Twomoreyearsslippedby，whenonedayduringtheking’sabsencethestepmotherfoundDotterinesittingunderalimetree。Shefellasusualintoapassion，andbeatthechildsobadlythatDotterinewentstaggeringtoherownroom。Hernursewasnotthere，butsuddenly，asshestoodweeping，hereyesfelluponthegoldencaseinwhichlaythepreciousbasket。Shethoughtitmightcontainsomethingtoamuseher，andlookedeagerlyinside，butnothingwastheresaveahandfulofwoolandtwoemptyeggshells。Verymuchdisappointed，sheliftedthewool，andtherelaythegoose’swing。’Whatoldrubbish，’saidthechildtoherself，and，turning，threwthewingoutoftheopenwindow。
Inamomentabeautifulladystoodbesideher。’Donotbeafraid，’saidthelady，strokingDotterine’shead。’Iamyourgodmother，andhavecometopayyouavisit。Yourredeyestellmethatyouareunhappy。Iknowthatyourstepmotherisveryunkindtoyou，butbebraveandpatient，andbetterdayswillcome。Shewillhavenopoweroveryouwhenyouaregrownup，andnooneelsecanhurtyoueither，ifonlyyouarecarefulnevertopartfromyourbasket，ortolosetheeggshellsthatareinit。
Makeasilkencaseforthelittlebasket，andhideitawayinyourdressnightanddayandyouwillbesafefromyourstepmotherandanyonethattriestoharmyou。Butifyoushouldhappentofindyourselfinanydifficulty，andcannottellwhattodo，takethegoose’swingfromthebasket，andthrowitoutofthewindow，andinamomentIwillcometohelpyou。Nowcomeintothegarden，thatImaytalktoyouunderthelimetrees，wherenoonecanhearus。’
Theyhadsomuchtosaytoeachother，thatthesunwasalreadysettingwhenthegodmotherhadendedallthegoodadviceshewishedtogivethechild，andsawitwastimeforhertobegoing。’Handmethebasket，’saidshe，’foryoumusthavesomesupper。Icannotletyougohungrytobed。’
Then，bendingoverthebasket，shewhisperedsomemagicwords，andinstantlyatablecoveredwithfruitsandcakesstoodonthegroundbeforethem。Whentheyhadfinishedeating，thegodmotherledthechildback，andonthewaytaughtherthewordsshemustsaytothebasketwhenshewantedittogivehersomething。
Inafewyearsmore，Dotterinewasagrown—upyounglady，andthosewhosawherthoughtthattheworlddidnotcontainsolovelyagirl。
Aboutthistimeaterriblewarbrokeout，andthekingandhisarmywerebeatenbackandback，tillatlengththeyhadtoretireintothetown，andmakereadyforasiege。Itlastedsolongthatfoodbegantofail，andeveninthepalacetherewasnotenoughtoeat。
SoonemorningDotterine，whohadhadneithersuppernorbreakfast，andwasfeelingveryhungry，letherwingflyaway。
Shewassoweakandmiserable，thatdirectlyhergodmotherappearedsheburstintotears，andcouldnotspeakforsometime。
’Donotcryso，dearchild，’saidthegodmother。’Iwillcarryyouawayfromallthis，buttheothersImustleavetotaketheirchance。’Then，biddingDotterinefollowher，shepassedthroughthegatesofthetown，andthroughthearmyoutside，andnobodystoppedthem，orseemedtoseethem。
Thenextdaythetownsurrendered，andthekingandallhiscourtiersweretakenprisoners，butintheconfusionhissonmanagedtomakehisescape。Thequeenhadalreadymetherdeathfromaspearcarelesslythrown。
AssoonasDotterineandhergodmotherwereclearoftheenemy，Dotterinetookoffherownclothes，andputonthoseofapeasant，andinordertodisguiseherbetterhergodmotherchangedherfacecompletely。’Whenbettertimescome，’herprotectresssaidcheerfully，’andyouwanttolooklikeyourselfagain，youhaveonlytowhisperthewordsIhavetaughtyouintothebasket，andsayyouwouldliketohaveyourownfaceoncemore，anditwillbeallrightinamoment。Butyouwillhavetoendurealittlelongeryet。’Then，warningheroncemoretotakecareofthebasket，theladybadethegirlfarewell。
