The White Snake

014-the-white-snake

Source URL https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/grimmtmp/014.txt

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The White Snake

A long time ago there lived a wise King who knew everything in his land. It was as if he could hear news from everywhere. But he had a special habit. Every day after lunch, when the room was empty, a kind servant brought him one more plate. The plate was covered, and no one knew what was inside. The King would not look at it until he was all alone. This went on for a long time. One day, the servant felt very curious. He could not help himself, so he took the plate into his room to look.

He locked the door tight and lifted the lid. There, on the plate, was a white snake. He could not help himself. He cut off a tiny piece and put it in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he heard a soft whispering outside the window. He went to look and saw the little sparrows talking to one another. They were telling stories about the green fields and the tall trees. Eating the snake gave him a special gift. He could now understand the language of animals. Just then, the queen lost her shiny ring. Everyone looked at the kind servant. They thought he might have taken it.

The king ordered the man to be brought before him. He said that unless the thief was found by tomorrow, the man would be in big trouble. The man said he was innocent, but the king did not listen. He sent the man away. The man was very scared and went down to the yard. He did not know what to do. He saw some ducks sitting by a small stream. They were resting and cleaning their soft feathers. The ducks were talking quietly to each other. The man stood close by and listened to them.

They talked about all the places they had waddled around that morning and the yummy food they had found. Then one of them spoke in a sad voice. "Something feels heavy in my tummy," she said. "I was eating so fast that I swallowed a shiny ring that was under the queen's window." The servant grabbed her by the neck and took her to the kitchen. He told the cook, "Here is a fine duck. Please, cook her." The cook nodded. He picked her up to check her weight. "She has worked hard to get fat," he said. "She has been waiting to be roasted for a long time." So, he cut off her head. While they were getting her ready for the oven, they found the queen's ring inside her.

The servant could now prove he was innocent. The kind king wanted to make things right. He let the servant ask for anything he wanted. The servant did not want a big job or gold. He only asked for a horse and some money to travel. He wanted to see the world and have fun. When he got his gifts, he set off on his journey. One day, he came to a pond. He saw three little fishes stuck in the tall grass. They were gasping for water. Even though fish cannot talk, he heard them cry out. They were sad because they were going to die. The servant had a very kind heart. He got off his horse and gently put the three fishes back into the water.

They jumped with joy and called out, "We will never forget you! Thank you for saving us!" He rode on, and soon he heard a tiny voice in the sand. He listened closely. An ant-king was complaining, "Why do people with their big, clumsy horses have to walk on us? That heavy horse has been stepping on my family without mercy." So, he turned onto a side path. The ant-king cheered, "We will remember you! One good turn deserves another!" The path led him into a forest. There, he saw two old ravens sitting by their nest. They were gently pushing their babies out to fly.

So the kind young man landed. He used his sword to kill his horse and gave it to them for food. The ravens hopped over and ate. Then they cried, "We will remember you! One good turn deserves another." Now he had to use his own legs. After walking a long way, he came to a big city.

A loud noise filled the streets. A man rode up on a horse and shouted, "The King’s daughter wants a husband! But anyone who wants to marry her must do a hard task. If they fail, they will lose their life." Many people had tried, but they all failed. However, when the young man saw the princess, he was so amazed by her beauty that he forgot all about the danger. He went before the King and said he wanted to marry her. The King led him to the sea. A gold ring was thrown into the water right in front of him. Then the King said, "You must bring that ring up from the bottom of the sea. If you come back without it, I will throw you in again and again until you are lost in the waves.

The people felt very sad for the handsome young man. They left him all alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and thought about what he should do. Suddenly, he saw three fishes swimming toward him. They were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The fish in the middle held a mussel in its mouth. It gently placed the mussel on the shore at the young man's feet. When he picked it up and opened it, he found a gold ring inside. He was full of joy. He took the ring to the king and hoped he would give him the promised reward. But the proud princess saw the ring and realized he was not from a royal family like her. She looked down on him and asked him to do another hard task.

The young man sat down in the garden. He thought hard about how he could do this big task, but he could not think of a way. He sat there sadly, waiting for the sun to rise, because he knew he would soon be led to his death.

But as soon as the first warm light touched the garden, he saw all ten sacks standing side by side. They were full! Not a single grain was missing. The King of the Ants had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants. The kind creatures had worked very hard to pick up every seed and put it safely into the sacks.

