Page:RussianFolkTales Afanasev 368pgs.djvu/48

32 give you money, and a splendid horse, and you shall ride home royally."

"This is of no use to me," Petrúsha answered. "But if you will give me anything, give me that sorry jade—that battered jade which carries your wood and water."

"Whatever use is that sorry nag to you? Why, you will hardly get home on it! Why, it tumbles down if you look at it!"

"I don't mind about that; give it to me; it is the only thing I will take."

So the devils gave him the sorry jade. Petrúsha took it and led it out to the entrance. As soon as he was at the outside, he met the fair maiden, who asked: "Have you got the horse?"

"Yes, I have."

"Then, fair youth, when you arrive at your village, take the cross off from your neck and pass it round the horse three times, and then hang the cross on its head."

Petrúsha bowed down to her, and set on his way; and he arrived at his village, and did all the maiden had commanded: took his copper cross from his neck, passed it three times round the horse, and hung the cross on its head. And all at once it was the horse no longer; but, instead, became his own father.

The son looked at the father, shed hot tears, and took him into his own izbá. The old man lived for three days without speaking, and could not unseal his tongue. After that, they lived on in all good luck and happiness.

The old man altogether forsook being drunk; and to his last day not a drop of wine passed his lips.