FormanydaysDotterinewanderedfromoneplacetoanotherwithoutfindingshelter，andthoughthefoodwhichshegotfromthebasketpreventedherfromstarving，shewasgladenoughtotakeserviceinapeasant’shousetillbrighterdaysdawned。Atfirsttheworkshehadtodoseemedverydifficult，buteithershewaswonderfullyquickinlearning，orelsethebasketmayhavesecretlyhelpedher。Anyhowattheendofthreedaysshecoulddoeverythingaswellasifshehadcleanedpotsandsweptroomsallherlife。
OnemorningDotterinewasbusyscouringawoodentub，whenanobleladyhappenedtopassthroughthevillage。Thegirl’sbrightfaceasshestoodinthefrontofthedoorwithhertubattractedthelady，andshestoppedandcalledthegirltocomeandspeaktoher。
’Wouldyounotliketocomeandentermyservice？’sheasked。
’Verymuch，’repliedDotterine，’ifmypresentmistresswillallowme。’
’Oh，Iwillsettlethat，’answeredthelady;andsoshedid，andthesamedaytheysetoutforthelady’shouse，Dotterinesittingbesidethecoachman。
Sixmonthswentby，andthencamethejoyfulnewsthattheking’ssonhadcollectedanarmyandhaddefeatedtheusurperwhohadtakenhisfather’splace，butatthesamemomentDotterinelearnedthattheoldkinghaddiedincaptivity。Thegirlweptbitterlyforhisloss，butinsecrecy，asshehadtoldhermistressnothingaboutherpastlife。
Attheendofayearofmourning，theyoungkingletitbeknownthatheintendedtomarry，andcommandedallthemaidensinthekingdomtocometoafeast，sothathemightchooseawifefromamongthem。Forweeksallthemothersandallthedaughtersinthelandwerebusypreparingbeautifuldressesandtryingnewwaysofputtinguptheirhair，andthethreelovelydaughtersofDotterine’smistresswereasmuchexcitedastherest。Thegirlwascleverwithherfingers，andwasoccupiedalldaywithgettingreadytheirsmartclothes，butatnightwhenshewenttobedshealwaysdreamedthathergodmotherbentoverherandsaid，’Dressyouryoungladiesforthefeast，andwhentheyhavestartedfollowthemyourself。Nobodywillbesofineasyou。’
Whenthegreatdaycame，Dotterinecouldhardlycontainherself，andwhenshehaddressedheryoungmistressesandseenthemdepartwiththeirmothersheflungherselfonherbed，andburstintotears。Thensheseemedtohearavoicewhispertoher，’Lookinyourbasket，andyouwillfindiniteverythingthatyouneed。’
Dotterinedidnotwanttobetoldtwice！Upshejumped，seizedherbasket，andrepeatedthemagicwords，andbehold！therelayadressonthebed，shiningasastar。Sheputitonwithfingersthattrembledwithjoy，and，lookingintheglass，wasstruckdumbatherownbeauty。Shewentdownstairs，andinfrontofthedoorstoodafinecarriage，intowhichshesteppedandwasdrivenawaylikethewind。
Theking’spalacewasalongwayoff，yetitseemedonlyafewminutesbeforeDotterinedrewupatthegreatgates。Shewasjustgoingtoalight，whenshesuddenlyrememberedshehadleftherbasketbehindher。Whatwasshetodo？Gobackandfetchit，lestsomeill—fortuneshouldbefallher，orenterthepalaceandtrusttochancethatnothingevilwouldhappen？Butbeforeshecoulddecide，alittleswallowflewupwiththebasketinitsbeak，andthegirlwashappyagain。
Thefeastwasalreadyatitsheight，andthehallwasbrilliantwithyouthandbeauty，whenthedoorwasflungwideandDotterineentered，makingalltheothermaidenslookpaleanddimbesideher。Theirhopesfadedastheygazed，buttheirmotherswhisperedtogether，saying，’Surelythisisourlostprincess！’
