The Golden Spinning Wheel
: Czechoslovak Fairy TalesTHE STORY OF KING DOBROMIL AND THE GOOD DOBRUNKA
There was once a poor woman who had twin daughters. The girls were
exactly alike in face and feature but utterly different in
disposition. Dobrunka was kind, industrious, obedient, and everything
a good girl ought to be. Zloboha, her sister, was spiteful,
disobedient, lazy, and proud. In fact, she had just about as many
faults as a person coul
Zloboha much better and made everything easy for her.
Disposition]
They lived in a cottage a few miles from town. The cottage stood by
itself in a little clearing in the woods. Hardly any one ever passed
it except occasionally some man who had lost his way in the woods.
The mother put her favorite, Zloboha, out to service so that she might
learn city ways, but she kept Dobrunka at home to do the housework and
take care of the garden. Dobrunka always began the day by feeding the
goats, then she prepared the breakfast, swept the kitchen, and when
everything else was done she sat down at her spinning wheel and spun.
She seldom benefited from the yarn she spun so carefully, for her
mother always sold it in town and spent the money on clothes for
Zloboha. Yet Dobrunka loved her mother although she never had a kind
word or a kind look from her the whole day long. She always obeyed her
mother instantly and without a frown and no one ever heard her
complain about all the work she had to do.
One day when her mother was going to town Dobrunka went part of the
way with her, carrying her yarn wrapped up in a kerchief.
"Now see that you're not lazy while I'm away," her mother said,
crossly.
"You know, mother, you never have to nag at me. Today when I finish
the housework, I'll spin so industriously that you'll be more than
satisfied when you get home."
She handed her yarn to her mother and went back to the cottage. Then
when she had put the kitchen in order, she sat down to her wheel and
began to spin. Dobrunka had a pretty voice, as pretty as any of the
song-birds in the forest, and always when she was alone she sang. So
today as she sat spinning she sang all the songs she knew, one after
the other.
Suddenly she heard outside the trample of a horse. "Some one is
coming," she thought to herself, "someone who has lost his way in the
woods. I'll go see."
She got up from her wheel and peeped out through the small window. A
young man was just dismounting from a spirited horse.
"Oh," thought Dobrunka to herself, "what a handsome young lord he is!
How well his leather coat fits him! How well his cap with its white
feather looks on his black hair! Ah, he is tying his horse and is
coming in. I must slip back to my spinning."
The next moment the young man opened the door and stepped into the
kitchen. All this happened a long time ago, you see, when there were
no locks or bars on the doors, and there didn't have to be because
nothing was ever stolen.
"Good day to you, my girl," the young man said to Dobrunka.
"Good day, sir," Dobrunka answered. "What is it, sir, you want?"
"Will you please get me a little water. I'm very thirsty."
"Certainly," Dobrunka said. "Won't you sit down while I'm getting it?"
She ran off, got the pitcher, rinsed it out, and drew some fresh water
from the well.
"I wish I could give you something better, sir."
"Nothing could taste better than this," he said, handing her back the
empty pitcher. "See, I have taken it all."
Dobrunka put the pitcher away and the young man, while her back was
turned, slipped a leather bag, full of money, into the bed.
"I thank you for the drink," he said, as he rose to go. "I'll come
again tomorrow if you'll let me."
"Come if you want to," Dobrunka said, modestly.
He took her hand, held it a moment, then leaped upon his horse and
galloped off.
Dobrunka sat down again to her wheel and tried to work, but her mind
wandered. The image of the young man kept rising before her eyes and I
have to confess that, for an expert spinner, she broke her thread
pretty often.
Her mother came home in the evening full of praises of Zloboha, who,
she said, was growing prettier day by day. Everybody in town admired
her and she was fast learning city ways and city manners. It was
Zloboha this and Zloboha that for hours.
Finally the old woman remarked: "They say there was a great hunting
party out today. Did you hear anything of it?"
"Oh, yes," Dobrunka said. "I forgot to tell you that a young huntsman
stopped here to ask for a drink. He was handsomely dressed in leather.
You know once when I was in town with you we saw a whole company of
men in leather coats with white feathers in their caps. No doubt this
young man belonged to the hunting party. When he had his drink, he
jumped on his horse and rode off."
Dobrunka forgot to mention that he had taken her hand in parting and
promised to come back next day.
When Dobrunka was preparing the bed for the night, the bag of money
fell out. In great surprise she picked it up and handed it to her
mother.
The old woman looked at her sharply.
"Dobrunka, who gave you all this money?"
"Nobody gave it to me, mother. Perhaps the huntsman slipped it into
the bed. I don't know where else it could have come from."
The old woman emptied the bag on the table. They were all gold pieces.
"Good heavens, so much!" she murmured in amazement. "He must be a very
rich young lord! Perhaps he saw how poor we were and thought to do a
kind deed. May God grant him happiness!"
She gathered the money together and hid it in the chest.