The young man did not know where that tree was. He set out to find it. He walked for a very long time, as long as his legs would let him. He did not think he would ever find it. After he walked through three kingdoms, he came to a wood one evening. He lay down under a tree to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling in the branches. A golden apple fell right into his hand.

The youth was full of joy. He set out for home. He took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter. She could not make any more excuses. They cut the apple of life in two. They ate it together. Her heart became full of love for him. They lived in happy peace for a very long time.

Go away, you lazy creatures!" cried the people. "We cannot feed you anymore. You are big enough to find your own food." But the poor young ravens just lay on the ground. They flapped their wings and cried, "Oh, we are so helpless! We cannot fly. What can we do but lie here and starve?" So the kind young man landed. He used his sword to kill his horse and gave it to them for food. The ravens hopped over and ate. Then they cried, "We will remember you! One good turn deserves another." Now he had to use his own legs. After walking a long way, he came to a big city.

She went down into the garden and spread ten big bags of millet seeds on the grass. She said, "Tomorrow morning, before the sun comes up, you must pick them all up. Not one single seed can be left behind." The young man sat down in the garden. He thought hard about how he could do this big task, but he could not think of a way. He sat there sadly, waiting for the sun to rise, because he knew he would soon be led to his death. But as soon as the first warm light touched the garden, he saw all ten sacks standing side by side. They were full! Not a single grain was missing. The King of the Ants had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants. The kind creatures had worked very hard to pick up every seed and put it safely into the sacks.

Soon, the king's daughter came down into the garden. She was amazed to see that the young man had done the hard tasks she had given him. But she could not yet let go of her pride. She said, "Even though you did the work, you are not my husband yet. You must bring me a golden apple from the Tree of Life." The young man did not know where that tree was. He set out to find it. He walked for a very long time, as long as his legs would let him. He did not think he would ever find it. After he walked through three kingdoms, he came to a wood one evening. He lay down under a tree to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling in the branches. A golden apple fell right into his hand.

Three ravens flew down to him. They perched on his knee. They said, "We are the three young ravens you saved. We grew big and heard you were looking for the golden apple. We flew over the sea to the end of the world. We went to the tree of life and brought you the apple." The youth was full of joy. He set out for home. He took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter. She could not make any more excuses. They cut the apple of life in two. They ate it together. Her heart became full of love for him. They lived in happy peace for a very long time.

