第3章

Thethirdday，onhisreturnfromthewoodheconsentedtohavehisstrengthtestedforthelasttime。Soshetookaverystrongcordofsilk，whichshehadpreparedbytherobber’sadvice，andthistime，thoughtheprincepulledandtuggedwithallhismight，hecouldnotbreakthecord。Sohecalledtoherandsaid:’Sister，thistimethecordissostrongIcannotbreakit。Comeandunfastenitforme。’

Butinsteadofcomingshecalledtotherobber，whorushedintotheroombrandishingaknife，withwhichhepreparedtoattacktheprince。

Buttheprincespokeandsaid:

’Havepatienceforoneminute。IwouldlikebeforeIdietoblowthreeblastsonmyhuntinghorn——oneinthisroom，oneonthestairs，andoneinthecourtyard。’

Sotherobberconsented，andtheprinceblewthehorn。Atthefirstblast，thefox，whichwasasleepinthecageinthecourtyard，awoke，andknewthathismasterneededhelp。Soheawokethewolfbyflickinghimacrosstheeyeswithhisbrush。

Thentheyawokethelion，whosprangagainstthedoorofthecagewithmightandmain，sothatitfellinsplintersontheground，andthebeastswerefree。Rushingthroughthecourttotheirmaster’said，thefoxgnawedthecordintwothatboundtheprince’sthumbsbehindhisback，andthelionflunghimselfontherobber，andwhenhehadkilledhimandtornhiminpieceseachofthebeastscarriedoffabone。

Thentheprinceturnedtothestep—sisterandsaid:

’Iwillnotkillyou，butIwillleaveyouheretorepent。’Andhefastenedherwithachaintothewall，andputagreatbowlinfrontofherandsaid，’Iwillnotseeyouagaintillyouhavefilledthisbowlwithyourtears。’

Sosaying，hecalledhisbeasts，andsetoutonhistravels。

Whenhehadgonealittlewayhecametoaninn。Everyoneintheinnseemedsosadthatheaskedthemwhatwasthematter。

’Ah，’repliedthey，’to—dayourking’sdaughteristodie。Sheistobehandedovertoadreadfulnine—headeddragon。’

Thentheprincesaid:’Whyshouldshedie？Iamverystrong，I

willsaveher。’

Andhesetouttothesea—shore，wherethedragonwastomeettheprincess。Andashewaitedwithhisbeastsroundhimagreatprocessioncamealong，accompanyingtheunfortunateprincess:

andwhentheshorewasreachedallthepeoplelefther，andreturnedsadlytotheirhouses。Buttheprinceremained，andsoonhesawamovementinthewateralongwayoff。Asitcamenearer，heknewwhatitwas，forskimmingswiftlyalongthewaterscameamonsterdragonwithnineheads。Thentheprincetookcounselwithhisbeasts，andasthedragonapproachedtheshorethefoxdrewhisbrushthroughthewaterandblindedthedragonbyscatteringthesaltwaterinhiseyes，whilethebearandthelionthrewupmorewaterwiththeirpaws，sothatthemonsterwasbewilderedandcouldseenothing。Thentheprincerushedforwardwithhisswordandkilledthedragon，andthebeaststorethebodyinpieces。

Thentheprincessturnedtotheprinceandthankedhimfordeliveringherfromthedragon，andshesaidtohim:

’Stepintothiscarriagewithme，andwewilldrivebacktomyfather’spalace。’Andshegavehimaringandhalfofherhandkerchief。Butonthewaybackthecoachmanandfootmanspoketooneanotherandsaid:

’Whyshouldwedrivethisstrangerbacktothepalace？Letuskillhim，andthenwecansaytothekingthatweslewthedragonandsavedtheprincess，andoneofusshallmarryher。’

Sotheykilledtheprince，andlefthimdeadontheroadside。

Andthefaithfulbeastscameroundthedeadbodyandwept，andwonderedwhattheyshoulddo。Thensuddenlythewolfhadanidea，andhestartedoffintothewood，wherehefoundanox，whichhestraightwaykilled。Thenhecalledthefox，andtoldhimtomountguardoverthedeadox，andifabirdcamepastandtriedtopeckatthefleshhewastocatchitandbringittothelion。Soonafteracrowflewpast，andbegantopeckatthedeadox。Inamomentthefoxhadcaughtitandbroughtittothelion。Thenthelionsaidtothecrow:

