as blood and as white as snow. And as she spoke the words her heart grew light within her and it seemed to her that her wish was granted and she returned to the house feeling glad and comforted. A month passed and the snow had all disappeared then another month went by and all the earth was green. So the months followed one another and first the trees budded in the woods and soon the green branches grew thickly intertwined and then the blossoms began to fall. Once again the wife stood under the juniper tree and it was so full of sweet scent that her heart leaped for joy and she was so overcome with her happiness that she fell on her knees. Presently the fruit became round and firm and she was glad and at peace but when they were fully ripe she picked the berries and ate eagerly of them and then she grew sad and ill. A little while later she called her husband and said to him weeping if I die bury me under the juniper tree. Then she felt comforted and happy again and before another month had passed she had a little child and when she saw that it was as white as snow and as red as blood her joy was so great that she died. Her husband buried her under the juniper tree and wept bitterly for her. By degrees however his sorrow grew less and although at times he still grieved over his loss he was able to go about as usual and later on he married again. He now had a little daughter born to him. The child of his first wife was a boy who was as red as blood and as white as snow. The mother loved her daughter very much and when she looked at her and then looked at the boy it pierced her heart to think that he would always stand in the way of her own child and she was continually thinking how she could get the whole of the property for her. This evil thought took possession of her more and more and made her behave very unkindly to the boy. She drove him from place to place with cuffings and buffetings so that the poor child went about in fear and had no peace from the time he left school to the time he went back. One day the little daughter came running to her mother in the storeroom and said, Mother give me an apple. Yes my child said the wife and she gave her a beautiful apple out of the chest. The chest had a very heavy lid and a large iron lock. Mother said the little daughter again, May not brother have one too? The mother was angry at this but she answered, Yes when he comes out of school I will give him an apple. Just then she looked out of the window and saw him coming and it seemed as if an evil spirit entered into her for she snatched the apple out of her little daughter's hand and said, You shall not have one before your brother. She threw the apple into the chest and shut it too. The little boy now came in and the evil spirit in the wife made her say kindly to him, My son will you have an apple? But she gave him a wicked look. Mother said the boy, How dreadful you look. Yes give me an apple. The thought came to her that she would kill him. Come with me she said and she lifted up the lid of the chest, Take one out for yourself. And as he bent over to do so the evil spirit urged her and crash, Down went the lid and off went the little boy's head. Then she was overwhelmed with fear at the thought of what she had done. If only I can prevent anyone knowing that I did it, She thought. So she went upstairs to her room and took a white handkerchief out of her top drawer. Then she set the boy's head again on his shoulders and bound it with the handkerchief so that nothing could be seen and placed him on a chair by the door with an apple in his hand. Soon after this little Marlene came up to her mother who was stirring a pot of boiling water over the fire and said, Mother brother is sitting by the door with an apple in his hand and he looks so pale. And when I asked him to give me the apple he did not answer and that frightened me. Go to him again said her mother and if he does not answer give him a box on the ear. So little Marlene went and said brother give me that apple but he did not say a word. Then she gave him a box on the ear and his head rolled off. She was so terrified at this that she ran crying and screaming to her mother. She said I have knocked off brother's head and then she wept and wept and nothing would stop her. What have you done said her mother but no one must know about it so you must keep silence. What is done can't be undone. We will make him into puddings and she took the little boy and cut him up, Made him into puddings and put him in the pot. But Marlene stood looking on and wept and wept and her tears fell into the pot so that there was no need of salt. Presently the father came home and sat down to his dinner. He asked where is my son? The mother said nothing but gave him a large dish of black pudding and Marlene still wept without ceasing. The father again asked where is my son? Oh answered the wife he is gone into the country to his mother's great uncle. He is going to stay there sometime. What has he gone there for? And he never even said goodbye to me. Well he likes being there and he told me he should be away quite six weeks. He is well looked after there. I feel very unhappy about it said the husband in case it should not be all right. And he ought to have said goodbye to me. With this he went on with his dinner and said little Marlene why do you weep brother will soon be back. Then he asked his wife for more pudding and as he ate he threw the bones under the table. Little Marlene went upstairs and took her best silk handkerchief out of her bottom drawer and in it she wrapped all the bones from under the table and carried them outside and all the time she did nothing but weep. Then she laid them in the green grass under the juniper tree. And she had no sooner done so then all her sadness seemed to leave her and she wept no more. And now the juniper tree began to move and the branches waved backwards and forwards first away from one another and then together again as it might be someone clapping their hands for joy. After this a mist came round the tree and in the midst of it there was a burning as of fire and out of the fire there flew a beautiful bird that rose high into the air singing magnificently. And when it could no more be seen the juniper tree stood there as before and the silk handkerchief and the bones were gone. Little Marlene now felt as light-hearted and happy as if her brother was still alive and she went back to the house and sat down cheerfully to the table and ate. The bird flew away and alighted on the house of a goldsmith and began to sing. My mother killed her little son, My father grieved when I was gone, My sister loved me best of all. She laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree, Kiwit, Kiwit, What a beautiful bird am I. The goldsmith was in his workshop making a gold chain when he heard the song of the bird on his roof. He thought it so beautiful that he got up and ran out and as he crossed the threshold he lost one of his slippers. But he ran on into the middle of the street with a slipper on one foot and a sock on the other. He still had on his apron and still held the gold chain and the pincers in his hands and so he stood gazing up at the bird while the sun came shining brightly down on the street. Bird, He said, How beautifully you sing, Sing me that song again. Nay, Said the bird, I do not sing twice for nothing, Give that gold chain and I will sing it to you again. Here is the chain, Take it, Said the goldsmith, Only sing me that again. The bird flew down and took the gold chain in his right claw and then he alighted again in front of the goldsmith and sang. My mother killed her little son, My father grieved when I was gone, My sister loved me best of all. She laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree, Kiwit, Kiwit, What a beautiful bird am I. Then he flew away and settled on the roof of a shoemaker's house and sang. My mother killed her little son, My father grieved when I was gone, My sister loved me best of all. She laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree, Kiwit, Kiwit, What a beautiful bird am I. The shoemaker heard him and he jumped up and ran out in his shirt sleeves and stood looking up at the bird on the roof with his hands over his eyes to keep himself from being blinded by the sun. Bird, He said, How beautifully you sing. Then he called through the door to his wife. Wife, Come out, Here is a bird, Come and look at it and hear how beautifully it sings. Then he called his daughter and the children, Then the apprentices, Girls and boys, And they all ran up the street to look at the bird and saw how splendid it was, With its red and green feathers and its neck like burnished gold and eyes like two bright stars in its head. Bird, Said the shoemaker, Sing me that song again. Nay, Answered the bird, I do not sing twice for nothing. You must give me something. Wife, Said the man, Go into the garret, On the upper shelf you will see a pair of red shoes, Bring them to me. The wife went in and fetched the shoes. There, Bird, Said the shoemaker, Now sing me that song again. The bird flew down and took the red shoes in his left claw and then he went back to the roof and sang. My mother killed her little son. My father grieved when I was gone. My sister loved me best of all. She laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree. Kiewit, Kiewit, What a beautiful bird am I. When he had finished, He flew away. He had the chain in his right claw and the shoes in his left and he flew right away to a mill and the mill went click-clack, Click-clack, Click-clack. Inside the mill were twenty of the miller's men hewing a stone and as they went hick-hack, Hick-hack, Hick-hack the mill went click-clack, Click-clack, Click-clack. The bird settled on a lime tree in front of the mill and sang. My mother killed her little son. Then one of the men left off. My father grieved when I was gone. Two more men left off and listened. My sister loved me best of all. Then four more left off. She laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie. Now there were only eight at work underneath and now only five. The juniper tree and now only one. Kiewit, Kiewit, What a beautiful bird am I. Then he looked up and the last one had left off work. Bird, He said, What a beautiful song that is you sing. Let me hear it too. Sing it again. Nay, Answered the bird, I do not sing twice for nothing. Give me that millstone and I will sing it again. If it belonged to me alone, Said the man, You should have it. Yes, Yes, Said the others. If he will sing again, He can have it. The bird came down and all the twenty millers set to and lifted up the stone with a beam. Then the bird put his head through the hole and took the stone round his neck like a collar and flew back with it to the tree and sang. My mother killed her little son my father grieved when I was gone my sister loved me best of all she laid her curteeth over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree kiwit, Kiwit what a beautiful bird am I and when he had finished his song he spread his wings and with the chain in his right claw the shoes in his left and the millstone around his neck he flew right away to his father's house the father, The mother and little Marlene were having their dinner how light hearted I feel said the father so pleased and cheerful and I said the mother, I feel so uneasy as if a heavy thunderstorm were coming but little Marlene sat and wept and wept then the bird came flying towards the house and settled on the roof I do feel so happy said the