Upon Earth"] · page 21 2101With that he dragged them out from under the bed one by one.102The poor children fell upon their knees, and begged his pardon; but they had to do with one of the most cruel Ogres in the world, who, far from having any pity on them, had already devoured them with his eyes; he told his wife they would be delicate eating, when tossed up with good savoury sauce.103He then took a great knife, and coming up to these poor children, whetted it upon a great whet-stone which he held in his left hand.104He had already taken hold of one of them, when his wife said to him:105"What need you do it now?106It is time enough to-morrow?"107"Hold your prattling," said the Ogre, "they will eat the tenderer."108"But you have so much meat already," replied his wife, "you have no occasion.109Here is a calf, two sheep, and half a hog."110"That is true," said the Ogre, "give them their belly-full, that they may not fall away, and put them to bed."111The good woman was overjoyed at this, and gave them a good supper; but they were so much afraid, they could not eat a bit.112As for the Ogre, he sat down again to drink, being highly pleased that he had got wherewithal to treat his friends.113He drank a dozen glasses more than ordinary, which got up into his head, and obliged him to go to bed.114The Ogre had seven daughters, all little children, and these young Ogresses had all of them very fine complexions, because they used to eat fresh meat like their father; but they had little grey eyes, quite round, hooked noses, wide mouths, and very long sharp teeth standing at a good distance from each other.115They were not as yet over and above mischievous; but they promised very fair for it, for they already bit little children, that they might suck their blood.116They had been put to bed early, with every one a crown of gold upon her head.117There was in the same chamber another bed of the like bigness, and it was into this bed the Ogre's wife put the seven little boys; after which she went to bed to her husband.118Little Thumb, who had observed that the Ogre's daughters had crowns of gold upon their heads, and was afraid lest the Ogre should repent his not killing them, got up about midnight; and taking his brothers' bonnets and his own, went very softly, put them upon the heads of the seven little Ogresses, after having taken off their crowns of gold, which he put upon his own head and his brothers', that the Ogre might take them for his daughters, and his daughters for the little boys whom he wanted to kill.119All this succeeded according to his desire; for the Ogre waking about midnight, and sorry that he deferred to do that till morning which he might have done over-night, threw himself hastily out of bed, and taking his great knife:120"Let us see," said he, "how our little rogues do, and not make two jobs of the matter."121He then went up, groping all the way, into his daughters' chamber; and came to the bed where the little boys lay, who were every soul of them fast asleep; except Little Thumb, who was terribly afraid when he found the Ogre fumbling about his head, as he had done about his brothers'.122The Ogre, feeling the golden crowns, said:123"I should have made a fine piece of work of it truly; I find I guzzled too much last night."124Then he went to the bed where the girls lay; and having found the boys' little bonnets: "Hah!" said he, "my merry lads, are you there?125Let us to work!"126And saying these words, without more ado, he cut the throats of all his seven daughters.127Well pleased with what he had done, he went to bed again to his wife.128So soon as Little Thumb heard the Ogre snore, he waked his brothers, and bade them put on their clothes presently, and follow him.129They stole down softly into the garden, and got over the wall.130They kept running almost all night, trembling all the while, without knowing which way they went.131The Ogre, when he waked, said to his wife:132"Go up stairs and dress those young rascals who came here last night."133The Ogress was very much surprised at this goodness of her husband, not dreaming after what manner he intended she should dress them; but thinking that he had ordered her to go and put on their cloaths, went up, and was strangely astonished when she perceived her seven daughters killed, and weltering in their blood.134She fainted away; for this is the first expedient almost all women find in such-like cases.135The Ogre, fearing his wife would be too long in doing what he had ordered, went up himself to help her.136He was no less amazed than his wife, at this frightful spectacle.137"Ah! what have I done?" cried he. "138The cursed wretches shall pay for it, and that instantly."139He threw then a pitcher of water upon his wife's face; and having brought her to herself:140"Give me quickly," cried he, "my boots of seven leagues, that I may go and catch them."141He went out; and, having run over a vast deal of ground, both on this side and that, he came at last into the very road where the poor children were, and not above a hundred paces from their father's house.142They espied the Ogre, who went at one step from mountain to mountain, and over rivers as easily as the narrowest kennels.143[5] Little Thumb, seeing a hollow rock near the place where they were, made his brothers hide themselves in it, and crowded into it himself, minding always what would become of the Ogre.144[Footnote 5: That is, 'channels.']145The Ogre, who found himself much tired with his long and fruitless journey (for these boots of seven leagues extremely fatigue the wearer), had a great mind to rest himself, and, by chance, went to sit down upon the rock where these little boys had hid themselves.146As he was worn out, he fell asleep: and, after reposing himself some time he began to snore so frightfully, that the poor children were no less afraid of him, than when he held up his great knife, and was going to cut their throats.147Little Thumb was not so much frightened as his brothers, and told them that they should run away immediately towards home, while the Ogre was asleep so soundly; and that they should not be anxious about him.148They took his advice, and got home presently.149Little Thumb came up to the Ogre, pulled off his boots gently, and put them on upon his own legs.150The boots were very long and large; but as they were Fairies, they had