University of Virginia Library

SERBIAN STORIES.

The Serbian is the most widely spread of the South
Slavonic dialects, being spoken not only in Serbia
proper, but also in Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Carniola,
and a great part of South Hungary. It has, like the Bulgarian,
been affected by the old Thracian language, but not to the
same extent. The infinitive is very frequently represented
by da with the finite verb. Szafarzik includes the whole of
the South Slavonic dialects, except the Bulgarian, under the
common name `Illyrian,' and subdivides them into the
three divisions of Serbian, Croatian, and Carinthian-Slovenish.

The Serbian stories are generally good, particularly
No. 40, which may be compared with a very inferior variant
in Grimm, `The Golden Bird.' No. 40 is one of the
stories, the beauty of which set me to work upon the present
series of translations. In it is to be noticed the pobra-timstvo,
or adoptive brotherhood, which plays so important
a part in Serbian life, and of which we have just had a
glimpse in the Bulgarian story, No. 38. No. 43 is a very
good story, containing novel and interesting incidents. In
No. 44 it must be observed that `Fate' is represented as a
man, for the converse reason to that for which Death is
represented as a woman in the Moravian story, No 8.

Usud (Fate) is masculine, while Smrt (Death) is feminine
in Slavonic.

The Serbs possess actual epic poetry, of which an account
is given by Mr. Morfill (`Slavonic Literature,' pp. 154-162).

XL.—THE LAME FOX.

There was a man who had three sons—two intelligent, and
one a simpleton. This man's right eye was always laughing,
while his left eye was weeping and shedding tears. This
man's sons agreed to go to him one by one, and ask him
why his right eye laughed and his left eye shed tears.

Accordingly the eldest went to his father by himself, and
asked him: `Father, tell me truly what I am going to ask
you. Why does your right eye always laugh and your left
eye weep?' His father gave him no answer, but flew into a
rage, seized a knife, and at him, and he fled out of doors,
and the knife stuck in the door. The other two were
outside, anxiously expecting their brother, and when he
came out, asked him what his father had said to him. But
he answered them: `If you're not wiser than another, go,
and you will hear.'

Then the middle brother went to his father by himself,
and asked him: `Father, tell me truly what I am going to
ask you. Why does your right eye always laugh and your
left weep?' His father gave him no answer, but flew into a
rage, seized a knife, and at him, and he fled out of doors,
and the knife stuck in the door. When he came out to his
brothers, his brothers asked him: `Tell us, brother—so
may health and prosperity attend you!—what our father has
said to you.' He answered them: `If you're not wiser than
another, go, and you will hear.' But this he said to his
elder brother on account of the simpleton, that he, too, might
go to his father to hear and see.

Then the simpleton, too, went by himself to his father,
and asked him: `Father, my two brothers won't tell me
what you have said to them; tell me why your right eye
always laughs and your left eye weeps?' His father immediately
flew into a rage, seized a knife, and brandished the
knife to pierce him through; but as he was standing, so he
remained standing where he was, and wasn't frightened in
the least. When his father saw that, he came to him, and
said: `Well, you're my true son, I will tell you; but those
two are cowards. The reason why my right eye laughs is,
that I rejoice and am glad because you children obey and
serve me well. And why my left eye weeps, it weeps on
this account: I had in my garden a vine, which poured
forth a bucket of wine every hour, thus producing me
twenty-four buckets of wine every day and night. This vine
has been stolen from me, and I have not been able to find
it, nor do I know who has taken it or where it is. And for
this reason my left eye weeps, and will weep till I die, unless
I find it.' When the simpleton came out of doors, his
brothers asked him what his father had said, and he told
them all in order.

Then they prepared a drinking bout for their father and
the domestics, and set out on their journey. On the
journey they came to a cross-road, and three ways lay before
them. The two elder consulted together, and said to their
youngest brother, the simpleton: `Come, brother, let us
each choose a road, and let each go by himself and seek his
fortune.' `Yes, brothers,' answered the simpleton; `you
choose each a road; I will take that which remains to me.'
The two elder took two roads which ran into each other,
started on their way, and afterwards met, came out into the
road, and said: `Praise be to God that we're quit of that
fool! They then sat down to take their dinner. Scarcely
had they sat down to eat, when up came a lame she-fox on

three legs, which approached them, fawning and begging to
obtain something to eat. But as soon as they saw the fox:
`Here's a fox,' said they; `come, let us kill it.' Then, stick
in hand, and after it. The fox limped away in the best
fashion it could, and barely escaped from them. Meanwhile,
shepherd-dogs came to their wallet and ate up everything
that they had. When they returned to the wallet they
had a sight to see.

The simpleton took the third road right on, and went
forward till be began to feel hungry. Then he sat down on
the grass under a pear-tree, and took bread and bacon out
of his wallet to eat. Scarcely had he sat down to eat, when,
lo! that very same lame fox which his two brothers had
seen began to approach him, and to fawn and beg, limping on
three feet. He had compassion on it because it was so
lame, and said: `Come, fox, I know that you are hungry,
and that it is hard lines for you that you have not a fourth
foot.' He gave it bread and bacon to eat, a portion for
himself, and a portion for the fox. When they had refreshed
themselves a little, the fox said to him: `But,
brother, tell me the truth: whither are you going?' He
said: `Thus and thus: I have a father and us three
brothers; and one of my father's eyes always laughs, because
we serve him well, and the other eye weeps, because there
has been stolen from him a vine belonging to him, which
poured forth a bucket of wine every hour; and now I am
going to ask people all over the world whether someone
cannot inform me about this vine, that I may obtain it for
my father, that his eye may not weep any longer.'

The fox said: `Well, I know where the vine is; follow
me.' He followed the fox, and they came to a large garden.
Then the fox said: `There is the vine of which you are in
search; but it is difficult to get to it. Do you now mark
well what I am going to say to you. In the garden, before

the vine is reached, it is necessary to pass twelve watches,
and in each watch twelve warders. When the warders are
looking, you can pass them freely, because they sleep with
their eyes open. If they have their eyes closed, go not, for
they are awake, not sleeping, with their eyes closed. When
you come into the garden, there under the vine stand two
shovels—one of wood, and the other of gold. But mind you
don't take the golden shovel to dig up the vine, for the
shovel will ring, and will wake up the watch; the watch will
seize you, and you may fare badly. But take the wooden
shovel, and with it dig up the vine, and, when the watch is
looking, come quietly to me outside, and you will have
obtained the vine.'

He went into the garden, arrived at the first watch; the
warders directed their eyes towards him; one would have
thought they would have looked him to powder. But he
went past them as past a stone, came to the second, third,
and all the watches in succession, and arrived in the garden
at the vine itself. The vine poured forth a bucket of wine
every hour. He was too lazy to dig with the wooden shovel,
but took the golden one, and as soon as he struck it into
the ground, the shovel rang and woke the watch; the watch
assembled, seized him, and delivered him to their lord.

