mill-pond, played on a golden flute, and when she had finished placed
it on the bank. Then a rushing sound was heard, and a wave swept the
flute off the bank, and soon the head of the hunter appeared and rose
up higher and higher till he was half out of the water. Then he gazed
sadly at his wife and stretched out his arms towards her. But another
rushing wave arose and dragged him under once more. The hunter’s wife,
who had stood on the bank full of joy and hope, sank into despair when
she saw her husband snatched away again before her eyes.
But for her comfort she dreamt the same dream a third time, and betook
herself once more to the old witch’s hut in the flowery meadow. This
time the old woman told her to go the next full moon to the mill-pond,
and to spin there with a golden spinning-wheel, and then to leave the
spinning-wheel on the bank.
The hunter’s wife did as she was advised, and the first night the moon
was full she sat and spun with a golden spinning-wheel, and then left
the wheel on the bank. In a few minutes a rushing sound was heard in
the waters, and a wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank.
Immediately the head of the hunter rose up from the pond, getting
higher and higher each moment, till at length he stepped on to the
bank and fell on his wife’s neck.
But the waters of the pond rose up suddenly, overflowed the bank where
the couple stood, and dragged them under the flood. In her despair the
young wife called on the old witch to help her, and in a moment the
hunter was turned into a frog and his wife into a toad. But they were
not able to remain together, for the water tore them apart, and when
the flood was over they both resumed their own shapes again, but the
hunter and the hunter’s wife found themselves each in a strange
country, and neither knew what had become of the other.
[Illustration: ‘A wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank’]
The hunter determined to become a shepherd, and his wife too became a
shepherdess. So they herded their sheep for many years in solitude and
sadness.
Now it happened once that the shepherd came to the country where the
shepherdess lived. The neighbourhood pleased him, and he saw that the
pasture was rich and suitable for his flocks. So he brought his sheep
there, and herded them as before. The shepherd and shepherdess became
great friends, but they did not recognise each other in the least.
But one evening when the moon was full they sat together watching
their flocks, and the shepherd played upon his flute. Then the
shepherdess thought of that evening when she had sat at the full moon
by the mill-pond and had played on the golden flute; the recollection
was too much for her, and she burst into tears. The shepherd asked her
why she was crying, and left her no peace till she told him all her
story. Then the scales fell from the shepherd’s eyes, and he
recognised his wife, and she him. So they returned joyfully to their
own home, and lived in peace and happiness ever after.
_THE GLASS MOUNTAIN_[16]
Once upon a time there was a Glass Mountain at the top of which stood
a castle made of pure gold, and in front of the castle there grew an
apple-tree on which there were golden apples.
Anyone who picked an apple gained admittance into the golden castle,
and there in a silver room sat an enchanted Princess of surpassing
fairness and beauty. She was as rich too as she was beautiful, for the
cellars of the castle were full of precious stones, and great chests
of the finest gold stood round the walls of all the rooms.
Many knights had come from afar to try their luck, but it was in vain
they attempted to climb the mountain. In spite of having their horses
shod with sharp nails, no one managed to get more than half-way up,
and then they all fell back right down to the bottom of the steep
slippery hill. Sometimes they broke an arm, sometimes a leg, and many
a brave man had broken his neck even.
The beautiful Princess sat at her window and watched the bold knights
trying to reach her on their splendid horses. The sight of her always
gave men fresh courage, and they flocked from the four quarters of the
globe to attempt the work of rescuing her. But all in vain, and for
seven years the Princess had sat now and waited for some one to scale
the Glass Mountain.
A heap of corpses both of riders and horses lay round the mountain,
and many dying men lay groaning there unable to go any farther with
their wounded limbs. The whole neighbourhood had the appearance of a
vast churchyard. In three more days the seven years would be at an
end, when a knight in golden armour and mounted on a spirited steed
was seen making his way towards the fatal hill.
[Footnote 16: From the Polish. Kletke.]
