The Treacherous Brothers

Once upon a time there was a king who had seven sons. The six eldest were strong and healthy as young deer, but the youngest, whose name was Jalmir, was weak and sickly. Even though he was already twenty years old, he still needed a nurse to care for him like a little child. It was pitiful to see Jalmir, for he was as shapely as a maiden and as beautiful as a spring day, yet he could not walk because of his weakness. The king spent great sums of money on doctors, quacks, and old wise women, but nothing could cure the boy. At last the grieving father lost all hope that his dearest son would ever grow strong.

Because of this, deep sadness hung over the king's palace, and this did not please Jalmir's brothers at all, especially since they could not hunt as they pleased in the neighborhood. One day, while resting in the forest after a hunt, the eldest brother said, "What shall we do in the future? Let us go out into the world."

"Yes, yes!" answered all the others. They went home and told their father of their wish.

"What am I to do?" objected the king. "Jalmir is sickly, and I shall be left without any help in my old age."

The sons agreed with him, but they wheedled him so slyly that at last he gave his consent for them to go out into the world. They rushed joyfully to the stable, chose the best horses, took as much money as they could carry, and that very day galloped away from their father's house without even saying good-bye to their brother Jalmir.

How strange the feeling was in the poor fellow's heart when his nurse told him what had happened! He turned away from her in silence, but under the pillow he covered his face with, he shed many tears. As evening grew dark, the nurse hurried out of his chamber to chat with the servants. She began talking with the cook, and they talked so long that before she knew it, midnight was near.

Meanwhile Jalmir lay on his bed, sadder than ever. He was not thinking about his bodily pain this time, but about his brothers who had left without saying farewell, and that troubled him most. He thought, "Shall I ever be well?" and an inner voice seemed to say that he would. Filled with hope, he dozed off, and in his dream he saw himself hunting on horseback and hurling a spear at wild beasts as his brothers did. All at once, near midnight, a venerable old man with a snow-white beard reaching to his waist stood before his bed and said, "Jalmir, are you sleeping?"

Jalmir started, opened his eyes, but saw no one. "That was a dream," he thought. He pondered for a while and then closed his eyes again. After a short time the old man stood before him again, asking, "Jalmir, are you sleeping?" Jalmir opened his eyes quickly, but again saw no one. "That was surely a dream," he said to himself, and closed his eyes once more. But soon the old man stood before him a third time and asked, "Jalmir, are you sleeping?"

"I am not," said Jalmir, and rubbing his eyes, he saw the old man standing at his bedside.

"Rise in the morning," said the old man, "prepare yourself for the road, and go out through the southern gate. Outside the town, under an old pear-tree, you will find a white horse. Mount that horse and ride after your brothers." Then the old man vanished in an instant.

Jalmir rubbed his eyes again and looked around the chamber, but the old man was nowhere to be seen. "It was only a dream," he thought. He lay down again and slept soundly. But when he woke in the morning, he felt so well that he sprang from his bed and jumped around the room with joy. At that moment his nurse returned; when she saw that her weak charge was well, she ran to the king, and before she reached the door she cried out, "Jalmir is well!"

The king went out and asked in a sad voice, "Have you lost your senses?"

"He is truly well," said the nurse with even greater delight, but the king shook his head.

Meanwhile Jalmir remembered his supposed dream and credited his recovery to that majestic old man. "Since he has cured me, I must obey him," he said to himself. He dressed quickly and went to the king. When the king saw him, he believed the nurse and, overjoyed, fell on the young man's neck. But he was astonished even more when Jalmir said, "Now, father, let me go; I must follow my brothers."

"And you would leave me?" complained the father.

"I must," answered Jalmir seriously, and he told him of the dream. The king shook his head in disbelief and at first refused to hear of his favorite son's departure; but at last he gave his consent with tears. Jalmir made ready for the journey without delay.

The king gave him a carriage and four servants, and Jalmir took money and set out immediately. Outside the town he dismissed the servants, giving them the carriage and horses, and walked on alone to the pear-tree, where a splendid white steed was waiting, stamping the ground impatiently. "Mount me quickly," said the horse with a human voice, "or we shall be late."

Jalmir jumped onto its back, and they went on, not along the ground, but through the air. In a short time the white steed asked, "Do you see your brothers?"

"I do not see them," answered Jalmir.

"But do you see the hill on which they are?"

"No, I do not see that either."

"You will soon see it," said the steed and quickened its pace. After a moment he asked, "Do you see the hill now?"

"I see it," replied Jalmir, "and on it are six ants."

"Those are your brothers," said the white steed. "But listen carefully. We shall soon catch up with them, but do not reveal who you are. We will spend the night at an inn. Your brothers will feast, but they will not be able to pay, for yesterday they lost all their money foolishly. Pay for them; in the morning we shall continue on our way."

