thenheshutupthebox，andputitinhispocket。
　　Theyrushedonasfastasghosts，aswhirlwinds，asvampireswhentheyhuntatmidnight，andhowlongtheyrodenomancantell，forthewayisfar。
　　’Stop！Ihavesomeadvicetogiveyou，’saidthehorseatlast。
　　’Whatisit？’askedPetru。
　　’Youhaveknownwhatitistosuffercold;youwillhavetoendureheat，suchasyouhaveneverdreamedof。Beasbravenowasyouwerethen。Letnoonetemptyoutotrytocoolyourself，orevilwillbefallyou。’
　　’Forwards！’answeredPetru。’Donotworryyourself。IfIhaveescapedwithoutbeingfrozen，thereisnochanceofmymelting。’
　　’Whynot？Thisisaheatthatwillmeltthemarrowinyourbones——aheatthatisonlytobefeltinthekingdomoftheGoddessofThunder。’[3]
　　[3]IntheGerman’Donnerstag’——thedayoftheThunderGod，i。e。
　　Jupiter。
　　AnditWAShot。Theveryironofthehorse’sshoesbegantomelt，butPetrugavenoheed。Thesweatrandownhisface，buthedrieditwithhisgauntlet。Whatheatcouldbeheneverknewbefore，andontheway，notastone’sthrowfromtheroad，laythemostdeliciousvalleys，fullofshadytreesandbubblingstreams。WhenPetrulookedatthemhisheartburnedwithinhim，andhismouthgrewparched。Andstandingamongtheflowerswerelovelymaidenswhocalledtohiminsoftvoices，tillhehadtoshuthiseyesagainsttheirspells。
　　’Come，myhero，comeandrest;theheatwillkillyou，’saidthey。
　　Petrushookhisheadandsaidnothing，forhehadlostthepowerofspeech。
　　Longherodeinthisawfulstate，howlongnonecantell。
　　Suddenlytheheatseemedtobecomeless，and，inthedistance，hesawalittlehutonahill。ThiswasthedwellingoftheGoddessofThunder，andwhenhedrewreinatherdoorthegoddessherselfcameouttomeethim。
　　Shewelcomedhim，andkindlyinvitedhimin，andbadehimtellherallhisadventures。SoPetrutoldherallthathadhappenedtohim，andwhyhewasthere，andthentookfarewellofher，ashehadnotimetolose。’For，’hesaid，’whoknowshowfartheFairyoftheDawnmayyetbe？’
　　’Stayforonemoment，forIhaveawordofadvicetogiveyou。
　　YouareabouttoenterthekingdomofVenus;[4]goandtellher，asamessagefromme，thatIhopeshewillnottemptyoutodelay。Onyourwayback，cometomeagain，andIwillgiveyousomethingthatmaybeofusetoyou。’
　　[4]’Vineri’isFriday，andalso’Venus。’
　　SoPetrumountedhishorse，andhadhardlyriddenthreestepswhenhefoundhimselfinanewcountry。Hereitwasneitherhotnorcold，buttheairwaswarmandsoftlikespring，thoughthewayranthroughaheathcoveredwithsandandthistles。
　　’Whatcanthatbe？’askedPetru，whenhesawalong，longwayoff，attheveryendoftheheath，somethingresemblingahouse。
　　’ThatisthehouseofthegoddessVenus，’repliedthehorse，’andifweridehardwemayreachitbeforedark’;andhedartedofflikeanarrow，sothatastwilightfelltheyfoundthemselvesnearingthehouse。Petru’sheartleapedatthesight，forallthewayalonghehadbeenfollowedbyacrowdofshadowyfigureswhodancedabouthimfromrighttoleft，andfrombacktofront，andPetru，thoughabraveman，feltnowandthenathrilloffear。
　　’Theywon’thurtyou，’saidthehorse;’theyarejustthedaughtersofthewhirlwindamusingthemselveswhiletheyarewaitingfortheogreofthemoon。’
　　Thenhestoppedinfrontofthehouse，andPetrujumpedoffandwenttothedoor。
　　’Donotbeinsuchahurry，’criedthehorse。’ThereareseveralthingsImusttellyoufirst。YoucannotenterthehouseofthegoddessVenuslikethat。Sheisalwayswatchedandguardedbythewhirlwind。’
　　’WhatamItodothen？’
