e you going?'

'Can't tell,' replied the Simpleton.

[Footnote 24: From the Russian.]

'Well, if that is the case,' said the manikin, 'sit down beside me; we
can rest for a little and have something to eat. Give me what you have
got in your satchel.'

Now, the poor Simpleton was ashamed to show what was in it. However,
he thought it best not to make a fuss, so he opened the satchel, and
could scarcely believe his own eyes, for, instead of the hard crust,
he saw two beautiful fresh rolls and some cold meat. He shared them
with the manikin, who licked his lips and said:

'Now, go into that wood, and stop in front of the first tree, bow
three times, and then strike the tree with your axe, fall on your
knees on the ground, with your face on the earth, and remain there
till you are raised up. You will then find a ship at your side, step
into it and fly to the King's Palace. If you meet anyone on the way,
take him with you.'

[Illustration: The Simpleton Awakes & Sees the Flying Ship]

The Simpleton thanked the manikin very kindly, bade him farewell, and
went into the road. When he got to the first tree he stopped in front
of it, did everything just as he had been told, and, kneeling on the
ground with his face to the earth, fell asleep. After a little time he
was aroused; he awoke and, rubbing his eyes, saw a ready-made ship at
his side, and at once got into it. And the ship rose and rose, and in
another minute was flying through the air, when the Simpleton, who was
on the look-out, cast his eyes down to the earth and saw a man beneath
him on the road, who was kneeling with his ear upon the damp ground.

'Hallo!' he called out, 'what are you doing down there?'

'I am listening to what is going on in the world,' replied the man.

'Come with me in my ship,' said the Simpleton.

So the man was only too glad, and got in beside him; and the ship
flew, and flew, and flew through the air, till again from his outlook
the Simpleton saw a man on the road below, who was hopping on one leg,
while his other leg was tied up behind his ear. So he hailed him,
calling out:

'Hallo! what are you doing, hopping on one leg?'

'I can't help it,' replied the man. 'I walk so fast that unless I tied
up one leg I should be at the end of the earth in a bound.'

'Come with us on my ship,' he answered; and the man made no
objections, but joined them; and the ship flew on, and on, and on,
till suddenly the Simpleton, looking down on the