IN a certain kingdom there lived a Prince Ivan. He had three
sisters. The first was the Princess Marya, the second the Princess
Olga, the third the Princess Anna. When their father and
mother lay at the point of death, they had thus enjoined their
son: `Give your sisters in marriage to the very first suitors who
come to woo them. Don't go keeping them by you!'

They died, and the Prince buried them, and then, to solace his
grief, he went with his sisters into the garden green to stroll.
Suddenly the sky was covered by a black cloud; a terrible storm
arose.

`Let us go home, sisters!' he cried.

Hardly had they got into the palace, when the thunder pealed,
the ceiling split open, and into the room where they were came
flying a falcon bright. The Falcon smote upon the ground, became
a brave youth, and said:

`Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I have
come as a wooer! I wish to propose for your sister, the Princess
Marya.'

`If you find favour in the eyes of my sister, I will not interfere
with her wishes. Let her marry you, in God's name!'

The Princess Marya gave her consent; the Falcon married her
and bore her away into his own realm.

Days follow days, hours chase hours; a whole year goes by. One
day Prince Ivan and his two sisters went out to stroll in the garden
green. Again there arose a storm-cloud, with whirlwind and lightning.

`Let us go home, sisters!' cries the Prince. Scarcely had they
entered the palace when the thunder crashed, the roof burst into a
blaze, the ceiling split in twain, and in flew an eagle. The Eagle
smote upon the ground and became a brave youth.

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