how to tell stories to children-第23章

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e　giant　left　in　it　then；　and　he　never　came　again　until　the　court　was　finished。

Then　when　the　work　was　over；　the　tailor　went　to　the　king　and　told　him　to　give　him　his　wife　and　his　money；　as　he　had　the　court　finished；　and　the　king　said　he　would　not　give　him　any　wife　until　he　would　kill　the　other　giant；　for　he　said　that　it　was　not　by　his　strength　he　killed　the　two　giants　before　that；　and　that　he　would　give　him　nothing　now　until　he　killed　the　other　one　for　him。　　Then　the　tailor　said　that　he　would　kill　the　other　giant　for　him；　and　　welcome；　that　there　was　no　delay　at　all　about　that。

The　tailor　went　then　till　he　came　to　the　place　where　the　other　giant　was；　and　asked　did　he　want　a　servant…boy。　　The　giant　said　he　did　want　one；　if　he　could　get　one　who　would　do　everything　that　he　would　do　himself。

〃Anything　that　you　will　do；　I　will　do　it；〃　said　the　tailor。

They　went　to　their　dinner　then；　and　when　they　had　it　eaten；　the　giant　asked　the　tailor　〃would　it　come　with　him　to　swallow　as　much　broth　as　himself；　up　out　of　its　boiling。〃　　The　tailor　said；　〃It　will　come　with　me　to　do　that；　but　that　you　must　give　me　an　hour　before　we　begin　on　it。〃　　The　tailor　went　out　then；　and　he　got　a　sheep…　skin；　and　he　sewed　it　up　till　he　made　a　bag　of　it；　and　he　slipped　it　down　under　his　coat。　　He　came　in　then　and　said　to　the　giant　to　drink　a　gallon　of　the　broth　himself　first。　The　giant　drank　that　up　out　of　its　boiling。　〃I'll　do　that；〃　said　the　tailor。　　He　was　going　on　until　he　had　it　all　poured　into　the　skin；　and　the　giant　thought　he　had　it　drunk。　The　giant　drank　another　gallon　then；　and　　the　tailor　let　another　gallon　down　into　the　skin；　but　the　giant　thought　he　was　drinking　it。

〃I'll　do　a　thing　now　that　it　won't　come　with　you　to　do；〃　said　the　tailor。

〃You　will　not；〃　said　the　giant。　　〃What　is　it　you　would　do？〃

〃Make　a　hole　and　let　out　the　broth　again；〃　said　the　tailor。

〃Do　it　yourself　first；〃　said　the　giant。

The　tailor　gave　a　prod　of　the　knife；　and　he　let　the　broth　out　of　the　skin。

〃Do　that　you；〃　said　he。

〃I　will；〃　said　the　giant；　giving　such　a　prod　of　the　knife　into　his　own　stomach　that　he　killed　himself。　　That　is　the　way　the　tailor　killed　the　third　giant。

He　went　to　the　king　then；　and　desired　him　to　send　him　out　his　wife　and　his　money；　for　that　he　would　throw　down　the　court　again　unless　he　should　get　the　wife。　　They　were　afraid　then　that　he　would　throw　down　the　court；　and　they　sent　the　wife　to　him。

When　the　tailor　was　a　day　gone；　himself　and　his　wife；　they　repented　and　followed　him　to　take　his　wife　off　him　again。　The　people　who　were　after　him　were　　following　him　till　they　came　to　the　place　where　the　lion　was；　and　the　lion　said　to　them：　　〃The　tailor　and　his　wife　were　here　yesterday。　　I　saw　them　going　by；　and　if　ye　loose　me　now；　I　am　swifter　than　ye；　and　I　will　follow　them　till　I　overtake　them。〃　When　they　heard　that；　they　loosed　out　the　lion。

The　lion　and　the　people　of　Dublin　went　on；　and　they　were　pursuing　him；　until　they　came　to　the　place　where　the　fox　was；　and　the　fox　greeted　them；　and　said：　　〃The　tailor　and　his　wife　were　here　this　morning；　and　if　ye　will　loose　me　out；　I　am　swifter　than　ye；　and　I　will　follow　them；　and　overtake　them。〃　　They　loosed　out　the　fox　then。

The　lion　and　the　fox　and　the　army　of　Dublin　went　on　then；　trying　would　they　catch　the　tailor；　and　they　were　going　till　they　came　to　the　place　where　the　old　white　garraun　was；　and　the　old　white　garraun　said　to　them　that　the　tailor　and　his　wife　were　there　in　the　morning；　and　〃Loose　me　out；〃　said　he；　〃I　am　swifter　than　ye；　and　I'll　overtake　them。〃　　They　loosed　out　the　old　white　garraun　then；　and　the　old　white　garraun；　the　fox；　the　lion；　and　the　army　of　Dublin　pursued　the　tailor　and　his　wife　together；　and　it　was　not　long　till　they　came　up　with　him；　and　saw　himself　and　the　wife　out　before　them。

