achek, the charcoal-burner's son, became the king's son-in-law
as the old Fate foretold.

As for the king, well, I fear he's still ferrying that boat across the
black sea!

THE FLAMING HORSE

THE STORY OF A COUNTRY WHERE THE SUN NEVER SHINES

[Illustration: {A horse}]

THE FLAMING HORSE

There was once a land that was dreary and dark as the grave, for the
sun of heaven never shone upon it. The king of the country had a
wonderful horse that had, growing right on his forehead, a flaming
sun. In order that his subjects might have the light that is necessary
for life, the king had this horse led back and forth from one end of
his dark kingdom to the other. Wherever he went his flaming head shone
out and it seemed like beautiful day.

Suddenly this wonderful horse disappeared. Heavy darkness that nothing
could dispel settled down on the country. Fear spread among the people
and soon they were suffering terrible poverty, for they were unable to
cultivate the fields or do anything else that would earn them a
livelihood. Confusion increased until the king saw that the whole
country was likely to perish. In order then, if possible, to save his
people, he gathered his army together and set out in search of the
missing horse.

Through heavy darkness they groped their way slowly and with
difficulty to the far boundaries of the kingdom. At last they reached
the ancient forests that bordered the neighboring state and they saw
gleaming through the trees faint rays of the sunshine with which that
kingdom was blessed.

Here they came upon a small lonely cottage which the king entered in
order to find out where he was and to ask directions for moving
forward.

A man was sitting at the table reading diligently from a large open
book. When the king bowed to him, he raised his eyes, returned the
greeting, and stood up. His whole appearance showed that he was no
ordinary man but a seer.

"I was just reading about you," he said to the king, "that you were
gone in search of the flaming horse. Exert yourself no further, for
you will never find him. But trust the enterprise to me and I will get
him for you."

"If you do that, my man," the king said, "I will pay you royally."

"I seek no reward. Return home at once with your army, for your people
need you. Only leave here with me one of your serving men."

The king did exactly as the seer advised and went home at once.

The next day the seer and his man set forth. The