The czar was astonished. The girl fell down on her knees before him, and cried— “Oh, Sire, take my little plate and my little apple, and forgive my sisters!” The czar was moved by her tears and entreaties and forgave the wicked sisters; the delighted girl sprang up and began to embrace and kiss them. The czar smiled, took her by the hand and said, “I honor the goodness of your heart, and admire your beauty. Would you like to become my wife?” “Sire,” answered the beautiful girl, “I obey your royal command; but allow me first to ask my parents’ permission.” The delighted peasant at once gave his consent; they sent for the mother, and she, too, gladly bestowed her blessing. “One favor more,” said the beautiful girl to the czar. “Permit my parents and sisters to remain with me.” On hearing this the sisters fell down on their knees before her, and cried— “We are not worthy of so much favor!” “Dearest sisters,” said the beautiful girl, “all is forgotten and forgiven. They who remember the past with malice deserve to lose their sight.” She then tried to lift them up from the ground, but they, shedding bitter tears, would not rise. Then the czar, looking at them with a frown, bade them get up; he allowed them, however, to stay in the palace. A magnificent entertainment then began: the palace was splendidly lighted up, and looked like the sun among the clouds. The czar and czarina rode out in an open chariot and showed themselves to the people, who cried joyfully— “Long live czar and czarina! May they shine upon us like the glorious sun for years and years to come!” THE GOLDEN FISH By L. M. Gask Upon a certain island in the middle of the sea dwelt an old man and his wife. They were so poor that they often went short of bread, for the fish he caught were their only means of livelihood. One day when the man had been fishing for many hours without success, he hooked a small Gold Fish, whose eyes were bright as diamonds. “Let me go, kind man,” the little creature cried. “I should not make a mouthful either for yourself or your wife, and my own mate waits for me down in the waters.” The old man was so moved by his pleadings that he took him off the hook and threw him back into the sea. Before he swam off to rejoin his mate, the Gold Fish promised that in return for his kindness he would come to the fisherman’s help if ever he wanted him. Laughing merrily at this, for he did not believe that a fish could help him except by providing him with food, the old man went home and told his wife. “What!” she cried, “you actually let him go when you had caught him? It was just like your stupidity. We have not a scrap of bread in the house, and now, I suppose, we must starve!” Her reproaches continued for so long that though he scarcely believed what the fish had said, the poor old man thought that at least it would do no harm to put him to the test. He therefore hastened back to the shore, and stood at the very edge of the waves.