Usually when Dobrunka went to bed after her day's work she fell asleep
at once, but tonight she lay awake thinking of the handsome young
rider. When she did at last fall asleep it was to dream of him. He was
a powerful young lord, it seemed to her, in her dream. He lived in a
great palace and she, Dobrunka, was his wife. She thought that they
were giving a fine banquet to which all the nobles in the land had
been invited. She and her husband arose from the table and went
together into another room. He was about to put his arms about her and
embrace her when suddenly a black cat sprang between them and buried
its claws in Dobrunka's breast. Her heart's blood spurted out and
stained her white dress. She cried out in fright and pain and the cry
awoke her.
"What a strange dream," she thought to herself. "I wonder what it
means. It began so beautifully but the cruel cat spoiled it all. I
fear it bodes something ill."
In the morning when she got up, she was still thinking of it.
On other mornings it didn't take Dobrunka long to dress but this
morning she was very slow. She shook out her fresh skirt again and
again. She had the greatest trouble in putting on her bodice just
right. She spent much time on her hair, into which she plaited the red
ribbon that she usually kept for holidays. When at last she was
dressed and ready to go about her household duties she looked very
fresh and sweet.
As midday came, she found it hard to sit still at her wheel, but kept
jumping up on any pretext whatever to run outdoors a moment to see if
the young horseman was in sight.
At last she did see him at a distance and, oh, how she hurried back to
her stool so that he would never think that she was watching for him.
He rode into the yard, tied his horse, and came into the cottage.
"Good day, Dobrunka," he said, speaking very gently and very
respectfully.
Dobrunka's heart was beating so fast that she feared it would jump out
of her body. Her mother was in the woods gathering fagots, so she was
again alone with him. She managed to return his greeting and to ask
him to sit down. Then she went back to her spinning.
The young man came over to her and took her hand.
"How did you sleep, Dobrunka?"
"Very well, sir."
"Did you dream?"
"Yes, I had a very strange dream."
"Tell me about it. I can explain dreams very well."
"But I can't tell this dream to you," Dobrunka said.
"Why not?"
"Because it's about you."
"That's the very reason you ought to tell me," the young man said.
He urged her and begged her until at last Dobrunka did tell him the
dream.
"Well now," he said, "that dream of yours except the part about the
cat can be realized easily enough."
Dobrunka laughed. "How could I ever become a fine lady?"
"By marrying me," the young man said.
Dobrunka blushed. "Now, sir, you are joking."
"No, Dobrunka, this is no joke. I really mean it. I came back this
morning to ask you to marry me. Will you?"
Dobrunka was too surprised to speak, but when the young man took her
hand she did not withdraw it.
Just then the old woman came in. The young man greeted her and without
any delay declared his intentions. He said he loved Dobrunka and
wished to make her his wife and that all he and Dobrunka were waiting
for was the mother's consent.
"I have my own house," he added, "and am well able to take care of a
wife. And for you too, dear mother, there will always be room in my
house and at my table."
The old woman listened to all he had to say and then very promptly
gave her blessing.
"Then, my dear one," the young man said to Dobrunka, "go back to your
spinning and when you have spun enough for your wedding shift, I shall
come for you."
He kissed her, gave his hand to her mother, and, springing on his
horse, rode away.
From that time the old woman treated Dobrunka more kindly. She even
went so far as to spend on Dobrunka a little of the money the young
man had given them, but most of it, of course, went for clothes for
Zloboha.
But in those happy days Dobrunka wasn't worrying about anything as
unimportant as money. She sat at her wheel and spun away thinking all
the while of her fine young lover. Time sped quickly and before she
knew it she had spun enough for her wedding shift.
The very day she was finished her lover came. She heard the trample of
his horse and ran out to meet him.
"Have you spun enough for your wedding shift?" he asked her as he took
her to his heart.
"Yes," Dobrunka said, "I have."
"Then you can ride away with me this moment."
"This moment!" Dobrunka gasped. "Why so quickly?"
"It has to be, my dear one. Tomorrow I go off to war and want you to
take my place at home. Then when I come back you'll be there to greet
me as my wife."
"But what will my mother say to this?"
"She will have to consent."
They went into the cottage and spoke to the old woman. She was far
from pleased with this arrangement, for she had worked out a very
different plan in her mind. But what could she do? A rich young
bridegroom always has his own way. So she hid her disappointment with
a false smile and gave them her blessing.
Then the young man said to her: "Get your things together, mother, and
follow Dobrunka, for I don't want her to be lonely while I'm gone.
When you get to the city, go to the palace and ask for Dobromil. The
people there will tell you where to go."
Dobrunka with tears streaming down her cheeks bid her mother good-by.
Dobromil lifted her to the saddle in front of him and away they went
like the wind.
The town was in great excitement. There was much hurrying to and fro
as the troops were being put in readiness for the morrow. A crowd had
gathered at the palace gates and as a young man came galloping up,
holding in front of him a lady lovely as the day, the shout went up:
"Here he is! Here he is!"
The people in the courtyard took up the cry and as Dobromil rode
through the gate all of them with one voice shouted out:
"Long live our beautiful queen! Long live our noble king!"
