Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/274

258 Next day the son went off to try his luck.

He went on and on until he came to an estate belonging to a rich Russian barin or gentleman. He walked up to the lordly mansion, and saw, in a garden near the house, a large pig with a number of little ones walking about. A thought struck him, and he went down on his knees before the pigs, and began making most polite bows to them.

Now the mistress of the house, who was looking out of one of the windows, saw the performance, and was greatly amused.

"Go," she said to one of her maids, "and ask the mujik what he is bowing for."

The maid went up to the peasant, saying,—

"Little mujik, tell me why you are on your knees before the pigs, and why you are bowing to them? My lady has sent me to ask."

"Tell your mistress, my little dear, that yonder pig is my wife's sister, and my son is going to be married to-morrow, so I am asking her and her young ones to come to the wedding, that is all; and she has consented, on condition that your lady allows them. So go and ask your mistress whether she will let them come with me."

The girl burst out laughing, and went straight to her mistress, who also began laughing heartily when she heard all the peasant had said.

"What a donkey!" she cried, "Fancy asking the pigs to his son's wedding! Well, never mind, let all his friends have a good laugh at him. Yes, he may take the pigs; but first dress them up in my shuba (fur coat), and let the coachman get my own