The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs (4)

The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs (4)

The boy knew nothing of what the sealed letter said, of course.

He took it with a quick smile and off he went, though he did not know the way.

As he had never been to the city before, he became terribly lost, and night crept on.

Afraid to stop for long ー because he knew the letter was important ー the boy kept going and became even more lost.
Still, he put one foot in front of the other until at last he saw a cottage ahead with a light shining faintly in the window.

 "Perhaps someone within can tell me the way," he thought himself.

He knocked on the door and a voice called, " Come in. " 

When he entered, there by the fire sat an old, old lady.

" Good evening, madam, " he said.
" I was on my way to bring this letter to the queen, but I must confess I am quite lost. "

He sat down on a bench near her and was suddenly overcome with exhaustion.

" Lost entirely, " the old woman told him, " for this is a den of thieves. When they come home, if they find you, they will kill you. ”

" Then , perhaps, dear madam, " the boy said, " with your permission, I will rest for just a moment, for I am too tired to go a step more. "

He stretched out on the bench, meaning just to close his eyes, and fell instantly to sleep.

Not on hour later, the robbers came home and saw the boy lying there.

(4/18)  

タグ：やさしい洋書