Page:Slavonic Fairy Tales.djvu/49

34 : for Heaven has given an immortal soul to man, that he may live for ever; and wings to the birds, that they may fly freely over the earth.

"Oh, how cruel!" said Lidushka to herself, "to keep you here in everlasting darkness. Wait a moment, you dear little doves, and I will give you all your liberty." Thus saying she began to raise the little jars, one after another, and as from the first three, there flew from each successive jar a white dove. As if wishing to thank her for their release from their dark prison, each of them fluttered its wings with joy, then rose up and disappeared in the air.

Scarcely had Lidushka finished lifting up the little jars, when the mistress of the house, the ugly looking frog, hopped up to her croaking in a most dismal manner. She could see from afar what Lidushka was doing with the little jars.

"Unhappy woman!" cried the frog; "why did you let those souls free? Quick! make haste and fly! Search for a lump of dry earth or a piece of toasted bread. There comes my husband! Quick! or he will rob you of your soul!"

When the amiable Lidushka heard this dreadful