The Three Citrons
: Czechoslovak Fairy TalesTHE STORY OF A PRINCE WHO CLIMBED THE GLASS HILL
Once upon a time there was an aged king who had an only son. One day
he called the prince to him and said: "My son, you see that my head is
white. Soon I shall be closing my eyes and you are not yet settled in
life. Marry, my son, marry at once so that I can bless you before I
die."
The prince made no answer but he
pondered them. He would gladly have done as his father wished but
there was no young girl upon whom his affections were set.
One day when he was sitting in the garden, wondering what to do, an
old woman suddenly appeared before him.
"Go," she said, "to the top of the Glass Hill, pluck the Three
Citrons, and you will get a wife in whom your heart will delight."
With that she disappeared as mysteriously as she had come.
Her words went through the prince's soul like a bright dart. Instantly
he determined, come what might, to find the Glass Hill and to pluck
the Three Citrons. He told his father his intention and the old king
fitted him out for the journey and gave him his blessing.
For a long time the prince wandered over wooded mountains and desert
plains without seeing or even hearing anything of the Glass Hill and
the Three Citrons. One day, worn out with his long journey, he threw
himself down in the shade of a wide-spreading linden tree. As his
father's sword, which he wore at his side, clanked on the ground,
twelve ravens began cawing from the top of the tree. Frightened by the
clanking of the sword, they raised their wings and flew off.
The prince jumped to his feet. "Those are the first living creatures I
have seen for many a day. I'll go in the direction they have taken,"
he said to himself, "and perhaps I'll have better luck."
So he traveled on and after three days and three nights a high castle
came in view.
"Thank God!" he exclaimed, pushing joyfully ahead. "I shall soon have
human companionship once more."
The castle was built entirely of lead. The twelve ravens circled above
it and in front of it stood an old woman leaning on a long leaden
staff. She was a Yezibaba. Now you must know that a Yezibaba is an
ugly old witch with a hooked nose, a bristly face, and long scrawny
hands. She's a bad old thing usually, but sometimes, if you take her
fancy, she's kind.
This time when she looked the prince over she shook her head at him in
a friendly way.
"Yi, yi, my boy, how did you get here? Why, not even a little bird or
a tiny butterfly comes here, much less a human being! You'd better
escape if life is dear to you, or my son, when he comes home, will eat
you!"
"No, no, old mother, don't make me go," begged the prince. "I have
come to you for advice to know whether you can tell me anything about
the Glass Hill and the Three Citrons."
"No, I have never heard a word about the Glass Hill," Yezibaba said.
"But wait until my son comes. He may be able to tell you something.
Yes, yes, I'll manage to save you somehow. Go hide under the besom and
stay there until I call you."
The mountains rumbled and the castle trembled and Yezibaba whispered
to the prince that her son was coming.
"Phew! Phew! I smell human meat! I'll eat it!" shouted Yezibaba's son
while he was still in the doorway. He struck the ground with his
leaden club and the whole castle shook.
"No, no, my son, don't talk that way. It's true there is a pretty
youth here, but he's come to ask you about something."
"Well, if he wants to ask me something, let him come out and ask."
"Yes, my son, he will, but only when you promise me that you will do
nothing to him."
"Well, I won't do anything to him. Now let him come out."
The prince hidden under the besom was shaking like an aspen leaf, for
when he peeped through the twigs he saw an ogre so huge that he
himself would reach up only to his knees. Happily the ogre had
guaranteed his life before Yezibaba ordered him out.
"Well, well, well, you little June bug!" shouted the ogre. "What are
you afraid of? Where have you been? What do you want?"
"What do I want?" repeated the prince. "I have been wandering in these
mountains a long time and I can't find what I'm seeking. So I've come
to you to ask whether you can tell me something about the Glass Hill
and the Three Citrons."
Yezibaba's son wrinkled his forehead. He thought for a moment and
then, lowering his voice a little, he said: "I've never heard of any
Glass Hill around here. But I tell you what you do: go on to my
brother in arms who lives in the Silver Castle and ask him. Maybe
he'll be able to tell you. But I can't let you go away hungry. That
would never do! Hi, mother, bring out the dumplings!"
