e a queen of a frog.

"This is very beautiful, but a loaf of bread is soon eaten and
forgotten," said he. "I now wish each one of you to bring me a carpet
to lay before my throne, and he who brings me the finest carpet, him
will I make my heir."

The Princes returned to their own homes, and the youngest one was very
sad and sorrowful.

"What ails you, my dear husband?" asked the frog. "Why are you so
downcast, and why do you hang your head. Was not the Tsar pleased with
the bread you carried to him?"

"He was well pleased," answered the Prince; "but now he has commanded
each one of us to bring him a carpet, and to him who brings the finest
carpet he will leave his kingdom. No wonder I am sad, for where, in
this swamp, can I find a carpet such as I require?"

"Do not trouble yourself about that," answered the frog. "Do you go
and lie down and go quietly to sleep. I will supply you such a carpet
as you need."

The Prince did not believe her, but because grief is heavy he lay down
and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Again as before the frog stole away to a distant chamber and laid
aside her frog-skin. Then she went out on the balcony and cried aloud
three times; "Nurses dear, nurses true, bring me a carpet such as lay
before my bed in my own home."

At once the three crows appeared, carrying among them a carpet rolled
up and covered with a piece of embroidered velvet. They laid the roll
before the Princess, bowed three times, and then flew away again.

The Princess carried the carpet back into the chamber and put on her
frog-skin again, and then she went back and lay down quietly beside
the Prince.

The next morning when the Prince was ready to set out, the frog
brought the roll of carpet to him.

"Here," said she; "carry this to your father, but do not open it upon
the way lest the dust spoil its beauty."

The Prince took the carpet and rode away. When he reached the Tsar's
palace his two brothers were already there, and each had brought with
him a piece of carpet so fine and rich that it was difficult to say
which of the two was the more beautiful.

When the older brothers saw Ivan they began to laugh. "Come!" said
they. "Let us see what kind of a carpet he has brought from his swamp
home. No doubt it is very wonderful."

The Prince laid the roll of carpet upon the floor and opened it out
and when they saw it every one was struck with wonder. The elder
Princes had not a word to say. Never before had they