The Real Thing and Other Tales

ne changed and his parents fell into poverty, so they were forced to take their son home again. John h

old now to learn a trade. So I will go out into the world and find myself a job, and, whenever I can, I

e was no chance for him if he stayed at home. So they let him go. [40]They gave him their blessing bef

o him, so he had to spend the night in the forest. The next day he went on again till he came into a wild mountain country. There he stopped and thought over what he should do next. He stood awhile, and

us these boots, this cloak, and this hat. A

asked

oment he wishes it. The cloak has the property that its owner can fly as far and as hi

You must love one another. So that you won't quarrel any m

the hat on, and they couldn't see him any more; he wra

down the hole and came to some stairs, and went down them to the bottom without any difficulty. There he found a big room without any human being in it.

one entered the room, and asked

ered John; "and, by the way, could

l come, and they will try to make you play cards with them and dance

efused, so they began preparations for playing skittles, and again asked him to join them, but he would not. Then a delightful music began to play, and they asked him to dance with them. No, he wouldn'

aked him, for he was still asleep on the gro

ell," s

stand it. Two score of ghosts will come, and they'll urge you to play cards and skittles

play cards and skittles with them and to dance with them. But John wouldn't. He sat still, without so much as looking at them. So they bega

ashed him with some lotion till he recov

idly,"

se, if you can stand it. Three score of ghosts will come, and will [44]urge you to play cards

ey gathered round him, and urged, prayed, and besought him to play and dance with him. When he refused, they seized him a

ad not stolen the boots, the cloak, and the hat. The ghosts would simply have pressed you; they would have had no power over you. As you followed my advice and

him for delivering her and the whole town. [45]He went to the window, and outside he

ucceed him. But my father dwells far from here, a

ted his parents to be present, so he asked the princess: "May

ou turn it on your finger and wish to go a hundred miles, you will cover that distance in a moment. On your way you will come to a king who h

nother king who had an only daughter, and she was very vulgar. The king insisted that John should marry her. John thought: "What are you thinking of, my man? My bright one is so beauti

at he should do. "My bride is far away now," he thought

he was at the Sun's house. The Sun was not in; only his housekeeper was at home. He asked her for a lodging, and said that he would like to ask the Sun whether he knew the castle where his bride dwelt. She gave him the

astle. When he got there, the Moon was not in, and John asked the housekee

Moon comes home, but you will be very cold,

it till the mistress comes; in an

turned home, and John asked her whether

e Wind. He is a fellow who penetrates everywhere,

elusine, his wife, was alone at home. John asked her to let

y lord is used to blow terribl

mewhere. I can endure cold, and, anyhow, my cloak

home and asked: "Who is here

said. "Your nose is stil

ted: "There is some

an staying here for the night, and he wants to ask you whethe

low, if we are to get there. I was there yesterday; they are going to celebrate a wedding th

he said to John: "I can blow strongly enough, but I do

ve got good boots, a

on, and he went ahead so quickly that the Wind could hardly keep step with him. As

o the table at which they were dining. Nobody could see him. He remained standing near the bride, and whenever she

h I had been eating nothing at all. Who is it that has eaten my food? My glass

en she was alone he revealed himself. He took his hat off, and she kne

. So I had a silver key made for me, and, now that it is made, I have found the

d forward and said: "

was to marry him. He went to see his parents, but he could not reach them. Now he has come back to me just as I was going to marry another man, the silver key o

parents, and brought them back with them to the palace. On their way back they called on the three brothers, and John gave them ba