Hegropedaboutforsometime，tillhefoundthestaircaseinthetower，andthenbegantofeelhiswayupthesteps。
　　Onthefirstlandingaglimmeroflightcamethroughaslitinthewall，andhesawatinymansittingthere，withoutahead。
　　’Ho！ho！mylittlefellow，whatareyoudoingthere？’askedHans，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，gavehimakickwhichsenthimflyingdownthestairs。Thenheclimbedhigherstill，andfindingashewentdumbwatcherssittingoneverylanding，treatedthemashehaddonethefirst。
　　Atlasthereachedthetop，andashepausedforamomenttolookroundhimhesawanotherheadlessmancoweringintheverybellitself，waitingtillHansshouldseizethebell—pullinordertostrikehimablowwiththeclapper，whichwouldsoonhavemadeanendofhim。
　　’Stop，mylittlefriend！’criedHans。’Thatisnotpartofthebargain！Perhapsyousawhowyourcomradeswalkeddownstairs，andyouaregoingafterthem。Butasyouareinthehighestplaceyoushallmakeamoredignifiedexit，andfollowthemthroughthewindow！’
　　Withthesewordshebegantoclimbtheladder，inordertotakethelittlemanfromthebellandcarryouthisthreat。
　　Atthisthedwarfcriedoutimploringly，’Oh，brother！sparemylife，andIpromisethatneitherInormycomradeswillevertroubleyouanymore。Iamsmallandweak，butwhoknowswhethersomedayIshallnotbeabletorewardyou。’
　　’Youwretchedlittleshrimp，’repliedHans，’agreatdealofgoodyourgratitudeislikelytodome！ButasIhappentobefeelinginacheerfulmoodto—nightIwillletyouhaveyourlife。Buttakecarehowyoucomeacrossmeagain，oryoumaynotescapesoeasily！’
　　Theheadlessmanthankedhimhumbly，slidhastilydownthebellrope，andrandownthestepsofthetowerasifhehadleftafirebehindhim。ThenHansbegantoringlustily。
　　Whentheministerheardthesoundofthemidnightbellshewonderedgreatly，butrejoicedthathehadatlastfoundsomeonetowhomhecouldtrustthisduty。Hansrangthebellsforsometime，thenwenttothehay—loft，andfellfastasleep。
　　Nowitwasthecustomoftheministertogetupveryearly，andtogoroundtomakesurethatthemenwereallattheirwork。
　　ThismorningeveryonewasinhisplaceexceptHans，andnooneknewanythingabouthim。Nineo’clockcame，andnoHans，butwhenelevenstrucktheministerbegantofearthathehadvanishedliketheringerswhohadgonebeforehim。When，however，theservantsallgatheredroundthetablefordinner，Hansatlastmadehisappearancestretchinghimselfandyawning。
　　’Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime？’askedtheminister。
　　’Asleep，’saidHans。
　　’Asleep！’exclaimedtheministerinastonishment。’Youdon’tmeantotellmethatyoucangoonsleepingtillmid—day？’
　　’ThatisexactlywhatIdomean，’repliedHans。’Ifoneworksinthenightonemustsleepintheday，justasifoneworksinthedayonesleepsinthenight。IfyoucanfindsomebodyelsetoringthebellsatmidnightIamreadytobeginworkatdawn;butifyouwantmetoringthemImustgoonsleepingtillnoonattheveryearliest。’
　　Theministertriedtoarguethepointwithhim，butatlengththefollowingagreementwascometo。Hanswastogiveuptheringing，andwastoworkliketherestfromsunrisetosunset，withtheexceptionofanhourafterbreakfastandanhourafterdinner，whenhemightgotosleep。’But，ofcourse，’addedtheministercarelessly，’itmayhappennowandthen，especiallyinwinter，whenthedaysareshort，thatyouwillhavetoworkalittlelonger，togetsomethingfinished。’