father and how beautifully the sun shines I feel just as if I were going to see an old friend again said the wife and I am so full of distress and uneasiness that my teeth chatter and I feel as if there were a fire in my veins and she tore open her dress and all the while little Marlene sat in the corner and wept and the plate on her knees was wet with her tears the bird now flew to the juniper tree and began singing my mother killed her little son the mother shut her eyes and her ears that she might see and hear nothing but there was a roaring sound in her ears like that of a violent storm and in her eyes a burning and flashing like lightning my father grieved when I was gone look mother said the man at the beautiful bird that is singing so magnificently and how warm and bright the sun is and what a delicious scent of spice in the air my sister loved me best of all then little Marlene laid her head down on her knees and sobbed I must go outside and see the bird nearer said the man do not go cried the wife I feel as if the whole house were in flames but the man went out and looked at the bird she laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie underneath the juniper tree kiwit, Kiwit, What a beautiful bird am I with that the bird let fall the gold chain and it fell just round the man's neck so that it fitted him exactly he went inside and said see what a splendid bird that is he has given me this beautiful gold chain and looks so beautiful himself but the wife was in such fear and trouble that she fell on the floor and her cap fell from her head then the bird began again my mother killed her little son me cried the wife if I were but a thousand feet beneath the earth that I might not hear that song my father grieved when I was gone then the woman fell down again as if dead my sister loved me best of all well said little Marlene I will go out too and see if the bird will give me anything so she went out she laid her kerchief over me and took my bones that they might lie and he threw down the shoes to her underneath a juniper tree kiwit kiwit what a beautiful bird am I and she now felt quite happy and light hearted she put on the shoes and danced and jumped about in them I was so miserable she said when I came out but that has all passed away that is indeed a splendid bird and he has given me a pair of red shoes the wife sprang up with her hair standing out from her head like flames of fire then I will go out too she said and see if it will lighten my misery for I feel as if the world were coming to an end but as she crossed the threshold the world crashed the bird threw the millstone down on her head and she was crushed to death the father and little Marlene heard the sound and ran out but they only saw mist and flame and fire rising from the spot and when these had passed there stood the little brother and he took the father and little Marlene by the hand then they all three rejoiced and went inside together and sat down to their dinners and ate the turnip there were two brothers who were both soldiers the one was rich and the other poor the poor man thought he would try to better himself so pulling off his red coat he became a gardener and dug his ground well and sowed turnips when the seed came up there was one plant bigger than all the rest and it kept getting larger and larger and seemed as if it would never cease growing so that it might have been called the prince of turnips for there never was such a one seen before and never will again at last it was so big that it filled a cart and two oxen could hardly draw it and the gardener knew not what in the world to do with it nor whether it would be a blessing or a curse to him one day he said to himself what shall I do with it if I sell it, It will bring no more than another and for eating, The little turnips are better than this the best thing perhaps is to carry it and give it to the king as a mark of respect then he yoked his oxen and drew the turnip to the court and gave it to the king what a wonderful thing said the king I have seen many strange things but such a monster as this I never saw where did you get the seed or is it only your good luck if so, You are a true child of fortune oh no, Answered the gardener I am no child of fortune I am a poor soldier who never could get enough to live upon so I laid aside my red coat and set to work tilling the ground I have a brother who is rich and your majesty knows him well and all the world knows him but because I am poor everybody forgets me the king then took pity on him and said you shall be poor no longer I will give you so much that you shall be even richer than your brother then he gave him gold and lands and flocks and made him so rich that his brother's fortune could not at all be compared with his when the brother heard of all this and how a turnip had made the gardener so rich, He envied him sorely and bethought himself how he could contrive to get the same good fortune for himself however he determined to manage more cleverly than his brother and got together a rich present of gold and fine horses for the king and thought he must have a much larger gift in return for if his brother had received so much for only a turnip what must his present be worth the king took the gift very graciously and said he knew not what to give in return more valuable and wonderful than the great turnip so the soldier was forced to put it into a cart and drag it home with him when he reached home he knew not upon whom to vent his rage and spite and at length wicked thoughts came into his head and he resolved to kill his brother so he hired some villains to murder him and having shown them where to lie in ambush he went to his brother and said dear brother I have found a hidden treasure let us go and dig it up and share it between us the other had no suspicions of his roguery so they went out together and as they were travelling along the murderers rushed out upon him bound him and were going to hang him on a tree but whilst they were getting all ready they heard the trampling of a horse at a distance which so frightened them that they pushed their prisoner neck and shoulders together into a sack and swung him up by a cord to the tree where they left him dangling and ran away meantime he worked and worked away till he made a hole large enough to put out his head when the horseman came up he proved to be a student a merry fellow who was journeying along on his nag and singing as he went as soon as the man in the sack saw him passing under the tree he cried out good morning good morning to thee my friend the student looked about everywhere and seeing no one and not knowing where the voice came from cried out who calls me then the man in the tree answered lift up thine eyes for behold here I sit in the sack of wisdom here have I in a short time learned great and wondrous things compared to this seat all the learning of the schools is as empty air a little longer and I shall know all that man can know and shall come forth wiser than the wisest of mankind here I discern the signs and motions of the heavens and the stars the laws that control the winds the numbers of the sands on the seashore the healing of the sick the virtues of all simples of birds and of precious stones wert thou but once here my friend thou wouldst feel and own the power of knowledge the student listened to all this and wondered much at last he said blessed be the day and hour when I found you cannot you contrive to let me into the sack for a little while then the other answered as if very unwillingly a little space I may allow thee to sit here if thou wilt reward me well and entreat me kindly but thou must tarry yet an hour below till I have learnt some little matters that are yet unknown to me so the student sat himself down and waited a while but the time hung heavy upon him and he begged earnestly that he might ascend forthwith for his thirst for knowledge was great then the other pretended to give way and said thou must let the sack of wisdom descend by untying yonder cord and then thou shalt enter so the student let him down opened the sack and set him free now then cried he let me ascend quickly as he began to put himself into the sack heels first wait a while said the gardener that is not the way then he pushed him in head first tied up the sack and soon swung up the searcher after wisdom dangling in the air how is it with thee friend said he does thou not feel that wisdom comes unto thee rest there in peace till thou art a wiser man than thou wert so saying he trotted off on the student's nag and left the poor fellow to gather wisdom till somebody should come and let him down The Valiant Little Tailor One summer's morning a little tailor was sitting on his table by the window he was in good spirits and sowed with all his might then came a peasant woman down the street crying good jams cheap good jams cheap this rang pleasantly in the tailor's ears he stretched his delicate head out of the window and called come up here dear woman you will get rid of your goods the woman came up the three steps to the tailor with her heavy basket and he made her unpack all the pots for him he inspected each one lifted it up put his nose to it and at length said the jam seems to me to be good so weigh me out four ounces dear woman and if it is a quarter of a pound that is of no consequence the woman who had hoped to find a good sale gave him what he desired but went away quite angry and grumbling now this jam shall be blessed by God cried the little tailor and give me health and strength so he brought the bread out of the cupboard cut himself a piece right across the loaf and spread the jam over it this won't taste bitter but I will just finish the jacket before I take a bite he laid the bread near him sewed on and in his joy made bigger and bigger stitches in the meantime the smell of the sweet jam rose to where the flies were sitting in great numbers and they were attracted and descended on it in hosts hi who invited you said the little tailor and drove the unbidden guests away the flies however who understood no German would not be turned away but came back again in ever increasing companies the little tailor at last lost all patience and drew a piece of cloth from the hole under his work table and saying wait and I will give it to you struck it mercilessly on them when he drew it away and counted there lay before him no fewer than seven dead and with legs stretched out are you a fellow of that sort said he and could not help admiring his own bravery the whole town shall know of this and the little tailor hastened to cut himself a girdle stitched it and embroidered on it in large letters seven at one stroke what the town he continued the whole world shall hear of it and his heart wagged with joy like a lamb's tail the tailor put on the girdle and resolved to go forth into the world because he thought his workshop was too small for his valour before he went away he sought about in the house to see if there was anything which he could take with him however he found nothing but an old cheese and that he put in his pocket in front of the door he observed a bird which had caught itself in the thicket it had to go into his pocket with the cheese now he took to the road boldly and as he was light and nimble he felt no fatigue the road led him up a mountain and when he had reached the highest point of it there sat a powerful giant looking peacefully about him the little tailor went bravely up spoke to him and said good day comrade so you are sitting there overlooking the