Fiction stories

The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs

There was once a poor woman who gave birth to a little son, and as he came into
the world with a caul on, it was predicted that in his fourteenth year he would
have the king's daughter for his wife. It happened that soon afterwards the king
came into the village, and no one knew that he was the king, and when he asked
the people what news there was, they answered, a child has just been born with
a caul on, whatever anyone so born undertakes turns out well. It is prophesied,
too, that in his fourteenth year he will have the king's daughter for his wife.

The king, who had a bad heart, and was angry about the prophecy, went to the
parents, and, seeming quite friendly, said, you poor people, let me have your
child, and I will take care of it. At first they refused, but when the stranger offered
them a large amount of gold for it, and they thought, it is a child of good fortune,
and everything must turn out well for it, they at last consented, and gave him the
child.

The king put it in a box and rode away with it until he came to a deep piece of
water, then he threw the box into it and thought, I have freed my daughter from
her undesired suitor.

The box, however, did not sink, but floated like a boat, and not a drop of water
made its way into it. And it floated to within two miles of the king's chief city,
where there was a mill, and it came to a halt at the mill-dam. A miller's boy, who
by good luck was standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook, thinking
that he had found a great treasure, but when he opened it there lay a pretty boy
inside, quite fresh and lively. He took him to the miller and his wife, and as they
had no children they were glad, and said, "God has given him to us." They took
great care of the foundling, and he grew up in all goodness.

It happened that once in a storm, the king went into the mill, and asked the mill-
folk if the tall youth were their son. No, answered they, he's a foundling. Fourteen
years ago he floated down to the mill-dam in a box, and the mill-boy pulled him
out of the water.

Then the king knew that it was none other than the child of good fortune which he
had thrown into the water, and he said, my good people, could not the youth take
a letter to the queen. I will give him two gold pieces as a reward. Just as the king
commands, answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself in readiness.
Then the king wrote a letter to the queen, wherein he said, as soon as the boy
arrives with this letter, let him be killed and buried, and all must be done before I
come home. The boy set out with this letter, but he lost his way, and in the
evening came to a large forest. In the darkness he saw a small light, he went
towards it and reached a cottage. When he went in, an old woman was sitting by
the fire quite alone. She started when she saw the boy, and said, whence do you
come, and whither are you going. I come from the mill, he answered, and wish to

go to the queen, to whom I am taking a letter, but as I have lost my way in the
forest I should like to stay here over night. You poor boy, said the woman, you
have come into a den of thieves, and when they come home they will kill you. Let
them come, said the boy, I am not afraid, but I am so tired that I cannot go any
farther. And he stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep.

Soon afterwards the robbers came, and angrily asked what strange boy was
lying there. Ah, said the old woman, it is an innocent child who has lost himself in
the forest, and out of pity I have let him come in, he has to take a letter to the
queen. The robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it was written that the
boy as soon as he arrived should be put to death. Then the hardhearted robbers
felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter and wrote another, saying, that as
soon as the boy came, he should be married at once to the king's daughter. Then
they let him lie quietly on the bench until the next morning, and when he awoke
they gave him the letter, and showed him the right way.

And the queen, when she had received the letter and read it, did as was written
in it, and had a splendid wedding-feast prepared, and the king's daughter was
married to the child of good fortune, and as the youth was handsome and friendly
she lived with him in joy and contentment.

After some time the king returned to his palace and saw that the prophecy was
fulfilled, and the child married to his daughter. How has that come to pass, said
he, I gave quite another order in my letter.

So the queen gave him the letter, and said that he might see for himself what
was written in it. The king read the letter and saw quite well that it had been
exchanged for the other. He asked the youth what had become of the letter
entrusted to him, and why he had brought another instead of it. I know nothing
about it, answered he, it must have been changed in the night, when I slept in the
forest. The king said in a passion, you shall not have everything quite so much
your own way, whosoever marries my daughter must fetch me from hell three
golden hairs from the head of the devil, bring me what I want, and you shall keep
my daughter. In this way the king hoped to be rid of him for ever. But the child of
good fortune answered, I will fetch the golden hairs, I am not afraid of the devil.
Whereupon he took leave of them and began his journey.

The road led him to a large town, where the watchman by the gates asked him
what his trade was, and what he knew. I know everything, answered the child of
good fortune. Then you can do us a favor, said the watchman, if you will tell us
why our market fountain, which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no
longer gives even water. That you shall know, answered he, only wait until I
come back.

Then he went farther and came to another town, and there also the gatekeeper
asked him what was his trade, and what he knew. I know everything, answered

he. Then you can do us a favor and tell us why a tree in our town which once
bore golden apples now does not even put forth leaves. You shall know that,
answered he, only wait until I come back.

Then he went on and came to a wide river over which he must cross. The
ferryman asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. I know everything,
answered he. Then you can do me a favor, said the ferryman, and tell me why I
must always be rowing backwards and forwards, and am never set free. You
shall know that, answered he, only wait until I come back.

When he had crossed the water he found the entrance to hell. It was black and
sooty within, and the devil was not at home, but his grandmother was sitting in a
large arm-chair. What do you want, said she to him, but she did not look so very
wicked. I should like to have three golden hairs from the devil's head, answered
he, else I cannot keep my wife. That is a good deal to ask for, said she, if the
devil comes home and finds you, it will cost you your life, but as I pity you, I will
see if I cannot help you.