　　’Takethecopperwreath，andgowithittothatlittlehilloverthere。Whenyoureachit，saytoyourself，"Werethereeversuchlovelymaidens！suchangels！suchfairysouls！"Thenholdthewreathhighintheairandcry，"Oh！ifIknewwhetheranyonewouldacceptthiswreathfromme……ifIknew！ifIknew！"
　　andthrowthewreathfromyou！’
　　’AndwhyshouldIdoallthis？’saidPetru。
　　’Asknoquestions，butgoanddoit，’repliedthehorse。AndPetrudid。
　　Scarcelyhadheflungawaythecopperwreaththanthewhirlwindflunghimselfuponit，andtoreitinpieces。
　　ThenPetruturnedoncemoretothehorse。
　　’Stop！’criedthehorseagain。’Ihaveotherthingstotellyou。
　　TakethesilverwreathandknockatthewindowsofthegoddessVenus。Whenshesays，"Whoisthere？"answerthatyouhavecomeonfootandlostyourwayontheheath。Shewillthentellyoutogoyourwaybackagain;buttakecarenottostirfromthespot。Instead，besureyousaytoher，"No，indeedIshalldonothingofthesort，asfrommychildhoodIhaveheardstoriesofthebeautyofthegoddessVenus，anditwasnotfornothingthatIhadshoesmadeofleatherwithsolesofsteel，andhavetravelledfornineyearsandninemonths，andhavewoninbattlethesilverwreath，whichIhopeyoumayallowmetogiveyou，andhavedoneandsufferedeverythingtobewhereInowam。"Thisiswhatyoumustsay。Whathappensafterisyouraffair。’
　　Petruaskednomore，butwenttowardsthehouse。
　　Bythistimeitwaspitchdark，andtherewasonlytherayoflightthatstreamedthroughthewindowstoguidehim，andatthesoundofhisfootstepstwodogsbegantobarkloudly。
　　’Whichofthosedogsisbarking？Ishetiredoflife？’askedthegoddessVenus。
　　’ItisI，Ogoddess！’repliedPetru，rathertimidly。’Ihavelostmywayontheheath，anddonotknowwhereIamtosleepthisnight。’
　　’Wheredidyouleaveyourhorse？’askedthegoddesssharply。
　　Petrudidnotanswer。Hewasnotsureifhewastolie，orwhetherhehadbettertellthetruth。
　　’Goaway，myson，thereisnoplaceforyouhere，’repliedshe，drawingbackfromthewindow。
　　ThenPetrurepeatedhastilywhatthehorsehadtoldhimtosay，andnosoonerhadhedonesothanthegoddessopenedthewindow，andingentletonessheaskedhim:
　　’Letmeseethiswreath，myson，’andPetruhelditouttoher。
　　’Comeintothehouse，’wentonthegoddess;’donotfearthedogs，theyalwaysknowmywill。’Andsotheydid，forastheyoungmanpassedtheywaggedtheirtailstohim。
　　’Goodevening，’saidPetruasheenteredthehouse，and，seatinghimselfnearthefire，listenedcomfortablytowhateverthegoddessmightchoosetotalkabout，whichwasforthemostpartthewickednessofmen，withwhomshewasevidentlyveryangry。
　　ButPetruagreedwithherineverything，ashehadbeentaughtwasonlypolite。
　　Butwasanybodyeversooldasshe！IdonotknowwhyPetrudevouredhersowithhiseyes，unlessitwastocountthewrinklesonherface;butifsohewouldhavehadtolivesevenlives，andeachlifeseventimesthelengthofanordinaryone，beforehecouldhavereckonedthemup。
　　ButVenuswasjoyfulinherheartwhenshesawPetru’seyesfixeduponher。
　　’Nothingwasthatis，andtheworldwasnotaworldwhenIwasborn，’saidshe。’WhenIgrewupandtheworldcameintobeing，everyonethoughtIwasthemostbeautifulgirlthateverwasseen，thoughmanyhatedmeforit。Buteveryhundredyearstherecameawrinkleonmyface。AndnowIamold。’ThenshewentontotellPetruthatshewasthedaughterofanemperor，andtheirnearestneighbourwastheFairyoftheDawn，withwhomshehadaviolentquarrel，andwiththatshebrokeoutintoloudabuseofher。
　　Petrudidnotknowwhattodo。Helistenedinsilenceforthemostpart，butnowandthenhewouldsay，’Yes，yes，youmusthavebeenbadlytreated，’justforpoliteness’sake;whatmorecouldhedo？