widespread world I am just on my way thither and want to try my luck have you any inclination to go with me the giant looked contemptuously at the tailor and said you ragamuffin you miserable creature oh indeed answered the little tailor and unbuttoned his coat and showed the giant the girdle there may you read what kind of a man I am the giant read seven at one stroke and thought that they had been men whom the tailor had killed and began to feel a little respect for the tiny fellow nevertheless he wished to try him first and took a stone in his hand and squeezed it together so that water dropped out of it do that likewise said the giant if you have strength is that all said the tailor that is child's play with us and put his hand into his pocket brought out the soft cheese and pressed it until the liquid ran out of it faith said he that was a little better wasn't it the giant did not know what to say and could not believe it of the little man. Then the giant picked up a stone and threw it so high that the eye could scarcely follow it. Now, Little might of a man, Do that likewise. Well thrown, Said the tailor. But after all, The stone came down to earth again. I will throw you one which shall never come back at all. And he put his hand into his pocket, Took out the bird and threw it into the air. The bird, Delighted with its liberty, Rose, Flew away and did not come back. How does that shot please you, Comrade? Asked the tailor. You can certainly throw, Said the giant. But now we will see if you are able to carry anything properly. He took the little tailor to a mighty oak tree, Which lay there felled on the ground and said, If you are strong enough, Help me to carry the tree out of the forest. Readily, Answered the little man. Take you the trunk on your shoulders, And I will raise up the branches and twigs. After all, They are the heaviest. The giant took the trunk on his shoulder, But the tailor seated himself on a branch, And the giant, Who could not look round, Had to carry away the whole tree and the little tailor into the bargain. He, Behind, Was quite merry and happy, And whistled the song, Three tailors rode forth from the gate, As if carrying the tree were child's play. The giant, After he had dragged the heavy burden part of the way, Could go no further, And cried, Hark you, I shall have to let the tree fall. The tailor sprang nimbly down, Seized the tree with both arms, As if he had been carrying it, And said to the giant, You are such a great fellow, And yet cannot even carry the tree. They went on together, And as they passed a cherry tree, The giant laid hold of the top of the tree, Where the ripest fruit was hanging, Bent it down, Gave it into the tailor's hand, And bade him eat. But the little tailor was much too weak to hold the tree, And when the giant let it go, It sprang back again, And the tailor was tossed into the air with it. When he had fallen down again, Without injury, The giant said, What is this? Have you not strength enough to hold the weak twig? There is no lack of strength, Answered the little tailor. Do you think that could be anything to a man who has struck down seven at one blow? I leapt over the tree, Because the huntsmen are shooting down there in the thicket. Jump as I did, If you can do it. The giant made the attempt, But he could not get over the tree, And remained hanging in the branches, So that in this also the tailor kept the upper hand. The giant said, If you are such a valiant fellow, Come with me into our cavern, And spend the night with us. The little tailor was willing, And followed him. When they went into the cave, Other giants were sitting there by the fire, And each of them had a roasted sheep in his hand, And was eating it. The little tailor looked round and thought, It is much more spacious here than in my workshop. The giant showed him a bed, And said he was to lie down in it and sleep. The bed, However, Was too big for the little tailor. He did not lie down in it, But crept into a corner. When it was midnight, And the giant thought that the little tailor was lying in a sound sleep, He got up, Took a great iron bar, Cut through the bed with one blow, And thought he had finished off the grasshopper for good. With the earliest dawn, The giant went into the forest, And had quite forgotten the little tailor, When all at once he walked up to them, Quite merrily and boldly. The giants were terrified. They were afraid that he would strike them all dead, And ran away in a great hurry. The little tailor went onwards, Always following his own pointed nose. After he had walked for a long time, He came to the courtyard of a royal palace, And as he felt weary, He lay down on the grass and fell asleep. Whilst he lay there, The people came and inspected him on all sides, And read on his girdle, Seven at one stroke. Ah, Said they, What does the great warrior want here, In the midst of peace? He must be a mighty lord. They went and announced him to the king, And gave it as their opinion, That if war should break out, This would be a weighty and useful man, Who ought on no account to be allowed to depart. The council pleased the king, And he sent one of his courtiers to the little tailor, To offer him military service, When he awoke. The ambassador remained standing by the sleeper, Waited until he stretched his limbs and opened his eyes, And then conveyed to him this proposal. For this very reason, Have I come here? The tailor replied. I am ready to enter the king's service. He was therefore honorably received, And a special dwelling was assigned him. The soldiers, However, Were set against the little tailor, And wished him a thousand miles away. What is to be the end of this? They said among themselves. If we quarrel with him, And he strikes about him, Seven of us will fall at every blow. Not one of us can stand against him. They came therefore to a decision, Betook themselves in a body to the king, And begged for their dismissal. We are not prepared, Said they, To stay with a man who kills seven at one stroke. The king was sorry that, For the sake of one, He should lose all his faithful servants, Wished that he had never set eyes on the tailor, And would willingly have been rid of him again, But he did not venture to give him his dismissal, For he dreaded lest he should strike him and all his people dead, And place himself on the royal throne. He thought about it for a long time, And at last found good counsel. He sent to the little tailor, And caused him to be informed that, As he was a great warrior, He had one request to make to him. In a forest of his country lived two giants, Who caused great mischief with their robbing, Murdering, Ravaging, And burning, And no one could approach them without putting himself in danger of death. If the tailor conquered and killed these two giants, He would give him his only daughter to wife, And half of his kingdom as a dowry. Likewise, One hundred horsemen should go with him to assist him. That would indeed be a fine thing for a man like me, Thought the little tailor. One is not offered a beautiful princess and half a kingdom every day of one's life. Oh, Yes, He replied, I will soon subdue the giants, And do not require the help of the hundred horsemen to do it. He who can hit seven with one blow has no need to be afraid of two. The little tailor went forth, And the hundred horsemen followed him. When he came to the forest, He said to his followers, Just stay waiting here. I alone will soon finish off the giants. Then he bounded into the forest and looked about, Right and left. After a while, He perceived both giants. They lay sleeping under a tree, And snored so that the branches waved up and down. The little tailor, Not idle, Gathered two pockets full of stones, And with these climbed up the tree. When he was halfway up, He slipped down by a branch until he sat just above the sleepers, And then let one stone after another fall on the breast of one of the giants. For a long time, The giant felt nothing, But at last he awoke, Pushed his comrade, And said, Why are you knocking me? You must be dreaming, Said the other. I'm not knocking you. They laid themselves down to sleep again, And then the tailor threw a stone down on the second. What is the meaning of this, Cried the other. Why are you pelting me? I am not pelting you, Answered the first, Growling. They disputed about it for a time, But as they were weary, They let the matter rest, And their eyes closed once more. The little tailor began his game again, Picked out the biggest stone, And threw it with all his might on the breast of the first giant. That is too bad, Cried he, And sprang up like a madman, And pushed his companion against the tree until it shook. The other paid him back in the same coin, And they got into such a rage that they tore up trees and belaboured each other so long that at last they both fell down dead on the ground at the same time. Then the little tailor leapt down. It is a lucky thing, Said he, That they did not tear up the tree on which I was sitting, Or I should have had to sprint onto another like a squirrel. But we tailors are nimble. He drew out his sword and gave each of them a couple of thrusts in the breast, And then went out to the horseman and said that work is done. I have finished both of them off, But it was hard work. They tore up trees in their sore need and defended themselves with them. But all that is to no purpose when a man like myself comes who can kill seven at one blow. But are you not wounded, Asked the horseman. You need not concern yourself about that, Answered the tailor. They have not bent one hair of mine. The horseman would not believe him and rode into the forest. There they found the giants swimming in their blood, And all round about lay the torn up trees. The little tailor demanded of the king the promised reward. He, However, Repented of his promise and again bethought himself how he could get rid of the hero. Before you receive my daughter and the half of my kingdom, Said he to him, You must perform one more heroic deed. In the forest roams a unicorn which does great harm, And you must catch it first. I fear one unicorn still less than two giants. Seven at one blow is my kind of affair. He took a rope and an axe with him, Went forth into the forest and again bade those who were sent with him to wait outside. He had not long to seek. The unicorn soon came towards him and rushed directly on the tailor as if it would gore him with its horn without much ado. Softly, Softly, It can't be done as quickly as that, Said he, And stood still and waited until the animal was quite close, And then sprang nimbly behind the tree. The unicorn ran against the tree with all its strength and stuck its horn so fast in the trunk that it had not the strength enough to draw it out again, And thus it was caught. Now I have got the bird, Said the tailor, And came out from behind the tree and put the rope round its neck, And then with his axe he hewed the horn out of the tree, And when all was ready he led the beast away and took it to the king. The king still would not give him the promised reward and made a third demand before the wedding. The tailor was to catch him a wild boar that made great havoc in the forest, And the huntsman should give him their help. Willingly, Said the tailor, That is child's play. He did not take the huntsman with him into the forest, And they were well pleased that he did not, For the wild boar had several times received them in such a manner that they had no inclination to lie in wait for him. When the boar perceived