Prince Lazybones and Other Stories

up as useless. All the strange things he had seen would come back, and his eyelids were like little spring doors that bobbed open in spite of his attempts to close them. As they li

o, "can't you go

d at pr

y n

through a f

er the su

y and find out everything. In my opinion Master Knops has cramme

I'm ready w

e first; what shall it be? Oh, no matter; I'll get y

nwardly cringing at the

irup, a dish of something that looked like little fish swimming in golden jelly-salt and savory Leo found them-and a sort of salad garnishe

l these things Paz looked relieved, a

ing better in my

ll parts of the world-the fish from Spain, the eggs from Africa, the

wondering how their f

have no idea of ou

in the

wisely, "Nor am I going to bor

ed quite

dly, "There's a limit to all

to all parts of the

wandered far and wide in my time. Until I cau

ut a faint idea of what an e

errands of

and where

etimes to warn them of trouble or danger, sometimes to tell them that imps were rampaging or giants were about to make war,

nd!" sa

new it. But you are waiting; I must not detai

'S

of the Kobolds had been negotiating with our King for the purchase of some immense tracts of iron ore, and in the course of conversation said he had received news from Italy that there would soon be a vo

some friends of our King-two children, a girl and a boy

d like a bird's nest, and so I suppose they thought it, but a rude playmate of theirs tried to tear it

that birds had the same right to live and rear their young as had human beings; which having no more effect, they openly forbade his attempt, saying that the ground was theirs, the birds were their

essa and Tasso. It took but a whiff of my pipe to bring me to the desired place, but so calm and bright and peaceful was the scene that I found it hard to believe in the threatening evil. Never had I seen a bluer sky reflected in a mor

ty with a load of oranges. These were to be conveyed in large baskets, or panniers, on the back of a faithful donkey. If I could keep them a

wn plans, for poor Tessa, becoming discouraged, wanted to return home at once, but Tasso stoutly declared he would sell every orange before going back-that his fruit was good and ripe, and it should be appreciated. I was pained t

ing, and Tessa saw with alarm women and children hurrying past. At that moment a travelling carriage appeared. One could see at a glance from its neat compactnes

t some oranges. Can you give them to me qu

But what is the matter? You a

the earth, which made every one shudder. The driver could sc

eeing the terrified looks of the children,

ly so, s

re are yo

to the m

ake them with us; their load is too heavy for them to get on fast enough. Quick! quick! Leave your donkey; he is ti

a grievance to them than the quaking earth. With a regretful glance at the donkey, Tessa and Tasso jumped into the carriage, which drove away as fast as the frightened horses could get through the throng. Miles and miles away they went until the horses could go no

but Leo was

they ever go home again? Were

lady until it was safe to return. All that was left them was the one poor donkey which, unharmed, strayed b

" repeated Leo,

s they also carve it. I know they color it beautifully, for I have had to carry bracelets made of it t

cur

kable, not half as singu

are

you know noth

ave seen it, b

in its cells until their structures are big enough for islan