ONCE upon a time there was a king who had four sons. One day the queen said to him:
“It is time that one of our boys went out into the world to make his fortune.”
“I have been thinking that very same thing,” the king said. “Let us get ready Raduz, our youngest, and send him off with God’s blessing.”
Preparations were at once made and in a few days Raduz bid his parents farewell and set forth.
He traveled many days and many nights over desert plains and through dense forests until he came to a high mountain. Halfway up the mountain he found a house.
“I’ll stop here,” he thought to himself, “and see if they’ll take me into service.”
Now this house was occupied by three people: old Yezibaba, who was a bad old witch; her husband, who was a wizard but not so bad as Yezibaba; and their daughter, Ludmila, the sweetest, kindest girl that two wicked parents ever had.
“Good day to you all,” Raduz said, as he stepped into the house and bowed.
“The same to you,” old Yezibaba answered. “What brings you here?”
“I’m looking for work and I thought you might have something for me to do.”