The lord asked the simpleton: `How did you dare to
pass so many watches, and come into the garden to take my
vine away?' The simpleton said: `It is not your vine, but
my father's; and my father's left eye weeps, and will weep
till I obtain him the vine, and I must do it; and if you
don't give me my father's vine, I shall come again, and the
second time I shall take it away.' The lord said: `I cannot
give you the vine. But if you procure me the golden apple-tree
which blooms, ripens, and bears golden fruit every
twenty-four hours, I will give it you.'

He went out to the fox, and the fox asked him: `Well,

how is it?' He answered: `No how. I went past the watch,
and began to dig up the vine with the wooden shovel; but
it was too long a job, and I took the golden shovel; the
shovel rang and woke the watch; the watch seized me, and
delivered me to their lord, and the lord promised to give me
the vine, if I procured him the golden apple-tree which,
every twenty-four hours, blooms, ripens, and bears golden
fruit.' The fox said: `But why did you not obey me?
You see how nice it would have been to go to your father
with the vine.' He shook his head: `I see that I have
done wrong; but I will do so no more.' The fox said:
`Come! now let us go to the golden apple-tree.' The fox
led him to a far handsomer garden than the first one, and
told him that he must pass similarly through twelve similar
watches. `And when you come in the garden,' said she, `to
where the golden apple-tree is, two very long poles stand
there—one of gold, and the other of wood. Don't take the
golden one to beat the golden apple-tree, for the golden branch
will emit a whistling sound, and will wake the watch, and
you will fare ill; but take the wooden pole to beat the golden
apple-tree, and then mind you come out immediately to me.
If you do not obey me, I will not help you further.' He
said: `I will, fox, only that it may be mine to acquire the
golden apple-tree to purchase the vine; I am impatient to
go to my father.' He went into the garden, and the fox
stayed waiting for him outside. He passed the twelve
watches, and also arrived at the apple-tree. But when he saw
the apple-tree, and the golden apples on the apple-tree, he
forgot for joy where he was, and hastily took the golden pole
to beat the golden apple-tree. As soon as he had stripped a
golden branch with the pole, the golden branch emitted a
whistling sound, and woke the watch; the watch hastened
up, seized and delivered him to the lord of the golden
apple-tree.

The lord asked the simpleton: `How did you dare, and
how were you able, to go into my garden in face of so many
watches of mine, to beat the golden apple-trees?' The
simpleton said: `Thus and thus: my father's left eye weeps
because a vine has been stolen from him, which poured forth
a bucket of wine every hour. That vine is kept in such and
such a garden, and the lord of the garden and the vine said
to me: "If you procure me the golden apple-tree which,
every twenty-four hours, blooms, ripens, and produces
golden fruit, I will give you the vine." And, therefore, I
have come to beat the golden apple-tree, to give the apple-tree
for the vine, and to carry the vine to my father, that his
left eye may not weep. And if you do not give me the
golden apple-tree now, I shall come again to steal it.'

The lord said: `It is good, if it is so. Go you and procure
me the golden horse which, in twenty-four hours, goes
over the world, and I will give you the golden apple-tree;
give the apple-tree for the vine, and take the vine to your
father, that he may weep no more.'

Then he went outside, and the fox, awaiting him, said:
`Now, then; how is it?' `Not very well. The golden
apple-trees are so beautiful that you can't look at them for
beauty. I forgot myself, and couldn't take the wooden
pole, as you told me, but took the golden pole to beat the
golden apple-tree; the branch emitted a whistling sound,
and woke the watch; the watch seized me, and delivered
me to their lord, and the lord told me, if I procured him the
golden horse which goes over the world in twenty-four
hours, he would give me the golden apple-tree, that I may
give the apple-tree for the vine to take to my father, that he
may weep no more.'

Again the fox began to scold and reproach him: `Why
did you not obey me? You see that you would have been
by now at your father's. And thus you torment both yourself

and me.' He said to the fox: `Only procure me the horse,
fox, and I will always henceforth obey you.'

The fox led him to a large and horrible forest, and in the
forest they found a farmyard. In this farmyard twelve
watches, as in the case of the vine and the apple-tree,
guarded the golden horse. The fox said: `Now you will
pass the watches as before; go if they are looking; do not
go if they have their eyes shut. When you enter the stable,
there stands the golden horse, equipped with golden trappings.
By the horse are two bridles—one of gold, and the
other plaited of tow. Mind you don't take the golden bridle,
but the one of tow; if you bridle him with the golden bridle,
the horse will neigh and will wake the watch; the watch will
seize you, and who will be worse off than you? Don't
come into my sight without the horse!' `I won't, fox,'
said he, and went. He passed all the watches, and entered
the stable where the horse was. When he was there, golden
horse! golden wings! so beautiful, good heavens! that you
couldn't look at them for beauty! He saw the golden
bridle; it was beautiful and ornamented; he saw also that
of tow; it was dirty, and couldn't be worse. Now he
thought long what to do and how to do. `I can't put that
nasty thing' (the tow bridle)—`it's so nasty!—on that
beauty; I had rather not have him at all than put such a
horse to shame.' He took the golden bridle, bridled the
golden horse, and mounted him. But the horse neighed,
and woke the watch; the watch seized him and delivered
him to their lord.

Then the lord said: `How did you have resolution to
pass my numerous warders into my stable to take away my
golden horse?' The simpleton replied: `Need drove me;
I have a father at home, and his left eye continually weeps,
and will weep till I obtain for him a vine which in a day
and night poured forth twenty-four buckets of wine; this

vine has been stolen from him. Well, I have found it, and
it has been told me that I shall obtain the vine if I procure
the golden apple-tree for the lord of the vine. And the
lord of the golden apple-tree said if I procured him the
golden horse, he would give me the golden apple-tree. And
I came from him to take away the golden horse, that I
might give the golden horse for the golden apple-tree, and
the golden apple-tree for the vine, to take it home and give
it my father, that he may weep no more.' The lord said:
`Good; if it is so, I will give you my golden horse, if you
procure me the golden damsel in her cradle, who has never
yet seen either the sun or the moon, so that her face is not
tanned.' And the simpleton said: `I will procure you the
golden damsel, but you must give me your golden horse, on
which to seek the golden damsel and bring her to you. And
a golden horse properly appertains to a golden damsel.'
The lord: `And how will you guarantee that you will
return to me again?' The simpleton: `Behold, I swear
to you by my father's eyesight, that I will return to you
again, and either bring the horse, if I do not find the damsel,
or give you the damsel, if I find her, for the horse.' To
this the lord agreed, and gave him the golden horse; he
bridled it with the golden bridle, and came outside to the
fox. The fox was impatiently expecting him, to know what
had happened.

