Once upon a time there was a king who had an only son.When the lad was about eighteen years old his father had to go to fight in a war against a neighbouring country, and the king led his troops in person.He bade his son act as Regent in his absence, but ordered him on no account to marry till his return.
Time went by.The prince ruled the country and never even thought of marrying.But when he reached his twenty-fifth birthday he began to think that it might be rather nice to have a wife, and he thought so much that at last he got quite eager about it.He remembered, however, what his father had said, and waited some time longer, till at last it was ten years since the king went out to war.Then the prince called his courtiers about him and set off with a great retinue to seek a bride.He hardly knew which way to go, so he wandered about for twenty days, when, suddenly, he found himself in his father's camp.
The king was delighted to see his son, and had a great many questions to ask and answer; but when he heard that instead of quietly waiting for him at home the prince was starting off to seek a wife he was very angry, and said: 'You may go where you please but I will not leave any of my people with you.'
Only one faithful servant stayed with the prince and refused to part from him.They journeyed over hill and dale till they came to a place called Goldtown.The King of Goldtown had a lovely daughter, and the prince, who soon heard about her beauty, could not rest till he saw her.
He was very kindly received, for he was extremely good-looking and had charming manners, so he lost no time in asking for her hand and her parents gave her to him with joy.The wedding took place at once, and the feasting and rejoicings went on for a whole month.
At the end of the month they set off for home, but as the journey was a long one they spent the first evening at an inn.Everyone in the house slept, and only the faithful servant kept watch.About midnight he heard three crows, who had flown to the roof, talking together.
'That's a handsome couple which arrived here tonight.It seems quite a pity they should lose their lives so soon.'
'Truly,' said the second crow; 'for to-morrow, when midday strikes, the bridge over the Gold Stream will break just as they are driving over it.But, listen! whoever overhears and tells what we have said will be turned to stone up to his knees.'
The crows had hardly done speaking when away they flew.And close upon them followed three pigeons.
'Even if the prince and princess get safe over the bridge they will perish,' said they; 'for the king is going to send a carriage to meet them which looks as new as paint.But when they are seated in it a raging wind will rise and whirl the carriage away into the clouds.
Then it will fall suddenly to earth, and they will be killed.But anyone who hears and betrays what we have said will be turned to stone up to his waist.'
With that the pigeons flew off and three eagles took their places, and this is what they said:
'If the young couple does manage to escape the dangers of the bridge and the carriage, the king means to send them each a splendid gold embroidered robe.When they put these on they will be burnt up at once.But whoever hears and repeats this will turn to stone from head to foot.'
Early next morning the travellers got up and breakfasted.They began to tell each other their dreams.At last the servant said:
'Gracious prince, I dreamt that if your Royal Highness would grant all I asked we should get home safe and sound; but if you did not we should certainly be lost.My dreams never deceive me, so Ientreat you to follow my advice during the rest of the journey.'
'Don't make such a fuss about a dream,' said the prince; 'dreams are but clouds.Still, to prevent your being anxious I will promise to do as you wish.'
With that they set out on their journey.
At midday they reached the Gold Stream.When they got to the bridge the servant said: 'Let us leave the carriage here, my prince, and walk a little way.The town is not far off and we can easily get another carriage there, for the wheels of this one are bad and will not hold out much longer.'
The prince looked well at the carriage.He did not think it looked so unsafe as his servant said; but he had given his word and he held to it.
They got down and loaded the horses with the luggage.The prince and his bride walked over the bridge, but the servant said he would ride the horses through the stream so as to water and bathe them.
They reached the other side without harm, and bought a new carriage in the town, which was quite near, and set off once more on their travels; but they had not gone far when they met a messenger from the king who said to the prince: 'His Majesty has sent your Royal Highness this beautiful carriage so that you may make a fitting entry into your own country and amongst your own people.'
The prince was so delighted that he could not speak.But the servant said: 'My lord, let me examine this carriage first and then you can get in if I find it is all right; otherwise we had better stay in our own.'
The prince made no objections, and after looking the carriage well over the servant said: 'It is as bad as it is smart'; and with that he knocked it all to pieces, and they went on in the one that they had bought.
At last they reached the frontier; there another messenger was waiting for them, who said that the king had sent two splendid robes for the prince and his bride, and begged that they would wear them for their state entry.But the servant implored the prince to have nothing to do with them, and never gave him any peace till he had obtained leave to destroy the robes.
The old king was furious when he found that all his arts had failed;that his son still lived and that he would have to give up the crown to him now he was married, for that was the law of the land.He longed to know how the prince had escaped, and said: 'My dear son, I do indeed rejoice to have you safely back, but I cannot imagine why the beautiful carriage and the splendid robes I sent did not please you; why you had them destroyed.'
