Theboysgrewfast。Ineverydaytheygrewayear’sgrowth，andineverynightanotheryear’sgrowth，butatdawn，whenthestarswerefading，theygrewthreeyears’growthinthetwinklingofaneye。Andtheygrewinotherthingsbesidesheight，too。Thriceinage，andthriceinwisdom，andthriceinknowledge。Andwhenthreedaysandthreenightshadpassedtheyweretwelveyearsinage，twenty—fourinstrength，andthirty—sixinwisdom。
　　’Nowtakeustoourfather，’saidthey。Sothefishermangavethemeachalambskincapwhichhalfcoveredtheirfaces，andcompletelyhidtheirgoldenhairandthestarsontheirforeheads，andledthemtothecourt。
　　Bythetimetheyarrivedthereitwasmidday，andthefishermanandhischargeswentuptoanofficialwhowasstandingabout。
　　’Wewishtospeakwiththeemperor，’saidoneoftheboys。
　　’Youmustwaituntilhehasfinishedhisdinner，’repliedtheporter。
　　’No，whileheiseatingit，’saidthesecondboy，steppingacrossthethreshold。
　　Theattendantsallranforwardtothrustsuchimpudentyoungstersoutsidethepalace，buttheboysslippedthroughtheirfingerslikequicksilver，andenteredalargehall，wheretheemperorwasdining，surroundedbyhiswholecourt。
　　’Wedesiretoenter，’saidoneoftheprincessharplytoaservantwhostoodnearthedoor。
　　’Thatisquiteimpossible，’repliedtheservant。
　　’Isit？letussee！’saidthesecondprince，pushingtheservantstorightandleft。
　　Buttheservantsweremany，andtheprincesonlytwo。Therewasthenoiseofastruggle，whichreachedtheemperor’sears。
　　’Whatisthematter？’askedheangrily。
　　Theprincesstoppedatthesoundoftheirfather’svoice。
　　’Twoboyswhowanttoforcetheirwayin，’repliedoneoftheservants，approachingtheemperor。
　　’ToFORCEtheirwayin？Whodarestouseforceinmypalace？
　　Whatboysarethey？’saidtheemperorallinonebreath。
　　’Weknownot，Omightyemperor，’answeredtheservant，’buttheymustsurelybeakintoyou，fortheyhavethestrengthoflions，andhavescatteredtheguardsatthegate。Andtheyareasproudastheyarestrong，fortheywillnottaketheircapsfromtheirheads。’
　　Theemperor，ashelistened，grewredwithanger。
　　’Thrustthemout，’criedhe。’Setthedogsafterthem。’
　　’Leaveusalone，andwewillgoquietly，’saidtheprinces，andsteppedbackwards，weepingsilentlyattheharshwords。Theyhadalmostreachedthegateswhenaservantranuptothem。
　　’Theemperorcommandsyoutoreturn，’pantedhe:’theempresswishestoseeyou。’
　　Theprincesthoughtamoment:thentheywentbackthewaytheyhadcome，andwalkedstraightuptotheemperor，theircapsstillontheirheads。
　　Hesatatthetopofalongtablecoveredwithflowersandfilledwithguests。Andbesidehimsattheempress，supportedbytwelvecushions。Whentheprincesenteredoneofthecushionsfelldown，andthereremainedonlyeleven。
　　’Takeoffyourcaps，’saidoneofthecourtiers。
　　’Acoveredheadisamongmenasignofhonour。Wewishtoseemwhatweare。’
　　’Nevermind，’saidtheemperor，whoseangerhaddroppedbeforethesilverytonesoftheboy’svoice。’Stayasyouare，buttellmeWHOyouare！Wheredoyoucomefrom，andwhatdoyouwant？’
　　’Wearetwins，twoshootsfromonestem，whichhasbeenbroken，andhalfliesinthegroundandhalfsitsattheheadofthistable。Wehavetravelledalongway，wehavespokenintherustleofthewind，havewhisperedinthewood，wehavesunginthewaters，butnowwewishtotellyouastorywhichyouknowwithoutknowingit，inthespeechofmen。’
　　Andasecondcushionfelldown。
　　’Letthemtaketheirsillinesshome，’saidtheempress。