The fox: `Well, have you obtained the horse?' The
simpleton: `I have, but on condition that I procure for
him the golden damsel in her cradle, who has never yet
seen the sun or the moon, so that her face is not tanned.
But if you know what need is, good friend, in the
world, say whether she is anywhere, and whether you
know of such a damsel.' The fox said: `I know where
the damsel is; only follow me.' He followed, and they
came to a large cavern. Now the fox said: `There the

damsel is. You will go into that cavern, deep into the
earth. You will pass the watches as before. In the last
chamber lies the golden damsel in a golden cradle. By the
damsel stands a huge spectre, which says: "No! No! No!"
Now, don't be at all afraid; it cannot do anything to you in
any wise; but her wicked mother has placed it beside her
daughter, that no one may venture to approach her to take
her away. And the damsel is impatiently waiting to be
released and freed from her mother's cruelty. When you
come back with the damsel in the cradle, push all the doors
to behind you, that they may be shut, that the watch may
not be able to come out after you in pursuit.' He did so.
He passed all the watches, entered the last chamber, and in
the chamber was the damsel, rocking herself in a golden
cradle, and on the way to the cradle stood a huge spectre,
which said: `No! No! No!' But he paid no attention to
it. He took the cradle in his hands, seated himself with
the cradle on the horse, and proceeded, pushed the doors
to, and the doors closed from the first to the last, and out
he flew with the damsel in the cradle before the fox. The
fox was anxiously expecting him.

Now the fox said to him: `Are you not sorry to give so
beautiful a damsel for the golden horse? But you will not
otherwise be able to acquire the golden horse, because you
have sworn by your father's eyesight. But come! let me
try whether I can't be the golden damsel.' She bounded
hither and thither, and transformed herself into a golden
damsel; everything about her was damsel-like, only her
eyes were shaped like a fox's eyes. He put her into the
golden cradle, and left the real damsel under a tree to take
charge of the golden horse. He went, he took away the
golden cradle, and in the cradle the fox-damsel, delivered
her to the lord of the golden horse, and absolved himself
from the oath by his father's eyesight. He returned to the

horse and the damsel. Now that same lord of the golden
horse, full of joy at acquiring the golden damsel, assembled
all his lordship, prepared a grand banquet for their entertainment,
and showed them what he had acquired in
exchange for his golden horse. While the guests were
gazing at the damsel, one of them scrutinized her attentively,
and said: `All is damsel-like, and she is very beautiful, but
her eyes are shaped like a fox's eyes.' No sooner had he
said this, when up sprang the fox and ran away. The lord
and the guests were enraged that he had said `fox's eyes,'
and put him to death.

The fox ran to the simpleton, and on they went to give
the golden horse for the golden apple-tree. They arrived at
the place. Here again the fox said: `Now, you see, you
have got possession of the golden damsel, but the golden
horse properly appertains to the golden damsel. Are you
sorry to give the golden horse?' `Yes, fox; but though I
am sorry, yet I wish my father not to weep.' The fox:
`But stay; let me try whether I can be the golden horse.'
She bounded hither and thither, and transformed herself
into a golden horse, only she had a fox's tail. Then she
said: `Now lead me; let them give you the golden apple-tree,
and I know when I shall come to you.'

He led off the fox-horse, delivered it to the lord of the
golden apple-tree, and obtained the golden apple-tree. Now,
the lord of the golden apple-tree was delighted at having
acquired so beautiful a horse, and invited his whole lordship
to a feast, to boast to them what a horse he had acquired.
The guests began to gaze at the horse, and to wonder how
beautiful he was. All at once one scrutinized his tail attentively,
and said: `All is beautiful and all pleases me, only
I should say that it is a fox's tail!' The moment he said
that, the fox jumped up and ran away. But the guests were
enraged at him for using the expression `fox's tail,' and put

him to death. The fox came to the simpleton, and proceeded
with the golden damsel, the horse, and the golden
apple-tree to the vine.

Now again the fox said: `You see, now you have acquired
the golden apple-tree. But the golden damsel is not appropriate
without the golden horse, or the golden horse without
the golden apple-tree. Are you sorry to give the golden
apple-tree?' The simpleton: `Yes, fox; but I must, to
obtain the vine, that my father may not weep. I had rather
that my father did not weep than all that I have.' The fox
said: `Stay! I will try whether I can be the golden apple-tree.'
She bounded hither and thither, and transformed
herself into a golden apple-tree, and told him to take it
away and give it for the vine. He took off the golden foxapple-tree,
and gave it to the lord of the vine, obtained the
vine, and went away.

The lord for joy assembled his whole lordship, and prepared
a grand feast, to display what a golden apple-tree he
had acquired. The guests assembled and began to gaze at
the apple-tree. But one scrutinized it attentively, and said:
`All is beautiful, and cannot be more beautiful, only the
fruit is in shape a fox's head, and not like other apples.'
No sooner had he said this when up jumped the fox and
ran away. But they were enraged at him and slew him,
because he had said `fox's head.'

Now the simpleton took leave of the fox and went home,
having with him the golden damsel, the golden horse, the
golden apple-tree, and the vine. When he arrived at the crossroad,
where he had parted from his brothers when he went
from home to seek the vine, he saw a multitude of people
assembled, and he, too, went thither to see what was the
matter. When he got there, his two brothers were standing
condemned, and the people were going to hang them. He
told the damsel that they were his brothers, and that he

would like to ransom them. The damsel took a large quantity
of treasure out of her bosom, and he ransomed his
brothers, the malefactors, who had thought to acquire the
vine by slaying, burning, and plundering. They envied
him, but could not help themselves. They proceeded
home. The simpleton planted the vine in the garden where
it had been; the vine began to pour forth wine, and his
father's left eye ceased to weep and began to laugh. The
apple-tree began to blossom, the golden horse to neigh, the
damsel to sing, and there was love and beauty at the farmhouse.
Everything was merry, everything was rejoicing and
making progress.

All at once the father sent his sons to bring him from
the country three ears of rye, that he might see what manner
of season it would be. When they came to a well in the
country, they told their simpleton brother to get them some
water to drink. He stooped over the well to reach the
water for them; they pushed him into the water and he
was drowned. Immediately the vine ceased to pour forth
wine, the father's eye began to weep, the apple-tree drooped,
the horse ceased to neigh, the damsel began to weep, and
everything lost its cheerful appearance. Thereupon that
selfsame lame fox came up, got down into the well, gently
drew her adopted brother out, poured the water out of him,
placed him on the fresh grass, and he revived. As soon
as he revived the fox was transformed into a very beautiful
damsel. Then she related to him how her mother had
cursed her because she had rescued her greatest enemy
from death. She was cursed, and was transformed into a
cunning fox, and limped on three feet until she should
rescue her benefactor from a watery death. `And, lo! I
have rescued you, my adopted brother. Now, adieu!' She
went her way, and the simpleton his way to his father, and
when he arrived at the farmhouse the vine began again to pour

forth wine, his father's eye to laugh [the golden apple-tree
to bloom], the golden horse to neigh, and the golden damsel
to sing. He told his father what his brothers had done to
him on the way, and how a damsel had rescued him and
freed herself from a curse. When his father heard this he
drove the two villains into the world. But he married the
simpleton to the golden damsel, with whom he lived long in
happiness and content.

