all
it, and soon caught it, took it home with him, and gave it to Fetinia.
The old wife handled the duck and said she was going to lay an egg.
They were now both in great delight, and, putting the duck in a bowl,
they covered it with a sieve. After waiting an hour, they peeped
gently under the sieve and saw to their joy that the duck had laid a
golden egg. Then they let her run about a little on the floor; and the
old man took the egg to town to sell it; and he sold the egg for a
hundred roubles, took the money, went to market, bought all kinds of
vegetables, and returned home.

The next day the duck laid another egg, and Abrosim sold this also;
and in this way the duck went on, laying a golden egg every day, and
the old man in a short time grew very rich. Then he built himself a
grand house, and a great number of shops, and bought wares of all
sorts, and set up in trade.

Now, Fetinia had struck up a secret friendship with a young shopman,
who did not care for the old woman, but persuaded her he did to make
her give him money. And one day, when Abrosim was gone out to buy
some new wares, the shopman called to gossip with Fetinia, when by
chance he espied the duck; and, taking her up, he saw written under
her wing in golden letters: "Whoso eats this duck will become a Tsar."
The man said nothing of this to Fetinia, but begged and entreated her
for love's sake to roast the duck. Fetinia told him she could not kill
the duck, for all their good luck depended upon her. Still the shopman
entreated the old woman only the more urgently to kill and cook the
duck; until at length, overcome by his soft words and entreaties,
Fetinia consented, killed the duck and popped her into the stove. Then
the shopman took his leave, promising soon to come back and Fetinia
also went into the town.

Just at this time Ivanushka returned home, and being very hungry, he
looked about everywhere for something to eat; when by good luck he
espied in the stove the roast duck; so he took her out, ate her to the
very bones, and then returned to his work. Presently after, the
shopman came in, and calling Fetinia, begged her to take out the roast
duck. Fetinia ran to the oven, and when she saw that the duck was no
longer there she was in a great fright, and told the shopman that the
duck had vanished. Thereat the man was angry with her, and said:
"I'll answer for it you have eaten the duck yourself!" And so saying
he left the house in a pet.

At nig