Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/257

Rh of rock, trunks of trees, and so many other weights, that a thousand large waggons could not have carried them; which when Moscione saw, he agreed with the lad to join him.

So they travelled on, till they came to Fair-Flower, the king of which place had a daughter who ran like the wind, and could pass over the waving corn without bending an ear; and the king had issued a proclamation, that whoever could overtake her in running should have her to wife, but whoever was left behind should lose his head.

When Moscione arrived in this country, and heard the proclamation, he went straight to the king, and offered to run with his daughter, making the wise agreement either to win the race or leave his noddle there. But in the morning he sent to inform the king that he was taken ill, and being unable to run himself, he would send another young man in his place. "Come who will!" said Ciannetella (for that was the king's daughter), "I care not a fig—it is all one to me."

So when the great square was filled with people, come to see the race, insomuch that the men swarmed like ants, and the windows and roofs were all as full as an egg, Lightning came out and took his station at the top of the square, waiting for the signal. And lo! forth came Ciannetella, drest in a little gown, tucked