the tailor, It ran on him with foaming mouth and wetted tusks, And was about to throw him to the ground, But the hero fled and sprang into a chapel, Which was near, And up to the window at once, And in one bound out again. The boar ran after him, But the tailor ran round outside and shut the door behind it, And then the raging beast, Which was much too heavy and awkward to leap out of the window, Was caught. The little tailor called the huntsman dither, That they might see the prisoner with their own eyes. The hero, However, Went to the king, Who was now, Whether he liked it or not, Obliged to keep his promise, And gave his daughter and the half of his kingdom. Had he known that it was no warlike hero, But a little tailor who was standing before him, It would have gone to his heart still more than it did. The wedding was held with great magnificence and small joy, And out of a tailor a king was made. After some time, The young queen heard her husband say in his dreams at night, Boy, Make me the doublet and patch the pantaloons, Or else I will wrap the yard measure over your ears. Then she discovered in what state of life the young lord had been born, And next morning complained of her wrongs to her father and begged him to help her to get rid of her husband, Who was nothing else but a tailor. The king comforted her and said, Leave your bedroom door open this night, And my servants shall stand outside, And when he has fallen asleep, Shall go in, Bind him, And take him on board a ship which shall carry him into the wide world. The woman was satisfied with this, But the king's armor-bearer, Who had heard all, Was friendly with the young lord and informed him of the whole plot. I'll put a screw into that business, Said the little tailor. At night he went to bed with his wife at the usual time, And when she thought that he had fallen asleep, She got up, Opened the door, And then lay down again. The little tailor, Who was only pretending to be asleep, Began to cry out in a clear voice, Boy, Make me the doublet and patch me the pantaloons, Or I will wrap the yard measure over your ears. I smote seven at one blow, I killed two giants, I brought away one unicorn, And caught a wild boar, And am I to fear those who are standing outside the room? When these men heard the tailor speaking thus, They were overcome by a great dread, And ran as if the wild huntsmen were behind them, And none of them would venture anything further against him. So the little tailor was, And remained, A king to the end of his life. The Little Peasant There was a certain village, Wherein no one lived but really rich peasants, And just one poor one, Whom they called the Little Peasant. He had not even so much as a cow, And still less money to buy one, And yet he and his wife did so wish to have one. One day he said to her, Listen, I have a good idea. There is our gossip, The carpenter, He shall make us a wooden calf and paint it brown so that it looks like any other, And in time it will certainly get big and be a cow. The woman also liked the idea, And their gossip, The carpenter, Cut and planed the calf and painted it as it ought to be, And made it with its head hanging down as if it were eating. Next morning, When the cows were being driven out, The Little Peasant called the cow herd in and said, Look, I have a little calf there, But it is still small and has to be carried. The cow herd said, All right, And took it in his arms and carried it to the pasture and set it among the grass. The little calf always remained standing like one which was eating, And the cow herd said, It will soon run by itself, Just look how it eats already. At night, When he was going to drive the herd home again, He said to the calf, If you can stand there and eat your fill, You can also go on your four legs, I don't care to drag you home again in my arms. But the Little Peasant stood at his door and waited for his little calf, And when the cow herd drove the cows through the village and the calf was missing, He inquired where it was. The cow herd answered, It is still standing out there eating, It would not stop and come with us. But the Little Peasant said, Oh, But I must have my beast back again. Then they went back to the meadow together, But someone had stolen the calf and it was gone. The cow herd said, It must have run away. The peasant, However, Said, Don't tell me that, And led the cow herd before the mayor who, For his carelessness, Condemned him to give the peasant a cow for the calf which had run away. And now the Little Peasant and his wife had the cow for which they had so long wished, And they were heartily glad. But they had no food for it and could give it nothing to eat, So it soon had to be killed. They salted the flesh and the peasant went into the town and wanted to sell the skin there, So that he might buy a new calf with the proceeds. On the way he passed by a mill and there sat a raven with broken wings, And out of pity he took him and wrapped him in the skin. But as the weather grew so bad and there was a storm of rain and wind, He could go no farther and turned back to the mill and begged for shelter. The miller's wife was alone in the house and said to the peasant, Lay yourself on the straw there, And gave him a slice of bread and cheese. The peasant ate it and lay down with his skin beside him, And the woman thought he is tired and has gone to sleep. In the meantime came the parson. The miller's wife received him well and said, My husband is out, So we will have a feast. The peasant listened, And when he heard them talk about feasting, He was vexed that he had been forced to make shift with a slice of bread and cheese. Then the woman served up four different things, Roast meat, Salad, Cakes, And wine. Just as they were about to sit down and eat, There was a knocking outside. The woman said, Heavens, It is my husband. She quickly hid the roast meat inside the tiled stove, The wine under the pillow, The salad on the bed, The cakes under it, And the parson in the closet on the porch. Then she opened the door for her husband and said, Thank heaven you are back again. There is such a storm, It looks as if the world were coming to an end. The miller saw the peasant lying on the straw and asked, What is that fellow doing there? Ah, Said the wife, The poor knave came in the storm and rain and begged for shelter, So I gave him a bit of bread and cheese and showed him where the straw was. The man said, I have no objection, But be quick and get me something to eat. The woman said, But I have nothing but bread and cheese. I am contented with anything, Replied the husband. So far as I am concerned, Bread and cheese will do, And looked at the peasant and said, Come and eat some more with me. The peasant did not require to be invited twice, But got up and ate. After this, The miller saw the skin in which the raven was lying on the ground and asked, What have you there? The peasant answered, I have a soothsayer inside it. Can he foretell anything to me? Said the miller. Why not? Answered the peasant. But he only says four things, And the fifth he keeps to himself. The miller was curious and said, Let him foretell something for once. Then the peasant pinched the raven's head so that he croaked and made a noise like, Croak, Croak. The miller said, What did he say? The peasant answered, In the first place, He says that there is some wine hidden under the pillow. Bless me, Cried the miller, And went there and found the wine. Now, Go on, Said he. The peasant made the raven croak again and said, In the second place, He says that there is some roast meat in the tiled stove. Upon my word, Cried the miller, And went thither and found the roast meat. The peasant made the raven prophecy still more and said, Thirdly, He says that there is some salad on the bed. That would be a fine thing, Cried the miller, And went there and found the salad. At last, The peasant pinched the raven once more till he croaked and said, Fourthly, He says that there are some cakes under the bed. That would be a fine thing, Cried the miller, And looked there and found the cakes. And now the two sat down to the table together, But the miller's wife was frightened to death and went to bed and took all the keys with her. The miller would have liked much to know the fifth, But the little peasant said, First, We will quickly eat the four things, For the fifth is something bad. So they ate, And after that, They bargained how much the miller was to give for the fifth prophecy until they agreed on three hundred tailors. Then the peasant once more pinched the raven's head till he croaked. Loudly, The miller asked, What did he say? The peasant replied, He says that the devil is hiding outside there in the closet on the porch. The miller said, The devil must go out, And opened the house door. Then the woman was forced to give up the keys, And the peasant unlocked the closet. The parson ran out as fast as he could, And the miller said, Oh, It was true, I saw the black rascal with my own eyes. The peasant, However, Made off next morning by daybreak with the three hundred tailors. At home, The small peasant gradually launched out. He built a beautiful house, And the peasants said, The small peasant has certainly been to the place where golden snow falls, And people carry the gold home in shovels. Then the small peasant was brought before the mayor and bidden to say from whence his wealth came. He answered, I sold my cow's skin in the town for three hundred tailors. When the peasants heard that, They too wished to enjoy this great profit, And ran home, Killed all their cows, And stripped off their skins in order to sell them in the town to the greatest advantage. The mayor, However, Said, But my servant must go first. When she came to the merchant in the town, He did not give her more than two tailors for a skin, And when the others came, He did not give them so much, And said, What can I do with all these skins? Then the peasants were vexed that the small peasant should have thus outwitted them, Wanted to take vengeance on him, And accused him of this treachery before the mayor. The innocent little peasant was unanimously sentenced to death, And was to be rolled into the water in a barrel pierced full of holes. He was led forth, And a priest was brought, Who was to say a mass for his soul. The others were all obliged to retire to a distance, And when the peasant looked at the priest, He recognized the man who had been with the miller's wife. He said to him, I set you free from the closet, Set me free from the barrel. At this same moment, Up came, With a flock of sheep, The very shepherd whom the peasant knew had long been wishing to be mayor. So he cried with all his might, No, I will not do it. If the whole world insists on it, I will not do it. The shepherd, Hearing that, Came up to him and asked, What are you about? What is it that you will not do? The peasant said, They want to make me mayor, If I will but put myself in the barrel. But I will not do it. The shepherd said, If nothing more than that is needful in order to be mayor, I would get into the barrel at once. The peasant said, If you will get in, You will be mayor. The shepherd was willing and got in and the peasant shut the top down on him. Then he took the shepherd's flock for himself and drove it away. The parson went to the crowd and declared that the mass had been said. Then they came and rolled the barrel towards the water. When the barrel began to roll, The shepherd cried, I am quite willing to be mayor. They believed no otherwise than that it was