Atondido Stories
So the devil told how as he was walking about on earth he
had heard Katcha say she would dance with the devil himself if
he asked her. “So I asked her to dance with me,” the devil said.
“Afterwards just to frighten her a little I brought her down to
hell. And now she won’t let go of me!”
“Serve you right, you dunce!” the Prince said. “How often
have I told you to use common sense when you go wandering
around on earth! You might have known Katcha would never let
go of a man once she had him!”
“I beg your Majesty to make her let go!” the poor devil im-
plored.
“I will not!” said the Prince. “You’ll have to carry her back to
earth yourself and get rid of her as best you can. Perhaps this
will be a lesson to you.”
So the devil, very tired and very cross, shambled back to
earth with Katcha still clinging to his neck. He tried every way to
get her off. He promised her wooded hills and rich meadows if
she but let him go. He cajoled her, he cursed her, but all to no
avail. Katcha still held on.
Breathless and discouraged he came at last to a meadow
where a shepherd, wrapped in a great shaggy sheepskin coat,
was tending his flocks. The devil transformed himself into an or-
dinary looking man so that the shepherd didn’t recognize him.
“Hi, there,” the shepherd said, “what’s that you’re carrying?”
“Don’t ask me,” the devil said with a sigh. “I’m so worn out
I’m nearly dead. I was walking yonder not thinking of anything
at all when along comes a woman and jumps on my back and
won’t let go. I’m trying to carry her to the nearest village to get
rid of her there, but I don’t believe I’m able. My legs are giving
out.”
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