Jalmir promised to do as he was told, and then the white steed descended to the ground. Soon they overtook the brothers, who did not recognize Jalmir because he now looked so strong and handsome. Jalmir bowed to them courteously and asked permission to travel with them.

"But where are you going?" inquired one of the brothers.

"To see the world," answered Jalmir.

"So are we!" cried the others. "You must come with us."

Jalmir bowed and agreed with a nod. The brothers all shook his hand and soon began to tell him how delightfully they had spent the previous day. Jalmir, however, did not find much pleasure in their tale and frowned.

"Are you sorry you were not there?" asked one of the brothers. "Never mind, we can have such days again whenever we want."

With that they arrived at an inn. The innkeeper, seeing so many lords approaching through the window, ran out and took the horses. When he took the white steed, Jalmir asked, "Do you have a stable apart?"

"Yes, and a fine one!" boasted the innkeeper.

"Then put my horse in it alone," said Jalmir, "for he is very vicious."

Then he followed his brothers into a room where they were already seated at a table and shouting loudly for wine. Soon the innkeeper brought all he had, and the brothers drank, sang, and made such a racket that the inn trembled. But Jalmir barely touched his drink, for he felt sick at heart because of his brothers' behavior. How grieved he was when one of them said, "This is a better life than being stuck at home with that grumbling father and that sickly brother."

Gradually, one after another, the brothers fell under the table, overcome by wine. When they were all asleep, Jalmir said to the innkeeper, "See that no harm comes to them; I will sleep a little as well."

Then he was about to lie down on a bench near the fire. "Do not," said the innkeeper. "I have a bed ready for you. Come with me."

Jalmir tried to refuse, but the innkeeper insisted, and at last he followed him. But before he lay down, he went to the stable to make sure the white steed had plenty of oats and water.

When the brothers woke in the morning, they searched for Jalmir with a great outcry. "It would have been a fine thing if he had run away from us!" cried one. "Who would pay the bill? I have no money."

Soon Jalmir came into the room and told them they could travel on, for everything was taken care of.

"You are our friend," they said, and they all embraced him, so tightly that they nearly suffocated him. Escaping from them, Jalmir went to his horse. The brothers followed his example, and soon the inn was far behind.

"Listen," said the white steed to Jalmir, when the brothers had gone on ahead. "In the evening we will come to a castle, where a sorceress lives with her seven daughters. They will take your horses and lead you to a chamber. The sorceress will bring you wine after supper, but do not drink it. What happens later, you will see."

"Why are you lingering?" called one of the brothers suddenly to Jalmir.

"I am coming," answered he, and the white steed galloped so fast that in a few moments he was ahead of the brothers.

"Slower, or you will leave us!" they cried. But the steed slowed down on his own. Soon they entered a forest and rode and rode, but there was no end to the forest. Only in the evening did they come out onto a plain, in the middle of which stood a beautiful castle. "Oh, now we are in luck!" said the brothers, and they began to rejoice.

They galloped into the courtyard, and their joy grew when seven princesses came out to meet them. They jumped from their horses at once to bow to them, but how amazed they were when the princesses took the horses by the bridles and led them to the stable. Jalmir asked the youngest princess, who had taken his steed, to put his horse in a stable apart, because he was very vicious.

She did as he asked, and Jalmir saw her do it. Only then did he go to the supper chamber, where his brothers and the six other princesses were already seated at a great table spread with the most delicious dishes. He came in with the youngest princess, but ate very little, even though she kept urging him.

But when a vile old woman who was serving brought wine and poured it into each golden goblet, Jalmir seized his goblet eagerly, but he did not drink the wine; he poured it out on one side.

By and by the brothers began to doze, and one after another they fell asleep. Jalmir suspected that the old woman had put a sleeping potion in the wine, and that she had no good intentions towards them. So he pretended to be asleep himself, so that he could help his brothers when the need arose. Soon the old woman came and carried each brother to a couch in the adjoining chamber, placing each next to one of the princesses. Then she went out, but quickly returned with a great broom and began to beat the brothers. First she beat the eldest, but he did not stir. When she had finished with the six, she came to Jalmir and said to herself, "If six are asleep, then the seventh is asleep too." She went out, but soon returned with sulfur and burned it under the nose of each brother. She started with the eldest, and since none of them moved, when she came to Jalmir she said again, "If six are asleep, then the seventh is asleep also."

Then she went out, but came back with pitch, which she burned on the chest of each brother. She started with the eldest, and as none of them even sighed, she said when she came to Jalmir, "If six are asleep, then the seventh is asleep; now I may cut off their heads without fear."

