--- title: The Brown Fairy Book, part 22 — The Brown Fairy Book · full text with trees description: The Brown Fairy Book, part 22, «The Brown Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: “Very well, my lord,” said the old woman, “I will set off at once for the bridge.” --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/) [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 22 # The Brown Fairy Book, part 22 The Brown Fairy Book, part 22 of «The Brown Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole text, 145 sentences and 2537 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/pg3282/22/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/1/) — “Very well, my lord,” said the old woman, “I will set off at once for the bridge.” - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/2/) — And wrapping her veil round her she went out. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/3/) — Midnight was striking as she reached the spot where she had met the head so many hours before. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/4/) — “Ahmed! - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/5/) — Ahmed! - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/6/) — Ahmed!” cried she, and immediately a huge negro, as tall as a giant, stood on the bridge before her. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/7/) — “What do you want?” asked he. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/8/) — “The head, your master, desires you to open the trunk, and to give me the green purse which you will find in it.” - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/9/) — “I will be back in a moment, good mother,” said he. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/10/) — And three minutes later he placed a purse full of sequins in the old woman’s hand. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/11/) — No one can imagine the joy of the whole family at the sight of all this wealth. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/12/) — The tiny, tumble-down cottage was rebuilt, the girls had new dresses, and their mother ceased selling veils. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/13/) — It was such a new thing to them to have money to spend, that they were not as careful as they might have been, and by-and-by there was not a single coin left in the purse. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/14/) — When this happened their hearts sank within them, and their faces fell. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/15/) — “Have you spent your fortune?” asked the head from its corner, when it saw how sad they looked. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/16/) — “Well, then, go at midnight, good mother, to the bridge, and call out ‘Mahomet!’ three times, as loud as you can. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/17/) — A negro will appear in answer, and you must tell him to open the trunk, and to give you the red purse which he will find there.” - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/18/) — The old woman did not need twice telling, but set off at once for the bridge. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/19/) — “Mahomet! - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/20/) — Mahomet! - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/21/) — Mahomet!” cried she, with all her might; and in an instant a negro, still larger than the last, stood before her. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/22/) — “What do you want?” asked he. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/23/) — “The head, your master, bids you open the trunk, and to give me the red purse which you will find in it.” - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/24/) — “Very well, good mother, I will do so,” answered the negro, and, the moment after he had vanished, he reappeared with the purse in his hand. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/25/) — This time the money seemed so endless that the old woman built herself a new house, and filled it with the most beautiful things that were to be found in the shops. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/26/) — Her daughters were always wrapped in veils that looked as if they were woven out of sunbeams, and their dresses shone with precious stones. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/27/) — The neighbours wondered where all this sudden wealth had sprung from, but nobody knew about the head. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/28/) — “Good mother,” said the head, one day, “this morning you are to go to the city and ask the sultan to give me his daughter for my bride.” - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/29/) — “Do what?” asked the old woman in amazement. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/30/) — “How can I tell the sultan that a head without a body wishes to become his son-in-law? - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/31/) — They will think that I am mad, and I shall be hooted from the palace and stoned by the children.” - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/32/) — “Do as I bid you,” replied the head; “it is my will.” - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/33/) — The old woman was afraid to say anything more, and, putting on her richest clothes, started for the palace. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/34/) — The sultan granted her an audience at once, and, in a trembling voice, she made her request. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/35/) — “Are you mad, old woman?” said the sultan, staring at her. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/36/) — “The wooer is powerful, O Sultan, and nothing is impossible to him.” - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/37/) — “Is that true?” - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/38/) — “It is, O Sultan; I swear it,” answered she. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/39/) — “Then let him show his power by doing three things, and I will give him my daughter.” - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/40/) — “Command, O gracious prince,” said she. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/41/) — “Do you see that hill in front of the palace?” asked the sultan. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/42/) — “I see it,” answered she. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/43/) — “Well, in forty days the man who has sent you must make that hill vanish, and plant a beautiful garden in its place. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/44/) — That is the first thing. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/45/) — Now go, and tell him what I say.” - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/46/) — So the old woman returned and told the head the sultan’s first condition. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/47/) — “It is well,” he replied; and said no more about it. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/48/) — For thirty-nine days the head remained in its favourite corner. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/49/) — The old woman thought that the task set before was beyond his powers, and that no more would be heard about the sultan’s daughter. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/50/) — But on the thirty-ninth evening after her visit to the palace, the head suddenly spoke. