Fairy Tales From All Nations

by Anthony R. Montalba

"To-morrow, by means of my secret art, I will transform myself into a fine horse; saddle and bridle me, and lead me to the market, and sell me. When you shall have made your bargain, go quietly home, your pocket full of money, and you shall find me here again in the same form which I now bear. Judge therefore whether or not I have learned something useful, since in so short a time I can earn for you the necessaries of life. Take especial heed, however, when you sell me, not to part with my bridle; this, come what will, you must carefully retain, else I shall not be able to return, and perhaps you may never see me again."

The next morning Dionysius stripped himself in presence of his father, and after anointing himself with a certain ointment, he murmured some words, whereupon, to the inexpressible astonishment of the good old man, in the place of his son, a fine powerful horse suddenly appeared, which he immediately harnessed as his son had instructed him, and led him to the market. As soon as the merchants and horse-dealers saw him, they gathered round him, quite delighted with the beauty of the horse, the action of whose limbs and whole body was so perfect, and who showed such a fleetness and fire, that it was quite surprising. All inquired if the horse were for sale, to which the old man replied in the affirmative.

By accident, Lactantius was in the market, and as soon as he saw the horse, and had narrowly examined him, he at once discovered that it was a magic horse. He therefore withdrew unperceived from the crowd, and hastened home, disguised himself as a merchant, and provided with an ample sum of money, returned to the market, where he found the man still with his horse. He approached the animal, and after attentively observing him, recognised in him his apprentice, Dionysius. He then asked the old man if he would sell him, and they soon concluded a bargain. Lactantius paid him two hundred gold pieces; but as he took him by the bridle to lead him away, the old man objected, saying that he had sold the horse but not the bridle, which he must have back again. Lactantius however contrived to talk him over, so that he obtained the bridle as well as the horse, which he led home, and fastening him to the stall, gave him for breakfast and supper so many hundred blows, that the poor beast became nothing but skin and bones, and excited the compassion of all who beheld him.

Lactantius had two daughters, who, when they saw their father's barbarity, went daily into the stable to do what they could for the poor horse. They caressed him, patted him, and treated him with all possible kindness, and one day went so far as to lead him by the halter to drink at the stream. The moment, however, the horse found himself by the water, he threw himself into it, and transforming himself into a little fish, he disappeared in the waves.

At this extraordinary occurrence the maidens stood speechless with astonishment, and returning home, gave way to the deepest sorrow. Some time after Lactantius returned, and went into the stable to administer a little further chastisement to his horse, when to his great astonishment he found him gone. Very indignant thereat, he went to his daughters, and beheld them in tears. Without inquiring the cause, for he knew full well the cause of their trouble, he said to them: "My children, fear nothing, only tell me what has become of the horse, in order that I may at once take measures concerning him."

The poor maidens composed themselves on hearing these words, and related to him what had happened. When the father had heard the story, he hastened to the river, transformed himself into a large fish, dashed into the water, and as fast as his fins could carry him pursued the little fish, intending to swallow him.

When the latter beheld the voracious fish, with its terrible teeth, he was dreadfully alarmed at the thought of being swallowed by him, and approaching the bank of the river, he left the water, and in the form of a beautiful ruby, set in gold, he threw himself unseen into the little basket which the king's daughter, who happened just then to be amusing herself with picking up little pebbles on the sand, carried on her arm.

As soon as the princess, who was called Violante, returned home, she took her treasures out of the little basket, and perceived the ring shining amongst the pebbles. Quite delighted, she placed it on her finger, and could not desist from contemplating it.

At night, when the princess had retired to her sleeping apartment, the ring suddenly changed into a handsome young man. He laid his hand on the princess's mouth, who was about to scream aloud, then threw himself at her feet and besought her forgiveness. He assured her he was not there with any disrespectful purpose, but only to implore her assistance, and then told her his misfortune, and the persecutions he had to endure.

Violante, somewhat re-assured by the bright light of the lamp which burned in her chamber, as also by the words of the young man, whom she found very handsome and attractive, felt compassion for him, and said: "Young man, thou art very bold in entering a place where thy presence was not desired. But in consideration of thy misfortune, I will forgive thee. Thy narration has awakened all my compassion, and I will show thee that I am not made of marble, nor have a heart of adamant. I am even resolved, so far as my honour will permit, to give thee my entire protection."