’Wewillnotkillyouifyouwillpromisetoflytothetownwheretherearethreewellsofhealingandtobringbackwaterfromtheminyourbeaktomakethisdeadmanalive。’

Sothecrowflewaway，andshefilledherbeakatthewellofhealing，thewellofstrength，andthewellofswiftness，andsheflewbacktothedeadprinceanddroppedthewaterfromherbeakuponhislips，andhewashealed，andcouldsitupandwalk。

Thenhesetoutforthetown，accompaniedbyhisfaithfulbeasts。

Andwhentheyreachedtheking’spalacetheyfoundthatpreparationsforagreatfeastwerebeingmade，fortheprincesswastomarrythecoachman。

Sotheprincewalkedintothepalace，andwentstraightuptothecoachmanandsaid:’Whattokenhaveyougotthatyoukilledthedragonandwonthehandoftheprincess？Ihavehertokenhere——thisringandhalfherhandkerchief。’

Andwhenthekingsawthesetokensheknewthattheprincewasspeakingthetruth。Sothecoachmanwasboundinchainsandthrownintoprison，andtheprincewasmarriedtotheprincessandrewardedwithhalfthekingdom。

Oneday，soonafterhismarriage，theprincewaswalkingthroughthewoodsintheevening，followedbyhisfaithfulbeasts。

Darknesscameon，andhelosthisway，andwanderedaboutamongthetreeslookingforthepaththatwouldleadhimbacktothepalace。Ashewalkedhesawthelightofafire，andmakinghiswaytoithefoundanoldwomanrakingsticksanddriedleavestogether，andburningtheminagladeofthewood。

Ashewasverytired，andthenightwasverydark，theprincedeterminednottowanderfurther。Soheaskedtheoldwomanifhemightspendthenightbesideherfire。

’Ofcourseyoumay，’sheanswered。’ButIamafraidofyourbeasts。Letmehitthemwithmyrod，andthenIshallnotbeafraidofthem。’

’Verywell，’saidtheprince，’Idon’tmind’;andshestretchedoutherrodandhitthebeasts，andinonemomenttheywereturnedintostone，andsowastheprince。

Nowsoonafterthistheprince’syoungestbrothercametothecross—roadswiththethreebirches，wherethebrothershadpartedfromeachotherwhentheysetoutontheirwanderings。

Rememberingwhattheyhadagreedtodo，hewalkedroundthetwotrees，andwhenhesawthatbloodoozedfromthecutintheeldestprince’streeheknewthathisbrothermustbedead。Sohesetout，followedbyhisbeasts，andcametothetownoverwhichhisbrotherhadruled，andwheretheprincesshehadmarriedlived。Andwhenhecameintothetownallthepeoplewereingreatsorrowbecausetheirprincehaddisappeared。

Butwhentheysawhisyoungestbrother，andthebeastsfollowinghim，theythoughtitwastheirownprince，andtheyrejoicedgreatly，andtoldhimhowtheyhadsoughthimeverywhere。Thentheyledhimtotheking，andhetoothoughtthatitwashisson—in—law。Buttheprincessknewthathewasnotherhusband，andshebeggedhimtogooutintothewoodswithhisbeasts，andtolookforhisbrothertillhefoundhim。

Sotheyoungestprincesetouttolookforhisbrother，andhetoolosthiswayinthewoodandnightovertookhim。Thenhecametotheclearingamongthetrees，wherethefirewasburningandwheretheoldwomanwasrakingsticksandleavesintotheflames。Andheaskedherifhemightspendthenightbesideherfire，asitwastoolateandtoodarktogobacktothetown。

Andsheanswered:’Certainlyyoumay。ButIamafraidofyourbeasts。MayIgivethemastrokewithmyrod，thenIshallnotbeafraidofthem。’

Andhesaidshemight，forhedidnotknowthatshewasawitch。

Soshestretchedoutherrod，andinamomentthebeastsandtheirmasterwereturnedintostone。

Ithappenedsoonafterthatthesecondbrotherreturnedfromhiswanderingsandcametothecross—roadswherethethreebirchesgrew。Ashewentroundthetreeshesawthatbloodpouredfromthecutsinthebarkoftwoofthetrees。Thenheweptandsaid:

’Alas！bothmybrothersaredead。’Andhetoosetouttowardsthetowninwhichhisbrotherhadruled，andhisfaithfulbeastsfollowedhim。Whenheenteredthetown，allthepeoplethoughtitwastheirownprincecomebacktothem，andtheygatheredroundhim，astheyhadgatheredroundhisyoungestbrother，andaskedhimwherehehadbeenandwhyhehadnotreturned。Andtheyledhimtotheking’spalace，buttheprincessknewthathewasnotherhusband。Sowhentheywerealonetogethershebesoughthimtogoandseekforhisbrotherandbringhimhome。

Callinghisbeastsroundhim，hesetoutandwanderedthroughthewoods。Andheputhiseardowntotheearth，tolistenifhecouldhearthesoundofhisbrother’sbeasts。Anditseemedtohimasifheheardafaintsoundfaroff，buthedidnotknowfromwhatdirectionitcame。Soheblewonhishuntinghornandlistenedagain。Andagainheheardthesound，andthistimeitseemedtocomefromthedirectionofafireburninginthewood。

Sohewenttowardsthefire，andtheretheoldwomanwasrakingsticksandleavesintotheembers。Andheaskedherifhemightspendthenightbesideherfire。Butshetoldhimshewasafraidofhisbeasts，andhemustfirstallowhertogiveeachofthemastrokewithherrod。

Butheansweredher:

’Certainlynot。Iamtheirmaster，andnooneshallstrikethembutImyself。Givemetherod’;andhetouchedthefoxwithit，andinamomentitwasturnedintostone。Thenheknewthattheoldwomanwasawitch，andheturnedtoherandsaid:

’Unlessyourestoremybrothersandtheirbeastsbacktolifeatonce，mylionwilltearyouinpieces。’

Thenthewitchwasterrified，andtakingayoungoaktreesheburntitintowhiteashes，andsprinkledtheashesonthestonesthatstoodaround。Andinamomentthetwoprincesstoodbeforetheirbrother，andtheirbeastsstoodroundthem。

Thenthethreeprincessetofftogethertothetown。Andthekingdidnotknowwhichwashisson—in—law，buttheprincessknewwhichwasherhusband，andthereweregreatrejoicingsthroughouttheland。

THEGOAT’SEARSOFTHEEMPERORTROJAN

OnceuponatimetherelivedanemperorwhosenamewasTrojan，andhehadearslikeagoat。Everymorning，whenhewasshaved，heaskedifthemansawanythingoddabouthim，andaseachfreshbarberalwaysrepliedthattheemperorhadgoat’sears，hewasatonceorderedtobeputtodeath。

Nowafterthisstateofthingshadlastedagoodwhile，therewashardlyabarberleftinthetownthatcouldshavetheemperor，anditcametobetheturnoftheMasteroftheCompanyofBarberstogouptothepalace。But，unluckily，attheverymomentthatheshouldhavesetout，themasterfellsuddenlyill，andtoldoneofhisapprenticesthathemustgoinhisstead。

Whentheyouthwastakentotheemperor’sbedroom，hewasaskedwhyhehadcomeandnothismaster。Theyoungmanrepliedthatthemasterwasill，andtherewasnoonebuthimselfwhocouldbetrustedwiththehonour。Theemperorwassatisfiedwiththeanswer，andsatdown，andletasheetoffinelinenbeputroundhim。Directlytheyoungbarberbeganhiswork，he，liketherest，remarkedthegoat’searsoftheemperor，butwhenhehadfinishedandtheemperoraskedhisusualquestionastowhethertheyouthhadnoticedanythingoddabouthim，theyoungmanrepliedcalmly，’No，nothingatall。’Thispleasedtheemperorsomuchthathegavehimtwelveducats，andsaid，’Henceforthyoushallcomeeverydaytoshaveme。’

Sowhentheapprenticereturnedhome，andthemasterinquiredhowhehadgotonwiththeemperor，theyoungmananswered，’Oh，verywell，andhesaysIamtoshavehimeveryday，andhehasgivenmethesetwelveducats’;buthesaidnothingaboutthegoat’searsoftheemperor。

