“And you, Simeon, what handiwork or art will you learn?”
“I want to learn neither handiwork nor art, your majesty,” replied he,
“for I already know a precious art.”
“What is it,” asked the Czar, “that is so good?”
“I am so skilful at stealing,” said he, “that no one can beat me at it.”
When the Czar heard that the lad was acquainted with such a wicked art,
he was angry, and said to his nobles—
“My lords, let me have your advice as to how this thief, Simeon, should
be punished. What death should he die?”
“Your majesty,” said they all, “why should he die? It is not unlikely,
since he is such a clever thief, that he may prove useful in some case.”
“How so?” asked the Czar.
“Your majesty,” said they, “has during the last ten years sought the
hand of the Czarina, the beautiful Helena, in vain, and lost many armies
and much treasure. Now this thief, Simeon, may devise some means of
stealing the Czarina for your Majesty.”
“You say well, my friends,” observed the Czar, and he went and said to
the thief—
“Now, Simeon, can you wander over seven and twenty countries into the
thirtieth and steal for me the beautiful princess, Helena? I love her
very much, and if you procure her for me you shall be well rewarded.”
“We will see to it,” said he, “you have but to command.”
“I do not merely command,” said the Czar, “but I beg of you not to
remain longer at my court, but to take what armies you wish to effect
your purpose.”
“I do not want either your armies or your treasure,” said the thief.
“Only send all of us together, for I can do nothing without the others.”
The Czar did not wish for all the brothers to go, but though he thought
it hard, he was obliged to consent.
In the meantime the eldest brother had completed the iron column in the
smithy in the court of the palace. The second brother climbed up to the
top, and from there he saw the kingdom of the fair Helena’s father. He
called out to the Czar Ados—
“Your majesty, beyond twenty-seven countries in the thirtieth there
sits, at a window, the Czarina, the beautiful Helena. How fair she is!
One can see every blue vein in her white skin.”
Then the Czar was more in love with her than ever, and cried out to the
Simeons—
“My friends, set out as quickly as you can and return soon. I can live
no longer without the beautiful Helena.”
The eldest Simeon smithied a gun for the third brother, and carried
bread for the journey. The thief took with him a cat, and so they set
out. Now the thief had so trained the cat that it ran after him
everywhere, just like a dog, and when he stood still it stood by him, on
its hind-legs, rubbing against him and purring. So they went on till
they came to the shore of a sea over which they must pass. For a long
time they walked about on the shore and looked for wood, in order to
build a ship, and at last they came to a great oak. The third brother
took his axe and cut away at the root. The oak was brought to the
ground, and a ship was in a moment built from it, filled with all kinds
of precious things. The brothers entered the ship and sailed away.
After some months they came to the place they sought, and cast anchor in
the harbour. The next day the thief, taking his cat, went into the town,
and, coming to the Czar’s palace, stood in front of the Princess
Helena’s window. His cat at once stood up on its hind-legs and began to
rub itself against him, and to purr. Now a cat had never before been
seen in that kingdom, nor, indeed, had the people knowledge that there
was any such animal.
The princess sat at the window, and, when she saw the cat, she sent out
her servants and maids to ask Simeon if he would sell it, and if so,
what he wanted for it. The servants came to Simeon, and asked him what
kind of animal the cat was, and whether he would sell it.
“Tell her majesty, the beautiful Helena,” said the thief, “that the
animal is called a cat. I cannot sell it, but, if her majesty pleases, I
desire the honour of making her a present of it.”
The attendants took the message to the princess, who, when she heard it,
was delighted, and coming out of her chamber she asked Simeon why he
would not sell the cat.
“I cannot sell the cat, your majesty,” said he, “but, if you please, I
will give it to you.”
The princess took the cat in her arms, and going back to her apartment,
told Simeon to follow. When they were in the palace, she went to her
father, the Czar Say, showed him the cat, and told him that a stranger
had given it to her. The Czar was very much pleased with the strange
animal, and ordered that the thief Simeon should be brought to him. When
he came, the Czar wished to give him treasures in return for the cat,
but, as Simeon refused all, the Czar said to him: “My friend, stay for a
while in my palace. The cat will become more familiar to my daughter if
you are here.”