CHAPTERONE

TheTable,theDonkeyandtheStick

Oncetherewasawomanwiththreesons-Tom,BobandJack.Tomwastheyoungest.Bobcamenext,andJackwastheoldest.Theylivedinavillage.Theywerehappy,buttheirmotherwasverypoor.Sotheboyslookedforwork.

Tomworked forakindman in thenext town.Themanmade tablesandother things fromwood. Tomworked very hard for one year.When the yearended,thekindmangavehimatable.Itlookedoldanddirty,butitwasamagictable.

'Saytothetable,"Iamhungry."Thenwonderfulfoodwillappearonitbymagic,'saidtheman,withasmile.

'You are very kind,' said Tom to the man. And he left. He went fromcountrytocountryandfromcitytocity,andhewasalwayshappy.Hecarriedhistableonhisback.Whenhewantedfood,heputthetabledown-inthestreet,bya river, under a tree. He said to the table, 'I am hungry', and lovely foodappeared.

Some months later, he thought, 'I would like to see my mother. I'll gohome.'

Onthe lastnightofhis journey tohismother'shouse,hecametoanoldhouse.Anoldmanlivedthere.

'CanIstaythenighthere?'heaskedtheoldman.

'Yes,youcanstayhere,butIcan'tgiveyouanyfood,'saidtheoldman.

'Don't giveme any food,' Tom said. 'You can eatwithme.' Then he putdownhistableandsaid,'Iamhungry.'Wonderfulfoodappearedandtheyateit.

Nowthismanwasnotagoodman.Hewasajealousman.

'Iwantthisboy'stable,'hethought.'Itwillgivemefood.Icansellthefoodtootherpeople.Iwillneverbehungryagain.'

WhenTomwasasleep thatnight, theoldmantookthemagic tablefromTom'sroom.Heworkedallnightandmadeanewtable.Itlookedthesame.HeputitnexttoTom'sbed.

ThenextmorningTomputthenewtableonhisbackandhewalkedtohismother'shouse.

Tom'smotherwasveryhappywhenshesawheryoungestson.

'Whatdidyoudowhenyouwereaway?'sheasked.

'Imadetables,'saidTom.'AndIhaveatablehere.'

'It'snotaverynicetable,'saidhismother.

'But it'samagic table,' answeredTom. 'When I say to it, "Iamhungry",beautifulfoodappearsonit.'

'Showme!'saidhismother.

'Let's invite our friends from the village. Then everybody can see themagic,'saidTom.

Tom'smotherinvitedeverybodyfromthevillage.Tomputhistabledownin frontof themand said, 'I amhungry.'Butnothinghappened.Nowonderfulfoodappearedon the table.Everybody laughedandwentaway.Tomwasveryangry.Heknewnow-theoldmanhadhismagictable.

Tomwasveryunhappy.Heranawayfromhomeandwentbacktohisoldjob.Hewrotetohisbrother,Jack.Hislettertoldthestoryofthemagictableandthejealousoldman.

Bob, the second brother, workedwith a friendlyman in a villagemanykilometresaway.Bobworkedveryhardforoneyear.Whentheyearended,themangaveBobadonkey.

'Youcan'tsitonthisdonkey,'themansaid,'butitisagooddonkey.'

'It'sverysmall.Whyisitagooddonkey?'askedBob.

'Because it's a magic donkey,' answered the man. 'Put a box under itsmouth.Say themagicword, "Bricklebat", andgoldwill suddenly fall from itsmouth.Catchthegoldinthebox.Youwillneverbepoor.'

'You are very kind,' Bob said to the man. Bob went from country tocountry, and from city to city, and hewas always happy.He took the donkeywith him. He bought the most expensive clothes and ate the most wonderfulfood. He stayed in the best houses. When he wanted more money, he said'Bricklebat'tothedonkey.

Somemonths later,Bob thought, 'Iwould like to seemymother. I'll gohome.'

Onthelastnightofhisjourney,hecametotheoldhouse.Thejealousoldmanwasthere.

'CanIstaythenighthere?'heasked.

'Yes,youcanstayhere,butIwantmoneyforyourfoodandyourbed.'

'Money!'criedBob.'Youcanhavealotofmoney!'

Bobate lovely foodatTom's table.Theoldmanasked for somemoney.Bobputhishandinhiscoatbuttherewasnothinginit.

'Wait,'saidBob,'I'llgetsome.'

Hetookaboxandwentoutsidetothedonkey.Theoldmanfollowedhimtothedoor.HestoodbehindthedoorandBobdidnotseehim.

'Where is his money?' the old man thought. 'I'll watch him.When he'sasleep,I'lltakehismoney.'

Bobputtheboxunderthedonkey'smouth.Hesaidthemagicword.Thegoldfellintothebox.Theoldman'smouthopenedwiderandwider.

'Iwantthatdonkey,'hethought.

Laterthatnight,whenBobwasasleep,theoldmanwentoutside.Hefoundanotherdonkeyandputitintheplaceofthemagicdonkey.

Thenextmorning,Bob took thenewdonkeyandwalked tohismother'shouse.

Bob'smotherwasveryhappywhenshesawherson.

'Whatdidyoudowhenyouwereaway?'sheasked.

'Iworkedforaman,'saidBob.'Andhegavemethisdonkey.'

'It'saverysmalldonkey,'saidhismother.'Isitstrong?'

'No,'answeredBob,'butit'samagicdonkey.WhenIsaythemagicword,goldfallsfromitsmouth.Callyourfriends.Let'sshowthem.'

Everybodycamefromthevillage.

'Now,watchthis!'saidBob.'Bricklebat!'Everybodylookedatthedonkey.The donkey looked at them.Nothing happened. No gold fell from itsmouth.Everybodylaughed,andBobwasveryangry.Heknewnow-theoldmanhadhismagic donkey.He ran away from home andwent back to his old job.Hewrotetohisbrother,Jack.Hislettertoldthestoryofthemagicdonkeyandthejealousoldman.

Jackworkedwithawood-cutter.Heworkedveryhardforoneyear.Whenthe year ended, thewood-cutter gave Jack a beautiful box. Therewas a stickinsideit.

'Thankyouforthebeautifulbox,'saidJack,'butIdon'twantthestick.I'llputsomethingprettierthanastickinthislovelybox.'

'It'samagicstick,'saidthewood-cutter.'Whensomebodyisunkindtoyou,thestickwillhelpyou.Yousay,"Stick!Outofthebox!''Thestickwilljumpoutoftheboxanditwillhitthem.Whenyousay,"Stick!Backinthebox!",itwillstophittingthem.'

Jack took theboxand startedhis journeyhome.On the lastnightofhisjourney,hecametotheoldhouse.Thejealousoldmanwasthere.HegaveJacksomefood.ThenJacktoldhimabouthisjourney.