　　’Notatall！’answeredHans。’UnlessIweretoleaveoffworkearlierinsummer，IwillnotdoastrokemorethanIhavepromised，andthatisfromdawntodark;soyouknowwhatyouhavetoexpect。’
　　Afewweekslatertheministerwasaskedtoattendachristeningintheneighbouringtown。HebadeHanscomewithhim，but，asthetownwasonlyafewhours’ridefromwherehelived，theministerwasmuchsurprisedtoseeHanscomeforthladenwithabagcontainingfood。
　　’Whatareyoutakingthatfor？’askedtheminister。’Weshallbetherebeforedark。’
　　’Whoknows？’repliedHans。’Manythingsmayhappentodelayourjourney，andIneednotremindyouofourcontractthatthemomentthesunsetsIceasetobeyourservant。Ifwedon’treachthetownwhileitisstilldaylightIshallleaveyoutoshiftforyourself。’
　　Theministerthoughthewasjoking，andmadenofurtherremark。
　　Butwhentheyhadleftthevillagebehindthem，andhadriddenafewmiles，theyfoundthatsnowhadfallenduringthenight，andhadbeenblownbythewindintodrifts。Thishinderedtheirprogress，andbythetimetheyhadenteredthethickwoodwhichlaybetweenthemandtheirdestinationthesunwasalreadytouchingthetopsofthetrees。ThehorsesploughedtheirwayslowlythroughthedeepsoftsnowandastheywentHanskeptturningtolookatthesun，whichlayattheirbacks。
　　’Isthereanythingbehindyou？’askedtheminister。’Orwhatisityouarealwaysturningroundfor？’
　　’IturnroundbecauseIhavenoeyesinthebackofmyneck，’
　　saidHans。
　　’Ceasetalkingnonsense，’repliedtheminister，’andgiveallyourmindtogettingustothetownbeforenightfall。’
　　Hansdidnotanswer，butrodeonsteadily，thougheverynowandthenhecastaglanceoverhisshoulder。
　　Whentheyarrivedinthemiddleofthewoodthesunsankaltogether。ThenHansreineduphishorse，tookhisknapsack，andjumpedoutofthesledge。
　　’Whatareyoudoing？Areyoumad？’askedtheminister，butHansansweredquietly，’Thesunissetandmyworkisover，andI
　　amgoingtocamphereforthenight。’
　　Invainthemasterprayedandthreatened，andpromisedHansalargerewardifhewouldonlydrivehimon。Theyoungmanwasnottobemoved。
　　’Areyounotashamedtourgemetobreakmyword？’saidhe。’Ifyouwanttoreachthetownto—nightyoumustgoalone。Thehourofmyfreedomhasstruck，andIcannotgowithyou。’
　　’MygoodHans，’entreatedtheminister，’Ireallyoughtnottoleaveyouhere。Considerwhatdangeryouwouldbein！Yonder，asyousee，agallowsissetup，andtwoevil—doersarehangingonit。Youcouldnotpossiblysleepwithsuchghastlyneighbours。’
　　’Whynot？’askedHans。’Thosegallowsbirdshanghighintheair，andmycampwillbeontheground;weshallhavenothingtodowitheachother。’Ashespoke，heturnedhisbackontheminister，andwenthisway。
　　Therewasnohelpforit，andtheministerhadtopushonbyhimself，ifheexpectedtoarriveintimeforthechristening。
　　Hisfriendsweremuchsurprisedtoseehimdriveupwithoutacoachman，andthoughtsomeaccidenthadhappened。ButwhenhetoldthemofhisconversationwithHanstheydidnotknowwhichwasthemostfoolish，masterorman。
