Hegropedaboutforsometime，tillhefoundthestaircaseinthetower，andthenbegantofeelhiswayupthesteps。
Onthefirstlandingaglimmeroflightcamethroughaslitinthewall，andhesawatinymansittingthere，withoutahead。
’Ho！ho！mylittlefellow，whatareyoudoingthere？’askedHans，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，gavehimakickwhichsenthimflyingdownthestairs。Thenheclimbedhigherstill，andfindingashewentdumbwatcherssittingoneverylanding，treatedthemashehaddonethefirst。
Atlasthereachedthetop，andashepausedforamomenttolookroundhimhesawanotherheadlessmancoweringintheverybellitself，waitingtillHansshouldseizethebell—pullinordertostrikehimablowwiththeclapper，whichwouldsoonhavemadeanendofhim。
’Stop，mylittlefriend！’criedHans。’Thatisnotpartofthebargain！Perhapsyousawhowyourcomradeswalkeddownstairs，andyouaregoingafterthem。Butasyouareinthehighestplaceyoushallmakeamoredignifiedexit，andfollowthemthroughthewindow！’
Withthesewordshebegantoclimbtheladder，inordertotakethelittlemanfromthebellandcarryouthisthreat。
Atthisthedwarfcriedoutimploringly，’Oh，brother！sparemylife，andIpromisethatneitherInormycomradeswillevertroubleyouanymore。Iamsmallandweak，butwhoknowswhethersomedayIshallnotbeabletorewardyou。’
’Youwretchedlittleshrimp，’repliedHans，’agreatdealofgoodyourgratitudeislikelytodome！ButasIhappentobefeelinginacheerfulmoodto—nightIwillletyouhaveyourlife。Buttakecarehowyoucomeacrossmeagain，oryoumaynotescapesoeasily！’
Theheadlessmanthankedhimhumbly，slidhastilydownthebellrope，andrandownthestepsofthetowerasifhehadleftafirebehindhim。ThenHansbegantoringlustily。
Whentheministerheardthesoundofthemidnightbellshewonderedgreatly，butrejoicedthathehadatlastfoundsomeonetowhomhecouldtrustthisduty。Hansrangthebellsforsometime，thenwenttothehay—loft，andfellfastasleep。
Nowitwasthecustomoftheministertogetupveryearly，andtogoroundtomakesurethatthemenwereallattheirwork。
ThismorningeveryonewasinhisplaceexceptHans，andnooneknewanythingabouthim。Nineo’clockcame，andnoHans，butwhenelevenstrucktheministerbegantofearthathehadvanishedliketheringerswhohadgonebeforehim。When，however，theservantsallgatheredroundthetablefordinner，Hansatlastmadehisappearancestretchinghimselfandyawning。
’Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime？’askedtheminister。
’Asleep，’saidHans。
’Asleep！’exclaimedtheministerinastonishment。’Youdon’tmeantotellmethatyoucangoonsleepingtillmid—day？’
’ThatisexactlywhatIdomean，’repliedHans。’Ifoneworksinthenightonemustsleepintheday，justasifoneworksinthedayonesleepsinthenight。IfyoucanfindsomebodyelsetoringthebellsatmidnightIamreadytobeginworkatdawn;butifyouwantmetoringthemImustgoonsleepingtillnoonattheveryearliest。’
Theministertriedtoarguethepointwithhim，butatlengththefollowingagreementwascometo。Hanswastogiveuptheringing，andwastoworkliketherestfromsunrisetosunset，withtheexceptionofanhourafterbreakfastandanhourafterdinner，whenhemightgotosleep。’But，ofcourse，’addedtheministercarelessly，’itmayhappennowandthen，especiallyinwinter，whenthedaysareshort，thatyouwillhavetoworkalittlelonger，togetsomethingfinished。’
’Notatall！’answeredHans。’UnlessIweretoleaveoffworkearlierinsummer，IwillnotdoastrokemorethanIhavepromised，andthatisfromdawntodark;soyouknowwhatyouhavetoexpect。’
Afewweekslatertheministerwasaskedtoattendachristeningintheneighbouringtown。HebadeHanscomewithhim，but，asthetownwasonlyafewhours’ridefromwherehelived，theministerwasmuchsurprisedtoseeHanscomeforthladenwithabagcontainingfood。
