148 SLAV TALES

of a dead body, and not being able to see the fisherman,
came by croaking, The parent bird said to his young ones:

“ Come, children, sharpen claws and beak, krak, krak,
For here’s a feast not far to seek, krak, krak,
This young girl’s corse so white and sleek, krak, krak.”

One small bird at once settled down on the princess,
but the fisherman seized it and took off his cap, so that
he could be seen.

“Fisherman,” said the father raven, “let go my dear
birdling and I will give you anything you want.”

“Then bring me some of the Life-Giving Water.”

The raven flew away and returned in about an hour,
carrying in his beak a tiny bottle of the water. Then he
again begged to have his nestling back.

“You shall have it as soon as I have proved that the
water is of the right sort.”

So saying, he sprinkled the pale face of the princess.
She sighed, opened her eyes, and blushing at the sight of
a stranger, got up and said, “Where am I? Why, how
soundly I have slept !”

“Lovely princess, your sleep might have lasted for
ever.”

Then he told her his story, how he had been thrown into
the river, abandoned in the Valley of Diamonds, and so
on, relating at full length all the marvellous events that
had taken place.

She listened attentively, then, thanking him for all he
had done for her, placed her hand in his and said, “In
the garden behind the palace is an apple-tree that bears