Theyoungkingdidnotknowheragain，butheneverlefthersidenortookhiseyesfromher。Andatmidnightastrangethinghappened。Athickcloudsuddenlyfilledthehall，sothatforamomentallwasdark。Thenthemistsuddenlygrewbright，andDotterine’sgodmotherwasseenstandingthere。
’This，’shesaid，turningtotheking，’isthegirlwhomyouhavealwaysbelievedtobeyoursister，andwhovanishedduringthesiege。Sheisnotyoursisteratall，butthedaughterofthekingofaneighbouringcountry，whowasgiventoyourmothertobringup，tosaveherfromthehandsofawizard。’
Thenshevanished，andwasneverseenagain，northewonder—workingbasketeither;butnowthatDotterine’stroubleswereovershecouldgetonwithoutthem，andsheandtheyoungkinglivedhappilytogethertilltheendoftheirdays。
[EhstnischeMarchen。]
STANBOLOVAN
Onceuponatimewhathappeneddidhappen，andifithadnothappenedthisstorywouldneverhavebeentold。
Ontheoutskirtsofavillagejustwheretheoxenwereturnedouttopasture，andthepigsroamedaboutburrowingwiththeirnosesamongtherootsofthetrees，therestoodasmallhouse。Inthehouselivedamanwhohadawife，andthewifewassadalldaylong。
’Dearwife，whatiswrongwithyouthatyouhangyourheadlikeadroopingrosebud？’askedherhusbandonemorning。’Youhaveeverythingyouwant;whycannotyoubemerrylikeotherwomen？’
’Leavemealone，anddonotseektoknowthereason，’repliedshe，burstingintotears，andthemanthoughtthatitwasnotimetoquestionher，andwentawaytohiswork。
Hecouldnot，however，forgetallaboutit，andafewdaysafterheinquiredagainthereasonofhersadness，butonlygotthesamereply。Atlengthhefelthecouldbearitnolonger，andtriedathirdtime，andthenhiswifeturnedandansweredhim。
’Goodgracious！’criedshe，’whycannotyouletthingsbeastheyare？IfIweretotellyou，youwouldbecomejustaswretchedasmyself。Ifyouwouldonlybelieve，itisfarbetterforyoutoknownothing。’
Butnomanyetwasevercontentwithsuchananswer。Themoreyoubeghimnottoinquire，thegreaterishiscuriositytolearnthewhole。
’Well，ifyouMUSTknow，’saidthewifeatlast，’Iwilltellyou。Thereisnoluckinthishouse——noluckatall！’
’Isnotyourcowthebestmilkerinallthevillage？Arenotyourtreesasfulloffruitasyourhivesarefullofbees？Hasanyonecornfieldslikeours？Reallyyoutalknonsensewhenyousaythingslikethat！’
’Yes，allthatyousayistrue，butwehavenochildren。’
ThenStanunderstood，andwhenamanonceunderstandsandhashiseyesopeneditisnolongerwellwithhim。Fromthatdaythelittlehouseintheoutskirtscontainedanunhappymanaswellasanunhappywoman。Andatthesightofherhusband’smiserythewomanbecamemorewretchedthanever。
Andsomatterswentonforsometime。
Someweekshadpassed，andStanthoughthewouldconsultawisemanwholivedaday’sjourneyfromhisownhouse。Thewisemanwassittingbeforehisdoorwhenhecameup，andStanfellonhiskneesbeforehim。’Givemechildren，mylord，givemechildren。’
’Takecarewhatyouareasking，’repliedthewiseman。’Willnotchildrenbeaburdentoyou？Areyourichenoughtofeedandclothethem？’
’Onlygivethemtome，mylord，andIwillmanagesomehow！’andatasignfromthewisemanStanwenthisway。
Hereachedhomethateveningtiredanddusty，butwithhopeinhisheart。Ashedrewnearhishouseasoundofvoicesstruckuponhisear，andhelookeduptoseethewholeplacefullofchildren。Childreninthegarden，childrenintheyard，childrenlookingoutofeverywindow——itseemedtothemanasifallthechildrenintheworldmustbegatheredthere。Andnonewasbiggerthantheother，buteachwassmallerthantheother，andeveryonewasmorenoisyandmoreimpudentandmoredaringthantherest，andStangazedandgrewcoldwithhorrorasherealisedthattheyallbelongedtohim。
