“It was their own fault,” said the fool; “why did they not get out of the way?”
Just at that moment the king’s daughter came to the window and looked at the fool, and Emelyan, happening suddenly to look up at the window where she stood observing him, and seeing that she was very handsome, said, quite softly to himself—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let this lovely maiden fall in love with me.”
Scarcely had he spoken the words, when the king’s daughter was desperately in love with him. He then said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, up and away, stove, go home.”
Immediately the stove left the palace, went through the town, got home, and set itself in its old place. There Emelyan lived for some time, comfortable and happy.
Other people in the town, however, were far otherwise. At the word of Emelyan, the king’s daughter had fallen in love with him, and she began to implore her father to give her the fool for a husband. The king was in a great rage, both with her and the fool, but he knew not how he could lay hold of him. His minister, however, suggested that he should again send the officer whom he had before sent to take him. This advice pleased the king well, and he had the officer called to him. When he came the king said—
“Hark ye, friend! I sent you before for the fool, and you came without him. To punish you I now send you for him a second time. If you bring him you shall be rewarded, but if you do not bring him you shall be punished.”
When the officer heard that, he left the king, and lost no time in going in quest of the fool. When he came to the village, he called for the Starosta, and said to him—
“Here is money for you. Buy everything for a good dinner to-morrow. Invite Emelyan, and when he comes make him drink till he falls asleep.”