Dobrunka was struck with amazement.
"Are you really the king, Dobromil?" she asked, looking into his
proud and happy face.
"Yes," he said. "Aren't you glad that I am?"
"I love you," Dobrunka said, "and so whatever you are makes no
difference to me. But why did you deceive me?"
"I did not deceive you. I told you that your dream would be realized
if you took me for your husband."
In those early times marriage was a simple affair. When a man and
woman loved each other and their parents consented to their union,
they were looked upon as married. So Dobromil now was able to present
Dobrunka to his people as his wife.
There was great rejoicing, music played, and there was feasting and
drinking in the banquet hall until dawn. The next day the young
husband kissed his lovely bride farewell and rode off to war.
Left alone the young queen strayed through the magnificent palace like
a lost lamb. She would have felt more at home rambling through the
woods and awaiting the return of her husband in a little cottage than
here where she was a lonely stranger. Yet she was not a stranger long,
for within half a day she had won every heart by her sweetness and
goodness.
The next day she sent for her mother and the old woman soon arrived
bringing with her Dobrunka's spinning wheel. So now there was no more
excuse for loneliness.
Dobrunka supposed that her mother would be made very happy to find
what good fortune had befallen her daughter. The old woman pretended
she was, but in her heart she was furious that a king had married
Dobrunka and not Zloboha.
After a few days she said, very artfully, to Dobrunka: "I know, my
dear daughter, that you think your sister, Zloboha, was not always
kind to you in times past. She's sorry now and I want you to forgive
her and invite her here to the palace."
"I should have asked her before this," said Dobrunka, "but I didn't
suppose she wanted to come. If you wish it, we'll go for her at once."
"Yes, dear daughter, I do wish it."
So the queen ordered the carriage and off they went to fetch Zloboha.
When they came to the edge of the woods they alighted and ordered the
coachman to await them there. They went on afoot to the cottage where
Zloboha was expecting them.
Zloboha came running out to meet them. She threw her arms about her
sister's neck and kissed her and wished her happiness. Then the
wicked sister and the wicked mother led poor unsuspecting Dobrunka
into the house. Once inside Zloboha took a knife that she had ready
and struck Dobrunka. Then they cut off Dobrunka's hands and feet,
gouged out her eyes, and hid her poor mutilated body in the woods.
Zloboha and her mother wrapped up the hands and the feet and the eyes
to carry them back with them to the palace because they believed that
it would be easier for them to deceive the king if they had with them
something that had belonged to Dobrunka.
Then Zloboha put on Dobrunka's clothes and she and her mother rode
back to town in the carriage and nobody could tell that she wasn't
Dobrunka. In the palace the attendants soon whispered to each other
that their mistress was kinder to them at first, but they suspected
nothing.
In the meantime poor Dobrunka, who was not quite dead, had been found
by a hermit and carried by him to a cave. She awoke to feel a kind
hand soothing her wounds and putting some reviving drops between her
lips. Of course, she could not see who it was, for she had no eyes. As
she regained consciousness she remembered what had happened and began
bitterly to upbraid her unnatural mother and her cruel sister.
"Be quiet. Do not complain," a low voice said. "All will yet be well."
"How can all be well," wept poor Dobrunka, "when I have no eyes and no
feet and no hands? I shall never again see the bright sun and the
green woods. I shall never again hold in my arms my beloved Dobromil.
Nor shall I be able to spin fine flax for his shirts! Oh, what did I
ever do to you, wicked mother, or to you, cruel sister, that you have
done this to me?"
The hermit went to the entrance of the cave and called three times.
Soon a boy came running in answer to the call.
"Wait here till I come back," the hermit said.
He returned in a short time with a golden spinning wheel in his arms.
He said to the boy:
"My son, take this spinning wheel to town to the king's palace. Sit
down in the courtyard near the gate and if any one asks you for how
much you will sell the wheel, say: 'For two eyes.' Unless you are
offered two eyes for it bring it back."
The boy took the spinning wheel and carried it to town as the hermit
directed. He went to the palace and sat down in the courtyard near
the gate, just as Zloboha and her mother were returning from a walk.
"Look, mother!" Zloboha cried. "What a gorgeous spinning wheel! I
could spin on that myself! Wait. I'll ask whether it's for sale."
She went over to the boy and asked him would he sell the spinning
wheel.
"Yes," he said, "if I get what I want."
"What do you want?"
"I want two eyes."
"Two eyes?"
"Yes, two eyes. My father told me to accept nothing for it but two
eyes. So I can't sell it for money."
The longer Zloboha looked at the spinning wheel the more beautiful it
seemed to her and the more she wanted it. Suddenly she remembered
Dobrunka's eyes that she had hidden away.
"Mother," she said, "as a queen I ought to have something no one else
has. When the king comes home he will want me to spin, and just think
how lovely I should look sitting at this golden wheel. Now we've got
those eyes of Dobrunka's. Let us exchange them for the golden spinning
wheel. We'll still have the hands and feet."
The mother, who was as foolish as the daughter, agreed. So Zloboha
got the eyes and gave them to the boy for the spinning wheel.