’Whatareyoutakingthatfor？’askedtheminister。’Weshallbetherebeforedark。’
’Whoknows？’repliedHans。’Manythingsmayhappentodelayourjourney，andIneednotremindyouofourcontractthatthemomentthesunsetsIceasetobeyourservant。Ifwedon’treachthetownwhileitisstilldaylightIshallleaveyoutoshiftforyourself。’
Theministerthoughthewasjoking，andmadenofurtherremark。
Butwhentheyhadleftthevillagebehindthem，andhadriddenafewmiles，theyfoundthatsnowhadfallenduringthenight，andhadbeenblownbythewindintodrifts。Thishinderedtheirprogress，andbythetimetheyhadenteredthethickwoodwhichlaybetweenthemandtheirdestinationthesunwasalreadytouchingthetopsofthetrees。ThehorsesploughedtheirwayslowlythroughthedeepsoftsnowandastheywentHanskeptturningtolookatthesun，whichlayattheirbacks。
’Isthereanythingbehindyou？’askedtheminister。’Orwhatisityouarealwaysturningroundfor？’
’IturnroundbecauseIhavenoeyesinthebackofmyneck，’
saidHans。
’Ceasetalkingnonsense，’repliedtheminister，’andgiveallyourmindtogettingustothetownbeforenightfall。’
Hansdidnotanswer，butrodeonsteadily，thougheverynowandthenhecastaglanceoverhisshoulder。
Whentheyarrivedinthemiddleofthewoodthesunsankaltogether。ThenHansreineduphishorse，tookhisknapsack，andjumpedoutofthesledge。
’Whatareyoudoing？Areyoumad？’askedtheminister，butHansansweredquietly，’Thesunissetandmyworkisover，andI
amgoingtocamphereforthenight。’
Invainthemasterprayedandthreatened，andpromisedHansalargerewardifhewouldonlydrivehimon。Theyoungmanwasnottobemoved。
’Areyounotashamedtourgemetobreakmyword？’saidhe。’Ifyouwanttoreachthetownto—nightyoumustgoalone。Thehourofmyfreedomhasstruck，andIcannotgowithyou。’
’MygoodHans，’entreatedtheminister，’Ireallyoughtnottoleaveyouhere。Considerwhatdangeryouwouldbein！Yonder，asyousee，agallowsissetup，andtwoevil—doersarehangingonit。Youcouldnotpossiblysleepwithsuchghastlyneighbours。’
’Whynot？’askedHans。’Thosegallowsbirdshanghighintheair，andmycampwillbeontheground;weshallhavenothingtodowitheachother。’Ashespoke，heturnedhisbackontheminister，andwenthisway。
Therewasnohelpforit，andtheministerhadtopushonbyhimself，ifheexpectedtoarriveintimeforthechristening。
Hisfriendsweremuchsurprisedtoseehimdriveupwithoutacoachman，andthoughtsomeaccidenthadhappened。ButwhenhetoldthemofhisconversationwithHanstheydidnotknowwhichwasthemostfoolish，masterorman。
ItwouldhavematteredlittletoHanshadheknownwhattheyweresayingorthinkingofhim。Hesatisfiedhishungerwiththefoodhehadinhisknapsack，lithispipe，pitchedhistentundertheboughsofatree，wrappedhimselfinhisfurs，andwentsoundasleep。Aftersomehours，hewasawakenedbyasuddennoise，andsatupandlookedabouthim。Themoonwasshiningbrightlyabovehishead，andclosebystoodtwoheadlessdwarfs，talkingangrily。AtthesightofHansthelittledwarfscriedout:
’Itishe！Itishe！’andoneofthemsteppingnearerexclaimed，’Ah，myoldfriend！itisaluckychancethathasbroughtushere。Mybonesstillachefrommyfalldownthestepsofthetower。Idaresayyouhavenotforgottenthatnight！Nowitistheturnofyourbones。Hi！comrades，makehaste！makehaste！’
Likeaswarmofmidges，ahostoftinyheadlesscreaturesseemedtospringstraightoutoftheground，andeveryonewasarmedwithaclub。Althoughtheyweresosmall，yetthereweresuchnumbersofthemandtheystrucksohardthatevenastrongmancoulddonothingagainstthem。Hansthoughthislasthourwascome，whenjustasthefightwasatthehottestanotherlittledwarfarrivedonthescene。
’Hold，comrades！’heshouted，turningtotheattackingparty。
