and want
of trust in his love and wisdom! For had you only followed your father's
directions, the gold thread would have brought you to his beautiful
castle, where there is to be a happy meeting of your friends, with all
your brothers and sisters." Poor little Eric began to weep! "Listen to
me, child," said the lady, kindly, "for _you cannot have peace but by
doing what is_ _right_. Know, then, that all your brothers and sisters
made this very journey by help of the gold thread, and they are at home
with great joy." "Oh, save me! save me!" cried Eric, and caught the
lady's hand. "Yes, I will save you," said she, "if you will learn
obedience. I know and love you, dear boy. I know and love your father,
and have been sent by him to deliver you. I heard what you said, and
know all you did, last night, and I was very glad that you proved, in
trial, your love to your father, your love of truth, and your love of
others, and this makes me hope all good of you for the future. Come now
with me!" And so the beautiful woman took him by the hand. The storm had
passed away, and the sun was shining on the green leaves of the trees,
and every drop of dew sparkled like a diamond. The birds were all
warbling their morning hymns, and feeding their young ones in their
nests. The streams were dancing down the rocks and through the glens.
"The mountains broke forth into singing, and all the trees clapped
their hands with joy." Everything thus seemed beautiful and happy to
Eric, for he himself was happy at the thought of doing what was right,
and of going home. The lady led him to a sunny glade in the wood,
covered with wild flowers, from which the bees were busy gathering their
honey, and she said, "Now, child, are you willing to do your father's
will?" "Oh, yes!" "Will you do it, whatever dangers may await you?"
"Yes!" "Well, then, I must tell you that your father has given me the
gold thread which you lost; and he bids me again tell you, with his warm
love, that if you keep hold of it, and follow it wherever it leads, you
are sure to come to him at sunset; but if you let it go, you may wander
on in this dark forest till you die, or are again taken prisoner by
robbers. Know, also, that there is no other possible way of saving you,
but by your following the gold thread." "I am resolved to do my duty,
come what may," said Eric. "May you be helped to do it!" said the lady.
She then gave him a cake, to support him in his journey. "And now,
chil