The boy hurried back to the forest and handed the eyes to the hermit.
The old man took them and gently put them into place. Instantly
Dobrunka could see.
The first thing she saw was the old hermit himself with his tall spare
figure and long white beard. The last rays of the setting sun shone
through the opening of the cave and lighted up his grave and gentle
face. He looked to Dobrunka like one of God's own saints.
"How can I ever repay you?" she said, "for all your loving kindness?
Oh, that I could cover your hands with kisses!"
"Be quiet, my child," the old man said. "If you are patient all will
yet be well."
He went out and soon returned with some delicious fruit on a wooden
plate. This he carried over to the bed of leaves and moss upon which
Dobrunka was lying and with his own hands he fed Dobrunka as a mother
would feed her helpless child. Then he gave her a drink from a wooden
cup.
Early the next morning the hermit again called three times and the
boy came running at once. This time the hermit handed him a golden
distaff and said:
"Take this distaff and go to the palace. Sit down in the courtyard
near the gate. If any one asks you what you want for the distaff, say
two feet and don't exchange it for anything else."
Zloboha was standing at a window of the palace looking down into the
courtyard when she saw the boy with a golden distaff.
"Mother!" she cried. "Come and see! There's that boy again sitting
near the gate and this time he has a golden distaff!"
Mother and daughter at once went out to question the boy.
"What do you want for the distaff?" Zloboha asked.
"Two feet," the boy said.
"Two feet?"
"Yes, two feet."
"Tell me, what will your father do with two feet?"
"I don't know. I never ask my father what he does with anything. But
whatever he tells me to do, I do. That is why I can't exchange the
distaff for anything but two feet."
"Listen, mother," Zloboha said, "now that I have a golden spinning
wheel, I ought to have a golden distaff to go with it. You know we
have those two feet of Dobrunka's hidden away. What if I gave them to
the boy? We shall still have Dobrunka's hands."
"Well, do as you please," the old woman said.
So Zloboha went and got Dobrunka's feet, wrapped them up, and gave
them to the boy in exchange for the distaff. Delighted with her
bargain, Zloboha went to her chamber and the boy hurried back to the
forest.
He gave the feet to the hermit and the old man carried them at once
inside the cave. Then he rubbed Dobrunka's wounds with some healing
salve and stuck on the feet. Dobrunka wanted to jump up from the couch
and walk but the old man restrained her.
"Lie quiet where you are until you are all well and then I'll let you
get up."
Dobrunka knew that whatever the old hermit said was for her good, so
she rested as he ordered.
On the third morning the hermit called the boy and gave him a golden
spindle.
"Go to the palace again," he said, "and today offer this spindle for
sale. If any one asks you what you want for the spindle, say two
hands. Don't accept anything else."
The boy took the golden spindle and when he reached the palace and
sat down in the courtyard near the gate, Zloboha ran up to him at
once.
"What do you want for that spindle?" she asked.
"Two hands," the boy said.
"It's a strange thing you won't sell anything for money."
"I have to ask what my father tells me to ask."
Zloboha was in a quandary. She wanted the golden spindle, for it was
very beautiful. It would go well with the spinning wheel and would be
something to be proud of. Yet she didn't want to be left without
anything that had belonged to Dobrunka.
"But really, mother," she whined, "I don't see why I have to keep
something of Dobrunka's so that Dobromil will love me as he loved her.
I'm sure I'm as pretty as Dobrunka ever was."
"Well," said the old woman, "it would be better if you kept them. I've
often heard that's a good way to guard a man's love. However, do as
you like."
For a moment Zloboha was undecided. Then, tossing her head, she ran
and got the hands and gave them to the boy.
Zloboha took the spindle and, delighted with her bargain, carried it
into her chamber where she had the wheel and distaff. The old woman
was a little troubled, for she feared Zloboha had acted foolishly.
But Zloboha, confident of her beauty and her ability to charm the
king, only laughed at her.
As soon as the boy had delivered the hands to the hermit, the old man
carried them into the cave. Then he anointed the wounds on Dobrunka's
arms with the same healing salve that he used before, and stuck on the
hands.
As soon as Dobrunka could move them she jumped up from the couch and,
falling at the hermit's feet, she kissed the hands that had been so
good to her.
"A thousand thanks to you, my benefactor!" she cried with tears of joy
in her eyes. "I can never repay you, I know that, but ask of me
anything I can do and I'll do it."
"I ask nothing," the old man said, gently raising her to her feet.
"What I did for you I would do for any one. I only did my duty. So say
no more about it. And now, my child, farewell. You are to stay here
until some one comes for you. Have no concern for food. I shall send
you what you need."
Dobrunka wanted to say something to him, but he disappeared and she
never saw him again.
Now she was able to run out of the cave and look once more upon God's
green world. Now for the first time in her life she knew what it
meant to be strong and well. She threw herself on the ground and
kissed it. She hugged the slender birches and danced around them,
simply bursting with love for every living thing. She reached out
longing hands towards the town and would probably have gone there
running all the distance but she remembered the words of the old
hermit and knew that she must stay where she was.
