The Violet Fairy Book Read Online Free PDF

know everything in the
world. After you left, I had such a wonderful dream. Will you
tell me what it means?'
    'Out with it then, quick! What was it?'
    'I dreamt I was walking on a wide road, and an oak tree said to
me: "Ask the king this: Rotten at the roots, half dead, and yet
green stands the old oak. Is it to stand much longer on the
earth?" '
    'It must stand till some one comes and pushes it down with his
foot. Then it will fall, and under its roots will be found more
gold and silver than even Mark the Rich has got.'
    'Then I dreamt I came to a river, and the old ferryman said to
me: "For thirty year's the ferryman has rowed to and fro. Will
the tired old man have to row much longer?" '
    'That depends on himself. If some one gets into the boat to be
ferried across, the old man has only to push the boat off, and go
his way without looking back. The man in the boat will then have
to take his place.'
    'And at last I dreamt that I was walking over a bridge made of a
whale's back, and the living bridge spoke to me and said: "Here
have I been stretched out these three years, and men and horses
have trampled my back down into my ribs. Must I lie here much
longer?" '
    'He will have to lie there till he has thrown up the twelve ships
of Mark the Rich which he swallowed. Then he may plunge back
into the sea and heal his back.'
    And the Serpent King closed his eyes, turned round on his other
side, and began to snore so loud that the windows rattled.
    In all haste the lovely girl helped Vassili out of the chest, and
showed him part of his way back. He thanked her very politely,
and hurried off.
    When he reached the strait the whale asked: 'Have you thought of
me?'
    'Yes, as soon as I am on the other side I will tell you what you
want to know.'
    When he was on the other side Vassili said to the whale: 'Throw
up those twelve ships of Mark's which you swallowed three years
ago.'
    The great fish heaved itself up and threw up all the twelve ships
and their crews. Then he shook himself for joy, and plunged into
the sea.
    Vassili went on further till he reached the ferry, where the old
man asked: 'Did you think of me?'
    'Yes, and as soon as you have ferried me across I will tell you
what you want to know.'
    When they had crossed over, Vassili said: 'Let the next man who
comes stay in the boat, but do you step on shore, push the boat
off, and you will be free, and the other man must take your
place.
    Then Vassili went on further still, and soon came to the old oak
tree, pushed it with his foot, and it fell over. There, at the
roots, was more gold and silver than even Mark the Rich had.
    And now the twelve ships which the whale had thrown up came
sailing along and anchored close by. On the deck of the first
ship stood the three beggars whom Vassili had met formerly, and
they said: 'Heaven has blessed you, Vassili.' Then they
vanished away and he never saw them again.
    The sailors carried all the gold and silver into the ship, and
then they set sail for home with Vassili on board.
    Mark was more furious than ever. He had his horses harnessed and
drove off himself to see the Serpent King and to complain of the
way in which he had been betrayed. When he reached the river he
sprang into the ferryboat. The ferryman, however, did not get in
but pushed the boat off. . . .
    Vassili led a good and happy life with his dear wife, and his
kind mother-in-law lived with them. He helped the poor and fed
and clothed the hungry and naked and all Mark's riches became
his.
    For many years Mark has been ferrying people across the river.
His face is wrinkled, his hair and beard are snow white, and his
eyes are dim; but still he rows on.
    (From the Serbian.)

Schippeitaro
*
    It was the custom in old times that as soon as a Japanese boy
reached manhood he should leave his home and roam through the
land in search of adventures. Sometimes he would meet with a
young man bent on the same business as himself, and then they
would fight in a friendly manner, merely to