She changed him into an ant and said, creep into the folds of my dress, you will
be safe there. Yes, answered he, so far, so good, but there are three things
besides that I want to know - why a fountain which once flowed with wine has
become dry, and no longer gives even water, why a tree which once bore golden
apples does not even put forth leaves, and why a ferryman must always be going
backwards and forwards, and is never set free. Those are difficult questions,
answered she, but just be silent and quiet and pay attention to what the devil
says when I pull out the three golden hairs.

As the evening came on, the devil returned home. No sooner had he entered
than he noticed that the air was not pure. I smell man's flesh, said he, all is not
right here. Then he pried into every corner, and searched, but could not find
anything. His grandmother scolded him. It has just been swept, said she, and
everything put in order, and now you are upsetting it again, you have always got
man's flesh in your nose. Sit down and eat your supper.

When he had eaten and drunk he was tired, and laid his head in his
grandmother's lap, and told her she should louse him a little. It was not long
before he was fast asleep, snoring and breathing heavily. Then the old woman
took hold of a golden hair, pulled it out, and laid it down beside her. Oh, cried the
devil, what are you doing. I have had a bad dream, answered the grandmother,
so I seized hold of your hair. What did you dream then, said the devil. I dreamt
that a fountain in a market-place from which wine once flowed was dried up, and
not even water would flow out of it - what is the cause of it. Oh, ho, if they did but
know it, answered the devil, there is a toad sitting under a stone in the well - if
they killed it, the wine would flow again.

The grandmother loused him again until he went to sleep and snored so that the
windows shook. Then she pulled the second hair out. Ha, what are you doing,
cried the devil angrily. Do not take it ill, said she, I did it in a dream. What have
you dreamt this time, asked he. I dreamt that in a certain kingdom there stood an
apple-tree which had once borne golden apples, but now would not even bear
leaves. What, think you, was the reason. Oh, if they did but know, answered the
devil. A mouse is gnawing at the root - if they killed it they would have golden
apples again, but if it gnaws much longer the tree will wither altogether. But I
have had enough of your dreams, if you disturb me in my sleep again you will get
a box on the ear.

The grandmother spoke gently to him and picked his lice once more until he fell
asleep and snored. Then she took hold of the third golden hair and pulled it out.
The devil jumped up, roared out, and would have treated her ill if she had not
quieted him again and said, who can help bad dreams. What was the dream,
then, asked he, and was quite curious. I dreamt of a ferryman who complained
that he must always ferry from one side to the other, and was never released.
What is the cause of it. Ah, the fool, answered the devil, when anyone comes
and wants to go across he must put the oar in his hand, and the other man will
have to ferry and he will be free. As the grandmother had plucked out the three
golden hairs, and the three questions were answered, she let the old devil alone,
and he slept until daybreak.

When the devil had gone out again the old woman took the ant out of the folds of
her dress, and gave the child of good fortune his human shape again. There are
the three golden hairs for you, said she. What the devil said to your three
questions, I suppose you heard. Yes, answered he, I heard, and will take care to
remember. You have what you want, said she, and now you can go your way. He
thanked the old woman for helping him in his need, and left hell well content that
everything had turned out so fortunately.

When he came to the ferryman he was expected to give the promised answer.
Ferry me across first, said the child of good fortune, and then I will tell you how
you can be set free, and when he reached the opposite shore he gave him the
devil's advice. Next time anyone comes, who wants to be ferried over, just put
the oar in his hand.

He went on and came to the town wherein stood the unfruitful tree, and there too
the watchman wanted an answer. So he told him what he had heard from the
devil. Kill the mouse which is gnawing at its root, and it will again bear golden
apples. Then the watchman thanked him, and gave him as a reward two asses
laden with gold, which followed him.

Finally, he came to the town whose well was dry. He told the watchman what the
devil had said, a toad is in the well beneath a stone, you must find it and kill it,

and the well will again give wine in plenty. The watchman thanked him, and also
gave him two asses laden with gold.

At last the child of good fortune got home to his wife, who was heartily glad to
see him again, and to hear how well he had prospered in everything. To the king
he took what he had asked for, the devil's three golden hairs, and when the king
saw the four asses laden with gold he was quite content, and said, now all the
conditions are fulfilled, and you can keep my daughter.

But tell me, dear son-in-law, where did all that gold come from - this is
tremendous wealth. I was rowed across a river, answered he, and got it there, it
lies on the shore instead of sand. Can I too fetch some of it, said the king, and he
was quite eager about it. As much as you like, answered he. There is a ferryman
on the river, let him ferry you over, and you can fill your sacks on the other side.
The greedy king set out in all haste, and when he came to the river he beckoned
to the ferryman to put him across. The ferryman came and bade him get in, and
when they got to the other shore he put the oar in his hand and sprang over. But
from this time forth the king had to ferry, as a punishment for his sins. Perhaps
he is ferrying still. If he is, it is because no one has taken the oar from him.

ADVENTURES OF ALLADIN

Once upon a time . . . a widow had an only son whose name was Aladdin. They were
very poor and lived from hand to mouth, though Aladdin did what he could to
earn some

pennies, by picking bananas in faraway places.

One day, as he was looking for wild figs in a grove some way from the town, Aladdin
met a mysterious stranger. This smartly dressed dark-eyed man with a trim black beard
and a splendid sapphire in his turban, asked Aladdin an unusual question:

"Come here, boy," he ordered. "How would you like to earn a silver penny?"