Meanwhile strange things were happening at the palace. Messengers
brought word that the king was returning from war and there was great
rejoicing on every side. The king's own household was particularly
happy, for service under the new mistress was growing more unpleasant
every day. As for Zloboha and her mother, it must be confessed that
they were a little frightened over the outcome of their plot.
Finally the king arrived. Zloboha with smiling face went to meet him.
He took her to his heart with great tenderness and from that moment
Zloboha had no fear that he would recognize her.
A great feast was at once prepared, for the king had brought home with
him many of his nobles to rest and make merry after the hardships of
war.
Zloboha as she sat at Dobromil's side could not take her eyes off him.
The handsome young soldier caught her fancy and she was rejoiced that
she had put Dobrunka out of the way.
When they finished feasting, Dobromil asked her: "What have you been
doing all this time, my dear Dobrunka? I'm sure you've been spinning."
"That's true, my dear husband," Zloboha said in a flattering tone. "My
old spinning wheel got broken, so I bought a new one, a lovely golden
one."
"You must show me it at once," the king said, and he took Zloboha's
arm and led her away.
He went with her to her chamber where she had the golden spinning
wheel and she took it out and showed it to him. Dobromil admired it
greatly.
"Sit down, Dobrunka," he said, "and spin. I should like to see you
again at the distaff."
Zloboha at once sat down behind the wheel. She put her foot to the
treadle and started the wheel. Instantly the wheel sang out and this
is what it sang:
"Master, master, don't believe her!
She's a cruel and base deceiver!
She is not your own sweet wife!
She destroyed Dobrunka's life!"
Zloboha sat stunned and motionless while the king looked wildly about
to see where the song came from.
When he could see nothing, he told her to spin some more. Trembling,
she obeyed. Hardly had she put her foot to the treadle when the voice
again sang out:
"Master, master, don't believe her!
She's a cruel and base deceiver!
She has killed her sister good
And hid her body in the wood!"
Beside herself with fright, Zloboha wanted to flee the spinning wheel,
but Dobromil restrained her. Suddenly her face grew so hideous with
fear that Dobromil saw she was not his own gentle Dobrunka. With a
rough hand he forced her back to the stool and in a stern voice
ordered her to spin.
Again she turned the fatal wheel and then for the third time the voice
sang out:
"Master, master, haste away!
To the wood without delay!
In a cave your wife, restored,
Yearns for you, her own true lord!"
At those words Dobromil released Zloboha and ran like mad out of the
chamber and down into the courtyard where he ordered his swiftest
horse to be saddled instantly. The attendants, frightened by his
appearance, lost no time and almost at once Dobromil was on his horse
and flying over hill and dale so fast that the horse's hoofs scarcely
touched the earth.
When he reached the forest he did not know where to look for the cave.
He rode straight into the wood until a white doe crossed his path.
Then the horse in fright plunged to one side and pushed through bushes
and undergrowth to the base of a big rock. Dobromil dismounted and
tied the horse to a tree.
He climbed the rock and there he saw something white gleaming among
the trees. He crept forward cautiously and suddenly found himself in
front of a cave. Imagine then his joy, when he enters and finds his
own dear wife Dobrunka.
As he kisses her and looks into her sweet gentle face he says: "Where
were my eyes that I was deceived for an instant by your wicked
sister?"
"What have you heard about my sister?" asked Dobrunka, who as yet knew
nothing of the magic spinning wheel.
So the king told her all that had happened and she in turn told him
what had befallen her.
"And from the time the hermit disappeared," she said in conclusion,
"the little boy has brought me food every day."
They sat down on the grass and together they ate some fruit from the
wooden plate. When they rose to go they took the wooden plate and the
cup away with them as keepsakes.
Dobromil seated his wife in front of him on the horse and sped
homewards with her. All his people were at the palace gate waiting to
tell him what had happened in his absence.
It seems that the devil himself had come and before their very eyes
had carried off his wife and mother-in-law. They looked at each other
in amazement as Dobromil rode up with what seemed to be the same wife
whom the devil had so recently carried off.
Dobromil explained to them what had happened and with one voice they
called down punishment on the head of the wicked sister.
The golden spinning wheel had vanished. So Dobrunka hunted out her old
one and set to work at once to spin for her husband's shirts. No one
in the kingdom had such fine shirts as Dobromil and no one was
happier.
