The Castle That Stood On Golden Pillars

Once upon a time there was a crofter with his old woman who lived far, far away in the forest. He had two children, a boy and a girl. Otherwise he was a lot poor, for a cow and a cat constituted all his wealth.
The farmer and his wife lived in constant harmony with each other, and man could be sure that if the old man wanted one, the lady always wanted one another. It so happened one day that the old woman had cooked porridge qevening goals. When the porridge was ready and each had received his lot, wanted the old man lately scraping the pot. But the lady sat down vehemently against it, and believed that she and no one else had the right to scratch. They came now in a fierce fight, and neither wanted to give way to the other. The end was, that the old woman took the pot and the pot ladle and ran on her way; but the crofter grabbed the whisk and ran after. Then it took off over the forest and scales, the old woman before and the old man after; but the story does not tell who it is who got to scrape the pot.
When some time passed and the parents were not heard from, had the children have no other choice but to go out into the world and seek happiness wherever on his side. They then agreed to shift the nest and take each one's own inheritance. But as it usually happens, the succession was a very difficult thing, because there was nothing to share but a cow and a cat, and both children wanted own cow. When the siblings heard about this as usual, the cat passed away to the young crofter's daughter, behaved very attentively, caressed himself her knee, and wailed: »take me! take me!” As now the boy did not want to giving up the cow, the girl dropped her case and settled for the cat. The siblings were then separated from each other. The boy took the cow and pulled in his direction. But the girl and her cat walked the path through the forest, and nothing I was told of their journey, until they came to a great and splendid one king's farm, which lay over there before.
When the two travelers approached the beautiful royal court, they began the cat conversed with its foster mother, and said: »if you now want to obey me advice, it will bring you happiness.» The girl put a lot of trust in her companion's prudence, and therefore promised to do according to his request. Then said the cat, that she would take off her old clothes and climb into a high tree, but _he_ wanted to go up to the king's farm, and say that there was a king's daughter, who was ambushed by squires and robbed on a boat goods and clothes. The Torpare girl did as she was told; she took off hers old coats and climbed the tree. Then the cat ran its course; but the maid asked with great fear how his counsel might succeed.
When the king, who ruled over the country, learned that a foreigner princess suffered such distress and violence, he was greatly offended, and he sent his servants to invite her as a guest. The young woman became now amply provided with clothes and whatever else she needed, and followed then with the king's envoy. When she came to the king's court, all captivated by her beauty and courtly condition; and the king's son praised her ever the most, so that he did not want to live in the world without it her. But the queen sensed trouble, and asked where the friend was from the princess had her royal farm. The girl answered as the cat had learned her: »I live far, far away from here, in a castle called _Kattenborg_.»
The old queen, however, was not at peace, but sat in her mind to investigate whether the strange maiden was really a king's daughter or not. In this act she went in the evening to the guest cabin, made the bed the crofter-girl's bed with soft silken cushions, but secretly laid one bean under the sheet; "because", she thought, "it's a princess, she learns." not fail to notice it.» The young man was then escorted to his sof-chamber with great honor certificate. But the cat noticed the queen's cunning, and licked his food mother with it. When morning came, came the old queen in, and asked how her guest had overslept the night. The girl answered as the cat had taught her: »oh yes, of course it has I fell asleep, for I was very tired from my walk. But it was felt like I had a big mountain under me. I probably slept better in my bed on Kattenborg.» The queen now thought that the maiden must be very distinguished brought up, but counseled himself to test the truth once more her statement.
The second qevening the queen went back to the guest-chamber, made her bed the crofter-girl's bed with soft silken cushions, and laid some peas under the first bolster; "for", she thought, "if it really is." a king's daughter, as she says, she cannot fail to notice the." The young man was then escorted to his sofa-chamber with great certificate of honor. But the cat had noticed the queen's invention, and gnawed his food mother there. As morning came, the queen entered and spurred on her guest how she slept at night. The girl answered as the cat had taught her: "Oh yes, I must have slept, because I was a lot." tired; but it felt like I had big stones under me. I still slept better in my bed at Kattenborg.» The old queen now thought that the maiden had well passed her prof. But she didn't want to give up suspecting danger, but made up his mind to once more seek to explore if the strange maiden was as distinguished as she herself said.