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/51/) — “Good mother,” he said, “you must go to-night to the bridge, and when you are there cry ‘Ali! - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/52/) — Ali! - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/53/) — Ali!’ as loud as you can. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/54/) — A negro will appear before you, and you will tell him that he is to level the hill, and to make, in its place, the most beautiful garden that ever was seen.” - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/55/) — “I will go at once,” answered she. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/56/) — It did not take her long to reach the bridge which led to the city, and she took up her position on the spot where she had first seen the head, and called loudly “Ali! - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/57/) — Ali! - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/58/) — Ali.” - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/59/) — In an instant a negro appeared before her, of such a huge size that the old woman was half frightened; but his voice was mild and gentle as he said: “What is it that you want?” - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/60/) — “Your master bids you level the hill that stands in front of the sultan’s palace and in its place to make the most beautiful garden in the world.” - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/61/) — “Tell my master he shall be obeyed,” replied Ali; “it shall be done this moment.” - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/62/) — And the old woman went home and gave Ali’s message to the head. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/63/) — Meanwhile the sultan was in his palace waiting till the fortieth day should dawn, and wondering that not one spadeful of earth should have been dug out of the hill. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/64/) — “If that old woman has been playing me a trick,” thought he, “I will hang her! - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/65/) — And I will put up a gallows to-morrow on the hill itself.” - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/66/) — But when to-morrow came there was no hill, and when the sultan opened his eyes he could not imagine why the room was so much lighter than usual, and what was the reason of the sweet smell of flowers that filled the air. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/67/) — “Can there be a fire?” he said to himself; “the sun never came in at this window before. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/68/) — I must get up and see.” - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/69/) — So he rose and looked out, and underneath him flowers from every part of the world were blooming, and creepers of every colour hung in chains from tree to tree. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/70/) — Then he remembered. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/71/) — “Certainly that old woman’s son is a clever magician!” cried he; “I never met anyone as clever as that. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/72/) — What shall I give him to do next? - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/73/) — Let me think. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/74/) — Ah! - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/75/) — I know.” - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/76/) — And he sent for the old woman, who by the orders of the head, was waiting below. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/77/) — “Your son has carried out my wishes very nicely,” he said. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/78/) — “The garden is larger and better than that of any other king. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/79/) — But when I walk across it I shall need some place to rest on the other side. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/80/) — In forty days he must build me a palace, in which every room shall be filled with different furniture from a different country, and each more magnificent than any room that ever was seen.” - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/81/) — And having said this he turned round and went away. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/82/) — “Oh! he will never be able to do that,” thought she; “it is much more difficult than the hill.” - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/83/) — And she walked home slowly, with her head bent. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/84/) — “Well, what am I to do next?” asked the head cheerfully. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/85/) — And the old woman told her story. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/86/) — “Dear me! is that all? why it is child’s play,” answered the head; and troubled no more about the palace for thirty-nine days. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/87/) — Then he told the old woman to go to the bridge and call for Hassan. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/88/) — “What do you want, old woman?” asked Hassan, when he appeared, for he was not as polite as the others had been. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/89/) — “Your master commands you to build the most magnificent palace that ever was seen,” replied she; “and you are to place it on the borders of the new garden.” - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/90/) — “He shall be obeyed,” answered Hassan. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/91/) — And when the sultan woke he saw, in the distance, a palace built of soft blue marble, resting on slender pillars of pure gold. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/92/) — “That old woman’s son is certainly all-powerful,” cried he; “what shall I bid him do now?” - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/93/) — And after thinking some time he sent for the old woman, who was expecting the summons. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/94/) — “The garden is wonderful, and the palace the finest in the world,” said he, “so fine, that my servants would cut but a sorry figure in it. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/95/) — Let your son fill it with forty slaves whose beauty shall be unequalled, all exactly like each other, and of the same height.” - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/96/) — This time the king thought he had invented something totally impossible, and was quite pleased with himself for his cleverness. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/97/) — Thirty-nine days passed, and at midnight on the night of the last the old woman was standing on the bridge. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/98/) — “Bekir! - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/99/) — Bekir! - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/100/) — Bekir!” cried she. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/22/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Brown Fairy Book, part 21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/21/) - next →: [The Brown Fairy Book, part 23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/23/) - ↑ back to [The Brown Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3282/)