FullReads

He had not gone very far when he met an ancient old man with a bent back, and a long beard, and eyes hidden under his bushy eyebrows.

“Good-day, young fellow,” says the ancient old man.

“Good-day, grandfather,” says the Fool of the World.

“And where are you off to?” says the ancient old man.

“What!” says the Fool; “haven’t you heard? The Tzar is going to give his daughter to any one who can bring him a flying ship.”

“And you can really make a flying ship?” says the ancient old man.

“No, I do not know how.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“God knows,” says the Fool of the World.

“Well,” says the ancient, “if things are like that, sit you down here. We will rest together and have a bite of food. Bring out what you have in your bag.”

“I am ashamed to offer you what I have here. It is good enough for me, but it is not the sort of meal to which one can ask guests.”

“Never mind that. Out with it. Let us eat what God has given.”

The Fool of the World opened his bag, and could hardly believe his eyes. Instead of black crusts he saw fresh white rolls and cooked meats. He handed them out to the ancient, who said, “You see how God loves simple folk. Although your own mother does not love you, you have not been done out of your share of the good things. Let’s have a sip at the corn brandy….”

The Fool of the World opened his flask, and instead of water there came out corn brandy, and that of the best. So the Fool and the ancient made merry, eating and drinking; and when they had done, and sung a song or two together, the ancient says to the Fool,–

“Listen to me. Off with you into the forest. Go up to the first big tree you see. Make the sacred sign of the cross three times before it. Strike it a blow with your little hatchet. Fall 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.”