'Do you know,' said Jack, 'that there is a magic table? You say "I am

hungry" to the table.Thenwonderful foodappearson it.And there isamagicdonkey.You say "Bricklebat!" to it, andgold falls from itsmouth.But I havesomethingbetterthanthemagictableorthemagicdonkeyinthisbox.Nothingintheworldisasgoodasthis!'

'Whatisit?'thoughtthejealousoldman.'Iwantit.'

WhenJackwenttobed,heputtheboxonthefloor.Heshuthiseyes.Aftersometime,theoldmancameintoJack'sroom.HelookedatJack.Quietlyheputhishandonthebox.Suddenly,Jackjumpedoutofbed.'Stick!Outofthebox!'hecried.Thestickhitthejealousoldmanonhisheadandarmsandback.Theoldmanwantedtorunawaybuthecouldn't.

'Givemethemagictableandthemagicdonkey.ThenIwillputthestickbackinthebox,'saidJack.

'Yes,yes,'criedtheoldman.'Youcanhavethem.Stopthestick!Stopthestick!'

Thenextday,Jacktookthetable,thedonkeyandthestickandhewalkedtohismother'shouse.

Jack'smotherwasveryhappywhenshesawherson.

'Whatdidyoudowhenyouwereaway?'sheasked.

'Iworkedwithawood-cutter,'saidJack.'Hegavemethisstick.'

'Astick!'criedhismotherangrily. 'Whydidhegiveyouastick?Youcangetastickfromeverytreeintheworld!'

'Yes,' said Jack. 'But this is amagic stick.When somebody is unkind tome,Isay,"Stick!Outofthebox!"Itjumpsoutoftheboxandhitsthem.ItonlystopswhenIsay,"Stick!Backinthebox!"Mybrothershadamagictableandamagic donkey.A jealous oldman took them.With this stick, I got thembackagain.'

Jack'smotherwasveryhappy.Shewrote toTomandBobandtold themthe story. They came home. She invited everybody from the village to theirhouse.Everybodysatroundthemagictableandatewonderfulfood.Everybody

tookhomeabagofgoldfromthemagicdonkey'smouth.

Fromthatday,theoldwomanandherthreesonslivedveryhappily.

CHAPTERTWO

ThePrinceandtheServants

Once there was a bad and jealous queen. She had a kind and beautifuldaughter.Manyprincesfrommanycountrieswantedtomarrytheprincess.Thequeen said to each prince, 'Before you marry my daughter, you have to dosomethingforme.'Andthenshegavehimanimpossiblejob.Whenhecouldn'tdoit,shesaid,'Nowyouwilldie.'Andherwood-cuttercutoffhishead.

'Youwillnevermarry,'shesaidtoherunhappydaughter.Andshelaughed.

PrinceCharleswas the son of a poor king in a small country.He heardaboutthebeautifulprincess.Hesaidtohisfather,'Iwanttomarryher.'

'Never!'criedtheking. 'Thequeenwillkillyou.Youaremyonlyson-Icannotloseyou!Therearehundredsofbeautifulwomenintheworld.Youdon'thavetomarrythisone.'Buttheprincewasverysad.Hecouldn'teat.Hecouldn'tsleep.Intheendhisfathersaid,'Go,then-gototheprincess!Ihopeyouwilldobetterthantheotherprinces.IhopeIwillseeyouagain.'

Theprincewasveryexcitedandhedancedroundhisrooms.Heatealotof food and got strong again. Then he began his journey.He had no servantsbecausehisfatherwaspoor.'I'llfindservantsontheway,'hesaid.

After a short time, the prince saw a small mountain. 'What is thatmountain?'hethought.'Itwasn'ttherebefore.'

Hewentnearer. Itwasn'tamountain. Itwasaveryfatmanonhisback,asleep.Theprincewentnearhimandthefatmanwokeup.

'Whatareyoudoinghere,FatMan?'askedtheprince.

'Iwasasleep,'saidFatMan,'andnowIamnotasleep.Becauseofyou.'

'Whywereyouasleep?'

'BecauseIhadsomefoodthismorning.NowIwantmylunch.'

'Whatdidyoueatthismorning?'askedtheprince.

'Tenchickensandahundredcakes,'saidFatMan.

'Willyoubemyservant?'askedtheprince.

'Givemefood,'saidtheFatMan,'andIwilldoanythingforyou.'

SotheFatManfollowedtheprince.

Ashorttimelaterontheirjourney,theyfoundanotherman.Hisheadwasdownandhis left earwason theground.He lookedup.His left earwasverylarge.

'Whatareyoudoing,BigEar?'askedtheprince.

'I am listening,' said Big Ear. 'The flowers are opening. The birds aresinginginacountryoverthesea.Icanhearthem.'

'What can you hear in the house of the beautiful princess?' asked theprince.

'Peoplearecrying.Anotherprinceisdead.'

'Willyoubemyservant,BigEar?'

'Yes,'saidBigEar,'Iwill.'

Ashorttimeafterthat,theysawtwolongthingsbytheroad.

'Whatarethey?Trees?'saidFatMan.Theywentnearer.

'They're not trees,' said Big Ear. 'They're arms. The longest arms in theworld.'Alittlelatertheysawtheman'shead.

'Youareaverylongperson,'saidtheprince.

'Icanbelongerthanthis,'saidLongArms.

'Comewithme,LongArms,'saidtheprince.'Bemyservant.'

SoLongArmsfollowedtheprince.

Nexttheysawamanwithahandoveroneeye.

'Istheresomethinginyoureye?'askedtheprince.

'No,' said the man. 'I can see a long way. I can see through things -buildings,mountains,water.Whensomethingisnearme,Ihavetoputmyhandoveroneeye.ThenIcanseeit.'

'Come with me, Quick Eyes,' said the prince, 'and be my servant.' AndQuickEyesfollowedtheprince.

Theywentontheirjourneyandthesungotveryhot.Theprinceopenedhiscoat.Theycametoamanbytheroad.Heworetwothickcoatsandalargehat.Theycouldnotseehisface.Hesaid,'Iamcold,cold,cold.'

'Whyareyoucold,ColdMan?'askedtheprince.'Thesunisveryhotandourcoatsandshirtsareopen.Wearehot.'

'WhenIopenmycoat,'answeredColdMan,'thesundisappears.Itsnows.Everythingdiesofcold.'

'Comewithme,'saidtheprince,'andbemyservant.Butpleasedon'topenyourcoat.'ColdManwentwiththeprince.

PrinceCharlesandhisservantsarrivedatthecity,andtheprincewenttothequeen.

'Iwanttomarrytheprincess,'hesaid.'WhatdoIhavetodo?'

The queen answered, 'You will have to do three things. Do them well.Thenyoucanmarrytheprincess.'

'Whatisthefirstthing?'askedtheprince.

'Ihaveabeautifulbluejewel.Yesterdayitfellintotheriver.Bringmethejewelbeforethesungoesdown!'

Theprincewentbacktohisservants.

Howcanwefindthejewel?'heaskedthem.

