Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 5 · page 21 2101181, 182).102More than twelve centuries ago, Hiouen-Thsang transferred the following story from India to China.103A certain Rishi passed many times ten thousand years in a religious ecstasy.104His body became like a withered tree.105At last he emerged from his ecstasy, and felt inclined to marry, so he went to a neighboring palace, and asked the king to bestow upon him one of his daughters.106The king, exceedingly embarrassed, called the princesses together, and asked which of them would consent to accept the dreaded suitor (who, of course, had not paid the slightest attention to his toilette for hundreds of centuries).107Ninety-nine of those ladies flatly refused to have anything to do with him, but the hundredth, the last and youngest of the party, agreed to sacrifice herself for her father's sake.108But when the Rishi saw his bride he was discontented, and when he heard that her elder and fairer sisters had all refused him, he pronounced a curse which made all ninety-nine of them humpbacks, and so destroyed their chance of marrying at all.109Stanislas Julien's "Memoires sur les contrees occidentales," 1857, i. pp.110244-7.]111As the idea that "a hasty word" can place its utterer or its victim in the power of the Evil One (not only after death, but also during this life) has given rise to numerous Russian legends, and as it still exists, to some extent, as a living faith in the minds of the Russian peasantry, it may be as well to quote at length one of the stories in which it is embodied.112It will be recognized as a variant of the stories about the youth who visits the "Water King" and elopes with one of that monarch's daughters.113The main difference between the "legend" we are about to quote, and the skazkas which have already been quoted, is that a devil of the Satanic type is substituted in it for the mythical personage--whether Slavonic Neptune or Indian Rakshasa--who played a similar part in them.114THE HASTY WORD.115[470]116In a certain village there lived an old couple in great poverty, and they had one son.117The son grew up,[471] and the old woman began to say to the old man:118"It's time for us to get our son married."119"Well then, go and ask for a wife for him," said he.120So she went to a neighbor to ask for his daughter for her son: the neighbor refused.121She went to a second peasant's, but the second refused too--to a third, but he showed her the door.122She went round the whole village; not a soul would grant her request.123So she returned home and cried--124"Well, old man! our lad's an unlucky fellow!"125"How so?"126"I've trudged round to every house, but no one will give him his daughter."127"That's a bad business!" says the old man; "the summer will soon be coming, but we have no one to work for us here.128Go to another village, old woman, perhaps you will get a bride for him there."129The old woman went to another village, visited every house from one end to the other, but there wasn't an atom of good to be got out of it.130Wherever she thrusts herself, they always refuse.131With what she left home, with that she returned home.132"No," she says, "no one wants to become related to us poor beggars."133"If that's the case," answers the old man, "there's no use in wearing out your legs.134Jump up on to the _polati_."135[472]136The son was sorely afflicted, and began to entreat his parents, saying:137"My born father and my born mother! give me your blessing.138I will go and seek my fate myself."139"But where will you go?"140"Where my eyes lead me."141So they gave him their blessing, and let him go whithersoever it pleased him.142[473]143Well, the youth went out upon the highway, began to weep very bitterly, and said to himself as he walked:144"Was I born into the world worse than all other men, that not a single girl is willing to marry me?145Methinks if the devil himself would give me a bride, I'd take even her!"146Suddenly, as if rising from the earth, there appeared before him a very old man.147"Good-day, good youth!"148"Good-day, old man!"149"What was that you were saying just now?"150The youth was frightened and did not know what reply to make.151"Don't be afraid of me!152I sha'n't do you any harm, and moreover, perhaps I may get you out of your trouble.153Speak boldly!"154The youth told him everything precisely.155"Poor creature that I am!156There isn't a single girl who will marry me.157Well, as I went along I became exceedingly wretched, and in my misery I said: 'If the devil offered me a bride, I'd take even her!'"158The old man laughed and said:159"Follow me, I'll let you choose a lovely bride for yourself."160By-and-by they reached a lake.161"Turn your back to the lake and walk backwards," said the old man.162Scarcely had the youth had time to turn round and take a couple of steps, when he found himself under the water and in a white-stone palace--all its rooms splendidly furnished, cunningly decorated.163The old man gave him to eat and to drink.164Afterwards he introduced twelve maidens, each one more beautiful than the other.165"Choose whichever you like! whichever you choose, her will I bestow upon you."166"That's a puzzling job!" said the youth; "give me till to-morrow morning to think about it, grandfather!"167"Well, think away!" said the old man, and led his guest to a private chamber.168The youth lay down to sleep and thought:169"Which one shall I choose?"170Suddenly the door opened; a beautiful maiden entered.171"Are you asleep, or not, good youth?" says she.172"No, fair maiden!173I can't get to sleep, for I'm always thinking which bride to choose."1 2← previousChapter VI. 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