"A silver penny!" exclaimed Aladdin. "Sir, I'd do anything for that kind of payment."

"I'm not going to ask you to do much. Just go down that manhole. I'm much too big to
squeeze through myself. If you do as I ask, you'll have your reward." The stranger helped
Aladdin lift the manhole cover, for it was very heavy. Slim and agile as he was, the boy
easily went down. His feet touched stone and he carefully made his way down some steps
. . . and found himself in a large chamber. It seemed to sparkle, though dimly lit by the
flickering light of an old oil lamp. When Aladdin's eyes became used to the gloom, he
saw a wonderful sight: trees dripping with glittering jewels, pots of gold and caskets full
of priceless gems. Thousands of precious objects lay scattered about. It was a treasure
trove! Unable to believe his eyes, Aladdin was standing dazed when he heard a shout
behind him.

"The lamp! Put out the flame and bring me the lamp!" Surprised and suspicious, for why
should the stranger, out of all such a treasure want only an old lamp, Aladdin wondered.
Perhaps he was a wizard. He decided to be on his guard. Picking up the lamp, he retraced
his steps up to the entrance.

"Give me the lamp," urged the wizard impatiently. "Hand it over," he began to shout,
thrusting out his arm to grab it, but Aladdin cautiously drew back.

"Let me out first . . ."

"Too bad for you," snapped the stranger, slamming down the manhole cover, never
noticing that, as he did so, a ring slid off his finger. A terrified Aladdin was left in pitch
darkness, wondering what the wizard would do next. Then he trod on the ring. Aimlessly
putting it on his finger, he twisted it round and round. Suddenly the room was flooded
with a rosy light and a great genie with clasped hands appeared on a cloud.

"At your command, sire," said the genie.

Now astoundede, Aladdin could only stammer:

"I want to go home!" In a flash he was back in his own home, though the door wa tightly
shut.

"How did you get in?" called his mother from the kitchen stove, the minute she set eyes
on him. Excitedly, her son told her of his adventures.

"Where's the silver coin?" his mother asked. Aladdin clapped a hand to his brow. For all
he had brought home was the old oil lamp "Oh, mother! I'm so sorry. This is all I've got."

"Well, let's hope it works. It's so dirty . . ." and the widow began to rub the lamp.

Suddenly out shot another genie, in a cloud of smoke.

"You've set me free, after centuries! I was a prisoner in the lamp, waiting to be freed by
someone rubbing it. Now, I'm your obedient servant. Tell me your wishes." And the
genie bowed respectfully, awaiting Aladdin's orders. The boy and his mother gaped
wordlessly at this incredible apparition, then the genie said with a hint of impatience in
his voice.

"I'm here at your command. Tell me what you want. Anything you like!" Aladdin gulped,
then said:

"Bring us . . . bring . . ." His mother not having yet begun to cook the dinner, went on to
say: ". . . a lovely big meal."

From that day on, the widow and her son had everything they could wish for: food,
clothes and a fine home, for the genie of the lamp granted them everything they asked
him. Aladdin grew into a tall handsome young man and his mother felt that he ought to
find himself a wife, sooner or later.

One day, as he left the market, Aladdin happened to see the Sultan's daughter Halima in
her sedan chair being carried through the streets. He only caught a fleeting glimpse of the
princess, but it was enough for him to want to marry her. Aladdin told his mother and she
quickly said:

"I'll ask the Sultan for his daughter's hand. He'll never be able to refuse. Wait and see!"

And indeed, the Sultan was easily persuaded by a casket full of big diamonds to admit the
widow to the palace. However, when he learned why she had come, he told the widow
that her son must bring proof of his power and riches. This was mostly the Chamberlain's
idea, for he himself was eager to marry the beautiful black-eyed Sultan's daughter.

"If Aladdin wants to marry Halima,' said the Sultan, "he must send me forty slaves
tomorrow.Every slave must bring a box of precious stones. And forty Arab warriors must
escort the treasure."

Aladdin's mother went sadly home. The genie of the magic lamp had already worked
wonders, but nothing like this. Aladdin however,when he heard the news, was not at all
dismayed. He picked up the lamp, rubbed it harder than ever and told the genie what he
required. The genie simply clapped his hands three times. Forty slaves magically
appeared, carrying the gemstones, together with their escort of forty Arab warriors. When
he saw all thls the next day, the Sultan was taken aback. He never imagined such wealth
could exist. Just as he was about to accept Aladdin as his daughter's bridegroom, the
envious Chamberlain broke in with a question.

"Where wlll they live?" he asked. The Sultan pondered for a moment, then allowlng
greed to get the better of hlm, he told Aladdin to build a great, splendid palace for
Halima. Aladdin went straight home and, in what was once a wilderness, the genie built
him a palace. The last obstacle had been overcome. The wedding tbok place with great
celebrations and the Sultan was especially happy at finding such a rich and powerful son-
in-law.

News of Aladdin's sudden fortune and wealth spread like wildfire, until.... one day, a
strange merchant stopped beneath the palace window.

"Old lamps for new," he called to the princess, standing on the balcony. Now, Aladdin
had always kept his secret to himself. Only his mother knew it and she had never told a
soul. Halima, alas, had been kept in the dark. And so, now, wanting to give Alladin a
surprise as well as make a good bargain, she fetched the old oil lamp she had seen
Aladdin tuck away, and gave it to the merchant in exchange for a new one. The merchant
quickly began to rub it . . . and the genie was now at the service of the wizard who had
got his magic lamp back.