QuickEyestookhishandfromhiseye.

'Iwilllookforit.'Hewenttotheriver.'Thereitis-overthere.'

'Ican'tseeit,'saidLongArms.

ThenFatManopenedhismouthanddrankthewaterintheriver.Ashorttimelater,theriverwasdry.LongArmsgotthejewelandgaveittotheprince.

The queen was very angry when she saw the jewel. Then she said,'TomorrowIwillgivethisprinceaverydifficultjob.'Shethoughthard.Shedidnotsleepthatnight.

Thenextmorningtheprincewokeupearly.Hewenttothequeenagain.

'You are hungry after your long journey,' she said, with a cold smile. 'Ihave thirty chickensoutside.Eat thembefore twelveo'clock. I donotwant tofindonechickenleg.'

'Can I invite a friend?' the prince asked. 'I do not like eating without afriend.'

'Youcanaskonefriend,'saidthequeen.Theprinceleft. 'Hewilldiethisafternoon,'shesaidtoherdaughter.Andshelaughed.

Theprincewentbacktohisfriends.

'Comewithme,FatMan,'hesaid.

Fat Man quickly ate the thirty chickens. Then he ate the queen's otheranimals,thebreadinthekitchens,thefruitonthetreesandthevegetablesintheground.

'NowwhatcanIeat?'askedFatMan.Therewasnothingtheresohewenttosleep.

At twelveo'clock thequeencalledforher lunch.Shewaitedandwaited,

butnofoodcame.Shewenttoseethecook.'Whereismylunch?'sheasked.

'A fatman ate everything in the gardens and everything in the kitchens.Thereisnofood.'

Thequeengotangrierandangrier.Thenshethoughtofaplan.'Haha!'shelaughed.'NowIwillcatchhim.'

Theprincecametoheronthethirdday.

'Willyoueatwithmetonight?'sheasked,withalovelysmile. 'Andafterthat,wouldyouliketositwiththeprincessfortwohours?'

'Yes,'answeredtheprince.'Iwouldlovethat.'

'Youwillnot fallasleepwhenyouare talking to theprincess?'asked thequeen.

'Fallasleep!'criedtheprince.'Never!'

'Whenapersonfallsasleepwiththeprincess,'saidthequeen,'theprincessdisappearsbymagic.Thenthatpersondies.'

Theprinceputonhismostbeautifulclothes.Heatewiththequeen.Theirconversation was very cold. Servants brought wonderful food and wonderfuldrinks. When the prince turned away for a minute, the queen quickly putsomethingintohisglassofwine.Theprincedidnotsee.Hedrankthewine.

Thenthequeentookhimtotheprincess.Theyclimbedupmanystairstoahighroom.Theprincesssatsadlybythewindow.Theredlightof theeveningsunlitupherbeautifulface.Theriverbelow,theflowersroundthewindowandherdresswerethesamecolour.

Theprincesatnear theprincess.Theywereveryhappy fora short time.Buttheprince'seyessuddenlyfeltheavy.Hestartedtofallasleep.Hecouldn'theartheprincess'swords.Hiseyesshut.Hewasasleep.

Halfanhourlater,heopenedhiseyesagain.Theprincesswasn'tthere!Helookedeverywhereintheroom,buthecouldn'tfindher!Herantothewindowandlookedout.HesawBigEarbelow.Hecalledtohim,'Theprincessisn'there.

Wehavetofindherinthenexthour.'LongArmsbroughttheprincedowntotheground.

'Whereistheprincess?Canyouhearher,BigEar?'

BigEarputhiseartotheground.

'Yes,'hesaid.'Icanhearher.Sheiscalling.Shesaysthatsheisacrosstheriver.Sheisinsideatree.Hermother'smenputherthere.'

QuickEyeslooked.'Yes,'hesaid,'Icanseeher.'

'Buthowcanwegether?'criedtheprince.'Ihaveanidea,'saidColdManand he opened his coat. Snow fell. Everythingwentwhite.ColdMan jumpedinto the river and thewaterwas ice. They ran across the ice and brought theprincessback.LongArmsputtheprinceandprincessbackthroughthewindowintothehighroom.Theysatdownandthedooropened.Thequeencamein.Shecouldnotspeakwhenshesawtheprincess.Shegavethemacoldsmile.

'We are having a very interesting conversation,' said the prince. 'We aretalkingabouttreesandrivers.'

'Comewithme,'saidthequeen. 'It isnight.Yourbedroomisready.Yourservantscansleeptheretoo.'

Theprincesaidgoodnighttotheprincessandheandhisservantsfollowedthequeen.Shetookthemtoabigroom.Thequeenshutthedoor.Sherantothecookandsaid,'Makeagreatfireundertheirroom.'

Afterashorttimetheroomgotveryhot.Theprincewenttothedoorbuthecouldn'topenit.

'Icanhearagreatfirebelowus,'saidBigEar.

'Thisiswonderful,'saidColdMan.'Ifeelreallywarmforthefirsttimeinmylife.'

'Openyourcoat,ColdMan,'saidtheprince.WhenColdManopenedhiscoat,theroomgotcolderagain.'That'sbetter,'theysaid.

Thequeen listenedat thedoor.Sheheard them.She ran to thecookandsaid,'Makethefirehotter.'

ColdMansmiled.'Iamwarmagain,'hesaid.

'Theyarecookingus,'saidtheotherservants.

'Takeoffyourcoat,'saidtheprince.TheprincetookColdMan'scoataway.

'Iamtoocold,'saidColdMan.'Pleasegivemebackmycoat.'

Snow fell in the room. The prince could not speak because he was toocold.FatMancried.Therewasiceinhishair.

Thequeencametothedoor.Shelistened.Nothing.

'They are dead now,' she said. She opened the door. The prince and hisservantsranoutoftheroom.

'Let'sgoandsitbyafire,'saidtheprince.'Myfaceandhandsarebluewithcold.'

Thequeencouldnotwin-sheknewthatnow.Sosheleftthecountry.Theprincessmarriedtheprinceandtheylivedhappily.Andthegoodservantslivedwiththem.

CHAPTERTHREE

TheGlassBox

Once therewas a poorman.His namewasHans.Hehadnomoney, nohouse and no food, but he was happy. 'I'll find something,' he said. 'I'll walkdownthisroadtothenexttown.'Afterashorttime,averyoldwomancalledtohimfromacrosstheroad.

'Whatdoyouwant?'askedHans.

'Whatdoyouwant?'saidtheoldwoman.

'WhatdoIwant?Iwantmoney.'

'Youcanhavemoney,'saidtheoldwoman.'Takethismagicbluecoatandclimbtothetopofthattalltree.Thenclimbdowninsideit.Youwillcomeintoalargeroomwiththreehundredlights.Therearethreedoors.Gothroughthefirstdoorandyouwillseeabigbox.Ontheboxsitsadogwitheyesaslargeaseggs.Don'tbeafraid-itwon'thurtyou.Putmybluecoatonthefloor.Takethedogandputitdownonthecoatinfrontofthebox.Opentheboxandyouwillseemoney.Takesome.

