Identifier: violetfairybook00lang (find matches)
Title: The violet fairy book
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Lang, Andrew, 1844-1912 Ford, H. J. (Henry Justice), 1860-1941, ill
Subjects: Folklore Fairy tales
Publisher: London New York : Longmans, Green
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
if he never played cards. The young man replied that he
was very fond of doing so. Cards were brought, and in a
very short time the prince had lost every penny he
possessed to his new acquaintance. When there was
absolutely nothing left at the bottom of the bag, the
stranger proposed that they should have just one more
game, and that if the prince won he should have the
money restored to him, but in case he lost, should remain
in the inn for three years, and besides that should be his
servant for another three. The prince agreed to those
terms, played, and lost; so the stranger took rooms for
him, and furnished him with bread and water every day
for three years.
The prince lamented his lot, but it was no use; and
at the end of three years he was released and had to
go to the house of the stranger, who was really the king

TO SEE THE WORLD 357

of a neighbouring country, and be his servant. Before
he had gone very far he met a woman carrying a child,
which was crying from hunger. The prince took it from
Text Appearing After Image:
The Prince feeds the baby
from his flask

her, and fed it with his last crust of bread and last drop of
water, and then gave it back to its mother. The woman
thanked him gratefully, and said:

358 THE PRINCE WHO WANTED

' Listen, my lord. You must walk straight on till you
notice a very strong scent, which comes from a garden by
the side of the road. Go in and hide yourself close to a
tank, where three doves will come to bathe. As the last one
flies past you, catch hold of its robe of feathers, and refuse
to give it back till the dove has promised you three things.'
The young man did as he was told, and everything
happened as the woman had said. He took the robe
of feathers from the dove, who gave him in exchange
for it a ring, a collar, and one of its own plumes, saying :
' When you are in any trouble, cry Come to my aid, O
dove! I am the daughter of the king you are going to
serve, who hates your father and made you gamble in
order to cause your ruin.'
Thus the prince went on his way, and in course of
time he arrived at the king's palace. As soon as his
master knew he was there, the young man was sent for
into his presence, and three bags were handed to him with
these words:

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