Atondido Stories
lake. I will change myself into a golden duck and float on the
water. Do you dive into the water so that she can’t burn you.
When she alights and tries to catch me, do you jump up and get
the horse by the bridle. Don’t be afraid at what will happen.”
The fiery cloud descended, burning up everything it
touched. At the edge of the water Yezibaba alighted from her
steed and tried to catch the golden duck. The duck fluttered on
and on just out of her reach and Yezibaba went farther and far-
ther from her horse.
Then Raduz leaped out of the water and caught the horse by
its bridle. At once the duck rose on its wings and flew to Raduz
and became again Ludmila. Together they mounted the fiery
steed and flew off over the lake.
Yezibaba, helpless with rage and dismay, called after them a
bitter curse:
“If you, Raduz, are kissed by woman before you wed Lud-
mila, then will you forget Ludmila! And you, ungrateful girl, if
once Raduz forgets you then he shall not remember you again
until seven long years have come and gone!”
Raduz and Ludmila rode on and on until they neared Raduz’
native city. There they met a man of whom Raduz asked the
news.
“News indeed!” the man said. “The king and his three older
sons are dead. Only the queen is alive and she cries night and
day for her youngest son who went out into the world and has
never been heard of since. The whole city is in an uproar as to
who shall be the new king.”
When Raduz heard this he said to Ludmila: “Do you, my
dear Ludmila, wait for me here outside the city while I go quick-
ly to the palace and let it be known that I am alive and am re-
turned. It would not be fitting to present you to my mother,
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