But when he fell down he was no frog but a king’s son with beautiful kind eyes.  He by her father’s will was now her dear companion and husband.  Then he told her how he had been bewitched by a wicked witch, and how no one could have delivered him from the well but herself, and that tomorrow they would go together into his kingdom.  Then they went to sleep, and next morning when the sun awoke them, a carriage came driving up with eight white horses, which had white ostrich feathers on their heads, and were harnessed with golden chains, and behind stood the young King’s servant, faithful Henry.  Faithful Henry had been so unhappy when his master was changed into a frog that he had caused three iron bands to be laid round his heart, lest it should burst with grief and sadness.  The carriage was to conduct the young King into his kingdom.  Faithful Henry helped them both in, and placed himself behind again, and was full of joy because of this deliverance.  And when they had driven a part of the way, the King’s son heard a crackling behind him as if something had broken.  So he turned round and cried, “Henry, the carriage is breaking.”

“No, master, it is not the carriage.  It is a band from my heart, which was put there in my great pain when you were a frog and imprisoned in the well.”  Again and once again while they were on their way something cracked, and each time the King’s son thought the carriage was breaking; but it was only the bands which were springing from the heart of faithful Henry because his master was set free and was happy.

* * * * *

THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN LITTLE KIDS

There was once on a time an old goat who had seven little kids, and she loved them with all the love of a mother for her children.  One day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food.  So she called all seven to her and said, “Dear children, I have to go into the forest; be on your guard against the wolf; if he comes in, he will devour you all—­skin, hair, and everything.  The wretch often disguises himself, but you will know him at once by his rough voice and his black feet.”  The kids said, “Dear mother, we will take good care of ourselves; you may go away without any anxiety.”  Then the old one bleated and went on her way with an easy mind.

It was not long before some one knocked at the house door, and cried, “Open the door, dear children; your mother is here, and has brought something back with her for each of you.”  But the little kids knew that it was the wolf, by the rough voice.  “We will not open the door,” cried they; “thou art not our mother.  She has a soft, pleasant voice, but thy voice is rough; thou art the wolf!” Then the wolf went away to a shopkeeper and bought himself a great lump of chalk, ate this, and made his voice soft with it.  Then he came back, knocked at the door of the house, and cried, “Open the door, dear children; your mother is