Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/248

232 Simeon-the-Youthful at once obeyed; he changed himself into a swift-footed stag, and ran about the hall, and then stopped before the princess, who took out the tuft of fur from her handkerchief and showed the king the place from whence she had cut it.

"Look, father," she said, "behold the proof!"

The stag then changed into a hare, and after jumping about the room, came to a standstill before the princess, who took out the bit of fur which she had cut off, and showed it to her father.

The hare then changed into a little bird and flew about in the room, and then perched on the princess's arm. Princess Nastasia brought out the little golden feather and showed that also.

The king then understood the whole thing, and ordered the wicked general to be thrown into prison, and gave Princess Nastasia in marriage to Simeon-the-Youthful, whom he made his heir; and they all lived happily ever after.