　　’Iwillgiveyouatasktoperform，foryouarebrave，andwillcarryitthrough，’continuedVenus，whenshehadtalkedalongtime，andbothofthemweregettingsleepy。’ClosetotheFairy’shouseisawell，andwhoeverdrinksfromitwillblossomagainlikearose。Bringmeaflagonofit，andIwilldoanythingtoprovemygratitude。Itisnoteasy！nooneknowsthatbetterthanIdo！Thekingdomisguardedoneverysidebywildbeastsandhorribledragons;butIwilltellyoumoreaboutthat，andIalsohavesomethingtogiveyou。’Thensheroseandliftedthelidofaniron—boundchest，andtookoutofitaverytinyflute。
　　’Doyouseethis？’sheasked。’AnoldmangaveittomewhenI
　　wasyoung:whoeverlistenstothisflutegoestosleep，andnothingcanwakehim。TakeitandplayonitaslongasyouremaininthekingdomoftheFairyoftheDawn，andyouwillbesafe。
　　Atthis，PetrutoldherthathehadanothertasktofulfilatthewelloftheFairyoftheDawn，andVenuswasstillbetterpleasedwhensheheardhistale。
　　SoPetrubadehergood—night，putthefluteinitscase，andlaidhimselfdowninthelowestchambertosleep。
　　Beforethedawnhewasawakeagain，andhisfirstcarewastogivetoeachofhishorsesasmuchcornashecouldeat，andthentoleadthemtothewelltowater。Thenhedressedhimselfandmadereadytostart。
　　’Stop，’criedVenusfromherwindow，’Ihavestillapieceofadvicetogiveyou。Leaveoneofyourhorseshere，andonlytakethree。Rideslowlytillyougettothefairy’skingdom，thendismountandgoonfoot。Whenyoureturn，seethatallyourthreehorsesremainontheroad，whileyouwalk。ButaboveallbewarenevertolooktheFairyoftheDawnintheface，forshehaseyesthatwillbewitchyou，andglancesthatwillbefoolyou。
　　Sheishideous，morehideousthananythingyoucanimagine，withowl’seyes，foxyface，andcat’sclaws。Doyouhear？doyouhear？Besureyouneverlookather。’
　　Petruthankedher，andmanagedtogetoffatlast。
　　Far，faraway，wheretheheavenstouchtheearth，wherethestarskisstheflowers，asoftredlightwasseen，suchastheskysometimeshasinspring，onlylovelier，morewonderful。
　　ThatlightwasbehindthepalaceoftheFairyoftheDawn，andittookPetrutwodaysandnightsthroughflowerymeadowstoreachit。Andbesides，itwasneitherhotnorcold，brightnordark，butsomethingofthemall，andPetrudidnotfindthewayasteptoolong。
　　AftersometimePetrusawsomethingwhiteriseupoutoftheredofthesky，andwhenhedrewnearerhesawitwasacastle，andsosplendidthathiseyesweredazzledwhentheylookedatit。
　　Hedidnotknowtherewassuchabeautifulcastleintheworld。
　　Butnotimewastobelost，soheshookhimself，jumpeddownfromhishorse，and，leavinghimonthedewygrass，begantoplayonhisfluteashewalkedalong。
　　Hehadhardlygonemanystepswhenhestumbledoverahugegiant，whohadbeenlulledtosleepbythemusic。Thiswasoneoftheguardsofthecastle！Ashelaythereonhisback，heseemedsobigthatinspiteofPetru’shastehestoppedtomeasurehim。
　　ThefurtherwentPetru，themorestrangeandterriblewerethesightshesaw——lions，tigers，dragonswithsevenheads，allstretchedoutinthesunfastasleep。Itisneedlesstosaywhatthedragonswerelike，fornowadayseveryoneknows，anddragonsarenotthingstojokeabout。Petruranthroughthemlikethewind。Wasithasteorfearthatspurredhimon？
　　Atlasthecametoariver，butletnobodythinkforamomentthatthisriverwaslikeotherrivers？Insteadofwater，thereflowedmilk，andthebottomwasofpreciousstonesandpearls，insteadofsandandpebbles。Anditranneitherfastnorslow，butbothfastandslowtogether。Andtheriverflowedroundthecastle，andonitsbankssleptlionswithironteethandclaws;