　　ItwouldhavematteredlittletoHanshadheknownwhattheyweresayingorthinkingofhim。Hesatisfiedhishungerwiththefoodhehadinhisknapsack，lithispipe，pitchedhistentundertheboughsofatree，wrappedhimselfinhisfurs，andwentsoundasleep。Aftersomehours，hewasawakenedbyasuddennoise，andsatupandlookedabouthim。Themoonwasshiningbrightlyabovehishead，andclosebystoodtwoheadlessdwarfs，talkingangrily。AtthesightofHansthelittledwarfscriedout:
　　’Itishe！Itishe！’andoneofthemsteppingnearerexclaimed，’Ah，myoldfriend！itisaluckychancethathasbroughtushere。Mybonesstillachefrommyfalldownthestepsofthetower。Idaresayyouhavenotforgottenthatnight！Nowitistheturnofyourbones。Hi！comrades，makehaste！makehaste！’
　　Likeaswarmofmidges，ahostoftinyheadlesscreaturesseemedtospringstraightoutoftheground，andeveryonewasarmedwithaclub。Althoughtheyweresosmall，yetthereweresuchnumbersofthemandtheystrucksohardthatevenastrongmancoulddonothingagainstthem。Hansthoughthislasthourwascome，whenjustasthefightwasatthehottestanotherlittledwarfarrivedonthescene。
　　’Hold，comrades！’heshouted，turningtotheattackingparty。
　　’Thismanoncedidmeaservice，andIamhisdebtor。WhenIwasinhispowerhegrantedmemylife。Andevenifhedidthrowyoudownstairs，well，awarmbathsooncuredyourbruises，soyoumustjustforgivehimandgoquietlyhome。’
　　Theheadlessdwarfslistenedtohiswordsanddisappearedassuddenlyastheyhadcome。AssoonasHansrecoveredhimselfalittlehelookedathisrescuer，andsawhewasthedwarfhehadfoundseatedinthechurchbell。
　　’Ah！’saidthedwarf，seatinghimselfquietlyunderthetree。
　　’YoulaughedatmewhenItoldyouthatsomedayImightdoyouagoodturn。NowyouseeIwasright，andperhapsyouwilllearnforthefuturenottodespiseanycreature，howeversmall。’
　　’Ithankyoufrommyheart，’answeredHans。’Mybonesarestillsorefromtheirblows，andhaditnotbeenforyouIshouldindeedhavefaredbadly。’
　　’Ihavealmostpaidmydebt，’wentonthelittleman，’butasyouhavesufferedalready，Iwilldomore，andgiveyouapieceofinformation。Youneednotremainanylongerintheserviceofthatstingyminister，butwhenyougethometo—morrowgoatoncetothenorthcornerofthechurch，andthereyouwillfindalargestonebuiltintothewall，butnotcementedliketherest。
　　Thedayafterto—morrowthemoonisfull，andatmidnightyoumustgotothespotandgetthestoneoutofthewallwithapickaxe。Underthestoneliesagreattreasure，whichhasbeenhiddenthereintimeofwar。Besideschurchplate，youwillfindbagsofmoney，whichhavebeenlyinginthisplaceforoverahundredyears，andnooneknowstowhomitallbelongs。Athirdofthismoneyyoumustgivetothepoor，buttherestyoumaykeepforyourself。’Ashefinished，thecocksinthevillagecrowed，andthelittlemanwasnowheretobeseen。Hansfoundthathislimbsnolongerpainedhim，andlayforsometimethinkingofthehiddentreasure。Towardsmorninghefellasleep。
　　Thesunwashighintheheavenswhenhismasterreturnedfromthetown。
　　’Hans，’saidhe，’whatafoolyouwerenottocomewithmeyesterday！Iwaswellfeastedandentertained，andIhavemoneyinmypocketintothebargain，’hewenton，rattlingsomecoinswhilehespoke，tomakeHansunderstandhowmuchhehadlost。
　　’Ah，sir，’repliedHanscalmly，’inordertohavegainedsomuchmoneyyoumusthavelainawakeallnight，butIhaveearnedahundredtimesthatamountwhileIwassleepingsoundly。’
　　’Howdidyoumanagethat？’askedtheministereagerly，butHansanswered，’Itisonlyfoolswhoboastoftheirfarthings;wisementakecaretohidetheircrowns。’