’Goodgracious！howmanythereare！howmany！’hemutteredtohimself。
’Oh，butnotonetoomany，’smiledhiswife，comingupwithacrowdmorechildrenclingingtoherskirts。
Butevenshefoundthatitwasnotsoeasytolookafterahundredchildren，andwhenafewdayshadpassedandtheyhadeatenupallthefoodtherewasinthehouse，theybegantocry，’Father！Iamhungry——Iamhungry，’tillStanscratchedhisheadandwonderedwhathewastodonext。Itwasnotthathethoughtthereweretoomanychildren，forhislifehadseemedmorefullofjoysincetheyappeared，butnowitcametothepointhedidnotknowhowhewastofeedthem。Thecowhadceasedtogivemilk，anditwastooearlyforthefruittreestoripen。
’Doyouknow，oldwoman！’saidheonedaytohiswife，’Imustgooutintotheworldandtrytobringbackfoodsomehow，thoughI
cannottellwhereitistocomefrom。’
Tothehungrymananyroadislong，andthentherewasalwaysthethoughtthathehadtosatisfyahundredgreedychildrenaswellashimself。
Stanwandered，andwandered，andwandered，tillhereachedtotheendoftheworld，wherethatwhichis，ismingledwiththatwhichisnot，andtherehesaw，alittlewayoff，asheepfold，withsevensheepinit。Intheshadowofsometreeslaytherestoftheflock。
Stancreptup，hopingthathemightmanagetodecoysomeofthemawayquietly，anddrivethemhomeforfoodforhisfamily，buthesoonfoundthiscouldnotbe。Foratmidnightheheardarushingnoise，andthroughtheairflewadragon，whodroveapartaram，asheep，andalamb，andthreefinecattlethatwerelyingdowncloseby。Andbesidesthesehetookthemilkofseventy—sevensheep，andcarriedithometohisoldmother，thatshemightbatheinitandgrowyoungagain。Andthishappenedeverynight。
Theshepherdbewailedhimselfinvain:thedragononlylaughed，andStansawthatthiswasnottheplacetogetfoodforhisfamily。
Butthoughhequiteunderstoodthatitwasalmosthopelesstofightagainstsuchapowerfulmonster，yetthethoughtofthehungrychildrenathomeclungtohimlikeaburr，andwouldnotbeshakenoff，andatlasthesaidtotheshepherd，’WhatwillyougivemeifIridyouofthedragon？’
’Oneofeverythreerams，oneofeverythreesheep，oneofeverythreelambs，’answeredtheherd。
’Itisabargain，’repliedStan，thoughatthemomenthedidnotknowhow，supposingheDIDcomeoffthevictor，hewouldeverbeabletodrivesolargeaflockhome。
However，thatmattercouldbesettledlater。Atpresentnightwasnotfaroff，andhemustconsiderhowbesttofightwiththedragon。
Justatmidnight，ahorriblefeelingthatwasnewandstrangetohimcameoverStan——afeelingthathecouldnotputintowordseventohimself，butwhichalmostforcedhimtogiveupthebattleandtaketheshortestroadhomeagain。Hehalfturned;
thenherememberedthechildren，andturnedback。
’YouorI，’saidStantohimself，andtookuphispositionontheedgeoftheflock。
’Stop！’hesuddenlycried，astheairwasfilledwitharushingnoise，andthedragoncamedashingpast。
’Dearme！’exclaimedthedragon，lookinground。’Whoareyou，andwheredoyoucomefrom？’
’IamStanBolovan，whoeatsrocksallnight，andinthedayfeedsontheflowersofthemountain;andifyoumeddlewiththosesheepIwillcarveacrossonyourback。’
Whenthedragonheardthesewordshestoodquitestillinthemiddleoftheroad，forheknewhehadmetwithhismatch。
’Butyouwillhavetofightmefirst，’hesaidinatremblingvoice，forwhenyoufacedhimproperlyhewasnotbraveatall。
’Ifightyou？’repliedStan，’whyIcouldslayyouwithonebreath！’Then，stoopingtopickupalargecheesewhichlayathisfeet，headded，’Goandgetastonelikethisoutoftheriver，sothatwemaylosenotimeinseeingwhoisthebestman。’
