Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/188

150 "Then must it have been precious," she said. "And yet, even so, I will richly repay thee." She took a ring from her little finger and gave it to him. "This is no ordinary ring," she said. "If thou desirest anything, even though it be to wed a Tzar's daughter, thou hast but to throw it from one hand to the other. But beware to tell anyone of it, else wilt thou bring upon thyself a great misfortune." So saying, she struck her foot sharply against the ground and instantly became transformed into a snake, which darted away into the forest.

"If all I want may be made to come so easily," thought Martin, "what is the need of seeking for work?" and putting the ring on his finger, he started back the way he had come. Whether it was near or far, whether the journey was a long one or a short one, he came at length to his native Tzardom and to his own village, and finding his old mother, who had repented with many tears that she had sent him away in anger, they began again to live together, with Jourka the dog and Vaska the cat, without any sorrow. When they had need of anything Martin had but to take off his ring, throw it from one hand to the other, and immediately twelve youths would appear, all alike to the very hair and voice, saying: "What wilt thou, Martin