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Once upon a time there lived, on the bank of a stream, a man and a woman who had a daughter. As she was an only child, and very pretty besides, they never could make up their minds to punish her for her faults or to teach her nice manners; a... The Glass Axe
From the Hungarian. Kletke. There was once upon a time a King and Queen who had everything they could possibly wish for in this world except a child. At last, after twelve years, the Queen gave birth to a son; but she did not live long to enjo... The Glass Dog
An accomplished wizard once lived on the top floor of a tenement house and passed his time in thoughtful study and studious thought. What he didn't know about wizardry was hardly worth knowing, for he possessed all the books and recipes of all the... The Glass Mountain
From the Polish. Kletke. Once upon a time there was a Glass Mountain at the top of which stood a castle made of pure gold, and in front of the castle there grew an apple-tree on which there were golden apples. Anyone who picked an apple gaine... The Glow-worm And The Daw
A Jackdaw once ran up to a Glow-Worm and was about to seize him. "Wait a moment, good friend," said the Worm; "and you shall hear something to your advantage." "Ah! what is it?" said the Daw. "I am but one of the many Glow-Worms that live in th... The Gnat
In the eastern counties of England, and perhaps in other parts of the country, children chant the following lines when they are pursuing this insect: Gnat, gnat, fly into my hat, And I'll give you a slice of bacon! ... The Gnat and the Bull
A GNAT settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there a long time. Just as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the Bull if he would like him to go. The Bull replied, "I did not know you had come, and I shall not miss you... The Gnat and the Lion
A GNAT came and said to a Lion, "I do not in the least fear you, nor are you stronger than I am. For in what does your strength consist? You can scratch with your claws and bite with your teeth an a woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altoge... The Go-sleep Story
BY EUDORA S. BUMSTEAD "How can I go to bed," said Penny, the flossy dog, "till I say good-night to Baby Ray? He gives me part of his bread and milk, and pats me with his little, soft hand. It is bedtime now for dogs and babies. I wonder if he is ... The Goat and the Ass
A MAN once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his greater abundance of food, said, "How shamefully you are treated: at one time grinding in the mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens"; and he further advised him t... The Goat and the Goatherd
A GOATHERD had sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no attention to the summons. At last the Goatherd threw a stone, and breaking its horn, begged the Goat not to tell his mast... The Goat And The Horse
A Goat, in mute delight, To the sweet echoes of a violin, Harmonious, long stood listening; His feet, the while, in sympathetic measure, Danced all unconsciously for pleasure. And, to an honest Nag, who, in like mood Absorb... The Goat's Ears Of The Emperor Trojan
Once upon a time there lived an emperor whose name was Trojan, and he had ears like a goat. Every morning, when he was shaved, he asked if the man saw anything odd about him, and as each fresh barber always replied that the emperor had goat's ears,... The Goat-faced Girl
There was once upon a time a peasant called Masaniello who had twelve daughters. They were exactly like the steps of a staircase, for there was just a year between each sister. It was all the poor man could do to bring up such a large family, an... The Goatherd and the Wild Goats
A GOATHERD, driving his flock from their pasture at eventide, found some Wild Goats mingled among them, and shut them up together with his own for the night. The next day it snowed very hard, so that he could not take the herd to their usual feedin... The Goblin And The Huckster
THERE was once a regular student, who lived in a garret and had no possessions. And there was also a regular huckster, to whom the house belonged, and who occupied the ground floor. A goblin lived with the huckster because at Christmas he always h... The Goblin Pony
‘Don't stir from the fireplace to-night,' said old Peggy, ‘for the wind is blowing so violently that the house shakes; besides, this is Hallow-e'en, when the witches are abroad, and the goblins, who are their servants, are wandering about in... The Gold-bearded Man
Once upon a time there lived a great king who had a wife and one son whom he loved very much. The boy was still young when, one day, the king said to his wife: 'I feel that the hour of my death draws near, and I want you to promise that you will nev... The Golden Archer
In the midst of a plain stood a great church built of white stones, with a massive tower. On this tower was a weather vane in the shape of a golden man who rode a golden horse, and made ready to shoot a golden arrow. Only the arrow never left the ... The Golden Ball
Once upon a time there lived two lasses, who were sisters, and as they came from the fair they saw a right handsome young man standing at a house door before them. They had never seen such a handsome young man before. He had gold on his cap, gold ... The Golden Beetle Or Why The Dog Hates The Cat
"What we shall eat to-morrow, I haven't the slightest idea!" said Widow Wang to her eldest son, as he started out one morning in search of work. "Oh, the gods will provide. I'll find a few coppers somewhere," replied the boy, trying to speak ... The Golden Bird
A certain king had a beautiful garden, and in the garden stood a tree which bore golden apples. These apples were always counted, and about the time when they began to grow ripe it was found that every night one of them was gone. The king became ver... The Golden Blackbird
Once upon a time there was a great lord who had three sons. He fell very ill, sent for doctors of every kind, even bonesetters, but they, none of them, could find out what was the matter with him, or even give him any relief. At last there came ... The Golden Branch
