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