’Thismanoncedidmeaservice，andIamhisdebtor。WhenIwasinhispowerhegrantedmemylife。Andevenifhedidthrowyoudownstairs，well，awarmbathsooncuredyourbruises，soyoumustjustforgivehimandgoquietlyhome。’
Theheadlessdwarfslistenedtohiswordsanddisappearedassuddenlyastheyhadcome。AssoonasHansrecoveredhimselfalittlehelookedathisrescuer，andsawhewasthedwarfhehadfoundseatedinthechurchbell。
’Ah！’saidthedwarf，seatinghimselfquietlyunderthetree。
’YoulaughedatmewhenItoldyouthatsomedayImightdoyouagoodturn。NowyouseeIwasright，andperhapsyouwilllearnforthefuturenottodespiseanycreature，howeversmall。’
’Ithankyoufrommyheart，’answeredHans。’Mybonesarestillsorefromtheirblows，andhaditnotbeenforyouIshouldindeedhavefaredbadly。’
’Ihavealmostpaidmydebt，’wentonthelittleman，’butasyouhavesufferedalready，Iwilldomore，andgiveyouapieceofinformation。Youneednotremainanylongerintheserviceofthatstingyminister，butwhenyougethometo—morrowgoatoncetothenorthcornerofthechurch，andthereyouwillfindalargestonebuiltintothewall，butnotcementedliketherest。
Thedayafterto—morrowthemoonisfull，andatmidnightyoumustgotothespotandgetthestoneoutofthewallwithapickaxe。Underthestoneliesagreattreasure，whichhasbeenhiddenthereintimeofwar。Besideschurchplate，youwillfindbagsofmoney，whichhavebeenlyinginthisplaceforoverahundredyears，andnooneknowstowhomitallbelongs。Athirdofthismoneyyoumustgivetothepoor，buttherestyoumaykeepforyourself。’Ashefinished，thecocksinthevillagecrowed，andthelittlemanwasnowheretobeseen。Hansfoundthathislimbsnolongerpainedhim，andlayforsometimethinkingofthehiddentreasure。Towardsmorninghefellasleep。
Thesunwashighintheheavenswhenhismasterreturnedfromthetown。
’Hans，’saidhe，’whatafoolyouwerenottocomewithmeyesterday！Iwaswellfeastedandentertained，andIhavemoneyinmypocketintothebargain，’hewenton，rattlingsomecoinswhilehespoke，tomakeHansunderstandhowmuchhehadlost。
’Ah，sir，’repliedHanscalmly，’inordertohavegainedsomuchmoneyyoumusthavelainawakeallnight，butIhaveearnedahundredtimesthatamountwhileIwassleepingsoundly。’
’Howdidyoumanagethat？’askedtheministereagerly，butHansanswered，’Itisonlyfoolswhoboastoftheirfarthings;wisementakecaretohidetheircrowns。’
Theydrovehome，andHansneglectednoneofhisduties，butputupthehorsesandgavethemtheirfoodbeforegoingtothechurchcorner，wherehefoundtheloosestone，exactlyintheplacedescribedbythedwarf。Thenhereturnedtohiswork。
Thefirstnightofthefullmoon，whenthewholevillagewasasleep，hestoleout，armedwithapickaxe，andwithmuchdifficultysucceededindislodgingthestonefromitsplace。
Sureenough，therewasthehole，andintheholelaythetreasure，exactlyasthelittlemanhadsaid。
ThefollowingSundayhehandedoverthethirdparttothevillagepoor，andinformedtheministerthathewishedtobreakhisbondofservice。As，however，hedidnotclaimanywages，theministermadenoobjections，butallowedhimtodoashewished。
SoHanswenthisway，boughthimselfalargehouse，andmarriedayoungwife，andlivedhappilyandprosperouslytotheendofhisdays。
[EhstnischeMarchen。]
THEYOUNGMANWHOWOULDHAVEHISEYESOPENED
Onceuponatimetherelivedayouthwhowasneverhappyunlesshewaspryingintosomethingthatotherpeopleknewnothingabout。Afterhehadlearnedtounderstandthelanguageofbirdsandbeasts，hediscoveredaccidentallythatagreatdealtookplaceundercoverofnightwhichmortaleyesneversaw。Fromthatmomenthefelthecouldnotresttillthesehiddensecretswerelaidbaretohim，andhespenthiswholetimewanderingfromonewizardtoanother，beggingthemtoopenhiseyes，butfoundnonetohelphim。AtlengthhereachedanoldmagiciancalledMana，whoselearningwasgreaterthanthatoftherest，andwhocouldtellhimallhewantedtoknow。Butwhentheoldmanhadlistenedattentivelytohim，hesaid，warningly:
’Myson，donotfollowafteremptyknowledge，whichwillnotbringyouhappiness，butratherevil。Muchishiddenfromtheeyesofmen，becausedidtheyknoweverythingtheirheartswouldnolongerbeatpeace。Knowledgekillsjoy，thereforethinkwellwhatyouaredoing，orsomedayyouwillrepent。Butifyouwillnottakemyadvice，thentrulyIcanshowyouthesecretsofthenight。Onlyyouwillneedmorethanaman’scouragetobearthesight。’
Hestoppedandlookedattheyoungman，whonoddedhishead，andthenthewizardcontinued，’To—morrownightyoumustgototheplacewhere，onceinsevenyears，theserpent—kinggivesagreatfeasttohiswholecourt。Infrontofhimstandsagoldenbowlfilledwithgoats’milk，andifyoucanmanagetodipapieceofbreadinthismilk，andeatitbeforeyouareobligedtofly，youwillunderstandallthesecretsofthenightthatarehiddenfromothermen。Itisluckyforyouthattheserpent—king’sfeasthappenstofallthisyear，otherwiseyouwouldhavehadlongtowaitforit。Buttakecaretobequickandbold，oritwillbetheworseforyou。’
Theyoungmanthankedthewizardforhiscounsel，andwenthiswayfirmlyresolvedtocarryouthispurpose，evenifhepaidforitwithhislife;andwhennightcamehesetoutforawide，lonelymoor，wheretheserpent—kingheldhisfeast。Withsharpenedeyes，helookedeagerlyallroundhim，butcouldseenothingbutamultitudeofsmallhillocks，thatlaymotionlessunderthemoonlight。Hecrouchedbehindabushforsometime，tillhefeltthatmidnightcouldnotbefaroff，whensuddenlytherearoseinthemiddleofthemoorabrilliantglow，asifastarwasshiningoveroneofthehillocks。Atthesamemomentallthehillocksbegantowritheandtocrawl，andfromeachonecamehundredsofserpentsandmadestraightfortheglow，wheretheyknewtheyshouldfindtheirking。Whentheyreachedthehillockwherehedwelt，whichwashigherandbroaderthantherest，andhadabrightlighthangingoverthetop，theycoiledthemselvesupandwaited。Thewhirrandconfusionfromalltheserpent—housesweresogreatthattheyouthdidnotdaretoadvanceonestep，butremainedwherehewas，watchingintentlyallthatwenton;butatlasthebegantotakecourage，andmovedonsoftlystepbystep。
Whathesawwascreepierthancreepy，andsurpassedallhehadeverdreamtof。Thousandsofsnakes，bigandlittleandofeverycolour，weregatheredtogetherinonegreatclusterroundahugeserpent，whosebodywasasthickasabeam，andwhichhadonitsheadagoldencrown，fromwhichthelightsprang。Theirhissingsanddartingtonguessoterrifiedtheyoungmanthathisheartsank，andhefeltheshouldneverhavecouragetopushontocertaindeath，whensuddenlyhecaughtsightofthegoldenbowlinfrontoftheserpent—king，andknewthatifhelostthischanceitwouldnevercomeback。So，withhishairstandingonendandhisbloodfrozeninhisveins，hecreptforwards。Oh！
whatanoiseandawhirrroseafreshamongtheserpents。
Thousandsofheadswerereared，andtongueswerestretchedouttostingtheintrudertodeath，buthappilyforhimtheirbodiesweresocloselyentwinedoneintheotherthattheycouldnotdisentanglethemselvesquickly。Likelightningheseizedabitofbread，dippeditinthebowl，andputitinhismouth，thendashedawayasiffirewaspursuinghim。Onheflewasifawholearmyoffoeswereathisheels，andheseemedtohearthenoiseoftheirapproachgrowingnearerandnearer。Atlengthhisbreathfailedhim，andhethrewhimselfalmostsenselessontheturf。Whilehelaytheredreadfuldreamshauntedhim。Hethoughtthattheserpent—kingwiththefierycrownhadtwinedhimselfroundhim，andwascrushingouthislife。Withaloudshriekhespranguptodobattlewithhisenemy，whenhesawthatitwasraysofthesunwhichhadwakenedhim。Herubbedhiseyesandlookedallround，butnothingcouldheseeofthefoesofthepastnight，andthemoorwherehehadrunintosuchdangermustbeatleastamileaway。Butitwasnodreamthathehadrunhardandfar，orthathehaddrunkofthemagicgoats’milk。Andwhenhefelthislimbs，andfoundthemwhole，hisjoywasgreatthathehadcomethroughsuchperilswithasoundskin。