　　andbeyondweregardenssuchasonlytheFairyoftheDawncanhave，andontheflowerssleptafairy！AllthissawPetrufromtheotherside。
　　Buthowwashetogetover？Tobesuretherewasabridge，but，evenifithadnotbeenguardedbysleepinglions，itwasplainlynotmeantformantowalkon。Whocouldtellwhatitwasmadeof？Itlookedlikesoftlittlewoollyclouds！
　　Sohestoodthinkingwhatwastobedone，forgetacrosshemust。
　　Afterawhile，hedeterminedtotaketherisk，andstrodebacktothesleepinggiant。’Wakeup，mybraveman！’hecried，givinghimashake。
　　ThegiantwokeandstretchedouthishandtopickupPetru，justasweshouldcatchafly。ButPetruplayedonhisflute，andthegiantfellbackagain。Petrutriedthisthreetimes，andwhenhewassatisfiedthatthegiantwasreallyinhispowerhetookoutahandkerchief，boundthetwolittlefingersofthegianttogether，drewhissword，andcriedforthefourthtime，’Wakeup，mybraveman。’
　　WhenthegiantsawthetrickwhichhadbeenplayedonhimhesaidtoPetru。’Doyoucallthisafairfight？Fightaccordingtorules，ifyoureallyareahero！’
　　’Iwillby—and—by，butfirstIwanttoaskyouaquestion！WillyouswearthatyouwillcarrymeovertheriverifIfighthonourablywithyou？’Andthegiantswore。
　　Whenhishandswerefreed，thegiantflunghimselfuponPetru，hopingtocrushhimbyhisweight。Buthehadmethismatch。Itwasnotyesterday，northedaybefore，thatPetruhadfoughthisfirstbattle，andheborehimselfbravely。
　　Forthreedaysandthreenightsthebattleraged，andsometimesonehadtheupperhand，andsometimestheother，tillatlengththeybothlaystrugglingontheground，butPetruwasontop，withthepointofhisswordatthegiant’sthroat。
　　’Letmego！letmego！’shriekedhe。’IownthatIambeaten！’
　　’Willyoutakemeovertheriver？’askedPetru。
　　’Iwill，’gaspedthegiant。
　　’WhatshallIdotoyouifyoubreakyourword？’
　　’Killme，anywayyoulike！Butletmelivenow。’
　　’Verywell，’saidPetru，andheboundthegiant’slefthandtohisrightfoot，tiedonehandkerchiefroundhismouthtopreventhimcryingout，andanotherroundhiseyes，andledhimtotheriver。
　　Oncetheyhadreachedthebankhestretchedonelegovertotheotherside，and，catchingupPetruinthepalmofhishand，sethimdownonthefurthershore。
　　’Thatisallright，’saidPetru。Thenheplayedafewnotesonhisflute，andthegiantwenttosleepagain。Eventhefairieswhohadbeenbathingalittlelowerdownheardthemusicandfellasleepamongtheflowersonthebank。Petrusawthemashepassed，andthought，’Iftheyaresobeautiful，whyshouldtheFairyoftheDawnbesougly？’Buthedarednotlinger，andpushedon。
　　Andnowhewasinthewonderfulgardens，whichseemedmorewonderfulstillthantheyhaddonefromafar。ButPetrucouldseenofadedflowers，noranybirds，ashehastenedthroughthemtothecastle。Noonewastheretobarhisway，forallwereasleep。Eventheleaveshadceasedtomove。
　　Hepassedthroughthecourtyard，andenteredthecastleitself。
　　Whathebeheldthereneednotbetold，foralltheworldknowsthatthepalaceoftheFairyoftheDawnisnoordinaryplace。
　　Goldandpreciousstoneswereascommonaswoodwithus，andthestableswherethehorsesofthesunwerekeptweremoresplendidthanthepalaceofthegreatestemperorintheworld。
　　Petruwentupthestairsandwalkedquicklythrougheight—and—fortyrooms，hungwithsilkenstuffs，andallempty。
　　Intheforty—ninthhefoundtheFairyoftheDawnherself。
