ecorated the
dishes for the king's table. The king so much admired the flowers that
he ordered the master-cook to be called to him, and asked him where he
had found such magnificent roses. The cook told him all that had
happened, and what the duck had said to the little dog. When the king
heard it he was much perplexed, and he told the cook to let him know as
soon as the bird showed itself again.

The next night the little duck again came to the kitchen, and spoke to
the dog as before. The cook sent word to the king, and he came just as
the bird went out at the door. However he saw the beautiful roses lying
all over the kitchen floor, and from them came such a delightful scent
that the like had never been known.

The king made up his mind that if the duck came again he would see it,
so he lay in wait for it. He waited a long while, when, at midnight, the
little bird, as before, came walking up to the dog which lay on the
hearth, and said--

"Poor little Snow-white! once on a time you lay on blue silk cushions.
Now you must lie on grey ashes. Ah! my poor brother, who is in the
lions' den. Shame on Maiden Foxtail! she sleeps in my lord's arms."

Then it went on--

"Alas! poor me! I shall see thee no more."

Then it caressed the little dog, and the dog returned its caresses. As
the bird was about to go away, the king sprang out and caught it by the
foot. Then the bird changed its form and became a horrible dragon, but
the king held it fast. It changed itself again, and took the forms of
snakes, wolves, and other fierce animals, but the king did not lose his
hold. Then the mermaid pulled hard at the chain, but the king held so
fast that the chain broke in two with a great snap and rattling. That
moment there stood there a beautiful maiden much more beautiful than
that in the fine picture. She thanked the king for having saved her
from the power of the mermaid. The king was very glad, and took the
beautiful maiden in his arms, kissed her, and said--

"I will have no one else in the world for my queen, and now I well see
that your brother was guiltless."

Then he sent off at once to the lions' den to learn if the young man was
yet alive. There the young man was safe and sound among the wild beasts,
which had done him no injury. Then the king was in a happy mood, and
rejoiced that everything had chanced so well. The brother and sister
told him all that the step-mother had done.

When it was daylight the king ordered