In a second he whisked away all Aladdin's possessions and magically sent the palace and
the princess to an unknown land. Aladdin and the Sultan were at their wits' end. Nobody
knew what had happened. Only Aladdin knew it had something to do with the magic
lamp. But as he wept over the lost genie of the lamp, he remembered the genie of the ring
from the wizard's finger. Slipping the ring on his finger, Aladdin twisted it round and
round.

"Take me to the place where the wizard has hidden my wife," he ordered the genie. In a
flash, he found himself inside his own palace, and peeping from behind a curtain, he saw
the wizard and the princess, now his servant.

"Psst! Psst!" hissed Aladdin.

"Aladdin! It's you . . .!"

"Ssh. Don't let him hear you. Take this powder and put it into his tea. Trust me." The
powder quickly took effect and the wizard fell into a deep sleep. Aladdin hunted for the
lamp high and low, but it was nowere to be seen. But it had to be there. How, otherwise,
had the wizard moved the palace? As Aladdin gazed at his sleeping enemy, he thought of
peering underneath the pillow. "The lamp! At last," sighed Aladdin, hastily rubbing it.

"Welcome back, Master!" exclaimed the genie. "Why did you leave me at another's
service for so long?"

"Welcome," replied Aladdin. "I'm glad to see you again. I've certainly missed you! It's
just as well I have you by me again."

"At your command," smiled the genie.

"First, put this wicked wizard in chains and take him far away where he'll never be found
again." The genie grinned with pleasure, nodded his head, and the wizard vanished.
Halima clutched Aladdin in fear:

"What's going on? Who is that genie?"

"Don't worry, everything is all right," Aladdin reassured her, as he told his wife the whole
story of how he had met the wizard and found the magic lamp that had enabled him to
marry her. Everything went back to normal and the happy pair hugged each other
tenderly.

"Can we return to our own kingdom?" the princess asked timidly, thinking of her father,
so far away. Aladdin glanced at her with a smile.

"The magic that brought you here will take you back, but with me at your side, forever."

The Sultan was almost ill with worry. His daughter had disappeared along with the
palace, and then his son- in-law had vanished too. Nobody knew where they were, not
even the wise men hastily called to the palace to divine what had happened. The jealous
Chamberlain kept on repeating:

"I told you Aladdin's fortune couldn't last."

Everyone had lost all hope of ever seeing the missing pair again, when far away, Aladdin
rubbed the magic lamp and said to the genie,

"Take my wife, myself and the palace back to our own land, as fast as you can."

"In a flash, Sire," replied the genie. At the snap of a finger, the palace rose into the air and
sped over the Sultan's kingdom, above the heads of his astonished subjects. It gently
floated down to earth and landed on its old site. Aladdin and Halima rushed to embrace
the Sultan

The Three Black Princesses

East india was besieged by an enemy who would not retire until he had received
six hundred dollars. Then the townsfolk caused it to be proclaimed by beat of
drum that whosoever was able to procure the money should be burgomaster.
Now there was a poor fisherman who fished on the sea with his son, and the
enemy came and took the son prisoner, and gave the father six hundred dollars
for him. So the father went and gave them to the great men of the town, and the
enemy departed, and the fisherman became burgomaster. Then it was
proclaimed that whosoever did not say 'mr. Burgomaster, should be put to death
on the gallows. The son got away again from the enemy, and came to a great
forest on a high mountain. The mountain opened, and he went into a great
enchanted castle, wherein chairs, tables, and benches were all hung with black.
Then came three young princesses who were dressed entirely in black, but had a
little white on their faces. They told him he was not to be afraid, they would not
hurt him, and that he could rescue them. He said he would gladly do that, if he
did but know how. At this, they told him he must for a whole year not speak to
them and also not look at them, and what he wanted to have he was just to ask
for, and if they dared give him an answer they would do so. When he had been
there for a long while he said he should like to go to his father, and they told him
he might go. He was to take with him this purse with money, put on this coat, and
in a week he must be back there again. Then he was lifted up, and was instantly
in east india. He could no longer find his father in the fisherman's hut, and asked
the people where the poor fisherman could be, and they told him he must not say
that, or he would come to the gallows. Then he went to his father and said,
fisherman, how have you got here. Then the father said, you must not say that, if
the great men of the town knew of that, you would come to the gallows. He,
however, would not give in, and was brought to the gallows. When he was there,
he said, o, my masters, just give me leave to go to the old fisherman's hut. Then
he put on his old smock, and came back to the great men, and said, do you not
now see. Am I not the son of the poor fisherman. Did I not earn bread for my
father and mother in this dress. Hereupon his father knew him again, and begged
his pardon, and took him home with him, and then related all that had happened
to him, and how he had got into a forest on a high mountain, and the mountain
had opened and he had gone into an enchanted castle, where all was black, and
three young princesses had come to him who were black except a little white on
their faces. And they had told him not to fear, and that he could rescue them.
Then his mother said that might very likely not be a good thing to do, and that he
ought to take a blessed candle with him, and drop some boiling wax on their
faces. He went back again, and he was in great fear, and he dropped the wax on
their faces as they were sleeping, and they all turned half-white. Then all the
three princesses sprang up, and said, you accursed dog, our blood shall cry for
vengeance on you. Now there is no man born in the world, nor will any ever be
born who can set us free. We have still three brothers who are bound by seven

chains - they shall tear you to pieces. Then there was a loud shrieking all over
the castle, and he sprang out of the window, and broke his leg, and the castle
sank into the earth again, the mountain closed again, and no one knew where
the castle had stood.