ThedragondidasStanbadehim，andbroughtbackastoneoutofthebrook。
’Canyougetbuttermilkoutofyourstone？’askedStan。
Thedragonpickeduphisstonewithonehand，andsqueezedittillitfellintopowder，butnobuttermilkflowedfromit。’OfcourseIcan’t！’hesaid，halfangrily。
’Well，ifyoucan’t，Ican，’answeredStan，andhepressedthecheesetillbuttermilkflowedthroughhisfingers。
Whenthedragonsawthat，hethoughtitwastimehemadethebestofhiswayhomeagain，butStanstoodinhispath。
’Wehavestillsomeaccountstosettle，’saidhe，’aboutwhatyouhavebeendoinghere，’andthepoordragonwastoofrightenedtostir，lestStanshouldslayhimatonebreathandburyhimamongtheflowersinthemountainpastures。
’Listentome，’hesaidatlast。’Iseeyouareaveryusefulperson，andmymotherhasneedofafellowlikeyou。Supposeyouenterherserviceforthreedays，whichareaslongasoneofyouryears，andshewillpayyoueachdaysevensacksfullofducats。’
Threetimessevensacksfullofducats！Theofferwasverytempting，andStancouldnotresistit。Hedidnotwastewords，butnoddedtothedragon，andtheystartedalongtheroad。
Itwasalong，longway，butwhentheycametotheendtheyfoundthedragon’smother，whowasasoldastimeitself，expectingthem。Stansawhereyesshininglikelampsfromafar，andwhentheyenteredthehousetheybeheldahugekettlestandingonthefire，filledwithmilk。Whentheoldmotherfoundthathersonhadarrivedempty—handedshegrewveryangry，andfireandflamedartedfromhernostrils，butbeforeshecouldspeakthedragonturnedtoStan。
’Stayhere，’saidhe，’andwaitforme;Iamgoingtoexplainthingstomymother。’
Stanwasalreadyrepentingbitterlythathehadevercometosuchaplace，but，sincehewasthere，therewasnothingforitbuttotakeeverythingquietly，andnotshowthathewasafraid。
’Listen，mother，’saidthedragonassoonastheywerealone，’I
havebroughtthismaninordertogetridofhim。Heisaterrificfellowwhoeatsrocks，andcanpressbuttermilkoutofastone，’andhetoldherallthathadhappenedthenightbefore。
’Oh，justleavehimtome！’shesaid。’Ihaveneveryetletamanslipthroughmyfingers。’SoStanhadtostayanddotheoldmotherservice。
Thenextdayshetoldhimthatheandhersonshouldtrywhichwasthestrongest，andshetookdownahugeclub，boundseventimeswithiron。
Thedragonpickeditupasifithadbeenafeather，and，afterwhirlingitroundhishead，flungitlightlythreemilesaway，tellingStantobeatthatifhecould。
Theywalkedtothespotwheretheclublay。Stanstoopedandfeltit;thenagreatfearcameoverhim，forheknewthatheandallhischildrentogetherwouldneverliftthatclubfromtheground。
’Whatareyoudoing？’askedthedragon。
’Iwasthinkingwhatabeautifulclubitwas，andwhatapityitisthatitshouldcauseyourdeath。’
’Howdoyoumean——mydeath？’askedthedragon。
’OnlythatIamafraidthatifIthrowityouwillneverseeanotherdawn。Youdon’tknowhowstrongIam！’
’Oh，nevermindthatbequickandthrow。’
’Ifyouarereallyinearnest，letusgoandfeastforthreedays:thatwillatanyrategiveyouthreeextradaysoflife。’
Stanspokesocalmlythatthistimethedragonbegantogetalittlefrightened，thoughhedidnotquitebelievethatthingswouldbeasbadasStansaid。
Theyreturnedtothehouse，tookallthefoodthatcouldbefoundintheoldmother’slarder，andcarrieditbacktotheplacewheretheclubwaslying。ThenStanseatedhimselfonthesackofprovisions，andremainedquietlywatchingthesettingmoon。
’Whatareyoudoing？’askedthedragon。
’Waitingtillthemoongetsoutofmyway。’
’Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstand。’