Jalmir shuddered, and when the old woman went out, he sprang quickly from his couch, put each of his brothers in the place of a princess, and put himself in the place of the youngest princess. The old woman returned with a sword, but without a light, and cut off the heads of the seven princesses. Then she went out. Jalmir jumped up at once and tried to rouse his brothers, but in vain. What anguish the poor fellow suffered! Only towards morning did the brothers wake and look in terror at the dead bodies of the princesses. But Jalmir cried out in despair, "Let us flee!" and rushed out, with his brothers following. In the stable they untied their horses, and springing onto them, they hurried away from the castle and galloped across the wide plain.

The sorceress soon saw them fleeing and gave chase, but they had already crossed the boundary of her lands, so she had no more power over them. She had to turn back, cursing herself over the dead bodies of her daughters. The brothers rode without stopping until the castle had disappeared from sight. Then they halted to rest, and they asked Jalmir what had been done to them. When they heard that he had saved them from certain death, they fell upon his neck and cried, "Tell us who you are, for you have done so much for us!"

"Who else but your brother Jalmir," answered he, almost in tears, and he embraced each brother in turn. But how astonished he was to see that they were much colder toward him than when they had not known him. Still, they asked how he had recovered, why he had ridden after them, and how their father was doing. But gradually they grew silent and hung their heads. No doubt they did not like it that just the youngest of them was so wise.

Jalmir also said nothing, and the white steed dropped behind of his own accord. When the brothers could no longer hear him, he said to his master, "I told you not to reveal yourself, but you did not obey me. The consequences are for you to bear. In a few days we shall come to a mighty king, and you and your brothers will enter his service. Whenever you are in need, come to me for advice."

Jalmir stroked the white steed and begged his forgiveness. From that time on, the brothers were no longer as merry as before, and they kept noticeably apart from Jalmir. But since they had no money, they wheedled him whenever they saw an inn, for he always paid their bills. After some days they came to a great city. They went straight to an inn, where they ate moderately but drank beyond measure. They started to behave so recklessly that Jalmir went to his steed as quickly as possible to seek comfort.

When the brothers were alone, the eldest said, "I have had enough favors from that sickly brother. Tomorrow we will go to the king of this country and offer him our service. What do you think?"

"We will all go with you," cried the others. But suddenly they were startled, for Jalmir had returned.

"Where are you going?" he asked. "I will go with you."

The brothers answered him sullenly, but Jalmir insisted. That evening, after they had rested, they went to the king, who immediately made them members of his court. Now they had good living, high pay, and almost nothing to do. But despite this, they were not content, for Jalmir was always a thorn in their side, especially since the king's friendship with him grew stronger every day.

One day, when the brothers were idling about, they came to a room in the castle where all kinds of books were stacked from floor to ceiling. They began to read them eagerly.

"Brothers," cried one of them suddenly, "I read here that the king has not a single bird in his kingdom."

"Is that true?" exclaimed the others in wonder. "We have not noticed that."

"But do you know what we could do with this?" asked the eldest. They all shook their heads. "Listen," he whispered. "We will tell the king that Jalmir knows all about birds, and suggest that he be sent to fetch them."

"And the king will do so at once," said the brother who had read about the birds, "for here it says how much the birds cost the king's table in a year."

They stopped reading and hurried to the king, to whom they told their plan. "But, gracious king," said the eldest, "you must insist, or Jalmir will excuse himself by saying he knows nothing of birds."

The king nodded and sent for Jalmir. When he came, the king said, "As you well know, I have no birds in my kingdom, so I command you to bring them."

"I, gracious king," said Jalmir in fright, "know nothing of birds."

"Whether you know or not," said the king in sudden anger, "you must get them." With that he waved his hand, and poor Jalmir went out with drooping head. Where could he go? Who could help him in his time of peril? He went straight to the white steed and told him his troubles.

"Grieve not," said the steed. "At dusk we will go for the birds."

Jalmir thanked the horse and could hardly wait for evening. As soon as the sun had disappeared behind the woods, he was ready for the road. When the first star appeared in the sky, he led out the white steed, sprang onto its back, and they flew off like the wind. "But where are we going?" Jalmir asked on the way.

"To that sorceress in whose castle you saved your brothers," answered the horse.

"To that place!" cried Jalmir in fright.

"Do not fear," said the steed, comforting him. "Just do exactly as I tell you."

The good steed then increased his speed until they flew like an arrow, and about an hour later they landed at the sorceress's castle. Jalmir dismounted, and the steed said, "In the first chamber you will see silver cages with silver birds. In the second chamber are golden cages with golden birds. In the third chamber are diamond cages with diamond birds. Do not touch any of these, or a blow will fall that will make the whole castle tremble, and the sorceress will seize and kill you. But go to the fourth chamber, take the wooden cage with the plain-looking bird, and hurry back to me."

