RUSSIAN LEGENDS & FAIRYTALES (With Original Illustrations). Arthur Ransome

      THE FOX AND THE BLACKBIRD

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      A fox was walking through the forest when he fell into a deep hole. And there he sat and sat, till all at once he began to feel hungry. He started looking round, but could see nothing. Then he looked up, and there he saw a blackbird in the tree above weaving its nest, and he said: “Mr. Blackbird, Mr. Blackbird, what are you doing?”

      And the blackbird answered: “I'm weaving my nest.” “What are you weaving your nest for?” asked the fox. “To bring up my children in,” answered the blackbird. “But I'm going to eat your children,” said the fox.

      “Don't eat my children,” answered the blackbird. “Well then, feed me, I'm hungry,” said the fox. At that the blackbird began to fret and to worry: how should he feed the fox? Then he flew off into the village, and brought back a chicken for the fox.

      And the fox ate the chicken, and after a little he said: “Mr. Blackbird, Mr. Blackbird, you fed me, didn't you?” And the blackbird answered: “Yes.” “Well then,” said the fox, “give me a drink!” At that the blackbird began to fret and to worry: how was he to get the fox a drink? Then he flew off into the village, and brought back a little pailful of water for the fox.

      And the fox had a good drink, and after a little he said: “Mr. Blackbird, Mr. Blackbird, you fed me, didn't you?” And the blackbird answered: “Yes.” “And you got me a drink?” “Yes.” “Well then,” said the fox, “come and pull me out of the hole!” At that the blackbird began to fret and to worry: how could he pull the fox out of the hole?

      Then he began to gather sticks in the forest and started throwing them into the hole. And he kept throwing them in and throwing them in, till he filled the hole. And the fox climbed up on to the sticks and out of the hole.

      And when he had climbed out, he lay down right under the tree. And there he lay and lay, and he said to the blackbird: “Look here, you fed me, didn't you, Mr. Blackbird?”

      And the blackbird answered. “Yes.” “And you got me a drink?” “Yes.” “And you pulled me out of the hole?” “Yes.” “Well then,” said the fox, “now make me laugh!” At that the blackbird began to fret and to worry: how should he make the fox laugh? At last he said: “Very well, I'll tell you what I'll do.”

      “I'll fly into the village, and you run after me.” So they agreed to do that, and the blackbird flew off into the village and perched on the gate of a rich peasant's house, while the fox lay down under the gateway. Then the blackbird began to sing: “Mistress, Mistress, bring a lump of fat! Mistress, Mistress, bring a lump of fat!” And the fox said: “That's fine, let's have it again!”

      So the blackbird began once more: “Mistress, Mistress, bring a lump of fat! Mistress, Mistress, bring a lump of fat!”

      Suddenly from under the gate a dog said angrily: “Wow-wow!” and the fox took to his heels and hopped it into the forest as quick as he could!

       And that's all about it.

       Work is just as good as leisure, when we want to give pleasure.

       The Fairy-Book:

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      THE FROG PRINCESS

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      A Russian Story

      There was once a Tsar[1] who had three sons, and they were all dear to him, but the youngest, Ivan, was the dearest of them all.

      When the Princes grew to manhood the Tsar began to talk and talk to them about getting married, but it so happened not one of the Princes had ever seen the girl he wished to have for a wife. There were many in the kingdom whom they might well have loved, but not one of them meant more to any of the Princes than another.

      “Very well, then,” said the Tsar at last, “we will leave it to chance. Take your bows and arrows and come with me into the courtyard. You shall each shoot an arrow, and in whatever places your arrows fall, there shall you take your brides.”

      The Princes were not greatly pleased with this plan, but still they dared not say no to their father. They took their bows and went with him into the courtyard.

      First the eldest son shot his arrow, and he aimed it toward the east, where the sun rises. The arrow fell upon the balcony of a great nobleman’s house.

      Well and good! The nobleman had a daughter, and she was so stately and handsome that the Prince was very glad to take her for a wife.

      Then the second Prince shot an arrow and aimed it toward the west, where the sun is in its glory. He was no less lucky than his brother, for his arrow fell into the court of a rich merchant, and he also had a daughter who was a beauty. So the second son took her for a bride, and he was well content.

      Last of all Prince Ivan shot his arrow, and he aimed neither toward the east nor the west, but straight up into the sky above him. Then a sudden gust of wind arose and caught the arrow and blew it away so that it fell in a great swamp. In this swamp were no rich nor beautiful ladies, but only a poor, green, croaking frog.

      When the young Prince Ivan saw where his arrow had fallen he was in despair. “How can I marry a frog,” said he, “and have her rule with me as my Princess?”

      “It is a great pity,” said the Tsar; “nevertheless what I have said I have said, and where your arrow fell there must you take your bride.”