SLAV TALES
[Illustration]
[Illustration: _From "The Plentiful Tablecloth," p. 351._]
Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen
From the French of Alex. Chodsko
Translated and Illustrated by Emily J. Harding
London: George Allen 156 Charing Cross Road
1896
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. At the Ballantyne Press
NOTE BY THE PUBLISHER
Very few of the twenty fairy tales included in this volume have been presented before in an English dress; this will doubtless enhance their value in the eyes of the young folk, for whom, principally, they are intended. It is hoped that older readers will find some additional interest in tracing throughout the many evidences of kinship between these stories and those of more pronounced Eastern origin.
The translation has been carefully revised by a well-known writer, who has interfered as little as possible with the original text, except in those instances where slight alterations were necessary.
The illustrations speak for themselves, and are what might have been expected from the artist who designed those for the "Lullabies of Many Lands," issued last Christmas.
_November 1895._
CONTENTS
THE ABODE OF THE GODS-- I. THE TWO BROTHERS II. TIME AND THE KINGS OF THE ELEMENTS III. THE TWELVE MONTHS
THE SUN; OR, THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS OF THE OLD MAN VSEVEDE
KOVLAD-- I. THE SOVEREIGN OF THE MINERAL KINGDOM II. THE LOST CHILD
THE MAID WITH HAIR OF GOLD
THE JOURNEY TO THE SUN AND THE MOON
THE DWARF WITH THE LONG BEARD
THE FLYING CARPET, THE INVISIBLE CAP, THE GOLD-GIVING RING, AND THE SMITING CLUB
THE BROAD MAN, THE TALL MAN, AND THE MAN WITH EYES OF FLAME
THE HISTORY OF PRINCE SLUGOBYL; OR, THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT
THE SPIRIT OF THE STEPPES
THE PRINCE WITH THE GOLDEN HAND
IMPERISHABLE
OHNIVAK
TEARS OF PEARLS
THE SLUGGARD
KINKACH MARTINKO
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen
- 2: The story of the plentiful tablecloth
- 3: Take as many embers as thou wilt
- 4: At last he determined to visit the Crystal Mountain himself
- 5: Which was close to their cottage
- 6: But Marouckla never complained
- 7: The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries
- 8: The great Setchene raised his head
- 9: Said the great Setchene severely
- 10: Day after day Marouckla worked and prayed
- 11: They named him Plavacek the floater
- 12: Plavacek hid nothing he told how he had lost his way
- 13: It was the home of Dede Vsevede
- 14: And the old woman pulled out another golden hair
- 15: He gave Plavacek twelve swan white horses
- 16: I dreamt a nobleman came for me in a silver carriage
- 17: And withdrew to weave an aigrette of many coloured feathers
- 18: Said Kovlad but we have no other kind of food
- 19: And dismal groans filled the air
- 20: Next morning she told the nobleman all that had happened
- 21: Arrived at the foot of the precipice
- 22: For the miller's field of barley
- 23: Who carried three golden hairs in his beak
- 24: But only Zlato Vlaska has hair of gold
- 25: The pike willingly gave up the jewel
- 26: And then down came the ravens calling Krak
- 27: Here we are this is Zlato Vlaska
- 28: And taking a loving farewell of Annette
- 29: He joyfully went back to claim his Annette
- 30: She was known as Princess Pietnotka
- 31: And Prince Dobrotek sought her in every direction
- 32: Prince Dobrotek leaped on to the dappled horse
- 33: The giant swallowed the dwarf at one mouthful
- 34: And Prince Dobrotek proceeded on his way
- 35: And Dobrotek approached the sleeping maiden
- 36: In the name of the little fishling of gold
- 37: But a harmless fisherman like you
- 38: The king sent for the fisherman
- 39: Asked the astonished fisherman
- 40: In the meantime the fisherman hastily put on the cap
- 41: Looked inquiringly at his chamberlain
- 42: Meantime the fisherman had returned with the diamond
- 43: Then go with your cap and club and conquer Kostey
- 44: A guzla that plays of its own accord hangs on its branches
- 45: He pronounced these words O guzla
- 46: To this the fisherman bowed a willing assent
- 47: Matthias filled his purse with gold
- 48: While Matthias talked with the princess
- 49: Matthias did not breathe a word
- 50: But this did not trouble Matthias
- 51: Matthias and his party were far on in front
- 52: Has changed herself into a swan
- 53: And fastening an end of the strap under his arms
- 54: He to whom you pay these honours is but a vile impostor
- 55: Prince Slugobyl married the princess
- 56: Her little companions in copper cradles
- 57: He dared not attack Sudolisu herself
- 58: And Kostey will gain the victory
- 59: Prince Junak cried Turn round
- 60: Junak did what was required of him
- 61: On approaching the window he saw Prince Junak
- 62: The terrified governesses wrung their hands
- 63: And he embraced his parents and said
- 64: And how is this thief Vikher to be got at
- 65: Then drink from this cooling flagon
- 66: But Vikher the hurricane is unconquerable
- 67: And the door opened on the courtyard
- 68: Fiery Horse with strength of wing
- 69: IMPERISHABLE Illustration Imperishable
- 70: Niezguinek made his own plough
- 71: Niezguinek used a rake with twelve teeth
- 72: Old Yaga peeped out through a chink in the fence and cried
- 73: Niezguinek shook his handkerchief
- 74: At that moment Niezguinek came up with his brothers
- 75: When Niezguinek appeared in uniform
- 76: Niezguinek took the guzla and leapt on his horse
- 77: Niezguinek came out of the stable
- 78: That beautiful vessel is the home of Princess Sudolisu
- 79: And while awaiting his return Niezguinek
- 80: Then she turned to Niezguinek and said
- 81: He took with him a sword and crossbow
- 82: From that time Ohnivak came no more to the garden
- 83: Twelve golden birds in wooden cages
- 84: That you bring me Zlato Nrivak
- 85: And her distaff was made of wood
- 86: And giving him a small golden sieve
- 87: And of the Horse with the Golden Mane
- 88: He asked after his youngest son
- 89: I hear you have made Zlato Nrivak eat
- 90: That you have not recognised your youngest son
- 91: The stepmother softened and became more gentle
- 92: Her tears were changed into lizards
- 93: The bridegroom had taken refuge in the garden
- 94: Leaving a profusion of fine pearls
- 95: As he was an out and out sluggard
- 96: The sluggard put the pike back into the river
- 97: Upon which the sluggard said At my behest
- 98: Then he got into a gorgeous carriage with Gapiomila
- 99: All day as the distaff moved the hemp grew visibly less
- 100: When evening came all the hemp was gone
- 101: The story of the plentiful tablecloth
- 102: They found not a single oak that bore acorns of gold
- 103: You need only say 'O Tablecloth
- 104: Will you exchange your tablecloth for my waistband
- 105: And spreading out his tablecloth
- 106: The faithful wand brought the tablecloth back to his master
- 107: The fool wound the waistband round his loins
- 108: And had put the paladin in prison