　　’Oh，no，letthemgoon，’saidtheemperor。’Youwishedtoseethem，butIwishtohearthem。Goon，boys，singmethestory。’
　　Theempresswassilent，buttheprincesbegantosingthestoryoftheirlives。
　　’Therewasonceanemperor，’beganthey，andthethirdcushionfelldown。
　　Whentheyreachedthewarlikeexpeditionoftheemperorthreeofthecushionsfelldownatonce。
　　Andwhenthetalewasfinishedtherewerenomorecushionsundertheempress，butthemomentthattheyliftedtheircaps，andshowedtheirgoldenhairandthegoldenstars，theeyesoftheemperorandofallhisguestswerebentonthem，andtheycouldhardlybearthepowerofsomanyglances。
　　Andtherehappenedintheendwhatshouldhavehappenedinthebeginning。Laptitzasatnextherhusbandatthetopofthetable。Thestepmother’sdaughterbecamethemeanestsewingmaidinthepalace，thestepmotherwastiedtoawildhorse，andeveryoneknewandhasneverforgottenthatwhoeverhasamindturnedtowickednessissuretoendbadly。
　　[RumanischeMarchen。]
　　THEFROG
　　Onceuponatimetherewasawomanwhohadthreesons。Thoughtheywerepeasantstheywerewelloff，forthesoilonwhichtheylivedwasfruitful，andyieldedrichcrops。Onedaytheyallthreetoldtheirmothertheymeanttogetmarried。Towhichtheirmotherreplied:’Doasyoulike，butseethatyouchoosegoodhousewives，whowilllookcarefullyafteryouraffairs;and，tomakecertainofthis，takewithyouthesethreeskeinsofflax，andgiveittothemtospin。Whoeverspinsthebestwillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’
　　Nowthetwoeldestsonshadalreadychosentheirwives;sotheytooktheflaxfromtheirmother，andcarrieditoffwiththem，tohaveitspunasshehadsaid。Buttheyoungestsonwaspuzzledwhattodowithhisskein，asheknewnogirl（neverhavingspokentoany）towhomhecouldgiveittobespun。Hewanderedhitherandthither，askingthegirlsthathemetiftheywouldundertakethetaskforhim，butatthesightoftheflaxtheylaughedinhisfaceandmockedathim。Thenindespairhelefttheirvillages，andwentoutintothecountry，and，seatinghimselfonthebankofapondbegantocrybitterly。
　　Suddenlytherewasanoiseclosebesidehim，andafrogjumpedoutofthewaterontothebankandaskedhimwhyhewascrying。
　　Theyouthtoldherofhistrouble，andhowhisbrotherswouldbringhomelinenspunforthembytheirpromisedwives，butthatnoonewouldspinhisthread。
　　Thenthefroganswered:’Donotweeponthataccount;givemethethread，andIwillspinitforyou。’And，havingsaidthis，shetookitoutofhishand，andfloppedbackintothewater，andtheyouthwentback，notknowingwhatwouldhappennext。
　　Inashorttimethetwoelderbrotherscamehome，andtheirmotheraskedtoseethelinenwhichhadbeenwovenoutoftheskeinsofflaxshehadgiventhem。Theyallthreelefttheroom;
　　andinafewminutesthetwoeldestreturned，bringingwiththemthelinenthathadbeenspunbytheirchosenwives。Buttheyoungestbrotherwasgreatlytroubled，forhehadnothingtoshowfortheskeinofflaxthathadbeengiventohim。Sadlyhebetookhimselftothepond，andsittingdownonthebank，begantoweep。
　　Flop！andthefrogappearedoutofthewaterclosebesidehim。
　　’Takethis，’shesaid;’hereisthelinenthatIhavespunforyou。’
　　Youmayimaginehowdelightedtheyouthwas。Sheputthelinenintohishands，andhetookitstraightbacktohismother，whowassopleasedwithitthatshedeclaredshehadneverseenlinensobeautifullyspun，andthatitwasfarfinerandwhiterthanthewebsthatthetwoelderbrothershadbroughthome。
