Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/95

 ground and began to peck at Prince Ivan's body, he leaped out, seized one of the young ravens, and was going to tear it to pieces.

Then the old raven flew down to the ground, lighted not far from the Gray Wolf, and said to him: "Oho there, you Gray Wolf! Do not touch my little birdling; he has never done anything to you."

"Listen, then, Raven!" replied the Gray Wolf. "I will not touch your little birdling if you will serve me in a service. Fly away beyond the thrice-nine lands, to the thirtieth kingdom, and bring me the Water of Life and the Water of Death."

At this the raven said to the Gray Wolf: "I will serve you in this matter, only don't touch my son!"

These words said the raven, and flew away.

On the third day he came flying back and with him he brought two vials; in one the Water of Life, and in the other the Water of Death, and he gave the vials to the Gray Wolf. The Gray Wolf took the vials, tore the little raven to pieces, sprinkled it with the Water of Death and instantly the young raven grew together again; he sprinkled it with the Water of Life, the little raven spread its wings and flew off.