Atondido Stories
the queen, in those ragged clothes. As soon as I am made king I
shall come for you, bringing you a beautiful dress.”
Ludmila agreed to this and Raduz left her and hurried to the
castle. His mother recognized him at once and ran with open
arms to greet him. She wanted to kiss him but he wouldn’t let
her. The news of his return flew abroad and he was immediately
proclaimed king. A great feast was spread and all the people ate
and drank and made merry.
Fatigued with his journey and with the excitement of his re-
turn, Raduz lay down to rest. While he slept his mother came in
and kissed him on both cheeks. Instantly Yezibaba’s curse was
fulfilled and all memory of Ludmila left him.
Poor Ludmila waited for his return but he never came. Then
she knew what must have happened. Heartbroken and lonely
she found a spot near a farmhouse that commanded a view of
the castle, and she stood there day after day hoping to see
Raduz. She stood there so long that finally she took root and
grew up into a poplar tree that was so beautiful that soon
throughout the countryside people began talking about it. Every
one admired it but the young king. He when he looked at it al-
ways felt unhappy and he supposed this was because it obstruct-
ed the view from his window. At last he ordered it to be cut
down.
The farmer near whose house it stood begged hard to have it
saved, but the king was firm.
Shortly after the poplar was cut down there grew up under
the king’s very window a pretty little pear tree that bore golden
pears. It was a wonderful little tree. No matter how many pears
you picked in the evening, by the next morning the tree would
again be full.
300