Jalmir entered the first chamber with courage but cautiously, and without looking at anything he went to the second chamber, where the glitter of gold dazzled him somewhat. When he opened the door to the third chamber, he stood almost blinded on the threshold, but quickly recovering, he shielded his eyes and ran to the fourth chamber. There he seized the cage with the bird, rushed out, and sprang onto the horse, which rose with him into the air in an instant. The sorceress burst out of the castle and, cursing because she could not stop him, screamed, "But you will come back here again!"

When the white steed was beyond the boundary of the castle land, he said to Jalmir, "Open the cage and let the bird fly."

"But should I not bring it to the king?"

"Just do as I say," said the steed in such a stern voice that Jalmir obeyed without thinking.

It was still night when they got home. Jalmir tied the horse in the stable and went to his room to rest, but he did not sleep long. The morning dawn had barely appeared when such loud and cheerful birdsong filled the king's garden that everyone was soon awake, and earlier than anyone else, the king. He was so astonished that he asked where these wonderful creatures had come from.

"Royal Majesty," said one of the brothers, "you sent Jalmir for them."

"True," said the king when he recollected, "but where is Jalmir?"

A courtier soon brought Jalmir in, and the king embraced him, so great was his joy. Jalmir was now truly dear to the king, but that only made his brothers hate him all the more.

"How can we get rid of him?" asked the brothers when they were alone.

"Maybe we can find something in the books," said one of them.

"Very good," answered all, and they hurried to the room with the many books. It was not long before one of them cried out, "The king has no beasts! And they cost him even more in a year than the birds did."

"Then let Jalmir go get them," said the sixth brother, smiling wickedly, and they went straight to the king and told him.

The king nodded graciously, dismissed them, and called Jalmir. "I have no beasts in my kingdom," he said, "and since they cost me much each year, I command you to get me beasts."

"I, gracious king," said Jalmir in wonder, "know of none."

"You know very well," said the king in anger, "for your brothers told me so."

"Did they?" said Jalmir in astonishment. "Well, I will try." And he went to his white steed and told him everything.

"Be not downhearted," said the steed. "Come to me in the evening; we will go for the beasts."

When it was dark, the good steed was flying through the air. "But where shall we go?" asked Jalmir.

"To the sorceress from whom we got the birds," answered the steed.

"But I am afraid she will catch me this time," said Jalmir.

"Fear not," said the steed. "Just do exactly as I tell you." When they landed in front of the castle, he said, "In the first chamber you will see a beast with silver hair tied with silver chains. In the second chamber there is a beast with golden hair and golden chains. In the third, one with pearl hair and pearl chains. Do not touch any of these, or a blow will fall and the whole castle will tremble, and the sorceress will kill you. But go to the fourth chamber, grab the ugly dog tied with the ragged rope, and hurry back to me."

Somewhat timidly, but even more carefully, Jalmir passed through the first, second, and third chambers, shielding his eyes with his hands so the glitter would not blind him. When he entered the fourth chamber, he broke the rope, grabbed the dog, rushed out, and sprang onto the horse, which rose into the air. It was high time too, for no sooner had he mounted than the sorceress ran out after him. Unable to stop him, she cursed frightfully and screamed, "But you will come back here again!"

When the steed had crossed the boundary of the castle land, he said, "Now let the dog go."

Jalmir obeyed at once, for he knew the steed gave good advice. When they reached home, dawn was already breaking. Jalmir lay down to rest, for he was tired. He did not sleep long; as soon as the sun was up, there was such a noise in the castle, the town, and all around that it sounded as if the earth were splitting. The king rushed to the window, and his astonishment was great. Right in the garden he saw deer, stags, and rabbits; on the trees were squirrels, and mice scattered on the ground underneath. In short, there were myriads of beasts, so many that his eyes danced. In the king's garden, the beasts were a delight, but in the town and outside, people were killing them, chasing them wildly, and throwing stones. This displeased the king, so he issued an order that all beasts belonged to him and no one was to harm them. Then he went to Jalmir, thanked him heartily, and embraced him warmly.

The whole kingdom was pleased with the beasts, but not Jalmir's brothers.

"What shall we do with him?" asked the eldest of the others. "Instead of getting rid of him, we have brought him into even greater favor with the king."

"But let us go and read again."

"Yes, yes," said a third, and all hurried off to the well-known room. They read for a long time until at last one cried out, "The king has no wine! And of course wine costs him money."

"Then let Jalmir go for it," answered the eldest quietly. "He will have to get luck from the devil to come back."

They went straight to the king and, very slyly, told him that Jalmir might easily supply him with wine.

"Then he will do it," said the king, and dismissing them, he summoned Jalmir and told him his wish.

"Gracious king," answered Jalmir, "I know nothing of wine, but I will go and see."

The king was somewhat angry and thought that Jalmir was unwilling, so he said, "You will answer to me with your head." Jalmir bowed in silence and went out to the steed.

"Do not fear," said the steed. "In the evening we will go for the wine." As soon as it was dark, the kind steed shot away with Jalmir through the air.