the peasant who was saying this and answered, That is what we intend. But first you shall look about you a little down below there. And they rolled the barrel down into the water. After that, The peasants went home. And as they were entering the village, The small peasant also came quietly in, Driving a flock of sheep and looking quite contented. Then the peasants were astonished and said, Peasant, From whence do you come? Have you come out of the water? Yes, Truly, Replied the peasant. I sank deep, Deep down until at last I got to the bottom. I pushed the bottom out of the barrel and crept out and there were pretty meadows on which a number of lambs were feeding. And from thence, I brought this flock away with me, Said the peasants. Are there any more there? Oh yes, Said he, More than I could want. Then the peasants made up their minds that they too would fetch some sheep for themselves, A flock apiece. But the mayor said, I come first. So they went to the water together and just then there were some of the small fleecy clouds in the blue sky, Which are called little lambs. And they were reflected in the water, Whereupon the peasants cried, We already see the sheep down below. The mayor pressed forward and said, I will go down first and look about me. And if things promise well, I'll call you. So he jumped in, Splash, Went the water. It sounded as if he were calling them and the whole crowd plunged in after him as one man. Then the entire village was dead. And the small peasant, As sole heir, Became a rich man. The Salad As a merry young huntsman was once going briskly along through a wood, There came up a little old woman and said to him, Good day, Good day. You seem merry enough, But I am hungry and thirsty. Do pray, Give me something to eat. The huntsman took pity on her and put his hand in his pocket and gave her what he had. Then he wanted to go his way, But she took hold of him and said, Listen, My friend, To what I am going to tell you. I will reward you for your kindness. Go your way and after a little time, You will come to a tree where you will see nine birds sitting on a cloak. Shoot into the midst of them and one will fall down dead. The cloak will fall too. Take it. It is a wishing cloak. And when you wear it, You will find yourself at any place where you may wish to be. Cut open the dead bird, Take out its heart and keep it. And you will find a piece of gold under your pillow every morning when you rise. It is the bird's heart that will bring you this good luck. The huntsman thanked her and thought to himself, If all this does happen, It will be a fine thing for me. When he had gone a hundred steps or so, He heard a screaming and chirping in the branches over him. And looked up and saw a flock of birds pulling a cloak with their bills and feet. Screaming, Fighting and tugging at each other as if each wished to have it himself. Well, Said the huntsman, This is wonderful. This happens just as the old woman said. Then he shot into the midst of them so that their feathers flew all about. Off went the flock, Chattering away, But one fell down dead and the cloak with it. Then the huntsman did as the old woman told him, Cut open the bird, Took out the heart and carried the cloak home with him. The next morning when he awoke, He lifted up his pillow and there lay the piece of gold glittering underneath. The same happened next day and indeed every day when he arose. He heaped up a great deal of gold and at last thought to himself, Of what use is this gold to me whilst I am at home? I will go out into the world and look about me. Then he took leave of his friends and hung his bag and bow about his neck. And went his way. It so happened that his road one day led through a thick wood, At the end of which was a large castle in a green meadow and at one of the windows stood an old woman with a very beautiful young lady by her side looking about them. Now the old woman was a witch and said to the young lady, There is a young man coming out of the wood who carries a wonderful prize. We must get it away from him, My dear child, For it is more fit for us than for him. He has a bird's heart that brings a piece of gold under his pillow every morning. Meantime the huntsman came nearer and looked at the lady and said to himself, I have been travelling so long that I should like to go into this castle and rest myself, For I have money enough to pay for anything I want. But the real reason was that he wanted to see more of the beautiful lady. Then he went into the house and was welcomed kindly and it was not long before he was so much in love that he thought of nothing else but looking at the lady's eyes and doing everything that she wished. Then the old woman said, Now is the time for getting the bird's heart. So the lady stole it away and he never found any more gold under his pillow, For it lay now under the young lady's. And the old woman took it away every morning. But he was so much in love that he never missed his prize. Well, Said the old witch, We have got the bird's heart, But not the wishing cloak yet, And that we must also get. Let us leave him that, Said the young lady, He has already lost his wealth. Then the witch was very angry and said, Such a cloak is a very rare and wonderful thing. And I must and will have it. So she did, As the old woman told her, And set herself at the window and looked about the country and seemed very sorrowful. Then the huntsman said, What makes you so sad? Alas, Dear sir, Said she, Yonder lies the granite rock where all the costly diamonds grow. And I want so much to go there that whenever I think of it, I cannot help being sorrowful. For who can reach it? Only the birds and the flies. Man cannot. If that's all your grief, Said the under his cloak. And the moment he wished to be on the granite mountain, They were both there. The diamonds glittered so on all sides that they were delighted with the sight and picked up the finest. But the old witch made a deep sleep come upon him. And he said to the young lady, Let us sit down and rest ourselves a little. I am so tired that I cannot stand any longer. So they sat down and he laid his head in her lap and fell asleep. And whilst he was sleeping on, She took the cloak from his shoulders, Hung it on her own, Picked up the diamonds and wished herself home again. When he awoke and found that his lady had tricked him and left him alone on the wild rock, He said, Alas, What roguery there is in the world. And there he sat in great grief and fear, Not knowing what to do. Now, This rock belonged to fierce giants who lived upon it. And as he saw three of them striding about, He thought to himself, I can only save myself by feigning to be asleep. So he laid himself down as if he were in a sound sleep. When the giants came up to him, The first pushed him with his foot and said, What worm is this that lies here curled up? Tread upon him and kill him, Said the second. It's not worth the trouble, Said the third. Let him live. He'll go climbing higher up the mountain and some cloud will come rolling and carry him away. And they passed on. But the huntsman had heard all they said. And as soon as they were gone, He climbed to the top of the mountain. And when he had sat there a short time, A cloud came rolling around him and caught him in a whirlwind and bore him along for some time till it settled in a garden. And he fell quite gently to the ground amongst the greens and cabbages. Then he looked around him and said, I wish I had something to eat. If not, I shall be worse off than before. For here I see neither apples nor pears, Nor any kind of fruits, Nothing but vegetables. At last he thought to himself, I can eat salad. It will refresh and strengthen me. So he picked out a fine head and ate of it. But scarcely had he swallowed two bites when he felt himself quite changed and saw with horror that he was turned into an ass. However, He still felt very hungry and the salad tasted very nice. So he ate on till he came to another kind of salad. And scarcely had he tasted it when he felt another change come over him and soon saw that he was lucky enough to have found his old shape again. Then he laid himself down and slept off a little of his weariness. And when he awoke the next morning, He broke off a head, Both of the good and the bad salad and thought to himself, This will help me to my fortune again and enable me to pay off some folks for their treachery. So he went away to try and find the castle of his friends. And after wandering about a few days, He luckily found it. Then he stained his face all over brown so that even his mother would not have known him and went into the castle and asked for a lodging. I am so tired, Said he, That I can go no farther. Countryman, Said the witch, Who are you? And what is your business? I am, Said he, A messenger sent by the king to find the finest salad that grows under the sun. I have been lucky enough to find it and have brought it with me. But the heat of the sun scorches so that it begins to wither. And I don't know that I can carry it farther. When the witch and the young lady heard of his beautiful salad, They longed to taste it and said, Dear countryman, Let us just taste it. To be sure, Answered he, I have two heads of it with me and will give you one. So he opened his bag and gave them the bad. Then the witch herself took it into the kitchen to be dressed. And when it was ready, She could not wait till it was carried up, But took a few leaves immediately and put them in her mouth. And scarcely were they swallowed when she lost her own form and ran braying down into the court in the form of an ass. Now the servant maid came into the kitchen and seeing the salad ready was going to carry it up, But on the way she too felt a wish to taste it as the old woman had done and ate some leaves. So she also was turned into an ass and ran after the other, Letting the dish with the salad fall on the ground. The messenger sat all this time with the beautiful young lady. And as nobody came with the salad and she longed to taste it, She said, I don't know where the salad can be. Then he thought something must have happened and said, I will go into the kitchen and see. And as he went, He saw two asses in the court running about and the salad lying on the ground. All right, Said he, Those two have had their share. Then he took up the rest of the leaves, Laid them on the dish and brought them to the young lady saying, I bring you the dish myself that you may not wait any longer. So she ate of it and like the others ran off into the court, Braying away. Then the huntsman washed his face and went into the court that they might know him. Now you shall be paid for your roguery, Said he, And tied them all three to a rope and took them along with him till he came to a mill and knocked at the window. What's the matter, Said the miller. I have three tiresome beasts here, Said the other. If you will take them, Give them food and room and treat them as I tell you. I will pay you whatever you ask. With all my heart, Said the miller, But how shall I treat them? Then the huntsman said, Give the old one stripes three times a day and hay once. Give the next, Who was the servant maid, Stripes once a day and hay three times. And give the youngest, Who was the beautiful lady, Hay three times a day and no stripes, For he could not find it in his heart to have her beaten. After this he went back to the castle where he found everything he wanted. Some days after, The miller came to him and told him that the old ass was dead. The other two, Said he, Are