132 SLAV TALES

you were able to supply my enemies with such a quantity of
gold?”

And the fisherman, simple-hearted and straightforward as a
child, ignorant of the deceptions practised in court, answered
frankly, “Sire, I belong to no royal or princely family, I am
a simple fisherman and your loyal subject. I procure my
gold by means of this magic ring, and at any time I can have
as much as I want.”

Then he told how his good fortune had come to him.

The king made no answer, but it hurt his royal dignity to
think that he owed his safety to one of his own peasants,
and that he had promised to make him his son-in-law.

That evening, after a luxurious supper, the fisherman,
having taken a little more wine than usual, ventured to ask
the king to present him to his bride. The king whispered a
few words in the ear of the chamberlain of the court, and then
went out.

The chamberlain took the fisherman to the top of the
castle tower, and there said to him, ‘“‘ According to the customs
of the court you should, before being introduced to the
princess, send her by my hands some valuable jewel as a
wedding gift.”

“But I have nothing of value or beauty about me,” replied
he, “unless you offer the princess this golden ring, to which I
owe all my good fortune, the princess herself, and the safety
of her father.”

The chamberlain took the ring, and opening the window
of the tower, asked, ‘‘ Fisherman, do you see the moon in the
heavens P”

“JT do.”