Sticking his spurs into his horse he made a rush at the mountain, and
got up half-way, then he calmly turned his horse’s head and came down
again without a slip or stumble. The following day he started in the
same way; the horse trod on the glass as if it had been level earth,
and sparks of fire flew from its hoofs. All the other knights gazed in
astonishment, for he had almost gained the summit, and in another
moment he would have reached the apple-tree; but of a sudden a huge
eagle rose up and spread its mighty wings, hitting as it did so the
knight’s horse in the eye. The beast shied, opened its wide nostrils
and tossed its mane, then rearing high up in the air, its hind feet
slipped and it fell with its rider down the steep mountain side.
Nothing was left of either of them except their bones, which rattled
in the battered golden armour like dry peas in a pod.
And now there was only one more day before the close of the seven
years. Then there arrived on the scene a mere schoolboy—a merry,
happy-hearted youth, but at the same time strong and well-grown. He
saw how many knights had broken their necks in vain, but undaunted he
approached the steep mountain on foot and began the ascent.
For long he had heard his parents speak of the beautiful Princess who
sat in the golden castle at the top of the Glass Mountain. He listened
to all he heard, and determined that he too would try his luck. But
first he went to the forest and caught a lynx, and cutting off the
creature’s sharp claws, he fastened them on to his own hands and feet.
Armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain. The
sun was nearly going down, and the youth had not got more than
half-way up. He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out, and his
mouth was parched by thirst. A huge black cloud passed over his head,
but in vain did he beg and beseech her to let a drop of water fall on
him. He opened his mouth, but the black cloud sailed past and not as
much as a drop of dew moistened his dry lips.
His feet were torn and bleeding, and he could only hold on now with
his hands. Evening closed in, and he strained his eyes to see if he
could behold the top of the mountain. Then he gazed beneath him, and
what a sight met his eyes! A yawning abyss, with certain and terrible
death at the bottom, reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and
riders! And this had been the end of all the other brave men who like
himself had attempted the ascent.
[Illustration: The boy attacked by the eagle on the Glass Mountain]
It was almost pitch dark now, and only the stars lit up the Glass
Mountain. The poor boy still clung on as if glued to the glass by his
blood-stained hands. He made no struggle to get higher, for all his
strength had left him, and seeing no hope he calmly awaited death.
Then all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep, and forgetful of his
dangerous position, he slumbered sweetly. But all the same, although
he slept, he had stuck his sharp claws so firmly into the glass that
he was quite safe not to fall.
Now the golden apple-tree was guarded by the eagle which had
overthrown the golden knight and his horse. Every night it flew round
the Glass Mountain keeping a careful look-out, and no sooner had the
moon emerged from the clouds than the bird rose up from the
apple-tree, and circling round in the air, caught sight of the
sleeping youth.
Greedy for carrion, and sure that this must be a fresh corpse, the
bird swooped down upon the boy. But he was awake now, and perceiving
the eagle, he determined by its help to save himself.
The eagle dug its sharp claws into the tender flesh of the youth, but
he bore the pain without a sound, and seized the bird’s two feet with
his hands. The creature in terror lifted him high up into the air and
began to circle round the tower of the castle. The youth held on
bravely. He saw the glittering palace, which by the pale rays of the
moon looked like a dim lamp; and he saw the high windows, and round
one of them a balcony in which the beautiful Princess sat lost in sad
thoughts. Then the boy saw that he was close to the apple-tree, and
drawing a small knife from his belt, he cut off both the eagle’s feet.
The bird rose up in the air in its agony and vanished into the clouds,
and the youth fell on to the broad branches of the apple-tree.
Then he drew out the claws of the eagle’s feet that had remained in
his flesh, and put the peel of one of the golden apples on the wound,
and in one moment it was healed and well again. He pulled several of
the beautiful apples and put them in his pocket; then he entered the
castle. The door was guarded by a great dragon, but as soon as he
threw an apple at it, the beast vanished.
At the same moment a gate opened, and the youth perceived a courtyard
full of flowers and beautiful trees, and on a balcony sat the lovely
enchanted Princess with her retinue.
