“And when I mounted the fifth stair, I peeped through the keyhole of a door, and there I saw you, O Godfather, and you wore two very long horns.”
“Holloa, that is not true!” exclaimed the Godfather; which so frightened the man that he ran straight off, or nobody knows what the Godfather would have done to him!
The Godfather Death
Acertain poor man had twelve children, and was obliged to work day and night to find them bread to eat; but when the thirteenth child was born, he ran out in his despair on the high road to ask the first he should meet to stand godfather to it.
Presently he met Death striding along on his withered legs, who said, “Take me for godfather.” The man asked him who he was, and received for reply, “I am Death, who make all things equal.” “Then,” answered the man, “you are the right person—you make no difference between the rich and poor; you shall be godfather for my boy.”
Death replied, “I will make your child rich and famous; he who has me for a friend can need nought.” Then the man told him the christening was fixed for the following Sunday, and invited him to come; and at the right time he did appear, and acted very becomingly on the occasion.
When the boy arrived at years of discretion, the godfather came and took him away with him, and leading him into a forest showed him an herb which grew there. “Now,” said Death, “you shall receive your christening gift. I make you a famous physician. Every time you are called to a sick person I will appear to you. If I stand at the head of your patient, you may speak confidently that you can restore him, and if you give him a morsel of that vegetable he will speedily get well; but if I stand at the feet of the sick he is mine, and you must say all medicine is in vain, for the best physician of the world could not cure him. Dare not, however, to use the herb against my will, for then it will go ill with you.”
In a very short space of time the youth became the most renowned physician in the world. “He only wants just to see the sick person, and he knows instantly whether he will live or die,” said every one to his neighbour; and so it came to pass, that from far and near people came to him, bringing him the sick, and giving him so much money that he soon became a very rich man. Once it happened that the King fell sick, and our Physician was called in to say if recovery were possible. When he came to the bedside, he saw that Death stood at the feet of the King. “Ah,” thought he, “if I might this once cheat Death; he will certainly take offence; but then I am his god-child, and perhaps he will shut his eyes to it,—I will venture.”
So saying he took up the sick man, and turned him round, so that Death stood at the head of the King; then he gave the King some of the herb, and he instantly rose up quite refreshed.
Soon afterwards Death, making an evil and gloomy face, came to the Physician, and pressed him on the arm, saying, “You have put my light out, but this time I will excuse you, because you are my god-child; however, do not dare to act so again, for it will cost you your life, and I shall come and take you away.”
Soon after this event the daughter of the King fell into a serious illness, and, as she was his only child, he wept day and night until his eyes were almost blinded. He also caused to be made known, that whoever saved her life should receive her for a bride, and inherit his crown. When the Physician came to the bedside of the sick, he perceived Death at her feet, and he remembered the warning of his godfather; but the great beauty of the Princess, and the fortune which her husband would receive, so influenced him that he cast all other thoughts to the wind. He would not see that Death cast angry looks at him, and threatened him with his fist; but he raised up his patient, and laid her head where her feet had been. Then he gave her a portion of the wonderful herb, and soon her cheeks regained their colour, and her blood circulated freely.
When Death thus saw his kingdom a second time invaded, and his power mocked, he strode up swiftly to the side of the Physician, and said, “Now is your turn come;” and he struck him with his icy-cold hand so hard, that the Physician was unable to resist, and was obliged to follow Death to his underground abode. There the Physician saw thousands upon thousands of lamps burning in immeasurable rows, some large, others small, and others yet smaller. Every moment some were extinguished, but others in the same instant blazed out, so that the flames appeared to dance up here and there in continual variation.
“Do you see?” said Death. “These are the lamps of men’s lives. The larger ones belong to children, the next to those in the flower of their age, and the smallest to the aged and grey-headed. Yet some of the children and youth in the world have but the smallest lamps.”
The Physician begged to be shewn his own lamp, and Death pointed to one almost expiring, saying, “There, that is thine.”
“Ah, my dear godfather,” exclaimed the Physician, frightened, “kindle a new one for me; for your love of me do it, that I may enjoy some years of life, marry the Princess, and come to the crown.”
“I cannot,” answered Death; “one lamp must be extinguished before another can be lighted.”
“Then place the old one over a new lamp, that its dying fire may kindle a fresh blaze,” said the Physician entreatingly.
Death made as if he would perform his wish, and prepared a large and fresh lamp; but he did it very slowly, in order to revenge himself, and the little flame died before he finished. Then the Physician sank to the earth, and fell for ever into the hands of Death!