'Gothroughtheseconddoorandyouwillseeabiggerbox.Ontheboxsitsadogwitheyesaslargeasoranges.Don'tbeafraid-itwon'thurtyou.Putthedogdownonthecoatinfrontofthebox.Opentheboxandyouwillseegold.Takesome.

'Gothroughthethirddoor.Thereyouwillseethebiggestbox.Ontheboxsitsadogwitheyesaslargeasplates.Don'tbeafraid-itisfriendly.Therearejewelsinitsbox.Takesome.'

'Thisiswonderful,'saidHans.'ButwhatcanIdoforyou?'

'I don'twant anymoney or gold or jewels,' said the oldwoman. 'I onlywant one little thing. In the third room, there is a small glass box. Mygrandmotherlostitthere.Bringmethatbox.'Hansclimbedupthetreeandthen

downinsidethetree.Hewentdownanddownanddown.Thenhesawthethreehundredlightsandthethreedoors.Heopenedthefirstdoorandwentintoalittleroom.There,onabox,wasadogwitheyesaslargeaseggs.

'Gooddog!'saidHans.Herememberedtheoldwoman'swords.Heputherbluecoatonthefloor.Hetookthedogandputitdownonthecoatinfrontofthebox.Heopenedtheboxandhegotveryexcited.Hetooksomemoneyandputitinhishat.Heputthedogbackontheboxandwentintothesecondroom.

There,onabox,wasadogwitheyesaslargeasoranges.

'You'reafinedog!'saidHans.Heputthedogdowninfrontofthebox,andopenedthebox.Hiseyesweresuddenlyasyellowasthegoldinthebox.Hanstooksomegoldandputitinhishat.

Thenhewent into the last room.Thisdog'seyeswereas largeasplates.'Youareaveryfinedog!'hesaid.Hanslookedatthejewelsinthebox.Hiseyesweresuddenlyred,blue,yellow,greenandgold.Hetooksomejewelsandputtheminhisshoes.Thenherememberedtheoldwoman'sglassbox.Hefounditonthefloornexttothedog.

Heclimbedupinsidethetreeagain.Itwasharderthistimewiththeheavygoldandjewels,buthegotoutofthetree.

'Throwdownthebox,'calledtheoldwomanwhenshesawhim.Buthedidnotthrowit.Suddenlyastonehithimonthehead.

'Help!I'mgoingtofallanddie,'hethought.Butheputoutahandandhedidnotfall.

'Didyouthrowthatstone?'hecalled.

'Yes.Nowgivemethebox.'Shewasnotveryfriendlynow.

'I'mnotgoingtogiveittoyou,'heanswered.

Theoldwomangotveryangryandherfacewasveryugly.Heclimbedtothegroundandwalkedawaydowntheroad.Shecalledhimnamesbuthedidnotanswer.Shecoulddonothing.

Itwasnightwhenhecame to the town.He foundaverynice roomandaskedforthebestfood.Thenextdayhewentoutandboughtbeautifulclothes.Hewasaveryimportantandrichman,peoplethought.Hesuddenlyhadmanyfriends.

Onedaysomebodyaskedhim,'Doyouknowabouttheprincess?'

'Whatprincess?'askedHans.'Whoisshe?Wheredoesshelive?'

'Youcannotseeher,'answeredtheman.

'Whynot?'

'Becausesheisinabighouseandshecan'tleaveit.Thereisonlyonedoor.Thewindows are highup.Shenever goesout.Theking saysnobody can seeher.'

'Whydoessheliveinthatway?'askedHans.

'Because a cleveroldman said to theking, "Yourdaughterwillmarry apoorman."Thekingwasveryangry.Hebuiltthebighousewithhighwindowsandshuttheprincessinit.'

'Iwanttoseetheprincess,'saidHans.Hefoundthehouseandwenttothedoor.But the king's servants quickly sent him away.Thenhe put on hismostexpensiveclothesandwenttotheking'shome.Thekingwasveryangry.'Don'tcomenearmyhouseagain,'heshouted.'Iwillcutoffyourheadandputitonastick.'

Hanslivedwellatthistimeandquicklyusedhismoney.Onedayheonlyhad two jewels.He left hisnice room.He foundapoorhouse and lived in it.Hanswaspoornow.Nobodycookedhis food.Nobodycleanedhis shoes.Hisrich'friends'didnotinvitehimtotheirhomes.Hetriedtofindthetreewiththethreedogsagain,buthecouldn'tfindit.

After a short timeHans had nomoney. Nomoney for food. He lookedroundhisroom.Whatcouldhesell?There,onthetable,hesawthelittleglassbox.

'Perhaps I can buy some bread with this,' he thought. 'Why did the old

womanwantit?ItisglassbutIcan'tseeintoit.Perhapstherearejewelsorgoldinside.'He tried toopen theboxbuthecouldn't.Hehit itoncewithhishand.Suddenlythedogwitheyesaslargeaseggsappearedinfrontofhim.

'Whatdoyouwant?'askedthedog.

'WhatdoIwant!'criedHans.'Iwantmoney!'

The dog went away. It quickly came back with a bag of money in itsmouth.

Hans thought.Thenhesaid, 'Iknow!ThefirstdogcomeswhenIhit theboxonce.TheseconddogwillcomewhenIhittheboxagain.ThethirddogwillcomewhenIhittheboxthreetimes.'

He hit the box - one, two - and the dog with eyes as large as orangesbroughtgold.Hehittheboxthreetimes-one,two,three-andthedogwitheyesaslargeasplatesbroughtjewels.

Hans was rich again. He bought beautiful clothes and moved to a bighouse.Allhis'friends'cameback.

'Whydidn'tyouvisitus?'theysaid.'Wherewereyou?'

Hansdidnotlikethesefriends.Hethoughtonlyofthesadprincess.

'Shecannevergoout,'hethought.'Shecanneverwalkinthegarden.Hermotherisdead.Shecanonlyspeaktotheservantsandtheoldking.Shehasanunhappylife.'

OnenightHanscouldnot sleep.Suddenlyhehadan ideaandhegotupfromhisbed.Hetooktheglassboxandhititonce.Thedogcame.

'Itisnight-abeautifulnight,'saidHans,'andnobodywillsee.Iknowthattheprincesswouldlikeawalkinmygarden.Bringherhere.'

Veryquicklythedogcameback.Theprincesswasasleeponitsback.Herbeautifulfacewassad.

Hanswokeherandtookherintothegarden.

'WhereamI?'shecried.'Whatishappening?'Shewasafraid.

'Youarewalkingwithmeinmygarden,'saidHans.'Look-theflowersareasleep.'

'Agarden!' cried theprincess. 'Am Ioutside?With thegroundundermyfeetandtheskyovermyhead?Nowalls?Nowindows?Icanhearthesoundsofthenightroundme!'