　　Theydrovehome，andHansneglectednoneofhisduties，butputupthehorsesandgavethemtheirfoodbeforegoingtothechurchcorner，wherehefoundtheloosestone，exactlyintheplacedescribedbythedwarf。Thenhereturnedtohiswork。
　　Thefirstnightofthefullmoon，whenthewholevillagewasasleep，hestoleout，armedwithapickaxe，andwithmuchdifficultysucceededindislodgingthestonefromitsplace。
　　Sureenough，therewasthehole，andintheholelaythetreasure，exactlyasthelittlemanhadsaid。
　　ThefollowingSundayhehandedoverthethirdparttothevillagepoor，andinformedtheministerthathewishedtobreakhisbondofservice。As，however，hedidnotclaimanywages，theministermadenoobjections，butallowedhimtodoashewished。
　　SoHanswenthisway，boughthimselfalargehouse，andmarriedayoungwife，andlivedhappilyandprosperouslytotheendofhisdays。
　　[EhstnischeMarchen。]
　　THEYOUNGMANWHOWOULDHAVEHISEYESOPENED
　　Onceuponatimetherelivedayouthwhowasneverhappyunlesshewaspryingintosomethingthatotherpeopleknewnothingabout。Afterhehadlearnedtounderstandthelanguageofbirdsandbeasts，hediscoveredaccidentallythatagreatdealtookplaceundercoverofnightwhichmortaleyesneversaw。Fromthatmomenthefelthecouldnotresttillthesehiddensecretswerelaidbaretohim，andhespenthiswholetimewanderingfromonewizardtoanother，beggingthemtoopenhiseyes，butfoundnonetohelphim。AtlengthhereachedanoldmagiciancalledMana，whoselearningwasgreaterthanthatoftherest，andwhocouldtellhimallhewantedtoknow。Butwhentheoldmanhadlistenedattentivelytohim，hesaid，warningly:
　　’Myson，donotfollowafteremptyknowledge，whichwillnotbringyouhappiness，butratherevil。Muchishiddenfromtheeyesofmen，becausedidtheyknoweverythingtheirheartswouldnolongerbeatpeace。Knowledgekillsjoy，thereforethinkwellwhatyouaredoing，orsomedayyouwillrepent。Butifyouwillnottakemyadvice，thentrulyIcanshowyouthesecretsofthenight。Onlyyouwillneedmorethanaman’scouragetobearthesight。’
　　Hestoppedandlookedattheyoungman，whonoddedhishead，andthenthewizardcontinued，’To—morrownightyoumustgototheplacewhere，onceinsevenyears，theserpent—kinggivesagreatfeasttohiswholecourt。Infrontofhimstandsagoldenbowlfilledwithgoats’milk，andifyoucanmanagetodipapieceofbreadinthismilk，andeatitbeforeyouareobligedtofly，youwillunderstandallthesecretsofthenightthatarehiddenfromothermen。Itisluckyforyouthattheserpent—king’sfeasthappenstofallthisyear，otherwiseyouwouldhavehadlongtowaitforit。Buttakecaretobequickandbold，oritwillbetheworseforyou。’
　　Theyoungmanthankedthewizardforhiscounsel，andwenthiswayfirmlyresolvedtocarryouthispurpose，evenifhepaidforitwithhislife;andwhennightcamehesetoutforawide，lonelymoor，wheretheserpent—kingheldhisfeast。Withsharpenedeyes，helookedeagerlyallroundhim，butcouldseenothingbutamultitudeofsmallhillocks，thatlaymotionlessunderthemoonlight。Hecrouchedbehindabushforsometime，tillhefeltthatmidnightcouldnotbefaroff，whensuddenlytherearoseinthemiddleofthemoorabrilliantglow，asifastarwasshiningoveroneofthehillocks。Atthesamemomentallthehillocksbegantowritheandtocrawl，andfromeachonecamehundredsofserpentsandmadestraightfortheglow，wheretheyknewtheyshouldfindtheirking。Whentheyreachedthehillockwherehedwelt，whichwashigherandbroaderthantherest，andhadabrightlighthangingoverthetop，theycoiledthemselvesupandwaited。Thewhirrandconfusionfromalltheserpent—housesweresogreatthattheyouthdidnotdaretoadvanceonestep，butremainedwherehewas，watchingintentlyallthatwenton;butatlasthebegantotakecourage，andmovedonsoftlystepbystep。