The Golden Bird
Along, long while ago there was a King who had, adjoining his palace, a fine pleasure-garden, in which stood a tree which bore golden apples; and as soon as the apples were ripe they were counted, but the next day one was missed. This vexed the King very much, and he ordered that watch should be kept every night beneath the tree; and having three sons he sent the eldest, when evening set in, into the garden; but about midnight the youth fell into a deep sleep, and in the morning another apple was missing. The next night the second son had to watch, but he also fared no better; for about midnight he fell fast asleep, and another apple was wanting in the morning. The turn was come now to the third son, who was eager to go; but the King hesitated for a long time, thinking he would be even less wakeful than his brothers, but at last he consented. The youth lay down under the tree and watched steadily, without letting sleep be his master; and, just as twelve o’clock struck, something rustled in the air, and, looking up, he saw a bird flying by whose feathers were of bright gold. The bird lighted upon the tree, and had just picked off one of the apples, when the youth shot a bolt at it, which did not prevent its flying away, but one of its golden feathers dropped off. The youth took the feather up, and, showing it the next morning to the King, told him what he had seen during the night. Thereupon the King assembled his council, and every one declared that a single feather like this was worth a kingdom. “Well, then,” said the King, “if this feather is so costly, I must and will have the whole bird, for one feather is of no use to me.” The eldest son was now sent out on his travels, and, relying on his own prudence, he doubted not that he should find the Golden Bird. When he had walked about a mile he saw sitting at the edge of a forest a Fox, at which he levelled his gun; but it cried out, “Do not shoot me, and I will give you a piece of good advice! You are now on the road to the golden bird, and this evening you will come into a village, where two inns stand opposite to each other: one will be brightly lit up and much merriment will be going on inside, but turn not in there; enter rather into the other, though it seem a poor place to you.”
The young man, however, thought to himself, “How can such a silly beast give me rational advice?” and going nearer, he shot at the Fox; but he missed, and the Fox ran away with its tail in the air. After this adventure he walked on, and towards evening came to the village where stood the two public-houses, in one of which singing and dancing was going on, while the other looked a very ill-conditioned house. “I should be a simpleton,” said he to himself, “if I were to go into this dirty inn while that capital one stood opposite.” S
o he entered the dancing-room, and there, living in feasting and rioting, he forgot the golden bird, his father, and all good manners.
As time passed by and the eldest son did not return home, the second son set out also on his travels to seek the golden bird. The Fox met him as it had his brother, and gave him good counsel which he did not follow. He likewise arrived at the two inns, and out of the window of the riotous house his brother leaned, and invited him in. He could not resist, and entered, and lived there only to gratify his pleasures.
Again a long time elapsed with no news of either brother, and the youngest wished to go and try his luck; but his father would not consent. “It is useless,” said he; “you are still less likely than your brothers to find the golden bird, and, if a misfortune should happen to you, you cannot help yourself, for you are not very quick.” The King at last, however, was forced to consent, for he had no rest while he refused.
On the edge of the forest the Fox was again sitting, and again he offered in return for his life the same piece of good advice. The youth was good-hearted and said, “Be not afraid, little Fox; I will do you no harm.”
“You shall not repent of your goodness,” replied the Fox; “but, that you may travel quicker, get up behind on my tail.”
Scarcely had he seated himself when away they went, over stones and sticks, so fast that his hair whistled in the wind.
As soon as they arrived at the village the youth dismounted, and following the advice he had received, turned, without looking round, into the mean-looking house, where he passed the night comfortably. The next morning, when he went into the fields, he found the Fox already there, who said, “I will tell you what further you must do. Go straight forwards, and you will come to a castle before which a whole troop of soldiers will be sleeping and snoring; be not frightened at them, but go right through the middle of the troop into the castle, and through all the rooms, till you come into a chamber where a golden bird hangs in a wooden cage. Near by stands an empty golden cage for show, but take care you do not take the bird out of its ugly cage, or place it in the golden one, or you will fare badly.” With these words the Fox again stretched out its tail, and the King’s son riding as before, away they went over sticks and stones, till their hair whistled in the wind from the pace they travelled at. When they arrived at the castle the youth found everything as the Fox had said. He soon discovered the room where the golden bird sat in its wooden cage, and by it stood the golden one, and three golden apples were lying around. The youth thought it would be a pity to take the bird in such an ugly and dirty cage, and opening the door he put it in the splendid one. At the moment he did this the bird set up a piercing shriek, which woke the soldiers, who started up and made him a prisoner. The next morning he was brought to trial, and when he confessed all he was condemned to death. Still the King said he would spare his life under one condition, namely, if he brought to him the golden horse which travelled faster than the wind, and then for a reward he should also receive the golden bird.
The young Prince walked out, sighing and sorrowful, for where was he to find the golden horse? All at once he saw his old friend the Fox, who said, “There, you see what has happened because you did not mind what I said. But be of good courage; I will protect you and tell you where you may find the horse. You must follow this road straight till you come to a castle: in the stable there this horse stands. Before the door a boy will lie fast asleep and snoring, so you must lead away the horse quietly; but there is one thing you must mind: put on his back the old saddle of wood and leather, and not the golden one which hangs close by, for if you do it will be very unlucky.” So saying, the Fox stretched out his tail, and again they went as fast as the wind. Everything was as the Fox had said, and the youth went into the stall where the golden horse was; but, as he was about to put on the dirty saddle, he thought it would be a shame if he did not put on such a fine animal the saddle which appeared to belong to him, and so he took up the golden saddle. Scarcely had it touched the back of the horse when it set up a loud neigh, which awoke the stable-boys, who put our hero into confinement. The next morning he was condemned to death; but the King promised to give him his life and the horse, if he would bring the Beautiful Daughter of the King of the Golden Castle.
