make the sun and
man rise?'

[Illustration]

'Husband,' said she, poking him in the ribs with her elbows, 'wake up.
Go down to the flounder; I will be a god.'

The fisherman was still half asleep, yet he was so frightened that he
fell out of bed. He thought he had not heard aright, and opened his eyes
wide and said:

'What did you say, wife?'

'Husband,' she said, 'if I cannot make the sun and man rise when I
appear I cannot rest. I shall never have a quiet moment till I can make
the sun and man rise.'

He looked at her in horror, and a shudder ran over him.

'Go down at once; I will be a god.'

[Illustration]

'Alas! wife,' said the fisherman, falling on his knees before her, 'the
flounder cannot do that. Emperor and pope he can make you. I implore
you, be content and remain pope.'

Then she flew into a passion, her hair hung wildly about her face, she
pushed him with her foot and screamed:

'I am not contented, and I shall not be contented! Will you go?'

So he hurried on his clothes as fast as possible, and ran away as if he
were mad.

But the storm was raging so fiercely that he could scarcely stand.
Houses and trees were being blown down, the mountains were being shaken,
and pieces of rock were rolling in the sea. The sky was as black as ink,
it was thundering and lightening, and the sea was tossing in great waves
as high as church towers and mountains, and each had a white crest of
foam.

So he shouted, not able to hear his own voice:

'Once a prince, but changed you be
Into a flounder in the sea.
Come! for my wife, Ilsebel,
Wishes what I dare not tell.'

'Well, what does she want now?' asked the flounder.

'Alas!' said he, 'she wants to be a god.'

'Go home, then; she is sitting again in the hut.'

And there they are sitting to this day.

Grimm.

_THE THREE MUSICIANS_

Once upon a time three musicians left their home and set out on their
travels. They had all learnt music from the same master, and they
determined to stick together and to seek their fortune in foreign lands.
They wandered merrily from place to place and made quite a good living,
and were much appreciated by everyone who heard them play. One evening
they came to a village where they delighted all the company with their
beautiful music. At last they ceased playing, and began to eat and drink
and listen to the talk that was going on around them. They heard all the
gossip of the place, and many wond