Old Yezibaba placed a large dish on the table and her giant son sat
down.
"Well, come on! Eat!" he shouted to the prince.
When the prince took the first dumpling and bit into it, he almost
broke two of his teeth, for the dumpling was made of lead.
"Well," shouted Yezibaba's son, "why don't you eat? Doesn't the
dumpling taste good?"
"Oh, yes, very good," said the prince, politely, "but just now I'm not
hungry."
"Well, if you're not hungry now you will be later. Put a few in your
pocket and eat them on your journey."
So, whether he wanted them or not, the prince had to put some leaden
dumplings into his pocket. Then he took his leave of Yezibaba and her
son and traveled on.
He went on and on for three days and three nights. The farther he
went, the more inhospitable became the country. Before him stretched a
waste of mountains, behind him a waste of mountains with no living
creature in sight.
Wearied with his long journey, he threw himself on the ground. His
silver sword clanked sharply and at its sound twenty-four ravens
circled above him, cawed in fright, and flew away.
"A good sign!" cried the prince. "I'll follow the ravens again!"
So on he went as fast as his legs could carry him until he came in
sight of a tall castle. It was still far away, but even at that
distance it shone and flashed, for it was built of pure silver.
In front of the castle stood an old woman, bent with age, and leaning
on a long silver staff. This was the second Yezibaba.
"Yi, yi, my boy!" she cried. "How did you get here? Why, not even a
little bird or a tiny butterfly comes here, much less a human being.
You'd better escape if life is dear to you, or my son, when he comes
home, will eat you!"
"No, no, old mother, he won't eat me. I bring greetings from his
brother of the Leaden Castle."
"Well, if you bring greetings from the Leaden Castle you are safe
enough. Come in, my boy, and tell me your business."
"My business? For a long time, old mother, I've been looking for the
Glass Hill and the Three Citrons, but I can't find them. So I've come
to ask you whether you could tell me something about them."
"No, my boy, I don't know anything about the Glass Hill. But wait
until my son comes. Perhaps he can help you. In the meantime hide
yourself under the bed and don't come out until I call you."
The mountains rumbled and the castle trembled and the prince knew that
Yezibaba's son was coming home.
"Phew! Phew! I smell human meat! I'll eat it!" bellowed the mighty
fellow. He stood in the doorway and banged the ground with his silver
club until the whole castle shook.
"No, no, my son," said Yezibaba, "don't talk that way! A pretty little
chap has come bringing you greetings from your brother of the Leaden
Castle."
"Well, if he's been at the Leaden Castle and came to no harm, he'll
have nothing to fear from me either. Where is he?"
The prince slipped out from under the bed and stood before the ogre.
Looking up at him was like looking at the top of the tallest pine
tree.
"Well, little June bug, so you've been at my brother's, eh?"
"Yes," said the prince. "See, I still have the dumplings he gave me
for the journey."
"I believe you. Well, what do you want?"
"What do I want? I came to ask you whether you could tell me something
about the Glass Hill and the Three Citrons."
"H'm, it seems to me I used to hear something about them, but I
forget. I tell you what you do: go to my brother of the Golden Castle
and ask him. But wait! I can't let you go away hungry. Hi, mother,
bring out the dumplings!"
Yezibaba brought the dumplings on a large silver dish and put them on
the table.
"Eat!" shouted her son.
The prince saw they were silver dumplings, so he said he wasn't hungry
just then, but he'd like to take some with him for the journey.
"Take as many as you want," shouted the ogre. "And give my greetings
to my brother and my aunt."
So the prince took some silver dumplings, made suitable thanks, and
departed.
He journeyed on from the Silver Castle three days and three nights,
through dense forests and over rough mountains, not knowing where he
was nor which way to turn. At last all worn out he threw himself down
in the shade of a beech tree to rest. As the sword clanked on the
ground, its silver voice rang out and a flock of thirty-six ravens
circled over his head.