　　Thensheturnedtohersonsandsaid:’Butthisisnotenough，mysons，Imusthaveanotherproofastowhatsortofwivesyouhavechosen。Inthehousetherearethreepuppies。Eachofyoutakeone，andgiveittothewomanwhomyoumeantobringhomeasyourwife。Shemusttrainitandbringitup。Whicheverdogturnsoutthebest，itsmistresswillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’
　　Sotheyoungmensetoutontheirdifferentways，eachtakingapuppywithhim。Theyoungest，notknowingwheretogo，returnedtothepond，satdownoncemoreonthebank，andbegantoweep。
　　Flop！andclosebesidehim，hesawthefrog。’Whyareyouweeping？’shesaid。Thenhetoldherhisdifficulty，andthathedidnotknowtowhomheshouldtakethepuppy。
　　’Giveittome，’shesaid，’andIwillbringitupforyou。’
　　And，seeingthattheyouthhesitated，shetookthelittlecreatureoutofhisarms，anddisappearedwithitintothepond。
　　Theweeksandmonthspassed，tillonedaythemothersaidshewouldliketoseehowthedogshadbeentrainedbyherfuturedaughters—in—law。Thetwoeldestsonsdeparted，andreturnedshortly，leadingwiththemtwogreatmastiffs，whogrowledsofiercely，andlookedsosavage，thatthemeresightofthemmadethemothertremblewithfear。
　　Theyoungestson，aswashiscustom，wenttothepond，andcalledonthefrogtocometohisrescue。
　　Inaminuteshewasathisside，bringingwithherthemostlovelylittledog，whichsheputintohisarms。Itsatupandbeggedwithitspaws，andwentthroughtheprettiesttricks，andwasalmosthumaninthewayitunderstoodanddidwhatitwastold。
　　Inhighspiritstheyouthcarrieditofftohismother。Assoonasshesawit，sheexclaimed:’ThisisthemostbeautifullittledogIhaveeverseen。Youareindeedfortunate，myson;youhavewonapearlofawife。’
　　Then，turningtotheothers，shesaid:’Herearethreeshirts;
　　takethemtoyourchosenwives。Whoeversewsthebestwillbemyfavouritedaughter—in—law。’
　　Sotheyoungmensetoutoncemore;andagain，thistime，theworkofthefrogwasmuchthebestandtheneatest。
　　Thistimethemothersaid:’NowthatIamcontentwiththetestsIgave，Iwantyoutogoandfetchhomeyourbrides，andIwillpreparethewedding—feast。’
　　Youmayimaginewhattheyoungestbrotherfeltonhearingthesewords。Whencewashetofetchabride？Wouldthefrogbeabletohelphiminthisnewdifficulty？Withbowedhead，andfeelingverysad，hesatdownontheedgeofthepond。
　　Flop！andoncemorethefaithfulfrogwasbesidehim。
　　’Whatistroublingyousomuch？’sheaskedhim，andthentheyouthtoldhereverything。
　　’Willyoutakemeforawife？’sheasked。
　　’WhatshouldIdowithyouasawife，’hereplied，wonderingatherstrangeproposal。
　　’Oncemore，willyouhavemeorwillyounot？’shesaid。
　　’Iwillneitherhaveyou，norwillIrefuseyou，’saidhe。
　　Atthisthefrogdisappeared;andthenextminutetheyouthbeheldalovelylittlechariot，drawnbytwotinyponies，standingontheroad。Thefrogwasholdingthecarriagedooropenforhimtostepin。
　　’Comewithme，’shesaid。Andhegotupandfollowedherintothechariot。
　　Astheydrovealongtheroadtheymetthreewitches;thefirstofthemwasblind，thesecondwashunchbacked，andthethirdhadalargethorninherthroat。Whenthethreewitchesbeheldthechariot，withthefrogseatedpompouslyamongthecushions，theybrokeintosuchfitsoflaughterthattheeyelidsoftheblindoneburstopen，andsherecoveredhersight;thehunchbackrolledaboutonthegroundinmerrimenttillherbackbecamestraight，andinaroaroflaughterthethornfelloutofthethroatofthethirdwitch。Theirfirstthoughtwastorewardthefrog，whohadunconsciouslybeenthemeansofcuringthemoftheirmisfortunes。
