Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/292

262 pantry, where there was a quantity of grapes hanging, and brought her a fine bunch: and this she did regularly for many days.

Meanwhile Porziella gave birth to a fine little boy, whom she suckled and reared with the constant aid of the bird. And when he was grown big, the fairy advised his mother to make the hole larger, and to raise so many boards of the floor as would allow Miuceio (for so the child was called) to pass through; and then, after letting him down with some cords which the bird brought, to put the boards back into their place, that it might not be seen where he came from. So Porziella did as the bird directed her; and as soon as the cook was gone out, she let down her son, desiring him never to tell whence he came nor whose son he was.

When the cook returned, and saw such a fine little boy, he asked him who he was, whence he came, and what he wanted; whereupon the child, remembering his mother's advice, said that he was a poor forlorn boy, who was looking about for a master. As they were talking the butler came in, and seeing the spritely little fellow, he thought that he would make a pretty page for the king. So he led him to the royal apartments; and when the king saw him look so handsome and lovely that he appeared a very jewel, he was vastly pleased