"Caw! Caw!" they croaked. Then, frightened by the sound of the sword,
they flew away.
"Praise God!" cried the prince. "The Golden Castle can't be far!"
He jumped up and started eagerly off in the direction the ravens had
taken. As he left a valley and climbed a little hill he saw before him
a beautiful wide meadow in the midst of which stood the Golden Castle
shining like the sun. Before the gate of the castle stood a bent old
Yezibaba leaning on a golden staff.
"Yi, yi, my boy," she cried to the prince, "how did you get here? Why,
not even a little bird or a tiny butterfly comes here, much less a
human being! You'd better escape if life is dear to you, or my son,
when he comes home, will eat you!"
"No, no, old mother, he won't eat me, for I bring him greetings from
his brother of the Silver Castle!"
"Well, if you bring greetings from the Silver Castle you are safe
enough. Come in, my boy, and tell me your business."
"My business, old mother? For a long time I've been wandering over
these wild mountains in search of the Glass Hill and the Three
Citrons. At the Silver Castle they sent me to you because they thought
you might know something about them."
"The Glass Hill? No, I don't know where it is. But wait until my son
comes. He will advise you where to go and what to do. Hide under the
table and stay there till I call you."
The mountains rumbled and the castle trembled and Yezibaba's son came
home.
"Phew! Phew! I smell human meat! I'll eat it!" he roared. He stood in
the doorway and pounded the ground with his golden club until the
whole castle shook.
"No, no, my son," said Yezibaba, "don't talk that way! A pretty little
fellow has come bringing you greetings from your brother of the Silver
Castle. If you won't harm him, I'll call him out."
"Well, if my brother didn't do anything to him, I won't either."
So the prince crawled out from under the table and stood before the
giant. It was like standing beneath a high tower. He showed the ogre
the silver dumplings as proof that he had been at the Silver Castle.
"Well, well, well, my little June bug," shouted the monstrous fellow,
"tell me what it is you want! I'll advise you if I can! Don't be
afraid!"
So the prince told him the purpose of his journey and asked him how to
get to the Glass Hill and pluck the Three Citrons.
"Do you see that blackish lump over yonder?" the ogre said, pointing
with his golden club. "That is the Glass Hill. On that hill stands a
tree. From that tree hang the Three Citrons which send out fragrance
for seven miles around. You will climb the Glass Hill, kneel beneath
the tree, and reach up your hands. If the citrons are destined for you
they will fall into your hands of their own accord. If they are not
destined for you, you will not be able to pluck them no matter what
you do. As you return, if you are hungry or thirsty, cut open one of
the citrons and you will have food and drink in plenty. Go now with
God's blessing. But wait! I can't let you go away hungry! Hi, mother,
bring out the dumplings!"
Yezibaba set a large golden dish on the table.
"Eat!" her son shouted. "Or, if you are not hungry just now, put some
in your pocket and eat them on the way."
The prince said that he was not hungry but that he would be glad to
take some of the golden dumplings with him and eat them later. Then he
thanked the ogre most courteously for his hospitality and advice and
took his leave.
He trudged quickly on from hill to dale, from dale to hill again, and
never stopped until he reached the Glass Hill itself. Then he stood
still as if turned into stone. The hill was high and steep and smooth
with not so much as a scratch on its surface. Over its top spread out
the branches of the magic tree upon which hung the Three Citrons.
Their fragrance was so powerful that the prince almost fainted.
"Let it be as God wills!" he thought to himself. "But however the
adventure is to come out, now that I'm here I must at least make the
attempt."
So he began to claw his way up the smooth glass, but he hadn't gone
many yards before his foot slipped and down he went so hard that he
didn't know where he was or what had happened to him until he found
himself sitting on the ground.
In his vexation he began to throw away the dumplings, thinking that
perhaps their weight had dragged him down. He took one and threw it
straight at the hill. Imagine his surprise to see it fix itself firmly
in the glass. He threw a second and a third and there he had three
steps on which he was able to stand with safety!
