Atondido Stories
father, and tears as big as peas were rolling down his cheek.
“God bless you, mournful grave-digger!” Plavachek said.
“May God grant that prayer, kind traveler! Where are you
going?”
“I’m going to old Grandfather Knowitall to get three of his
golden hairs.”
“To Grandfather Knowitall! What a pity you didn’t come
sooner! Our king has long been waiting for just such a messen-
ger as you! I must lead you to him.”
So he took Plavachek to the king and the king said to him:
“So you’re going on an errand to Grandfather Knowitall. We
have a well here that used to flow with the water of life. If any
one drank of it, no matter how sick he was, he would get well.
Nay, if he were already dead, this water, sprinkled upon him,
would bring him back to life. But, alas, for twenty years now the
well has gone dry. If you promise to ask Grandfather Knowitall
if there is help for us, I will reward you handsomely.”
Plavachek gave the king his promise and the king bid him
godspeed.
After that Plavachek traveled long and far into a black forest.
Deep in the forest he came upon a broad green meadow full of
beautiful flowers and in its midst a golden palace glittering as
though it were on fire. This was the palace of Grandfather
Knowitall.
Plavachek entered and found nobody there but an old wom-
an who sat spinning in a corner.
“Welcome, Plavachek,” she said. “I am delighted to see you
again.”
He looked at the old woman and saw that she was his god-
mother with whom he had spent the night when he was carrying
the letter to the palace.
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