The True Sweetheart

There was once upon a time a girl who was young and beautiful, but she had lost
her mother when she was quite a child, and her step-mother did all she could to
make the girl's life wretched. Whenever this woman gave her anything to do, she
worked at it indefatigably, and did everything that lay in her power. Still she could
not touch the heart of the wicked woman, she was never satisfied, it was never
enough. The harder the girl worked, the more work was put upon her, and all that
the woman thought of was how to weigh her down with still heavier burdens, and
make her life still more miserable. One day she said to her, here are twelve
pounds of feathers which you must pick, and if they are not done this evening,
you may expect a good beating. Do you imagine you are to idle away the whole
day. The poor girl sat down to the work, but tears ran down her cheeks as she
did so, for she saw plainly enough that it was quite impossible to finish the work
in one day. Whenever she had a little heap of feathers lying before her, and she
sighed or smote her hands together in her anguish, they flew away, and she had
to pick them up again, and begin her work anew. Then she put her elbows on the
table, laid her face in her two hands, and cried, is there no one, then, on God's
earth to have pity on me. Then she heard a low voice which said, be comforted,
my child, I have come to help you. The maiden looked up, and an old woman
was by her side. She took the girl kindly by the hand, and said, only tell me what
is troubling you. As she spoke so kindly, the girl told her of her miserable life, and
how one burden after another was laid upon her, and she never could get to the
end of the work which was given to her. If I have not done these feathers by this
evening, my step-mother will beat me, she has threatened she will, and I know
she keeps her word. Her tears began to flow again, but the good old woman said,
do not be afraid, my child, rest a while, and in the meantime I will look to your
work. The girl lay down on her bed, and soon fell asleep. The old woman seated
herself at the table with the feathers, and how they did fly off the quills, which she
scarcely touched with her withered hands. The twelve pounds were soon
finished, and when the girl awoke, great snow-white heaps were lying, piled up,
and everything in the room was neatly cleared away, but the old woman had
vanished. The maiden thanked God, and sat still till evening came, when the
step-mother came in and marveled to see the work completed. Just look, you
awkward creature, said she, what can be done when people are industrious, and
why could you not set about something else. There you sit with your hands
crossed. When she went out she said, the creature is worth more than her salt. I
must give her some work that is still harder. Next morning she called the girl, and
said there is a spoon for you. With that you must empty out the great pond which

is beside the garden, and if it is not done by night, you know what will happen.
The girl took the spoon, and saw that it was full of holes, but even if it had not
been, she never could have emptied the pond with it. She set to work at once,
knelt down by the water, into which her tears were falling, and began to empty it.
But the good old woman appeared again, and when she learnt the cause of her
grief, she said, be of good cheer, my child. Go into the thicket and lie down and
sleep, I will soon do your work. As soon as the old woman was alone, she barely
touched the pond, and a vapor rose up on high from the water, and mingled itself
with the clouds. Gradually the pond was emptied, and when the maiden awoke
before sunset and came thither, she saw nothing but the fishes which were
struggling in the mud. She went to her step-mother, and showed her that the
work was done. It ought to have been done long before this, said she, and grew
white with anger, but she meditated something new. On the third morning she
said to the girl, you must build me a castle on the plain there, and it must be
ready by the evening. The maiden was dismayed, and said, how can I complete
such a great work. I will endure no opposition, screamed the step-mother. If you
can empty a pond with a spoon that is full of holes, you can build a castle too. I
will take possession of it this very day, and if anything is wanting, even if it be the
most trifling thing in the kitchen or cellar, you know what lies before you. She
drove the girl out, and when she entered the valley, the rocks were there, piled
up one above the other, and all her strength would not have enabled her even to
move the very smallest of them. She sat down and wept, and still she hoped the
old woman would help her. The old woman was not long in coming, she
comforted her and said, lie down there in the shade and sleep, and I will soon
build the castle for you. If it would be a pleasure to you, you can live in it yourself.
When the maiden had gone away, the old woman touched the gray rocks. They
began to rise, moved together and stood there as if giants had built the walls,
and on these the building arose and it seemed as if countless hands were
working invisibly, and placing one stone upon another. There was a dull heavy
noise from the ground, pillars arose of their own accord on high, and placed
themselves in order near each other. The tiles laid themselves in order on the
roof, and when noon-day came, the great weather-cock was already turning itself
on the summit of the tower, like a golden maid with fluttering garments. The
inside of the castle was being finished while evening was drawing near. How the
old woman managed it, I know not, but the walls of the rooms were hung with silk
and velvet, embroidered chairs were there, and richly ornamented arm-chairs by
marble tables, crystal chandeliers hung down from the ceilings, and mirrored
themselves in the smooth floor, green parrots were there in gilt cages, and so
were strange birds which sang most beautifully, and there was on all sides as
much magnificence as if a king were going to live there. The sun was just setting
when the girl awoke, and the brightness of a thousand lights flashed in her face.
She hurried to the castle, and entered by the open door. The steps were spread
with red cloth, and the golden balustrade beset with flowering trees. When she
saw the splendor of the rooms, she stood as if turned to stone. Who knows how
long she might have stood there if she had not remembered the step-mother.
Alas, she said to herself, if she could but be satisfied at last, and would give up

