Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/106

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
74
LITTLE SISTER AND BROTHER

brother could not restrain himself; he drank a little of the water and was changed into a Kid."

The men reported this to the Tsar. The Tsar summoned Aliona and asked her about everything. She was pleasing in his sight and he wanted to marry her.

"Come!" said he, "follow me. I will give you fine clothes and silver, and I will not neglect the Kid; wherever you are there he shall be also."

The wedding quickly took place and they began to live together, and the Kid with them. He used to disport himself in the garden, and eat and drink with the Tsar and Tsaritsa. Good men gazing at them were delighted, but evil-minded men were full of envy.

One time the Tsar went hunting, and while he was away a witch came and cast a spell on the Tsaritsa, so that she became ill, very weak, and pale.

At the Tsar's everything faded; in the garden the flowers began to wither; the trees dried up: the grass grew sear. The Tsar came home and asked the Tsaritsa: "Are you ill?"

"Yes, I am indisposed," replied the Tsaritsa.