course of time the czarina had a son, and he was called Ivan the Pea. He grew up not by years but by hours. He was a handsome boy,—strong and plump, full of spirit and play, ever laughing and springing on the sands, and daily increasing in strength.
At ten years of age, Ivan the Pea was a tall, powerful knight. He asked whether he had any sisters or brothers; and upon hearing that his sister Vasilisa had been carried away by the wind, and that his two brothers who went to seek her had never returned, he begged his parents to permit him to go also in search of them all.
"My dear son!" cried the czar and czarina, "you are still too young. Your brothers went away and never returned; if you leave us, you also will be lost."
"No," answered Ivan the Pea; "I shall not be lost. I desire of all things to find my brothers and sister."
His parents endeavoured to dissuade him from going, but all in vain. At last they gave their consent, blessed him with tears in their eyes, and bade him adieu.
Ivan the Pea set forth on his journey. He travelled for one day, he travelled for two; towards evening he entered a gloomy forest. In this forest there was a hut on hen's legs, shaken by the wind, and turning round and round. Following old custom and nursery tradition, Ivan blew upon it, saying,—
