rince's hands. The
prince said to it: "Tell me now, where are my brothers?" The pigeon
replied: "I will; only do me no harm. Immediately behind your father's
town is a water-mill, and in the water-mill are three wands that have
sprouted up. Cut these three wands up from below, and strike with them
upon their root; an iron door will immediately open into a large vault.
In that vault are many people, old and young, rich and poor, small and
great, wives and maidens, so that you could settle a populous empire;
there, too, are your brothers." When the pigeon had told him all this,
the prince immediately wrung its neck.

The emperor had gone out in person, and posted himself on the hill from
which the grooms had viewed the shepherd, and he, too, was a spectator
of all that had taken place. After the shepherd had thus obtained the
dragon's head, twilight began to approach. He washed himself nicely,
took the falcon on his shoulder, the hounds behind him, and the bagpipes
under his arm, played as he went, drove the sheep, and proceeded to the
emperor's palace, with the damsel at his side still in terror. When they
came to the town, all the town assembled as to see a wonder. The
emperor, who had seen all his heroism from the hill, called him into
his presence, and gave him his daughter, went immediately to church, had
them married, and held a wedding festival for a week. After this the
prince told him who and whence he was, and the emperor and the whole
town rejoiced still more. Then, as the prince was urgent to go to his
own home, the emperor gave him a large escort, and equipped him for the
journey. When they were in the neighbourhood of the water-mill, the
prince halted his attendants, went inside, cut up the three wands, and
struck the root with them, and the iron door opened at once. In the
vault was a vast multitude of people. The prince ordered them to come
out one by one, and go whither each would, and stood himself at the
door. They came out thus one after another, and lo! there were his
brothers also, whom he embraced and kissed. When the whole multitude had
come out, they thanked him for releasing and delivering them, and went
each to his own home. But he went to his father's house with his
brothers and bride, and there lived and reigned to the end of his days.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 6: This is intended as an insult. "Azhdaja," a dragon, is
feminine in Servian.]

XV

THE GOOD CHILDREN

The Lord was ange