--- title: The Brown Fairy Book, part 17 — The Brown Fairy Book · full text with trees description: The Brown Fairy Book, part 17, «The Brown Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The bear turned round and saw the wolverine, and murmuring to herself, so low that nobody could hear, “I never heard before that I had a brother --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The Brown Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/) / The Brown Fairy Book, part 17 # The Brown Fairy Book, part 17 The Brown Fairy Book, part 17 of «The Brown Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole text, 117 sentences and 2569 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/1/) — The bear turned round and saw the wolverine, and murmuring to herself, so low that nobody could hear, “I never heard before that I had a brother,” got up and ran quickly to a tree, up which she climbed. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/2/) — Now the wolverine was very angry when he saw his dinner vanishing in front of him, especially as HE could not climb trees like the bear, so he followed, and stood at the foot of the tree, shrieking as loud as he could, “Come down, sister; our father has sent me to look for you! - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/3/) — You were lost when you were a little girl and went out picking berries, and it was only the other day that we heard from a beaver where you were.” - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/4/) — At these words, the bear came a little way down the tree, and the wolverine, seeing this, went on: - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/5/) — “Are you not fond of berries? - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/6/) — I am! - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/7/) — And I know a place where they grow so thick the ground is quite hidden. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/8/) — Why, look for yourself! - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/9/) — That hillside is quite red with them!” - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/10/) — “I can’t see so far,” answered the bear, now climbing down altogether. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/11/) — “You must have wonderfully good eyes! - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/12/) — I wish I had; but my sight is very short.” - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/13/) — “So was mine till my father smashed a pailful of cranberries, and rubbed my eyes with them,” replied the wolverine. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/14/) — “But if you like to go and gather some of the berries I will do just as he did, and you will soon be able to see as far as me.” - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/15/) — It took the bear a long while to gather the berries, for she was slow about everything, and, besides, it made her back ache to stoop. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/16/) — But at last she returned with a sackful, and put them down beside the wolverine. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/17/) — “That is splendid, sister!” cried the wolverine. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/18/) — “Now lie flat on the ground with your head on this stone, while I smash them.” - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/19/) — The bear, who was very tired, was only too glad to do as she was bid, and stretched herself comfortably on the grass. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/20/) — “I am ready now,” said the wolverine after a bit; “just at first you will find that the berries make your eyes smart, but you must be careful not to move, or the juice will run out, and then it will have to be done all over again.” - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/21/) — So the bear promised to lie very still; but the moment the cranberries touched her eyes she sprang up with a roar. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/22/) — “Oh, you mustn’t mind a little pain,” said the wolverine, “it will soon be over, and then you will see all sorts of things you have never dreamt of.” - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/23/) — The bear sank down with a groan, and as her eyes were full of cranberry juice, which completely blinded her, the wolverine took up a sharp knife and stabbed her to the heart. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/24/) — Then he took off the skin, and, stealing some fire from a tent, which his sharp eyes had perceived hidden behind a rock, he set about roasting the bear bit by bit. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/25/) — He thought the meat was the best he ever had tasted, and when dinner was done he made up his mind to try that same trick again, if ever he was hungry. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/26/) — And very likely he did! - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/27/) — \[Adapted from Bureau of Ethnology.\] - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/28/) — The Husband of the Rat’s Daughter - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/29/) — Once upon a time there lived in Japan a rat and his wife who came of an old and noble race, and had one daughter, the loveliest girl in all the rat world. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/30/) — Her parents were very proud of her, and spared no pains to teach her all she ought to know. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/31/) — There was not another young lady in the whole town who was as clever as she was in gnawing through the hardest wood, or who could drop from such a height on to a bed, or run away so fast if anyone was heard coming. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/32/) — Great attention, too, was paid to her personal appearance, and her skin shone like satin, while her teeth were as white as pearls, and beautifully pointed. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/33/) — Of course, with all these advantages, her parents expected her to make a brilliant marriage, and, as she grew up, they began to look round for a suitable husband. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/34/) — But here a difficulty arose. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/35/) — The father was a rat from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, outside as well as in, and desired that his daughter should wed among her own people. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/36/) — She had no lack of lovers, but her father’s secret hopes rested on a fine young rat, with moustaches which almost swept the ground, whose family was still nobler and more ancient than his own. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/37/) — Unluckily, the mother had other views for her precious child. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/38/) — She was one of those people who always despise their own family and surroundings, and take pleasure in thinking that they themselves are made of finer material than the rest of the world. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/39/) — “HER daughter should never marry a mere rat,” she declared, holding her head high. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/40/) — “With her beauty and talents she had a right to look for someone a little better than THAT.” - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/41/) — So she talked, as mothers will, to anyone that would listen to her. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/42/) — What the girl thought about the matter nobody knew or cared—it was not the fashion in the rat world. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/43/) — Many were the quarrels which the old rat and his wife had upon the subject, and sometimes they bore on their faces certain marks which looked as if they had not kept to words only. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/44/) — “Reach up to the stars is MY motto,” cried the lady one day, when she was in a greater passion than usual. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/45/) — “My daughter’s beauty places her higher than anything upon earth,” she cried; “and I am certainly not going to accept a son-in-law who is beneath her.” - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/46/) — “Better offer her in marriage to the sun,” answered her husband impatiently. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/47/) — “As far as I know there is nothing greater than he.” - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/48/) — “Well, I WAS thinking of it,” replied the wife, “and as you are of the same mind, we will pay him a visit to-morrow.” - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/49/) — So the next morning, the two rats, having spent hours in making themselves smart, set out to see the sun, leading their daughter between them. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/50/) — The journey took some time, but at length they came to the golden palace where the sun lived. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/51/) — “Noble king,” began the mother, “behold our daughter! - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/52/) — She is so beautiful that she is above everything in the whole world. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/53/) — Naturally, we wish for a son-in-law who, on his side, is greater than all. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/54/) — Therefore we have come to you.” - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/55/) — “I feel very much flattered,” replied the sun, who was so busy that he had not the least wish to marry anybody. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/56/) — “You do me great honour by your proposal. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/57/) — Only, in one point you are mistaken, and it would be wrong of me to take advantage of your ignorance. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/58/) — There is something greater than I am, and that is the cloud. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/59/) — Look!” - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/60/) — And as he spoke a cloud spread itself over the sun’s face, blotting out his rays. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/61/) — “Oh, well, we will speak to the cloud,” said the mother. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/62/) — And turning to the cloud she repeated her proposal. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/63/) — “Indeed I am unworthy of anything so charming,” answered the cloud; “but you make a mistake again in what you say. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/64/) — There is one thing that is even more powerful than I, and that is the wind. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/65/) — Ah, here he comes, you can see for yourself.” - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/66/) — And she DID see, for catching up the cloud as he passed, he threw it on the other side of the sky. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/67/) — Then, tumbling father, mother and daughter down to the earth again, he paused for a moment beside them, his foot on an old wall. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/68/) — When she had recovered her breath, the mother began her little speech once more. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/69/) — “The wall is the proper husband for your daughter,” answered the wind, whose home consisted of a cave, which he only visited when he was not rushing about elsewhere; “you can see for yourself that he is greater than I, for he has power to stop me in my flight.” - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/70/) — And the mother, who did not trouble to conceal her wishes, turned at once to the wall. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/71/) — Then something happened which was quite unexpected by everyone. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/72/) — “I won’t marry that ugly old wall, which is as old as my grandfather,” sobbed the girl, who had not uttered one word all this time. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/73/) — “I would have married the sun, or the cloud, or the wind, because it was my duty, although I love the handsome young rat, and him only. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/74/) — But that horrid old wall—I would sooner die!” - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/75/) — And the wall, rather hurt in his feelings, declared that he had no claim to be the husband of so beautiful a girl. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/76/) — “It is quite true,” he said, “that I can stop the wind who can part the clouds who can cover the sun; but there is someone who can do more than all these, and that is the rat. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/77/) — It is the rat who passes through me, and can reduce me to powder, simply with his teeth. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/78/) — If, therefore, you want a son-in-law who is greater than the whole world, seek him among the rats.” - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/79/) — “Ah, what did I tell you?” cried the father. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/80/) — And his wife, though for the moment angry at being beaten, soon thought that a rat son-in-law was what she had always desired. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/81/) — So all three returned happily home, and the wedding was celebrated three days after. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/82/) — \[Contes Populaires.\] - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/83/) — The Mermaid and the Boy - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/84/) — Long, long ago, there lived a king who ruled over a country by the sea. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/85/) — When he had been married about a year, some of his subjects, inhabiting a distant group of islands, revolted against his laws, and it became needful for him to leave his wife and go in person to settle their disputes. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/86/) — The queen feared that some ill would come of it, and implored him to stay at home, but he told her that nobody could do his work for him, and the next morning the sails were spread, and the king started on his voyage. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/87/) — The vessel had not gone very far when she ran upon a rock, and stuck so fast in a cleft that the strength of the whole crew could not get her off again. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/88/) — To make matters worse, the wind was rising too, and it was quite plain that in a few hours the ship would be dashed to pieces and everybody would be drowned, when suddenly the form of a mermaid was seen dancing on the waves which threatened every moment to overwhelm them. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/89/) — “There is only one way to free yourselves,” she said to the king, bobbing up and down in the water as she spoke, “and that is to give me your solemn word that you will deliver to me the first child that is born to you.” - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/90/) — The king hesitated at this proposal. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/91/) — He hoped that some day he might have children in his home, and the thought that he must yield up the heir to his crown was very bitter to him; but just then a huge wave broke with great force on the ship’s side, and his men fell on their knees and entreated him to save them. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/92/) — So he promised, and this time a wave lifted the vessel clean off the rocks, and she was in the open sea once more. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/93/) — The affairs of the islands took longer to settle than the king had expected, and some months passed away before he returned to his palace. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/94/) — In his absence a son had been born to him, and so great was his joy that he quite forgot the mermaid and the price he had paid for the safety of his ship. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/95/) — But as the years went on, and the baby grew into a fine big boy, the remembrance of it came back, and one day he told the queen the whole story. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/96/) — From that moment the happiness of both their lives was ruined. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/97/) — Every night they went to bed wondering if they should find his room empty in the morning, and every day they kept him by their sides, expecting him to be snatched away before their very eyes. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/98/) — At last the king felt that this state of things could not continue, and he said to his wife: - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/99/) — “After all, the most foolish thing in the world one can do is to keep the boy here in exactly the place in which the mermaid will seek him. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/100/) — Let us give him food and send him on his travels, and perhaps, if the mermaid ever blocs come to seek him, she may be content with some other child.” **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/17/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Brown Fairy Book, part 16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/16/) - next →: [The Brown Fairy Book, part 18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/18/) - ↑ back to [The Brown Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/)