Page:Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales (1888).djvu/275



flea, the grasshopper, and the haupfauf, on one occasion wished to prove which could jump the highest. The matter became known, and everybody was attracted to the king’s palace, where the performance was to take place. A great number were assembled in the room to see the show, and there were also other clever jumpers present besides those named.

“The jumper who springs the highest will belong to my daughter,” said the king. “A man need never be in rags if he has a profitable trade.”

The flea appeared first and saluted every one present most politely. It is true he had the blood of young ladies in his body, and dwelt and associated only with mankind, which fact was of great importance.

Then came the grasshopper: he was uncommonly heavy looking; however, he had a very erect carriage and wore a green uniform. People said he was of noble birth, and was descended from a very old family in the land of Egypt, named Locusts, and here at home he filled a very high position. He possessed a large number of fields, and a garden house of three stories high, in the shape of garden beds, with windows and doors, so that wherever you turned there appeared varied colours just like the card called the Queen of Hearts.”