Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/242

226 their sight and had overtaken the magicians. This time they changed Simeon into a tiny little bird with a golden head. Away flew the little thing straight home and perched itself on the open window. The moment the father and sons saw it, they rushed to catch it, but before they got to the window the bird was off, and fluttered down upon the two magicians, who now changed it into Simeon-the-Youthful again.

"Now go to the king's court," said the magicians, "and become a soldier. If you are obliged to go anywhere quickly, you can change yourself into a stag, hare, or into a little bird with a golden head; we have taught you how to do it."

Simeon-the-Youthful thanked them, and returned home and asked his father to let him go to the king and become a soldier.

"Become a soldier!" cried the old man. "Why you are not half tall enough, and not over clever; how could you be a soldier?"

"Please let me go, father; I have got the magicians' blessing, so that I am sure to serve the king well."

His father at last gave his consent, and Simeon-the-Youthful dressed himself up in his Sunday best, took leave of his father and brothers, and started off to the king's court.

In due course he arrived at the palace, and was brought before the king, who at once asked him what he wanted.

"Your Majesty," he said, going down on his knees before the king; "I have come to ask you to take me into your royal service as a soldier."