　　Thefirstwitchwavedhermagicwandoverthefrog，andchangedherintotheloveliestgirlthathadeverbeenseen。Thesecondwitchwavedthewandoverthetinychariotandponies，andtheywereturnedintoabeautifullargecarriagewithprancinghorses，andacoachmanontheseat。Thethirdwitchgavethegirlamagicpurse，filledwithmoney。Havingdonethis，thewitchesdisappeared，andtheyouthwithhislovelybridedrovetohismother’shome。Greatwasthedelightofthemotheratheryoungestson’sgoodfortune。Abeautifulhousewasbuiltforthem;shewasthefavouritedaughter—in—law;everythingwentwellwiththem，andtheylivedhappilyeverafter。
　　[FromtheItalian。]
　　THEPRINCESSWHOWASHIDDENUNDERGROUND
　　Oncetherewasakingwhohadgreatriches，which，whenhedied，hedividedamonghisthreesons。Thetwoeldestoftheselivedinriotingandfeasting，andthuswastedandsquanderedtheirfather’swealthtillnothingremained，andtheyfoundthemselvesinwantandmisery。Theyoungestofthethreesons，onthecontrary，madegooduseofhisportion。Hemarriedawifeandsoontheyhadamostbeautifuldaughter，forwhom，whenshewasgrownup，hecausedagreatpalacetobebuiltunderground，andthenkilledthearchitectwhohadbuiltit。Nextheshutuphisdaughterinside，andthensentheraldsallovertheworldtomakeknownthathewhoshouldfindtheking’sdaughtershouldhavehertowife。Ifhewerenotcapableoffindingherthenhemustdie。
　　Manyyoungmensoughttodiscoverher，butallperishedintheattempt。
　　Aftermanyhadmettheirdeaththus，therecameayoungman，beautifultobehold，andascleverashewasbeautiful，whohadagreatdesiretoattempttheenterprise。Firsthewenttoaherdsman，andbeggedhimtohidehiminasheepskin，whichhadagoldenfleece，andinthisdisguisetotakehimtotheking。Theshepherdlethimselfbepersuadedsotodo，tookaskinhavingagoldenfleece，sewedtheyoungmaninit，puttinginalsofoodanddrink，andsobroughthimbeforetheking。
　　Whenthelattersawthegoldenlamb，heaskedtheherd:’Willyousellmethislamb？’
　　Buttheherdanswered:’No，ohking;Iwillnotsellit;butifyoufindpleasuretherein，Iwillbewillingtoobligeyou，andI
　　willlendittoyou，freeofcharge，forthreedays，afterthatyoumustgiveitbacktome。’
　　Thisthekingagreedtodo，andhearoseandtookthelambtohisdaughter。Whenhehadleditintoherpalace，andthroughmanyrooms，hecametoashutdoor。Thenhecalled’Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth！’andthedooropenedofitself。Afterthattheywentthroughmanymorerooms，andcametoanothercloseddoor。Againthekingcalledout:’Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth！’andthisdooropenedliketheother，andtheycameintotheapartmentwheretheprincessdwelt，thefloor，walls，androofofwhichwereallofsilver。
　　Whenthekinghadembracedtheprincess，hegaveherthelamb，tohergreatjoy。Shestrokedit，caressedit，andplayedwithit。
　　Afterawhilethelambgotloose，which，whentheprincesssaw，shesaid:’See，father，thelambisfree。’
　　Butthekinganswered:’Itisonlyalamb，whyshoulditnotbefree？’
　　Thenheleftthelambwiththeprincess，andwenthisway。
　　Inthenight，however，theyoungmanthrewofftheskin。Whentheprincesssawhowbeautifulhewas，shefellinlovewithhim，andaskedhim:’Whydidyoucomeheredisguisedinasheepskinlikethat？’