’Don’tyouseethatthemoonisexactlyinmyway？Butofcourse，ifyoulike，Iwillthrowtheclubintothemoon。’
Atthesewordsthedragongrewuncomfortableforthesecondtime。
Heprizedtheclub，whichhadbeenlefthimbyhisgrandfather，veryhighly，andhadnodesirethatitshouldbelostinthemoon。
’I’lltellyouwhat，’hesaid，afterthinkingalittle。’Don’tthrowtheclubatall。Iwillthrowitasecondtime，andthatwilldojustaswell。’
’No，certainlynot！’repliedStan。’Justwaittillthemoonsets。’
Butthedragon，indreadlestStanshouldfulfilhisthreats，triedwhatbribescoulddo，andintheendhadtopromiseStansevensacksofducatsbeforehewassufferedtothrowbacktheclubhimself。
’Oh，dearme，thatisindeedastrongman，’saidthedragon，turningtohismother。’WouldyoubelievethatIhavehadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventinghimfromthrowingtheclubintothemoon？’
Thentheoldwomangrewuncomfortabletoo！Onlytothinkofit！
Itwasnojoketothrowthingsintothemoon！Sonomorewasheardoftheclub，andthenextdaytheyhadallsomethingelsetothinkabout。
’Goandfetchmewater！’saidthemother，whenthemorningbroke，andgavethemtwelvebuffaloskinswiththeordertokeepfillingthemtillnight。
Theysetoutatonceforthebrook，andinthetwinklingofaneyethedragonhadfilledthewholetwelve，carriedthemintothehouse，andbroughtthembacktoStan。Stanwastired:hecouldscarcelyliftthebucketswhentheywereempty，andheshudderedtothinkofwhatwouldhappenwhentheywerefull。Butheonlytookanoldknifeoutofhispocketandbegantoscratchuptheearthnearthebrook。
’Whatareyoudoingthere？Howareyougoingtocarrythewaterintothehouse？’askedthedragon。
’How？Dearme，thatiseasyenough！Ishalljusttakethebrook！’
Atthesewordsthedragon’sjawdropped。Thiswasthelastthingthathadeverenteredhishead，forthebrookhadbeenasitwassincethedaysofhisgrandfather。
’I’lltellyouwhat！’hesaid。’Letmecarryyourskinsforyou。’
’Mostcertainlynot，’answeredStan，goingonwithhisdigging，andthedragon，indreadlestheshouldfulfilhisthreat，triedwhatbribeswoulddo，andintheendhadagaintopromisesevensacksofducatsbeforeStanwouldagreetoleavethebrookaloneandlethimcarrythewaterintothehouse。
OnthethirddaytheoldmothersentStanintotheforestforwood，and，asusual，thedragonwentwithhim。
BeforeyoucouldcountthreehehadpulledupmoretreesthanStancouldhavecutdowninalifetime，andhadarrangedthemneatlyinrows。Whenthedragonhadfinished，Stanbegantolookabouthim，and，choosingthebiggestofthetrees，heclimbedupit，and，breakingoffalongropeofwildvine，boundthetopofthetreetotheonenextit。Andsohedidtoawholelineoftrees。
’Whatareyoudoingthere？’askedthedragon。
’Youcanseeforyourself，’answeredStan，goingquietlyonwithhiswork。
’Whyareyoutyingthetreestogether？’
’Nottogivemyselfunnecessarywork;whenIpullupone，alltheotherswillcomeuptoo。’
’Buthowwillyoucarrythemhome？’
’Dearme！don’tyouunderstandthatIamgoingtotakethewholeforestbackwithme？’saidStan，tyingtwoothertreesashespoke。
’I’lltellyouwhat，’criedthedragon，tremblingwithfearatthethoughtofsuchathing;’letmecarrythewoodforyou，andyoushallhaveseventimessevensacksfullofducats。’
’Youareagoodfellow，andIagreetoyourproposal，’answeredStan，andthedragoncarriedthewood。
Nowthethreedays’servicewhichweretobereckonedasayearwereover，andtheonlythingthatdisturbedStanwas，howtogetallthoseducatsbacktohishome！
Intheeveningthedragonandhismotherhadalongtalk，butStanheardeverywordthroughacrackintheceiling。
