The Chinese Fairy Book

. She was going to throw down a ball of red silk among them, and whoever caught it was to be her husband. Now there were many princes and counts gathered before the castle, and in their midst there w

"Why did you throw the bal

princess, "I will marry him, and then,

the princess had to go off with the beggar. She dwelt with him in a little hut, and had to hunt for herbs

ncess was willing, and he went away, and was gone for eighteen years. Meanwhile the princess lived in want and affliction, for her father rema

He returned and stood before his wife. She however, no longer

how she were

tting along?" she replied. "I

ay your hu

to seek his fortune. That was eighteen

u done during all

waiting for h

one else, seeing that he

emain his wif

as, had her clothed in magnificent garments, and took her with him t

s wife: "We spend every day in festivit

" answered his wife, "since we ha

en empress no more than eighteen days, she fell sick

ted fairy-tale. The dragon is the symbol of imperial rule, and the New Year's feas