When they
came to the town, all the town assembled as to see a wonder. The
emperor, who had seen all his heroism from the hill, called him into
his presence, and gave him his daughter, went immediately to church, had
them married, and held a wedding festival for a week. After this the
prince told him who and whence he was, and the emperor and the whole
town rejoiced still more. Then, as the prince was urgent to go to his
own home, the emperor gave him a large escort, and equipped him for the
journey. When they were in the neighbourhood of the water-mill, the
prince halted his attendants, went inside, cut up the three wands, and
struck the root with them, and the iron door opened at once. In the
vault was a vast multitude of people. The prince ordered them to come
out one by one, and go whither each would, and stood himself at the
door. They came out thus one after another, and lo! there were his
brothers also, whom he embraced and kissed. When the whole multitude had
come out, they thanked him for releasing and delivering them, and went
each to his own home. But he went to his father's house with his
brothers and bride, and there lived and reigned to the end of his days.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 6: This is intended as an insult. "Azhdaja," a dragon, is
feminine in Servian.]
XV
THE GOOD CHILDREN
The Lord was angered at mankind, and for three years there was a great
famine over all the world; nowhere in the world was even a grain of corn
produced, and what people sowed failed to come up from a drought so
great that for three years there was not a drop of rain or dew.
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