Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/147

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So Ivashko said to the little boat,—

"Swim across, little boat, to the shore, for my father is calling me."

Back went the little boat to the side of the lake, where the father stood waiting. He gave his little son something to eat and drink, and then, taking all the fish out of the boat, let Ivashko go on with his fishing.

cried the boy.

When he had got to the middle he commenced fishing again, and caught still more fish than he had before.

After a little while he heard his mother's voice calling him,—

Ivashko again told his boat to swim to the shore, and, giving his mother the fish, he took his food, and returned to fishing.

It so happened that a wicked old witch had been listening to the call of the boy's parents, and wondered whether she could imitate the peasants' voices, and get Ivashko and the fish, for she was very hungry. So she went to the shore, and called out in a harsh voice,—