«Well done!» (cry) Zerbino. He cut off all the branches and (tie) them together.
«Now I (have) to carry this bundle. Oh, if bundles of wood had legs!»
At that very moment the bundle (get) up on four legs and (set) out to the town. But Zerbino (be) hard to surprise. All the way to the town he (sit) on his strange horse (look) at those poor people who (not/have) such a bundle of wood.
There (be) a Royal Palace in the middle of the town square. The king Mushamiel (be) the ruler of the country at that time. Every day people (see) his daughter, Princess Alelie on one of the balconies. She (sit) there (look) sad and thoughtful.
That day Alelie (sit) on the balcony as usual when Zerbino (come) to the Palace on his bundle.
«Dear Princess,» he (say), looking at the girl, «why you (be) so sad? I (wish) you to fall in love with a good man who can make you laugh.»
With these words Zerbino (lift) his hat – and (fall) to the ground, because when he (take) off his hat, he (let) go of the rope that (hold) the bundle, and it (fall) apart. Everybody (laugh). The Princess (laugh), too. Suddenly her face (get) pale. She (look) at Zerbino, (stand) up and (leave).
3
The King (sleep). Suddenly somebody (put) his arms round him. Mushamiel (sit) up. His beautiful daughter (stand) in front of him.
«You (want) me to get married, dear father,«she (say), «I (be) ready to do it.»
«Oh, thank God! Who (be) he?»
«I (not/know), father.»
«You (not/know)?»
«I (see) him just now on the square in front of the Palace.»
«He (be) a prince?»
«I (not/know). It (not/matter).»
«It (matter). You (not/be) good at politics. Call my Minister!»
The Minister’s name (be) Mistigris. He (be) a short, fat man with small eyes.
«What (happen) in my kingdom?» (ask) Mushamiel angrily. «Some woodman (appear) in front of my Palace riding a bundle of wood, and my daughter (want) to marry him!»
…Zerbino (sharpen) his old axe when the policemen (break) into his house and (take) him to the king.
Mushamiel (sit) on the throne. To seem more important, he (look) at the tip of his nose. Mistigris (write) something. Princess Alelie (sigh). When Zerbino (enter), she (cross) the throne room and (stand) next to him.
«This (be) my husband, father,» she (say). «I (be) going to be with him wherever he (go).»
«Hey, guards!» Mushamiel (cry) out, «Take them to the ship. They must leave my country. And I (want) you, Mistigris, to go with them. Good bye!»
4
The strong wind (blow), and the ship (sail) fast. Zerbino (stand) at the steering wheel. Princess Alelie (sit) at his feet. She (not/care) where to sail. But Mistigris (not/enjoy) the voyage. He (run) up and down the deck (shout),