　　Whathesawwascreepierthancreepy，andsurpassedallhehadeverdreamtof。Thousandsofsnakes，bigandlittleandofeverycolour，weregatheredtogetherinonegreatclusterroundahugeserpent，whosebodywasasthickasabeam，andwhichhadonitsheadagoldencrown，fromwhichthelightsprang。Theirhissingsanddartingtonguessoterrifiedtheyoungmanthathisheartsank，andhefeltheshouldneverhavecouragetopushontocertaindeath，whensuddenlyhecaughtsightofthegoldenbowlinfrontoftheserpent—king，andknewthatifhelostthischanceitwouldnevercomeback。So，withhishairstandingonendandhisbloodfrozeninhisveins，hecreptforwards。Oh！
　　whatanoiseandawhirrroseafreshamongtheserpents。
　　Thousandsofheadswerereared，andtongueswerestretchedouttostingtheintrudertodeath，buthappilyforhimtheirbodiesweresocloselyentwinedoneintheotherthattheycouldnotdisentanglethemselvesquickly。Likelightningheseizedabitofbread，dippeditinthebowl，andputitinhismouth，thendashedawayasiffirewaspursuinghim。Onheflewasifawholearmyoffoeswereathisheels，andheseemedtohearthenoiseoftheirapproachgrowingnearerandnearer。Atlengthhisbreathfailedhim，andhethrewhimselfalmostsenselessontheturf。Whilehelaytheredreadfuldreamshauntedhim。Hethoughtthattheserpent—kingwiththefierycrownhadtwinedhimselfroundhim，andwascrushingouthislife。Withaloudshriekhespranguptodobattlewithhisenemy，whenhesawthatitwasraysofthesunwhichhadwakenedhim。Herubbedhiseyesandlookedallround，butnothingcouldheseeofthefoesofthepastnight，andthemoorwherehehadrunintosuchdangermustbeatleastamileaway。Butitwasnodreamthathehadrunhardandfar，orthathehaddrunkofthemagicgoats’milk。Andwhenhefelthislimbs，andfoundthemwhole，hisjoywasgreatthathehadcomethroughsuchperilswithasoundskin。
　　Afterthefatiguesandterrorsofthenight，helaystilltillmid—day，buthemadeuphismindhewouldgothatveryeveningintotheforesttotrywhatthegoats’milkcouldreallydoforhim，andifhewouldnowbeabletounderstandallthathadbeenamysterytohim。Andonceintheforesthisdoubtsweresetatrest，forhesawwhatnomortaleyeshadeverseenbefore。
　　Beneaththetreesweregoldenpavilions，withflagsofsilverallbrightlylightedup。Hewasstillwonderingwhythepavilionswerethere，whenanoisewasheardamongthetrees，asifthewindhadsuddenlygotup，andonallsidesbeautifulmaidenssteppedfromthetreesintothebrightlightofthemoon。Thesewerethewood—nymphs，daughtersoftheearth—mother，whocameeverynighttoholdtheirdances，intheforest。Theyoungman，watchingfromhishidingplace，wishedhehadahundredeyesinhishead，fortwowerenotnearlyenoughforthesightbeforehim，thedanceslastingtillthefirststreaksofdawn。Thenasilveryveilseemedtobedrawnovertheladies，andtheyvanishedfromsight。Buttheyoungmanremainedwherehewastillthesunwashighintheheavens，andthenwenthome。
