“At the pike’s command, and at my request,” said he, “up stove, and away
to the town.”
Instantly the wall of the room opened, and the stove moved out. When it
had got clear of the yard, it went at such a rate that there was no
overtaking it, and it came up with the king’s messenger, and went after
him, and entered the palace with him. When the king knew the fool had
come, he went forth with all his ministers to see him, and when he saw
that Emelyan was come riding on the stove, he was greatly amazed.
Emelyan still lay where he was, and said nothing. Then the king asked
him why he had hurt so many people when he went to the wood.
“It was their own fault,” said the fool; “why did they not get out of
the way?”
Just at that moment the king’s daughter came to the window and looked at
the fool, and Emelyan, happening suddenly to look up at the window where
she stood observing him, and seeing that she was very handsome, said,
quite softly to himself—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let this lovely maiden fall
in love with me.”
Scarcely had he spoken the words, when the king’s daughter was
desperately in love with him. He then said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, up and away, stove, go home.”
Immediately the stove left the palace, went through the town, got home,
and set itself in its old place. There Emelyan lived for some time,
comfortable and happy.
Other people in the town, however, were far otherwise. At the word of
Emelyan, the king’s daughter had fallen in love with him, and she began
to implore her father to give her the fool for a husband. The king was
in a great rage, both with her and the fool, but he knew not how he
could lay hold of him. His minister, however, suggested that he should
again send the officer whom he had before sent to take him. This advice
pleased the king well, and he had the officer called to him. When he
came the king said—
“Hark ye, friend! I sent you before for the fool, and you came without
him. To punish you I now send you for him a second time. If you bring
him you shall be rewarded, but if you do not bring him you shall be
punished.”
When the officer heard that, he left the king, and lost no time in going
in quest of the fool. When he came to the village, he called for the
Starosta, and said to him—
“Here is money for you. Buy everything for a good dinner to-morrow.
Invite Emelyan, and when he comes make him drink till he falls asleep.”
The Starosta, knowing that the officer came from the king, felt obliged
to obey him, so he bought everything that was required, and invited the
fool. When Emelyan said he would come, the officer was greatly pleased.
So next day the fool came to dinner, and the Starosta plied him so well
with drink that he fell fast asleep. As soon as the officer saw he was
asleep, he laid hold of him, and ordered a carriage to be brought. When
it came, they put the fool in it, and the officer, getting in himself,
drove off to the town, and so to the palace. The minister informed the
king that the officer had come, and as soon as he heard it, he ordered a
large cask to be provided without delay, and to be hooped with strong
iron hoops. When the cask was brought to the king, and he saw that
everything had been done as he desired, he ordered his daughter and the
fool to be put into it and the cask to be well pitched. When all this
had been done, the king ordered the cask to be thrown into the sea, and
left to the mercy of the waves. The king then returned to his palace,
and the cask floated along for some time on the sea. All this time the
fool was fast asleep. When he awoke, and found it was quite dark, he
said to himself—
“Where am I?” for he thought he was all alone; but the princess said—
“You are in a cask, Emelyan, and I am shut up with you in it.”
“But who are you?” asked he.
“I am the king’s daughter,” answered the princess; and then she told him
why she had been shut up there with him. She then besought him to
deliver himself and her out of the cask, but the fool said—
“I am very warm here.”
“Grant me the favour,” said the princess; “have pity on my tears, and
deliver me out of this cask.”
“Why,” said Emelyan; “I am lazy.”
The princess began once more to entreat him.
“Grant me the favour, Emelyan,” said she; “deliver me out of this cask,
and let me not die.”