w it grow
smaller and smaller; his chest and back grew flat, and his legs grew
long.

The goose looked on in amazement. 'Oh, how big and how beautiful you
are!' she cried. 'Thank heaven, you are quite changed.'

Jem folded his hands in thanks, as his heart swelled with gratitude. But
his joy did not make him forget all he owed to his friend Mimi.

'I owe you my life and my release,' he said, 'for without you I should
never have regained my natural shape, and, indeed, would soon have been
beheaded. I will now take you back to your father, who will certainly
know how to disenchant you.'

The goose accepted his offer with joy, and they managed to slip out of
the palace unnoticed by anyone.

They got through the journey without accident, and the wizard soon
released his daughter, and loaded Jem with thanks and valuable presents.
He lost no time in hastening back to his native town, and his parents
were very ready to recognise the handsome, well-made young man as their
long-lost son. With the money given him by the wizard he opened a shop,
which prospered well, and he lived long and happily.

I must not forget to mention that much disturbance was caused in the
palace by Jem's sudden disappearance, for when the grand duke sent
orders next day to behead the dwarf, if he had not found the necessary
herbs, the dwarf was not to be found. The prince hinted that the duke
had allowed his cook to escape, and had therefore broken his word. The
matter ended in a great war between the two princes, which was known in
history as the 'Herb War.' After many battles and much loss of life, a
peace was at last concluded, and this peace became known as the 'Pasty
Peace,' because at the banquet given in its honour the prince's cook
dished up the Queen of Pasties--the Suzeraine--and the grand duke
declared it to be quite excellent.

THE NUNDA, EATER OF PEOPLE

Once upon a time there lived a sultan who loved his garden dearly,
and planted it with trees and flowers and fruits from all parts of
the world. He went to see them three times every day: first at seven
o'clock, when he got up, then at three, and lastly at half-past five.
There was no plant and no vegetable which escaped his eye, but he
lingered longest of all before his one date tree.

Now the sultan had seven sons. Six of them he was proud of, for they
were strong and manly, but the youngest he disliked, for he spent all
his time among the women of the house. The sultan h