The prince was overjoyed. He threw dumpling after dumpling and each
one of them became a step. First he threw the leaden ones, then the
silver ones, and last of all the golden ones. On the steps made in
this way he climbed higher and higher until he had reached the very
summit of the hill. Then he knelt under the magic tree, lifted up his
hands, and into them the Three Citrons dropped of their own accord!
Instantly the tree disappeared, the Glass Hill sank until it was lost,
and when the prince came to himself there was neither tree nor hill to
be seen, but only a wide plain.
Delighted with the outcome of his adventure, the prince turned
homewards. At first he was too happy even to eat or drink. By the
third day his stomach began to protest and he discovered that he was
so hungry that he would have fallen ravenously upon a leaden dumpling
if he had had one in his pocket. But his pocket, alas, was empty, and
the country all about was as bare as the palm of his hand.
Then he remembered what the ogre of the Golden Castle had told him and
he took out one of the Three Citrons. He cut it open, and what do you
suppose happened? Out jumped a beautiful maiden fresh from the hand
of God, who bowed low before him and exclaimed:
"Have you food ready for me? Have you drink ready for me? Have you
pretty clothes ready for me?"
"Alas, beautiful creature," the prince sighed, "I have not. I have
nothing for you to eat or to drink or to put on."
The lovely maiden clapped her hands three times, bowed before him, and
disappeared.
"Ah," said the prince, "now I know what kind of citrons you are! I'll
think twice before opening one of you again!"
Of the one he had opened he ate and drank his fill, and so refreshed,
went on. He traveled three days and three nights and by that time he
began to feel three times hungrier than before.
"God help me!" thought he. "I must eat something! There are still two
citrons and if I cut open one there would still be one left."
So he took out the second citron, cut it in two, and lo, a maiden
twice as beautiful as the first stood before him. She bowed low and
said:
"Have you food ready for me? Have you drink ready for me? Have you
pretty clothes ready for me?"
"No, lovely creature, I haven't! I haven't!"
The maiden clapped her hands thrice, bowed before him, and
disappeared.
Now there was only one citron left. The prince took it in his hand,
looked at it, and said: "I won't cut you open until I'm safe at home
in my father's house."
He took up his journey again and on the third day he came to his
native town and his father's castle. He had been gone a long time and
how he ever got back he didn't know himself.
Tears of joy rained down the old king's cheeks.
"Welcome home, my son, welcome a hundred times!" he cried, falling on
the prince's neck.
The prince related the adventures of his journey and they at home told
him how anxiously they had awaited his return.
On the next day a great feast was prepared. All the nobles in the land
were invited. The tables were spread with food and drink the most
expensive in the world and many rich dresses embroidered in gold and
studded with pearls were laid out.
The guests assembled, seated themselves at the tables, and waited.
Music played and when all was ready, the prince took the last citron
and cut it in two. Out jumped a beautiful creature, three times
lovelier than the others.
"Have you food ready for me?" she cried. "Have you drink ready for me?
Have you pretty clothes ready for me?"
"I have indeed, dear heart!" the prince answered. "I have everything
ready for you!"
He led her to the gorgeous clothes and she dressed herself in them and
every one present marveled at her great beauty.
Soon the betrothal took place and after the betrothal a magnificent
wedding.
So now the old king's wish was fulfilled. He blessed his son, gave
over the kingdom to him, and not long afterwards he died.
The first thing that faced the young king after his father's death was
a war which a neighboring king stirred up against him. So the young
king had to bid farewell to the bride whom he had won so dearly and
lead his men to battle. In order that nothing happen to the queen in
his absence, he built a golden throne for her in the garden beside the
lake. This throne was as high as a tower and no one could ascend it
except those to whom the queen let down a silken cord.
Not far from the king's castle lived the old woman who, in the first
place, had told him about the Three Citrons. She knew well enough how
the young king had won his bride and she was deeply incensed that he
had not invited her to the wedding and in fact had not even thanked
her for her good advice.
Now this old woman had a gipsy for servant whom she used to send to
the lake for water. One day when this gipsy was filling her pitcher,
she saw in the lake a beautiful reflection. She supposed it was a
reflection of herself.
