I had a dream last night...
I saw the Golden Bird, sitting in his wooden cage by the window of the mansion, when a swarm of people could be heard making a commotion outside.
The bird cocked his head, wondering what could be going on, when a servant came bursting in.
He closed the window, and took the fowl out of the wooden cage and put him in the gold one, causing the Bird to give out a screech as the little door was shut.
The Bird was then taken through the mansion, and out the front door, where a crowd of people had gathered, with the Prince trotting up on the Golden Horse.
The Prince dismounted, and led the horse over to the owner of the mansion, the great Hunter and possessor of the Golden Bird.
The Hunter rubbed his hands together as he said "I can't wait to ride by that pompous Rider's estate... on the back of his own horse!"
"Well he's all yours." replied the Prince, presenting him the creature's reigns.
The man instructed some of his servants to take the horse away, presenting the bird to the boy. "And, as promised, the Golden Bird."
The Prince approached the gilded cage, studying the animal inside, leaning close and whispering "The Fox instructs you to fly into the faces of those holding the Golden Horse. Then to meet us in the woods west of here." and unlatching the cage door, he swung the structure around, letting the door swing open.
The Bird flew out, and into the faces of those leading away the horse, causing them to let go of the large creature.
Looking up at the fowl, the Prince shouted "The Golden Bird has escaped! I can't give you the horse if you don't have the bird!" So he jumped back onto the Golden Horse, and with the hunter shocked at what was happening, rode off into the woods.
Soaring up over the trees, the Golden Bird peered down through the branches, and saw the glinting of the Princess' hair. So he tilted his feathery body to the left, and spiraled down through the air, passing through the trees, and finding the Princess sitting on a log beside the Fox, just as the Prince came galloping up.
The girl couldn't believe her eyes, standing up as the bird came fluttering over to her and perching on her outstretched arm.
The Fox smiled, nodding at the additional creature, and turning to the Prince. "How wonderful! The last of the golden creatures!"
Dismounting, the boy led the horse over to the others. "Yes. Thank you, kind fox, for taking care of the Princess. If there is anything I can do for all your help, do not hesitate to ask."
"Actually, there is something." replied the canine, suddenly becoming very serious. "This is the reward I seek for helping you: I wish to be slain by you."
Both of the royal couple were horrified at the thought.
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed the Prince. "Some reward that would be!"
"I assure you that I am quite serious indeed." replied the Fox. "It is the final thing that I desire most. I must be slain, and my head and feet cut off."
The Princess let the Bird fly over to the horse's saddle, as she bent down to look the creature in the eye. "Dear little friend, why would you ever ask such a thing? This is something I simply could not bear to see happen to you."
Looking back at the girl with moistened eyes, the Fox lowered his head. "I understand... Princess." He then looked up at the Prince, "Then I will give you one more piece of advice. Do not buy any 'gallow's flesh,' and never sit on the edge of a well. Goodbye to you all!" And before anyone could say anything, he disappeared into the woods.
The Princess looked over at the boy, " 'Gallows'? Aren't those the things criminals are hung upon to be put to death?"
The Prince nodded. "Yes, indeed. And who would ever fancy sitting on the edge of a well?"
As they pondered the Fox's words, the Golden Horse walked up, nudging the two to get going.
The girl turned around, "I guess we best get back to your father's castle. I'm sure he would like to see the Golden Bird, and I can't wait to meet him, seeing as you've already met my parents."
"Then let's be on our way!" he replied, helping the Princess up onto the front of the saddle, and swinging himself up behind her, with the Bird on his shoulder.
So off they went, on their way to the castle of the Golden Apples.
–Charles M Warren
