Page:Slavonic Fairy Tales.djvu/220

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

The Wise Judgment.
203

sideration he gave the old woman the thirty gold pieces. As she gave him the apples, she whispered in his ear,—

"You have bought a prize, my son. If one is about to die, and will eat but one of these apples, he will live and be well again."

The prince was delighted. He put the apples in his pouch, and returned joyfully to the inn where his two brothers impatiently awaited his arrival.

"Where have you been so long?" asked the eldest brother.

"I have wandered about the world seeking wonderful things."

"And what have you brought?" asked the second brother.

"Three apples."

"There is nothing wonderful in three apples," said the eldest brother again. "We have something better. I have a little carriage by which one may travel as fast as the wind; and our brother has a looking-glass in which you can see all that you desire."

"Then let us look into it at once, and see what they are doing at home," cried the youngest prince.

The brothers agreed. They took up the looking-glass, and wished to see their palace at home. They were terror-stricken by what they saw; the windows of the apartments where their parents and Libena lived were