making my life a misery to me. The girl went and told her that the castle was
ready. I will move into it at once, said she, and rose from her seat. When they
entered the castle, she was forced to hold her hand before her eyes, the
brilliancy of everything was so dazzling. You see, said she to the girl, how easy it
has been for you to do this, I ought to have given you something harder. She
went through all the rooms, and examined every corner to see if anything was
wanting or defective, but she could discover nothing. Now we will go down below,
said she, looking at the girl with malicious eyes. The kitchen and the cellar still
have to be examined and if you have forgotten anything you shall not escape
your punishment. But the fire was burning on the hearth, and the meat was
cooking in the pans, the tongs and shovel were leaning against the wall, and the
shining brazen utensils all arranged in sight. Nothing was missing, not even a
coal-box and a water-pail. Which is the way to the cellar, she cried. If that is not
abundantly filled with wine casks it shall go ill with you. She herself raised up the
trap-door and descended, but she had hardly made two steps before the heavy
trap-door which was only laid back, fell down. The girl heard a scream, lifted up
the door very quickly to go to her aid, but she had fallen down, and the girl found
her lying lifeless at the bottom. And now the magnificent castle belonged to the
girl alone. She at first did not know how to reconcile herself to her good fortune.
Beautiful dresses were hanging in the wardrobes, the chests were filled with gold
and silver, or with pearls and jewels, and she never felt a desire that she was not
able to gratify. And soon the fame of the beauty and riches of the maiden went
over all the world. Wooers presented themselves daily but none pleased her. At
length the son of the king came and he knew how to touch her heart, and she
betrothed herself to him. In the garden of the castle was a lime-tree, under which
they were one day sitting together, when he said to her, I will go home and obtain
my father's consent to our marriage. I entreat you to wait for me under this lime-
tree, I shall be back with you in a few hours. The maiden kissed him on his left
cheek, and said, keep true to me, and never let any one else kiss you on this
cheek. I will wait here under the lime-tree until you return. The maid stayed
beneath the lime-tree until sunset, but he did not return. She sat three days from
morning till evening, waiting for him, but in vain. As he still was not there by the
fourth day, she said, some accident has assuredly befallen him. I will go out and
seek him, and will not come back until I have found him. She packed up three of
her most beautiful dresses, one embroidered with bright stars, the second with
silver moons, the third with golden suns, tied up a handful of jewels in her
handkerchief, and set out. She inquired everywhere for her betrothed, but no one
had seen him, no one knew anything about him. Far and wide did she wander
through the world, but she found him not. At last she hired herself to a farmer as
a cowherd, and buried her dresses and jewels beneath a stone. And now she
lived as a herdswoman, guarded her herd, and was very sad and full of longing
for her beloved. She had a little calf which she taught to know her, and fed it out
of her own hand, and when she said, little calf, little calf, kneel by my side, and
do not forget your cowherd-maid, as the prince forgot his betrothed bride, who
waited for him 'neath the lime-tree's shade. The little calf knelt down, and she
stroked it. And when she had lived for a couple of years alone and full of grief, a

report was spread over all the land that the king's daughter was about to
celebrate her marriage. The road to the town passed through the village where
the maiden was living, and it came to pass that once when the maiden was
driving out her herd, the bridegroom traveled by. He was sitting proudly on his
horse, and never looked round, but when she saw him she recognized her
beloved, and it was just as if a sharp knife had pierced her heart. Alas, said she, I
believed him true to me, but he has forgotten me. Next day he again came along
the road. When he was near her she said to the little calf, little calf, little calf,
kneel by my side, and do not forget your cowherd-maid, as the prince forgot his
betrothed bride, who waited for him 'neath the lime-tree's shade. When he was
aware of the voice, he looked down and reined in his horse. He looked into the
girl's face and then put his hands before his eyes as if he were trying to
remember something, but he soon rode onwards and was out of sight. Alas, said
she, he no longer knows me. And her grief was ever greater. Soon after this a
great festival three days long was to be held at the king's court, and the whole
country was invited to it. Now will I try my last chance, thought the maiden, and
when evening came she went to the stone under which she had buried her
treasures. She took out the dress with the golden suns, put it on, and adorned
herself with the jewels. She let down her hair, which she had concealed under a
handkerchief, and it fell down in long curls about her, and thus she went into the
town, and in the darkness was observed by no one. When she entered the
brightly lighted hall, every one started back in amazement, but no one knew who
she was. The king's son went to meet her, but he did not recognize her. He led
her out to dance, and was so enchanted with her beauty, that he thought no
more of the other bride. When the feast was over, she vanished in the crowd,
and hastened before daybreak to the village, where she once more put on her
herd's dress. Next evening she took out the dress with the silver moons, and put
a half-moon made of precious stones in her hair. When she appeared at the
festival, all eyes were turned upon her, but the king's son hastened to meet her,
and filled with love for her, danced with her alone, and no longer so much as
glanced at anyone else. Before she went away she was forced to promise him to
come again to the festival on the last evening. When she appeared for the third
time, she wore the star-dress which sparkled at every step she took, and her
hair-ribbon and girdle were starred with jewels. The prince had already been
waiting for her for a long time, and forced his way up to her. Do but tell who you
are, said he, I feel just as if I had already known you a long time. Do you not
know what I did when you left me. Then she stepped up to him, and kissed him
on his left cheek, and in a moment it was as if scales fell from his eyes, and he
recognized the true bride. Come, said he to her, here I stay no longer, gave her
his hamd, and led her down to the carriage. The horses hurried away to the
magic castle as if the wind had been harnessed to the carriage. The illuminated
windows already shone in the distance. When they drove past the lime-tree,
countless glow-worms were swarming about it. It shook its branches, and sent
forth their fragrance. On the steps flowers were blooming, and the room echoed
with the song of strange birds, but in the hall the entire court was assembled, and
the priest was waiting to marry the bridegroom and the true bride.