XLI.—THE SONS' OATH TO THEIR DYING FATHER.

There was an old man who had three sons and one
daughter. When the time came for the old man to die, he
summoned all his three sons, and made them promise under
oath to give their sister to the first who came to ask for her,
whoever he might be. When some time had elapsed after
the father's death, an old man arrived in a two-wheeler, and
asked for the maiden in marriage. The two elder brothers
would not give her to him immediately, because he was old
and poor; but the youngest insisted that they should give
her to him, reminding them of the oath they had sworn to
their father. And so they gave her in marriage to the old
man, and the old man took her away to his home. After
some time, the elder brother went on a visit to his sister.
When he got there, it was a large house, and couldn't be
better. The sister was greatly delighted when she saw her
brother, and when he inquired of her how she was getting
on, she replied: `Excellently; it can't be better.' When
the brother arrived at his sister's, the old man was not at
home, but soon afterwards arrived, and was very pleased
when he saw his wife's brother, and said to him: `We will
feast and be merry; but first you shall go on my horse to
fetch him some grass, but you must cut it where the horse
paws with his foot, and not where you please.' His wife's

brother said to him: `Good! brother-in-law, I will.' He
then mounted the horse and went off. As on he went, he
came to a silver bridge. When he espied the bridge and
saw that it was all of silver, he became covetous, dismounted,
and pulled off a silver plate, saying: `I may
benefit myself.' Afterwards he cut grass where he pleased,
without waiting till the horse pawed with his foot, mounted
the horse again, and returned back. On arriving at the
house, he put the horse in the stable, placed the grass before
him, and went off into the house. When he arrived in the
house, the old man asked him whether he had satisfied the
horse, and whether the horse was eating the grass. He
replied, `Yes,' and that the horse was eating. The old man
said: `It is good that I also look.' He then went into the
stable. When he got there, the horse had not touched it.
The old man understood that the grass had not been cut
where he had told him; he therefore at once sent off his
brother-in-law supperless, to go back whence he had come.
On reaching home, he didn't tell his brothers how he had
fared at his brother-in-law's, but said to the middle brother:
`Our brother-in-law salutes you, and wishes you to go to be
his guest.' After some time, the middle brother went on a
visit to his sister; but he, too, fared even as the first one.
His sister's husband sent him, too, for grass, and when he
got to the silver bridge, he, too, became covetous, like the
first, pulled off a silver plate, and did not cut the grass as
his brother-in-law told him, but where he thought fit. When
he came back to his brother-in-law's house, his brother-in-law
caught him, too, out in a lie, and sent him home supperless,
like the first one. When he got home, he told nobody how
he had fared at his brother-in-law's, but said to the youngest
brother: `Our brother-in-law salutes you, and wishes you to
go to visit him.'

After some time, the youngest brother, too, went off.

When his sister espied him, she said to him: `Only,
brother, be sure not to do as our two brothers have done.'
He didn't know what they had done, and his sister would
not tell him anything more. When his sister's husband
came home, he, too, was delighted with his wife's brother,
and said to him: `We will feast and be merry, only go first
on my horse and fetch him some grass; but you will cut it
there where the horse paws with his foot, and not where you
please.' He mounted the horse and went off for the grass.
When he arrived at the bridge, he was astonished at its
beauty, but was quite sorry that it hadn't those two plates;
and when he came to the middle, he looked on one side
and the other, and saw under it, where water was bubbling
in a huge caldron, and human heads boiling in it, and
eagles pecking them from above. Afterwards, having passed
over the bridge, he came to a village, and, as he passed
through it, saw that there everything was sad and sorrowful,
and wondered thereat, and asked a man: `How is this,
brother, that all is so sorrowful with you?' He replied:
`How should it not be sorrowful, when hail smites us every
hour, and we have nothing.' When he came out of the
village, he found two pigs on the road, and they were fighting
without ceasing. He tried to part them, but in vain,
and, being unable to part them, went on further. Thus
proceeding, he came to another village, and, as he went
through, heard on all sides singing and merriment, and said
to someone: `I went through one village and found everything
sorrowful, and why is all so merry with you?' The
villager answered him: `Why should it not be so, when
every hour is productive to us, and we have all in abundance?'
Finally, the horse carried him to a very beautiful
meadow. When they were in the middle of the meadow,
the horse stood still and pawed with his foot, and he dismounted
and cut grass, and returned back to the house.
When he got to the house, he led the horse into the stable,
laid the grass before him, and the horse immediately began
to eat. When his sister's husband saw that he had satisfied
the horse, he was very pleased, and said to him: `You are
my true brother-in-law; now let us be merry and feast.'
Then they sat down to table and began to sup. At supper
the old man said to him: `Now, tell me what you have
seen.' He answered him: `Oh, my brother-in-law! what I
have seen cannot be expressed. First I saw a very beautiful
silver bridge, but it was disfigured where it wanted a pair of
plates. Whoever took these away, the living God hath slain
him!' The old man thereupon told him: `Your two
brothers stole them. As they have done, so have they fared.
But tell me what you saw next.' His wife's brother
replied: `At the middle under the bridge I saw a huge
caldron, where it was bubbling, and in it the heads of dead
people, and eagles were pecking them from above.' Thereupon
his sister's husband said: `Those are the eternal
torments in that world. What did you see more?' His
wife's brother continued: `I saw a village, and in it everything
miserable.' The old man said to him: `There there
is no union and no truth, nor knowledge of God. What did
you see further?' His wife's brother said to him further:
`I saw two pigs fighting without ceasing.' His sister's
husband replied: `Those are two brothers who do not live
in concord. What did you see further?' `I saw another
village, and in it all was cheerful.' His sister's husband
said to that: `Those are people after God's will; they
gladly welcome and entertain everybody, and do not drive
the poor empty-handed from before their houses. Tell me
what you saw further.' His wife's brother said to him: `I
saw a very beautiful meadow. I would stay there three
days to view such beauty.' His sister's husband replied:
`That is the paradise of that world, but it is difficult to
attain to it.' After this they enjoyed each other's society for
many days. Finally, the wife's brother declared that he
must go home, and his sister's husband presented him with
a large gift, and told him that he recognised him immediately
for an honourable man, because he had insisted that
his father's directions, which he had sworn to observe,
should be carried out, and that he would be prosperous, and
his two brothers unprosperous.

N.B.—There are two words for `brother-in-law' in
Servian: shura, the wife's brother, and zet, the sister's
husband. This makes the tale read better in Servian than
in English.

XLII.—THE WONDERFUL HAIR.