　　Thenheanswered:’WhenIsawhowmanypeoplesoughtyou，andcouldnotfindyou，andlosttheirlivesinsodoing，Iinventedthistrick，andsoIamcomesafelytoyou。’
　　Theprincessexclaimed:’Youhavedonewellsotodo;butyoumustknowthatyourwagerisnotyetwon，formyfatherwillchangemeandmymaidensintoducks，andwillaskyou，"Whichoftheseducksistheprincess？"ThenIwillturnmyheadback，andwithmybillwillcleanmywings，sothatyoumayknowme。’
　　Whentheyhadspentthreedaystogether，chattingandcaressingoneanother，theherdcamebacktotheking，anddemandedhislamb。Thenthekingwenttohisdaughtertobringitaway，whichtroubledtheprincessverymuch，forshesaidtheyhadplayedsonicelytogether。
　　Butthekingsaid:’Icannotleaveitwithyou，mydaughter，foritisonlylenttome。’Sohetookitawaywithhim，andgaveitbacktotheshepherd。
　　Thentheyoungmanthrewtheskinfromoffhim，andwenttotheking，saying:’Sire，IampersuadedIcanfindyourdaughter。’
　　Whenthekingsawhowhandsomehewas，hesaid:’Mylad，Ihavepityonyouryouth。Thisenterprisehasalreadycostthelivesofmany，andwillcertainlybeyourdeathaswell。’
　　Buttheyoungmananswered，’Iacceptyourconditions，ohking;I
　　willeitherfindherorlosemyhead。’
　　Thereuponhewentbeforetheking，whofollowedafterhim，tilltheycametothegreatdoor。Thentheyoungmansaidtotheking:’Speakthewordsthatitmayopen。’
　　Andthekinganswered:’Whatarethewords？ShallIsaysomethinglikethis:"Shut;shut;shut"？’
　　’No，’saidhe;’say"Open，SartaraMartaraoftheearth。"’
　　Whenthekinghadsosaid，thedooropenedofitself，andtheywentin，whilethekinggnawedhismoustacheinanger。Thentheycametotheseconddoor，wherethesamethinghappenedasatthefirst，andtheywentinandfoundtheprincess。
　　Thenspokethekingandsaid:’Yes，truly，youhavefoundtheprincess。NowIwillturnheraswellasallhermaidensintoducks，andifyoucanguesswhichoftheseducksismydaughter，thenyoushallhavehertowife。’
　　Andimmediatelythekingchangedallthemaidensintoducks，andhedrovethembeforetheyoungman，andsaid:’Nowshowmewhichismydaughter。’
　　Thentheprincess，accordingtotheirunderstanding，begantocleanherwingswithherbill，andtheladsaid:’Shewhocleansherwingsistheprincess。’
　　Nowthekingcoulddonothingmorebutgivehertotheyoungmantowife，andtheylivedtogetheringreatjoyandhappiness。
　　[FromtheGerman。]
　　THEGIRLWHOPRETENDEDTOBEABOY
　　Onceuponatimetherelivedanemperorwhowasagreatconqueror，andreignedovermorecountriesthananyoneintheworld。Andwheneverhesubduedafreshkingdom，heonlygrantedpeaceonconditionthatthekingshoulddeliverhimoneofhissonsfortenyears’service。
　　Nowonthebordersofhiskingdomlayacountrywhoseemperorwasasbraveashisneighbour，andaslongashewasyounghewasthevictorineverywar。Butasyearspassedaway，hisheadgrewwearyofmakingplansofcampaign，andhispeoplewantedtostayathomeandtilltheirfields，andatlasthetoofeltthathemustdohomagetotheotheremperor。
　　Onething，however，heldhimbackfromthisstepwhichdaybydayhesawmoreclearlywastheonlyonepossible。Hisnewoverlordwoulddemandtheserviceofoneofhissons。Andtheoldemperorhadnoson;onlythreedaughters。
　　Lookonwhichsidehewould，nothingbutruinseemedtoliebeforehim，andhebecamesogloomy，thathisdaughterswerefrightened，anddideverythingtheycouldthinkoftocheerhimup，butalltonopurpose。
　　Atlengthonedaywhentheywereatdinner，theeldestofthethreesummonedupallhercourageandsaidtoherfather:
　　’Whatsecretgriefistroublingyou？Areyoursubjectsdiscontented？orhavewegivenyoucausefordispleasure？Tosmoothawayyourwrinkles，wewouldgladlyshedourblood，forourlivesareboundupinyours;andthisyouknow。’
　　’Mydaughter，’answeredtheemperor，’whatyousayistrue。
　　Neverhaveyougivenmeonemoment’spain。Yetnowyoucannothelpme。Ah！whyisnotoneofyouaboy！’
　　’Idon’tunderstand，’sheansweredinsurprise。’Telluswhatiswrong:andthoughwearenotboys，wearenotquiteuseless！’
　　’Butwhatcanyoudo，mydearchildren？Spin，sew，andweave——thatisallyourlearning。Onlyawarriorcandelivermenow，ayounggiantwhoisstrongtowieldthebattle—axe:whosesworddealsdeadlyblows。’
　　’ButWHYdoyouneedasonsomuchatpresent？Tellusallaboutit！Itwillnotmakemattersworseifweknow！’
　　’Listenthen，mydaughters，andlearnthereasonofmysorrow。
　　YouhaveheardthataslongasIwasyoungnomaneverbroughtanarmyagainstmewithoutitcostinghimdear。Buttheyearshavechilledmybloodanddrunkmystrength。Andnowthedeercanroamtheforest，myarrowswillneverpiercehisheart;strangesoldierswillsetfiretomyhousesandwatertheirhorsesatmywells，andmyarmcannothinderthem。No，mydayispast，andthetimehascomewhenItoomustbowmyheadundertheyokeofmyfoe！Butwhoistogivehimthetenyears’servicethatispartofthepricewhichthevanquishedmustpay？’
　　’_I_will，’criedtheeldestgirl，springingtoherfeet。Butherfatheronlyshookhisheadsadly。
　　’NeverwillIbringshameuponyou，’urgedthegirl。’Letmego。
　　AmInotaprincess，andthedaughterofanemperor？’
　　’Gothen！’hesaid。
　　Thebravegirl’sheartalmoststoppedbeatingfromjoy，asshesetaboutherpreparations。Shewasnotstillforasinglemoment，butdancedaboutthehouse，turningchestsandwardrobesupsidedown。Shesetasideenoughthingsforawholeyear——dressesembroideredwithgoldandpreciousstones，andagreatstoreofprovisions。Andshechosethemostspiritedhorseinthestable，witheyesofflame，andacoatofshiningsilver。
　　Whenherfathersawhermountedandcurvettingaboutthecourt，hegavehermuchwiseadvice，astohowshewastobehaveliketheyoungmansheappearedtobe，andalsohowtobehaveasthegirlshereallywas。Thenhegaveherhisblessing，andshetouchedherhorsewiththespur。
　　Thesilverarmourofherselfandhersteeddazzledtheeyesofthepeopleasshedartedpast。Shewassoonoutofsight，andifafterafewmilesshehadnotpulleduptoallowherescorttojoinher，therestofthejourneywouldhavebeenperformedalone。
　　Butthoughnoneofhisdaughterswereawareofthefact，theoldemperorwasamagician，andhadlaidhisplansaccordingly。Hemanaged，unseen，toovertakehisdaughter，andthrowabridgeofcopperoverastreamwhichshewouldhavetocross。Then，changinghimselfintoawolf，helaydownunderoneofthearches，andwaited。
　　Hehadchosenhistimewell，andinabouthalfanhourthesoundofahorse’shoofswasheard。Hisfeetwerealmostonthebridge，whenabiggreywolfwithgrinningteethappearedbeforetheprincess。Withadeepgrowlthatfrozetheblood，hedrewhimselfup，andpreparedtospring。
　　Theappearanceofthewolfwassosuddenandsounexpected，thatthegirlwasalmostparalysed，andneverevendreamtofflight，tillthehorseleapedviolentlytooneside。Thensheturnedhimround，andurginghimtohisfullestspeed，neverdrewreintillshesawthegatesofthepalacerisingbeforeher。