’Woebetous，mother，’saidthedragon;’thismanwillsoongetusintohispower。Givehimhismoney，andletusberidofhim。’
Buttheoldmotherwasfondofmoney，anddidnotlikethis。
’Listentome，’saidshe;’youmustmurderhimthisverynight。’
’Iamafraid，’answeredhe。
’Thereisnothingtofear，’repliedtheoldmother。’Whenheisasleeptaketheclub，andhithimontheheadwithit。Itiseasilydone。’
Andsoitwouldhavebeen，hadnotStanheardallaboutit。Andwhenthedragonandhismotherhadputouttheirlights，hetookthepigs’troughandfilleditwithearth，andplaceditinhisbed，andcovereditwithclothes。Thenhehidhimselfunderneath，andbegantosnoreloudly。
Verysoonthedragonstolesoftlyintotheroom，andgaveatremendousblowonthespotwhereStan’sheadshouldhavebeen。
Stangroanedloudlyfromunderthebed，andthedragonwentawayassoftlyashehadcome。Directlyhehadclosedthedoor，Stanliftedoutthepigs’trough，andlaydownhimself，aftermakingeverythingcleanandtidy，buthewaswiseenoughnottoshuthiseyesthatnight。
Thenextmorninghecameintotheroomwhenthedragonandhismotherwerehavingtheirbreakfast。
’Goodmorning，’saidhe。
’Goodmorning。Howdidyousleep？’
’Oh，verywell，butIdreamedthatafleahadbittenme，andI
seemtofeelitstill。’
Thedragonandhismotherlookedateachother。’Doyouhearthat？’whisperedhe。’Hetalksofaflea。Ibrokemyclubonhishead。’
Thistimethemothergrewasfrightenedasherson。Therewasnothingtobedonewithamanlikethis，andshemadeallhastetofillthesackswithducats，soastogetridofStanassoonaspossible。ButonhissideStanwastremblinglikeanaspen，ashecouldnotliftevenonesackfromtheground。Sohestoodstillandlookedatthem。
’Whatareyoustandingtherefor？’askedthedragon。
’Oh，IwasstandingherebecauseithasjustoccurredtomethatIshouldliketostayinyourserviceforanotheryear。IamashamedthatwhenIgethometheyshouldseeIhavebroughtbacksolittle。Iknowthattheywillcryout，\"JustlookatStanBolovan，whoinoneyearhasgrownasweakasadragon。\"’
Hereashriekofdismaywasheardbothfromthedragonandhismother，whodeclaredtheywouldgivehimsevenorevenseventimesseventhenumberofsacksifhewouldonlygoaway。
’I’lltellyouwhat！’saidStanatlast。’Iseeyoudon’twantmetostay，andIshouldbeverysorrytomakemyselfdisagreeable。Iwillgoatonce，butonlyonconditionthatyoushallcarrythemoneyhomeyourself，sothatImaynotbeputtoshamebeforemyfriends。’
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforethedragonhadsnatchedupthesacksandpiledthemonhisback。ThenheandStansetforth。
Theway，thoughreallynotfar，wasyettoolongforStan，butatlengthheheardhischildren’svoices，andstoppedshort。Hedidnotwishthedragontoknowwherehelived，lestsomedayheshouldcometotakebackhistreasure。Wastherenothinghecouldsaytogetridofthemonster？SuddenlyanideacameintoStan’shead，andheturnedround。
’Ihardlyknowwhattodo，’saidhe。’Ihaveahundredchildren，andIamafraidtheymaydoyouharm，astheyarealwaysreadyforafight。However，Iwilldomybesttoprotectyou。’
Ahundredchildren！Thatwasindeednojoke！Thedragonletfallthesacksfromterror，andthenpickedthemupagain。Butthechildren，whohadhadnothingtoeatsincetheirfatherhadleftthem，camerushingtowardshim，wavingknivesintheirrighthandsandforksintheirleft，andcrying，’Giveusdragon’sflesh;wewillhavedragon’sflesh。’
Atthisdreadfulsightthedragonwaitednolonger:heflungdownhissackswherehestoodandtookflightasfastashecould，soterrifiedatthefatethatawaitedhimthatfromthatdayhehasneverdaredtoshowhisfaceintheworldagain。
[AdaptedfromRumanischeMarchen。]
