Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/152

136 their wings, and away they went, leaving the witch to storm and rage, and break her teeth as much as she pleased!

Away went the swans over the water, until they reached Ivashko's home. They put him down very carefully on the roof, and flew away.

Early next morning Ivashko's mother set to work baking cakes, and while doing so she said sadly to her husband,—

"Would that I knew whither our darling boy has gone! I wish I could but see him in my dreams!"

"Well, I saw him in my dream last night," answered her husband; "it seemed as though some handsome white swans brought him back to us!"

The old woman sighed, and after she had baked the cakes she began to divide them between herself and her husband, saying,—

"Well, old man—this is for you—this is for me—this is for you—and this for me!"

"And what is for me?" asked Ivashko, speaking down the chimney; for he had heard everything that had been said. "You say, 'This is for you, and this for me,' but you have quite forgotten me!"

"Good heavens!" cried the woman to her husband; "go you, and see who it is that is up on the roof!"

The man climbed up the wooden ladder leading to the roof, opened the trap door, and very soon came down again with Ivashko!

The mother gave a cry of delight, and in another moment she and her little son were locked in a warm embrace. Ivashko then told his parents all that had happened to him since last he saw them.