There was a man who was very poor, but so well supplied
with children that he was utterly unable to maintain them,
and one morning more than once prepared to kill them,
in order not to see their misery in dying from hunger, but
his wife prevented him. One night a child came to him in
his sleep, and said to him: `Man! I see that you are
making up your mind to destroy and to kill your poor little
children, and I know that you are distressed thereat; but
in the morning you will find under your pillow a mirror, a
red kerchief, and an embroidered pocket-handkerchief; take
all three secretly and tell nobody; then go to such a hill;
by it you will find a stream; go along it till you come to its
fountain-head; there you will find a damsel as bright as the
sun, with her hair hanging down over her back, and without
a scrap of clothing. Be on your guard, that the ferocious
she-dragon do not coil round you; do not converse with
her if she speaks; for if you converse with her, she will
poison you, and turn you into a fish, or something else, and
will then devour you; but if she bids you examine her

head, examine it, and as you turn over her hair, look, and
you will find one hair as red as blood; pull it out and run
back again; then, if she suspects and begins to run after
you, throw her first the embroidered pocket-handkerchief,
then the kerchief, and, lastly, the mirror; then she will find
occupation for herself. And sell that hair to some rich
man; but don't let them cheat you, for that hair is worth
countless wealth; and you will thus enrich yourself and
maintain your children.'

When the poor man awoke, he found everything under
his pillow, just as the child had told him in his sleep; and
then he went to the hill. When there, he found the stream,
went on and on alongside of it, till he came to the fountainhead.
Having looked about him to see where the damsel
was, he espied her above a piece of water, like sunbeams
threaded on a needle, and she was embroidering at a frame
on stuff, the threads of which were young men's hair. As
soon as he saw her, he made a reverence to her, and she
stood on her feet and questioned him: `Whence are you,
unknown young man?' But he held his tongue. She
questioned him again: `Who are you? Why have you
come?' and much else of all sorts; but he was as mute as a
stone, making signs with his hands, as if he were deaf and
wanted help. Then she told him to sit down on her skirt.
He did not wait for any more orders, but sat down, and
she bent down her head to him, that he might examine it.
Turning over the hair of her head, as if to examine it, he
was not long in finding that red hair, and separated it from
the other hair, pulled it out, jumped off her skirt and ran
away back as he best could. She noticed it, and ran at his
heels full speed after him. He looked round, and seeing that
she was about to overtake him, threw, as he was told,
the embroidered pocket-handkerchief on the way, and when
she saw the pocket-handkerchief, she stooped and began to

overhaul it in every direction, admiring the embroidery,
till he had got a good way off. Then the damsel placed the
pocket-handkerchief in her bosom, and ran after him again.
When he saw that she was about to overtake him, he threw
the red kerchief, and she again occupied herself, admiring
and gazing, till the poor man had again got a good way off.
Then the damsel became exasperated, and threw both the
pocket-handkerchief and the kerchief on the way, and ran
after him in pursuit. Again, when he saw that she was
about to overtake him, he threw the mirror. When the
damsel came to the mirror, the like of which she had never
seen before, she lifted it up, and when she saw herself in it,
not knowing that it was herself, but thinking that it was
somebody else, she, as it were, fell in love with herself in the
mirror, and the man got so far off that she was no longer
able to overtake him. When she saw that she could not
catch him, she turned back, and the man reached his home
safe and sound. After arriving at his home, he showed his
wife the hair, and told her all that had happened to him,
but she began to jeer and laugh at him. But he paid no
attention to her, and went to a town to sell the hair. A
crowd of all sorts of people and merchants collected round
him; one offered a sequin, another two, and so on, higher and
higher, till they came to a hundred gold sequins. Just then
the emperor heard of the hair, summoned the man into his
presence, and said to him that he would give him a thousand
sequins for it, and he sold it to him. What was the hair?
The emperor split it in two from top to bottom, and found
registered in it in writing many remarkable things, which
had happened in the olden time since the beginning of the
world. Thus the man became rich and lived on with his wife
and children. And that child, that came to him in his
sleep, was an angel sent by the Lord God, whose will it was
to aid the poor man, and to reveal secrets which had not
been revealed till then.

XLIII.—THE DRAGON AND THE PRINCE.

There was an emperor who had three sons. One day the
eldest son went out hunting, and when he got outside the
town, up sprang a hare out of a bush, and he after it, and hither
and thither, till the hare fled into a water-mill, and the prince
after it. But it was not a hare, but a dragon, and it waited
for the prince and devoured him. When several days had
elapsed and the prince did not return home, people began
to wonder why it was that he was not to be found. Then
the middle son went hunting, and as he issued from the
town, a hare sprang out of a bush, and the prince after it,
and hither and thither, till the hare fled into the water-mill
and the prince after it; but it was not a hare, but a dragon,
which waited for and devoured him. When some days had
elapsed and the princes did not return, either of them, the
whole court was in sorrow. Then the third son went hunting,
to see whether he could not find his brothers. When
he issued from the town, again up sprang a hare out of a
bush, and the prince after it, and hither and thither, till the
hare fled into the water-mill. But the prince did not choose
to follow it, but went to find other game, saying to himself:
`When I return I shall find you.' After this he went for a
long time up and down the hill, but found nothing, and
then returned to the water-mill; but when he got there,
there was only an old woman in the mill. The prince invoked
God in addressing her: `God help you, old woman!'
The old woman replied: `God help you, my son!' Then
the prince asked her: `Where, old woman, is my hare?'
She replied: `My son, that was not a hare, but a dragon.
It kills and throttles many people.' Hearing this, the prince
was somewhat disturbed, and said to the old woman:
`What shall we do now? Doubtless my two brothers also
have perished here.' The old woman answered: `They