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"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her. The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves. All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks. Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
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"body_text": "A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her. The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves. All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks. Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age.",
"clean_body": [
"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her. The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves. All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks. Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
],
"clean_text": "A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her. The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves. All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks. Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age.",
"tts_chunks": [
"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room.",
"When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened.",
"They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her.",
"The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water.",
"They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones.",
"Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city.",
"There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.",
"All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task.",
"She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.",
"Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand.",
"At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
],
"speech_safe_body": [
"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room.",
"When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened.",
"They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her.",
"The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water.",
"They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones.",
"Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city.",
"There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.",
"All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task.",
"She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.",
"Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand.",
"At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
],
"speech_safe_text": "A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room.\n\nWhen he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere.\n\nThe king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened.\n\nThey were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her.\n\nThe servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water.\n\nThey leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones.\n\nOut with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city.\n\nThere was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.\n\nAll the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task.\n\nShe went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.\n\nPresently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand.\n\nAt the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age.",
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"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room.",
"When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened.",
"They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her.",
"The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water.",
"They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones.",
"Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city.",
"There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.",
"All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task.",
"She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.",
"Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand.",
"At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
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"A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom, every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room.",
"When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals. Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence, he was dismissed with no better answer. In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest, and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened.",
"They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found, and one said in a pitiful tone, something lies heavy on my stomach, as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen's window. The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook, here is a fine duck, pray, kill her. Yes, said the cook, and weighed her in his hand, she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough. So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen's ring was found inside her.",
"The servant could now easily prove his innocence, and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favor, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for traveling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water.",
"They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him, we will remember you and repay you for saving us. He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain, why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies. That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy. So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. The path led him into a wood, and here he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones.",
"Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures, cried they, we cannot find food for you any longer, you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves. But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying, oh, what helpless chicks we are. We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly. What can we do, but lie here and starve. So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried, we will remember you - one good turn deserves another. And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city.",
"There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud, the king's daughter wants a husband, but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life. Many had already made the attempt, but in vain, nevertheless when the youth saw the king's daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor. So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes, then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added, if you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.",
"All the people grieved for the handsome youth, then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king, and expected that he would grant him the promised reward. But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task.",
"She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacks-full of millet-seed on the grass, then she said, tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting. The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.",
"Presently the king's daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said, although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he has brought me an apple from the tree of life. The youth did not know where the tree of life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand.",
