The Real Thing and Other Tales

ad little money to spend, for he had lost it all by gambling. And so-since he had to spend the time in some way or other-he used to go hunting. One day, when he

hat condition was that the count should give him one of his daughters in marriage. The count was terrified. But after thinking it over for a tim

r was marriageable, a carriage came rolling up. The carriage was drawn by a pair of raven-black horses, and in it sat a prince with cheeks of white and red, whose robes b

ve him heaps of money into the bargain, if he would only give him his second daughter in return. The bargain was made and the eagle

eye. When the boy was grown up, he saw that the countess looked sad sometimes, and he gave her no rest till she had told him everything. When he had heard the st

lets and the old eagle, his brother-in-law, as well. The eagle gave him three feathers, saying they would be of help to him in time of need. He thanked the eagle for that and went on his way, and at last he came to his youngest sister. It was not so easy to get to her, for she dwelt under the water, and he had to drop into he

into these shapes. The sorcerer could take different forms. But the brother must not let that dismay him. He must get hold of a golden egg which was hidden in the so

flew a wild duck and tried to escape. Then the count thought of the eagle feathers, and immediately the eagle flew up, and he tore the duck to pieces. But a golden egg fell from the duck and it rolled into the pond.

was full of servants and the three princes, with their wives and children, were just walking out of it. All were o

to be fired, and prepared a splendid banquet. And he gave the kingdom to his eldest son. The second son went to the land of the count, and it was divided between him and his brother-in-law.