Theywalkedforalongtime.Thenthesunstartedtoappear.'Ihavetogo,'she said. 'But how did I get here?'Hans told her about the glass box and thedogs.Shehittheboxandcalledthedog.

'Gooddog!'shesaid,whenitappeared.'Youhavebeautifuleyes.Takemehome. I don't want anybody to see us. Thank you for this night, Hans.' Theprincessclimbedonthedog'sbackandfellasleep.

Thenextdaytheprincessdidnotrememberanythingbutshefeltdifferent.Herservant,Anna,ajealousandunkindwoman,wokeher.Shesaid,'Wakeup,princess,itisthemiddleoftheday.Thekingiswaitingforyou.'

'Ishe?'saidtheprincessandshejumpedhappilyoutofbed.'Look,Anna,it'sabeautifulday.'

Annastartedtothink.Anumberofthingswerestrange.First,theprincessalways got up at seven o'clock, but today it was twelve o'clock. Second, theprincess was always sad, but today, she was happy. Third, the bottom of theprincess'snightdresswasdirty.Fourth,therewasabeautifulwhiteflowerontheprincess'sbedroomfloor,buttherewerenowhiteflowersintheking'sgarden.

Annawenttotheking.

'Let'swaitandwatch,'saidtheking.'Whenshegoesoutagain,wellfollowher.'

Hanswas in lovewith theprincess.He thoughtaboutheralldayandallnight.Afterthreedays,hecouldn'twait.Hehittheglassbox-one,two-andthedogwitheyesaslargeasorangesappeared.

'Pleasebringtheprincesstomygarden,'hesaid.

Thedogwenttotheprincess.ButAnnawasthere,too.ThedogcarriedtheprincessawayonitsbackandAnnafollowed.Thedogstoppedatthedoorofabighouseandwentin.Annawrotetheletter'X'onthedoorandwenthome.

Hansandtheprincesswalkedinthegarden.Hanstoldthestoryoftheoldwomanand the treeand the threedogsand theglassbox.He told theprincessabouthispoormotherandabouthisthreebrothersandthreesisters.Theprincesslovedhisstories.Shetalkedaboutherparents.

'My father was a great man and a good king,' she said. 'But when mymotherdied,hechanged.Suddenlyhewasoldandtiredandsad.Heshutmeinthathouse.Nowhegetsangryaboutlittlethings.Hedoesn'twanttobeking.Hewantswhiteflowersinhisgarden.Mymotherlovedwhiteflowers.Butnowhisflowersalwaysdie.'

The redof themorningsunstarted to lightup thesky.Theprincesssaidgoodnight toHans.He hit the box - one, two - and the second dog appeared.Withitseyesasbigasoranges,thisdogcouldseeeverything.Itsawthe'X'onthedoorandittoldHans.

'Hoho!'laughedHans.'Comewithmequicklyandwewillwrite"X"soneverydoorinthisstreet,andthenexttenstreets!'

The next day, Anna told the king the story of the night. The king tookAnnaandsomementoHans'sstreet.

'Hereisthehouse,'criedAnna.

'No,hereitis,'criedtheking.

Oneofthemenrantothem.'Thehouseisinthenextstreet,'hesaid.'Thereisan"X"on thedoor.'Everyhousehadan 'X'on itsdoor.Thekingwasveryangryandwenthome.

Laterthatday,Annathoughtofanotherplan.Shewentintoherroomandshut thedoor.Shemadeasmallbagandsheput littlewhitestones in thebag.Shemadeasmallcut in thebottomof thebagandthenput it in theprincess'sclothes. 'Now,' she said, 'when the princess goes out, the little stoneswill fallontotheroad.Wecanfollowthestonestothehouse.'

ThatnightHanscalledtheprincessagainwiththeglassbox.Theywalkedin the garden. The dogwith eyes as large as plateswaited at the front of thehouse.

'Iwouldliketobeaprince,'saidHans.

'Iwouldlikenottobeaprincess,'saidtheprincess.

'Why?' asked Hans. She didn't answer. 'I want to be a prince,' he said,'because Iwant tomarryyou.'Theysatdownundera tree.Hansput theglassboxonthegroundnexttohim.

'Don'tbeaprince,'shesaid.'Ican'tloveaprince.IwillbeapoorgirlandyouwillbeHans.'

At thatminute the dog saw the king andAnnawith a hundred servants.They came out of the king's house and looked at the little white stones. Thewhite stones shone in the dark and they followed them. The dog ran to theprincess.

'Theking!Thekingiscoming!'itcried.'Comequickly!'Thedogranawaythroughthestreetswiththeprincessonitsback.

Theking,Annaand theservantsarrivedatHans'shouse. 'Is theprincesshere?'criedtheking.Hansdidn'tanswer.Suddenlythekingsawhisdaughter'slittleshoeonthegroundnexttosomebeautifulwhiteflowers.Hecouldn'tspeakfor aminute.Thenhe said angrily toHans, 'Mywood-cutterwill cutoffyourheadattwelveo'clocktomorrow.'TheservantstookHanstotheking'shouseandshuthiminaroom.

Hanslookedforhisglassbox.Wherewasit?Lost!Hecouldnotcallthedogs.Thenheremembered.Itwasunderthetree.

Whenthesuncameup,Hanswenttothewindowandlookedout.Hewasveryhighup.Hesawalittleboybelowhimandcalledtohim.

'Hey!Littleboy!'

'Whatdoyouwant?'criedtheboy.

'Wouldyoulikethreepence?'

'Yes,please,'saidtheboy.

'Thenruntomyhouse.Saytomyservant,"Hanshasalittleglassbox.Itisinthegardenunderatree.Hewantsmetobringit totheking'shouse."Whenyoubringmethebox,Iwillgiveyouthreepence.'

Theboydisappeared.Alittletimelaterhecamebackwiththebox.

'Throw it up to me,' called Hans. The boy threw up the box and Hanscaughtit.Thenhethrewdownthemoney.

At thatminute, the door opened and the king'smen came in.They tookHans toabig square in thecentreof the town.Everybody from the townwasthere.Theywantedtowatch.Thekingstoodinthemiddleofthesquarewiththeimportant people of the town round him. In front of Hans stood a big strongwood-cutter.Heworealongredcoatandatallblackhat.

'Areyouready?'saidthekingtothewood-cutter.

'Areyouready?'saidthewood-cuttertoHans.

'No!'criedHans,andhetookouttheglassbox.

'Areyouready?'saidthewood-cuttertoHans.

'No!'criedHans,andhehittheboxonce.Hehittheboxagain-one,two-andthenagain-one,two,three.Thethreedogsstoodinfrontofhim.

'Takethewood-cutteraway,'hesaidtothedogwitheyesaslargeaseggs.'Throwhimintheriver.'Thedogranawaywiththewood-cutteronhisback.