　　Hefeltthatdaytobeendless，andcountedtheminutestillnightshouldcome，andhemightreturntotheforest。Butwhenatlasthegottherehefoundneitherpavilionsnornymphs，andthoughhewentbackmanynightsafterheneversawthemagain。
　　Still，hethoughtaboutthemnightandday，andceasedtocareaboutanythingelseintheworld，andwassicktotheendofhislifewithlongingforthatbeautifulvision。Andthatwasthewayhelearnedthatthewizardhadspokentrulywhenhesaid，’Blindnessisman’shighestgood。’
　　[EhstnischeMarchen。]
　　THEBOYSWITHTHEGOLDENSTARS
　　Onceuponatimewhathappeneddidhappen:andifithadnothappened，youwouldneverhaveheardthisstory。
　　Well，onceuponatimetherelivedanemperorwhohadhalfaworldalltohimselftoruleover，andinthisworlddweltanoldherdandhiswifeandtheirthreedaughters，Anna，Stana，andLaptitza。
　　Anna，theeldest，wassobeautifulthatwhenshetookthesheeptopasturetheyforgottoeataslongasshewaswalkingwiththem。Stana，thesecond，wassobeautifulthatwhenshewasdrivingtheflockthewolvesprotectedthesheep。ButLaptitza，theyoungest，withaskinaswhiteasthefoamonthemilk，andwithhairassoftasthefinestlamb’swool，wasasbeautifulasbothhersistersputtogether——asbeautifulasshealonecouldbe。
　　Onesummerday，whentheraysofthesunwerepouringdownontheearth，thethreesisterswenttothewoodontheoutskirtsofthemountaintopickstrawberries。Astheywerelookingabouttofindwherethelargestberriesgrewtheyheardthetrampofhorsesapproaching，soloudthatyouwouldhavethoughtawholearmywasridingby。Butitwasonlytheemperorgoingtohuntwithhisfriendsandattendants。
　　Theywereallfinehandsomeyoungmen，whosattheirhorsesasiftheywerepartofthem，butthefinestandhandsomestofallwastheyoungemperorhimself。
　　Astheydrewnearthethreesisters，andmarkedtheirbeauty，theycheckedtheirhorsesandrodeslowlyby。
　　’Listen，sisters！’saidAnna，astheypassedon。’Ifoneofthoseyoungmenshouldmakemehiswife，Iwouldbakehimaloafofbreadwhichshouldkeephimyoungandbraveforever。’
　　’AndifI，’saidStana，’shouldbetheonechosen，Iwouldweavemyhusbandashirtwhichwillkeephimunscathedwhenhefightswithdragons;whenhegoesthroughwaterhewillneverevenbewet;orifthroughfire，itwillnotscorchhim。’
　　’AndI，’saidLaptitza，’willgivethemanwhochoosesmetwoboys，twins，eachwithagoldenstaronhisforehead，asbrightasthoseinthesky。’
　　Andthoughtheyspokelowtheyoungmenheard，andturnedtheirhorses’heads。
　　’Itakeyouatyourword，andmineshallyoube，mostlovelyofempresses！’criedtheemperor，andswungLaptitzaandherstrawberriesonthehorsebeforehim。
　　’AndIwillhaveyou，’’AndIyou，’exclaimedtwoofhisfriends，andtheyallrodebacktothepalacetogether。
　　Thefollowingmorningthemarriageceremonytookplace，andforthreedaysandthreenightstherewasnothingbutfeastingoverthewholekingdom。Andwhentherejoicingswereoverthenewswasineverybody’smouththatAnnahadsentforcorn，andhadmadetheloafofwhichshehadspokenatthestrawberrybeds。
　　Andthenmoredaysandnightspassed，andthisrumourwassucceededbyanotherone——thatStanahadprocuredsomeflax，andhaddriedit，andcombedit，andspunitintolinen，andseweditherselfintotheshirtofwhichshehadspokenoverthestrawberrybeds。
