--- title: The Pink Fairy Book, part 14 — The Pink Fairy Book · full text with trees description: The Pink Fairy Book, part 14, «The Pink Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Off went the man to the clerk, and asked him whether he thought he could teach a bull-calf that they had to speak, for they wished so much to have --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/) [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 Pink Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/) / The Pink Fairy Book, part 14 # The Pink Fairy Book, part 14 The Pink Fairy Book, part 14 of «The Pink Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole text, 113 sentences and 2609 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 2 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/1/) — Off went the man to the clerk, and asked him whether he thought he could teach a bull-calf that they had to speak, for they wished so much to have it as their heir. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/2/) — The clerk was no fool; he looked round about to see that no one could overhear them, and said, ‘Oh, yes, I can easily do that, but you must not speak to anyone about it. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/3/) — It must be done in all secrecy, and the priest must not know of it, otherwise I shall get into trouble, as it is forbidden. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/4/) — It will also cost you something, as some very expensive books are required.’ - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/5/) — That did not matter at all, the man said; they would not care so very much what it cost. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/6/) — The clerk could have a hundred dollars to begin with to buy the books. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/7/) — He also promised to tell no one about it, and to bring the calf round in the evening. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/8/) — He gave the clerk the hundred dollars on the spot, and in the evening took the calf round to him, and the clerk promised to do his best with it. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/9/) — In a week’s time he came back to the clerk to hear about the calf and see how it was thriving. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/10/) — The clerk, however, said that he could not get a sight of it, for then Peter would long after him and forget all that he had already learned. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/11/) — He was getting on well with his learning, but another hundred dollars were needed, as they must have more books. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/12/) — The peasant had the money with him, so he gave it to the clerk, and went home again with high hopes. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/13/) — In another week the man came again to learn what progress Peter had made now. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/14/) — ‘He is getting on very well,’ said the clerk. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/15/) — ‘I suppose he can’t say anything yet?’ said the man. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/16/) — ‘Oh, yes,’ said the clerk, ‘he can say “Moo” now.’ - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/17/) — ‘Do you think he will get on with his learning?’ asked the peasant. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/18/) — ‘Oh, yes,’ said the clerk, ‘but I shall want another hundred dollars for books. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/19/) — Peter can’t learn well out of the ones that he has got.’ - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/20/) — ‘Well, well,’ said the man, ‘what must be spent shall be spent.’ - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/21/) — So he gave the clerk the third hundred dollars for books, and a cask of good old ale for Peter. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/22/) — The clerk drank the ale himself, and gave the calf milk, which he thought would be better for it. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/23/) — Some weeks passed, during which the peasant did not come round to ask after the calf, being frightened lest it should cost him another hundred dollars, for he had begun to squirm a bit at having to part with so much money. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/24/) — Meanwhile the clerk decided that the calf was as fat as it could be, so he killed it. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/25/) — After he had got all the beef out of the way he went inside, put on his black clothes, and made his way to the peasant’s house. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/26/) — As soon as he had said ‘Good-day’ he asked, ‘Has Peter come home here?’ - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/27/) — ‘No, indeed, he hasn’t,’ said the man; ‘surely he hasn’t run away?’ - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/28/) — ‘I hope,’ said the clerk, ‘that he would not behave so contemptibly after all the trouble I have had to teach him, and all that I have spent upon him. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/29/) — I have had to spend at least a hundred dollars of my own money to buy books for him before I got him so far on. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/30/) — He could say anything he liked now, so he said to-day that he longed to see his parents again. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/31/) — I was willing to give him that pleasure, but I was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to find the way here by himself, so I made myself ready to go with him. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/32/) — When we had got outside the house I remembered that I had left my stick inside, and went in again to get it. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/33/) — When I came out again Peter had gone off on his own account. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/34/) — I thought he would be here, and if he isn’t I don’t know where he is.’ - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/35/) — The peasant and his wife began to lament bitterly that Peter had run away in this fashion just when they were to have so much joy of him, and after they had spent so much on his education. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/36/) — The worst of it was that now they had no heir after all. — checked by a teacher - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/37/) — The clerk comforted them as best he could; he also was greatly distressed that Peter should have behaved in such a way just when he should have gained honour from his pupil. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/38/) — Perhaps he had only gone astray, and he would advertise him at church next Sunday, and find out where anyone had seen him. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/39/) — Then he bade them ‘Good-bye,’ and went home nad dined on a good fat veal roast. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/40/) — Now it so happened that the clerk took in a newspaper, and one day he chanced to read in its columns of a new merchant who had settled in a town at some distance, and whose name was ‘Peter Bull.’ - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/41/) — He put the newspaper in his pocket, and went round to the sorrowing couple who had lost their heir. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/42/) — He read the paragraph to them, and added, ‘I wonder, now, whether that could be your bull-calf Peter?’ - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/43/) — ‘Yes, of course it is,’ said the man; ‘who else would it be?’ - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/44/) — His wife then spoke up and said, ‘You must set out, good man, and see about him, for it is him, I am perfectly certain. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/45/) — Take a good sum of money with you, too; for who knows but what he may want some cash now that he has turned a merchant!’ - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/46/) — Next day the man got a bag of money on his back and a sandwich in his pocket, and his pipe in his mouth, and set out for the town where the new merchant lived. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/47/) — It was no short way, and he travelled for many days before he finally arrived there. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/48/) — He reached it one morning, just at daybreak, found out the right place, and asked if the merchant was at home. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/49/) — Yes, he was, said the people, but he was not up yet. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/50/) — ‘That doesn’t matter,’ said the peasant, ‘for I am his father. