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matter! lie down and sleep; the morning is wiser than the evening." She ordered him to sleep, but she herself went out on the steps, and called aloud with a mighty whistling cry. Then from all sides there ran together carpenters and workmen; one levelled the ground, another carried bricks. Soon had they built a crystal bridge, and traced cunning devices on it; and then they dispersed to their homes. Early next morning Vasilissa the Wise awoke the Prince: "Get up, Prince! the bridge is ready: my father will be coming to inspect it directly." Up jumped the Prince, seized a broom, took his place on the bridge, and began sweeping here, clearing up there. The Water King bestowed praise upon him: "Thanks!" says he. "You've done me one service: now do another. Here is your task. Plant me by to-morrow a garden green--a big and shady one; and there must be birds singing in the garden, and flowers blossoming on the trees, and ripe apples and pears hanging from the boughs." Away went the Prince from the Water King, all dissolved in tears. Vasilissa the Wise opened her window and asked: "What are you crying for, Prince?" "How can I help crying? Your father has ordered me to plant a garden in one night!" "That's nothing! lie down and sleep: the morning is wiser than the evening." She made him go to sleep, but she herself went out on the steps, called and whistled with a mighty whistle. From every side there ran together gardeners of all sorts, and they planted a garden green, and in the garden birds sang, on the trees flowers blossomed, from the boughs hung ripe apples and pears. Early in the morning Vasilissa the Wise awoke the Prince: "Get up, Prince! the garden is ready: Papa is coming to see it." The Prince immediately snatched up a broom, and was off to the garden. Here he swept a path, there he trained a twig. The Water King praised him and said: "Thanks, Prince! You've done me right trusty service. So choose yourself a bride from among my twelve daughters. They are all exactly alike in face, in hair, and in dress. If you can pick out the same one three times running, she shall be your wife; if you fail to do so, I shall have you put to death." Vasilissa the Wise knew all about that, so she found time to say to the Prince: "The first time I will wave my handkerchief, the second I will be arrangin
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