alive and eat, But are so sorrowful that they cannot last long. Then the huntsman pitied them and told the miller to drive them back to him. And when they came, He gave them some of the good salad to eat. And the beautiful young lady fell upon her knees before him and said, Oh, Dearest huntsman, Forgive me all the ill I have done you. My mother forced me to it. It was against my will. For I always loved you very much. Your wishing cloak hangs up in the closet. And as for the bird's heart, I will give it to you too. But he said, Keep it. It will be just the same thing. For I mean to make you my wife. So they were married and lived together very happily till they died. The White Snake A long time ago, There lived a king who was famed for his magic. He was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him. And it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom. Every day after dinner, When the table was cleared and no one else was present, A trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, However, And even the servant did not know what was in it. Neither did anyone know, For the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time. When one day, The servant who took away the dish was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, He lifted up the cover and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it, He could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it. So, He cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, And then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now, It so happened that on this very day, The queen lost her most beautiful ring, And suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, Who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, He himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain, He declared his innocence. He was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear, He went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now, Some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, And whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, They were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning and what good food they had found, And one said in a pitiful tone, Something lies heavy on my stomach. As I was eating in haste, I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, Carried her to the kitchen, And said to the cook, Here is a fine duck, Pray kill her. Yes, Said the cook, And weighed her in his hand. She has spared no trouble to fatten herself and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, And as she was being dressed for the spit, The queen's ring was found inside her. The servant could now easily prove his innocence, And the king, To make amends for the wrong, Allowed him to ask a favour, And promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, And only asked for a horse and some money for travelling, As he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted, He set out on his way, And one day came to a pond, Where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, Though it is said that fishes are dumb, He heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, And as he had a kind heart, He got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, Put out their heads, And cried to him, We will remember you, And repay you for saving us. He rode on, And after a while, It seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened and heard an ant king complain, Why cannot folks with their clumsy beasts keep off our bodies? That stupid horse with his heavy hoofs has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned onto a side path, And the ant king cried out to him, We will remember you, One good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, And there he saw two old ravens, Standing by their nest and throwing out their young ones. Out with you, You idle, Good for nothing creatures, Cried they. We cannot find food for you any longer, You are big enough and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground flapping their wings and crying, Oh, What helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves and yet we cannot fly. What can we do but lie here and starve? So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, And gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, Satisfied their hunger and cried, We will remember you, One good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs. And when he had walked a long way, He came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, And a man rode up on horseback crying aloud, The king's daughter wants a husband, But whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, And if he does not succeed, He will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, But in vain. Nevertheless, When the youth saw the king's daughter, He was so overcome by her great beauty, That he forgot all danger, Went before the king, And declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, And a gold ring was thrown into it before his eyes. Then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, And added, If you come up again without it, You will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves. All the people grieved for the handsome youth. Then they went away, Leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do. When suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, And they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, Which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, And when he had taken it up and opened it, There lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy, He took it to the king, And expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, She scorned him and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sackfuls of millet seed on the grass. Then she said, Tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task. But he could think of nothing. And there he sat, Sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, When he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden, He saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, Quite full, And not a single grain was missing. The ant king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, And the grateful creatures had, By great industry, Picked up all the millet seed and gathered them into the sacks. Presently, The king's daughter herself came down into the garden and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart and said, Although he has performed both the tasks, He shall not be my husband until he had brought me an apple from the Tree of Life. The youth did not know where the Tree of Life stood. But he set out and would have gone on forever as long as his legs would carry him, Though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, He came one evening to a wood and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time, Three ravens flew down to him, Perched themselves upon his knee and said, We are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving. When we had grown big and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, We flew over the sea to the end of the world where the Tree of Life stands and have brought you the apple. The youth, Full of joy, Set out homewards and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, Who had now no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, And then her heart became full of love for him. And they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age. The Elves and the Shoemaker There was once a shoemaker who worked very hard and was very honest, But still he could not earn enough to live upon, And at last all he had in the world was gone, Save just leather enough to make one pair of shoes. Then he cut his leather out, All ready to make up the next day, Meaning to rise early in the morning to his work. His conscience was clear and his heart light amidst all his troubles, So he went peaceably to bed, Left all his cares to heaven and soon fell asleep. In the morning, After he had said his prayers, He sat himself down to his work, When, To his great wonder, There stood the shoes already made upon the table. The good man knew not what to say or think at such an odd thing happening. He looked at the workmanship. There was not one false stitch in the whole job. All was so neat and true that it was quite a masterpiece. The same day, A customer came in and the shoes suited him so well that he willingly paid a price higher than usual for them. And the poor shoemaker, With the money, Bought leather enough to make two pairs more. In the evening, He cut out the work and went to bed early, That he might get up and begin betimes next day, But he was saved all the trouble for when he got up in the morning, The work was done, Ready to his hand. Soon in came buyers, Who paid him handsomely for his goods, So that he bought leather enough for four pair more. He cut out the work again overnight and found it done in the morning as before, And so it went on for some time. What was got ready in the evening was always done by daybreak, And the good man soon became thriving and well off again. One evening, About Christmas time, As he and his wife were sitting over the fire, Chatting together, He said to her, I should like to sit up and watch tonight, That we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me. The wife liked the thought. So, They left the light burning, And hid themselves in a corner of the room behind a curtain that was hung up there, And watched what would happen. As soon as it was midnight, There came in two little naked dwarfs, And they sat themselves upon the shoemaker's bench, Took up all the work that was cut out, And began to ply with their little fingers, Stitching and wrapping and tapping away, At such a rate that the shoemaker was all wonder. And could not take his eyes off them. And on they went till the job was quite done, And the shoes stood ready for use upon the table. This was long before daybreak, And then they bustled away as quick as lightning. The next day, The wife said to the shoemaker, These little whites have made us rich, And we ought to be thankful to them, And do them a good turn if we can. I am quite sorry to see them run about as they do, And indeed it is not very decent, For they have nothing upon their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you what, I will make each of them a shirt and a coat and waistcoat, And a pair of pantaloons into the bargain, And do you make each of them a little pair of shoes? The thought pleased the good cobbler very much. And one evening, When all the things were ready, They laid them on the table, Instead of the work that they used to cut out, And then went and hid themselves to watch what the little elves would do. About midnight, In they came, Dancing and skipping, Hopped round the room, And then went to sit down to their work as usual, But when they saw the clothes lying for them, They laughed and chuckled, And seemed mightily delighted. Then they dressed themselves in the twinkling of an eye, And danced and capered, And sprang about as merry as could be, Till at last they danced out at the door, And away over the green. The good couple saw them no more, But everything went well with them from that time forward, As long as they lived. The Travelling Musicians An honest farmer had once an ass that had been a faithful servant to him a great many years, But was now growing old, And every day more and more unfit for work. His master, Therefore, Was tired of keeping him, And began to think of putting