“A story?” whispered the Talking Chair.
“Yes, if you please,” replied Ray, and he sat very still while the Talking Chair began:—
Once upon a time in a distant land there lived two brothers whose names were Mansur and Elrick. When they reached a certain age they wanted to travel and see the world, so they went to their father, who was the king, and asked him if they could go.
“No doubt you would like to reach King Fortune’s country,” said their father.
“That we would, Sire,” replied Mansur; “will you please tell us how to get there?”
“Before I do that,” returned the king, “let me176 tell you that many have started for King Fortune’s country who have never reached it.”
“And why?” questioned the brothers.
“Because the road is long and beset1 with dangers.”
“We are not afraid to try it,” said Mansur, bravely.
“Then, my boys, take the road straight ahead, keep going forward, and remember these words: Be brave, honest, and never give up.”
Then the King gave each of the brothers a sword, an ax, and a purse of gold, and they started on their journey.
They walked all day and towards night entered a deep forest.
“Where can we sleep?” asked Elrick. “There is no place in these woods; let us go back.”
“We will never go back for such a small thing as that,” said Mansur, and he started to177 make a bed of dry leaves. In a few minutes the bed was made, and very soft and comfortable it seemed to the tired travelers.
The brothers slept soundly, but just as morning broke, they were awakened2 by a terrible roar. They jumped to their feet and in the distance, coming toward them, was a great lion with eyes like balls of fire.
“We shall be eaten by the lion,” cried Elrick, and he trembled where he stood.
“Draw your sword,” said Mansur.
“What good will that do?” replied Elrick. “We are no match for a lion.”
“I shall fight for my life,” returned Mansur, and with the words the lion approached and made a spring, but Mansur was all ready for him, and the brave boy plunged3 his good sword into the very heart of the lion, who rolled at his feet dead.
The brothers continued their journey and were soon out of the forest. Suddenly they178 came to a great lake and there was neither boat nor craft of any kind to take them across.
“What shall we do?” exclaimed Elrick. “There is no way to get across the lake.”
“We must try,” said Mansur, and he took his ax and began to cut down some trees.
When he had enough he trimmed off all the branches, and tied them together, making a very good raft. In a short time they had crossed the lake and were on land again.
They journeyed on until they came to a high mountain, where they sat down to rest. They bought some bread from an old woman, and while they were eating it Elrick said:
“I am tired of traveling. This mountain is too high to climb, let us go back.”
“Never,” replied his brother, “until I have reached King Fortune’s country.” So saying he arose and started to climb the high mountain.
Elrick followed slowly and murmured all the way, but Mansur kept right on without a word179 of complaint. They had gone about half way up the mountain when all at once they fell, and before they could stop themselves, they rolled over and over down the mountain side and never stopped until they reached its base.
“It is too bad,” exclaimed Elrick, picking himself up, “when we were so far up the mountain, to fall. I am not going to climb it again, are you?”
“Yes, indeed I am,” replied Mansur, and began to climb the steep mountain again as fast as he could.
Elrick did not want to do it, but he felt a little ashamed when he saw his brother, so he arose and followed him.
On and on they struggled, it was very hard work and they were both tired. They had almost reached the top of the mountain, when they stumbled and once more they fell, rolling over and over, and never stopped until they were in their old place at the very foot of the mountain.
“That is truly discouraging,” said Elrick, “and I for one will not try again.”
“Then I must climb it alone,” said Mansur. “I am bound to get over this mountain.”
“But I am sure you cannot,” replied Elrick.
“I’ll try,” said Mansur, and he started all over again.
Elrick grumbled5 all the way, but after a long tiresome6 journey they reached the top. It did not take them very long to go down the other side of the mountain, and they saw a river before them.
Elrick sat on the bank and wondered how he was going to get across, while Mansur took off his clothes and having made them into a bundle tied it on his head and swam across the river.
“I’m afraid,” said Elrick. “I think I’ll turn back, there are too many hard places to go over to reach King Fortune’s country.”
“Come on!” shouted Mansur. “You haven’t tried yet.”
But faint-hearted Elrick turned his footsteps homeward and was soon out of sight. Mansur continued his journey alone amid many a danger and hardship. Sometimes it was high mountains to climb, at other times there were wide rivers to cross. Often he met wild animals and had to fight for his life, and very often wicked people tried to lure7 him from the right path. Throughout it all Mansur was brave, honest and hopeful; his favorite motto was, “I’ll try,” and in spite of rough places he always succeeded. The purse of gold that his father had given him was empty, and he had to work for his food and sleep on the roadside.
One day as he journeyed on he met an old man, who greeted him pleasantly.
“Will you tell me, good sire, how far it is to King Fortune’s country?” questioned Mansur.
“You are almost there,” replied the old man. “You have only to travel through that forest.” He pointed8 to a stretch of woods just ahead of182 them and Mansur said joyfully9, “I am glad it is so near, for I have traveled far.”
“Ah! my son,” said the old man, “the hardest part of the journey is still before you.”
“How can that be?” asked Mansur; “the wood is not large and I will soon be out of it.”
“It is the abode10 of three terrible giants,” said the old man, “and they will surely kill you. It would be death to go through that wood.”
“I’ll try,” was the answer, and the brave Mansur started for the wood.
He walked very cautiously, looking to the right and left, but saw no sign of the giants. When night came he slept in the midst of some bushes and as he closed his eyes he wondered if the giants would find him. Early the next morning he arose and when he had eaten some berries and a slice of bread he continued his way through the wood. Suddenly he spied in the distance an immense giant coming toward him.
The giant was looking on the ground and had not seen Mansur, who quick as a flash climbed a tree and was hidden among its branches.
Mansur did not get out of the way a minute too soon, because the giant approached with heavy steps. He passed right under the tree where Mansur was hiding, and the boy had a good look at him.
The most remarkable11 thing about the giant was his hair. It was pale green in color and gave him a most weird12 and terrible aspect.
When the giant was out of sight Mansur stole softly down from the tree. He looked all around and suddenly his eye caught sight of a stout13 cord. The boy took the cord and quickly climbed into the tree again saying, “Now I’ve got him if he comes back.”
In a very few minutes the terrible giant with the green hair was seen returning. He was184 looking eagerly on the ground as if he saw footsteps.
When he reached the tree where Mansur was hiding he began to sniff
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