when thou hearest a rumbling and a knocking, say: 'Hither comes my poor little frog in her little basket!'"
So Ivan drove away to the Palace somewhat cheered by her words.
When he was out of sight the frog went to the window, and called:
"Winds! Winds! bring for me at once a rich carriage of state, with white horses, footmen, outriders and runners!"
Instantly a horn blew and horsemen came galloping up the street, followed by six milk-white horses drawing a golden coach. As for herself, she threw off the skin of a frog and was transformed into a maiden so beautiful that she could be described neither by words in a tale nor with a pen in writing.
Meanwhile at the Palace the company were assembled, the two elder brothers with their lovely brides attired in silks and laden with shining jewels. And they all laughed at Tzarevich Ivan standing alone, saying: "Where is thy wife, the Tzarevna? Why didst thou not bring her in a kitchen cloth? And art thou certain that thou didst choose the greatest beauty of the swamp?" But while they jeered at poor Ivan, suddenly there came a great rumbling and shouting. The Tzar
