152 SLAV TALES

To this the fisherman bowed a willing assent.

The first riddle was: “Without legs it walks. Without
arms it strikes. Without life it moves continually.”

“A clock,” he answered promptly, and to the great satis-
faction of the princess, to whom this good beginning seemed
to presage a happy ending.

The second riddle ran thus: “ Without being either bird,
reptile, insect, or any animal whatsoever, it ensures the safety
of the whole house.”

“A bolt,” said her lover.

“Good! Now this is the third: ‘Who is that pedestrian
who walks fully armed, seasons dishes, and in his sides has
two darts? He swims across the water without the help of
a boatman.’”

“A lobster.”

The princess clapped her hands and begged him to guess
the fourth.

“Tt runs, it moves along on two sides, it has but one eye,
an overcoat of polished steel, and a tail of thread.”

“A needle.”

“Well guessed. Now listen to the fifth: ‘It walks
without feet, beckons without hands, and moves without a
body.’”

“Tt must be a shadow.”

“Exactly,” said she, well pleased. “Now you have
succeeded so well with these five you will soon guess the
sixth: ‘It has four feet, but is not an animal. It is provided
with feathers and down, but is no bird. It has a body, and
gives warmth, but is not alive.’”

“Tt is certainly a bed,” exclaimed the fisherman.