Now when the third evening came, the queen went again to the guest-cabin, made the crofter-girl's bed with soft silken cushions, and laid a straw under the second bolster; "for", she thought, "if it is." a king's daughter, she won't fail to notice it.» The young man was then escorted to his bedchamber with great honor. But the cat noticed the queen's trick, and warned her foster mother about it. When so it came to morning, the queen came in and spurred on her guest, how she slept at night. The girl answered, as the cat had taught her: "Oh yes, I must have slept, for I was very tired; but it was felt like I had a big tree under me. They probably suited me better, when I was lying in my bed at Kattenborg.» The queen could now well notice that she would never discover the truth that way, and therefore decided to stay on his guard, how the strange maiden behaved in everything else.
The next day the queen sent her guest a fair robe, which was knitted with silk and had a long, long trail, as is customary distinguished women. The Torpare girl thanked for the good gift, and thought nothing further there; but the cat was present, and licked his food mother, that the old queen wanted to try her again. When it so suffered one moment, asked the queen if the princess would not follow her on one lust-hike. The Torpare girl agreed to this request, and they went to town. When they now came out into the garden, the court maids were very afraid to soil the hems of his skirts, for it had rained in the night; but it strange maiden wandered her way, not caring that her long clothing dragged on the ground. Then the queen said: "Dear princess! the act your skirt.” Torpare's daughter replied proudly: "Oh, it must be here." more outfits than just this one. Much better I had, when I was in my castle at Kattenborg.» Now the old queen could not think other than the maiden was accustomed to wear silk-stitched clothes, and judged from this, that she must be a king's daughter. The queen therefore said nothing further obstacles to her son's courtship, and the crofter's daughter finally gave in as well your yes and consent.
It happened once that the prince and his sweetheart were sitting and talking at. Then the maiden looked through the wind eye, and got to see where hers was parents came running out of the forest, the maiden ahead with the pot and the old man followed with the ladle. Then the girl could not hold back, but burst out in a loud laugh. The prince asked why she smiled so heartily, and the maiden replied as the cat had taught her: "Well, I can't help but smile, when." I think your castle stands on stone pillars, but mine stands on gold poles.» When the prince heard this he was greatly astonished, and said: »always your desire is for the beautiful Kattenborg, and you teach there have everything better and richer than here with us. We want to go away and see your beautiful royal farm, and the road would never be so long.» At this speech became the crofter's daughter so at ease that she could sink into the earth; because she well knew that she had no farm, much less a castle. But the matter could not be helped; she therefore did not allow herself to be noticed, but said, that she wanted to think about which day they could best schedule their trip.
Now when the maiden came to herself, she gave free rein to her grief, and wept bitterly; for she thought of all the disgrace that would befall her, that she traveled with flair and falsity. At that she sat and cried the one we called the cat came in, stroked herself against her knee, and asked if she was was so sad. Torpare's daughter answered: "I must be sad. The king's son has said that we will go to Kattenborg, and now he is learning I dearly regret that I obeyed your advice.» But the cat asked her to stay good courage, he wanted to cook so much that everything smelled better than she could imagine. At the same time, he taught his foster mother that they should go to town the sooner the better. Because the virgin has now seen so many profs on the cat's wisdom, she consented to his request; but this time it was included heavy mind, for she could only believe that their journey would have one smooth output.
Early in the morning the king's son had the carts and drivers ready, and everything else that was needed for the long journey to Kattenborg. Then the train started moving. The prince and his fiancee rode first in a gilding frame, many knights and journeymen accompanied them, and the cat ran ahead to show the way, as he himself had requested. When they saw had traveled for a while, the cat got to see where some herders were going the ground and guarded a large herd of the most beautiful goats of all time. Then he left up to the herder-men, greeted in a courtly whisper, and said: "Good day, herder! when the king's son passes by and asks who rules the beautiful goats, should J answer that they belong to the young princess at Kattenborg, who ride by the prince's side. If J does that, J will be well paid, but If you don't do that, I want to tear you apart and put you together.» When the shepherds hearing this, they were greatly astonished, and promised to do after the cat request. He then continued his journey. But when it suffered a while, come the king's son traveling the way forward with all his retinue. At he now got see the beautiful goats that grazed in the ground, he held with his frame, and urged the herdsmen, who it was that was in charge of the beautiful herd. The goatherds answered as the cat had taught them: "the goats belong." the young princess at Kattenborg, who rides by your side.» Now became The king's son was greatly astonished, and thought that his betrothed must be one butt princess; but the crofter girl was happy in the heap, and thought that she had not been the one who lost the booty when she exchanged inheritance with hers Brother.
