mosaic of two
or three simpler stories. I have included _Katcha and the Devil_ for
the sake of its keen humor, which is particularly Czech in character;
_The Betrothal Gifts_ to show how a story common to other countries is
made most charmingly local by giving it a local background; _The
Three Golden Hairs_ to contrast it with a famous German variant which
it seems to me is much inferior to the Slavic version; and several
fine stories of the prince gone off on adventures which in common with
the folk-tales of all Europe show a strong Oriental influence.

In the transliteration of proper names I have not followed
consistently any one method, but for each individual name have made
what seemed to be the best selection from the various possible
spellings. Until transliteration from the Slavic languages has become
standardized this, I am sure, is permissible and even advisable.

In the preparation of this volume I have made heavy draughts upon the
scholarship and patience of my Czech friends, Mrs. Jan Matulka and Mr.
Vladimir Jelinek. I beg them to accept my thanks. I am also deeply
grateful to Mr. A. B. Koukol, who did me the favor of reading the
final sheets. Lastly I wish to express my appreciation of the Webster
Branch of the New York Public Library, which has gathered together
what is probably the most complete collection of Czechoslovak
literature in America, and one particularly rich in folklore and
children's books.

P. F.
August, 1919

[Illustration: {A house and barn}]

CONTENTS

PAGE

LONGSHANKS, GIRTH, AND KEEN: The Story of Three
Wonderful Serving Men 1

THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS: The Story of a Charcoal-Burner's
Son Who Married a Princess 21

THE FLAMING HORSE: The Story of a Country Where the Sun
Never Shines 41

THE THREE CITRONS: The Story of a Prince Who Climbed the
Glass Hill 55

PRINCE BAYAYA: The Story of a Magic Horse 77

KATCHA AND THE DEVIL: The Story of a Clinging Vine 99

THE BETROTHAL GIFTS: The Story of Kubik and the Frog 113

GRANDFATHER'S EYES: The Story of Three Wicked Yezinkas