The Glass Coffin

Let no one ever say that a poor tailor cannot do great things and win high honors.
All that is needed is that he should go to the right smithy, and what is of most
consequence, that he should have good luck. A civil, smart tailor's apprentice
once went out traveling, and came into a great forest, and, as he did not know
the way, he lost himself. Night fell and nothing was left for him to do in this painful
solitude, but to seek a bed. He might certainly have found a good bed on the soft
moss, but the fear of wild beasts let him have no rest there, and at last he made
up his mind to spend the night in a tree. He sought out a high oak, climbed up to
the top of it, and thanked God that he had his goose with him, for otherwise the
wind which blew over the top of the tree would have carried him away. After he
had spent some hours in the darkness, not without fear and trembling, he saw at
a very short distance the glimmer of a light, and as he thought that a human
habitation might be there, where he would be better off than on the branches of a
tree, he got carefully down and went towards the light. It guided him to a small
hut that was woven together of reeds and rushes. He knocked boldly, the door
opened, and by the light which came forth he saw a little hoary old man who
wore a coat made of bits of colored stuff sewn together. Who are you, and what
do you want, asked the man in a grumbling voice. I am a poor tailor, he
answered, whom night has surprised here in the wilderness, and I earnestly beg
you to take me into your hut until morning. Go your way, replied the old man in a
surly voice, I will have nothing to do with tramps, seek for yourself a shelter
elsewhere. Having said this, he was about to slip into his hut again, but the tailor
held him so tightly by the corner of his coat, and pleaded so piteously, that the
old man, who was not so ill-natured as he wished to appear, was at last softened,
and took him into the hut with him where he gave him something to eat, and then
offered him a very good bed in a corner. The weary tailor needed no rocking, but
slept sweetly till morning, but even then would not have thought of getting up, if
he had not been aroused by a great noise. A violent sound of screaming and
roaring forced its way through the thin walls of the hut. The tailor, full of unwonted
courage, jumped up, put his clothes on in haste, and hurried out. Then close by
the hut, he saw a great black bull and a beautiful stag, which were just preparing
for a violent struggle. They rushed at each other with such extreme rage that the
ground shook with their trampling, and the air resounded with their cries. For a
long time it was uncertain which of the two would gain the victory, at length the
stag thrust his horns into his adversary's body, whereupon the bull fell to the
earth with a terrific roar, and was finished off by a few strokes from the stag. The
tailor, who had watched the fight with astonishment, was still standing there
motionless, when the stag in full career bounded up to him, and before he could
escape, caught him up on his great horns. He had not much time to collect his
thoughts, for it went in a swift race over stock and stone, mountain and valley,
wood and meadow. He held with both hands to the ends of the horns, and
resigned himself to his fate. It seemed to him just as if he were flying away. At
length the stag stopped in front of a wall of rock, and gently let the tailor down.
The tailor, more dead than alive, required some time to come to himself. When

he had in some degree recovered, the stag, which had remained standing by
him, pushed its horns with such force against a door in the rock, that it sprang
open. Flames of fire shot forth, after which followed a great smoke, which hid the
stag from his sight. The tailor did not know what to do, or whither to turn, in order
to get out of this desert and back to human beings again. Whilst he was standing
thus undecided, a voice sounded out of the rock, which cried to him, enter
without fear, no evil shall befall you. He hesitated, but driven by a mysterious
force, he obeyed the voice and went through the iron-door into a large spacious
hall, whose ceiling, walls and floor were made of shining polished square stones,
on each of which were carved signs which were unknown to him. He looked at
everything full of admiration, and was on the point of going out again, when he
once more heard the voice which said to him, step on the stone which lies in the
middle of the hall, and great good fortune awaits you. His courage had already
grown so great that he obeyed the order. The stone began to give way under his
feet, and sank slowly down into the depths. When it was once more firm, and the
tailor looked round, he found himself in a hall which in size resembled the former.
Here, however, there was more to look at and to admire. Hollow places were cut
in the walls, in which stood vases of transparent glass and filled with colored
spirit or with a bluish vapor. On the floor of the hall two great glass chests stood
opposite to each other, which at once excited his curiosity. When he went to one
of them he saw inside it a handsome structure like a castle surrounded by farm-
buildings, stables and barns, and a quantity of other good things. Everything was
small, but exceedingly carefully and delicately made, and seemed to be carved
out by a dexterous hand with the greatest precision. He might not have turned
away his eyes from the consideration of this rarity for some time, had not the
voice once more made itself heard. It ordered him to turn round and look at the
glass chest which was standing opposite. How his admiration increased when he
saw therein a maiden of the greatest beauty. She lay as if asleep, and was
wrapped in her long fair hair as in a precious mantle. Her eyes were closely shut,
but the brightness of her complexion and a ribbon which her breathing moved to
and fro, left no doubt that she was alive. The tailor was looking at the beauty with
beating heart, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and started up at the sight of
him with a shock of joy. Divine providence, cried she, my deliverance is at hand.
Quick, quick, help me out of my prison. If you push back the bolt of this glass
coffin, then I shall be free. The tailor obeyed without delay, and she immediately
raised up the glass lid, came out and hastened into the corner of the hall, where
she covered herself with a large cloak. Then she seated herself on a stone,
ordered the young man to come to her, and after she had imprinted a friendly
kiss on his lips, she said, my long-desired deliverer, kind heaven has guided you
to me, and put an end to my sorrows. On the self-same day when they end, shall
your happiness begin. You are the husband chosen for me by heaven, and shall
pass your life in unbroken joy, loved by me, and rich to overflowing in every
earthly possession. Seat yourself, and listen to the story of my life. I am the
daughter of a rich count. My parents died when I was still in my tender youth, and
recommended me in their last will to my elder brother, by whom I was brought
up. We loved each other so tenderly, and were so alike in our way of thinking and

