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。’