an end to him. But the ass, Who saw that some mischief was in the wind, Took himself slyly off, And began his journey towards the great city, For there, Thought he, I may turn musician. After he had travelled a little way, He spied a dog lying by the roadside and panting as if he were tired. What makes you pant so, My friend? Said the ass. Alas, Said the dog, My master was going to knock me on the head because I am old and weak and can no longer make myself useful to him in hunting, So I ran away. But what can I do to earn my livelihood? Hark ye, Said the ass, I am going to the great city to turn musician, Suppose you go with me and try what you can do in the same way. The dog said he was willing, And they jogged on together. They had not gone far before they saw a cat sitting in the middle of the road and making a most rueful face. Pray, My good lady, Said the ass, What's the matter with you? You look quite out of spirit. Oh, Me, Said the cat, How can one be in good spirits when one's life is in danger? Because I am beginning to grow old and had rather lie at my ease by the fire than run about the house after the mice. My mistress laid hold of me and was going to drown me, And though I have been lucky enough to get away from her, I do not know what I am to live upon. Oh, Said the ass, By all means go with us to the great city. You are a good night singer and may make your fortune as a musician. The cat was pleased with the thought and joined the party. Soon afterwards, As they were passing by a farmyard, They saw a cockerel perched upon a gate and screaming out with all his might and mane. Bravo! Said the ass. Upon my word, You make a famous noise. Pray, What is all this about? Why, Said the cockerel, I was just now saying that we should have fine weather for our washing day, And yet my mistress and the cook don't thank me for my pains but threaten to cut off my head tomorrow and make broth of me for the guests that are coming on Sunday. Heaven forbid, Said the ass. Come with us, Master Chanticleer. It will be better at any rate than staying here to have your head cut off. Besides, Who knows, If we care to sing in tune, We may get up some kind of a concert. So, Come along with us. With all my heart, Said the cockerel. So, They all four went on jollily together. They could not, However, Reach the great city the first day. So, When night came on, They went into a wood to sleep. The ass and the dog laid themselves down under a great tree and the cat climbed up into the branches, While the cockerel, Thinking that the higher he sat, The safer he should be, Flew up to the very top of the tree and then, According to his custom, Before he went to sleep, Looked out on all sides of him to see that everything was well. In doing this, He saw afar off something bright and shining and calling to his companion said, There must be a house. No great way off, For I see a light. If that be the case, Said the ass, We had better change our quarters, For our lodging is not the best in the world. Besides, Added the dog, I should not be the worse for a bone or two, Or a bit of meat. So, They walked off together towards the spot where Chanticleer had seen the light and as they drew near, It became larger and brighter till they at last came close to a house in which a gang of robbers lived. The ass, Being the tallest of the company, Marched up to the window and peeped in. Well, Donkey, Said Chanticleer, What do you see? What do I see? Replied the ass. Why, I see a table spread with all kinds of good things and robbers sitting round it, Making merry. That would be a noble lodging for us, Said the cockerel. Yes, Said the ass. If we could only get in. So, They consulted together how they should contrive to get the robbers out and at last they hit upon a plan. The ass placed himself upright on his hind legs with his forefeet resting against the window. The dog got upon his back. The cat scrambled up to the dog's shoulders and the cockerel flew up and sat upon the cat's head. When all was ready, A signal was given and they began their music. The ass brayed, The dog barked, The cat mewed and the cockerel screamed and then they all broke through the window at once and came tumbling into the room amongst the broken glass with a most hideous clatter. The robbers, Who had been not a little frightened by the opening concert, Had now no doubt that some frightful hobgoblin had broken in upon them and scampered away as fast as they could. The coast once clear, Our travellers soon sat down and dispatched what the robbers had left. With as much eagerness as if they had not expected to eat again for a month. As soon as they had satisfied themselves, They put out the lights and each once more sought out a resting place to his own liking. The donkey laid himself down upon a heap of straw in the yard. The dog stretched himself upon a mat behind the door. The cat rolled herself up on the hearth before the warm ashes and the cockerel perched upon a beam on the top of the house and, As they were all rather tired with their journey, They soon fell asleep. But about midnight, When the robbers saw from afar that the lights were out and that all seemed quiet, They began to think that they had been in too great a hurry to run away and one of them, Who was bolder than the rest, Went to see what was going on. Finding everything still, He marched into the kitchen and groped about till he found a match in order to light a candle, And then, Espying the glittering fiery eyes of the cat, He mistook them for live coals and held the match to them to light it, But the cat, Not understanding this joke, Sprang at his face and spat and scratched at him. This frightened him dreadfully, And away he ran to the back door. But there, The dog jumped up and bit him in the leg, And as he was crossing over the yard, The ass kicked him, And the cockerel, Who'd been awakened by the noise, Crowed with all his might. At this, The robber ran back as fast as he could to his comrades and told the captain how a horrid witch had got into the house and had spat at him and scratched his face with her long bony fingers, How a man with a knife in his hand had hidden himself behind the door and stabbed him in the leg, How a black monster stood in the yard and struck him with a club, And how the devil had sat upon the top of the house and cried out, Throw the rascal up here. After this, The robbers never dared to go back to the house, But the musicians were so pleased with their quarters that they took up their abode there, And there they are, I dare say, At this very day. Clever Elsie There was once a man who had a daughter who was called Clever Elsie, And when she had grown up, Her father said, We will get her married. Yes, Said the mother, If only someone would come who would have her. At length, A man came from a distance and wooed her, Who was called Hans, But he stipulated that Clever Elsie should be really smart. Oh, Said the father, She has plenty of good sense, And the mother said, Oh, She can see the wind coming up the street and hear the flies coughing. Well, Said Hans, If she is not really smart, I won't have her. When they were sitting at dinner and had eaten, The mother said, Elsie, Go into the cellar and fetch some beer. Then Clever Elsie took the pitcher from the wall, Went into the cellar, And tapped the lid briskly as she went, So that the time might not appear long. When she was below, She fetched herself a chair and set it before the barrel so that she had no need to stoop and did not hurt her back or do herself any unexpected injury. Then she placed the can before her and turned the tap, And while the beer was running, She would not let her eyes be idle, But looked up at the wall, And after much peering here and there, Saw a pickaxe exactly above her, Which the masons had accidentally left there. Then Clever Elsie began to weep and said, If I get Hans and we have a child and he grows big and we send him into the cellar here to draw beer, Then the pickaxe will fall on his head and kill him. Then she sat and wept and screamed with all the strength of her body over the misfortune which lay before her. Those upstairs waited for the drink, But Clever Elsie still did not come. Then the woman said to the servant, Just go down into the cellar and see where Elsie is. The maid went and found her sitting in front of the barrel, Screaming loudly. Elsie, Why do you weep? Asked the maid. Oh, She answered, Have I not reason to weep? If I get Hans and we have a child and he grows big and has to draw a beer here, The pickaxe will perhaps fall on his head and kill him. Then said the maid, What a clever Elsie we have, And sat down beside her and began loudly to weep over the misfortune. After a while, As the maid did not come back and those upstairs were thirsty for the beer, The man said to the boy, Just go down into the cellar and see where Elsie and the girl are. The boy went down and there sat Clever Elsie and the girl, Both weeping together. Then he asked, Why are you weeping? Oh, Said Elsie, Have I not reason to weep? If I get Hans and we have a child and he grows big and has to draw a beer here, The pickaxe will fall on his head and kill him. Then said the boy, What a clever Elsie we have, And sat down by her and likewise began to howl loudly. Upstairs they waited for the boy, But as he still did not return, The man said to the woman, Just go down into the cellar and see where Elsie is. The woman went down and found all three in the midst of their lamentations and inquired what was the cause. Then Elsie told her also that her future child was to be killed by the pickaxe when it grew big and had to draw beer and the pickaxe fell down. Then said the mother, Likewise, What a clever Elsie we have, And sat down and wept with them. The man upstairs waited a short time, But as his wife did not come back and his thirst grew ever greater, He said, I must go into the cellar myself and see where Elsie is. But when he got into the cellar and they were all sitting together crying and he heard the reason and that Elsie's child was the cause and that Elsie might perhaps bring one into the world someday and that he might be killed by the pickaxe if he should happen to be sitting beneath it drawing beer just at the very time when it fell down, He cried, Oh, What a clever Elsie, And sat down and likewise wept with them. The bridegroom stayed upstairs alone for a long time. Then, As no one would come back, He thought, They must be waiting for me below. I too must go there and see what they are about. When he got down, The five of them were sitting screaming and lamenting quite piteously, Each outdoing the other. What misfortune has happened then, Asked he. Oh, Dear Hans, Said Elsie, If we marry each other and have a child and he is big and we perhaps send him here to draw something to drink, Then the pickaxe, Which has been left up there, Might dash his brains out if it were to fall down. So have we not reason to weep? Come, Said Hans, More understanding than that is not needed for my household as you are such a clever Elsie. I will have you. And seized her hand, Took her upstairs with him and married her. After Hans had had her some time, He said, Wife, I am going out to work and earn some money for us. Go into the field and cut the corn, That we may have some bread. Yes, Dear Hans, I will do that. After Hans had gone away, She cooked herself some good broth and took it into the field with her. When she came to the field, She said to herself, What shall I do? Shall I cut first or shall I eat first? Oh, I will eat