"Who are you and whence have you come?" King Afron demanded angrily.
"I am Prince Ivan, son of King Berendei."
"Fie, shame on you! To think of a royal prince being a thief!"
"But you should not have let your bird steal apples from our garden."
"If you had come and told me about it in an honest way, I would have made you a present of the Bird out of respect for your father, King Berendei. But now I shall spread the ill fame of your family far and wide. Or no—perhaps I will not, after all. If you do me a favor, I shall forgive you. In a certain kingdom there is a King named Kusman and he has a Horse with a Golden Mane. Bring me that Horse and I will make you a gift of the Fire-Bird and the cage besides."
Prince Ivan, very much put out, went back to Grey Wolf.
"I told you not to touch the cage," said the Wolf. "Why did you not heed my warning?"
"I am sorry, Grey Wolf, please forgive me."
"Being sorry won't do much good. But there, get on my back again. I must not go back on my word."
And off went Grey Wolf with Prince Ivan. It is hard to say how long they travelled, but at last they came to the castle where the Horse with the Golden Mane was kept.
"Climb over the wall, Prince Ivan, the guards are asleep. Go to the stable and take the Horse, but mind you do not touch the bridle."
Prince Ivan climbed into the castle. All the guards were asleep, so he went to the stable and caught Golden Mane, but he could not help touching the bridle it was made of gold and set with precious stones—a fitting bridle for such a horse. |
