d he who lifts his
eyes to the Milky Way beholds the maiden in her bridal robes. From
thence she still directs the birds on their long migrations; from thence
she still gazes towards midnight at the other end of the heavens, and
waves her hand in greeting to the Northern Light. There she has
forgotten her sorrow, and her former happy life reawakens in her heart.
And when winter approaches, she sees with joy that the Northern Light
visits her as a guest, and asks after his bride. Often he rises up to
her, and, heart to heart, renews the bond of their love. But they may
not hold their wedding. Uko has stationed the maiden in the heavens with
her bridal robe and veil, and the bridegroom cannot carry away his love
from her seat. Thus has Uko in his wisdom determined, and thus has the
Milky Way arisen.

THE GRATEFUL PRINCE.

(KREUTZWALD.)

Once upon a time, the king of the Golden Land[105] lost his way in a
forest, and, notwithstanding all his efforts, could not find his way
out. Presently he encountered a stranger, who said to him, "What are you
doing here, my friend, in this gloomy forest, where only wild beasts
dwell?" The king replied, "I have lost my way, and am trying to find the
road home." "If you will promise to give me the first living thing that
meets you when you return to your palace, I will show you the right
way," said the stranger.[106]

The king reflected awhile, and then answered, "Why should I run the risk
of losing my good hunting-dog? I may perhaps succeed in finding my way
home by myself." The stranger went away, but the king wandered about in
the wood till his provisions were exhausted, while he was unable to
discover the least trace of the right path. Then the stranger met him a
second time, and said, "Promise me the first living thing that meets you
on your return to your palace." But as the king was very obstinate, he
refused to promise anything yet. He once more boldly explored the forest
backwards and forwards, and at length sank down exhausted under a tree,
and thought that his last hour had come. Then the stranger, who was none
other than the Old Boy[107] himself, appeared to the king for the third
time, and said, "Don't be a fool. How can you be so fond of your dog
that you are unwilling to part with him to save your life? Only promise
me what I require, and you will soon be relieved from your anxiety, and
your life will be saved." "My life is worth more than a thousand dogs,"
answ