金丝雀王子&意大利童话

    从前有一个国王，他有一个女儿。这女孩的母亲去世后，继母容不下她，总对国王说她的坏话。姑娘一再为自己辩白，可继母说尽了坏话，用尽了手段，尽管国王很疼爱自己的女儿，最终也不得不顺从王后之意，让她把姑娘送走。不过一定要给公主安排一个好去处，不能亏待了她。继母说：“这件事，您就放心吧，不必操劳了。”可一转脸，她就命人把公主关进森林中的一个城堡里了。还挑选了一批宫中贵妇，让她们到城堡陪伴公主，并下令不许公主出去，连窗户也不能靠近，当然，她也照着王宫里的标准支付这些侍女的报酬。她给公主安排了一间不错的房间，吃的喝的都可以满足她，只是不许她跨出大门一步。但是，那些拿着优厚报酬的侍女，整天无所事事，只顾自己寻乐，根本不管公主。

    国王时不时问妻子：“我们的女儿现在怎么样了？过得好吗？”而王后为了让国王相信自己关心公主，就去看望她。到了城堡，刚下马车，侍女们就都跑上前来，告诉她公主一切都好，每天高高兴兴的，让她放心。王后到公主的房间转了一下，说：“你在这里过得不错，是吗？这里什么也不缺吧？你看上去脸色很好，这里的空气很新鲜，你舒舒服服地住着吧。再见！”说完就走了。回到王宫，她告诉国王她从没见过他的女儿这样高兴过。

    而实际上公主总是孤独地待在房间里，那些陪伴她的侍女连管都不管她，她整天站在窗前伤心地度过一天又一天，如果不是想起在窗台上垫了一个坐垫，她那支在窗台上的双肘早就磨出茧子来了。窗户朝着森林，公主整天整天地望着窗外的树梢、远处的白云和猎人们行走的小路。有一天，她看见一个王子从小路上经过，他是追赶一只野猪才来到这座城堡附近的。他知道这是一座荒废了多年的城堡，当他望见上面有人居住的样子，觉得很惊奇。只见城墙垛间晾晒着衣物，窗户打开着，烟囱冒着烟。他正惊奇地看着，突然发现城堡上面的一扇窗户里，站着一个美丽的姑娘，就冲着她微微一笑。因为相距太远无法交谈，王子和公主又是微笑又是点头，又是鞠躬，就这样含情脉脉地对视了一个小时。

    第二天，那个王子身着黄色猎装，假装打猎，又来到了城堡下，他们对望了两个小时。这一次除了微笑、点头、鞠躬，他们两人还都用手捂住自己的心口，然后向对方挥动着手帕。第三天，王子站了三个小时，他们还互相用手传递着飞吻。第四天，王子像前几次一样又来了，这时一个女巫从一棵树后探出身，大声笑起来：“哈哈，哈哈，哈哈！”

    “你是谁？有什么好笑的？”王子厉声喝道。

    “我从没见过像你们两个这样隔得这么远又这么痴情的恋人。”

    “你知道我怎么才能上去见她呢？老婆婆。”王子问。

    女巫说：“看你挺可爱的，我就帮你一把。”然后，就去敲城堡的门。她递给侍女们一本老旧的厚书，皱巴巴、脏兮兮的，说是她送给公主的一份礼物，好让公主读着它打发时间。侍女们把书送给了公主，公主急忙打开来一看，上面写着：这是一本魔书。如果你从前往后翻，你的心上人就会变成一只鸟，而如果你从后往前翻，你的心上人就会由鸟变成人。