"At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said, we are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving, when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the golden apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the tree of life stands, and have brought you the apple. The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter, who had no more excuses left to make. They cut the apple of life in two and ate it together, and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age."
],
"child_friendly_title": "The White Snake",
"child_friendly_body": [
"A long time ago there lived a wise King who knew everything in his land. It was as if he could hear news from everywhere. But he had a special habit. Every day after lunch, when the room was empty, a kind servant brought him one more plate. The plate was covered, and no one knew what was inside. The King would not look at it until he was all alone. This went on for a long time. One day, the servant felt very curious. He could not help himself, so he took the plate into his room to look.",
"He locked the door tight and lifted the lid. There, on the plate, was a white snake. He could not help himself. He cut off a tiny piece and put it in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he heard a soft whispering outside the window. He went to look and saw the little sparrows talking to one another. They were telling stories about the green fields and the tall trees. Eating the snake gave him a special gift. He could now understand the language of animals. Just then, the queen lost her shiny ring. Everyone looked at the kind servant. They thought he might have taken it.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him. He said that unless the thief was found by tomorrow, the man would be in big trouble. The man said he was innocent, but the king did not listen. He sent the man away. The man was very scared and went down to the yard. He did not know what to do. He saw some ducks sitting by a small stream. They were resting and cleaning their soft feathers. The ducks were talking quietly to each other. The man stood close by and listened to them.",
"They talked about all the places they had waddled around that morning and the yummy food they had found. Then one of them spoke in a sad voice. \"Something feels heavy in my tummy,\" she said. \"I was eating so fast that I swallowed a shiny ring that was under the queen's window.\" The servant grabbed her by the neck and took her to the kitchen. He told the cook, \"Here is a fine duck. Please, cook her.\" The cook nodded. He picked her up to check her weight. \"She has worked hard to get fat,\" he said. \"She has been waiting to be roasted for a long time.\" So, he cut off her head. While they were getting her ready for the oven, they found the queen's ring inside her.",
"The servant could now prove he was innocent. The kind king wanted to make things right. He let the servant ask for anything he wanted. The servant did not want a big job or gold. He only asked for a horse and some money to travel. He wanted to see the world and have fun. When he got his gifts, he set off on his journey. One day, he came to a pond. He saw three little fishes stuck in the tall grass. They were gasping for water. Even though fish cannot talk, he heard them cry out. They were sad because they were going to die. The servant had a very kind heart. He got off his horse and gently put the three fishes back into the water.",
"They jumped with joy and called out, \"We will never forget you! Thank you for saving us!\" He rode on, and soon he heard a tiny voice in the sand. He listened closely. An ant-king was complaining, \"Why do people with their big, clumsy horses have to walk on us? That heavy horse has been stepping on my family without mercy.\" So, he turned onto a side path. The ant-king cheered, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another!\" The path led him into a forest. There, he saw two old ravens sitting by their nest. They were gently pushing their babies out to fly.",
"Go away, you lazy creatures!\" cried the people. \"We cannot feed you anymore. You are big enough to find your own food.\" But the poor young ravens just lay on the ground. They flapped their wings and cried, \"Oh, we are so helpless! We cannot fly. What can we do but lie here and starve?\"\n\nSo the kind young man landed. He used his sword to kill his horse and gave it to them for food. The ravens hopped over and ate. Then they cried, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another.\" Now he had to use his own legs. After walking a long way, he came to a big city.",
"A loud noise filled the streets. A man rode up on a horse and shouted, \"The King’s daughter wants a husband! But anyone who wants to marry her must do a hard task. If they fail, they will lose their life.\" Many people had tried, but they all failed. However, when the young man saw the princess, he was so amazed by her beauty that he forgot all about the danger. He went before the King and said he wanted to marry her. The King led him to the sea. A gold ring was thrown into the water right in front of him. Then the King said, \"You must bring that ring up from the bottom of the sea. If you come back without it, I will throw you in again and again until you are lost in the waves.",
"The people felt very sad for the handsome young man. They left him all alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and thought about what he should do. Suddenly, he saw three fishes swimming toward him. They were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The fish in the middle held a mussel in its mouth. It gently placed the mussel on the shore at the young man's feet. When he picked it up and opened it, he found a gold ring inside. He was full of joy. He took the ring to the king and hoped he would give him the promised reward. But the proud princess saw the ring and realized he was not from a royal family like her. She looked down on him and asked him to do another hard task.",
"She went down into the garden and spread ten big bags of millet seeds on the grass. She said, \"Tomorrow morning, before the sun comes up, you must pick them all up. Not one single seed can be left behind.\"\n\nThe young man sat down in the garden. He thought hard about how he could do this big task, but he could not think of a way. He sat there sadly, waiting for the sun to rise, because he knew he would soon be led to his death.\n\nBut as soon as the first warm light touched the garden, he saw all ten sacks standing side by side. They were full! Not a single grain was missing. The King of the Ants had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants. The kind creatures had worked very hard to pick up every seed and put it safely into the sacks.",
"Soon, the king's daughter came down into the garden. She was amazed to see that the young man had done the hard tasks she had given him. But she could not yet let go of her pride. She said, \"Even though you did the work, you are not my husband yet. You must bring me a golden apple from the Tree of Life.\"\n\nThe young man did not know where that tree was. He set out to find it. He walked for a very long time, as long as his legs would let him. He did not think he would ever find it. After he walked through three kingdoms, he came to a wood one evening. He lay down under a tree to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling in the branches. A golden apple fell right into his hand.",
"Three ravens flew down to him. They perched on his knee. They said, \"We are the three young ravens you saved. We grew big and heard you were looking for the golden apple. We flew over the sea to the end of the world. We went to the tree of life and brought you the apple.\"\n\nThe youth was full of joy. He set out for home. He took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter. She could not make any more excuses. They cut the apple of life in two. They ate it together. Her heart became full of love for him. They lived in happy peace for a very long time."
