in the air; you must have been reading something silly, or a
fairy-tale; do not believe such stories. Nevertheless, I will send
into all foreign lands to make search for any such people; and if they
can be found I will order them to be brought hither, and have you
instructed in their art."

When the Tsar wants them, he does not wait for beer to be brewed nor
brandy to be distilled; so the Tsar instantly sent messengers into
distant lands, commanding them to seek everywhere for flying men, and,
if they found any, to bring them to his Court. So the messengers went
forth into various countries, and after three years they found a
master of the art in the city of Austripa, and brought him to the Tsar
Abraham; and when Malandrach saw him he was overjoyed. Then the Tsar
asked this person whether he understood the art of flying, and the man
replied: "Gracious sovereign, although it is not for me to praise
myself, yet in truth I am the first master in our country. If your
Majesty desire me to teach Prince Malandrach to fly in the air only
command a large and lofty hall to be built, two hundred ells long and
as many wide, and one hundred ells in height: this hall must be quite
empty, have a great number of windows, and a little closet adjoining
it."

When the Tsar heard this, he instantly ordered such a palace to be
built at once. And as soon as all was ready, the highflyer made two
pairs of wings--one for himself and the other for Malandrach--and he
began to teach the Tsarevich to fly in this hall, fastening the wings
on to himself and Malandrach; and when he left off teaching, he laid
the two pairs of wings in the closet, locked them up, and took the key
with him. But one day it happened, when the Tsarevich had taken his
lesson, and the master locked up the wings in the closet, that
Malandrach observed this, and, without saying anything to his teacher,
went with him to his father.

Now, just at this time the Tsar had a great feast prepared, and a
large number of guests were invited. Then Malandrach, without saying a
word to anyone, hastened to the large hall, took his wings from the
closet, fastened them on to his shoulders, went into the courtyard,
and began to flap his wings. Thereupon he flew up on to the lofty
building, alighted upon it, and resting there, gazed with delight over
his father's kingdom. After awhile he wished to descend upon the
ground, but suddenly a shudder came over him, and he dreaded to let
himself d