Fromthistimetheapprenticewentregularlyuptothepalace，receivingeachmorningtwelveducatsinpayment。Butafterawhile，hissecret，whichhehadcarefullykept，burntwithinhim，andhelongedtotellittosomebody。Hismastersawtherewassomethingonhismind，andaskedwhatitwas。Theyouthrepliedthathehadbeentormentinghimselfforsomemonths，andshouldneverfeeleasyuntilsomeonesharedhissecret。

’Well，trustme，’saidthemaster，’Iwillkeepittomyself;or，ifyoudonotliketodothat，confessittoyourpastor，orgointosomefieldoutsidethetownanddigahole，and，afteryouhavedugit，kneeldownandwhisperyoursecretthreetimesintothehole。Thenputbacktheearthandcomeaway。’

Theapprenticethoughtthatthisseemedthebestplan，andthatveryafternoonwenttoameadowoutsidethetown，dugadeephole，thenkneltandwhisperedtoitthreetimesover，’TheEmperorTrojanhasgoat’sears。’Andashesaidsoagreatburdenseemedtorolloffhim，andheshovelledtheearthcarefullybackandranlightlyhome。

Weekspassedaway，andtheresprangupintheholeaneldertreewhichhadthreestems，allasstraightaspoplars。Someshepherds，tendingtheirflocksnearby，noticedthetreegrowingthere，andoneofthemcutdownastemtomakeflutesof;but，directlyhebegantoplay，theflutewoulddonothingbutsing:

’TheEmperorTrojanhasgoat’sears。’Ofcourse，itwasnotlongbeforethewholetownknewofthiswonderfulfluteandwhatitsaid;and，atlast，thenewsreachedtheemperorinhispalace。

Heinstantlysentfortheapprenticeandsaidtohim:

’Whathaveyoubeensayingaboutmetoallmypeople？’

Theculprittriedtodefendhimselfbysayingthathehadnevertoldanyonewhathehadnoticed;buttheemperor，insteadoflistening，onlydrewhisswordfromitssheath，whichsofrightenedthepoorfellowthatheconfessedexactlywhathehaddone，andhowhehadwhisperedthetruththreetimestotheearth，andhowinthatveryplaceaneldertreehadsprungup，andfluteshadbeencutfromit，whichwouldonlyrepeatthewordshehadsaid。Thentheemperorcommandedhiscoachtobemadeready，andhetooktheyouthwithhim，andtheydrovetothespot，forhewishedtoseeforhimselfwhethertheyoungman’sconfessionwastrue;butwhentheyreachedtheplaceonlyonestemwasleft。Sotheemperordesiredhisattendantstocuthimaflutefromtheremainingstem，and，whenitwasready，heorderedhischamberlaintoplayonit。Butnotunecouldthechamberlainplay，thoughhewasthebestfluteplayeraboutthecourt——nothingcamebutthewords，’TheEmperorTrojanhasgoat’sears。’Thentheemperorknewthateventheearthgaveupitssecrets，andhegrantedtheyoungmanhislife，butheneverallowedhimtobehisbarberanymore。

[VolksmarchenderSerben。]

THENINEPEA—HENSANDTHEGOLDENAPPLES

Onceuponatimetherestoodbeforethepalaceofanemperoragoldenappletree，whichblossomedandborefruiteachnight。

Buteverymorningthefruitwasgone，andtheboughswerebareofblossom，withoutanyonebeingabletodiscoverwhowasthethief。

Atlasttheemperorsaidtohiseldestson，’IfonlyIcouldpreventthoserobbersfromstealingmyfruit，howhappyIshouldbe！’

Andhissonreplied，’Iwillsitupto—nightandwatchthetree，andIshallsoonseewhoitis！’

Sodirectlyitgrewdarktheyoungmanwentandhidhimselfneartheappletreetobeginhiswatch，buttheappleshadscarcelybeguntoripenbeforehefellasleep，andwhenheawokeatsunrisetheapplesweregone。Hefeltverymuchashamedofhimself，andwentwithlaggingfeettotellhisfather！

Ofcourse，thoughtheeldestsonhadfailed，thesecondmadesurethathewoulddobetter，andsetoutgailyatnightfalltowatchtheappletree。Butnosoonerhadhelainhimselfdownthanhiseyesgrewheavy，andwhenthesunbeamsrousedhimfromhisslumberstherewasnotanappleleftonthetree。

