Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/108

92 Akem; he felt sadder and more miserable than ever, for how could he possibly take the ugly green frog to the palace? Everybody would laugh at him and pity him, which he would never be able to stand.

When the frog saw him looking so sad, she again asked him the reason.

"How can I be happy?" said the poor prince. "The king, my father, has ordered my brothers and me to bring our wives before him to-morrow to thank them himself for all the trouble they have taken. But how can I take you to my father's court, you ugly green frog?"

"You are very rude, my prince," replied the frog. "But never mind; don't be sad. Go to the palace alone, and I shall follow later. When you hear a terrible noise like thunder, and the people all dreadfully frightened and wondering what it is, tell them that it is only the frog, your wife, coming to the palace in a box."

Next day the two elder brothers arrived with their wives at the king's palace, and laughed at Prince Akem, saying,—

"Where is your wife? Why did you not bring her with you? You could easily have put her in your pocket!"

Hardly had they said these words when there was a terrific clap of thunder, which shook the whole kingdom, and made all the people tremble.

"Be not afraid, good people," said Prince Akem calmly. "It is only the frog, my wife, coming to the palace in a box."

The king and all his people were rather astonished