The Best English Fairy Tales / Лучшие английские сказки

And she said, that she would marry him. They married, and her sisters were making fun of her.

He took her with him home, where he grew into a splendid man. They lived together for a time. Soon she said she wanted to see her father. He agreed, but she could stay there until her child was born. He gave her a horse.

She did as he asked her. She was not long at her father’s house when she fell ill. And her child was born. That night men were together at the fire to watch. Music came in the night, putting everyone else to sleep, and a man came in and took her child and went away.

The music stopped, everyone woke up but they couldn’t find the child.

The woman took her horse and came back home. Her husband said nothing to her.

After some time she said again, “I want see my father.”

He said that she couldn’t stay there for a long time. She took the horse and went to her father’s place.

That very night a child was born. He came as he did before, with music; every one slept, and he took with him the child.

When the music stopped they all woke up. Her father was very angry, because his daughter didn’t want to tell him anything. When she felt better, she took herself away home. When she arrived he said nothing. After some time she said again, “I want to see my father.”

“Do,” said he, “but be careful.”

She reached her father’s house, and that very night a child was born. The music came as was usual, and the man took the child away.

Her father was very angry. He was going to kill her, if she would not tell what was happening to the children. She told everything to him. When she felt better, she wanted to go home, but she couldn’t find her horse. She went out on foot. At home she found only an old woman, his mother.

“Be quick and you will find him,” said she.

She started her journey. After some time she saw a house. When she went in, she saw a woman. “Come up,” said the housewife, “I know everything.

But he is going to marry the daughter of the King of the Skies.”

“He is!” said she.

The housewife gave her something to eat, and let her sleep. In the morning she said, “You will be in the house of my middle sister tonight.” And she gave her the scissors.

She was going, and going, till the night came on her. She saw a house. When she went in the house, the housewife was spinning at the end of the fire. “Come up,” said the housewife.