backwards on the
ground, and lie there, full length on your back, until somebody wakes
you up. Then you will find the ship made, all ready to fly. Sit you
down in it, and fly off whither you want to go. But be sure on the way
to give a lift to everyone you meet."

The Fool of the World thanked the ancient old man, said good-bye to
him, and went off to the forest. He walked up to a tree, the first big
tree he saw, made the sign of the cross three times before it, swung
his hatchet round his head, struck a mighty blow on the trunk of the
tree, instantly fell backwards flat on the ground, closed his eyes,
and went to sleep.

A little time went by, and it seemed to the Fool as he slept that
somebody was jogging his elbow. He woke up and opened his eyes. His
hatchet, worn out, lay beside him. The big tree was gone, and in its
place there stood a little ship, ready and finished. The Fool did not
stop to think. He jumped into the ship, seized the tiller, and sat
down. Instantly the ship leapt up into the air, and sailed away over
the tops of the trees.

The little ship answered the tiller as readily as if she were sailing
in water, and the Fool steered for the highroad, and sailed along
above it, for he was afraid of losing his way if he tried to steer a
course across the open country.

He flew on and on, and looked down, and saw a man lying in the road
below him with his ear on the damp ground.

"Good-day to you, uncle," cried the Fool.

"Good-day to you, Sky-fellow," cried the man.

"What are you doing down there?" says the Fool.

"I am listening to all that is being done in the world."

"Take your place in the ship with me."

The man was willing enough, and sat down in the ship with the Fool,
and they flew on together singing songs.

They flew on and on, and looked down, and there was a man on one leg,
with the other tied up to his head.

"Good-day, uncle," says the Fool, bringing the ship to the ground.
"Why are you hopping along on one foot?"

"If I were to untie the other I should move too fast. I should be
stepping across the world in a single stride."

"Sit down with us," says the Fool.

The man sat down with them in the ship, and they flew on together
singing songs.

They flew on and on, and looked down, and there was a man with a gun,
and he was taking aim, but what he was aiming at they could not see.

"Good health to you, uncle," says the Fool. "But what are you shooting
at? There isn't a bir