When Apples Grew Noses and White Horses Flew Read Online Free PDF Page A

heard the princess knocking and calling out to him. He answered her at once.
    â€œTomorrow,” she told him, “my father will ask you to build a barn and to thatch it with feathers. Here are my magic wand and my magic whistle. I will lend them to you. You only have to touch the hammer with the wand and it will do the work for you. The whistle will summon the birds. My father will give you a gun to kill them but you will not have to do this. Simply touch the gun with the wand and that will be enough. Remember, whatever my father offers you, choose that which is the oldest and dirtiest. Remember also that I cannot help you anymore.”
    Ti-Jean thanked the princess. He thanked her very much.
    In the morning, Bonnet Rouge came to him at the first light of day.
    â€œYou must build me a barn and thatch it with feathers and you must do it before the sun sets,” he said.
    â€œThat does not seem so very much,” Ti-Jean was careful to reply.
    Bonnet Rouge laughed.
    â€œBut today you will work alone,” he roared.
    He held out two hammers. Ti-Jean took the oldest and the dirtiest. Bonnet Rouge held out two guns.
    â€œThe old one will be the best for me,” Ti-Jean announced.
    He went off whistling once again. Immediately, he set to work.
    â€œHammer, build the barn,” he ordered, touching it with the wand.

    The barn was built in less than an hour.
    Now for the roof, Ti-Jean thought, as he put the magic whistle to his lips.
    With the first notes, a flock of birds came flying. There were so many of all shapes and sizes that they darkened the sky. As the flock passed over the barn, Ti-Jean touched the gun with the wand. From each of the birds fell seven feathers. The feathers were enough to thatch the roof and more besides.
    When Bonnet Rouge heard that the barn had been built and thatched just as he had demanded, his anger was terrible. He went red all over. He shook with rage from head to foot. He tried to make Ti-Jean tell him who had helped him, but Ti-Jean was faithful. Over and over, he insisted that the tasks had not been hard.
    â€œYou have beaten me,” Bonnet Rouge said finally. “Tomorrow I will let you leave.”
    Ti-Jean went to his room, but he lay wakeful. Just at midnight, he heard the princess’s knock. He let her in and gave her back the magic wand and the magic whistle. He thanked her yet again.
    â€œIt is not time to thank me yet,” she told him. “Tomorrow my father will not set you free. He will kill you. If you wish to remain alive, you must leave at once.”
    â€œHow will I do that?” Ti-Jean asked.
    â€œI will go to the barn and I will free the white mare. When she comes to your window, you must jump upon her back. Go in the direction of the rising sun. My father will never be able to catch you. The mare flies on the wings of the wind. She will carry you home, but remember, when you arrive, you must say to her, ‘Mare, go back to your mistress,’ so she will return to me.”
    â€œThis I will do, I promise,” Ti-Jean said.
    He went and waited by the window. Very soon the mare appeared. He saw her coat of shining whiteness and he leapt upon her back. He said goodbye to the princess.
    â€œYou have saved my life and I am more grateful to you than I can say,” he said.
    â€œPerhaps I will see you again,” the princess answered.
    â€œI hope so! Oh, I hope so,” Ti-Jean replied.
    He flew then like the wind. He came to the home of his parents.
    â€œMare, go back to your mistress,” he commanded, and the mare sped off.
    His parents were so happy to see him that they gave him a great welcome. They had a party and invited the neighbors to come. The cows and the horses were still there. They had grown and flourished. Their coats gleamed in the sun. Ti-Jean’s father could not help himself. He was pleased with his son despite all the trouble he had brought.
    As for Ti-Jean,