    公主立即跑到窗前，把书放在窗台上，急不可耐地翻起来，同时紧盯着那个身着黄色猎装、站在小路上的小伙子。只见小伙子的两臂动了起来，上下拍动变成了翅膀，而小伙子变成了一只金丝雀。金丝雀从地上飞起来，飞得比树梢还高，然后直奔窗口飞来，停在窗台上的垫子上。公主情不自禁地把这只美丽的金丝雀小心翼翼地捧在手里，亲吻着它，这时，她想起这是一个小伙子，感到很难为情，可转念一想，又觉得很自然了，恨不能马上让它变回先前的那个小伙子。她拿起那本书，向前快速地翻着，只见金丝雀竖起黄色的羽毛，拍动着翅膀，慢慢变成了双臂，又重新变回到那个身着黄色猎装、打着绑腿的小伙子。小伙子跪在她脚下，对她说：“我爱你！”

    两个人互相倾诉着爱慕之情，不知不觉中夜幕已经降临。公主缓缓地开始翻着书页。小伙子双眼紧盯着公主，变成了一只金丝雀，它跳上阳台，又跳上屋檐，随后，迎风飞起来，盘旋着向下，落在一根低矮的树枝上。这时，公主又把书向前翻，金丝雀又变成了王子，王子跳到地上，吹了声口哨唤来了猎狗，朝着公主的窗口抛了一个飞吻，便沿着小路远去了。

    就这样，那本魔书每天都为了让王子飞到城堡尖塔上的窗口翻一遍，又为把他变回人身翻一遍，然后又为了让他飞去翻一遍，为了让他回家又翻一遍。两个年轻人从没感受过如此的幸福。

    一天，王后来看继女，她到公主的房间转了一圈后，还是假惺惺地说：“你过得不错，是吗？你看上去瘦了一点，但这也没什么，对吗？你过得从没有这样舒服过，是吗？”她一边说着，一边环顾四周查看一下有什么不妥。她打开窗户往外看，发现了那个身着黄色猎装的王子带着猎狗走进城堡。王后想：“要是这个小骚货胆敢在窗口卖弄风情，我就好好教训她一下。”于是，她让公主去端来一杯水和糖，而她急忙从头发上摘下自己戴的五六根别针，插在垫子里，针尖朝上，但又使别人很难发现。“这样，她就会尝到趴在窗台上的滋味了。”公主把她要的水和糖端过来，她却说：“噢，我又不渴了，你喝了吧，小可怜！我得回到你父亲那里。你什么也不需要，是吧？那我走了。”说完就走了。

    王后的马车刚一走远，公主就急切地翻起书来，王子变成了金丝雀，飞向窗台，箭一般落在垫子上。金丝雀当即疼得大叫起来，鲜血染红了黄色的羽毛，是垫子里的那几根针刺进了金丝雀的胸脯。它挣扎着抬起那对摇晃不稳的翅膀，借着风力，摇摆着飞下去，张着翅膀摔在地上。公主吓懵了，弄不清到底发生了什么事，急急忙忙向前翻着书页，希望金丝雀变回人身后，王子的伤痛能够消失。唉，变回人身后，只见他黄色猎装的胸前被刺破了几处很深的伤口，鲜血滴个不停，他只好仰卧在地上，他的那几只猎狗围在他的身旁。

    猎狗的狂叫声引来了另外一些猎人，大家赶来救他，用一副树枝做的担架把他抬走了，王子甚至没有睁眼看一下他的恋人的窗口，而她正为王子的伤担惊受怕呢。

    王子被带回王宫后，没向任何人透露受伤的经过，御医们也无法给他更多的帮助。他的伤口不仅没愈合，反而越发厉害。国王让人在所有的大街小巷都贴上布告，重金招募能治好王子伤病的人，结果无人敢应募。

    这时，公主因为见不到心上人而焦虑万分。她把床单剪成细条，搓紧，然后系在一起，结成一根很长很长的绳子，趁着黑夜顺着绳子从高高的城堡塔尖上滑了下来。她顺着那条打猎的小路向前走着，但是到处是漆黑一片和狼的嗥叫声。公主想还是等早上天亮再走吧，就摸黑来到一株空心的老槐树下，钻进树洞里，曲着腿坐下，她累极了，很快就睡着了。她醒来的时候，天还黑着，可她隐约听到有口哨声，侧耳倾听，又听到一声，接着听到了第三声，第四声。而且她还远远看见有四支烛火在向她靠近。这是四个女巫，她们从世界的四个地方来，要聚在这棵树下碰面。公主躲在树里，没让她们发现，她从树干的缝隙中，看见四个老妇人每人手里都拿着根蜡烛，大呼小叫地笑着，问候着：“哈哈！哈哈！哈哈！”

