Page:The disobedient kids and other Czecho-Slovak fairy tales.pdf/26

 "Oh, Barta," she shouted, as she ran up to him, "I am so glad to see you. I was so afraid." Another wonder. She could also speak.

Barta gathered her into his arms and calmed her tears. The castle was not so very far off after all, but the little one did not know that. Her parents had been terribly alarmed at her absence, as she had never been away alone before. The servants had been sent in all directions, the father was waiting at the castle, and the mother had gone to the farm.

You can well imagine how glad the father and mother were to know that their little daughter was safe and sound at home once more, and then too, that she could speak and hear. "Oh, mother, l was so glad to see those sheep and Barta too. I was so frightened and afraid that I should never see you again."

The father and mother were so delighted at having their daughter free from all harm and miraculously cured of her deafness and dumbness, that they decided that they would build a little church at the well, as a thanksgiving to the good God, who had led their dear one safely home.

The little girl is dead now, for all this happened many, many years ago. The good Knight Turynsky, his wife, Barta and his dog are also dead. The old sheep died and after them came the little lambs. And so it goes in this world, dear children, the old die, and the young come after them.