“At the pike’s command, and at my request, go, buckets, of yourselves up
the hill.”
Instantly, with the speed of thought, the buckets ran up the hill. When
Emelyan saw that, he was amazed beyond expression, and he said to the
pike—
“But will it always be so?”
“Everything you desire will be done,” said the pike; “but do not forget,
I say, the words I have taught you.”
Emelyan then put the pike into the water, and followed his buckets home.
The neighbours were all amazed when they saw the buckets, and said to
one another—
“This fool makes the buckets come of themselves up from the river, and
he follows them himself at his leisure.”
But Emelyan took no notice of them, and went on home. The buckets were
by this time in the house, and standing in their place on the
foot-bench, and Emelyan himself lay down on the stove.