lute player,
took him by the hand and led him into the palace.

'Here,' he cried, 'is the boy who released me from my prison. And now,
my true friend, I will indeed give you your heart's desire.'

'I am sure you will not be less generous than the heathen king was,
sire. I ask of you what I asked and obtained from him. But this time I
don't mean to give up what I get. I want YOU--yourself!'

And as she spoke she threw off her long cloak and everyone saw it was
the queen.

Who can tell how happy the king was? In the joy of his heart he gave a
great feast to the whole world, and the whole world came and rejoiced
with him for a whole week.

I was there too, and ate and drank many good things. I sha'n't forget
that feast as long as I live.

(From the Russian.)

THE GRATEFUL PRINCE

Once upon a time the king of the Goldland lost himself in a forest, and
try as he would he could not find the way out. As he was wandering down
one path which had looked at first more hopeful than the rest he saw a
man coming towards him.

'What are you doing here, friend?' asked the stranger; 'darkness is
falling fast, and soon the wild beasts will come from their lairs to
seek for food.'

'I have lost myself,' answered the king, 'and am trying to get home.'

'Then promise me that you will give me the first thing that comes out of
your house, and I will show you the way,' said the stranger.

The king did not answer directly, but after awhile he spoke: 'Why should
I give away my BEST sporting dog. I can surely find my way out of the
forest as well as this man.'

So the stranger left him, but the king followed path after path for
three whole days, with no better success than before. He was almost in
despair, when the stranger suddenly appeared, blocking up his way.

'Promise you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house
to meet you?'

But still the king was stiff-necked and would promise nothing.

For some days longer he wandered up and down the forest, trying first
one path, then another, but his courage at last gave way, and he sank
wearily on the ground under a tree, feeling sure his last hour had come.
Then for the third time the stranger stood before the king, and said:

'Why are you such a fool? What can a dog be to you, that you should give
your life for him like this? Just promise me the reward I want, and I
will guide you out of the forest.'

'Well, my life is worth more than a thousand dogs,' a