],
"child_friendly_text": "A long time ago there lived a wise King who knew everything in his land. It was as if he could hear news from everywhere. But he had a special habit. Every day after lunch, when the room was empty, a kind servant brought him one more plate. The plate was covered, and no one knew what was inside. The King would not look at it until he was all alone. This went on for a long time. One day, the servant felt very curious. He could not help himself, so he took the plate into his room to look.\n\nHe locked the door tight and lifted the lid. There, on the plate, was a white snake. He could not help himself. He cut off a tiny piece and put it in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he heard a soft whispering outside the window. He went to look and saw the little sparrows talking to one another. They were telling stories about the green fields and the tall trees. Eating the snake gave him a special gift. He could now understand the language of animals. Just then, the queen lost her shiny ring. Everyone looked at the kind servant. They thought he might have taken it.\n\nThe king ordered the man to be brought before him. He said that unless the thief was found by tomorrow, the man would be in big trouble. The man said he was innocent, but the king did not listen. He sent the man away. The man was very scared and went down to the yard. He did not know what to do. He saw some ducks sitting by a small stream. They were resting and cleaning their soft feathers. The ducks were talking quietly to each other. The man stood close by and listened to them.\n\nThey talked about all the places they had waddled around that morning and the yummy food they had found. Then one of them spoke in a sad voice. \"Something feels heavy in my tummy,\" she said. \"I was eating so fast that I swallowed a shiny ring that was under the queen's window.\" The servant grabbed her by the neck and took her to the kitchen. He told the cook, \"Here is a fine duck. Please, cook her.\" The cook nodded. He picked her up to check her weight. \"She has worked hard to get fat,\" he said. \"She has been waiting to be roasted for a long time.\" So, he cut off her head. While they were getting her ready for the oven, they found the queen's ring inside her.\n\nThe servant could now prove he was innocent. The kind king wanted to make things right. He let the servant ask for anything he wanted. The servant did not want a big job or gold. He only asked for a horse and some money to travel. He wanted to see the world and have fun. When he got his gifts, he set off on his journey. One day, he came to a pond. He saw three little fishes stuck in the tall grass. They were gasping for water. Even though fish cannot talk, he heard them cry out. They were sad because they were going to die. The servant had a very kind heart. He got off his horse and gently put the three fishes back into the water.\n\nThey jumped with joy and called out, \"We will never forget you! Thank you for saving us!\" He rode on, and soon he heard a tiny voice in the sand. He listened closely. An ant-king was complaining, \"Why do people with their big, clumsy horses have to walk on us? That heavy horse has been stepping on my family without mercy.\" So, he turned onto a side path. The ant-king cheered, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another!\" The path led him into a forest. There, he saw two old ravens sitting by their nest. They were gently pushing their babies out to fly.\n\nGo away, you lazy creatures!\" cried the people. \"We cannot feed you anymore. You are big enough to find your own food.\" But the poor young ravens just lay on the ground. They flapped their wings and cried, \"Oh, we are so helpless! We cannot fly. What can we do but lie here and starve?\"\n\nSo the kind young man landed. He used his sword to kill his horse and gave it to them for food. The ravens hopped over and ate. Then they cried, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another.\" Now he had to use his own legs. After walking a long way, he came to a big city.\n\nA loud noise filled the streets. A man rode up on a horse and shouted, \"The King’s daughter wants a husband! But anyone who wants to marry her must do a hard task. If they fail, they will lose their life.\" Many people had tried, but they all failed. However, when the young man saw the princess, he was so amazed by her beauty that he forgot all about the danger. He went before the King and said he wanted to marry her. The King led him to the sea. A gold ring was thrown into the water right in front of him. Then the King said, \"You must bring that ring up from the bottom of the sea. If you come back without it, I will throw you in again and again until you are lost in the waves.\n\nThe people felt very sad for the handsome young man. They left him all alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and thought about what he should do. Suddenly, he saw three fishes swimming toward him. They were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The fish in the middle held a mussel in its mouth. It gently placed the mussel on the shore at the young man's feet. When he picked it up and opened it, he found a gold ring inside. He was full of joy. He took the ring to the king and hoped he would give him the promised reward. But the proud princess saw the ring and realized he was not from a royal family like her. She looked down on him and asked him to do another hard task.\n\nShe went down into the garden and spread ten big bags of millet seeds on the grass. She said, \"Tomorrow morning, before the sun comes up, you must pick them all up. Not one single seed can be left behind.\"\n\nThe young man sat down in the garden. He thought hard about how he could do this big task, but he could not think of a way. He sat there sadly, waiting for the sun to rise, because he knew he would soon be led to his death.\n\nBut as soon as the first warm light touched the garden, he saw all ten sacks standing side by side. They were full! Not a single grain was missing. The King of the Ants had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants. The kind creatures had worked very hard to pick up every seed and put it safely into the sacks.\n\nSoon, the king's daughter came down into the garden. She was amazed to see that the young man had done the hard tasks she had given him. But she could not yet let go of her pride. She said, \"Even though you did the work, you are not my husband yet. You must bring me a golden apple from the Tree of Life.\"\n\nThe young man did not know where that tree was. He set out to find it. He walked for a very long time, as long as his legs would let him. He did not think he would ever find it. After he walked through three kingdoms, he came to a wood one evening. He lay down under a tree to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling in the branches. A golden apple fell right into his hand.\n\nThree ravens flew down to him. They perched on his knee. They said, \"We are the three young ravens you saved. We grew big and heard you were looking for the golden apple. We flew over the sea to the end of the world. We went to the tree of life and brought you the apple.\"\n\nThe youth was full of joy. He set out for home. He took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter. She could not make any more excuses. They cut the apple of life in two. They ate it together. Her heart became full of love for him. They lived in happy peace for a very long time.",