first. Then she drank her cup of broth and when she was fully satisfied, She once more said, What shall I do? Shall I cut first or shall I sleep first? I will sleep first. Then she lay down among the corn and fell asleep. Hans had been at home for a long time, But Elsie did not come. Then said he, What a clever Elsie I have. She is so industrious that she does not even come home to eat. But when evening came and she still stayed away, Hans went out to see what she had cut, But nothing was cut and she was lying among the corn asleep. Then Hans hastened home and brought a fowler's net with little bells and hung it round about her, And she still went on sleeping. Then he ran home, Shut the house door and sat down in his chair and worked. At length, When it was quite dark, Clever Elsie awoke and when she got up, There was a jingling all round about her and the bells rang at each step which she took. Then she was alarmed and became uncertain whether she really was clever Elsie or not, And said, Is it I? Or is it not I? But she knew not what answer to make to this. And stood for a time in doubt. At length she thought, I will go home and ask if it be I, Or if it be not I, They will be sure to know. She ran to the door of her own house, But it was shut. Then she knocked at the window and cried, Hans, Is Elsie within? Yes, Answered Hans, She is within. Hereupon she was terrified. And said, Oh, Heavens, Then it is not I, And went to another door. But when the people heard the jingling of the bells, They would not open it and she could get in nowhere. Then she ran out of the village and no one has seen her since. The Queen Bee Two king's sons, Once upon a time, Went into the world to seek their fortunes, But they soon fell into a wasteful, Foolish way of living so that they could not return home again. Then their brother, Who was a little insignificant dwarf, Went out to seek for his brothers. But when he had found them, They only laughed at him to think that he, Who was so young and simple, Should try to travel through the world when they, Who were so much wiser, Had been unable to get on. However, They all set out on their journey together and came at last to an ant hill. The two elder brothers would have pulled it down in order to see how the poor ants in their fright would run about and carry off their eggs. But the little dwarf said, Let the poor things enjoy themselves. I will not suffer you to trouble them. So on they went and came to a lake where many, Many ducks were swimming about. The two brothers wanted to catch two and roast them. But the dwarf said, Let the poor things enjoy themselves. You shall not kill them. Next, They came to a bee's nest in a hollow tree and there was so much honey that it ran down the trunk. And the two brothers wanted to light a fire under the tree and kill the bees so as to get their honey. But the dwarf held them back and said, Let the pretty insects enjoy themselves. I cannot let you burn them. At length, The three brothers came to a castle. And as they passed by the stables, They saw fine horses standing there. But all were of marble and no man was to be seen. Then they went through all the rooms till they came to a door on which were three locks. But in the middle of the door was a wicket so that they could look into the next room. There they saw a little grey old man sitting at a table and they called to him once or twice. But he did not hear. However, They called a third time and then he rose and came out to them. He said nothing, But took hold of them and led them to a beautiful table covered with all sorts of good things. And when they had eaten and drunk, He showed each of them to a bed chamber. The next morning he came to the eldest and took him to a marble table where there were three tablets containing an account of the means by which the castle might be disenchanted. The first tablet said, In the wood under the moss lie the thousand pearls belonging to the king's daughter. They must all be found. And if one be missing by set of sun, He who seeks them will be turned into marble. The eldest brother set out and sought for the pearls the whole day. But the evening came and he had not found the first hundred. So he was turned into stone as the tablet had foretold. The next day the second brother undertook the task, But he succeeded no better than the first. For he could only find the second hundred of the pearls and therefore he too was turned into stone. At last came the little dwarf's turn and he looked in the moss. But it was so hard to find the pearls and the job was so tiresome. So he sat down upon a stone and cried. And as he sat there, The king of the ants, Whose life he had saved, Came to help him with five thousand ants. And it was not long before they had found all the pearls and laid them in a heap. The second tablet said, The key of the princess's bedchamber must be fished up out of the lake. And as the dwarf came to the brink of it, He saw the two ducks, Whose lives he had saved, Swimming about. And they dived down and soon brought in the key from the bottom. The third task was the hardest. It was to choose out the youngest and the best of the king's three daughters. Now, They were all beautiful and all exactly alike. But he was told that the eldest had eaten a piece of sugar, The next some sweet syrup, And the youngest a spoonful of honey. So he was to guess which it was that had eaten the honey. Then came the queen of the bees, Who had been saved by the little dwarf from the fire. And she tried the lips of all three. But at last she sat upon the lips of the one that had eaten the honey. And so the dwarf knew which was the youngest. Thus, The spell was broken and all who had been turned into stones awoke and took their proper forms. And the dwarf married the youngest and the best of the princesses and was king after her father's death. But his two brothers married the other two sisters. The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids There was once upon a time an old goat who had seven little kids and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children. One day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food. So she called all seven to her and said, Dear children, I have to go into the forest. Be on your guard against the wolf. If he comes in, He will devour you all, Skin, Hair and everything. The wretch often disguises himself. But you will know him at once by his rough voice and his black feet. The kids said, Dear mother, We will take good care of ourselves. You may go away without any anxiety. Then the old one pleaded and went on her way with an easy mind. It was not long before someone knocked at the house door and called, Open the door, Dear children. Your mother is here and has brought something back with her for each of you. But the little kids knew that it was the wolf by the rough voice. We will not open the door, Cried they. You are not our mother. She has a soft, Pleasant voice, But your voice is rough. You are the wolf. Then the wolf went away to a shopkeeper and bought himself a great lump of chalk, Ate this and made his voice soft with it. Then he came back, Knocked at the door of the house and called, Open the door, Dear children. Your mother is here and has brought something back with her for each of you. But the wolf laid his black paws against the window and the children saw them and cried, We will not open the door. Our mother has not black feet like you. You are the wolf. Then the wolf ran to a baker and said, I have hurt my feet. Rub some dough over them for me. And when the baker had rubbed his feet over, He ran to the miller and said, Strew some white meal over my feet for me. The miller thought to himself, The wolf wants to deceive someone and refused. But the wolf said, If you will not do it, I will devour you. Then the miller was afraid and made his paws white for him. Truly, This is the way of mankind. So now the wretch went for the third time to the house door, Knocked at it and said, Open the door for me, Children. Your dear little mother has come home and has brought every one of you something back from the forest with her. The little kids cried, First, Show us your paws, That we may know if you are our dear little mother. Then he put his paws in through the window. And when the kids saw that they were white, They believed that all he said was true and opened the door. But who should come in? But the wolf. They were terrified and wanted to hide themselves. One sprang under the table, The second into the bed, The third into the stove, The fourth into the kitchen, The fifth into the cupboard, The sixth under the washing bowl and the seventh into the clock case. But the wolf found them all and used no great ceremony. One after the other, He swallowed them down his throat. The youngest who was in the clock case was the only one he did not find. When the wolf had satisfied his appetite, He took himself off, Laid himself down under a tree in the green meadow outside and began to sleep. Soon afterwards, The old goat came home again from the forest. Ah, What a sight she saw there. The house door stood wide open. The table, Chairs and benches were thrown down. The washing bowl lay broken to pieces and the quilts and were pulled off the bed. She sought her children, But they were nowhere to be found. She called them one after another by name, But no one answered. At last, When she came to the youngest, A soft voice cried, Dear mother, I am in the clock case. She took the kid out and it told her that the wolf had come and had eaten all the others. Then you may imagine how she wept over her poor children. At length, In her grief, She went out and the youngest kid ran with her. When they came to the meadow, There lay the wolf by the tree and snored so loud that the branches shook. She looked at him on every side and saw that something was moving and struggling in his gorged belly. Heavens, She said. Is it possible that my poor children, Whom he has swallowed down for his supper, Can be still alive? Then the kid had to run home and fetch scissors and a needle and thread and the goat cut open the monster's stomach. And hardly had she made one cut than one little kid thrust its head out. And when she had cut farther, All six sprang out one after another and were all still alive and had suffered no injury whatever. For in his greediness, The monster had swallowed them down whole. What rejoicing there was! They embraced their dear mother and jumped like a tailor at his wedding. The mother, However, Said, Now go and look for some big stones and we will fill the wicked beast's stomach with them while he is still asleep. Then the seven kids dragged the stones thither with all speed and put as many of them into this stomach as they could get in. And the mother sewed him up again in the greatest haste so that he was not aware of anything and never once stirred. When the wolf at length had had his fill of sleep, He got on his legs and as the stones in his stomach made him very thirsty, He wanted to go to a well to drink. But when he began to walk and to move about, The stones in his stomach knocked against each other and rattled. Then cried he, What rumbles and tumbles against my poor bones? I thought was six kids, But it feels like big stones. And when he got to the well and stooped over the water to drink, The heavy stones made him fall in and he drowned miserably. When the seven kids saw that, They came running to the spot and cried aloud, The wolf is dead, The wolf is dead. And danced for joy round about the well with their mother.