    她们在树下点起了一堆篝火，坐在旁边取暖，一边烤着几只蝙蝠当晚餐。当她们都饱了，就开始互相聊起各自遇上的新鲜事。

    “我看见土耳其的苏丹了，他又买了二十个妻子了。”

    “我看见中国的皇帝了，他的辫子已经长到三米长了。”

    “我看见食人国的国王了，他一不留神，把自己的宠臣吃了。”

    “我看见这附近的那个国王了，他的儿子病了，没有人能治好他，因为只有我知道那方法。”

    “什么方法？”另外三个女巫问。

    “在他的房间里，有一块活动的地砖，打开这块砖，就能找到一个细颈瓶，瓶里有一种药膏，可以愈合他所有的伤口。”

    公主在树洞里惊喜得差点叫出声来，她赶快用手捂住自己的嘴，保持沉默。女巫们最后把自己要说的话都讲出来了，就各自上路回去了。公主从树洞里跳出来，趁着黎明的微光，朝城里走去。路过第一家旧货铺时，她买了一件医生穿的长袍和一副眼镜，然后来到王宫前敲开了门。仆人看到这个医生带的器具简陋，不想放她进去，国王却说：“反正，我儿子的病已经到了无可救药的地步了，再差的医术也不会伤害到我那可怜的儿子了，也让他试试吧。”假医生请求让她跟病人单独待一会，国王也同意了。

    王子神志不清地躺在床上呻吟着，公主望着自己的心上人，很想大哭一场，也很想吻遍他全身，但是，她强忍住自己的感情，要赶快按照那个巫婆的秘诀救王子。她在宽大的房间里来来回回地走着，终于找到了一块活动的地砖，打开一看，里边有一个小瓶，装着药膏。公主把瓶里的药膏抹在王子的伤口上，她刚把涂着药膏的手指放到伤口上，伤口马上就愈合了。公主又惊又喜，去请国王进来。国王看见儿子的伤口全消失了，脸上也渐渐出现了血色，正躺在床上安静地睡着。

    国王说：“医生，告诉我你想要什么，我领地上所有的财宝都可以给你。”

    医生说：“我不想要钱，只要王子用的那块刻着族徽的盾牌，王子的战旗和他的那件被血染红的破了的黄色猎装。”她得到这三件东西后就离开了。

    三天过后，王子又去打猎。他从那个森林中的城堡下经过的时候，连看都没往公主的窗口那边看。公主马上取来那本书，翻着书页，王子尽管全力抵抗，但也只能变成一只金丝雀。他飞到房间里，公主又让他变回人身。他说：“让我走，你用发针刺伤了我还不够吗？还想给我更多的痛苦？”确实，王子对公主已经没有任何爱慕之情了，他以为是公主造成了他的不幸。

    公主差点昏过去，说：“是我救了你！是我给你治好了伤！”

    王子却说：“假话，给我治伤的是一个外国医生，他不要任何酬谢，只带走了我的族徽、战旗和我的那件被血染红的猎装！”

    “这是你的族徽，这是你的战旗，这是你的猎装！我就是那个医生！那些发针是我的那位残忍的继母放的！”

    王子惊愕地望着公主的眼睛，觉得她从没像现在这样美丽过。他扑倒在公主的脚下，请求她的原谅，并表明了自己全部的感激之情和爱慕之意。

    当天晚上，王子就禀告父王要娶森林中城堡上住的那位姑娘为妻。国王却说：“你只能娶国王或皇帝的女儿为妻。”

