ery place an elder tree
had sprung up, and flutes had been cut from it, which would only repeat
the words he had said. Then the emperor commanded his coach to be made
ready, and he took the youth with him, and they drove to the spot, for
he wished to see for himself whether the young man's confession was
true; but when they reached the place only one stem was left. So the
emperor desired his attendants to cut him a flute from the remaining
stem, and, when it was ready, he ordered his chamberlain to play on it.
But no tune could the chamberlain play, though he was the best flute
player about the court--nothing came but the words, 'The Emperor Trojan
has goat's ears.' Then the emperor knew that even the earth gave up its
secrets, and he granted the young man his life, but he never allowed him
to be his barber any more.

(Volksmarchen der Serben.)

THE NINE PEA-HENS AND THE GOLDEN APPLES

Once upon a time there stood before the palace of an emperor a golden
apple tree, which blossomed and bore fruit each night. But every morning
the fruit was gone, and the boughs were bare of blossom, without anyone
being able to discover who was the thief.

At last the emperor said to his eldest son, 'If only I could prevent
those robbers from stealing my fruit, how happy I should be!'

And his son replied, 'I will sit up to-night and watch the tree, and I
shall soon see who it is!'

So directly it grew dark the young man went and hid himself near the
apple tree to begin his watch, but the apples had scarcely begun to
ripen before he fell asleep, and when he awoke at sunrise the apples
were gone. He felt very much ashamed of himself, and went with lagging
feet to tell his father!

Of course, though the eldest son had failed, the second made sure that
he would do better, and set out gaily at nightfall to watch the apple
tree. But no sooner had he lain himself down than his eyes grew heavy,
and when the sunbeams roused him from his slumbers there was not an
apple left on the tree.

Next came the turn of the youngest son, who made himself a comfortable
bed under the apple tree, and prepared himself to sleep. Towards
midnight he awoke, and sat up to look at the tree. And behold! the
apples were beginning to ripen, and lit up the whole palace with their
brightness. At the same moment nine golden pea-hens flew swiftly through
the air, and while eight alighted upon the boughs laden with fruit, the
ninth fluttered to the ground wh