Atondido Stories
going?”
“I’m going to old Grandfather Knowitall to get three of his
golden hairs.”
“Oho! I have long been hunting for just such a messenger as
you! For twenty years I have been ferrying people across this
black sea and nobody has come to relieve me. If you promise to
ask Grandfather Knowitall when my work will end, I’ll ferry you
over.”
Plavachek promised and the boatman took him across.
Plavachek traveled on until he came to a great city that was
in a state of decay. Before the city he met an old man who had a
staff in his hand, but even with the staff he could scarcely crawl
along.
“God bless you, old grandfather!” Plavachek said.
“May God grant that prayer, handsome youth! Where are
you going?”
“I am going to old Grandfather Knowitall to get three of his
golden hairs.”
“Indeed! We have been waiting a long time for just such a
messenger as you! I must lead you at once to the king.”
So he took him to the king and the king said: “Ah, so you are go-
ing on an errand to Grandfather Knowitall! We have an apple-
tree here that used to bear apples of youth. If any one ate one of
those apples, no matter how aged he was, he’d become young
again. But, alas, for twenty years now our tree has borne no fruit.
If you promise to ask Grandfather Knowitall if there is any help
for us, I will reward you handsomely.”
Plavachek gave the king his promise and the king bid him
godspeed.
Plavachek traveled on until he reached another great city that
was half in ruins. Not far from the city a man was burying his
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