me home in
the middle of the day, the table was laid, and a good meal spread upon
it. He could not understand how it was done, for he never saw anybody in
his house, and it was too little for anybody to hide in. The good
serving pleased him well; but in the end he became uneasy, and went to a
wise woman to take counsel of her. The wise woman said,

"There is magic in it: get up early some morning, and if you hear
something moving in the room, be it what it may, throw a white cloth
over it, and the charm will be broken."

The shepherd did as she told him, and the next morning at daybreak he
saw the chest open, and the flower come out. Then he jumped up quickly
and threw a white cloth over it. So the spell was broken, and a lovely
maiden stood before him; and she told him that she had been the flower,
and had until now cared for his household matters. She told him all that
had happened to her, and she pleased him so much that he asked her to
marry him, but she answered "No," because she still remained true to her
dear Roland, though he had forsaken her; but she promised not to leave
the shepherd, but to go on taking care of his house.

Now the time came when Roland's wedding was to be held; and there was an
old custom in that country that all the girls should be present, and
should sing in honour of the bride and bridegroom. The faithful maiden,
when she knew this, was so sorrowful that she felt as if her heart would
break; and she would not go, until the others came and fetched her. And
when her turn came to sing she slipped behind, so that she stood alone,
and so began to sing: and as soon as her song reached Roland's ear he
sprang up and cried,

"I know that voice! that is the right bride, and no other will I have."
And everything that he had forgotten, and that had been swept out of his
mind, came suddenly home to him in his heart. And the faithful maiden
was married to her dear Roland; her sorrow came to an end and her joy
began.

THE GOLDEN BIRD

IN times gone by there was a king who had at the back of his castle a
beautiful pleasure-garden, in which stood a tree that bore golden
apples. As the apples ripened they were counted, but one morning one was
missing. Then the king was angry, and he ordered that watch should be
kept about the tree every night. Now the king had three sons, and he
sent the eldest to spend the whole night in the garden; so he watched
till midnight, and then he could keep off sle