A Scotch Tale
Once upon a time a great contest took place between every wild creature. The son of the King of Tethertown went to see the battle; but he arrived late, and saw only one fight. This was between a huge Raven and a Snake. The King’s son ran to aid the Raven, and with one blow took the head off the Snake. The Raven was very grateful, and said: “Now, I will give thee a sight; come upon my wings.”
They flew over seven mountains, seven glens, and seven moors. That night, at the Raven’s request, the King’s son slept in the house of one of the Raven’s sisters. He was to meet the Raven next morning for another trip; and for three days they journeyed. On the third morning a handsome boy, who was carrying a bundle, came to meet the King’s son.
This boy told how he had been under a spell; and he was at once released from it by the power of the King’s son. In return, he gave him the bundle which he carried, and cautioned him not to open it until he found the place where he desired to dwell.
On the homeward trip the bundle became very heavy, and the King’s son stopped in a grove to open it. Immediately a beautiful castle sprang up before him. He was very sorry, for he wanted to live in the glen opposite his father’s palace. Just then a Giant appeared and offered to put the castle back in the bundle on condition that the Prince give him his first son when he was seven years old. The Prince promised, and soon he had his castle in the right place. At the palace door there was a beautiful maiden, who asked him to marry her. The wedding took place at once, and all were happy.
Before many years they had a son; and then the Prince, who was now King, remembered his promise to the Giant. When the boy was seven years old the Giant came to claim him. The Queen said she would save her child. She dressed the cook’s son in fine clothes, and gave him to the Giant. But the Giant feared some treachery, and said to the boy: “If thy father had a rod what would he do with it?”
“He would beat the dogs if they went near the King’s meat,” answered the boy.
Then the Giant knew he had been deceived, and he went again to the palace. Again the Queen tried to trick him by giving him the butler’s son. When the Giant found he had been fooled a second time, he stalked back to the castle, and made a terrible scene. The castle shook under the soles of his feet as he cried: “Out here with thy son, or the stone that is highest in thy dwelling shall be the lowest.” So, in great fear, the Queen gave her son to the Giant.
The lad lived many years in the Giant’s home. On a certain holiday, when the Giant was away, the boy heard sweet music. Looking up the stairs he saw a beautiful little maiden. She beckoned to him to come to her, then said: “To-morrow you may choose between my two sisters for your bride; but, I pray you, say you will take only me. My father is forcing me to marry a Prince whom I hate.”
On the morrow the Giant said: “Now, Prince, you may go home to-morrow, and take with you either of my two eldest daughters as your wife.”