the gift of becoming big and little, according to the legs of those who wore them; so that they fitted his feet and legs as well as if they had been made on purpose for him.151He went immediately to the Ogre's house, where he saw his wife crying bitterly for the loss of her murdered daughters.152"Your husband," said Little Thumb, "is in very great danger, being taken by a gang of thieves, who have sworn to kill him, if he does not give them all his gold and silver.153Just when they held their daggers at his throat, he perceived me, and desired me to come and tell you the condition he is in, and that you should give me whatsoever he has of value, without retaining any one thing; for otherwise they will kill him without mercy; and, as his case is very pressing, he desired me to make use (you see I have them on) of his boots, that I might make the more haste, and to shew you that I do not impose upon you."154The good woman, being sadly frightened, gave him all she had: for this Ogre was a very good husband, tho' he used to eat up little children.155Little Thumb, having thus got all the Ogre's money, came home to his father's house, where he was received with abundance of joy.156There are many people who do not agree in this circumstance, and pretend that Little Thumb never robbed the Ogre at all, and that he only thought he might very justly, and with safe conscience take off his boots of seven leagues, because he made no other use of them, but to run after little children.157These folks affirm, that they were very well assured of this, and the more, as having drank and eaten often at the faggot-maker's house.158They aver, that, when Little Thumb had taken off the Ogre's boots, he went to Court, where he was informed that they were very anxious about a certain army, which was two hundred leagues off, and the success of a battle.159He went, say they, to the King, and told him that, if he desired it, he would bring him news from the army before night.160The King promised him a great sum of money upon that condition.161Little Thumb was as good as his word, and returned that very same night with the news; and this first expedition causing him to be known, he got whatever he pleased; for the King paid him very well for carrying his orders to the army, and abundance of ladies gave him what he would to bring them news from their lovers; and that this was his greatest gain.162There were some married women, too, who sent letters by him to their husbands, but they paid him so ill that it was not worth his while, and turned to such small account, that he scorned ever to reckon what he got that way.163After having, for some time, carried on the business of a messenger, and gained thereby great wealth, he went home to his father, where it was impossible to express the joy they were all in at his return.164He made the whole family very well-to-do, bought places for his father and brothers; and by that means settled them very handsomely in the world, and, in the mean time, rose high in the King's favour.165_The Moral_166_At many children parents don't repine, If they are handsome; in their judgment shine; Polite in carriage are, in body strong, Graceful in mien, and elegant in tongue.167But if perchance an offspring prove but weak, Him they revile, laugh at, defraud and cheat.168Such is the wretched world's curs'd way; and yet Sometimes this urchin whom despis'd we see, Through unforeseen events doth honour get, And fortune bring to all his family.169_170_The Ridiculous Wishes_171THUNDERBOLTS"]172The Ridiculous Wishes173In days long past there lived a poor woodcutter who found life very hard.174Indeed, it was his lot to toil for little guerdon, and although he was young and happily married there were moments when he wished himself dead and below ground.175One day while at his work he was again lamenting his fate.176"Some men," he said, "have only to make known their desires, and straightway these are granted, and their every wish fulfilled; but it has availed me little to wish for ought, for the gods are deaf to the prayers of such as I."177As he spoke these words there was a great noise of thunder, and Jupiter appeared before him wielding his mighty thunderbolts.178Our poor man was stricken with fear and threw himself on the ground.179"My lord," he said, "forget my foolish speech; heed not my wishes, but cease thy thundering!"180"Have no fear," answered Jupiter; "I have heard thy plaint, and have come hither to show thee how greatly thou dost wrong me.181Hark!182I, who am sovereign lord of this world, promise to grant in full the first three wishes which it will please thee to utter, whatever these may be.183Consider well what things can bring thee joy and prosperity, and as thy happiness is at stake, be not over-hasty, but revolve the matter in thy mind."184Having thus spoken Jupiter withdrew himself and made his ascent to Olympus.185As for our woodcutter, he blithely corded his faggot, and throwing it over his shoulder, made for his home.186To one so light of heart the load also seemed light, and his thoughts were merry as he strode along.187Many a wish came into his mind, but he was resolved to seek the advice of his wife, who was a young woman of good understanding.188He had soon reached his cottage, and casting down his faggot:189"Behold me, Fanny," he said. "190Make up the fire and spread the board, and let there be no stint.191We are wealthy, Fanny, wealthy for evermore; we have only to wish for whatsoever we may desire."192Thereupon he told her the story of what had befallen that day.193Fanny, whose mind was quick and active, immediately conceived many plans for the advancement of their fortune, but she approved her husband's resolve to act with prudence and circumspection.194"'Twere a pity," she said, "to spoil our chances through impatience.195We had best take counsel of the night, and wish no wishes until to-morrow."196"That is well spoken," answered Harry. "197Meanwhile fetch a bottle of our best, and we shall drink to our good fortune."198Fanny brought a bottle from the store behind the faggots, and our man enjoyed his ease, leaning back in his chair with his toes to the fire and his goblet in his hand.1 2← previousHad Reserved For Himself"]next →Towards Her"]↑ back to The Fairy Tales of Charles PerraultThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg29021/14/page/2/