"child_friendly_chunks": [
"A long time ago there lived a wise King who knew everything in his land. It was as if he could hear news from everywhere. But he had a special habit. Every day after lunch, when the room was empty, a kind servant brought him one more plate. The plate was covered, and no one knew what was inside. The King would not look at it until he was all alone. This went on for a long time. One day, the servant felt very curious. He could not help himself, so he took the plate into his room to look.",
"He locked the door tight and lifted the lid. There, on the plate, was a white snake. He could not help himself. He cut off a tiny piece and put it in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he heard a soft whispering outside the window. He went to look and saw the little sparrows talking to one another. They were telling stories about the green fields and the tall trees. Eating the snake gave him a special gift. He could now understand the language of animals. Just then, the queen lost her shiny ring. Everyone looked at the kind servant. They thought he might have taken it.",
"The king ordered the man to be brought before him. He said that unless the thief was found by tomorrow, the man would be in big trouble. The man said he was innocent, but the king did not listen. He sent the man away. The man was very scared and went down to the yard. He did not know what to do. He saw some ducks sitting by a small stream. They were resting and cleaning their soft feathers. The ducks were talking quietly to each other. The man stood close by and listened to them.",
"They talked about all the places they had waddled around that morning and the yummy food they had found. Then one of them spoke in a sad voice. \"Something feels heavy in my tummy,\" she said. \"I was eating so fast that I swallowed a shiny ring that was under the queen's window.\" The servant grabbed her by the neck and took her to the kitchen. He told the cook, \"Here is a fine duck. Please, cook her.\" The cook nodded. He picked her up to check her weight. \"She has worked hard to get fat,\" he said. \"She has been waiting to be roasted for a long time.\" So, he cut off her head. While they were getting her ready for the oven, they found the queen's ring inside her.",
"The servant could now prove he was innocent. The kind king wanted to make things right. He let the servant ask for anything he wanted. The servant did not want a big job or gold. He only asked for a horse and some money to travel. He wanted to see the world and have fun. When he got his gifts, he set off on his journey. One day, he came to a pond. He saw three little fishes stuck in the tall grass. They were gasping for water. Even though fish cannot talk, he heard them cry out. They were sad because they were going to die. The servant had a very kind heart. He got off his horse and gently put the three fishes back into the water.",
"They jumped with joy and called out, \"We will never forget you! Thank you for saving us!\" He rode on, and soon he heard a tiny voice in the sand. He listened closely. An ant-king was complaining, \"Why do people with their big, clumsy horses have to walk on us? That heavy horse has been stepping on my family without mercy.\" So, he turned onto a side path. The ant-king cheered, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another!\" The path led him into a forest. There, he saw two old ravens sitting by their nest. They were gently pushing their babies out to fly.",
"Go away, you lazy creatures!\" cried the people. \"We cannot feed you anymore. You are big enough to find your own food.\" But the poor young ravens just lay on the ground. They flapped their wings and cried, \"Oh, we are so helpless! We cannot fly. What can we do but lie here and starve?\"\n\nSo the kind young man landed. He used his sword to kill his horse and gave it to them for food. The ravens hopped over and ate. Then they cried, \"We will remember you! One good turn deserves another.\" Now he had to use his own legs. After walking a long way, he came to a big city.",
"A loud noise filled the streets. A man rode up on a horse and shouted, \"The King’s daughter wants a husband! But anyone who wants to marry her must do a hard task. If they fail, they will lose their life.\" Many people had tried, but they all failed. However, when the young man saw the princess, he was so amazed by her beauty that he forgot all about the danger. He went before the King and said he wanted to marry her. The King led him to the sea. A gold ring was thrown into the water right in front of him. Then the King said, \"You must bring that ring up from the bottom of the sea. If you come back without it, I will throw you in again and again until you are lost in the waves.",
"The people felt very sad for the handsome young man. They left him all alone by the sea. He stood on the shore and thought about what he should do. Suddenly, he saw three fishes swimming toward him. They were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The fish in the middle held a mussel in its mouth. It gently placed the mussel on the shore at the young man's feet. When he picked it up and opened it, he found a gold ring inside. He was full of joy. He took the ring to the king and hoped he would give him the promised reward. But the proud princess saw the ring and realized he was not from a royal family like her. She looked down on him and asked him to do another hard task.",
"She went down into the garden and spread ten big bags of millet seeds on the grass. She said, \"Tomorrow morning, before the sun comes up, you must pick them all up. Not one single seed can be left behind.\"\n\nThe young man sat down in the garden. He thought hard about how he could do this big task, but he could not think of a way. He sat there sadly, waiting for the sun to rise, because he knew he would soon be led to his death.\n\nBut as soon as the first warm light touched the garden, he saw all ten sacks standing side by side. They were full! Not a single grain was missing. The King of the Ants had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants. The kind creatures had worked very hard to pick up every seed and put it safely into the sacks.",
"Soon, the king's daughter came down into the garden. She was amazed to see that the young man had done the hard tasks she had given him. But she could not yet let go of her pride. She said, \"Even though you did the work, you are not my husband yet. You must bring me a golden apple from the Tree of Life.\"\n\nThe young man did not know where that tree was. He set out to find it. He walked for a very long time, as long as his legs would let him. He did not think he would ever find it. After he walked through three kingdoms, he came to a wood one evening. He lay down under a tree to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling in the branches. A golden apple fell right into his hand.",
"Three ravens flew down to him. They perched on his knee. They said, \"We are the three young ravens you saved. We grew big and heard you were looking for the golden apple. We flew over the sea to the end of the world. We went to the tree of life and brought you the apple.\"\n\nThe youth was full of joy. He set out for home. He took the golden apple to the king's beautiful daughter. She could not make any more excuses. They cut the apple of life in two. They ate it together. Her heart became full of love for him. They lived in happy peace for a very long time."
],
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}