Afterthefatiguesandterrorsofthenight，helaystilltillmid—day，buthemadeuphismindhewouldgothatveryeveningintotheforesttotrywhatthegoats’milkcouldreallydoforhim，andifhewouldnowbeabletounderstandallthathadbeenamysterytohim。Andonceintheforesthisdoubtsweresetatrest，forhesawwhatnomortaleyeshadeverseenbefore。
Beneaththetreesweregoldenpavilions，withflagsofsilverallbrightlylightedup。Hewasstillwonderingwhythepavilionswerethere，whenanoisewasheardamongthetrees，asifthewindhadsuddenlygotup，andonallsidesbeautifulmaidenssteppedfromthetreesintothebrightlightofthemoon。Thesewerethewood—nymphs，daughtersoftheearth—mother，whocameeverynighttoholdtheirdances，intheforest。Theyoungman，watchingfromhishidingplace，wishedhehadahundredeyesinhishead，fortwowerenotnearlyenoughforthesightbeforehim，thedanceslastingtillthefirststreaksofdawn。Thenasilveryveilseemedtobedrawnovertheladies，andtheyvanishedfromsight。Buttheyoungmanremainedwherehewastillthesunwashighintheheavens，andthenwenthome。
Hefeltthatdaytobeendless，andcountedtheminutestillnightshouldcome，andhemightreturntotheforest。Butwhenatlasthegottherehefoundneitherpavilionsnornymphs，andthoughhewentbackmanynightsafterheneversawthemagain。
Still，hethoughtaboutthemnightandday，andceasedtocareaboutanythingelseintheworld，andwassicktotheendofhislifewithlongingforthatbeautifulvision。Andthatwasthewayhelearnedthatthewizardhadspokentrulywhenhesaid，’Blindnessisman’shighestgood。’
[EhstnischeMarchen。]
THEBOYSWITHTHEGOLDENSTARS
Onceuponatimewhathappeneddidhappen:andifithadnothappened，youwouldneverhaveheardthisstory。
Well，onceuponatimetherelivedanemperorwhohadhalfaworldalltohimselftoruleover，andinthisworlddweltanoldherdandhiswifeandtheirthreedaughters，Anna，Stana，andLaptitza。
Anna，theeldest，wassobeautifulthatwhenshetookthesheeptopasturetheyforgottoeataslongasshewaswalkingwiththem。Stana，thesecond，wassobeautifulthatwhenshewasdrivingtheflockthewolvesprotectedthesheep。ButLaptitza，theyoungest，withaskinaswhiteasthefoamonthemilk，andwithhairassoftasthefinestlamb’swool，wasasbeautifulasbothhersistersputtogether——asbeautifulasshealonecouldbe。
Onesummerday，whentheraysofthesunwerepouringdownontheearth，thethreesisterswenttothewoodontheoutskirtsofthemountaintopickstrawberries。Astheywerelookingabouttofindwherethelargestberriesgrewtheyheardthetrampofhorsesapproaching，soloudthatyouwouldhavethoughtawholearmywasridingby。Butitwasonlytheemperorgoingtohuntwithhisfriendsandattendants。
Theywereallfinehandsomeyoungmen，whosattheirhorsesasiftheywerepartofthem，butthefinestandhandsomestofallwastheyoungemperorhimself。
Astheydrewnearthethreesisters，andmarkedtheirbeauty，theycheckedtheirhorsesandrodeslowlyby。
’Listen，sisters！’saidAnna，astheypassedon。’Ifoneofthoseyoungmenshouldmakemehiswife，Iwouldbakehimaloafofbreadwhichshouldkeephimyoungandbraveforever。’
’AndifI，’saidStana，’shouldbetheonechosen，Iwouldweavemyhusbandashirtwhichwillkeephimunscathedwhenhefightswithdragons;whenhegoesthroughwaterhewillneverevenbewet;orifthroughfire，itwillnotscorchhim。’