　　Theoldemperor，whohadgotbacklongsince，cametothedoortomeether，andtouchinghershiningarmour，hesaid，’DidInottellyou，mychild，thatfliesdonotmakehoney？’
　　Thedayspassedon，andonemorningthesecondprincessimploredherfathertoallowhertotrytheadventureinwhichhersisterhadmadesuchafailure。Helistenedunwillingly，feelingsureitwasnouse，butshebeggedsohardthatintheendheconsented，andhavingchosenherarms，sherodeaway。
　　Butthough，unlikehersister，shewasquitepreparedfortheappearanceofthewolfwhenshereachedthecopperbridge，sheshowednogreatercourage，andgallopedhomeasfastasherhorsecouldcarryher。Onthestepsofthecastleherfatherwasstanding，andasstilltremblingwithfrightshekneltathisfeet，hesaidgently，’DidInottellyou，mychild，thateverybirdisnotcaughtinanet？’
　　Thethreegirlsstayedquietlyinthepalaceforalittlewhile，embroidering，spinning，weaving，andtendingtheirbirdsandflowers，whenearlyonemorning，theyoungestprincessenteredthedooroftheemperor’sprivateapartments。’Myfather，itismyturnnow。PerhapsIshallgetthebetterofthatwolf！’
　　’What，doyouthinkyouarebraverthanyoursisters，vainlittleone？Youwhohavehardlyleftyourlongclothesbehindyou！’butshedidnotmindbeinglaughedat，andanswered，’Foryoursake，father，Iwouldcutthedevilhimselfintosmallbits，orevenbecomeadevilmyself。IthinkIshallsucceed，butifIfail，Ishallcomehomewithoutmoreshamethanmysisters。’
　　Stilltheemperorhesitated，butthegirlpettedandcoaxedhimtillatlasthesaid，’Well，well，ifyoumustgo，youmust。ItremainstobeseenwhatIshallgetbyit，exceptperhapsagoodlaughwhenIseeyoucomebackwithyourheadbentandyoureyesontheground。’
　　’Helaughsbestwholaughslast，’saidtheprincess。
　　Happyathavinggotherway，theprincessdecidedthatthefirstthingtobedonewastofindsomeoldwhite—hairedboyard，whoseadviceshecouldtrust，andthentobeverycarefulinchoosingherhorse。Soshewentstraighttothestableswherethemostbeautifulhorsesintheempirewerefeedinginthestalls，butnoneofthemseemedquitewhatshewanted。Almostindespairshereachedthelastboxofall，whichwasoccupiedbyherfather’sancientwar—horse，oldandwornlikehimself，stretchedsadlyoutonthestraw。
　　Thegirl’seyesfilledwithtears，andshestoodgazingathim。
　　Thehorseliftedhishead，gavealittleneigh，andsaidsoftly，’Youlookgentleandpitiful，butIknowitisyourloveforyourfatherwhichmakesyoutendertome。Ah，whatawarriorhewas，andwhatgoodtimeswesharedtogether！ButnowItoohavegrownold，andmymasterhasforgottenme，andthereisnoreasontocarewhethermycoatisdullorshining。Yet，itisnottoolate，andifIwereproperlytended，inaweekIcouldviewithanyhorseinthestables！’
　　’Andhowshouldyoubetended？’askedthegirl。
　　’Imustberubbeddownmorningandeveningwithrainwater，mybarleymustbeboiledinmilk，becauseofmybadteeth，andmyfeetmustbewashedinoil。’
　　’Ishouldliketotrythetreatment，asyoumighthelpmeincarryingoutmyscheme。’
　　’Tryitthen，mistress，andIpromiseyouwillneverrepent。’
　　Soinaweek’stimethehorsewokeuponemorningwithasuddenshiverthroughallhislimbs;andwhenithadpassedaway，hefoundhisskinshininglikeamirror，hisbodyasfatasawatermelon，hismovementlightasachamois。
　　Thenlookingattheprincesswhohadcomeearlytothestable，hesaidjoyfully，’Maysuccessawaitonthestepsofmymaster’sdaughter，forshehasgivenmebackmylife。TellmewhatIcandoforyou，princess，andIwilldoit。’