y, I will learn
neither craft nor art; but when my eldest brother has smithied the
iron column, I will mount to the top of it, look around over the whole
world, and tell you what is passing in every kingdom." So the Tsar
saw there was clearly no need to teach this brother, as he was clever
enough already.

Thereupon he questioned the third Simeon: "What craft or what art will
you learn?" He replied: "Your Majesty, I want to learn neither craft
nor art; but if my eldest brother will make me an axe I will build a
ship in the twinkling of an eye." When the Tsar heard this he
exclaimed: "Such master workers are just the men I want! Thou also
hast nothing to learn."

Then he asked the fourth Simeon: "Thou Simeon, what craft or what art
will thou learn?" and he answered: "Your Majesty, I need to learn
nothing; but when my third brother has built a ship, and the ship is
attacked by enemies, I will seize it by the prow, and draw it into the
kingdom under the earth; and when the foe has departed, I will bring
it back again upon the sea." The Tsar was astonished at such marvels,
and replied: "In truth you have nothing to learn."

Then he asked the fifth Simeon: "What trade or what art would you
learn, Simeon?" And he replied: "I need none, your Majesty; but when
my eldest brother has made me a gun, I will shoot with it every bird
that flies, however distant, if I can see it." And the Tsar said:
"You'll be a famous hunter truly!"

The Tsar now asked the sixth Simeon: "What art will you learn?" and
he replied in like manner: "Sire, I will follow no art, but when my
fifth brother has shot a bird in the air I will catch it before it
falls to the ground, and bring it to your Majesty." "Bravo!" said the
Tsar; "you will serve in the field as well as a retriever."

Thereupon the Tsar enquired of the last Simeon what craft or art he
would learn. "Your Majesty," he replied, "I will learn neither craft
nor trade, for I am already skilled in a precious art." "What kind of
art do you understand then?" said the Tsar. "I understand how to steal
better than any man alive." When the Tsar heard of such a wicked art,
he grew angry, and said to his boyars: "My Lords, how do you advise me
to punish this thief Simeon? What death shall he die?" But they all
replied: "Wherefore, O Tsar, should he die? Who knows but that he may
be a clever thief, and prove useful in case of need?" "How so?" said
the Tsar. "Your Majesty," replied the boyars, "has fo