have indeed; but there's no help for it. Go home, my
son, lest you follow them.' Then he said to her: `Dear
old woman, do you know what? I know that you will be
glad to liberate yourself from that pest.' The old woman
interrupted him: `How should I not? It captured me,
too, in this way, but now I have no means of escape.'
Then he proceeded: `Listen well to what I am going to
say to you. Ask it whither it goes and where its strength
is; then kiss all that place where it tells you its strength is,
as if from love, till you ascertain it, and afterwards tell me
when I come.' Then the prince went off to the palace, and
the old woman remained in the water-mill. When the
dragon came in, the old woman began to question it:
`Where in God's name have you been? Whither do you go
so far? You will never tell me whither you go.' The
dragon replied: `Well, my dear old woman, I do go far.'
Then the old woman began to coax it: `And why do you
go so far? Tell me where your strength is. If I knew
where your strength is, I don't know what I should do for
love; I would kiss all that place.' Thereupon the dragon
smiled and said to her: `Yonder is my strength, in that
fireplace.' Then the old woman began to fondle and kiss
the fireplace, and the dragon on seeing it burst into a laugh,
and said to her: `Silly old woman, my strength isn't there;
my strength is in that tree-fungus in front of the house.'
Then the old woman began again to fondle and kiss the
tree, and the dragon again laughed, and said to her: `Away,
old woman! my strength isn't there.' Then the old woman
inquired: `Where is it?' The dragon began to give an
account in detail: `My strength is a long way off, and
you cannot go thither. Far in another empire under the
emperor's city is a lake, in that lake is a dragon, and in the
dragon a boar, and in the boar a pigeon, and in that is my
strength.' The next morning when the dragon went away
from the mill, the prince came to the old woman, and the
old woman told him all that she had heard from the dragon.
Then he left his home, and disguised himself; he put shepherd's
boots on his feet, took a shepherd's staff in his hand,
and went into the world. As he went on thus from village
to village, and from town to town, at last he came into
another empire and into the imperial city, in a lake under
which the dragon was. On going into the town, he began
to inquire who wanted a shepherd. The citizens told him
that the emperor did. Then he went straight to the
emperor. After he announced himself, the emperor admitted
him into his presence, and asked him: `Do you
wish to keep sheep?' He replied: `I do, illustrious crown!'
Then the emperor engaged him, and began to inform and
instruct him: `There is here a lake, and alongside of the
lake very beautiful pasture, and when you call the sheep
out, they go thither at once, and spread themselves round
the lake; but whatever shepherd goes off there, that shepherd
returns back no more. Therefore, my son, I tell you,
don't let the sheep have their own way and go where they
will, but keep them where you will.' The prince thanked
the emperor, got himself ready, and called out the sheep,
taking with him, moreover, two hounds that could catch a
boar in the open country, and a falcon that could capture
any bird, and carrying also a pair of bagpipes. When he
called out the sheep he let them go at once to the lake, and
when the sheep arrived at the lake, they immediately spread
round it, and the prince placed the falcon on a stump, and
the hounds and bagpipes under the stump, then tucked up
his hose and sleeves, waded into the lake, and began to
shout `Dragon! dragon! come out to single combat with
me to-day that we may measure ourselves together, unless
you're a woman.'[3] The dragon called out in reply, `I will
do so now, prince—now!' Erelong, behold the dragon! it
is large, it is terrible, it is disgusting! When the dragon
came out, it seized him by the waist, and they wrestled a
summer day till afternoon. But when the heat of afternoon
came on, the dragon said: `Let me go, prince, that I may
moisten my parched head in the lake, and toss you to the
sky.' But the prince replied: `Come, dragon, don't talk
nonsense; if I had the emperor's daughter to kiss me on
the forehead, I would toss you still higher.' Thereupon the
dragon suddenly let go of him, and went off into the lake.
On the approach of evening, he washed and got himself up
nicely, placed the falcon on his arm, the hounds behind
him, and the bagpipes under his arm, then drove the sheep
and went into the town playing on the bagpipes. When he
arrived at the town, the whole town assembled as to see a
wondrous sight because he had come, whereas previously
no shepherd had been able to come from the lake. The
next day the prince got ready again, and went with his sheep
straight to the lake. But the emperor sent two grooms
after him to go stealthily and see what he did, and they
placed themselves on a high hill whence they could have a
good view. When the shepherd arrived, he put the hounds
and bagpipes under the stump and the falcon upon it, then
tucked up his hose and sleeves, waded into the lake and
shouted: `Dragon, dragon! come out to single combat
with me, that we may measure ourselves once more together,
unless you are a woman!' The dragon replied: `I will do
so, prince; now, now!' Erelong, behold the dragon! it was
large, it was terrible, it was disgusting! And it seized him
by the waist and wrestled with him a summer's day till
afternoon. But when the afternoon heat came on, the
dragon said: `Let me go, prince, that I may moisten my
parched head in the lake, and may toss you to the sky.'
The prince replied: `Come, dragon, don't talk nonsense;
if I had the emperor's daughter to kiss me on the forehead,
I would toss you still higher.' Thereupon the dragon suddenly
left hold of him, and went off into the lake. When
night approached the prince drove the sheep as before, and
went home playing the bagpipes. When he arrived at the
town, the whole town was astir and began to wonder because
the shepherd came home every evening, which no one
had been able to do before. Those two grooms had already
arrived at the palace before the prince, and related to the
emperor in order everything that they had heard and seen.
Now when the emperor saw that the shepherd returned
home, he immediately summoned his daughter into his
presence and told her all, what it was and how it was.
`But,' said he, `to-morrow you must go with the shepherd
to the lake and kiss him on the forehead.' When she heard
this she burst into tears and began to entreat her father.
`You have no one but me, and I am your only daughter,
and you don't care about me if I perish.' Then the emperor
began to persuade and encourage her: `Don't fear,
my daughter; you see, we have had so many changes of
shepherds, and of all that went out to the lake not one has
returned; but he has been contending with the dragon for
two whole days and it has done him no hurt. I assure you,
in God's name, that he is able to overcome the dragon, only
go to-morrow with him to see whether he will free us from
this mischief which has destroyed so many people.'

When, on the morrow, the day dawned, the day dawned
and the sun came forth, up rose the shepherd, up rose the
maiden too, to begin to prepare for going to the lake. The
shepherd was cheerful, more cheerful than ever, but the
emperor's daughter was sad, and shed tears. The shepherd
comforted her: `Lady sister, I pray you, do not weep, but
do what I tell you. When it is time, run up and kiss me,
and fear not.' As he went and drove the sheep, the shepherd

was thoroughly cheery, and played a merry tune on his
begpipes; but the damsel did nothing but weep as the went
beside him, and he several times left off playing and turned
towards her: `Weep not, golden one; fear nought.' When
they arrived at the lake, the sheep immediately spread round
it, and the prince placed the falcon on the stump, and the
hounds and bagpipes under it, then tucked up his hose and
sleeves, waded into the water, and shouted: `Dragon!
dragon! Come out to single combat with me; let us
measure ourselves once more, unless you're a woman!'
The dragon replied: `I will, prince; now, now!' Erelong,
there was the dragon! it was huge, it was terrible, it was
disgusting! When it came out, they seized each other by
the middle, and wrestled a summer's day till afternoon.
But when the afternoon heat came on, the dragon said:
`Let me go, prince, that I may moisten my parched head in
the lake, and toss you to the skies.' The prince replied:
`Come, dragon, don't talk nonsense; if I had the emperor's
daughter to kiss me on the forehead, I would toss you much
higher.' When he said this, the emperor's daughter ran up
and kissed him on the face, on the eye, and on the forehead.
Then he swung the dragon, and tossed it high into the air,
and when it fell to the ground it burst into pieces. But as
it burst into pieces, out of it sprang a wild boar, and started
to run away. But the prince shouted to his shepherd dogs:
`Hold it! don't let it go!' and the dogs sprang up and
after it, caught it, and soon tore it to pieces. But out of
the boar flew a pigeon, and the prince loosed the falcon,
and the falcon caught the pigeon and brought it into the
prince's hands. The prince said to it: `Tell me now,
where are my brothers?' The pigeon replied: `I will;
only do me no harm. Immediately behind your father's
town is a water-mill, and in the water-mill are three wands
that have sprouted up. Cut these three wands up from
below, and strike with them upon their root; an iron door
will immediately open into a large vault. In that vault are
many people, old and young, rich and poor, small and
great, wives and maidens, so that you could settle a populous
empire; there, too, are your brothers.' When the
pigeon had told him all this, the prince immediately wrung
its neck.