"Where are we going this time?" asked Jalmir, a little frightened.

"To the sorceress from whom we got the birds and the beasts. But now pull a hair from my tail and one from my mane. From the first, make a rope three hundred yards long; from the other, a net big enough to hold you."

Jalmir did as he was told, and to his astonishment, before they reached the castle, the rope and the net were finished.

"Now listen carefully," said the steed when they landed. "Tie one end of the rope to my leg and the other end to the net. Take the net with you and put it over the door of the cellar, which you will reach by going down three hundred steps. In the cellar you will see vessels with silver, gold, and diamond hoops. Pay no attention to them, or a blow will fall and you will be in trouble. Go to the farthest part of the cellar. There, in a niche, you will find a little vessel with wooden hoops. Take that quickly and hurry back to me. But if you cannot make it, just jump into the net and I will pull you up."

Jalmir did everything exactly as the steed said. The cellar was as bright as day because of all the silver, gold, and diamonds, and he soon spotted the little vessel in the niche. But when he picked it up, it was so heavy that he nearly dropped it. With a mighty effort, he carried it to the steps. But there he stumbled against a great vessel, and such a blow fell that the castle shook from its foundations to the top of its towers. Nevertheless, Jalmir did not lose his nerve. He bounded up the three hundred steps and jumped into the net.

Meanwhile, the sorceress flew out of the castle and attacked the steed, but the steed knocked her down and kicked her until not a bone in her body was left sound. At the same time he wound up the rope neatly and drew the net holding Jalmir up. "Sit on me quickly," he said. Jalmir mounted in a moment, holding the vessel carefully in his arms. The steed rose into the air and flew like lightning, for the sorceress had picked herself up and was chasing them. But soon they crossed the boundary of the castle lands, and they no longer needed to fear.

When they reached home, the steed was so weary that he stumbled, and Jalmir had to steady him on the way to the stable. Jalmir himself was barely able to stagger to his room, but first, as the steed had told him, he left the cask of wine at the king's door. Then he lay down and was soon asleep.

When the king opened his door in the morning, he saw the cask. "This must be wine," he rejoiced, and he took off the lid and tasted it. "It's wine! It's wine!" he cried, and calling the people of the castle, he drank a toast with them all.

"But what is this?" they wondered. "We have already drawn ten kegs of wine out of it, and still there is more."

"This must be an enchanted cask," said the king, laughing. Then he said in a serious tone, "Little cask, I would like some red wine." He drew some, and, wonder of wonders, the wine came out red. "And now I want yellow wine," said the king, and yellow wine flowed out.

"Truly it is an enchanted cask," said the king. "Oh, Jalmir!" he cried in delight, "how can I ever reward you?"

"I have only obeyed your command, gracious king," answered Jalmir, who had just entered the room.

"Yes, you have done all that I commanded and much more," said the king. "Therefore I make you my son and proclaim you viceroy."

All present burst out in joyful shouts, but Jalmir's brothers remained silent; they bit their lips and clenched their fists. The king, overcome with joy and a little tipsy from the wine, arranged for a seven-day celebration in honor of the new viceroy. The people did not need to be told twice, and they began celebrating that very day, for they had plenty of food, and the enchanted cask gave them wine without limit. The new viceroy was greeted everywhere with cheers, and he quickly won the hearts of the people.

But his brothers were angrier than ever. Instead of joining the festivities, they went to the room with the books and read as diligently as if they wanted to become wise men overnight. However, this time they could not find anything useful for a long while. But at last they came upon what they were looking for.

"Now I have something for our dear viceroy!" cried one. "In the sea is a golden castle, and in that castle lives a princess, the most beautiful under the heavens. If our king were to marry her, he would grow young again and live longer."

"Oh, that is splendid!" said all, rejoicing. "The king will surely send him for the princess, and dear Jalmir will either drown in the sea or run home to his father."

When the feasting was over, the brothers went to the king, who was, as it were, unwell, which suited their purposes. "Gracious king," said the eldest, "we are always trying to provide you with pleasure."

"Indeed, I need it," said the king. "Old age and illness press on me more every day."

"We have just discovered a remedy for both," said the brothers.

"What is it? Tell me!" broke out the king, delighted. They told him what they had read.

"Well, Jalmir must set out this very day," cried the king, and calling Jalmir, he explained his wish. Jalmir agreed in silence, barely holding back his tears, and hurried to his steed. He fell on the horse's neck, weeping.

"What is the matter now?" asked the steed. Jalmir told him all.

"Do not lose heart," said the horse. "Go to the king and ask him for three hundred loaves of bread, three hundred kegs of wine, and three hundred beeves. Have them put in wagons, and then we will go for the princess."