As soon as she saw the youth, she ran towards him and greeted him as
her husband and master. She gave him all her treasures, and the youth
became a rich and mighty ruler. But he never returned to the earth,
for only the mighty eagle, who had been the guardian of the Princess
and of the castle, could have carried on his wings the enormous
treasure down to the world. But as the eagle had lost its feet it
died, and its body was found in a wood on the Glass Mountain.
* * * * *
One day when the youth was strolling about in the palace garden with
the Princess, his wife, he looked down over the edge of the Glass
Mountain and saw to his astonishment a great number of people gathered
there. He blew his silver whistle, and the swallow who acted as
messenger in the golden castle flew past.
‘Fly down and ask what the matter is,’ he said to the little bird, who
sped off like lightning and soon returned saying:
‘The blood of the eagle has restored all the people below to life. All
those who have perished on this mountain are awakening up to-day, as
it were from a sleep, and are mounting their horses, and the whole
population are gazing on this unheard-of wonder with joy and
amazement.’
_ALPHEGE, OR THE GREEN MONKEY_
Many years ago there lived a King, who was twice married. His first
wife, a good and beautiful woman, died at the birth of her little son,
and the King her husband was so overwhelmed with grief at her loss
that his only comfort was in the sight of his heir.
When the time for the young Prince’s christening came the King chose
as godmother a neighbouring Princess, so celebrated for her wisdom and
goodness that she was commonly called ‘the Good Queen.’ She named the
baby Alphege, and from that moment took him to her heart.
Time wipes away the greatest griefs, and after two or three years the
King married again. His second wife was a Princess of undeniable
beauty, but by no means of so amiable a disposition as the first
Queen. In due time a second Prince was born, and the Queen was
devoured with rage at the thought that Prince Alphege came between her
son and the throne. She took care however to conceal her jealous
feelings from the King.
At length she could control herself no longer, so she sent a trusty
servant to her old and faithful friend the Fairy of the Mountain, to
beg her to devise some means by which she might get rid of her
stepson.
The Fairy replied that, much as she desired to be agreeable to the
Queen in every way, it was impossible for her to attempt anything
against the young Prince, who was under the protection of some greater
Power than her own.
The ‘Good Queen’ on her side watched carefully over her godson. She
was obliged to do so from a distance, her own country being a remote
one, but she was well informed of all that went on and knew all about
the Queen’s wicked designs. She therefore sent the Prince a large and
splendid ruby, with injunctions to wear it night and day as it would
protect him from all attacks, but added that the talisman only
retained its power as long as the Prince remained within his father’s
dominions. The Wicked Queen knowing this made every attempt to get the
Prince out of the country, but her efforts failed, till one day
accident did what she was unable to accomplish.
The King had an only sister who was deeply attached to him, and who
was married to the sovereign of a distant country. She had always kept
up a close correspondence with her brother, and the accounts she heard
of Prince Alphege made her long to become acquainted with so charming
a nephew. She entreated the King to allow the Prince to visit her, and
after some hesitation which was overruled by his wife, he finally
consented.
Prince Alphege was at this time fourteen years old, and the handsomest
and most engaging youth imaginable. In his infancy he had been placed
in the charge of one of the great ladies of the Court, who, according
to the prevailing custom, acted first as his head nurse and then as
his governess. When he outgrew her care her husband was appointed as
his tutor and governor, so that he had never been separated from this
excellent couple, who loved him as tenderly as they did their only
daughter Zayda, and were warmly loved by him in return.
When the Prince set forth on his travels it was but natural that this
devoted couple should accompany him, and accordingly he started with
them and attended by a numerous retinue.
For some time he travelled through his father’s dominions and all went
well; but soon after passing the frontier they had to cross a desert
plain under a burning sun. They were glad to take shelter under a
group of trees near, and here the Prince complained of burning thirst.
Luckily a tiny stream ran close by and some water was soon procured,
but no sooner had he tasted it than he sprang from his carriage and
disappeared in a moment. In vain did his anxious followers seek for
him, he was nowhere to be found.
As they were hunting and shouting through the trees a great black
monkey suddenly appeared on a point of rock and said: ‘Poor sorrowing
people, you are seeking your Prince in vain. Return to your own
country and know that he will not be restored to you till you have for
some time failed to recognise him.’
