Jan Marcin Szancer (1902 Kraków-1973 Warsaw), Illustration from Basnia o stalowym jeż

mixed technique, paper, 26.5 × 50 cm

Illustration reproduced in: Jan Brzechwa "A Tale of a Steel Hedgehog", Warsaw 1961, "Ruch" Publishing Office, Edition I, (nlb).

"Strange wonders he saw from the left:
A seagull flew down from the white rocks
Fluttering, snow-white,
In her beak she held a golden key,
With the key she opened the rocks,
She opened the golden gates,
Treasuries, castles and sesames.
He walked to the right, continuous to the right,
He despised gold, he despised digestion,
He walked ceaselessly, until nightfall,
Not even slowing his step.
He neither ate nor drank,
He only nourished himself with cold."

(Illustrated excerpt from the tale.)
Jan Brzechwa "The Tale of the Steel Hedgehog", Warsaw 1961, Biuro Wydawnicze "Ruch", Edition I, (nlb).