t the place to which
they were bound, and cast anchor. The next day Simeon the thief took
his cat and went into the city; and walking straight up to the Tsar's
palace, he stood under the window of Queen Helena. Immediately his cat
sat up on her hind legs, and fell to rubbing him and purring. But you
must know that no cat had ever been seen or heard of in this country,
nor was anything known of such an animal.

The fair Tsarina Helena was sitting at her window, and observing the
cat, she sent her attendants to inquire of Simeon what kind of animal
it was, and whether he would sell it, and for how much. And when the
servants asked him, Simeon replied: "Tell her Majesty that this
creature is called a cat, but I cannot consent to sell her; if,
however, her Majesty pleases, I shall have the honour of presenting
the cat to her."

So the attendants ran back and told what they had heard from Simeon;
and when the Tsarina Helena knew it, she was overjoyed, and went
herself to him, and asked why he would not sell it, but would only
give it to her. Then she took the cat in her arms, went into her room,
and invited Simeon to accompany her; and, going to her father, the
Tsar Sarg, the Tsarina showed him the cat, and told him that a
stranger had presented it to her. The Tsar gazed at the wonderful
animal with delight, and commanded the thief Simeon to be summoned;
and when he came, the Tsar wanted to reward him richly for the cat.
But Simeon would not take anything; and the Tsar said: "Stay here in
my palace for a time, and meanwhile the cat will become better used
to my daughter in your presence."

Simeon, however, had no desire to remain, and answered: "Your Majesty,
I would stay in your palace with pleasure had I not a ship, in which I
came to your kingdom, and which I cannot entrust to anyone; but if
your Majesty pleases, I will come every day to the palace and accustom
the cat to your fair daughter."

This offer pleased the Tsar: so every day Simeon went to the fair
Queen; and once he said to her: "Gracious Lady, Your Majesty, often as
I have come to visit you, I have not observed that you ever go out to
take a walk. If you will come once on board my ship, I will show you a
quantity of fine wares, diamonds and gold brocades, more beautiful
than you have ever seen before." Thereupon the Tsarina went to her
father and asked his permission to take a walk upon the quay. The Tsar
consented, bidding her take her attendants and lad