When　the　tailor　saw　them　coming；　he　got　out　of　the　coach　with　his　wife；　and　he　sat　down　on　the　ground。

When　the　old　white　garraun　saw　the　tailor　sitting　down　on　the　ground；　he　said；　〃That's　the　position　he　had　when　he　made　the　hole　for　me；　that　I　couldn't　come　up　out　of；　when　I　went　down　into　it。　　I'll　go　no　nearer　to　him。〃

〃No！〃　said　the　fox；　〃but　that's　the　way　he　was　when　he　was　making　the　thing　for　me；　and　I'll　go　no　nearer　to　him。〃

〃No！〃　says　the　lion；　〃but　that's　the　very　way　he　had；　when　he　was　making　the　plough　that　I　was　caught　in。　　I'll　go　no　nearer　to　him。〃

They　all　went　from　him　then　and　returned。　　The　tailor　and　his　wife　came　home　to　Galway。



THE　CASTLE　OF　FORTUNE＇1＇

＇1＇　Adapted　from　the　German　of　Der　Faule　und　der　Fleissige　by　Robert　Reinick。


One　lovely　summer　morning；　just　as　the　sun　rose；　two　travelers　started　on　a　journey。　They　were　both　strong　young　men；　but　one　was　a　lazy　fellow　and　the　other　was　a　worker。

As　the　first　sunbeams　came　over　the　hills；　they　shone　on　a　great　castle　standing　on　the　heights；　as　far　away　as　the　eye　could　see。　　It　was　a　wonderful　and　beautiful　castle；　all　glistening　towers　that　gleamed　like　marble；　and　glancing　windows　that　shone　like　crystal。　　The　two　young　men　looked　at　it　eagerly；　and　longed　to　go　nearer。

Suddenly；　out　of　the　distance；　something　like　a　great　butterfly；　of　white　and　gold；　swept　toward　them。　　And　when　it　came　nearer；　they　saw　that　it　was　a　most　beautiful　lady；　robed　in　floating　garments　as　fine　as　cobwebs　and　wearing　on　her　head　a　crown　so　bright　that　no　one　could　tell　whether　it　was　of　diamonds　or　of　dew。　　She　stood；　　light　as　air；　on　a　great；　shining；　golden　ball；　which　rolled　along　with　her；　swifter　than　the　wind。　　As　she　passed　the　travelers；　she　turned　her　face　to　them　and　smiled。

〃Follow　me！〃　she　said。

The　lazy　man　sat　down　in　the　grass　with　a　discontented　sigh。　　〃She　has　an　easy　time　of　it！〃　he　said。

But　the　industrious　man　ran　after　the　lovely　lady　and　caught　the　hem　of　her　floating　robe　in　his　grasp。　　〃Who　are　you；　and　whither　are　you　going？〃　he　asked。

〃I　am　the　Fairy　of　Fortune；〃　the　beautiful　lady　said；　〃and　that　is　my　castle。　　You　may　reach　it　to…day；　if　you　will；　there　is　time；　if　you　waste　none。　　If　you　reach　it　before　the　last　stroke　of　midnight；　I　will　receive　you　there；　and　will　be　your　friend。　But　if　you　come　one　second　after　midnight；　it　will　be　too　late。〃

When　she　had　said　this；　her　robe　slipped　from　the　traveler's　hand　and　she　was　gone。

The　industrious　man　hurried　back　to　his　friend；　and　told　him　what　the　fairy　had　said。

〃The　idea！〃　said　the　lazy　man；　and　he　laughed；　〃of　course；　if　a　body　had　a　horse　　there　would　be　some　chance；　but　WALK　all　that　way？　　No；　thank　you！〃

〃Then　good…by；〃　said　his　friend；　〃I　am　off。〃　　And　he　set　out；　down　the　road　toward　the　shining　castle；　with　a　good　steady　stride；　his　eyes　straight　ahead。

The　lazy　man　lay　down　in　the　soft　grass；　and　looked　rather　wistfully　at　the　faraway　towers。　　〃If　I　only　had　a　good　horse！〃　he　sighed。

Just　at　that　moment　he　felt　something　warm　nosing　about　at　his　shoulder；　and　heard　a　little　whinny。　　He　turned　round；　and　there　stood　a　little　horse！　　It　was　a　dainty　creature；　gentle…looking；　and　finely　built；　and　it　was　saddled　and　bridled。

〃Hola！〃　said　the　lazy　man。　　〃Luck　often　comes　when　one　isn't　looking　for　it！〃　　And　in　an　instant　he　had　leaped　on　the　horse；　and　headed　him　for　the　castle　of　fortune。　　The　little　horse　started　at　a　fine　pace；　and　in　a　very　few　minutes　they　overtook　the　other　traveler；　plodding　along　on　foot。

〃How　do　you　like　shank's　mare？〃　laughed　the　lazy　man；　as　he　passed　his　friend。

The　industrious　man　only　nodded；　and　kept　on　with　his　steady　stride；　eyes　straight　ahead。