　　Nowtheemperorhadastepmother，andshehadadaughterbyherfirsthusband，wholivedwithherinthepalace。Thegirl’smotherhadalwaysbelievedthatherdaughterwouldbeempress，andnotthe’MilkwhiteMaiden，’thechildofamereshepherd。Soshehatedthegirlwithallherheart，andonlybidedhertimetodoherill。
　　Butshecoulddonothingaslongastheemperorremainedwithhiswifenightandday，andshebegantowonderwhatshecoulddotogethimawayfromher。
　　Atlast，wheneverythingelsehadfailed，shemanagedtomakeherbrother，whowaskingoftheneighbouringcountry，declarewaragainsttheemperor，andbesiegesomeofthefrontiertownswithalargearmy。Thistimeherschemewassuccessful。Theyoungemperorsprangupinwraththemomentheheardthenews，andvowedthatnothing，notevenhiswife，shouldhinderhisgivingthembattle。Andhastilyassemblingwhateversoldiershappenedtobeathandhesetoffatoncetomeettheenemy。Theotherkinghadnotreckonedontheswiftnessofhismovements，andwasnotreadytoreceivehim。Theemperorfellonhimwhenhewasoffhisguard，androutedhisarmycompletely。Thenwhenvictorywaswon，andthetermsofpeacehastilydrawnup，herodehomeasfastashishorsewouldcarryhim，andreachedthepalaceonthethirdday。
　　Butearlythatmorning，whenthestarsweregrowingpaleinthesky，twolittleboyswithgoldenhairandstarsontheirforeheadswereborntoLaptitza。Andthestepmother，whowaswatching，tookthemaway，anddugaholeinthecornerofthepalace，underthewindowsoftheemperor，andputtheminit，whileintheirsteadsheplacedtwolittlepuppies。
　　Theemperorcameintothepalace，andwhentheytoldhimthenewshewentstraighttoLaptitza’sroom。Nowordswereneeded;hesawwithhisowneyesthatLaptitzahadnotkeptthepromiseshehadmadeatthestrawberrybeds，and，thoughitnearlybrokehisheart，hemustgiveordersforherpunishment。
　　Sohewentoutsadlyandtoldhisguardsthattheempresswastobeburiedintheearthuptoherneck，sothateveryonemightknowwhatwouldhappentothosewhodaredtodeceivetheemperor。
　　Notmanydaysafter，thestepmother’swishwasfulfilled。Theemperortookherdaughtertowife，andagaintherejoicingslastedforthreedaysandthreenights。
　　Letusnowseewhathappenedtothetwolittleboys。
　　Thepoorlittlebabieshadfoundnorestevenintheirgraves。
　　Intheplacewheretheyhadbeenburiedtherespranguptwobeautifulyoungaspens，andthestepmother，whohatedthesightofthetrees，whichremindedherofhercrime，gaveordersthattheyshouldbeuprooted。Buttheemperorheardofit，andforbadethetreestobetouched，saying，’Letthemalone;Iliketoseethemthere！TheyarethefinestaspensIhaveeverbeheld！’
　　Andtheaspensgrewasnoaspenshadevergrownbefore。Ineachdaytheyaddedayear’sgrowth，andeachnighttheyaddedayear’sgrowth，andatdawn，whenthestarsfadedoutofthesky，theygrewthreeyears’growthinthetwinklingofaneye，andtheirboughssweptacrossthepalacewindows。Andwhenthewindmovedthemsoftly，theemperorwouldsitandlistentothemallthedaylong。
　　Thestepmotherknewwhatitallmeant，andhermindneverceasedfromtryingtoinventsomewayofdestroyingthetrees。Itwasnotaneasything，butawoman’swillcanpressmilkoutofastone，andhercunningwillovercomeheroes。Whatcraftwillnotdosoftwordsmayattain，andifthesedonotsucceedtherestillremainstheresourceoftears。
