Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/299

Rh I feel as though I could turn the whole earth round!"

At this the two men shook their heads, and began talking to each other.

"We have given Elie too much power," they said; "it will never do for him to turn the earth round! No, no; we must reduce his strength!" Then turning to him, they said aloud: "Go fetch us some beer; we are thirsty!"

Elie sprang into the cellar, and brought up more beer than before.

"Drink it yourself!" they said.

He drank it.

"Well, Elie, do you feel just as strong?" they asked.

"No, my strength seems to have been reduced!"

"That will do," said the men to each other; "let us go!" And they left Elie Muromitch to himself.

When the parents returned home from the fields, and saw their beloved son walking about the hut, trying his strength in various ways, they were amazed. What could have come over their favourite in their absence? What had happened to their dear son, Elie Muromitch? They had never for a moment expected to see him up and about, looking stronger than the mightest warrior!

After a little while, an idea struck Elie Muromitch. He dressed himself up like a warrior, made himself a tremendous lance of steel, harnessed his beautiful horse, and went to his parents, asking them to bless him.

"My good father and mother," he said, "listen, I