"Is it right," she cried out, "that so lovely a creature as I should
carry water for that old witch?"
In a fury she threw the pitcher on the ground and broke it into a
hundred pieces. Then she looked up and discovered that it wasn't her
own reflection she had seen in the water but that of the beautiful
queen.
Ashamed of herself, she picked up the broken pitcher and went home.
The old woman, who knew beforehand what had happened, went out to meet
her with a new pitcher.
"It's no matter about the pitcher," the old woman said. "Go back to
the lake and beg the lovely lady to let down the silken cord and pull
you up. Tell her you will comb her hair. When she pulls you up, comb
her hair until she falls asleep. Then stick this pin into her head.
After that you can dress yourself up in her clothes and sit there like
a queen."
It was easy enough to persuade the gipsy. She took the pitcher and the
pin and returned to the lake.
As she drew water she gazed at the lovely queen.
"Oh, how beautiful you are!" she whined, leering up at the queen with
an evil eye. "How beautiful you are! Aye, but you'd be a hundred times
more beautiful if you but let me comb out your lovely hair! Indeed, I
would so twine those golden tresses that your lord would be
delighted!"
With words like these she beguiled and coaxed the queen until she let
down the silken cord and drew the gipsy up. Once on the throne, the
wicked gipsy combed out the golden tresses and plaited them and
arranged them until the queen fell sound asleep. Then the gipsy took
the pin and stuck it into the queen's head. Instantly a beautiful
white dove flew off the golden throne and not a trace was left of the
lovely queen except her rich clothing. The gipsy dressed herself in
this, sat in the queen's place, and gazed down into the lake. But in
the lake no lovely reflection showed itself, for even in the queen's
clothes the gipsy remained a gipsy.
The young king waged a successful war against his enemies and made
peace. Scarcely had he got home when he hurried to the garden to see
whether anything had happened to his heart's delight. Who can express
in words his astonishment and horror when instead of his beautiful
wife he saw the evil gipsy!
"Ah, my dearest one, how you have changed!" he murmured and tears
flowed down his cheeks.
"Yes, my dear, I have changed, I know I have," the gipsy answered. "It
was grief for you that has broken me."
She tried to fall on his neck but the king turned quickly away and
left her.
From that time forth he had no peace but day and night he mourned the
lost beauty of his wife and nothing consoled him.
Grieving in this way and thinking always the same sad thoughts, he was
walking one day in the garden when suddenly a beautiful white dove
flew down from a high tree and alighted on his hand. She looked up at
him with eyes as mournful as his own.
"Ah, my poor dove," the king said, "why are you so sad? Has your mate
also changed?"
As he spoke he stroked the dove gently on the back and on the head.
On the head he felt a little lump. He blew aside the feathers and
discovered the head of a pin. He pulled out the pin and instantly the
sad dove changed into his own beautiful wife.
She told him what had happened to her, how the gipsy had deceived her
and stuck the pin into her head. The king had the gipsy and the old
witch caught at once and burnt at the stake.
From that time on nothing happened to mar the king's happiness,
neither the plots of his enemies nor the spite of evil people. He
lived in love and peace with his beautiful wife and he ruled his
kingdom wisely. In fact he's ruling it still if he hasn't died.