’AndI，’saidLaptitza，’willgivethemanwhochoosesmetwoboys，twins，eachwithagoldenstaronhisforehead，asbrightasthoseinthesky。’
Andthoughtheyspokelowtheyoungmenheard，andturnedtheirhorses’heads。
’Itakeyouatyourword，andmineshallyoube，mostlovelyofempresses！’criedtheemperor，andswungLaptitzaandherstrawberriesonthehorsebeforehim。
’AndIwillhaveyou，’’AndIyou，’exclaimedtwoofhisfriends，andtheyallrodebacktothepalacetogether。
Thefollowingmorningthemarriageceremonytookplace，andforthreedaysandthreenightstherewasnothingbutfeastingoverthewholekingdom。Andwhentherejoicingswereoverthenewswasineverybody’smouththatAnnahadsentforcorn，andhadmadetheloafofwhichshehadspokenatthestrawberrybeds。
Andthenmoredaysandnightspassed，andthisrumourwassucceededbyanotherone——thatStanahadprocuredsomeflax，andhaddriedit，andcombedit，andspunitintolinen，andseweditherselfintotheshirtofwhichshehadspokenoverthestrawberrybeds。
Nowtheemperorhadastepmother，andshehadadaughterbyherfirsthusband，wholivedwithherinthepalace。Thegirl’smotherhadalwaysbelievedthatherdaughterwouldbeempress，andnotthe’MilkwhiteMaiden，’thechildofamereshepherd。Soshehatedthegirlwithallherheart，andonlybidedhertimetodoherill。
Butshecoulddonothingaslongastheemperorremainedwithhiswifenightandday，andshebegantowonderwhatshecoulddotogethimawayfromher。
Atlast，wheneverythingelsehadfailed，shemanagedtomakeherbrother，whowaskingoftheneighbouringcountry，declarewaragainsttheemperor，andbesiegesomeofthefrontiertownswithalargearmy。Thistimeherschemewassuccessful。Theyoungemperorsprangupinwraththemomentheheardthenews，andvowedthatnothing，notevenhiswife，shouldhinderhisgivingthembattle。Andhastilyassemblingwhateversoldiershappenedtobeathandhesetoffatoncetomeettheenemy。Theotherkinghadnotreckonedontheswiftnessofhismovements，andwasnotreadytoreceivehim。Theemperorfellonhimwhenhewasoffhisguard，androutedhisarmycompletely。Thenwhenvictorywaswon，andthetermsofpeacehastilydrawnup，herodehomeasfastashishorsewouldcarryhim，andreachedthepalaceonthethirdday。
Butearlythatmorning，whenthestarsweregrowingpaleinthesky，twolittleboyswithgoldenhairandstarsontheirforeheadswereborntoLaptitza。Andthestepmother，whowaswatching，tookthemaway，anddugaholeinthecornerofthepalace，underthewindowsoftheemperor，andputtheminit，whileintheirsteadsheplacedtwolittlepuppies。
Theemperorcameintothepalace，andwhentheytoldhimthenewshewentstraighttoLaptitza’sroom。Nowordswereneeded;hesawwithhisowneyesthatLaptitzahadnotkeptthepromiseshehadmadeatthestrawberrybeds，and，thoughitnearlybrokehisheart，hemustgiveordersforherpunishment。
Sohewentoutsadlyandtoldhisguardsthattheempresswastobeburiedintheearthuptoherneck，sothateveryonemightknowwhatwouldhappentothosewhodaredtodeceivetheemperor。
Notmanydaysafter，thestepmother’swishwasfulfilled。Theemperortookherdaughtertowife，andagaintherejoicingslastedforthreedaysandthreenights。
Letusnowseewhathappenedtothetwolittleboys。
Thepoorlittlebabieshadfoundnorestevenintheirgraves。
Intheplacewheretheyhadbeenburiedtherespranguptwobeautifulyoungaspens，andthestepmother，whohatedthesightofthetrees，whichremindedherofhercrime，gaveordersthattheyshouldbeuprooted。Buttheemperorheardofit，andforbadethetreestobetouched，saying，’Letthemalone;Iliketoseethemthere！TheyarethefinestaspensIhaveeverbeheld！’
