Page:Slavonic Fairy Tales.djvu/218

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The Wise Judgment.
201

He sat down in the little vehicle, and wished himself in the inn, where he had parted from his brothers. In an instant he was there. Delighted at having obtained so wonderful a prize, he sat down thinking of Libena more deeply than ever.

The second prince went away to the left. He travelled several days and met with nothing out of the ordinary course of things; but at last fortune smiled also upon him. On the public road, just at the entrance to a town, he saw a little old man showing a handsome looking-glass he had for sale.

People passing by would stop and look at it, and ask the price, but when they heard it they would only shake their heads, and continue their journey. The prince also looked at the glass, but could see nothing remarkable in it.

"Buy it, sir," cried the old man to the young prince. "It is not dear; I will sell it to you for two thousand gold pieces."

"You foolish old man! Who would give you so large a sum for a common looking-glass?"

"But stay, sir; whoever looks into this glass will see whatever he desires."

"Here are the two thousand gold pieces," cried the prince, and he handed his well-filled purse to the old man. The latter took the money and gave him the