ONCE upon a time there was a King who was so morose and disagreeable that he was feared by all his subjects, and with good reason, as for the most trifling offences he would have their heads cut off. This King Grumpy, as he was called, had one son,... The Golden Crab
'Prinz Krebs,' from Griechische Mahrchen. Schmidt. Once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three children. Every morning he used to go out fishing, and whatever fish he caught he sold to the King. One day, among the other fi... The Golden Duck
THE STORY OF PRINCE RADUZ AND THE FAITHFUL LUDMILA Once upon a time there was a king who had four sons. One day the queen said to him: "It is time that one of our boys went out into the world to make his fortune." "I have been thinking tha... The Golden Godmother
THE STORY OF POOR LUKAS There was once a wealthy farmer named Lukas who was so careless in the management of his affairs that there came a time when all his property was gone and he had nothing left but one old tumble-down cottage. Then when it... The Golden Goose
There was a man who had three sons, the youngest of whom was called Dummling,[*] and was despised, mocked, and sneered at on every occasion. It happened that the eldest wanted to go into the forest to hew wood, and before he went his mother gave h... The Golden Goose
THERE was once a man who had three sons. The youngest of them was called Dullhead, and was sneered and jeered at and snubbed on every possible opportunity. One day it happened that the eldest son wished to go into the forest to cut wood, and befo... The Golden Lads
A poor man and his wife lived in a little cottage, where they supported themselves by catching fish in the nearest river, and got on as best they could, living from hand to mouth. One day it happened that when the fisherman drew in his net he fo... The Golden Lion
Sicilianische Mahrchen. L. Gonzenbach. There was once a rich merchant who had three sons, and when they were grown up the eldest said to him, 'Father, I wish to travel and see the world. I pray you let me.' So the father ordered a beautiful s... The Golden Mermaid
A powerful king had, among many other treasures, a wonderful tree in his garden, which bore every year beautiful golden apples. But the King was never able to enjoy his treasure, for he might watch and guard them as he liked, as soon as they beg... The Golden Nugget
Once upon a time many, many years ago, there lived in China two friends named Ki-wu and Pao-shu. These two young men, like Damon and Pythias, loved each other and were always together. No cross words passed between them; no unkind thoughts marr... The Golden Snuff-box
Once upon a time, and a very good time too, though it was not in my time, nor your time, nor for the matter of that in any one's time, there lived a man and a woman who had one son called Jack, and he was just terribly fond of reading books. He re... The Golden Spinning Wheel
THE STORY OF KING DOBROMIL AND THE GOOD DOBRUNKA There was once a poor woman who had twin daughters. The girls were exactly alike in face and feature but utterly different in disposition. Dobrunka was kind, industrious, obedient, and everything ... The Golden Temple
Once upon a time there was a town called Atpat. In it there reigned a king who had four daughters-in-law. He loved three of them very dearly, but the fourth, who was an ugly little girl, he did not like at all. To the three daughters-in-law he gave ... The Golden-headed Fish
Once upon a time there lived in Egypt a king who lost his sight from a bad illness. Of course he was very unhappy, and became more so as months passed, and all the best doctors in the land were unable to cure him. The poor man grew so thin from mi... The Goldsmith's Fortune
Once upon a time there was a goldsmith who lived in a certain village where the people were as bad and greedy, and covetous, as they could possibly be; however, in spite of his surroundings, he was fat and prosperous. He had only one friend ... The Good Ferryman And The Water Nymphs
There was once an old man, very poor, with three sons. They lived chiefly by ferrying people over a river; but he had had nothing but ill-luck all his life. And to crown all, on the night he died, there was a great storm, and in it the crazy old f... The Good King
By Margaret and Clarence Weed Once upon a time there was a King in Spain who had only one leg. He was a Good King and he had a big Animal Farm where he kept all the animals who had lost one or more of their legs. In another part of Spain there wa... The Good Little Piggie And His Friends
BY L. WALDO LOCKLING Once there was a little piggie, a very good little piggie, who obeyed his mother so well that often she let him out of the pen to play with his friends on the farm. One afternoon this little piggie was playing with them, when... The Good Sir James
My Sir James is not the leal friend of Robert Bruce nor is he the Douglas who fell at Otterburn and was buried 'by the bracken bush that grows on yonder lilye lee.' My Sir James is alive and well to-day, and is one of the Quiqui people who live in... The Good Thunder
Folks say that Rai-den, the Thunder, is an unloving spirit, fearful and revengeful, cruel to man. These are folks who are mortally afraid of the storm, and who hate lightning and tempest; they speak all the evil they can of Rai-den and of Rai-Taro... The Goodest Mother
Evening was falling, cold and dark, And people hurried along the way As if they were longing soon to mark Their own home candle's cheering ray. Before me toiled in the whirling wind A woman with bundles great ... The Goods and the Ills
ALL the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from that common share which they each had in the affairs of mankind; for the Ills by reason of their numbers had prevailed to possess the earth. The Goods wafted themselves to heaven and asked for a ri... The Goose And The Swans
I hate the face, however fair, That carries an affected air; The lisping tone, the shape constrain'd, The study'd look, the passion feign'd, Are fopperies, which only tend To injure what they strive to mend. With what superior gra... The Goose Girl