    “我要娶曾经救过我命的姑娘。”

    于是，王宫上下忙着准备婚礼，他们邀请了附近所有的国王和王后。公主的父亲也来参加了，他对女儿的事一无所知。当他看到新娘出现在自己面前时，惊呼道：“我的女儿！”

    “怎么？我儿子的新娘是您的女儿？为什么您以前从没提过她？”新郎的父亲问。

    新娘说：“因为他们根本没把我当人看待，我的继母把我关押起来。”她边说边用手指着那个王后。

    国王听到女儿所有的不幸遭遇，对女儿他感到万分内疚，对狠心的妻子感到愤怒。他等不及回家就把王后抓了起来。婚礼在喜庆的气氛中举行，所有的人都感到欢乐、满足，只有那个恶妇在等待着悲惨的结局。

    （都灵地区）

    TheCanaryPrince

    Therewasakingwhohadadaughter.Hermotherwasdead,andthestepmotherwasjealousofthegirlandalwaysspokebadlyofhertotheking.Themaidendefendedherselfasbestasshecould,butthestepmotherwassocontraryandinsistentthattheking,thoughhelovedhisdaughter,finallygavein.Hetoldthequeentosendthegirlaway,buttosomeplacewhereshewouldbecomfortable,forhewouldneverallowhertobemistreated."Havenofearofthat,"saidthestepmother,whothenhadthegirlshutupinacastleintheheartoftheforest.Tokeephercompany,thequeenselectedagroupofladies-in-waiting,orderingthemnevertoletthegirlgooutofthehouseoreventolookoutthewindows.Naturallytheyreceivedasalaryworthyofaroyalhousehold.Thegirlwasgivenabeautifulroomandallshewantedtoeatanddrink.Theonlythingshecouldntdowasgooutdoors.Buttheladies,enjoyingsomuchleisuretimeandmoney,thoughtonlyofthemselvesandpaidnoattentiontoher.

    Everynowandthenthekingwouldaskhiswife,"Andhowisourdaughter?Whatisshedoingwithherselfthesedays?"Toprovethatshedidtakeaninterestinthegirl,thequeencalledonher.Theminuteshesteppedfromhercarriage,theladies-in-waitingallrushedoutandtoldhernottoworry,thegirlwaswellandhappy.Thequeenwentuptothegirlsroomforamoment."Soyourecomfortable,areyou?Youneednothing,doyou?Yourelookingwell,Isee;thecountryairisdoingyougood.Stayhappy,now.Bye-bye,dear!"Andoffshewent.Sheinformedthekingshehadneverseenhisdaughtersocontent.

    Onthecontrary,alwasyaloneintheroom,withladies-in-waitingwhodidntsomuchaslookather,theprincessspentherdayswistfullyatthewindow.Shesatthereleaningonthewindowsill,andhadshenotthoughttoputapillowunderthem,shewouldhavegotcallusesonherelbows.Thewindowlookedoutontheforest,andalldaylongtheprincesssawnothingbuttreetops,cloudsand,downbelow,thehunterstrail.Overthattrailonedaycamethesonofakinginpursuitofawildboar.Nearingthecastleknowntohavebeenunoccupiedfornotellinghowmanyyears,hewasamazedtoseewashingspreadoutonthebattlements,smokerisingfromthechimneys,andopencasements.Ashelookedabouthim,henoticedabeautifulmaidenatoneoftheupperwindowsandsmiledather.Themaidensawtheprincetoo,dressedinyellow,withhuntersleggingsandgun,andsmilingather,soshesmiledbackathim.Forawholehour,theysmiled,bowed,andcurtsied,beingtoofaraparttocommunicateinanyotherway.

    Thenextday,underthepretextofgoinghunting,thekingssonreturned,dressedinyellow,andtheystaredateachotherthistimefortwohours;inadditiontosmiles,bows,andcurtsies,theyputahandovertheirheartsandwavedhandkerchiefsatgreatlength.Thethirddaytheprincestoppedforthreehours,andtheybleweachotherkisses.Thefourthdayhewasthereasusual,whenfrombehindatreeawitchpeepedandbegantoguffaw:"Ho,ho,ho,ho!"

