The Swan Maiden.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Swan Maiden.

The Teller-of-Tales sat humbly before the great Pasha of Yyamiza, on a rich Persian rug, telling him of all the latest gossip about the city.

"Oh Most Gracious One," he said, "there is a strange tale going around. There are as many tongues talking of it as there are leaves on a tree. 'Tis the tale of the 'Swan Maiden.' The story was told to me by one who knows all the news from other lands. This is what he told me: Away beyond the green plains of Yyamiza there is a land of rich plains and numerous rivers, and there is only one mountain in this country, a high purple mountain, and on its crest is a magnificent castle made of gold and silver, with turrets, towers and battlements made of beaten bronze, with long pennants fluttering gaily in the air. The castle is studded with rubies, pearls, amethysts, diamonds and other precious stones, which glitter in a thousand rays of light, causing • a seemingly multi-coloured mist to surround it in a halo.

"In this wondrous castle there lives a maiden called Fatima. She is tall and .ilender and bears herself with superb grace. Her black, glossy hair frames her delicate face like two smooth wings. Her skin is white and transparent as the finest alabaster. Her eyes are slanted and green as the slumbering waters of forest pools. When she smiles her small even teeth resemble the gleaming beauty of shining pearls. Oh, Gracious One, her hands are small and dainty, her finger-nails glowing as pink as lotus buds. Her feet are slender and shapely, delicately arched, with the veins showing in fine tracery.

Clapping his hands the Pasha summoned his servant. "Call in Hassan, my younger brother," he commanded. "He is needed at once."

The Pasha retold the tale to Hassan, who listened with growing interest. When the Pasha had finished Yossuf broke in.

"Oh, most High One, I forgot the moat important thing. The Lady of the Land is willing to wed the one who can break the spell, and her kingdom will them be her husband's as well as hers.

The Pasha's eyes glistened greedily. "Ah! dear Hassan," he said, "I tell thee that if thou breakest the spell, half my kingdom shall be thine—if thou givest me the Lady of the Land's hand in wedlock."

Hassan threw back his head and laughed loud and long. "If thou wisheet it, so be it," he said at last, and left the hall still laughing. Next day Yussuf and Hassan let off. As they passed the city gates Yussuf said, "Close thy eyes and hold my robe fast." Hassan obeyed, and immediately felt the cool wind rushing past him.

"Open thine eyes," commanded Yussuf. Hassan obeyed once more, and opened his eyes wide in surprise. They were in a land wondroua fair indeed, with rich valleys and plains, and in the distance the green sea could be seen. There was one remarkable feature about the place, a mountain which dwarfed all the surrounding features. Yussuf turned to Hassan and said, "Hassan, I am a Djnn—no mortal man—l was the servant of the late Lord of the Land. It is my desire to help his daughters." Then, taking a brass ring from his finger he handed it to Hassan, saying:

"This ring hath magic properties, 'twill take thee where thou wilt."