Jalmir did as he was told, and the king provided everything, promising him mountains and valleys if he would bring the princess back. Jalmir set out that very day, riding his good white steed, which this time did not fly through the air but walked slowly behind the wagons. Many days and nights passed before they reached the sea, and then they journeyed along the shore, with the white steed leading the way, showing the wagons the road.

On the beach, Jalmir saw a great fish struggling to get back into the water. "Help it," said the steed, and Jalmir sprang to the ground and pushed the fish back into the sea. The fish sank below the waves but soon rose to the surface and said, "Wait, I must reward you. Take this whistle. If you ever need my help, just blow on it."

Jalmir took the whistle, thanked the fish, and remounted his steed. After a while, they heard a distant rumbling like thunder. "What is that?" asked Jalmir.

"We shall soon be at the end of our journey," said the steed. "Those are giants talking."

In a short time, Jalmir saw three giants lying on the beach. When he approached, they rose, and he saw how immense they were. He had to bend his neck backward to look into their faces, as if he were looking up at the highest tower.

"What news?" roared one of them, so loudly that Jalmir had to cover his ears.

"I bring three hundred loaves of bread, three hundred kegs of wine, and three hundred slaughtered oxen," answered Jalmir.

"That is good of you," said the giants, nodding contentedly, and they rushed to the wagons. They built a fire, stuck the oxen on huge spits, and began to roast them. Then they devoured half the bread and wine. A great eagle settled nearby, looking longingly at the beeves. Jalmir cut off a quarter and gave it to the eagle.

"Thank you!" said the eagle. "I will help you in your time of need," and she flew off with the meat.

The giants wasted no time in eating their fill, and when they had finished, they said to Jalmir, "Now tell us your wish. We know that you little earthworms never do anything for nothing."

"I have no wish for myself," said Jalmir, "but my master has sent me to bring back the princess from the golden castle that stands out in the sea."

"That one over there?" asked one of the giants, pointing out to sea.

Jalmir looked and saw for the first time a magnificent castle that gleamed in the waves like the rising sun. "Yes," he replied.

"We will take you there," said the first giant, "but will the princess agree to come with you?"

"I will ask her," said Jalmir, "but how will you take me there?"

"You will soon see," said the giants, and they began breaking pieces off a cliff and hurling them into the sea. They worked continuously, and sooner than Jalmir expected, a long causeway had been built out into the sea. But the giants did not stop; they worked until sunset, and by the evening they had built a third of the causeway. By the third day, it was possible to walk dry-footed all the way to the golden castle.

Jalmir thanked the giants heartily, and on the morning of the fourth day he set out for the castle. It was a marvel to behold, but Jalmir hardly noticed its beauty. He entered, and how surprised he was to see the princess in the first chamber. With downcast eyes, he said, "My king and master has sent me to ask you to share his throne and crown."

"I will go," answered the princess in a silvery voice, "but will you remain at his court?"

"I must," said Jalmir. "I am the viceroy."

"Then let us go," said the princess.

She mounted a splendid black horse, and Jalmir mounted his white steed, and they galloped along the causeway. On the way, Jalmir dared to look at the princess more closely, and he thought that the king would indeed grow young again if he could marry her. At the same time, he felt a strange tightening in his heart. He bowed his head and rode in silence beside her, and the nearer they came to the king's castle, the heavier his heart felt. But the princess seemed all the more joyful, and her eyes rested on him with a special delight. They arrived without any great adventure.

The king came outside the town to greet them and led them in solemn procession to the castle. When they were alone, he asked the princess, "Are you willing, honored princess, to become my wife?"

"First I must have my golden castle," replied the princess.

The king was taken aback, but he quickly composed himself and turned to Jalmir with an imploring look.

"I will go for it," said Jalmir with determination, especially since the princess nodded graciously and smiled at him.

"Go, my dear Jalmir," said the king softly. "I will reward you as a king should."

Jalmir went to the white steed for advice, and the steed told him, "Ask the king for three hundred loaves of bread, three hundred kegs of wine, and three hundred slaughtered oxen. Then we will go for the golden castle."

Jalmir told the king, and the king gave him everything. Everything was made ready so quickly that Jalmir was able to set out that very day. But it was a tedious journey. The wagons went slowly, and after them Jalmir rode even more slowly, with his head bowed, and he knew well why. When they came to the giants, Jalmir gave them the loaves, wine, and meat, and begged them to bring the golden castle to the princess.

"Ah, little earthworm!" laughed the giants. "Do you think that castle is made of wood? But we will try," they added, after they had seen the three hundred loaves, the kegs, and the oxen.

They began eating, and when they had eaten heartily, they went to a nearby forest, where they pulled up three of the mightiest trees. They played with them as if they were canes, and then they walked along the causeway to the golden castle. In a short while they lifted the castle from its foundations, placed it on the oak trees, and then hoisted it onto their shoulders. Carrying it as if it were nothing, they followed Jalmir without tiring until nightfall, when they slept, and the next morning they continued on. They worked this way until they drew near the king's castle. But they did not go to the castle itself; instead, they waited until night. Then they set the golden castle in the garden, bade farewell to Jalmir, and returned home.

