[4] This is wrong; and from this point onward there is some confusion—the son, not the mother, seeming to become the narrator. [↑]
[5] Cf. Hahn, i. 186 and ii. 52. [↑]
[6] Now first mentioned. The whole story is confused. [↑]
CHAPTER VI
POLISH-GYPSY STORIES
No. 45.—Tale of a Foolish Brother and of a Wonderful Bush
There was once a poor peasant who had three sons, two of them wise and one foolish. One day the king gave a feast, to which everybody was invited, rich and poor. These two wise brothers set out for the feast like the rest, leaving the poor fool at home, crouching over the stove. He thereupon besought his mother to allow him to go after his brothers. But the mother answered, ‘Fool that thou art! thy brothers go thither to tell tales, whilst thou, thou knowest nothing. What then couldst thou tell?’ Still the fool continues to beg his mother to let him go, but still she refuses. ‘Very well! if thou wilt not let me go there, with the help of God I shall know what to do.’
Well, one day the king contrived a certain tower. He then placed his daughter on the second story, and issued a proclamation that whoever should kiss his daughter there should have her in marriage. Well, various princes and nobles hastened to the place; not one of them could reach her. The king then decreed that the peasants were to come. This order reached the house where dwelt the peasant who had three sons, two wise and one foolish. The two wise brothers arose and set out. The fool feigned to go in search of water, but he went to a bush and struck it three times with a stick. Whereupon a fairy appeared, who demanded, ‘What wouldst thou?’ ‘I wish to have a horse of silver, garments of silver, and a sum of money.’