　　Inthemiddleofthisroom，whichwasaslargeasachurch，Petrusawthecelebratedwellthathehadcomesofartoseek。Itwasawelljustlikeotherwells，anditseemedstrangethattheFairyoftheDawnshouldhaveitinherownchamber;yetanyonecouldtellithadbeenthereforhundredsofyears。AndbythewellslepttheFairyoftheDawn——theFairyoftheDawn——herself！
　　AndasPetrulookedatherthemagicflutedroppedbyhisside，andheheldhisbreath。
　　Nearthewellwasatable，onwhichstoodbreadmadewithdoes’
　　milk，andaflagonofwine。Itwasthebreadofstrengthandthewineofyouth，andPetrulongedforthem。Helookedonceatthebreadandonceatthewine，andthenattheFairyoftheDawn，stillsleepingonhersilkencushions。
　　Ashelookedamistcameoverhissenses。ThefairyopenedhereyesslowlyandlookedatPetru，wholosthisheadstillfurther;
　　buthejustmanagedtorememberhisflute，andafewnotesofitsenttheFairytosleepagain，andhekissedherthrice。Thenhestoopedandlaidhisgoldenwreathuponherforehead，ateapieceofthebreadanddrankacupfulofthewineofyouth，andthishedidthreetimesover。Thenhefilledaflaskwithwaterfromthewell，andvanishedswiftly。
　　Ashepassedthroughthegardenitseemedquitedifferentfromwhatitwasbefore。Theflowerswerelovelier，thestreamsranquicker，thesunbeamsshonebrighter，andthefairiesseemedgayer。AndallthishadbeencausedbythethreekissesPetruhadgiventheFairyoftheDawn。
　　Hepassedeverythingsafelyby，andwassoonseatedinhissaddleagain。Fasterthanthewind，fasterthanthought，fasterthanlonging，fasterthanhatredrodePetru。Atlengthhedismounted，and，leavinghishorsesattheroadside，wentonfoottothehouseofVenus。
　　ThegoddessVenusknewthathewascoming，andwenttomeethim，bearingwithherwhitebreadandredwine。
　　’Welcomeback，myprince，’saidshe。
　　’Goodday，andmanythanks，’repliedtheyoungman，holdingouttheflaskcontainingthemagicwater。Shereceiveditwithjoy，andafterashortrestPetrusetforth，forhehadnotimetolose。
　　Hestoppedafewminutes，ashehadpromised，withtheGoddessofThunder，andwastakingahastyfarewellofher，whenshecalledhimback。
　　’Stay，Ihaveawarningtogiveyou，’saidshe。’Bewareofyourlife;makefriendswithnoman;donotridefast，orletthewatergooutofyourhand;believenoone，andfleeflatteringtongues。Go，andtakecare，forthewayislong，theworldisbad，andyouholdsomethingveryprecious。ButIwillgiveyouthisclothtohelpyou。Itisnotmuchtolookat，butitisenchanted，andwhoevercarriesitwillneverbestruckbylightning，piercedbyalance，orsmittenwithasword，andthearrowswillglanceoffhisbody。’
　　Petruthankedherandrodeoff，and，takingouthistreasurebox，inquiredhowmattersweregoingathome。Notwell，itsaid。Theemperorwasblindaltogethernow，andFloreaandCostanhadbesoughthimtogivethegovernmentofthekingdomintotheirhands;buthewouldnot，sayingthathedidnotmeantoresignthegovernmenttillhehadwashedhiseyesfromthewelloftheFairyoftheDawn。ThenthebrothershadgonetoconsultoldBirscha，whotoldthemthatPetruwasalreadyonhiswayhomebearingthewater。Theyhadsetouttomeethim，andwouldtrytotakethemagicwaterfromhim，andthenclaimastheirrewardthegovernmentoftheemperor。
　　’Youarelying！’criedPetruangrily，throwingtheboxontheground，whereitbrokeintoathousandpieces。
　　Itwasnotlongbeforehebegantocatchglimpsesofhisnativeland，andhedrewreinnearabridge，thebettertolookatit。
　　Hewasstillgazing，whenheheardasoundinthedistanceasifsomeonewascallinghitbyhisname。
　　’You，Petru！’itsaid。
　　’On！on！’criedthehorse;’itwillfareillwithyouifyoustop。’