When the morning sun rose, people in the castle cried "Fire!" Everyone ran to the garden to put out the supposed fire, but the princess, standing at her window, called out, "Be calm! That is my golden castle."

Soon the king hurried in, and opening his arms in delight, he tried to embrace the princess, crying, "Now you are mine!"

"Not yet," answered the princess. "What good is my golden castle to me if I have lost its key?"

The king was alarmed, but he quickly recovered and said, "My dear Jalmir will fetch it for you." He went to look for Jalmir, who had just arrived to tell the princess that he had brought the castle. The king told him his wish, and Jalmir, gaining strength from a gracious smile from the princess, set off. He took counsel from his steed, who said, "The key lies somewhere in the sea near the causeway." Jalmir mounted, and they flew through the air until they were soon at the island where the castle had stood.

"But how shall I find the key in the sea?" sighed Jalmir.

"You have the whistle from the fish you helped," said the steed.

"Yes," rejoiced Jalmir, and he blew on the whistle.

In that moment, the fish swam to the surface and asked, "What do you wish?"

"The princess has lost the key to her golden castle," answered Jalmir. He was about to ask the fish to find it, but the fish had already dived down and summoned all the fish in the sea to search for it. There was a great commotion in the water, with fish darting here and there, until at last one little fish brought the key to the chief fish, who handed it to Jalmir. Jalmir thanked them with all his heart, and soon he was flying through the air on his steed, reaching home before nightfall. He gave the key to the king, and then went to his room and shut himself in. Why he did this he did not know, but he felt that it would have been better if he had never seen the princess of the golden castle.

The king, overjoyed, rushed to the princess with the key, sure that she would raise no more objections. But how great was his grief when she said, "I have the castle and the key to it, but what would life be in the castle without the water of death, the water of life, and the water of youth?"

"And where are these to be found?" asked the king.

"They are on my island," answered the princess, so decisively that the king went away in silence to think of whom he should send. He pitied Jalmir, so first he went to the brothers, but they spoke so convincingly that the king again asked Jalmir to perform this last service for him. How could Jalmir refuse? Besides, what he had done, he had done for her, for he would have jumped into fire for her sake. He went to his steed to ask his help once more, and for the last time. The steed scolded him for his lack of courage and said, "Sit on my back, and we will go straight for the waters." Jalmir did so with joy, and they were soon flying through the air to the island, faster than ever before. In a short time the horse came down by the sea and said, "Go to the island for the water of death, the water of life, and the water of youth. But hurry, for the waves will soon wash away the causeway, and you will drown. I will graze here for a while."

Jalmir stepped out, but he walked very slowly, for the image of the princess kept rising before his eyes. Except for her, the whole world meant nothing to him. He was perhaps halfway along the causeway when suddenly the sea rose and swept it away. Jalmir screamed in terror and disappeared beneath the waves. The steed heard the scream, but he did not rush to help, knowing that he could do nothing. He hung his head and walked away slowly. Then a terrible storm broke over the sea. The steed thought that Jalmir had perished, so he rose into the air and shot away like a flash of lightning.

Not far from where the causeway had been stood a high cliff, and on it was an eagle's nest with five baby eagles that stretched their necks and looked down eagerly, crying constantly. " called the old eagle, who sat nearby on the cliff, looking down. But how quickly she flew to the beach when she saw a body washed ashore! She recognized it at once, for though she was only a wild creature, she remembered well that Jalmir had done her a kindness by giving her the quarter of beef for her young. She seized him in her strong talons and carried him to the island where the golden castle had been. She lowered him into a spring, then laid him on the ground and sat beside him. Soon Jalmir began to breathe, at first weakly and slowly, then more quickly and evenly, until at last he opened his eyes with a deep sigh. "Why did you not let me sleep longer? " said Jalmir, as if waking from a pleasant sleep.

But when he looked around more carefully, he cried out in amazement, "What has happened to me?"

"Do you not know me?" asked the eagle, standing before him.

"I do not know you," replied Jalmir, shaking his head.

"But I know you well," cried the eagle. "You gave me a quarter of beef, which I took to my children. But what are you looking for now?"

"The princess sent me to this island to fetch the water of death, the water of life, and the water of youth," answered Jalmir.

"Then take them," said the eagle, and she led him to the three springs. Jalmir took three flasks from his bosom and filled them with the three waters.

"But how shall I leave this island?" asked Jalmir.

"I would gladly carry you wherever you wish, but I cannot, for I have children," said the eagle. "But I will fetch my brother. He has no children." She flew off and returned in a flash, bringing her brother.

"But where has my white steed gone?" asked Jalmir suddenly.

