“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me have, in the middle of
this island, a finer castle than the king’s, and let a crystal bridge
lead from my castle to the royal palace, and let there be people of all
conditions in the court.”
The words were scarcely spoken than there appeared a splendid castle
with a crystal bridge. The fool went with the princess into the castle,
and saw that the apartments were all magnificently furnished, and that
there were many people there, such as footmen, and all kinds of
officers, who waited for the fool’s commands. When he saw that all these
men were like men, and that he alone was ugly and stupid, he wished to
be better, so he said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me become such a youth
that I shall have no equal, and let me be extremely wise.”
He had scarcely spoken the words before he became so handsome and so
wise that all were amazed.
Emelyan then sent one of his servants to the king to invite him and all
his ministers to the castle. The servant went along the bridge which the
fool had made, and when he came to the court the ministers brought him
before the king, and Emelyan’s messenger said—
“Please your majesty, I am sent by my master to ask you to dinner.”