They now traveled the road ahead, and the cat ran ahead as he was used to. When they so after a while, they came to a group of people who were gathering hay on one fair meadow. Then the cat came forward, greeted in a courtly whisper, and said: "Good day, good people! When the king's son passes by and asks who rules it beautiful meadow, shall J answer, that it belongs to the princess at Kattenborg, who rides by the prince's side. If J does that, J will be well rewarded; but if you don't do as I said, I will tear you into many thousands flakes." When the men heard this, they were greatly astonished, and praised say as the cat had requested. Then he continued his journey. But when it After suffering for a while, the king's son came along the road with his retinue. At he now got to see the fertile meadows and the many people, he allowed with his frame, and asked who it was that ruled over the land. The men answered as the cat had taught them: "The meadow belongs to the young princess." Kattenborg, who rides by your side.» Now the king's son became even more astonished, and thought that his bride must be exceedingly rich, as prevailed over such beautiful meadows.
They now traveled forward, and the cat ran ahead, as was his custom. When After they had traveled for a while, they came to a very large field; but the field swarmed with men and women who were cutting grain. Then the cat walked up to the reapers, greeted and said: "Good day, mine." friends! good luck for good work. In a moment the king's son will come running over here, and asks who rules the big cornfields. Then the school J answer that they belong to the princess at Kattenborg, who goes to the prince's page. If J say that, J will be well paid; but if J opposes mine words, I want to tear you as small as leaves lying on the ground in autumn." When When the reapers heard this, they were greatly astonished, and promised to say so the cat had requested. Then he continued his journey. But after a while the king's son came along the road with his retinue. At he now they saw the great fields, he held still with his frame, and asked who it was ruled over the beautiful farmlands. The harvestmen answered as the cat had taught them: »the seed fields belong to the young princess at Kattenborg, who ride by your side.” Now the king's son was overjoyed; but The crofter's daughter didn't quite know what to think about all that befallen them on the journey.
It was now late in the evening, and the prince stopped with his retinue to rest overnight. But the cat did not rest, but always ran forward, until he saw a fair castle built with towers and pinnacles, and stood upon golden posts. The magnificent castle belonged to a cruel giant, who ruled over the whole meadow; but the giant was not at home. The cat then entered through the borga door, and changed into a large loaf. Then he sat down in the keyhole, and prayed that the giant would come home again.
Early in the morning before dawn, the naughty giant came limping out the forest, but he was so big and heavy that the whole earth shook him, when he went. When he now came to the castle door, he could not open, for the large loaf that sat in the keyhole. Then he became powerful twisted, and shouted: »read out! read out!” The cat retorted: 'just wait one little, little while, while I tell my adventures:
First they baked me, so they could bake me to death' --
»Read up! Read up!” cried the giant again; but the cat answered as before: 'wait but a little, a little while, while I tell my adventures:
First they baked me, so they could bake me to death;
so they floured me, so they could flour me to death' --
»Read up! Read up!” cried the giant indignantly; but the cat went on again: 'wait but a little while, while I may relate my adventures:
First they baked me, so they could bake me to death;
so they floured me, so they could flour me to death;
so they cheered me up, so they could cheer me up to death' --
Now the giant was enraged, and shouted so that the whole castle was shaken: »read up! read out!” but the cat was unmoved, but answered as before: 'wait but a little while, while I may relate my adventures:
First they baked me, so they could bake me to death;
so they floured me, so they could flour me to death;
so they cheered me up, so they could cheer me up to death;
so they baked me, so they could bake me to death' --
Then the giant became anxious, and prayed so beautifully, so beautifully: "Read aloud! read up!" but it did not help; the loaf was placed in the keyhole as supplied. At the same time the cat called out: "Look at such a fair maiden riding on." heaven!” As the troll turned around, the sun rose over the forest. But when the giant saw the sun, he fell backwards and burst, and thus got his lane.
The loaf was now changed back to a cat, and he hastened to put everything in order for their guests. After a while, the king's son came traveling with his young bride and all their retinue. The cat was there to meet; and asked them to be welcome to Kattenborg. They were now caught off guard it was most excellent, and there was no shortage of food or drink or anything else luxurious well-kept. But the beautiful castle was filled with gold, silver and all kinds of precious things, so that no one has ever seen the like of them before or since.
Shortly afterwards the prince's wedding took place with the beautiful young lady, and everyone, who saw her wealth, thought she had good reason when she said: »different I had in my castle at Kattenborg.» The king's son and the crofter-daughter now lived happily for many, many years; but I have not heard how the cat was doing, although you can guess that he didn't suffer any distress. And then I wasn't there anymore.