wanted a husband who could answer when you said something to him, not just one who stood around looking distinguished, because that’s so boring. Then she had all the ladies in waiting drummed up, and when they heard what she wanted, they were very pleased. ‘I like that,’ they said, ‘I thought about that the other day myself.’ Every word I’m saying is true,” said the crow. “I have a tame sweetheart who has complete access to the castle, and she tells me everything.”
Naturally his sweetheart was also a crow, for birds of a feather flock together, and so crows pick crows.
“The newspapers came out right away with a border of hearts and the princess’s signature. You could read that any young man who was attractive was welcome to come up to the castle and talk to the princess, and the one who talked well about what he knew, and spoke the best, would be the one the princess would marry!—Well, well,” said the crow, “Believe you me, as sure as I’m sitting here, people came streaming to the castle. There was a rustling and bustling, but it was of no use, neither the first day nor the next. They could all speak well enough when they were out on the street, but when they entered the castle gates and saw the sentries in silver and lackeys in gold livery up the steps, and the big lighted rooms, they became disconcerted. And when they stood in front of the throne, where the princess sat, they couldn’t say a thing except repeat what she had just said, and she didn’t care to hear that again. It was as if people in there had eaten snuff and had fallen into a trance until they were out on the street where they could talk again. There was a row of them all the way from the city gates to the castle. I myself went in to have a look!” said the crow, “They were both hungry and thirsty, but they didn’t even get a glass of lukewarm water from the castle. Some of the smarter ones had taken some sandwiches along, but they didn’t share with their neighbors. They were thinking: ‘Let him look hungry, then the princess won’t pick him.’”
“But Kai? little Kai?” asked Gerda. “When did he come? Was he among the many?”
“Just wait, just wait. We’ll get to him in a moment. It was on the third day, and a little person arrived without a horse or a wagon, quite confidently marching right up to the castle. His eyes shone like yours. He had lovely long hair, but his clothes were poor!”
“It was Kai!” rejoiced Gerda. “Oh, I have found him!” and she clapped her hands.
“He had a little knapsack on his back,” said the crow.
“No, that must have been his sled,” said Gerda, “because he went away with his sled.”
“That could be,” said the crow. “I didn’t pay such close attention. But I have it from my tame sweetheart that when he came through the castle gates and saw the sentries in silver and the lackeys in gold up the steps, he wasn’t the least bit dispirited. He nodded at them and said, ‘It must be boring standing on the steps; I’ll go inside.’ Inside the rooms were shining with lights, and Privy Councilors and Excellencies walked in bare feet bearing gold platters—there was reason enough to feel solemn. His boots were creaking terribly loudly, but he still didn’t become afraid!”
“It’s certainly Kai,” said Gerda. “I know he had new boots. I heard them creaking in grandmother’s parlor.”
“Well, they certainly creaked!” said the crow, “and he went dauntlessly in to present himself to the princess, who was sitting on a pearl as big as a spinning wheel. All the ladies-in-waiting with their maids and maids’ maids and all the cavaliers with their servants and servants’ servants, with their pages, were standing all around. And the closer they stood to the door, the prouder they were. The servants’ servants’ page, who always wears slippers, stood so proudly by the door that you almost couldn’t look at him.”
“That must be awful,” said little Gerda, “but Kai actually got the princess?!”
“If I weren’t a crow, I would have taken her, even though I am engaged. He is to have spoken as well as I do when I speak Crocawish, according to my tame sweetheart. He was confident and lovely. He had not come to propose, just to hear the wisdom of the princess, and he approved of it, and she approved of him too.”
“Yes, of course it was Kai,” said Gerda. “He’s so smart he can even do math with fractions in his head. Oh— won’t you take me to the castle?”
“That’s easier said than done,” said the crow. “How would we do that? I’ll talk to my tame sweetheart about it. She’ll give us advice, but I must tell you that a little girl like you will never be allowed in there.”
“Oh yes, I will,” said Gerda. “When Kai hears I’m here, he’ll come right out and get me.”
“Wait for me by those steps over the fence,” said the crow, who cocked his head and flew away.
Not until it was dark did the crow come back: “Caw caw,” he said. “I bring many greetings from her, and here’s a little bread for you. She took it from the kitchen. There’s plenty there, and you must be hungry—it’s not possible for you to enter the castle because you’re barefoot. The sentries in silver and lackeys in gold would never allow it, but don’t cry. You’ll get up there anyway. My sweetheart knows a little back stairway that leads to the bedroom, and she knows where to take the key.”
And they went into the garden, into a big avenue, where one leaf after another fell, and when the lights in the castle started going out, one after another, the crow led little Gerda to a back door that was standing ajar.
Oh, how Gerda’s heart was pounding from fear and longing ! She felt as if she were going to do something wicked, but she only wanted to know if it was little Kai. Oh yes, it had to be him! She could so vividly see his wise eyes, his long hair. She could really see how he smiled just like he had when they sat at home under the roses. He would surely be glad to see her and hear what a long way she had come for his sake, and know how sad they all were at home when he didn’t come back. Oh, such fear and joy!
Then they were on the steps. There was a little lamp burning on a cupboard. In the middle of the floor stood the tame crow and cocked its head from side to side and observed Gerda, who curtsied as her grandmother had taught her.
“My fiance has spoken very well of you, my little miss,” said the tame crow. “Your
“I think there’s someone coming behind us,” said Gerda, and something roared past her. There were shadows on the walls, horses with flying manes and slender legs, hunters, and men and women riding.
“That’s only the dreams,” said the crow. “They come and take their Highnesses’ thoughts along hunting. That’s good because then you can see them better in bed. But be sure, if you get honor and favor, to show a thankful heart!”