　　’No，letusstop，andseewhoandwhatitis！’answeredPetru，turninghishorseround，andcomingfacetofacewithhistwobrothers。HehadforgottenthewarninggivenhimbytheGoddessofThunder，andwhenCostanandFloreadrewnearwithsoftandflatteringwordshejumpedstraightoffhishorse，andrushedtoembracethem。Hehadathousandquestionstoask，andathousandthingstotell。Buthisbrownhorsestoodsadlyhanginghishead。
　　’Petru，mydearbrother，’atlengthsaidFlorea，’woulditnotbebetterifwecarriedthewaterforyou？Someonemighttrytotakeitfromyouontheroad，whilenoonewouldsuspectus。’
　　’Soitwould，’addedCostan。’Floreaspeakswell。’ButPetrushookhishead，andtoldthemwhattheGoddessofThunderhadsaid，andabouttheclothshehadgivenhim。Andbothbrothersunderstoodtherewasonlyonewayinwhichtheycouldkillhim。
　　Atastone’sthrowfromwheretheystoodranarushingstream，withcleardeeppools。
　　’Don’tyoufeelthirsty，Costan？’askedFlorea，winkingathim。
　　’Yes，’repliedCostan，understandingdirectlywhatwaswanted。
　　’Come，Petru，letusdrinknowwehavethechance，andthenwewillsetoutonourwayhome。Itisagoodthingyouhaveuswithyou，toprotectyoufromharm。’
　　Thehorseneighed，andPetruknewwhatitmeant，anddidnotgowithhisbrothers。
　　No，hewenthometohisfather，andcuredhisblindness;andasforhisbrothers，theyneverreturnedagain。
　　[FromRumanischeMarchen。]
　　THEENCHANTEDKNIFE
　　Onceuponatimetherelivedayoungmanwhovowedthathewouldnevermarryanygirlwhohadnotroyalbloodinherveins。Onedayhepluckedupallhiscourageandwenttothepalacetoasktheemperorforhisdaughter。Theemperorwasnotmuchpleasedatthethoughtofsuchamatchforhisonlychild，butbeingverypolite，heonlysaid:
　　’Verywell，myson，ifyoucanwintheprincessyoushallhaveher，andtheconditionsarethese。Ineightdaysyoumustmanagetotameandbringtomethreehorsesthathaveneverfeltamaster。Thefirstispurewhite，thesecondafoxy—redwithablackhead，thethirdcoalblackwithawhiteheadandfeet。Andbesidesthat，youmustalsobringasapresenttotheempress，mywife，asmuchgoldasthethreehorsescancarry。’
　　Theyoungmanlistenedindismaytothesewords，butwithanefforthethankedtheemperorforhiskindnessandleftthepalace，wonderinghowhewastofulfilthetaskallottedtohim。
　　Luckilyforhim，theemperor’sdaughterhadoverheardeverythingherfatherhadsaid，andpeepingthroughacurtainhadseentheyouth，andthoughthimhandsomerthananyoneshehadeverbeheld。
　　Soreturninghastilytoherownroom，shewrotehimaletterwhichshegavetoatrustyservanttodeliver，beggingherwooertocometoherroomsearlythenextday，andtoundertakenothingwithoutheradvice，ifheeverwishedhertobehiswife。
　　Thatnight，whenherfatherwasasleep，shecreptsoftlyintohischamberandtookoutanenchantedknifefromthechestwherehekepthistreasures，andhiditcarefullyinasafeplacebeforeshewenttobed。
　　Thesunhadhardlyrisenthefollowingmorningwhentheprincess’snursebroughttheyoungmantoherapartments。
　　Neitherspokeforsomeminutes，butstoodholdingeachother’shandsforjoy，tillatlasttheybothcriedoutthatnothingbutdeathshouldpartthem。Thenthemaidensaid:
　　’Takemyhorse，andridestraightthroughthewoodtowardsthesunsettillyoucometoahillwiththreepeaks。Whenyougetthere，turnfirsttotherightandthentotheleft，andyouwillfindyourselfinasunmeadow，wheremanyhorsesarefeeding。