Nextcametheturnoftheyoungestson，whomadehimselfacomfortablebedundertheappletree，andpreparedhimselftosleep。Towardsmidnightheawoke，andsatuptolookatthetree。Andbehold！theappleswerebeginningtoripen，andlitupthewholepalacewiththeirbrightness。Atthesamemomentninegoldenpea—hensflewswiftlythroughtheair，andwhileeightalightedupontheboughsladenwithfruit，theninthflutteredtothegroundwheretheprincelay，andinstantlywaschangedintoabeautifulmaiden，morebeautifulfarthananyladyintheemperor’scourt。Theprinceatoncefellinlovewithher，andtheytalkedtogetherforsometime，tillthemaidensaidhersistershadfinishedpluckingtheapples，andnowtheymustallgohomeagain。Theprince，however，beggedhersohardtoleavehimalittleofthefruitthatthemaidengavehimtwoapples，oneforhimselfandoneforhisfather。Thenshechangedherselfbackintoapea—hen，andthewholenineflewaway。

Assoonasthesunrosetheprinceenteredthepalace，andheldouttheappletohisfather，whowasrejoicedtoseeit，andpraisedhisyoungestsonheartilyforhiscleverness。Thateveningtheprincereturnedtotheappletree，andeverythingpassedasbefore，andsoithappenedforseveralnights。Atlengththeotherbrothersgrewangryatseeingthathenevercamebackwithoutbringingtwogoldenappleswithhim，andtheywenttoconsultanoldwitch，whopromisedtospyafterhim，anddiscoverhowhemanagedtogettheapples。So，whentheeveningcame，theoldwomanhidherselfunderthetreeandwaitedfortheprince。Beforelonghearrivedandlaiddownonhisbed，andwassoonfastasleep。Towardsmidnighttherewasarushofwings，andtheeightpea—henssettledonthetree，whiletheninthbecameamaiden，andrantogreettheprince。Thenthewitchstretchedoutherhand，andcutoffalockofthemaiden’shair，andinaninstantthegirlsprangup，apea—henoncemore，spreadherwingsandflewaway，whilehersisters，whowerebusilystrippingtheboughs，flewafterher。

Whenhehadrecoveredfromhissurpriseattheunexpecteddisappearanceofthemaiden，theprinceexclaimed，’Whatcanbethematter？’and，lookingabouthim，discoveredtheoldwitchhiddenunderthebed。Hedraggedherout，andinhisfurycalledhisguards，andorderedthemtoputhertodeathasfastaspossible。Butthatdidnogoodasfarasthepea—henswent。

Theynevercamebackanymore，thoughtheprincereturnedtothetreeeverynight，andwepthisheartoutforhislostlove。Thiswentonforsometime，tilltheprincecouldbearitnolonger，andmadeuphismindhewouldsearchtheworldthroughforher。

Invainhisfathertriedtopersuadehimthathistaskwashopeless，andthatothergirlsweretobefoundasbeautifulasthisone。Theprincewouldlistentonothing，and，accompaniedbyonlyoneservant，setoutonhisquest。

Aftertravellingformanydays，hearrivedatlengthbeforealargegate，andthroughthebarshecouldseethestreetsofatown，andeventhepalace。Theprincetriedtopassin，butthewaywasbarredbythekeeperofthegate，whowantedtoknowwhohewas，whyhewasthere，andhowhehadlearnttheway，andhewasnotallowedtoenterunlesstheempressherselfcameandgavehimleave。Amessagewassenttoher，andwhenshestoodatthegatetheprincethoughthehadlosthiswits，fortherewasthemaidenhehadlefthishometoseek。Andshehastenedtohim，andtookhishand，anddrewhimintothepalace。Inafewdaystheyweremarried，andtheprinceforgothisfatherandhisbrothers，andmadeuphismindthathewouldliveanddieinthecastle。

Onemorningtheempresstoldhimthatshewasgoingtotakeawalkbyherself，andthatshewouldleavethekeysoftwelvecellarstohiscare。’Ifyouwishtoenterthefirstelevencellars，’saidshe，’youcan;butbewareofevenunlockingthedoorofthetwelfth，oritwillbetheworseforyou。’

Theprince，whowasleftaloneinthecastle，soongottiredofbeingbyhimself，andbegantolookaboutforsomethingtoamusehim。