"I will soon tell you," answered the eagle, and she soared high into the sky until she was just a speck. She hovered for a moment, then dove down like a bolt of lightning and said, "I saw your steed under the old pear-tree that stands in front of the southern gate of the great town."

"Carry me to that place, I beg you," said Jalmir.

The eagle's brother caught him in his strong talons and flew high into the air, so high that Jalmir could see his hometown far below, no bigger than an ant hill. As they flew on, it grew bigger, until at last the eagle swooped down and placed Jalmir gently on the ground near the old pear-tree. Then he took his leave and vanished into the sky.

The white steed was standing behind the pear-tree, his head drooping sorrowfully, so deep in gloom that he did not notice his master approach.

"My good steed!" cried Jalmir, and he threw his arms around the horse's neck.

"You are alive and well?" asked the steed in amazement.

"Yes," answered Jalmir, and he told him everything that had happened.

"I am happy to hear that," said the steed. "But now mount me quickly, and we must go to the princess, or we shall be too late."

"What is the matter?" asked Jalmir anxiously.

"The king wants the wedding today," answered the steed.

"Then let us hurry," said Jalmir, and he sprang onto the steed, opening his arms toward the town and crying, "Oh, my dear father!"

"Calm yourself," said the steed. "I know you long to embrace him, but it is in vain, for he died long ago." The steed rose into the air and flew so swiftly that his hometown soon vanished from Jalmir's tearful eyes. Along the way, the steed said, "When you are king, judge justly, even if your heart must bleed."

Jalmir did not understand his meaning, but when he came to the town and heard how his brothers were laughing at their weak little brother Jalmir, who had perished somewhere, an evil anger seized him. Yet he controlled himself and went to the princess to give her the three waters. She hastened to the king and said, "My dear bridegroom, so that our marriage may be equal, you must become young and handsome as I am. Therefore, I will rub you first with the water of death, so that your old age passes away, then with the water of youth, and finally with the water of life."

The king gladly consented. The princess rubbed him with the water of death, and he stiffened on his couch, which frightened the princess. Quickly she took the water of youth and rubbed him with it; immediately the fresh bloom of youth colored his cheeks. "But still he is not as handsome as Jalmir," sighed the princess in grief, and with tears in her eyes she reached for the water of life. But she accidentally grabbed the water of death instead and rubbed that on the king. At once the pallor of death spread over his face, and he fell back, dead. The princess fainted at his side, and remained unconscious until Jalmir came into the room by chance. He saw the king lying motionless and the princess collapsed, and he quickly seized the water of life and rubbed both of them. The princess revived at once, but the king stayed dead.

"Is there no help for him?" asked Jalmir with a trembling voice.

"There is none," said the princess, shaking her head. "Whoever has been rubbed twice with the water of death can never live again."

"But what shall I do now?" muttered Jalmir, closing his eyes.

"You are king," answered the princess, "but I--"

"Queen!" cried Jalmir eagerly, and he sank to his knees before her. "Forgive me, but I love you more than my own life."

Instead of answering, the princess kissed him. Then they went out and announced to the people that the old king had died.

The people, who had already gathered in the square for the king's wedding, were deeply grieved. But when the princess presented Jalmir as the new king and herself as his wife, they burst into great rejoicing that had no end. Only Jalmir's brothers remained silent. When the new king and his bride retired, they accused them of having poisoned the old king, and a great uproar arose. Jalmir stepped before the people and asked the cause. Some kept silent, while others told him what his brothers had said. "Do you want to believe them?" asked Jalmir.

"No!" the people shouted from all sides.

"Very well," answered Jalmir. "To prove my innocence, I will tell you how my brothers tried to destroy me." And he told them the whole story.

"The wretches!" cried the furious people, and they seized all six brothers. Before Jalmir could stop them, they raised a stack of straw, set it on fire, and when it was blazing high, they threw the six brothers into the flames.

"Now you are all in one pile," laughed the people, "since you were always trying to do harm."

Jalmir turned to the princess with tears in his eyes, but she soon comforted him. After the funeral of the old king, they celebrated their betrothal. But while Jalmir, full of happiness, sat at the feast beside his bride, he suddenly remembered his faithful steed. He ran to him and embraced him, thanking him as the source of all his good fortune.

"I have helped you; now you must help me," said the steed. "Lead me into the garden." Jalmir did so. Then the steed said, "Cut off my head."

"Cut off your head!" cried Jalmir in horror.

"Would you have me suffer for another hundred years?" asked the steed sadly.

Instead of answering, Jalmir drew his sword, and with a single blow struck off the head of his friend. The head fell to the ground, and out of it flew a white dove, soaring up toward the sky. Jalmir turned sadly to the princess, but she soon chased away his sorrow. They lived happily together for a very, very long time, because they had the water of life. In fact, they lived so long that no one can remember it.