our inclinations, that we both embraced the resolution never to marry, but to stay
together to the end of our lives. In our house there was no lack of company.
Neighbors and friends visited us often, and we showed the greatest hospitality to
every one. So it came to pass one evening that a stranger came riding to our
castle, and, under pretext of not being able to get on to the next place, begged
for shelter for the night. We granted his request with ready courtesy, and he
entertained us in the most agreeable manner during supper by conversation
intermingled with stories. My brother liked the stranger so much that he begged
him to spend a couple of days with us, to which, after some hesitation, he
consented. We did not rise from table until late in the night, the stranger was
shown to a room, and I hastened, as I was tired, to lay my limbs in my soft bed.
Hardly had I fallen off to sleep, when the sound of faint and delightful music
awoke me. As I could not conceive from whence it came, I wanted to summon
my waiting-maid who slept in the next room, but to my astonishment I found that
speech was taken away from me by an unknown force. I felt as if a nightmare
were weighing down my breast, and was unable to make the very slightest
sound. In the meantime, by the light of my night-lamp, I saw the stranger enter
my room through two doors which were fast bolted. He came to me and said, that
by magic arts which were at his command, he had caused the lovely music to
sound in order to awaken me, and that he now forced his way through all
fastenings with the intention of offering his hand and heart. My dislike of his
magic arts was so great, however, that I refused to answer him. He remained for
a time standing without moving, apparently with the idea of waiting for a
favorable decision, but as I continued to keep silence, he angrily declared he
would revenge himself and find means to punish my pride, and left the room. I
passed the night in the greatest disquietude, and fell asleep only towards
morning. When I awoke, I hurried to my brother, but did not find him in his room,
and the attendants told me that he had ridden forth with the stranger to the chase
at daybreak.

I at once suspected nothing good. I dressed myself quickly, ordered my palfrey to
be saddled, and accompanied only by one servant, rode full gallop to the forest.
The servant fell with his horse, and could not follow me, for the horse had broken
its foot. I pursued my way without halting, and in a few minutes I saw the stranger
coming towards me with a beautiful stag which he led by a cord. I asked him
where he had left my brother, and how he had come by this stag, out of whose
great eyes I saw tears flowing. Instead of answering me, he began to laugh
loudly. I fell into a great rage at this, pulled out a pistol and discharged it at the
monster, but the ball rebounded from his breast and went into my horse's head. I
fell to the ground, and the stranger muttered some words which deprived me of
consciousness. When I came to my senses again I found myself in this
underground cave in a glass coffin. The magician appeared once again, and said
he had changed my brother into a stag, my castle with all that belonged to it,
diminished in size by his arts, he had shut up in the other glass chest, and my
people, who were all turned into smoke, he had confined in glass bottles. He told
me that if I would now comply with his wish, it would be an easy thing for him to

put everything back in its former state, as he had nothing to do but open the
vessels, and everything would return once more to its natural form. I answered
him as little as I had done the first time. He vanished and left me in my prison, in
which a deep sleep came on me. Among the visions which passed before my
eyes, the most comforting was that in which a young man came and set me free,
and when I opened my eyes to-day I saw you, and beheld my dream fulfilled.
Help me to accomplish the other things which happened in those visions. The
first is that we lift the glass chest in which my castle is enclosed, on to that broad
stone. As soon as the stone was laden, it began to rise up on high with the
maiden and the young man, and mounted through the opening of the ceiling into
the upper hall, from whence they then could easily reach the open air. Here the
maiden opened the lid, and it was marvellous to behold how the castle, the
houses, and the farm buildings which were enclosed, stretched themselves out
and grew to their natural size with the greatest rapidity. After this, the maiden and
the tailor returned to the cave beneath the earth, and had the vessels which were
filled with smoke carried up by the stone. The maiden had scarcely opened the
bottles when the blue smoke rushed out and changed itself into living men, in
whom she recognized her servants and her people. Her joy was still more
increased when her brother, who had killed the magician in the form of the bull,
came out of the forest towards them in his human form, and on the self-same day
the maiden, in accordance with her promise, gave her hand at the altar to the
lucky tailor.

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