The　horse　kept　his　good　pace；　and　by　noon　the　towers　of　the　castle　stood　out　against　the　sky；　much　nearer　and　more　beautiful。　　Exactly　at　noon；　the　horse　turned　aside　from　the　road；　into　a　shady　grove　on　a　hill；　and　stopped。

〃Wise　beast；〃　said　his　rider；　〃‘haste　makes　waste；'　and　all　things　are　better　in　moderation。　　I'll　follow　your　example；　and　eat　and　rest　a　bit。〃　　He　dismounted　and　sat　down　in　the　cool　moss；　with　his　back　against　a　tree。　　He　had　a　lunch　in　his　traveler's　pouch；　and　he　ate　it　comfortably。　Then　he　felt　drowsy　from　the　heat　and　the　early　ride；　so　he　pulled　his　hat　over　his　eyes；　and　settled　himself　for　a　nap。　　〃It　will　go　all　the　better　for　a　little　rest；〃　he　said。

That　WAS　a　sleep！　　He　slept　like　the　seven　sleepers；　and　he　dreamed　the　most　beautiful　things　you　could　imagine。　　At　last；　he　dreamed　that　he　had　entered　the　castle　of　fortune　and　was　being　received　with　great　festivities。　　Everything　he　wanted　was　　brought　to　him；　and　music　played　while　fireworks　were　set　off　in　his　honor。　　The　music　was　so　loud　that　he　awoke。　　He　sat　up；　rubbing　his　eyes；　and　behold；　the　fireworks　were　the　very　last　rays　of　the　setting　sun；　and　the　music　was　the　voice　of　the　other　traveler；　passing　the　grove　on　foot！

〃Time　to　be　off；〃　said　the　lazy　man；　and　looked　about　him　for　the　pretty　horse。　No　horse　was　to　be　found。　　The　only　living　thing　near　was　an　old；　bony；　gray　donkey。　The　man　called；　and　whistled；　and　looked；　but　no　little　horse　appeared。　　After　a　long　while　he　gave　it　up；　and；　since　there　was　nothing　better　to　do；　he　mounted　the　old　gray　donkey　and　set　out　again。

The　donkey　was　slow；　and　he　was　hard　to　ride；　but　he　was　better　than　nothing；　and　gradually　the　lazy　man　saw　the　towers　of　the　castle　draw　nearer。

Now　it　began　to　grow　dark；　in　the　castle　windows　the　lights　began　to　show。　　Then　came　trouble！　　Slower；　and　slower；　went　the　gray　donkey；　slower；　and　slower；　till；　in　the　very　middle　of　a　pitch…black　wood；　he　stopped　and　stood　still。　　Not　a　step　would　　he　budge　for　all　the　coaxing　and　scolding　and　beating　his　rider　could　give。　　At　last　the　rider　kicked　him；　as　well　as　beat　him；　and　at　that　the　donkey　felt　that　he　had　had　enough。　　Up　went　his　hind　heels；　and　down　went　his　head；　and　over　it　went　the　lazy　man　on　to　the　stony　ground。

There　he　lay　groaning　for　many　minutes；　for　it　was　not　a　soft　place；　I　can　assure　you。　　How　he　wished　he　were　in　a　soft；　warm　bed；　with　his　aching　bones　comfortable　in　blankets！　　The　very　thought　of　it　made　him　remember　the　castle　of　fortune；　for　he　knew　there　must　be　fine　beds　there。　　To　get　to　those　beds　he　was　even　willing　to　bestir　his　bruised　limbs；　so　he　sat　up　and　felt　about　him　for　the　donkey。

No　donkey　was　to　be　found。

The　lazy　man　crept　round　and　round　the　spot　where　he　had　fallen；　scratched　his　hands　on　the　stumps；　tore　his　face　in　the　briers；　and　bumped　his　knees　on　the　stones。　But　no　donkey　was　there。　　He　would　have　lain　down　to　sleep　again；　but　he　could　hear　now　the　howls　of　hungry　wolves　in　the　woods；　that　did　not　sound　pleasant。　Finally；　his　hand　struck　against　　something　that　felt　like　a　saddle。　　He　grasped　it；　thankfully；　and　started　to　mount　his　donkey。

The　beast　he　took　hold　of　seemed　very　small；　and；　as　he　mounted；　he　felt　that　its　sides　were　moist　and　slimy。　　It　gave　him　a　shudder；　and　he　hesitated；　but　at　that　moment　he　heard　a　distant　clock　strike。　It　was　striking　eleven！　　There　was　still　time　to　reach　the　castle　of　fortune；　but　no　more　than　enough；　so　he　mounted　his　new　steed　and　rode　on　once　more。　　The　animal　was　easier　to　sit　on　than　the　donkey；　and　the　saddle　seemed　remarkably　high　behind；　it　was　good　to　lean　against。　　But　even　the　donkey　was　not　so　slow　as　this；　the　new　steed　was　slower　than　he。　　After