The emperor had gone out in person, and posted himself
on the hill from which the grooms had viewed the shepherd,
and he, too, was a spectator of all that had taken
place. After the shepherd had thus obtained the dragon's
head, twilight began to approach. He washed himself
nicely, took the falcon on his shoulder, the hounds behind
him, and the bagpipes under his arm, played as he went,
drove the sheep, and proceeded to the emperor's palace,
with the damsel at his side still in terror. When they came
to the town, all the town assembled as to see a wonder.
The emperor, who had seen all his heroism from the hill,
called him into his presence, and gave him his daughter,
went immediately to church, had them married, and held a
wedding festival for a week. After this the prince told him
who and whence he was, and the emperor and the whole
town rejoiced still more. Then, as the prince was urgent
to go to his own home, the emperor gave him a large
escort, and equipped him for the journey. When they were
in the neighbourhood of the water-mill, the prince halted his
attendants, went inside, cut up the three wands, and struck
the root with them, and the iron door opened at once. In
the vault was a vast multitude of people. The prince
ordered them to come out one by one, and go whither each
would, and stood himself at the door. They came out thus
one after another, and lo! there were his brothers also,
whom he embraced and kissed. When the whole multitude
had come out, they thanked him for releasing and delivering

them, and went each to his own home. But he went to his
father's house with his brothers and bride, and there lived
and reigned to the end of his days.

XLIV.—FATE.

There were two brothers living together in a house, one
of whom did all the work, while the other did nothing but
idle, and eat and drink what was ready at hand. And God
gave them prosperity in everything—in cattle, in horses, in
sheep, in swine, in bees, and in everything else. The one
that worked one day began to think to himself: `Why
should I work for that lazybones as well? It is better that
we should separate, and that I should work for myself, and
he do as he likes.' So one day he said to his brother:
`Brother, it isn't right. I do all the work, and you don't
help in anything, but merely eat and drink what's ready. I
have made up my mind that we separate.' The other began
to dissuade him: `Don't, brother; it is good for us to be
tenants in common; you have everything in your hands,
both your own and mine, and I am content whatever you
do.' But the first abode by his determination, so the
second gave way, and said to him: `If it is so, take your
own course; make the division yourself, as you know how.'
Then he divided everything in order, and took everything
that was his before him. The do-nothing engaged a herdsman
for his cattle, a horsekeeper for his horses, a shepherd
for his sheep, a goatherd for his goats, a swineherd for
his swine, a beeman for his bees, and said to them: `I
leave all my property in your hands and God's,' and began
to live at home as before. The first took pains about his
property himself as before, watched and overlooked, but
saw no prosperity, but all loss. From day to day everything

went worse, till he became so poverty-stricken, that he
hadn't shoes to his feet, but went barefoot. Then said he
to himself: `I will go to my brother, and see how it is with
him.' He did so, and as he went came to a flock of sheep
in a meadow, and with the sheep there was no shepherd,
but a very beautiful damsel was sitting there spinning golden
thread. He addressed her: `God help you!' and inquired
whose the sheep were. She replied: `The sheep belong to
the person to whom I belong.' He asked her further: `To
whom do you belong?' She answered: `I am your
brother's luck.' He was put out, and said to her: `And
where is my luck?' The damsel answered him: `Your luck
is far from you.' `But can I find it?' inquired he, and
she replied: `You can; go, seek for it.' When he heard
this, and saw that his brother's sheep were good—so good,
that they could not be better, he didn't care about going
further to see other cattle, but went off straight to his
brother. When his brother saw him, he had compassion on
him, and began to weep: `Where have you been so long a
time?' Then, seeing him barehead and barefoot, he gave
him at once a pair of boots and some money. Afterwards,
when they had enjoyed each other's company for some
days, the visitor rose up to go to his own house. When he
got home, he took a wallet on his back, some bread in it,
and a staff in his hand, and went into the world to look for
his luck. As he travelled, he came to a large wood, and
as he went through it, he saw a gray-haired old maid asleep
under a bush, and reached out his staff to give her a push.
She barely raised herself up, and, hardly opening her eyes
for the rheum, addressed him: `Thank God that I fell asleep,
for, if I had been awake, you wouldn't have obtained even
that pair of boots.' Then he said to her: `Who are you,
that I shouldn't even have obtained this pair of boots?' She
replied: `I am your luck.' When he heard this, he began
to beat his breast: `If you are my luck, God slay you!
Who gave you to me?' She quickly rejoined: `Fate gave
me to you.' He then inquired: `And where is this Fate?'
She answered: `Go and look for him.' And that instant
she disappeared. Then the man went on to look for Fate.
As he journeyed, he came to a village, and saw in the
village a large farmhouse, and in it a large fire, and said to
himself: `Here there is surely some merry-making or
festival,' and went in. When he went in, on the fire was a
large caldron, in which supper was cooking, and in front of
the fire sat the master of the house. The traveller, on going
into the house, addressed the master: `Good-evening!'
The master replied: `God give you prosperity!' and bade
him sit down with him, and then began to ask him whence
he came, and whither he was going. He related to him
everything: how he had been a master, how he had become
impoverished, and how he was now going to Fate to ask
him why he was so poor. Then he inquired of the master
of the house why he was preparing so large a quantity of
food, and the master said to him: `Well, my brother, I
am master here, and have enough of everything, but I
cannot anyhow satisfy my people; it is quite as if a dragon
were in their stomachs. You'll see, when we begin to sup,
what they will do.' When they sat down to sup, everybody
snatched and grabbed from everybody else, and that large
caldron of food was empty in no time. After supper, a
maidservant came in, put all the bones in a heap, and threw
them behind the stove; and he began to wonder why the
young woman threw the bones behind the stove, till all at
once out came two old poverty-stricken spectres, as dry as
ghosts, and began to suck the bones. Then he asked the
master of the house: `What's this, brother, behind the
stove?' He replied: `Those, brother, are my father and
mother; just as if they were fettered to this world, they wil
not quit it.' The next day, at his departure, the master of
the house said to him: `Brother, remember me, too, if anywhere
you find Fate, and ask him what manner of misfortune
it is that I cannot satisfy my people, and why my father and
mother do not die.' He promised to ask him the question,
took leave of him, and went on to look for Fate. As on he
went, he came, after a long time, to another village, and
begged at a certain house that they would take him in for a
night's lodging. They did so, and asked him whither he
was going; and he told them all in order, what it was, and
how it was. Then they began to say to him: `In God's
name, brother, when you get there, ask him with regard to
us too, why our cattle are not productive, but the contrary.'
He promised them to ask Fate the question, and the next
day went on. As he went, he came to a stream of water,
and began to shout: `Water! water! carry me across.'
The water asked him: `Whither are you going?' He told
it whither he was going. Then the water carried him
across, and said to him: `I pray you, brother, ask Fate
why I have no offspring.' He promised the stream to ask the
question, and then went on. He went on for a long time, and
at last came to a wood, where he found a hermit, whom he
asked whether he could tell him anything about Fate. The
hermit answered: `Go over the hill yonder, and you will come
right in front of his abode; but when you come into Fate's
presence, do not say a word, but do exactly what he does,
until he questions you himself.' The man thanked the
hermit, and went over the hill. When he came to Fate's
abode, there was something for him to see. It was just as
if it were an emperor's palace; there were men-servants and
maid-servants there; everything was in good order, and Fate
himself was sitting at a golden dinner-table at supper,
When the man saw this, he, too, sat down to table, and
began to sup. After supper, Fate lay down to sleep, and he
lay down too. About midnight a terrible noise arose, and
out of the noise a voice was heard: `Fate! Fate! so many
souls have been born to-day; assign them what you will.'
Then Fate arose, and opened a chest with money in it, and
began to throw nothing but ducats behind him, saying:
`As to me to-day, so to them for life!' When on the
morrow day dawned, that large palace was no more, but instead
of it a moderate-sized house; but in it again there
was enough of everything.