With these words he vanished, leaving the courtiers sadly perplexed;
but as all their efforts to find the Prince were useless they had no
choice but to go home, bringing with them the sad news, which so
greatly distressed the King that he fell ill and died not long after.
The Queen, whose ambition was boundless, was delighted to see the
crown on her son’s head and to have the power in her own hands. Her
hard rule made her very unpopular, and it was commonly believed that
she had made away with Prince Alphege. Indeed, had the King her son
not been deservedly beloved a revolution would certainly have arisen.
[Illustration: The King makes friends with the Green Monkey]
Meantime the former governess of the unfortunate Alphege, who had lost
her husband soon after the King’s death, retired to her own house with
her daughter, who grew up a lovely and most loveable girl, and both
continued to mourn the loss of their dear Prince.
The young King was devoted to hunting, and often indulged in his
favourite pastime, attended by the noblest youths in his kingdom. One
day, after a long morning’s chase he stopped to rest near a brook in
the shade of a little wood, where a splendid tent had been prepared
for him. Whilst at luncheon he suddenly spied a little monkey of the
brightest green sitting on a tree and gazing so tenderly at him that
he felt quite moved. He forbade his courtiers to frighten it, and the
monkey, noticing how much attention was being paid him, sprang from
bough to bough, and at length gradually approached the King, who
offered him some food. The monkey took it very daintily and finally
came to the table. The King took him on his knees, and, delighted with
his capture, brought him home with him. He would trust no one else
with its care, and the whole Court soon talked of nothing but the
pretty green monkey.
One morning, as Prince Alphege’s governess and her daughter were alone
together, the little monkey sprang in through an open window. He had
escaped from the palace, and his manners were so gentle and caressing
that Zayda and her mother soon got over the first fright he had given
them. He had spent some time with them and quite won their hearts by
his insinuating ways, when the King discovered where he was and sent
to fetch him back. But the monkey made such piteous cries, and seemed
so unhappy when anyone attempted to catch him, that the two ladies
begged the King to leave him a little longer with them, to which he
consented.
One evening, as they sat by the fountain in the garden, the little
monkey kept gazing at Zayda with such sad and loving eyes that she and
her mother could not think what to make of it, and they were still
more surprised when they saw big tears rolling down his cheeks.
Next day both mother and daughter were sitting in a jessamine bower in
the garden, and they began to talk of the green monkey and his strange
ways. The mother said, ‘My dear child, I can no longer hide my
feelings from you. I cannot get the thought out of my mind that the
green monkey is no other than our beloved Prince Alphege, transformed
in this strange fashion. I know the idea sounds wild, but I cannot get
it out of my heart, and it leaves me no peace.’
As she spoke she glanced up, and there sat the little monkey, whose
tears and gestures seemed to confirm her words.
The following night the elder lady dreamt that she saw the Good Queen,
who said, ‘Do not weep any longer but follow my directions. Go into
your garden and lift up the little marble slab at the foot of the
great myrtle tree. You will find beneath it a crystal vase filled with
a bright green liquid. Take it with you and place the thing which is
at present most in your thoughts into a bath filled with roses and rub
it well with the green liquid.’
At these words the sleeper awoke, and lost no time in rising and
hurrying to the garden, where she found all as the Good Queen had
described. Then she hastened to rouse her daughter and together they
prepared the bath, for they would not let their women know what they
were about. Zayda gathered quantities of roses, and when all was ready
they put the monkey into a large jasper bath, where the mother rubbed
him all over with the green liquid.
[Illustration: The Green Monkey in the Bath.]
Their suspense was not long, for suddenly the monkey skin dropped off,
and there stood Prince Alphege, the handsomest and most charming of
men. The joy of such a meeting was beyond words. After a time the
ladies begged the Prince to relate his adventures, and he told them of
all his sufferings in the desert when he was first transformed. His
only comfort had been in visits from the Good Queen, who had at length
put him in the way of meeting his brother.