'Take the king's men away,' Hans said to the dog with eyes as large asplates.The dog got bigger and bigger.Everybodywatchedwith openmouths.Now thedogwas asbig as ahouse.Theking'smenwerevery afraid and ranaway.

'Bringtheprincesshere,'Hanssaidtothedogwitheyesasbigasoranges.Whereistheking?'hecried.

Ina short time theprincessand thekingstood in frontofHanswith thedogsbehindthem.

'Doyouwanttobeking?'Hansaskedtheoldking.

'No,'saidtheking.'Ionlywanttohavewhiteflowersinmygarden,andahappydaughter.'

'When the princess and I marry, white flowers will live in your gardenagainandtheprincesswillbehappy.'

AndsoHansmarriedtheprincess.Thenewkingandqueenlivedhappilyformanyyears.Theyhadsixchildrenandaverybiggarden.Theoldkinglivedhislastyearsnearthem.Hisgardenwasaseaofwhiteflowersallyear.

CHAPTERFOUR

TheFishermanandtheGiant

Once therewas a poor fisherman.Henever caughtmany fish and sohehadnomoney.Onsomedayshedidnotcatchanyfish.Hecouldn'tbuyfoodforhiswifeandthreechildren.Theyonlyatefish!

Usually he caught very small fish, but one day he caught a dead horse.'Todayisabadday,'hethought.

Angrily, he began to fish again. This time he caught a bag of old cups.Sadly,he threw themback in thewater. 'Whatcan Ido?'hesaid. 'Iamapoorman.Iwanttosellfish.Iwanttobuyfoodformychildren.'

Hetriedagain.Thistimehecaughtanoldjar.Itlookedgreen,butthenhelooked again. Itwasdirty.Sohewashed it and itwasgold.Therewere somewordsonthetopofthejar,buthecouldn'tread.

Thefishermanjumpeduphappily.'Icansellthisnow,'hesaid.

'Todayisagoodday.'

He looked at the jar carefully. 'Perhaps there is something inside,' hethought. 'I'll open it.' So he opened the jar and looked inside. Suddenlywhitesmokecameoutof thejarandagreatgiantappeared.Thefishermanwasveryafraid.Thegiantspoke.

'Now,fisherman.Iamgoingtokillyou.'

'Why?'criedthefisherman.'WhatdidIdo?'

'Youopenedthejar.ForthatIamgoingtokillyou.Howdoyouwanttodie?Icankillyouwithmyhands,orIcanthrowyouintothesea.'

'Butwhydoyouhavetokillme?'

'Iwill tellyou,'saidthegiant. 'Oneday, theKingof theGiantswasvery

angrywithme.Itookhisyoungestandloveliestdaughterforawalkbytheseaandhedidn'tlikeit.Soheputmeinthisjar.Icouldnotgetoutbecausehewrotehisnameonthetopofthejar.Icouldhearhimfrominsidethejar."Becauseyoulove the sea,youdog,"hecried, "youcan live in it!"Andhe threwme in thewater.

'Iwas in the jar for days andweeks. "Oneday somebodywill open thisbottle,"Ithought."AndIwillmakethemintoagreatkingorqueen."Butafterahundredyears,nobodyopenedthebottle.SoIthought,"Iwillmakethemintoakingorqueenbutnotagreatkingorqueen."After200years,Ithought,"Whereis thisperson?NowIwillmakethemrich,butIwillnotmakethemakingorqueen."After300years,Iwasveryangry."Whensomebodyopensthejar,Iwillkillthem,"Ithought.Youarethatperson,Fisherman.Howdoyouwanttodie?'

'Ihaveonequestion,'saidthefisherman.'Willyouanswerit?'

'Iwill,'saidthegiant,'butaskquickly.'

'Wereyouinthatjar?'

'Yes,Iwas,'answeredthegiant.'Yousawme.'

'Butyouaresobig.Yourhandisasbigasthejar.Thinkbeforeyouspeak.Istherenothinginsideyourhead?'

Thegiantwasnotveryclever.'Iwillshowyou,'hesaidangrily.Suddenlyhedisappearedintowhitesmokeagain,andthesmokewentinsidethejar.'Yousee!'hecalledfrominside.Thefishermanquicklyputthetopbackonthejar.

'Hah!Now,Giant,'hesaid.'Iwillthrowthejarbackintothesea.Perhapssomebodywillfindyouinanother300years.'

'Pleaseopenthejar,'calledtheGiant.'Iwillmakeyouarichman.'

'No.Youwillkillme,'answeredthefisherman.

'No,Iwon't,'saidthegiant.'Iwon't.I'llmakeyouvery,veryrich.'

Thefishermanthoughtforaminute. 'Allright, then,'hesaid,andopenedthe jar. White smoke came out of the jar and the giant appeared again. He

quicklythrewthejarintothesea.

'Thank you,' he said to the fisherman. 'Iwill not forget this. Comewithme.'Thefishermanfollowedthegiantroundthecitywallsandoveramountain.Theretheycametoagreatblueandgoldsea.Inthewaterthereweremanyfish.

'Now, catch something. Iwillwatch you,' said the giant. In no time, thefishermancaughtthreefish-threebeautifulred,whiteandgoldfish.'Takethesefishtoyourking,'saidthegiant.'Hewillgiveyoualotofmoneyforthem.'

Thegiantdisappeared,andblueandgoldsmokewentintotheground.

Whenthekingsawthefish,hesaidtothefisherman,'Thosearebeautifulfish!Iwillgiveyougoldforthem.'Thenhesaidtohisservant,'Takethesefishtothecook.Wewilleatthemtoday.'

The fisherman took his gold home to his family. They ate a wonderfuldinner of bread,meat, fruit, vegetables and no fish. For the first time in theirlives,theywerenothungry.

Theking'scookputthefishoverthefire.Theystartedtocook.Suddenly,thesmokefromthefirewentblueandgoldandastrangewomanappearedinthekitchen.Shespoketothefish.

'Fish,fish!Areyoudoingyourwork?'Thefishdidnotanswer.Thentheirheadswentup,and theysaid, 'Weare,andwearehappy.'Thestrangewomanpushedthefishintothefire.Thesmokefromthefirewentblueandgoldandthewomandisappearedintoit.

Thekingandhisservantcameintothekitchen.'Iamwaitingforthefish.Wherearethey?'hesaidtothecook.Hesawthatthefishwereinthefireandhecould not eat them. The cook told him about the strange woman. The kingwanted to see thewoman so he sent for the fisherman. 'Bringme threemorefish!'hesaid.

When the fisherman camebackwith threemore fish, thekinggavehimmoregold.Thecookputthefishoverthefire.Thistimethesmokefromthefirewentredandgoldandabigmanwithredhairappeared.

'Fish,fish!Areyoudoingyourwork?'Thefishanswered,'Weare,weare!

Andwearehappy!'Andthesamethinghappened.Themanpushedthefishintothefireanddisappearedintotheredandgoldsmoke.