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A THIEF hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope of stealing something which should enable him to pay his reckoning. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat and sitting before hi... The Thieves and the Cock
SOME THIEVES broke into a house and found nothing but a Cock, whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. Upon arriving at home they prepared to kill the Cock, who thus pleaded for his life: "Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I... The Thirsty Pigeon
A PIGEON, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture, she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broke... The Three Bears
There were once three bears who lived together in a little house in the middle of a wood. One of them was a Little, Small, Wee Bear; one was a Middle-Sized Bear; and the other was a Great, Huge Bear. And they each had a pot to eat their porri... The Three Bears
Once upon a time there were three bears who lived in a castle in a great wood. One of them was a great big bear, and one was a middling bear, and one was a little bear. And in the same wood there was a fox who lived all alone; his name was Scrapefoo... The Three Billy-goats Gruff
Once on a time there were three Billy-goats, who were to go up to the hill-side to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was "Gruff." On the way up was a bridge over a burn they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly Tro... The Three Brothers
From the Polish. Kletke. There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used every night to break the windows of a certain village church. In the same village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to kill the misc... The Three Brothers
Translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm. There was once a man who had three sons, and no other possessions beyond the house in which he lived. Now the father loved his three sons equally, so that he could not make up his mind which of t... The Three Citrons
THE STORY OF A PRINCE WHO CLIMBED THE GLASS HILL Once upon a time there was an aged king who had an only son. One day he called the prince to him and said: "My son, you see that my head is white. Soon I shall be closing my eyes and you are not... The Three Crowns
There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest were very proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as they were bad. Well, three princes came to court them, and two of them were exactly like the eldest ladies, and one ... The Three Dogs
There was once upon a time a shepherd who had two children, a son and a daughter. When he was on his death-bed he turned to them and said, 'I have nothing to leave you but three sheep and a small house; divide them between you, as you like, but ... The Three Dogs
Once upon a time there was a king who went forth into the world and fetched back a beautiful queen. And after they had been married a while God gave them a little daughter. Then there was great rejoicing in the city and throughout the country, for... The Three Dwarfs
THERE was once upon a time a man who lost his wife, and a woman who lost her husband; and the man had a daughter and so had the woman. The two girls were great friends and used often to play together. One day the woman turned to the man's daughter ... The Three Feathers
Once upon a time there lived a girl who was wooed and married by a man she never saw; for he came a-courting her after nightfall, and when they were married he never came home till it was dark, and always left before dawn. Still he was good and... The Three Fishes
Three Fishes lived in a pond. The first was wise, the second had a little sense, and the third was foolish. A fisherman saw the fish, and went home for his net in order that he might catch them. "I must get out of this pond at once," said the Wi... The Three Golden Hairs
THE STORY OF A CHARCOAL-BURNER'S SON WHO MARRIED A PRINCESS There was once a king who took great delight in hunting. One day he followed a stag a great distance into the forest. He went on and on until he lost his way. Night fell and the king by... The Three Heads Of The Well
[This story is abridged from the old chap-book of the Three Kings of Colchester. The incident of the heads rising out of the well is very similar to one introduced in Peele's Old Wives Tale, 1595, and the verse is also of a similar character.] Lo... The Three Heads Of The Well
Once upon a time there reigned a King in Colchester, valiant, strong, wise, famous as a good ruler. But in the midst of his glory his dear Queen died, leaving him with a daughter just touching woman's estate; and this maiden was renowned, far a... The Three Hermits
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye as... The Three Kings Of Cologne
A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY H. S. MORRIS (ADAPTED) THE STAR Now, when the Children of Israel were gone out of Egypt, and had won and made subject to them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, there was i... The Three Languages
An aged count once lived in Switzerland, who had an only son, but he was stupid, and could learn nothing. Then said the father: 'Hark you, my son, try as I will I can get nothing into your head. You must go from hence, I will give you into the care ... The Three Little Butterfly Brothers
(FROM THE GERMAN) [Footnote 2: From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American Book Company, publishers.] There were once three little butterfly brothers, one white, one re... The Three Little Pigs
There was once upon a time a pig who lived with her three children on a large, comfortable, old-fashioned farmyard. The eldest of the little pigs was called Browny, the second Whitey, and the youngest and best looking Blacky. Now Browny was a ve... The Three Little Pigs