    "Whoareyou?Whatssofunny?"snappedtheprince.

    "Whatssofunny?Twoloverssillyenoughttostaysofarapart!"

    "Wouldyouknowhowtogetanyclosertoher,ninny?"askedtheprince.

    "Ilikeyouboth,"saidthewitch,"andIllhelpyou."

    Sheknockedatthedoorandhandedtheladies-in-waitingabigoldbookwithyellow,smudgypages,sayingitwasagifttotheprincesssotheyoungladycouldpassthetimereading.Theladiestookittothegirl,whoopeneditatonceandread:"Thisisamagicbook.Turnthepagesforward,andthemanbecomesabird;turnthemback,andthebirdbecomesamanoncemore."

    Thegirlrantothewindow,placedthebookonthesill,andturnedthepagesingreathastewhilewatchingtheyouthinyellowstandinginthepath.Movinghisarms,hewassoonflappingwingsandchangedintoacanary,dressedinyellowashewas.Uphesoaredabovethetreetopsandheadedstraightforthewindow,comingtorestonthecushionedsill.Theprincesscouldntresistpickingupthebeautifulcanaryandkissinghim;thenrememberinghewasayoungman,sheblushed.Butonsecondthoughtshewasntashamedatallandmadehastetoturnhimbackintoayouth.Shepickedupthebookandthumbedbackwardthroughit;thecanaryruffledhisyellowfeathers,flappedhiswings,thenmovedarmsandwasoncemoretheyouthdressedinyellowwiththehuntersleggings,whokneltbeforeher,declaring,"Iloveyou!"

    Bythetimetheyfinishedconfessingalltheirloveforoneanother,itwasevening.Slowly,theprincessleafedthroughthebook.Lookingintohereyestheyouthturnedbackintoacanary,perchedonthewindowsill,thenontheeaves,thentrustingtothewind,flewdowninwidearcs,lightingonthelowerlimbofatree.Atthat,sheturnedthepagesbackinthebookandthecanarywasaprinceoncemorewhojumpeddown,whistledforhisdogs,threwakisstowardthewindow,andcontinuedalongthetrailoutofsight.

    Soeverydaythepageswereturnedforwardtobringtheprinceflyinguptothewindowatthetopofthetower,thenturnedbackwardtorestorehishumanform,thenforwardagaintoenablehimtoflyaway,andfinallybackwardforhimtogethome.Neverintheirwholelifehadthetwoyoungpeopleknownsuchhappiness.

    Onedaythequeencalledonherstepdaughter.Shewalkedabouttheroom,saying,"Youreallright,arentyou?Iseeyoureatrifleslimmer,butthatscertainlynocauseforconcern,isit?Itstrue,isntit,youveneverfeltbetter?"Asshetalked,shecheckedtoseethateverythingwasinplace.Sheopenedthewindowandpeeredout.Herecametheprinceinyellowalongthetrailwithhisdogs."Ifthissillygirlthinkssheisgoingtoflirtatthewindow,"saidthestepmothertoherself,"shehasanotherthoughtcomingtoher."Shesentthegirlforaglassofwaterandsomesugar,thenhurriedlyremovedfiveorsixhairpinsfromherownhairandconcealedtheminthepillowwiththesharppointsstickingstraightup."Thatwillteachhertoleanonthewindowsill!"Thegirlreturnedwiththewaterandsugar,butthequeensaid,"Oh,Imnolongerthirsty;youdrinkit,mydear!Imustbegettingbacktoyourfather.Youdontneedanything,doyou?Well,goodbye."Andshewasoff.