With a heavy heart the youth set out, and by great good fortune soon met the Fox. “I should have left you in your misfortune,” said he; “but I felt compassion for you, and am willing once more to help you out of your trouble. Your road to the palace lies straight before you, and when you arrive there, about evening, wait till night, when the Princess goes to take a bath. And as soon as she enters the bath-house, do you spring up and give her a kiss, and she will follow you wheresoever you will; only take care that she does not take leave of her parents first, or all will be lost.”
With these words the Fox again stretched out his tail, and the King’s son seating himself thereon, away they went over stone and stick like the wind. When they arrived at the golden palace, the youth found everything as the Fox had foretold, and he waited till midnight when everybody was in a deep sleep, and at that hour the beautiful Princess went to her bath, and he sprang up instantly and kissed her. The Princess said she was willing to go with him, but begged him earnestly, with tears in her eyes, to permit her first to take leave of her parents. At first he withstood her prayers; but, when she wept still more and even fell at his feet, he at last consented. Scarcely had the maiden stepped up to her father’s bedside, when he awoke, and all the others who were asleep awakening too, the poor youth was captured and put in prison.
The next morning the King said to him, “Thy life is forfeited, and thou canst only find mercy if thou clearest away the mountain which lies before my window, and over which I cannot see; but thou must remove it within eight days. If thou accomplish this, then thou shalt have my daughter as a reward.”
The King’s son at once began digging and shovelling away; but when, after seven days, he saw how little was effected and that all his work went for nothing, he fell into great grief and gave up all hope. But on the evening of the seventh day the Fox appeared and said, “You do not deserve that I should notice you again, but go away and sleep while I work for you.”
When he awoke the next morning, and looked out of the window, the hill had disappeared, and he hastened to the King full of joy, and told him the conditions were fulfilled; and now, whether he liked it or not, the King was obliged to keep his word, and give up his daughter.
Away then went these two together, and no long time had passed before they met the faithful Fox. “You have the best certainly,” said he, “but to the Maid of the golden castle belongs also the golden horse.”
“How shall I obtain it?” inquired the youth.
“That I will tell you,” answered the Fox; “first take to the King who sent you to the golden castle the beautiful Princess. Then there will be unheard-of joy, and they will readily give you the golden horse and lead you to it. Do you mount it, and then give your hand to each for a parting shake, and last of all to the Princess, whom you must keep tight hold of, and pull her up behind you, and as soon as that is done ride off, and no one can pursue you, for the horse goes as fast as the wind.” All this was happily accomplished, and the King’s son led away the beautiful Princess in triumph on the golden horse. The Fox did not remain behind, and said to the Prince, “Now I will help you to the golden bird. When you come near the castle where it is, let the maiden get down, and I will take her into my cave. Then do you ride into the castle yard, and at the sight of you there will be such joy that they will readily give you the bird; and as soon as you hold the cage in your hand ride back to us, and fetch again the maiden.”
As soon as this deed was done, and the Prince had ridden back with his treasure, the Fox said, “Now you must reward me for my services.”
“What do you desire?” asked the youth.
“When we come into yonder wood, shoot me dead and cut off my head and feet.”
“That were a curi
ous gratitude,” said the Prince; “I cannot possibly do that.”
“If you will not do it, I must leave you,” replied the Fox; “but before I depart I will give you one piece of counsel. Beware of these two points: buy no gallows-flesh, and sit not on the brink of a spring!” With these words it ran into the forest.
The young Prince thought, “Ah, that is a wonderful animal, with some curious fancies! Who would buy gallows-flesh? and I don’t see the pleasure of sitting on the brink of a spring!” Onwards he rode with his beautiful companion, and by chance the way led him through the village where his two brothers had stopped. There he found a great uproar and lamentation; and when he asked the reason, he was told that two persons were about to be hanged. When he came nearer, he saw that they were his two brothers, who had done some villanous deeds, besides spending all their money. He inquired if they could not be freed, and was told by the people that he might buy them off if he would, but they were not worth his gold, and deserved nothing but hanging. Nevertheless, he did not hesitate, but paid down the money, and his two brothers were released.
After this they all four set out in company, and soon came to the forest where they had first met the Fox; and as it was cool and pleasant beneath the trees, for the sun was very hot, the two brothers said, “Come, let us rest awhile here by this spring, and eat and drink.” The youngest consented, forgetting in the heat of conversation the warning he had received, and feeling no anxiety; but all at once the brothers threw him backwards into the water, and taking the maiden, the horse, and the bird, went home to their father. “We bring you,” said they to him, “not only the golden bird, but also the golden horse and the Princess of the golden castle.” At their arrival there was great joy; but the horse would not eat, the bird would not sing, and the maiden would not speak, but would cry bitterly.
Grimm's Fairy Tales (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) Page 20