Thekingdidnotspeakforaminute.Thiswasmagic!Thenhe turned tothefisherman.'Wheredoyougetthesefish?'heasked.

'Igetthemfromaseaofblueandgoldwateroverthemountain.'

'Doyouknowthissea?'thekingaskedhisservant.

'No.Ioftengoacrossthemountain,butthereisnoblueandgoldsea.'

'Willyoutakeusthere?'thekingaskedthefisherman.

Thekingandhismenfollowedthefishermanoverthemountaintotheseaofblueandgoldandtheretheysawthewonderfulfish.Thefishwerejewelsinthewater.

'Waithere,'saidtheking.Hetooktwomenandwentroundthesea.Therethey came to a great houseof red stone.All round thehouseweregardensofwonderfulflowers.Therewasnoansweratthedoor.Butitwasopensothekingwentin.Hesawmanybeautifulroomsbutnopeople.Hecameintoaverylargeroomwith highwindows. Somebody spoke: 'Whenwill I die? I don'twant tolive.'

Theking sawayoungmanat theotherendof the room.Hewason thefloorwithacoatoverhisfeet.

'Iknowyouareaking,'said theyoungman, 'butIcannotstandup.'Thekingtookawaythecoatandsawthathisfeetwerefinewhitestone.

'What is this?' cried theking. 'Whydoyouhavestone feet?Whydo thefish talk?Whydoesamanwith redhairappear fromnowhere inmykitchen?Whatishappening?Tellme.'

'Iwilltellyou,'saidtheyoungman.'Pleasesitdownandlisten.Therewasonceagreatcityinthisplace.Myfatherwaskingofthatcity,andIwasaprince.ThenmyfatherdiedandIwastheking.Imarriedabeautifulwoman.Shewasmyqueenbutshedidnotloveme.Shelovedaservant.WhenIlearntabouthim,Iwantedtokillthatservant.Wehadafight.IhurthimbutIdidn'tkillhim.He

couldnotusehislegs.

'Mywifewasveryangry.Shecandomagicandshechangedmyfeet towhite stone. Then I could not usemy legs. Thatwas not the end of it. Threemountainsandablueandgoldseaappearedinplaceofthecity.Shechangedthemenandwomenofthecityintofish.

'There is a little house of white stone in the garden of this house. Theservantlivesthere.Hecannotwalk.Mywifevisitshimeveryday.'

Thekingwentintothegardenandthoughtforsometime.Thenhewenttothehouseofwhitestone.Hefoundtheservantinsideandkilledhim.Heputtheservant under the bed and then climbedonto it.He pulled the servant's jacketoverhisface.Sometimelater,thequeencamein.

'Areyouhappy,mydearestservant?'sheasked.

'No,'saidtheking.'Icannotsleep.Somebodyiscrying.Theyoungkingiscryingbecauseofhisstonefeet.'

Thequeenwent to theyoungkingand threwsomemagicwateroverhisfeet.Hestoodupandwalked.

Thenshecamebacktothehouseofwhitestone.'AndIcannotsleep,'thekingsaid,'becausethemenandwomenofthecitycryatnight.Theydonotwanttobefish.'

Sothequeenwenttotheblueandgoldsea.Shesaidsomemagicwords.Agreat city appeared all round her. Men and women ran happily through thestreetsandinandoutofthehouses.Thenthequeencamebacktothehouseofwhitestone.

'Areyouhappynow,mydearservant?'sheasked.

'Yes,mylove,'hesaid.'Comenearme.'Shecamenearhim.'Comenearer.Iwant to putmy arms round you.' She came nearer his bed.He put his armsroundher.Inonehandhehadaknife,andhekilledher.

He went back to the young king. 'Your queen is dead. The city and itspeopleareliving.'

Theolderkingandtheyoungkingwerefriendsafterthat.Onecityhelpedtheothercity.Butnobodyatefishagain.

Thefishermanandhis familywerehappy.The twokingssent themgoldandbeautifulthings.Theywereneverhungryagain.

CHAPTERFIVE

TheWhiteBirds

Oncetherewasakingwithtensonsandonedaughter.Theirmotherdiedwhenthedaughter,Elisa,wasborn.Theywereverygood,happychildren.

Then the king fell in love with another woman and hemarried her. Helovedhisnewqueenand inhiseyesshewasalwaysright.Butshewasabad,jealous woman. She hated the king's ten sons, and she wanted to send themaway.Lovemadethekingstupid.Itcanmakeeverybodystupid.

The poor old king sadly said goodbye to his sons. Then the queen tookthem outside the citywalls. She said somemagicwords and changed the tenboysintotenwhitebirds.

'Flyawaytoanothercountry,'shesaid.'Makeyourhomesintreetops.Findyourfoodontheground.'

Andthetenbrothersflewhighintotheskyandawayovermountainsandrivers.Theycametoagreatseaandtheymadetheirhomeinsometreesnexttoit.

When Elisa learned about her brothers, she ran away from the king'shouse.Shecriedforhours.Shewalkedfordays.Shedidnotusehereyes-shefollowedherloveforherbrothers.'OnedayIwillfindthem,'shethought.Andherlovetookherneartheirhomebythegreatsea.

NightcameandElisafellasleepunderatree.Allnightthefairieswatchedherandnodangerousanimalcamenearher.Thenextmorningshewalkedagain.Shemetanoldwoman.

'Whatareyoudoinghere?Can'tabrotheror friendhelpyou?'asked theoldwoman.ShegaveElisasomegoodfood.

Elisatoldherthestoryofherbrothers.'Iamlookingfortenfineprincesontenwhitehorses,'shesaid.'Doyouknowofthem?'

'Tenprinces?'saidthewoman.'No,butIsawtenwhitebirdsthismorning.Theyhadgoldfeetandjewelsforeyes.Perhapstheywereprinces.Theywerebytheriver.'

She tookElisa to the river.Elisa followed the river to thegreat sea.Shesaw ten finewhite birds.Their gold feet and jewel-eyes shone in the sun.AllroundherElisasawprettyflowersandbeautifultrees.

Elisa built a small house from sticks. She found flowers and put themroundthewalls.Whenshecameback,shefoundbread,eggsandfishnearthedoor.

That night her brothers came to her. She cried. 'Don't be sad,' they said.'We'lltellyousomestories.'Theirstorieswerefunnyandafteratimeshesmiled.Thenshelaughed.

Whenitwaslate,thebrothersflewupintoatree.'Sleepwell,Elisa,'theysaid.'Wearewatchingyou.'

In her sleep, Elisa saw the old woman again. Now she was a beautifulfairy.

'Doyouwanttohelpyourbrothers?'sheasked.

'Yes!'criedElisa.'Ofcourse!'

'Areyoustrong?'

'Yes!Iamstrong.'

'Then listen tomywords and follow them. There are gold flowers nearyour littlehouse.Takesomehomeandput theminwaterfromtheriver.Washthemmanytimesandthenmakethemintocoats.Tencoatsofgoldflowers,oneforeachbrother.