Once upon a time there lived an old Queen, whose husband had been dead some years, and left her with one child, a beautiful daughter. When this daughter grew up she was to be married to a King's son, who lived far away. Now when the time cam... The Goose Girl
BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS. Oh, I'm a goose, and you're a goose, and we're all geese together. We wander over hill and dale, all in the sweet June weather, While wise folk stay indoors and pore O'er dusty books for learning lore. ... The Goose Girl And The Blue Gander
Once upon a time there was a goose girl who tended her flock in a green meadow. The meadow was dotted with forget-me-nots and yellow buttercups, and the sun shone down on it; her geese were fine blue geese and uncommonly knowing. She shou... The Goose-girl
The king of a great land died, and left his queen to take care of their only child. This child was a daughter, who was very beautiful; and her mother loved her dearly, and was very kind to her. And there was a good fairy too, who was fond of the pri... The Goose-girl
Once upon a time an old queen, whose husband had been dead for many years, had a beautiful daughter. When she grew up she was betrothed to a prince who lived a great way off. Now, when the time drew near for her to be married and to depart into a... The Grasshopper and the Owl
AN OWL, accustomed to feed at night and to sleep during the day, was greatly disturbed by the noise of a Grasshopper and earnestly besought her to stop chirping. The Grasshopper refused to desist, and chirped louder and louder the more the Owl entr... The Grateful Foxes
It was springtime in Japan, and the blossoms hung thick on the cherry trees. Butterflies and dragon flies fluttered over the golden colza flowers in the fields. The rice birds chirped merrily. Everything seemed to say, "How good it is to liv... The Grateful Prince
Once upon a time the king of the Goldland lost himself in a forest, and try as he would he could not find the way out. As he was wandering down one path which had looked at first more hopeful than the rest he saw a man coming towards him. 'What ... The Gray Hare
A gray hare was living in the winter near the village. When night came, he pricked one ear and listened; then he pricked his second ear, moved his whiskers, sniffed, and sat down on his hind legs. Then he took a leap or two over the deep snow, and... The Great Bell
The mighty Yung-lo sat on the great throne surrounded by a hundred attendants. He was sad, for he could think of no wonderful thing to do for his country. He flirted his silken fan nervously and snapped his long finger-nails in the impatience o... The Great Splendid Silk-moth Or Samia Cecropia
<p>When I was a very small boy, I saw my father bring in from the orchard a ragged looking thing like parchment wrapped up with some tangled hair; it was really the bundle-baby of this Moth. He kept it all winter, and when the spring came, I saw for ... The Great Wall
The wily Emperor Tsin Chi-hwang He built a wall both great and strong. The steps were narrow, but the wall was stout, So it kept the troublesome Tartars out. ... The Greedy Cat
Once on a time there was a man who had a Cat, and she was so awfully big, and such a beast to eat, he couldn't keep her any longer. So she was to go down to the river with a stone round her neck, but before she started she was to have a meal of me... The Greedy Geese
FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED) Many years ago there was near the sea a convent famed for the rich crops of grain that grew on its farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild geese descended on its fields and devoured first the corn, and then the ... The Greedy Shepherd
Once upon a time there lived in the South Country two brothers, whose business it was to keep sheep. No one lived on that plain but shepherds, who watched their sheep so carefully that no lamb was ever lost. There was none among them more carefu... The Green Fairy With The Long Train
<p>Some fairies are Brownies and some are Greenies, and of all that really and truly dance in the moonlight right here in America, Luna Greenie seems the most wonderful; and this is her history:</p> <p>Once upon a time there was a seed pearl that dro... The Green Knight
There lived once a king and queen who had an only daughter, a charming and beautiful girl, dearer to them than anything else in the world. When the princess was twelve years old the queen fell sick, and nothing that could be done for her was of an... The Greenies
A ROSE TREE stood in the window. But a little while ago it had been green and fresh, and now it looked sickly--it was in poor health, no doubt. A whole regiment was quartered on it and was eating it up; yet, notwithstanding this seeming greediness... The Groac'h Of The Isle Of Lok
In old times, when all kinds of wonderful things happened in Brittany, there lived in the village of Lanillis, a young man named Houarn Pogamm and a girl called Bellah Postik. They were cousins, and as their mothers were great friends, and co... The Gude Wallace
"Would ye hear of William Wallace, An' sek him as he goes, Into the lan' of Lanark, Amang his mortal foes? There were fyfteen English sojers, Unto his ladye came, Said, 'Gie us William Wallace, That we m... The Hack Mule
Full fed and antic, A Hack Mule pushed With speed so frantic Forth from her stable, That her rider Scarcely was able With rein to guide her. Half our journey Not long will bide her In such a race. ... The Hairy Man
Somewhere or other, but I don't know where, there lived a king who owned two remarkably fine fields of rape, but every night two of the rape heaps were burnt down in one of the fields. The king was extremely angry at this, and sent out soldiers to c... The Half-chick
Once upon a time there was a handsome black Spanish hen, who had a large brood of chickens. They were all fine, plump little birds, except the youngest, who was quite unlike his brothers and sisters. Indeed, he was such a strange, queer-looking ... The Handless Brigade
Have you ever thought what it would be like to have no arms, and be obliged to use your toes for everything? If not, try it on a wet day, and see how much you can manage to do. Yet, there are plenty of true stories of people born without hands, wh...