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He worked in his garden for the next few weeks； and he and his mother contrived to live on the fruit and vegetables he got out of it； and then she too died suddenly。 The poor fellow felt very sad when he had laid her in her grave； and with a heavy heart he wandered into the forest； not knowing where he was going。 By…and…by he began to get hungry； and seeing a small hut in front of him； he knocked at the door and asked if they could give him some milk。 The old woman who opened it begged him to come in； adding kindly； that if he wanted a night's lodging he might have it without its costing him anything。
Two women and three men were at supper when he entered； and silently made room for him to sit down by them。 When he had eaten he began to look about him； and was surprised to see an animal sitting by the fire different from anything he had ever noticed before。 It was grey in colour； and not very big； but its eyes were large and very bright； and it seemed to be singing in an odd way； quite unlike any animal in the forest。 'What is the name of that strange little creature？' asked he。 And they answered； 'We call it a cat。'
'I should like to buy itif it is not too dear；' said the young man； 'it would be company for me。' And they told him that he might have it for six shillings； if he cared to give so much。 The young man took out his precious bit of paper； handed them the six shillings； and the next morning bade them farewell； with the cat lying snugly in his cloak。
For the whole day they wandered through meadows and forests； till in the evening they reached a house。 The young fellow knocked at the door and asked the old man who opened it if he could rest there that night； adding that he had no money to pay for it。 'Then I must give it to you；' answered the man； and led him into a room where two women and two men were sitting at supper。 One of the women was the old man's wife； the other his daughter。 He placed the cat on the mantel shelf； and they all crowded round to examine this strange beast； and the cat rubbed itself against them； and held out its paw； and sang to them； and the women were delighted； and gave it everything that a cat could eat； and a great deal more besides。
After hearing the youth's story； and how he had nothing in the world left him except his cat； the old man advised him to go to the palace； which was only a few miles distant； and take counsel of the king； who was kind to everyone； and would certainly be his friend。 The young man thanked him； and said he would gladly take his advice； and early next morning he set out for the royal palace。
He sent a message to the king to beg for an audience； and received a reply that he was to go into the great hall； where he would find his Majesty。
The king was at dinner with his court when the young man entered； and he signed to him to come near。 The youth bowed low； and then gazed in surprise at the crowd of little black creatures who were running about the floor； and even on the table itself。 Indeed； they were so bold that they snatched pieces of food from the King's own plate； and if he drove them away； tried to bite his hands； so that he could not eat his food； and his courtiers fared no better。
'What sort of animals are these？' asked the youth of one of the ladies sitting near him。
'They are called rats；' answered the king； who had overheard the question； 'and for years we have tried some way of putting an end to them； but it is impossible。 They come into our very beds。'
At this moment something was seen flying through the air。 The cat was on the table； and with two or three shakes a number of rats were lying dead round him。 Then a great scuffling of feet was heard； and in a few minutes the hall was clear。
For some minutes the King and his courtiers only looked at each other in astonishment。 'What kind of animal is that which can work magic of this sort？' asked he。 And the young man told him that it was called a cat； and that he had bought it for six shillings。
And the King answered： 'Because of the luck you have brought me； in freeing my palace from the plague which has tormented me for many years； I will give you the choice of two things。 Either you shall be my Prime Minister； or else you shall marry my daughter and reign after me。 Say； which shall it be？'
'The princess and the kingdom；' said the young man。
And so it was。
＇From Islandische Marchen。＇
The Prince Who Would Seek Immortality
Once upon a time； in the very middle of the middle of a large kingdom； there was a town； and in the town a palace； and in the palace a king。 This king had one son whom his father thought was wiser and cleverer than any son ever was before； and indeed his father had spared no pains to make him so。 He had been very careful in choosing his tutors and governors when he was a boy； and when he became a youth he sent him to travel； so that he might see the ways of other people； and find that they were often as good as his own。
It was now a year since the prince had returned home； for his father felt that it was time that his son should learn how to rule the kingdom which would one day be his。 But during his long absence the prince seemed to have changed his character altogether。 From being a merry and light…hearted boy； he had grown into a gloomy and thoughtful man。 The king knew of nothing that could have produced such an alteration。 He vexed himself about it from morning till night； till at length an explanation occurred to himthe young man was in love！
Now the prince never talked about his feelingsfor the matter of that he scarcely talked at all； and the father knew that if he was to come to the bottom of the prince's dismal face； he would have to begin。 So one day； after dinner； he took his son by the arm and led him into another room； hung entirely with the pictures of beautiful maidens； each one more lovely than the other。
'My dear boy；' he said； 'you are very sad； perhaps after all your wanderings it is dull for you here all alone with me。 It would be much better if you would marry； and I have collected here the portraits of the most beautiful women in the world of a rank equal to your own。 Choose which among them you would like for a wife； and I will send an embassy to her father to ask for her hand。'
'Alas！ your Majesty；' answered the prince； 'it is not love or marriage that makes me so gloomy； but the thought； which haunts me day and night； that all men； even kings； must die。 Never shall I be happy again till I have found a kingdom where death is unknown。 And I have determined to give myself no rest till I have discovered the Land of Immortality。
The old king heard him with dismay； things were worse than he thought。 He tried to reason with his son； and told him that during all these years he had been looking forward to his return； in order to resign his throne and its cares； which pressed so heavily upon him。 But it was in vain that he talked； the prince would listen to nothing； and the following morning buckled on his sword and set forth on his journey。
He had been travelling for many days； and had left his fatherland behind him； when close to the road he came upon a huge tree； and on its topmost bough an eagle