THE FLYING SHIP[1]
ONCE upon a time there lived an old couple who had three sons; the two elder were clever, but the third was a regular dunce. The clever sons were very fond of their mother, gave her good clothes, and always spoke pleasantly to her; but the youngest was always getting in her way, and she had no patience with him. Now, one day it was announced in the village that the King had issued a decree, offering his daughter, the Princess, in marriage to whoever should build a ship that could fly. Immediately the two elder brothers determined to try their luck, and asked their parents’ blessing. So the old mother smartened up their clothes, and gave them a store of provisions for their journey, not forgetting to add a bottle of brandy. When they had gone the poor Simpleton began to tease his mother to smarten him up and let him start off.
‘What would become of a dolt like you?’ she answered. ‘Why, you would be eaten up by wolves.’
But the foolish youth kept repeating, ‘I will go, I will go, I will go!’
Seeing that she could do nothing with him, the mother gave him a crust of bread and a bottle of water, and took no further heed of him.
So the Simpleton set off on his way. When he had gone a short distance he met a little old manikin. They greeted one another, and the manikin asked him where he was going.
‘I am off to the King’s Court,’ he answered. ‘He has promised to give his daughter to whoever can make a flying ship.’
‘And can you make such a ship?’
‘Not I.’
‘Then why in the world are you going?’
‘Can’t tell,’ replied the Simpleton.
‘Well, if that is the case,’ said the manikin, ‘sit down beside
- ↑ From the Russian.