Andtheaspensgrewasnoaspenshadevergrownbefore。Ineachdaytheyaddedayear’sgrowth，andeachnighttheyaddedayear’sgrowth，andatdawn，whenthestarsfadedoutofthesky，theygrewthreeyears’growthinthetwinklingofaneye，andtheirboughssweptacrossthepalacewindows。Andwhenthewindmovedthemsoftly，theemperorwouldsitandlistentothemallthedaylong。
Thestepmotherknewwhatitallmeant，andhermindneverceasedfromtryingtoinventsomewayofdestroyingthetrees。Itwasnotaneasything，butawoman’swillcanpressmilkoutofastone，andhercunningwillovercomeheroes。Whatcraftwillnotdosoftwordsmayattain，andifthesedonotsucceedtherestillremainstheresourceoftears。
Onemorningtheempresssatontheedgeofherhusband’sbed，andbegantocoaxhimwithallsortsofprettyways。
Itwassometimebeforethebaittook，butatlength——evenemperorsareonlymen！
’Well，well，’hesaidatlast，’haveyourwayandcutdownthetrees;butoutofonetheyshallmakeabedforme，andoutoftheother，oneforyou！’
Andwiththistheempresswasforcedtobecontent。Theaspenswerecutdownnextmorning，andbeforenightthenewbedhadbeenplacedintheemperor’sroom。
Nowwhentheemperorlaydowninitheseemedasifhehadgrownahundredtimesheavierthanusual，yethefeltakindofcalmthatwasquitenewtohim。Buttheempressfeltasifshewaslyingonthornsandnettles，andcouldnotclosehereyes。
Whentheemperorwasfastasleep，thebedbegantocrackloudly，andtotheempresseachcrackhadameaning。Shefeltasifshewerelisteningtoalanguagewhichnoonebutherselfcouldunderstand。
’Isittooheavyforyou，littlebrother？’askedoneofthebeds。
’Oh，no，itisnotheavyatall，’answeredthebedinwhichtheemperorwassleeping。’Ifeelnothingbutjoynowthatmybelovedfatherrestsoverme。’
’Itisveryheavyforme！’saidtheotherbed，’foronmeliesanevilsoul。’
Andsotheytalkedontillthemorning，theempresslisteningallthewhile。
Bydaybreaktheempresshaddeterminedhowtogetridofthebeds。Shewouldhavetwoothersmadeexactlylikethem，andwhentheemperorhadgonehuntingtheyshouldbeplacedinhisroom。
Thiswasdoneandtheaspenbedswereburntinalargefire，tillonlyalittleheapofasheswasleft。
Yetwhiletheywereburningtheempressseemedtohearthesamewords，whichshealonecouldunderstand。
Thenshestoopedandgathereduptheashes，andscatteredthemtothefourwinds，sothattheymightblowoverfreshlandsandfreshseas，andnothingremainofthem。
Butshehadnotseenthatwherethefireburntbrightesttwosparksflewup，and，afterfloatingintheairforafewmoments，felldownintothegreatriverthatflowsthroughtheheartofthecountry。Herethesparkshadturnedintotwolittlefisheswithgoldenscales，andonewassoexactlyliketheotherthateveryonecouldtellatthefirstglancethattheymustbetwins。
Earlyonemorningtheemperor’sfishermenwentdowntotherivertogetsomefishfortheirmaster’sbreakfast，andcasttheirnetsintothestream。Asthelaststartwinkledoutoftheskytheydrewthemin，andamongthemultitudeoffisheslaytwowithscalesofgold，suchasnomanhadeverlookedon。
Theyallgatheredroundandwondered，andaftersometalktheydecidedthattheywouldtakethelittlefishesaliveastheywere，andgivethemasapresenttotheemperor。
’Donottakeusthere，forthatiswhencewecame，andyonderliesourdestruction，’saidoneofthefishes。
’Butwhatarewetodowithyou？’askedthefisherman。
’Goandcollectallthedewthatliesontheleaves，andletusswiminit。Thenlayusinthesun，anddonotcomenearustillthesun’sraysshallhavedriedoffthedew，’answeredtheotherfish。
Thefishermandidastheytoldhim——gatheredthedewfromtheleavesandletthemswiminit，thenputthemtolieinthesuntillthedewshouldbealldriedup。
Andwhenhecameback，whatdoyouthinkhesaw？Why，twoboys，twobeautifulyoungprinces，withhairasgoldenasthestarsontheirforeheads，andeachsoliketheother，thatatthefirstglanceeveryonewouldhaveknownthemfortwins。