    Assoonasthequeenscarriagewasoutofsight,thegirlhurriedlyflippedoverthepagesofthebook,theprinceturnedintoacanary,flewtothewindow,andstruckthepillowlikeanarrow.Heinstantlyletoutashrillcryofpain.Theyellowfeatherswerestainedwithblood;thecanaryhaddriventhepinsintohisbreast.Herosewithaconvulsiveflapping,trustedhimselftothewind,descendedinirregulararcs,andlitonthegroundwithoutstretchedwings.Thefrightenedprincess,notyetfullyawareofwhathadhappened,quicklyturnedthepagesbackinthehopetherewouldbenowoundswhenheregainedhishumanform.Alas,theprincereappeareddrippingbloodfromthedeepstabsthathadrenttheyellowgarmentonhischest,andlaybacksurroundedbyhisdogs.

    Atthehowlingofthedogs,theotherhunterscametohisaidandcarriedhimoffonastretcherofbranches,buthedidntsomuchasglanceupatthewindowofhisbeloved,whowasstilloverwhelmedwithgriefandfright.

    Backathispalace,theprinceshowednopromiseofrecovery,nordidthedoctorsknowwhattodoforhim.Thewoundsrefusedtohealover,andconstantlyhurt.Hisfatherthekingpostedproclamationsoneverystreetcornerpromisingafortunetoanyonewhocouldcurehim,butnotasoulturneduptotry.

    Theprincessmeanwhilewasconsumedwithlongingforherlover.Shecuthersheetsintothinstripswhichshetiedonetotheotherinalong,longrope.Thenonenightsheletherselfdownfromthehightowerandsetoutonthehunterstrail.Butbecauseofthethickdarknessandthehowlsofthewolves,shedecidedtowaitfordaylight.Findinganoldoakwithahollowtrunk,shenestledinsideand,inherexhaustion,fellasleepatonce.Shewokeupwhileitwasstillpitch-dark,undertheimpressionshehadheardawhistle.Listeningclosely,sheheardanotherwhistle,thenathirdandafourth,afterwhichshesawfourcandleflamesadvancing.Theywerefourwitchescomingfromthefourcornersoftheearthtotheirappointedmeetingunderthattree.Throughacrackinthetrunktheprincess,unseenbythem,spiedonthefourcronescarryingcandlesandsneeringawelcometooneanother:"Ah,ah,ah!"

    Theylitabonfireunderthetreeandsatdowntowarmthemselvesandroastacoupleofbatsfordinner.Whentheyhadeatentheirfill,theybeganaskingoneanotherwhattheyhadseenofinterestoutintheworld.

    "IsawthesultanofTurkey,whoboughthimselftwentynewwives."

    "IsawtheemperorofChina,whohaslethispigtailgrowthreeyardslong."

    "Isawthekingofthecannibals,whoatehischamberlainbymistake."

    "Isawthekingofthisregion,whohasthesicksonnobodycancure,sinceIaloneknowtheremedy."

    "Andwhatisit?"askedtheotherwitches.

    "Inthefloorofhisroomisaloosetile.Alloneneedtodoisliftthetile,andthereunderneathisaphialcontaininganointmentthatwouldhealeveryoneofhiswounds."

    Itwasalltheprincessinsidethetreecoulddonottoscreamforjoy.Bythistimethewitcheshadtoldoneanotheralltheyhadtosay,soeachwentherownway.Theprincessjumpedfromthetreeandsetoutinthedawnforthecity.Atthefirstsecondhanddealersshecameto,sheboughtanolddoctorsgownandapairofspectacles,andknockedattheroyalpalace.Seeingthelittledoctorwithsuchscantparaphernalia,theservantswerentgoingtolethimin,butthekingsaid,"Whatharmcouldhedomysonwhocantbeanyworseoffthanheisnow?Lethimseewhathecando."Theshamdoctoraskedtobeleftalonewiththesickman,andtherequestwasgranted.