Several days were spent in these interesting conversations, but at
length Zayda’s mother began to think of the best means for placing the
Prince on the throne, which was his by right.
The Queen on her side was feeling very anxious. She had felt sure from
the first that her son’s pet monkey was no other than Prince Alphege,
and she longed to put an end to him. Her suspicions were confirmed by
the Fairy of the Mountain, and she hastened in tears to the King, her
son.
‘I am informed,’ she cried, ‘that some ill-disposed people have raised
up an impostor in the hopes of dethroning you. You must at once have
him put to death.’
The King, who was very brave, assured the Queen that he would soon
punish the conspirators. He made careful inquiries into the matter,
and thought it hardly probable that a quiet widow and a young girl
would think of attempting anything of the nature of a revolution.
He determined to go and see them, and to find out the truth for
himself; so one night, without saying anything to the Queen or his
ministers, he set out for the palace where the two ladies lived,
attended only by a small band of followers.
The two ladies were at the moment deep in conversation with Prince
Alphege, and hearing a knocking so late at night begged him to keep
out of sight for a time. What was their surprise when the door was
opened to see the King and his suite.
‘I know,’ said the King, ‘that you are plotting against my crown and
person, and I have come to have an explanation with you.’
As she was about to answer Prince Alphege, who had heard all, came
forward and said, ‘It is from me you must ask an explanation,
brother.’ He spoke with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at
him with mute surprise.
At length the King, recovering from his astonishment at recognising
the brother who had been lost some years before, exclaimed, ‘Yes, you
are indeed my brother, and now that I have found you, take the throne
to which I have no longer a right.’ So saying, he respectfully kissed
the Prince’s hand.
Alphege threw himself into his arms, and the brothers hastened to the
royal palace, where in the presence of the entire court he received
the crown from his brother’s hand. To clear away any possible doubt,
he showed the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his
childhood. As they were gazing at it, it suddenly split with a loud
noise, and at the same moment the Wicked Queen expired.
King Alphege lost no time in marrying his dear and lovely Zayda, and
his joy was complete when the Good Queen appeared at his wedding. She
assured him that the Fairy of the Mountain had henceforth lost all
power over him, and after spending some time with the young couple,
and bestowing the most costly presents on them, she retired to her own
country.
King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne, and they all
lived to a good old age, universally beloved and admired.
_FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY_
Once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his
marriage. At length heaven granted him a daughter of such remarkable
beauty that he could think of no name so appropriate for her as
‘Fairer-than-a-Fairy.’
It never occurred to the good-natured monarch that such a name was
certain to call down the hatred and jealousy of the fairies in a body
on the child, but this was what happened. No sooner had they heard of
this presumptuous name than they resolved to gain possession of her
who bore it, and either to torment her cruelly, or at least to conceal
her from the eyes of all men.
The eldest of their tribe was entrusted to carry out their revenge.
This Fairy was named Lagree; she was so old that she only had one eye
and one tooth left, and even these poor remains she had to keep all
night in a strengthening liquid. She was also so spiteful that she
gladly devoted all her time to carrying out all the mean or
ill-natured tricks of the whole body of fairies.
With her large experience, added to her native spite, she found but
little difficulty in carrying off Fairer-than-a-Fairy. The poor child,
who was only seven years old, nearly died of fear on finding herself
in the power of this hideous creature. However, when after an hour’s
journey underground she found herself in a splendid palace with lovely
gardens, she felt a little reassured, and was further cheered when she
discovered that her pet cat and dog had followed her.
The old Fairy led her to a pretty room which she said should be hers,
at the same time giving her the strictest orders never to let out the
fire which was burning brightly in the grate. She then gave two glass
bottles into the Princess’s charge, desiring her to take the greatest
care of them, and having enforced her orders with the most awful
threats in case of disobedience, she vanished, leaving the little girl
at liberty to explore the palace and grounds and a good deal relieved
at having only two apparently easy tasks set her.
Several years passed, during which time the Princess grew accustomed
to her lonely life, obeyed the Fairy’s orders, and by degrees forgot
all about the court of the King her father.