Chương Chương 62 · The Twelve Huntsmen

. The Twelve Huntsmen

There was once a King’s son who was betrothed to a maiden whom he loved

very much. And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came

that his father lay sick unto death, and desired to see him once again

before his end. Then he said to his beloved, “I must now go and leave

thee, I give thee a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am King, I will

return and fetch thee.” So he rode away, and when he reached his

father, the latter was dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to

him, “Dear son, I wished to see thee once again before my end, promise

me to marry as I wish,” and he named a certain King’s daughter who was

to be his wife. The son was in such trouble that he did not think what

he was doing, and said, “Yes, dear father, your will shall be done,”

and thereupon the King shut his eyes, and died.

When therefore the son had been proclaimed King, and the time of

mourning was over, he was forced to keep the promise which he had given

his father, and caused the King’s daughter to be asked in marriage, and

she was promised to him. His first betrothed heard of this, and fretted

so much about his faithlessness that she nearly died. Then her father

said to her, “Dearest child, why art thou so sad? Thou shalt have

whatsoever thou wilt.” She thought for a moment and said, “Dear father,

I wish for eleven girls exactly like myself in face, figure, and size.”

The father said, “If it be possible, thy desire shall be fulfilled,”

and he caused a search to be made in his whole kingdom, until eleven

young maidens were found who exactly resembled his daughter in face,

figure, and size.

When they came to the King’s daughter, she had twelve suits of

huntsmen’s clothes made, all alike, and the eleven maidens had to put

on the huntsmen’s clothes, and she herself put on the twelfth suit.

Thereupon she took leave of her father, and rode away with them, and

rode to the court of her former betrothed, whom she loved so dearly.

Then she inquired if he required any huntsmen, and if he would take the

whole of them into his service. The King looked at her and did not know

her, but as they were such handsome fellows, he said, “Yes,” and that

he would willingly take them, and now they were the King’s twelve

huntsmen.

The King, however, had a lion which was a wondrous animal, for he knew

all concealed and secret things. It came to pass that one evening he

said to the King, “Thou thinkest thou hast twelve huntsmen?” “Yes,”

said the King, “they are twelve huntsmen.” The lion continued, “Thou

art mistaken, they are twelve girls.” The King said, “That cannot be

true! How wilt thou prove that to me?” “Oh, just let some peas be

strewn in thy ante-chamber,” answered the lion, “and then thou wilt

soon see it. Men have a firm step, and when they walk over the peas

none of them stir, but girls trip and skip, and drag their feet, and

the peas roll about.” The King was well pleased with the counsel, and

caused the peas to be strewn.

There was, however, a servant of the King’s who favored the huntsmen,

and when he heard that they were going to be put to this test he went

to them and repeated everything, and said, “The lion wants to make the

King believe that you are girls.” Then the King’s daughter thanked him,

and said to her maidens, “Put on some strength, and step firmly on the

peas.” So next morning when the King had the twelve huntsmen called

before him, and they came into the ante-chamber where the peas were

lying, they stepped so firmly on them, and had such a strong, sure

walk, that not one of the peas either rolled or stirred. Then they went

away again, and the King said to the lion, “Thou hast lied to me, they

walk just like men.” The lion said, “They have got to know that they

were going to be put to the test, and have assumed some strength. Just

let twelve spinning-wheels be brought into the ante-chamber some day,

and they will go to them and be pleased with them, and that is what no

man would do.” The King liked the advice, and had the spinning-wheels

placed in the ante-chamber.

But the servant, who was well disposed to the huntsmen, went to them,

and disclosed the project. Then when they were alone the King’s

daughter said to her eleven girls, “Put some constraint on yourselves,

and do not look round at the spinning-wheels.” And next morning when

the King had his twelve huntsmen summoned, they went through the

ante-chamber, and never once looked at the spinning wheels. Then the

King again said to the lion, “Thou hast deceived me, they are men, for

they have not looked at the spinning-wheels.” The lion replied, “They

have learnt that they were going to be put to the test, and have

restrained themselves.” The King, however, would no longer believe the

lion.

The twelve huntsmen always followed the King to the chase, and his

liking for them continually increased. Now it came to pass that once

when they were out hunting, news came that the King’s betrothed was

approaching. When the true bride heard that, it hurt her so much that

her heart was almost broken, and she fell fainting to the ground. The

King thought something had happened to his dear huntsman, ran up to

him, wanted to help him, and drew his glove off. Then he saw the ring

which he had given to his first bride, and when he looked in her face

he recognized her. Then his heart was so touched that he kissed her,

and when she opened her eyes he said, “Thou art mine, and I am thine,

and no one in the world can alter that.” He sent a messenger to the

other bride, and entreated her to return to her own kingdom, for he had

a wife already, and a man who had just found an old dish did not

require a new one. Thereupon the wedding was celebrated, and the lion

was again taken into favour, because, after all, he had told the truth.