Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/323

Rh and went into the town, where she met an old woman whom she accompanied home to her hut.

After a while the prince decided on marrying a very rich young queen; this was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, and it was also ordered that every Christian person should come and congratulate the bride and bridegroom, and bring with them a home-made cake as a gift.

Now the old woman with whom Melania the Clever was staying, set to work to sift the flour and bake a cake.

"For whom are you making that cake, little mother?" said Melania.

"For whom? Why, I should have thought that you had heard the news! Our good king's son is going to marry a rich young queen, and we have all of us to bake a cake, and give it to the young couple as a gift."

"Then let me also bake one, and take it to the palace; perhaps the king may reward me."

"By all means, my dear; I don't see why you should not!"

So Melania took some flour, kneaded the dough, and putting two little doves in, made a cake.

When the hour arrived, the old woman and Melania the Clever went to the palace with their cakes, where there was a great feast. When Melania's cake was brought on the table, the prince began to cut it, but hardly had he done so, when out flew the two doves, one of which had a little piece of the cake in her mouth.

"My dear little dove!" said her mate; "give me a little of the cake!"