　　Outoftheseyoumustpickoutthethreedescribedtoyoubymyfather。Iftheyproveshy，andrefusetoletyougetnearthem，drawoutyourknife，andletthesunshineonitsothatthewholemeadowislitupbyitsrays，andthehorseswillthenapproachyouoftheirownaccord，andwillletyouleadthemaway。Whenyouhavethemsafely，lookabouttillyouseeacypresstree，whoserootsareofbrass，whoseboughsareofsilver，andwhoseleavesareofgold。Gotoit，andcutawaytherootswithyourknife，andyouwillcometocountlessbagsofgold。Loadthehorseswithalltheycancarry，andreturntomyfather，andtellhimthatyouhavedoneyourtask，andcanclaimmeforyourwife。’
　　Theprincesshadfinishedallshehadtosay，andnowitdependedontheyoungmantodohispart。Hehidtheknifeinthefoldsofhisgirdle，mountedhishorse，androdeoffinsearchofthemeadow。Thishefoundwithoutmuchdifficulty，butthehorseswereallsoshythattheygallopedawaydirectlyheapproachedthem。Thenhedrewhisknife，andheldituptowardsthesun，anddirectlythereshonesuchaglorythatthewholemeadowwasbathedinit。Fromallsidesthehorsesrushedpressinground，andeachonethatpassedhimfellonitskneestodohimhonour。
　　Butheonlychosefromthemallthethreethattheemperorhaddescribed。Thesehesecuredbyasilkenropetohisownhorse，andthenlookedaboutforthecypresstree。Itwasstandingbyitselfinonecorner，andinamomenthewasbesideit，tearingawaytheearthwithhisknife。Deeperanddeeperhedug，tillfardown，belowtherootsofbrass，hisknifestruckupontheburiedtreasure，whichlayheapedupinbagsallaround。Withagreateffortheliftedthemfromtheirhidingplace，andlaidthemonebyoneonhishorses’backs，andwhentheycouldcarrynomoreheledthembacktotheemperor。Andwhentheemperorsawhim，hewondered，butneverguessedhowitwastheyoungmanhadbeentoocleverforhim，tillthebetrothalceremonywasover。Thenheaskedhisnewlymadeson—in—lawwhatdowryhewouldrequirewithhisbride。Towhichthebridegroommadeanswer，’Nobleemperor！allIdesireisthatImayhaveyourdaughterformywife，andenjoyforevertheuseofyourenchantedknife。’
　　[VolksmarchenderSerben。]
　　JESPERWHOHERDEDTHEHARES
　　Therewasonceakingwhoruledoverakingdomsomewherebetweensunriseandsunset。Itwasassmallaskingdomsusuallywereinoldtimes，andwhenthekingwentuptotheroofofhispalaceandtookalookroundhecouldseetotheendsofitineverydirection。Butasitwasallhisown，hewasveryproudofit，andoftenwonderedhowitwouldgetalongwithouthim。Hehadonlyonechild，andthatwasadaughter，soheforesawthatshemustbeprovidedwithahusbandwhowouldbefittobekingafterhim。Wheretofindonerichenoughandcleverenoughtobeasuitablematchfortheprincesswaswhattroubledhim，andoftenkepthimawakeatnight。
　　Atlasthedevisedaplan。Hemadeaproclamationoverallhiskingdom（andaskedhisnearestneighbourstopublishitintheirsaswell）thatwhoevercouldbringhimadozenofthefinestpearlsthekinghadeverseen，andcouldperformcertaintasksthatwouldbesethim，shouldhavehisdaughterinmarriageandinduetimesucceedtothethrone。Thepearls，hethought，couldonlybebroughtbyaverywealthyman，andthetaskswouldrequireunusualtalentstoaccomplishthem。
　　Therewereplentywhotriedtofulfilthetermswhichthekingproposed。Richmerchantsandforeignprincespresentedthemselvesoneaftertheother，sothatsomedaysthenumberofthemwasquiteannoying;but，thoughtheycouldallproducemagnificentpearls，notoneofthemcouldperformeventhesimplestofthetaskssetthem。Someturnedup，too，whoweremereadventurers，andtriedtodeceivetheoldkingwithimitationpearls;buthewasnottobetakeninsoeasily，andtheyweresoonsentabouttheirbusiness。Attheendofseveralweeksthestreamofsuitorsbegantofalloff，andstilltherewasnoprospectofasuitableson—in—law。