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/51/) — Just show me up to his bedroom.’ - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/52/) — He was shown up to the room, and as soon as he entered it, ad caught sight of the merchant, he recognised him at once. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/53/) — He had the same broad forehead, the same thick neck, and same red hair, but in other respects he was now like a human being. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/54/) — The peasant rushed straight up to him and took a firm hold of him. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/55/) — ‘O Peter,’ said he, ‘what a sorrow you have caused us, both myself and your mother, by running off like this just as we had got you well educated! - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/56/) — Get up, now, so that I can see you properly, and have a talk with you.’ - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/57/) — The merchant thought that it was a lunatic who had made his way in to him, and thought it best to take things quietly. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/58/) — ‘All right,’ said he, ‘I shall do so at once.’ - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/59/) — He got out of bed and made haste to dress himself. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/60/) — ‘Ay,’ said the peasant, ‘now I can see how clever our clerk is. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/61/) — He has done well by you, for now you look just like a human being. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/62/) — If one didn’t know it, one would never think that it was you we got from the red cow; will you come home with me now?’ - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/63/) — ‘No,’ said the merchant, ‘I can’t find time just now. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/64/) — I have a big business to look after.’ - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/65/) — ‘You could have the farm at once, you know,’ said the peasant, ‘and we old people would retire. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/66/) — But if you would rather stay in business, of course you may do so. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/67/) — Are you in want of anything?’ - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/68/) — ‘Oh, yes,’ said the merchant; ‘I want nothing so much as money. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/69/) — A merchant has always a use for that.’ - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/70/) — ‘I can well believe that,’ said the peasant, ‘for you had nothing at all to start with. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/71/) — I have brought some with me for that very end.’ - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/72/) — With that he emptied his bag of money out upon the table, so that it was all covered with bright dollars. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/73/) — When the merchant saw what kind of man he had before him he began to speak him fair, and invited him to stay with him for some days, so that they might have some more talk together. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/74/) — ‘Very well,’ said the peasant, ‘but you must call me “Father.”’ - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/75/) — ‘I have neither father nor mother alive,’ said Peter Bull. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/76/) — ‘I know that,’ said the man; ‘your real father was sold at Hamburg last Michaelmas, and your real mother died while calving in spring; but my wife and I have adopted you as our own, and you are our only heir, so you must call me “Father.”’ - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/77/) — Peter Bull was quite willing to do so, and it was settled that he should keep the money, while the peasant made his will and left to him all that he had, before he went home to his wife, and told her the whole story. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/78/) — She was delighted to hear that it was true enough about Peter Bull--that he was no other than their own bull-calf. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/79/) — ‘You must go at once and tell the clerk,’ said she, ‘and pay him the hundred dollars of his own money that he spent upon our son. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/80/) — He has earned them well, and more besides, for all the joy he has given us in having such a son and heir.’ - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/81/) — The man agreed with this, and thanked the clerk for all he had done, and gave him two hundred dollars. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/82/) — Then he sold the farm, and removed with his wife to the town where their dear son and heir was living. - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/83/) — To him they gave all their wealth, and lived with him till their dying day. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/84/) — The Bird ‘Grip’ - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/85/) — Translated from the Swedish. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/86/) — It happened once that a king, who had a great kingdom and three sons, became blind, and no human skill or art could restore to him his sight. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/87/) — At last there came to the palace an old woman, who told him that in the whole world there was only one thing that could give him back his sight, and that was to get the bird Grip; his song would open the King’s eyes. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/88/) — When the king’s eldest son heard this he offered to bring the bird Grip, which was kept in a cage by a king in another country, and carefully guarded as his greatest treasure. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/89/) — The blind king was greatly rejoiced at his son’s resolve, fitted him out in the best way he could, and let him go. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/90/) — When the prince had ridden some distance he came to an inn, in which there were many guests, all of whom were merry, and drank and sang and played at dice. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/91/) — This joyous life pleased the prince so well that he stayed in the inn, took part in the playing and drinking, and forgot both his blind father and the bird Grip. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/92/) — Meanwhile the king waited with both hope and anxiety for his son’s return, but as time went on and nothing was heard of him, the second prince asked leave to go in search of his brother, as well as to bring the bird Grip. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/93/) — The king granted his request, and fitted him out in the finest fashion. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/94/) — But when the prince came to the inn and found his brother among his merry companions, he also remained there and forgot both the bird Grip and his blind father. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/95/) — When the king noticed that neither of his sons returned, although a long time had passed since the second one set out, he was greatly distressed, for not only had he lost all hope of getting back his sight, but he had also lost his two eldest sons. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/96/) — The youngest now came to him, and offered to go in search of his brothers and to bring the bird Grip; he was quite certain that he would succeed in this. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/97/) — The king was unwilling to risk his third son on such an errand, but he begged so long that his father had at last to consent. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/98/) — This prince also was fitted out in the finest manner, like his brothers, and so rode away. - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/99/) — He also turned into the same inn as his brothers, and when these saw him they assailed him with many entreaties to remain with them and share their merry life. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/100/) — But he answered that now, when he had found them, his next task was to get the bird Grip, for which his blind father was longing, and so he had not a single hour to spare with them in the inn. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/14/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Pink Fairy Book, part 13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/13/) - next →: [The Pink Fairy Book, part 15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/15/) - ↑ back to [The Pink Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg5615/)