’WhatCANtherebeinthattwelfthcellar，’hethoughttohimself，’whichImustnotsee？’Andhewentdownstairsandunlockedthedoors，oneaftertheother。Whenhegottothetwelfthhepaused，buthiscuriositywastoomuchforhim，andinanotherinstantthekeywasturnedandthecellarlayopenbeforehim。Itwasempty，saveforalargecask，boundwithironhoops，andoutofthecaskavoicewassayingentreatingly，’Forgoodness’sake，brother，fetchmesomewater;Iamdyingofthirst！’

Theprince，whowasverytender—hearted，broughtsomewateratonce，andpusheditthroughaholeinthebarrel;andashedidsooneoftheironhoopsburst。

Hewasturningaway，whenavoicecriedthesecondtime，’Brother，forpity’ssakefetchmesomewater;I’mdyingofthirst！’

Sotheprincewentback，andbroughtsomemorewater，andagainahoopsprang。

Andforthethirdtimethevoicestillcalledforwater;andwhenwaterwasgivenitthelasthoopwasrent，thecaskfellinpieces，andoutflewadragon，whosnatcheduptheempressjustasshewasreturningfromherwalk，andcarriedheroff。Someservantswhosawwhathadhappenedcamerushingtotheprince，andthepooryoungmanwentnearlymadwhenheheardtheresultofhisownfolly，andcouldonlycryoutthathewouldfollowthedragontotheendsoftheearth，untilhegothiswifeagain。

Formonthsandmonthshewanderedabout，firstinthisdirectionandtheninthat，withoutfindinganytracesofthedragonorhiscaptive。Atlasthecametoastream，andashestoppedforamomenttolookatithenoticedalittlefishlyingonthebank，beatingitstailconvulsively，inavainefforttogetbackintothewater。

’Oh，forpity’ssake，mybrother，’shriekedthelittlecreature，’helpme，andputmebackintotheriver，andIwillrepayyousomeday。Takeoneofmyscales，andwhenyouareindangertwistitinyourfingers，andIwillcome！’

Theprincepickedupthefishandthrewitintothewater;thenhetookoffoneofitsscales，ashehadbeentold，andputitinhispocket，carefullywrappedinacloth。Thenhewentonhiswaytill，somemilesfurtherdowntheroad，hefoundafoxcaughtinatrap。

’Oh！beabrothertome！’calledthefox，’andfreemefromthistrap，andIwillhelpyouwhenyouareinneed。Pulloutoneofmyhairs，andwhenyouareindangertwistitinyourfingers，andIwillcome。’

Sotheprinceunfastenedthetrap，pulledoutoneofthefox’shairs，andcontinuedhisjourney。Andashewasgoingoverthemountainhepassedawolfentangledinasnare，whobeggedtobesetatliberty。

’Onlydelivermefromdeath，’hesaid，’andyouwillneverbesorryforit。Takealockofmyfur，andwhenyouneedmetwistitinyourfingers。’Andtheprinceundidthesnareandletthewolfgo。

Foralongtimehewalkedon，withouthavinganymoreadventures，tillatlengthhemetamantravellingonthesameroad。

’Oh，brother！’askedtheprince，’tellme，ifyoucan，wherethedragon—emperorlives？’

Themantoldhimwherehewouldfindthepalace，andhowlongitwouldtakehimtogetthere，andtheprincethankedhim，andfollowedhisdirections，tillthatsameeveninghereachedthetownwherethedragon—emperorlived。Whenheenteredthepalace，tohisgreatjoyhefoundhiswifesittingaloneinavasthall，andtheybeganhastilytoinventplansforherescape。

Therewasnotimetowaste，asthedragonmightreturndirectly，sotheytooktwohorsesoutofthestable，androdeawayatlightningspeed。Hardlyweretheyoutofsightofthepalacethanthedragoncamehomeandfoundthathisprisonerhadflown。

Hesentatonceforhistalkinghorse，andsaidtohim:

’Givemeyouradvice;whatshallIdo——havemysupperasusual，orsetoutinpursuitofthem？’

’Eatyoursupperwithafreemindfirst，’answeredthehorse，’andfollowthemafterwards。’

Sothedragonatetillitwaspastmid—day，andwhenhecouldeatnomorehemountedhishorseandsetoutafterthefugitives。Inashorttimehehadcomeupwiththem，andashesnatchedtheempressoutofhersaddlehesaidtotheprince:

’ThistimeIwillforgiveyou，becauseyoubroughtmethewaterwhenIwasinthecask;butbewarehowyoureturnhere，oryouwillpayforitwithyourlife。’

Halfmadwithgrief，theprincerodesadlyonalittlefurther，hardlyknowingwhathewasdoing。Thenhecouldbearitnolongerandturnedbacktothepalace，inspiteofthedragon’sthreats。Againtheempresswassittingalone，andoncemoretheybegantothinkofaschemebywhichtheycouldescapethedragon’spower。

’Askthedragonwhenhecomeshome，’saidtheprince，’wherehegotthatwonderfulhorsefrom，andthenyoucantellme，andI

willtrytofindanotherlikeit。’

Then，fearingtomeethisenemy，hestoleoutofthecastle。

Soonafterthedragoncamehome，andtheempresssatdownnearhim，andbegantocoaxandflatterhimintoagoodhumour，andatlastshesaid:

’Buttellmeaboutthatwonderfulhorseyouwereridingyesterday。Therecannotbeanotherlikeitinthewholeworld。

Wheredidyougetitfrom？’

Andheanswered:

’ThewayIgotitisawaywhichnooneelsecantake。Onthetopofahighmountaindwellsanoldwoman，whohasinherstablestwelvehorses，eachonemorebeautifulthantheother。

Andinonecornerisathin，wretched—lookinganimalwhomnoonewouldglanceatasecondtime，butheisinrealitythebestofthelot。Heistwinbrothertomyownhorse，andcanflyashighasthecloudsthemselves。Butnoonecanevergetthishorsewithoutfirstservingtheoldwomanforthreewholedays。Andbesidesthehorsesshehasafoalanditsmother，andthemanwhoserveshermustlookafterthemforthreewholedays，andifhedoesnotletthemrunawayhewillintheendgetthechoiceofanyhorseasapresentfromtheoldwoman。Butifhefailstokeepthefoalanditsmothersafeonanyoneofthethreenightshisheadwillpay。’

Thenextdaytheprincewatchedtillthedragonleftthehouse，andthenhecreptintotheempress，whotoldhimallshehadlearntfromhergaoler。Theprinceatoncedeterminedtoseektheoldwomanonthetopofthemountain，andlostnotimeinsettingout。Itwasalongandsteepclimb，butatlasthefoundher，andwithalowbowhebegan:

’Goodgreetingtoyou，littlemother！’

’Goodgreetingtoyou，myson！Whatareyoudoinghere？’

’Iwishtobecomeyourservant，’answeredhe。

’Soyoushall，’saidtheoldwoman。’IfyoucantakecareofmymareforthreedaysIwillgiveyouahorseforwages，butifyouletherstrayyouwillloseyourhead’;andasshespokesheledhimintoacourtyardsurroundedwithpalings，andoneverypostaman’sheadwasstuck。Onepostonlywasempty，andastheypasseditcriedout:

’Woman，givemetheheadIamwaitingfor！’

Theoldwomanmadenoanswer，butturnedtotheprinceandsaid:

’Look！allthosementookservicewithme，onthesameconditionsasyou，butnotonewasabletoguardthemare！’

Buttheprincedidnotwaver，anddeclaredhewouldabidebyhiswords。

Wheneveningcameheledthemareoutofthestableandmountedher，andthecoltranbehind。Hemanagedtokeephisseatforalongtime，inspiteofallhereffortstothrowhim，butatlengthhegrewsowearythathefellfastasleep，andwhenhewokehefoundhimselfsittingonalog，withthehalterinhishands。Hejumpedupinterror，butthemarewasnowheretobeseen，andhestartedwithabeatingheartinsearchofher。Hehadgonesomewaywithoutasingletracetoguidehim，whenhecametoalittleriver。Thesightofthewaterbroughtbacktohismindthefishwhomhehadsavedfromdeath，andhehastilydrewthescalefromhispocket。Ithadhardlytouchedhisfingerswhenthefishappearedinthestreambesidehim。

’Whatisit，mybrother？’askedthefishanxiously。

’Theoldwoman’smarestrayedlastnight，andIdon’tknowwheretolookforher。’

’Oh，Icantellyouthat:shehaschangedherselfintoabigfish，andherfoalintoalittleone。Butstrikethewaterwiththehalterandsay，"Comehere，Omareofthemountainwitch！"

andshewillcome。’