There was once a king, who was so devoted to the chase that he knew of no greater pleasure than hunting the beasts of the forest. Early and late he would stay out in the field with hawk and hound, and always had good success. It nevertheless one day happened that he could find no game, though he sought on all sides from early morn.
When evening was drawing on, and he was about to return home with his attendants, he suddenly saw a dwarf, running before him in the forest. The king instantly gave chase, and soon caught him. His extraordinary appearance caused much surprise, for he was little and ugly as a Troll, and his hair resembled shaggy moss. To whatever the king said to him he would return no answer, good or bad. At this the king was angry, and the more so as he was already in a bad temper, due to his bad luck at the chase. He therefore commanded his followers to keep a strict watch over the wild man, so that he might not escape, and then returned to his palace.
One evening, as the king and his men were drinking and making themselves merry, the king, taking up a large horn, said: "What think ye of our sport to day? When could it before have been said of us, that we returned home without some game?" The men answered: "It is certainly true as you say, and yet, perhaps, there is not so good a sportsman as you to be found in the whole world. You must not, however, complain of our day's luck, for you have caught an animal, whose like was never before seen or heard of." This pleased the king exceedingly, and he asked what they thought he had best do with the wild man. One of the courtiers answered: "You should keep him confined here in the palace, that it may be known far and near what a great hunter you are; provided that you can guard him so that he does not escape; for he is a crafty creature." On hearing this, the king for some time sat silent; then raising the horns said: "I will do as you say and it shall be through no fault of mine, if the dwarf escapes. But this I vow, that if any one lets him loose, he shall die, even if it be my own son." Having said this, he emptied the horn, so that it was an unbreakable oath. But the courtiers cast looks of doubt on each other; for they had never before heard the king so speak, and could plainly see that the drink had gone to his head.
On the following morning, when the king awoke, he remembered the vow he had made at the drinking party, and sent for timber and other materials, and caused a small cage to be constructed close by the royal palace. The cage was formed of large beams, and secured by strong locks and bars, so that no one could break through. In the middle of the wall there was a little opening or window, for the purpose of bringing food to the prisoner. When all was ready, the king had the wild man brought forth, placed him in the cage, and took the keys himself. There sat the wild man both day and night, with goers and comers stopping to gaze on him; but no one ever heard him complain, or even utter a single word. |
