Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/158

 aside her frogskin. In her place stood the Soul-maiden, Vasilisa the All- wise, and so beautiful that neither tongue could describe nor pen depict her. She went to the stairway and called out in a loud voice:

"Maidies! maidies! come get the materials and make some fresh white bread, such as I used to eat when I lived in my own father's house!"

In the morning Prince Ivan woke up and found that the Frog had the bread all ready for him, and such fine bread as could not be imagined or conceived, but only described in a story. The loaf was adorned with different kinds of devices: on the sides were to be seen the king's cities and the gates.

Prince Ivan took the bread and carried it to his father, who had just received the loaves from the older brothers. Their wives had put them into the oven, and so they came out mere lumps of dough. First the king took the oldest son's loaf, glanced at it, and sent it to the kitchen; then he took the second son's bread and sent it there also. When it came Prince Ivan's turn he presented his bread. His father took it, looked at it, and exclaimed:

"Here is bread to eat on Easter—not half dough like that of my other daughters-in-law!"