　　Onemorningtheempresssatontheedgeofherhusband’sbed，andbegantocoaxhimwithallsortsofprettyways。
　　Itwassometimebeforethebaittook，butatlength——evenemperorsareonlymen！
　　’Well，well，’hesaidatlast，’haveyourwayandcutdownthetrees;butoutofonetheyshallmakeabedforme，andoutoftheother，oneforyou！’
　　Andwiththistheempresswasforcedtobecontent。Theaspenswerecutdownnextmorning，andbeforenightthenewbedhadbeenplacedintheemperor’sroom。
　　Nowwhentheemperorlaydowninitheseemedasifhehadgrownahundredtimesheavierthanusual，yethefeltakindofcalmthatwasquitenewtohim。Buttheempressfeltasifshewaslyingonthornsandnettles，andcouldnotclosehereyes。
　　Whentheemperorwasfastasleep，thebedbegantocrackloudly，andtotheempresseachcrackhadameaning。Shefeltasifshewerelisteningtoalanguagewhichnoonebutherselfcouldunderstand。
　　’Isittooheavyforyou，littlebrother？’askedoneofthebeds。
　　’Oh，no，itisnotheavyatall，’answeredthebedinwhichtheemperorwassleeping。’Ifeelnothingbutjoynowthatmybelovedfatherrestsoverme。’
　　’Itisveryheavyforme！’saidtheotherbed，’foronmeliesanevilsoul。’
　　Andsotheytalkedontillthemorning，theempresslisteningallthewhile。
　　Bydaybreaktheempresshaddeterminedhowtogetridofthebeds。Shewouldhavetwoothersmadeexactlylikethem，andwhentheemperorhadgonehuntingtheyshouldbeplacedinhisroom。
　　Thiswasdoneandtheaspenbedswereburntinalargefire，tillonlyalittleheapofasheswasleft。
　　Yetwhiletheywereburningtheempressseemedtohearthesamewords，whichshealonecouldunderstand。
　　Thenshestoopedandgathereduptheashes，andscatteredthemtothefourwinds，sothattheymightblowoverfreshlandsandfreshseas，andnothingremainofthem。
　　Butshehadnotseenthatwherethefireburntbrightesttwosparksflewup，and，afterfloatingintheairforafewmoments，felldownintothegreatriverthatflowsthroughtheheartofthecountry。Herethesparkshadturnedintotwolittlefisheswithgoldenscales，andonewassoexactlyliketheotherthateveryonecouldtellatthefirstglancethattheymustbetwins。
　　Earlyonemorningtheemperor’sfishermenwentdowntotherivertogetsomefishfortheirmaster’sbreakfast，andcasttheirnetsintothestream。Asthelaststartwinkledoutoftheskytheydrewthemin，andamongthemultitudeoffisheslaytwowithscalesofgold，suchasnomanhadeverlookedon。
　　Theyallgatheredroundandwondered，andaftersometalktheydecidedthattheywouldtakethelittlefishesaliveastheywere，andgivethemasapresenttotheemperor。
　　’Donottakeusthere，forthatiswhencewecame，andyonderliesourdestruction，’saidoneofthefishes。
　　’Butwhatarewetodowithyou？’askedthefisherman。
　　’Goandcollectallthedewthatliesontheleaves，andletusswiminit。Thenlayusinthesun，anddonotcomenearustillthesun’sraysshallhavedriedoffthedew，’answeredtheotherfish。
　　Thefishermandidastheytoldhim——gatheredthedewfromtheleavesandletthemswiminit，thenputthemtolieinthesuntillthedewshouldbealldriedup。
　　Andwhenhecameback，whatdoyouthinkhesaw？Why，twoboys，twobeautifulyoungprinces，withhairasgoldenasthestarsontheirforeheads，andeachsoliketheother，thatatthefirstglanceeveryonewouldhaveknownthemfortwins。