| Prince Lionheart |
| Written by Administrator | ||||
Page 1 of 13 ONCE upon a time there lived a King and Queen who would have been as happy as the day was long had it not been for this one circumstance,–they had no children. At last an old fakīr, or devotee, coming to the palace, asked to see the Queen, and giving her
some barleycorns, told her to eat them and cease weeping, for in nine months she would have a beautiful little son. The Queen ate the barleycorns, and sure enough after nine months she bore the most charming, lovely, splendid Prince that ever was seen, who was called Lionheart, because he was so brave and so strong. Now when he grew up to man-s estate, Prince Lionheart grew restless also, and was for ever begging his father the King to allow him to travel in the wide world and seek adventures. Then the King would shake his head, saying only sons were too precious to be turned adrift; but at last, seeing the young Prince could think of nothing else, he gave his consent, and Prince Lionheart set off on his travels, taking no one with him but his three companions, the Knifegrinder, the Blacksmith, and the Carpenter. Now when these four valiant young men had gone a short distance, they came upon a magnificent city, lying deserted and desolate in the wilderness. Passing through it they saw tall houses, broad bazaars, shops still full of goods, everything pointing to a large and wealthy population; but neither in street nor house was a human being to be seen. This astonished them very much, until the Knifegrinder, clapping his hand to his forehead, said, -I remember! This must be the city I have heard about, where a demon lives who will let no one dwell in peace. We had best be off!- -Not a bit of it!- cried Prince Lionheart. -At any rate not until I-ve had my dinner, for I am just desperately hungry!- So they went to the shops, and bought all they required, laying the proper price for each thing on the counters just as if the shopkeepers had been there. Then going to the palace, which stood in the middle of the town, Prince Lionheart bade the Knifegrinder prepare the dinner, while he and the other companions took a further look at the city. |
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