'But remember these things:First, onlyyoucanmake the coats.Second,you can only speak after you finish them. Don't speak before that, or yourbrotherswilldie.Canyoudothesethings?'

'Yes,' answered the princess in her sleep, and she woke up. She looked

outsideherdoorandsaw thegold flowers.She followed the fairy'swordsandshe worked all day.When the sun went down, her fingers hurt. Her brotherscamethatnight,butshedidnotspeaktothem.

'Whyareyounotspeaking?' theyasked. 'Is this theworkofabadfairy?'Sheshowedthemherwork.Shemadeapictureoftencoatsonthegroundwithher finger. Then they understood - her work was for them. She worked andworked.Herbrotherswatchedher.

After twoor threeweeks, sixcoatswere ready.Thenoneday,when shewas by the river, a dog suddenly appeared. It jumped at her. Then other dogscame.Theymadeagreatnoiseandranroundher.Amancamethroughthetreesonafinewhitehorse,withmanymenbehindhim.Elisalookedatthismanandshelovedhim.

'Who are you?' he asked her. 'Nobody lives here.Where are you from?'Elisa could not answer him. 'I am the king of a great country behind thosemountains,'hetoldher.'Ioftencomeherewithmydogsandhorses.'

Hecameeverydayandspoke toElisa.Theywalkedby the riverandhetoldherabouthislife.Helovedherandhewantedhertobehisqueen.Butwhydidshenotspeak?Sheonlyspoketohimwithhereyes.

Intheend,heaskedher,'Willyoubemyqueen?'PoorElisastartedtocry.Sherantothegoldflowers.

'Wewilltakethegoldflowersandyourworktomyhouse.Youcanworkthere.Willyoucome?'Shecouldnotsayno,becauseshelovedhim.

'SoElisaandthekingtooktheflowersandthecoats-therewereeightnow- tohiscountry.Herbrothersweresad,buteachday theyflewhighabove theking'shouse.

The king had a jealous younger brother. He wanted to be king and hewantedhisbrothertodie.Whenthekingmarried,hewasangry.'Nowthekingwillhaveason,'he thought, 'andIwillneverbeking.'Thekingcouldnotseeinsidehisjealousbrother'shead.Becausehewasgoodandkind,everybodywasgoodandkind.

Onedaythekinghadtoleavethecityformanydays.Hehadtovisitan

importantkinginanothercountry.Thequeenstayedathomeandworkedonhercoats.Nowshehadnine.Butshehadnomoreflowers.Shelookedeverywhereforthegoldflowers.Thenshefoundsomeflowersinabadplace.Thepeopleofthecitythrewtheirdeadanimalsthere.

'Icannotgothereindaylight,'thoughtthequeen.'Peoplewillseeme.Theywill not understand and I cannot tell them.'So shewaited fornight.Then shewentoutandgotsomeflowers.

Theking'syoungerbrothersawthequeenthatnight.Hefollowedherandwatched her.Hewaited the next night and followed her again. 'Now I have aplan,'he thought.Hefollowedherforfivenights.Thenextnighthecalledthegreatmenandwomenofthecitytoaplaceoutsidethecitywalls.

'Whyarewemeetinginthedark?'theyasked.

'Youwill see,'heanswered. 'Youwill learnsomethingaboutyourqueen.Now,everybody,bequiet.Waitherewithmeandwatch.Whatdoesourlovelyqueendoeverynightwhenthekingisaway?Whatdoyouthink?'

Alittle timelater, thequeenappearedandgot theflowers.Shestarted towalkhome,buttheking'sbrotherranafterher.Hecaughtherarm.'See!'hecriedtothepeople.'Sheisabadwoman.Onlyabadwomanlooksforflowersinthisplaceatnight.Sheusesthemforbadmagic.Sheplanstokillourdearking,mybrother.Whydoyou thinkshenever speaks?Becauseshecanonlysaymagicwords!'Peopleshouted,'Killher!','Putheronafire!'Andtheking'sbrothersaid,'Let's kill her before the king comes back.Or shewill kill him!' He took thequeenbacktoherroom.

'Tomorrow,'hesaidtoherbeforeheclosedthedoor,'youwilldie!'

Thekingandhisservantswereoneday'sjourneyawayfromthecity.Theyfoundaplaceforthenightandgotofftheirhorses.Thekinglookedupandsawawhitebirdinthesky.Thebirdflewdowntothekingandtheking'shorsewasafraid.Thekingshoutedatthebird,butitdidnotgoaway.

Thenhelookedagainandsawitsgoldfeetandjewel-eyes.'Itisoneofthefairybirds,'hethought.'Oneofthequeen'sbirds.ShecanunderstandtheircriesbutIcannot.Ithinkitwantsmetogobackquicklytothecity.'

Thekingcalledhismen. 'Wearenot stayinghere tonight,'he told them.'We are going to the city now.We have to go back to the queen. Get readyquickly.Iamleavingnow.Followme!'

Thekingandhismenfollowedthewhitebirdallnight.Thebirdcalledtothem, 'Quickly. Quickly.' In the city, Elisa worked all night with her goldflowers.

Thenextmorningthepeopleof thecitymet inthebigsquareinfrontofthe king's house. They looked up at the sky. 'What are those white birds upthere?Whyaretheymakingthisnoise?'

Menbroughtsticksandbuiltalargefire.Thebirdsflewdownandroundthemen'sheads.Theytooksomesticksandflewaway.Buttheycouldnottakeeverystick.

Theking'sbrotherwent to thequeen's room.Hebroughtheroutsideandintothesquare.Shecarriedthegoldcoatsinherarms,andthebirdsflewwithher.

At the same time thekingarrivedat theopposite endof the square.Hiswhitebirdflewoverthepeople'sheads.

'Itisthequeen,'criedtheking.Hefoughthiswaythroughthepeopletothemiddleofthesquare.

'A fire?' cried the king. 'Why are you building a fire?' He looked at hisyounger brother and he knew!Hewas very angry, and the peoplewere sorry.Theyoungerbrotherturnedtothepeopleandshouted,'Dowewanthertodie?'Butthepeopledidnotanswer'yes'.Theylookedattheirfeet.Thenalittleboyatthefrontshouted,'No.'Andeverybodyshouted,'No!'

Thequeencalled to thewhitebirds, 'Comehere,mybrothers.'Thebirdsflewdowntoherfeet.Shethrewherwonderfulgoldcoatsoverthemandtheychangedintotenfineyoungprinces.Theprincestooktheking'sbrotherontopof the citywalls and threwhim to theground.Boys ran after themand threwstonesathim.Nobodysawhimagain.

The king put his arms round his queen. Speak tome now,my beautifulwife.'

When you see white birds above you, listen. You will hear them cry,'Quickly.Quickly'.Nowyouunderstand.

-THEEND-

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