Once upon a time there was an old sow who had three little pigs, and as she had not enough for them to eat, she said they had better go out into the world and seek their fortunes. Now the eldest pig went first, and as he trotted along the road h... The Three Musicians
Once upon a time three musicians left their home and set out on their travels. They had all learnt music from the same master, and they determined to stick together and to seek their fortune in foreign lands. They wandered merrily from place to ... The Three Princes And Their Beasts
(LITHUANIAN FAIRY TALE) Once on a time there were three princes, who had a step-sister. One day they all set out hunting together. When they had gone some way through a thick wood they came on a great grey wolf with three cubs. Just as they we... The Three Princesses In The Blue Mountain
There were once upon a time a King and Queen who had no children, and they took it so much to heart that they hardly ever had a happy moment. One day the King stood in the portico and looked out over the big meadows and all that was his. But he fe... The Three Princesses Of Whiteland
THERE was once upon a time a fisherman, who lived hard by a palace and fished for the King's table. One day he was out fishing, but caught nothing at all. Let him do what he might with rod and line, there was never even so much as a sprat on his hoo... The Three Princesses Of Whiteland
Once on a time there was a fisherman who lived close by a palace, and fished for the King's table. One day when he was out fishing he just caught nothing. Do what he would--however he tried with bait and angle--there was never a sprat on his hook.... The Three Purses
A LEGEND BY WILLIAM S. WALSH (ADAPTED) When Saint Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, there were among his people three beautiful maidens, daughters of a nobleman. Their father was so poor that he could not afford to give them dowries, and as in that ... The Three Questions
There lived formerly in the county of Cumberland a nobleman who had three sons, two of whom were comely and clever youths, but the other a natural fool, named Jack, who was generally dressed in a party-coloured coat, and a steeple-crowned hat with a... The Three Robes
Long, long ago, a king and queen reigned over a large and powerful country. What their names were nobody knows, but their son was called Sigurd, and their daughter Lineik, and these young people were famed throughout the whole kingdom for their wisd... The Three Sillies
Once upon a time, when folk were not so wise as they are nowadays, there lived a farmer and his wife who had one daughter. And she, being a pretty lass, was courted by the young squire when he came home from his travels. Now every evening he wo... The Three Snake-leaves
There was once a poor man who could no longer afford to keep his only son at home. So the son said to him, 'Dear father, you are so poor that I am only a burden to you; I would rather go out into the world and see if I can earn my own living.' T... The Three Soldiers
Once upon a time three soldiers returned from the wars; one was a sergeant, one was a corporal, and the third was a simple private. One night they were caught in a forest and made a fire up to sleep by; and the sergeant had to do sentry-go. While ... The Three Tradesmen
A GREAT CITY was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to consider the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A Bricklayer earnestly recommended bricks as affording the best material for an effective resistance. A Carpenter, with... The Three Treasures Of The Giants
Long, long ago, there lived an old man and his wife who had three sons; the eldest was called Martin, the second Michael, while the third was named Jack. One evening they were all seated round the table, eating their supper of bread and mi... The Three Valleys
From the German. IN olden days there lived a Count, who had many castles and estates, and a most beautiful daughter, but no one would associate with him, for it was rumoured he was in league with the Evil One; indeed, from time to time one or o... The Three Wishes
Once upon a time there were three brothers who set out on a visit to Goose-cap, the wise one, who said that any one might come and see him, and get a wish--just one wish, no more. The three brothers were seven years on the journey, climbing mounta... The Thrush and the Fowler
A THRUSH was feeding on a myrtle-tree and did not move from it because its berries were so delicious. A Fowler observed her staying so long in one spot, and having well bird-limed his reeds, caught her. The Thrush, being at the point of death, ex... The Thrush Parrot And Magpie
A Thrush, who heard a Parrot talking-- Of him, rather than of his instructor, man, Desired himself the mystery to learn. And, in one lesson, such line accent thought To have attained, that, in his turn, He the great art of spee... The Thunder Oak
A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND WILLIAM S. WALSH AND OTHER SOURCES When the heathen raged through the forests of the ancient Northland there grew a giant tree branching with huge limbs toward the clouds. It was the Thunder Oak of the war-god Thor. T... The Tiger The Brahman And The Jackal[n]
Once upon a time a Tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed. By chance a poor Brahman came by. "Let me out of this cage, oh, pious one!" cried the Tiger. ... The Timid Hare And The Flight Of The Beasts
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young lion. And when fully grown he lived in a wood. At this same time there was near the Western Ocean a grove of palms mixed with vilva trees. A certain hare ...