ning, and said:
'All right, you needn't be afraid, you shall get your beard back before
we part; but you must allow my bride and me to accompany you a bit on
your homeward way.'
The dwarf could not refuse this request, and so they all went together
through the beautiful green paths and flowery meadows, and came at last
to the river which flowed for miles round the Princess's land and formed
the boundary of her kingdom. There was no bridge or ferryboat to be seen
anywhere, and it was impossible to get over to the other side, for the
boldest swimmer would not have dared to brave the fierce current and
roaring waters. Then the youth said to the dwarf: 'Give me your wand in
order that I may part the waves.'
And the dwarf was forced to do as he was told because the youth still
kept his beard from him; but the wicked little creature chuckled with
joy and thought to himself: 'The foolish youth will hand me my beard as
soon as we have crossed the river, and then my power will return, and
I will seize my wand and prevent them both ever returning to their
beautiful country.'
But the dwarf's wicked intentions were doomed to disappointment. The
happy youth struck the water with his wand, and the waves at once parted
and stood still, and the dwarf went on in front and crossed the stream.
No sooner had he done so than the waters closed behind him, and the
youth and his lovely bride stood safe on the other side. Then they threw
his beard to the old man across the river, but they kept his wand, so
that the wicked dwarf could never again enter their kingdom. So the
happy couple returned to their castle, and lived there in peace and
plenty for ever after. But the other two musicians waited in vain for
the return of their companion; and when he never came they said: 'Ah,
he's gone to play the flute,' till the saying passed into a proverb, and
was always said of anyone who set out to perform a task from which he
never returned.
Grimm.
THE THREE DOGS
There was once upon a time a shepherd who had two children, a son and
a daughter. When he was on his death-bed he turned to them and said, 'I
have nothing to leave you but three sheep and a small house; divide them
between you, as you like, but don't quarrel over them whatever you do.'
When the shepherd was dead, the brother asked his sister which she would
like best, the sheep or the little house; and when she had chosen the
house he said, 'Then I'll take the sheep
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