At the approach of evening Fate sat down to supper; and
he, too, sat down with him, but neither spoke a single word.
After supper they lay down to sleep. About midnight a
terrible noise began, and out of the noise was heard a voice:
`Fate! Fate! so many souls have been born to-day;
assign them what you will.' Then Fate arose, and opened
the money-chest; but there were not ducats in it, but silver
coins, with an occasional ducat. Fate began to scatter the
coins behind him, saying: `As to me to-day, so to them for
life.' When, on the morrow, day dawned, that house was
no more, but instead of it there stood a smaller one. Thus
did Fate every night, and his house became smaller every
morning, till, finally, nothing remained of it but a little
cottage. Fate took a mattock, and began to dig; the man,
too, took a mattock and began to dig, and thus they dug all
day. When it was eventide, Fate took a piece of bread,
broke off half of it, and gave it to him. Thus they supped,
and, after supper, lay down to sleep. About midnight,
again, a terrible noise began, and out of the noise was heard
a voice: `Fate! Fate! so many souls have been born today;
assign them what you will.' Then Fate arose, opened
the chest, and began to scatter behind him nothing but bits
of rag, and here and there a day-labourer's wage-penny,[4]
shouting: `As to me to-day, so to them for life.' When he

arose on the morrow, the cottage was transformed into a
large palace, like that which had been there the first day.
Then Fate asked him: `Why have you come?' He detailed
to him all his distress, and said that he had come to ask him
why he gave him evil luck. Fate then said to him: `You
saw how the first night I scattered ducats, and what took
place afterwards. As it was to me the night when anyone
was born, so will it be to him for life. You were born on
an unlucky night, you will be poor for life; but your brother
was born on a lucky night, and he will be lucky for life.
But, as you have been so resolute, and have taken so much
trouble, I will tell you how you may help yourself. Your
brother has a daughter, Militza, who is lucky, just as her
father is; adopt her, and, whatever you acquire, say that it
is all hers.' Then he thanked Fate, and said to him again:
`In such a village there is a wealthy peasant, who has
enough of everything; but he is unlucky in this, that his
people can never be satisfied: they eat up a caldron full of
food at a single meal, and even that is too little for them.
And this peasant's father and mother are, as it were, fettered
to this world; they are old and discoloured, and dried up
like ghosts, but cannot die. He begged me, Fate, when I
lodged with him for the night, to ask you why that was the
case.' Then Fate replied: `All that is because he does not
honour his father and mother, throwing their food behind
the stove; but, if he puts them in the best place at table,
and if he gives them the first cup of brandy, and the first
cup of wine, his servants would not eat half so much, and
his parents' souls would be set at liberty.' After this he
again questioned Fate: `In such a village, when I spent the
night in a house, the householder complained to me that his
cattle were not productive, but the contrary, and he begged
me to ask you why this was the case.' Fate replied: `That
is because on the festival of his name-day he slaughters the
worst animals; but if he slaughtered the best he has, his
cattle would all become productive.' Then he asked him
the question about the stream of water: `Why should it be
that that stream of water has no offspring? Fate replied:
`Because it has never drowned a human being; but don't
have any nonsense; don't tell it till it carries you across, for
if you tell it, it will immediately drown you.' Then he
thanked Fate, and went home. When he came to the
water, the water asked him: `What is the news from Fate?'
He replied: `Carry me over, and then I will tell you.'
When the water had carried him over, he ran on a little,
and, when he had got a little way off, turned and shouted
to the water: `Water! Water! you have never drowned
a human being, therefore you have no offspring.' When
the water heard that, it overflowed its banks, and after him;
but he ran, and barely escaped. When he came to the man
whose cattle were unproductive, he was impatiently waiting
for him. `What news, brother, in God's name? Have you
asked Fate the question?' He replied: `I have; and Fate
says when you celebrate the festival of your name-day, you
slaughter the worst animals; but if you slaughter the best
you have, all your cattle will be productive.' When he
heard this, he said to him: `Stay, brother, with us; it isn't
three days to my name-day, and, if it is really true, I
will give you an apple.[5] He stayed till the name-day.
When the name-day arrived, the householder slaughtered
his best ox, and from that time forth his cattle became productive.
After this, the householder presented him with
five head of cattle. He thanked him, and proceeded on his
why. When he came to the village of the householder who
had the insatiable servants, the householder was impatiently
expecting him. `How is it, brother, in God's name?
What says Fate?' He replied: `Fate says you do not
honour your father and mother, but throw their food behind
the stove for them to eat; if you put them in the best place
at table, and give them the first cup of brandy, and the first
cup of wine, your people will not eat half as much, and
your father and mother will be content.' When the householder
heard this, he told his wife, and she immediately
washed and combed her father and mother in law, and put
nice shoes on their feet; and, when evening came, the
householder put them in the best place at table, and gave
them the first cup of brandy and the first cup of wine.
From that time forth the household could not eat half what
they did before, and on the morrow both the father and the
mother departed this life. Then the householder gave him
two oxen; he thanked him, and went home. When he
came to his place of abode, his acquaintances began to congratulate
him, and ask him: `Whose are these cattle?' He
replied to everybody: `Brother, they are my niece Militza's.'
When he got home he immediately went off to his brother,
and began to beg and pray him: `Give me, brother, your
daughter Militza to be my daughter. You see that I have
no one.' His brother replied: `It is good, brother;
Militza is yours.' He took Militza, and conducted her
home, and afterwards acquired much, but said, with regard
to everything, that it was Militza's. Once he went out into
the field to go round some rye; the rye was beautiful; it
could not be better. Thereupon a traveller happened to
come up, and asked him: `Whose is this rye?' He forgot
himself, and said: `Mine.' The moment he said that, the
rye caught fire and began to burn. When he saw this, he
ran after the man: `Stop, brother! it is not mine; it belongs
to Militza, my niece.' Then the fire in the rye went out,
and he remained lucky with Militza.