    Findingherlovergroaningandunconsciousinhissickbed,theprincessfeltlikeweepingandsmotheringhimwithkisses.Butsherestrainedherselfbecauseoftheurgencyofcarryingoutthewitchsdirections.Shepacedupanddowntheroomuntilshesteppedonaloosetile,whichsheraisedanddiscoveredaphialofointment.Withitsherubbedtheprinceswounds,andnosoonerhadshetouchedeachonewithointmentthanthewounddisappearedcompletely.Overjoyedshecalledtheking,whocameinandsawhissonsleepingpeacefully,withthecolorbackinhischeeks,andnotraceofanyofthewounds.

    "Askforwhateveryoulike,doctor,"saidtheking."Allthewealthinthekingdomisyours."

    "Iwishnomoney,"repliedthedoctor."Justgivemetheprincesshieldbearingthefamilycoat-of-arms,hisstandard,andhisyellowvestthatwasrentandbloodied."Uponreceivingthethreeitems,shetookherleave.

    Threedayslater,thekingssonwasagainouthunting.Hepassedthecastleintheheartoftheforest,butdidntdeigntolookupattheprincessswindow.Sheimmediatelypickedupthebook,leafedthroughit,andtheprincehadnochoicebutchangeintoacanary.Heflewintotheroom,andtheprincessturnedhimbackintoaman."Letmego,"hesaid."Isntitenoughtohavepiercedmewiththosepinsofyoursandcausedmesomuchagony?"Theprince,intruth,nolongerlovedthegirl,blamingherforhismisfortune.

    Onthevergeoffainting,sheexclaimed,"ButIsavedyourlife!Iamtheonewhocuredyou!"

    "Thatsnotso,"saidtheprince."Mylifewassavedbyaforeigndoctorwhoaskedfornorecompenseexceptmycoat-of-arms,mystandard,andmybloodiedvest!"

    "Hereareyourcoat-of-arms,yourstandard,andyourvest!Thedoctorwasnoneotherthanmyself!Thepinswerethecrueldoingofmystepmother!"

    Theprincegazedintohereyes,dumbfounded.Neverhadshelookedsobeautiful.Hefellatherfeetaskingherforgivenessanddeclaringhisdeepgratitudeandlove.

    Thatveryeveningheinformedhisfatherhewasgoingtomarrythemaideninthecastleintheforest.

    "Youmaymarryonlythedaughterofakingoranemperor,"repliedhisfather.

    "Ishallmarrythewomanwhosavedmylife."

    Sotheymadepreparationsforthewedding,invitingallthekingsandqueensinthevicinity.Alsopresentwastheprincesssroyalfather,whohadbeeninformedofnothing.Whenthebridecameout,helookedatherandexclaimed,"Mydaughter!"

    "What!"saidtheroyalhost."Mysonsbrideisyourdaughter?Whydidshenottellus?"

    "Because,"explainedthebride,"Inolongerconsidermyselfthedaughterofamanwholetmystepmotherimprisonme."Andshepointedatthequeen.

    Learningofallhisdaughtersmisfortune,thefatherwasfilledwithpityforthegirlandwithloathingforhiswickedwife.Nordidhewaituntilhewasbackhometohavethewomanseized.Thusthemarriagewascelebratedtothesatisfactionandjoyofall,withtheexceptionofthatwretch.

    (Turin)

    NOTES:

    "TheCanaryPrince"IlPrincipecanarino)fromRua(inArchivioperlostudiodelletradizionipopolari,Palermo-Turin,VI[1887],401),Turin.

    ThisfolktalefromTurin,withitsballadlikepathos,developsamedievalmotif,whichisalsoliterary.(ButMariedeFranceslai,Yonec,isquitedifferent,beingthestoryofanadultery.)Mypersonaltoucheshereincludetheprincesyellowsuitandleggings,thedescriptionofthetransformationinaflutterofwings,thegossipofthewitcheswhotraveledtheworldover,andabitofstylisticcunning.

    Copyright:ItalianFolktalesSelectedandRetoldbyItaloCalvino,

    translatedbyGeorgeMartin,

    PantheonBooks,NewYork1980