’SuddenlyIrememberedthatmyhairwasverylong。IfIstoodittouchedtheground，althoughifIwassittingitonlyreachedmyears。Iseizedaknifeandcutoffalargelock，whichIplaitedtogether，andwhennightcametieditintoaknot，andpreparedtouseitforapillow。ButwhatwasItodoforafire？A
　　tinderboxIhad，butnowood。ThenitoccurredtomethatIhadstuckaneedleinmyclothes，soItooktheneedleandsplititinpieces，andlitit，thenlaidmyselfdownbythefireandwenttosleep。Butill—luckstillpursuedme。WhileIwassleepingasparkfromthefirelightedonthehair，whichwasburntupinamoment。IndespairIthrewmyselfontheground，andinstantlysankinitasfarasmywaist。Istruggledtogetout，butonlyfellinfurther;soIrantothehouse，seizedaspade，dugmyselfout，andtookhometheholywater。OnthewayInoticedthattheripefieldswerefullofreapers，andsuddenlytheairbecamesofrightfullyhotthatthemendroppeddowninafaint。
　　ThenIcalledtothem，"Whydon’tyoubringoutourmare，whichisastallastwodays，andasbroadashalfaday，andmakeashadeforyourselves？"MyfatherheardwhatIsaidandjumpedquicklyonthemare，andthereapersworkedwithawillintheshadow，whileIsnatchedupawoodenpailtobringthemsomewatertodrink。WhenIgottothewelleverythingwasfrozenhard，soinordertodrawsomewaterIhadtotakeoffmyheadandbreaktheicewithit。AsIdrewnearthem，carryingthewater，thereapersallcriedout，"Why，whathasbecomeofyourhead？"IputupmyhandanddiscoveredthatIreallyhadnohead，andthatImusthaveleftitinthewell。Iranbacktolookforit，butfoundthatmeanwhileafoxwhichwaspassingbyhadpulledmyheadoutofthewater，andwastearingatmybrains。I
　　stolecautiouslyuptohim，andgavehimsuchakickthatheutteredaloudscream，andletfallaparchmentonwhichwaswritten，"Thecakeismine，andthebeardlessonegoesempty—handed。"’
　　Withthesewordstheboyrose，tookthecake，andwenthome，whilethebeardlessoneremainedbehindtoswallowhisdisappointment。
　　[VolksmarchenderSerben。]
　　THESTORYOFTHREEWONDERFULBEGGARS
　　ThereoncelivedamerchantwhosenamewasMark，andwhompeoplecalled’MarktheRich。’Hewasaveryhard—heartedman，forhecouldnotbearpoorpeople，andifhecaughtsightofabeggaranywherenearhishouse，hewouldordertheservantstodrivehimaway，orwouldsetthedogsathim。
　　Onedaythreeverypooroldmencamebeggingtothedoor，andjustashewasgoingtoletthefiercedogslooseonthem，hislittledaughter，Anastasia，creptcloseuptohimandsaid:
　　’Deardaddy，letthepooroldmensleephereto—night，do——topleaseme。’
　　Herfathercouldnotbeartorefuseher，andthethreebeggarswereallowedtosleepinaloft，andatnight，wheneveryoneinthehousewasfastasleep，littleAnastasiagotup，climbeduptotheloft，andpeepedin。
　　Thethreeoldmenstoodinthemiddleoftheloft，leaningontheirsticks，withtheirlonggreybeardsflowingdownovertheirhands，andweretalkingtogetherinlowvoices。
　　’Whatnewsisthere？’askedtheeldest。
　　’InthenextvillagethepeasantIvanhasjusthadhisseventhson。Whatshallwenamehim，andwhatfortuneshallwegivehim？’saidthesecond。
　　Thethirdwhispered，’CallhimVassili，andgivehimallthepropertyofthehard—heartedmaninwhoseloftwestand，andwhowantedtodriveusfromhisdoor。’
　　Afteralittlemoretalkthethreemadethemselvesreadyandcreptsoftlyaway。
　　Anastasia，whohadheardeveryword，ranstraighttoherfather，andtoldhimall。
　　Markwasverymuchsurprised;hethought，andthought，andinthemorninghedrovetothenextvillagetotryandfindoutifsuchachildreallyhadbeenborn。Hewentfirsttothepriest，andaskedhimaboutthechildreninhisparish。
　　’Yesterday，’saidthepriest，’aboywasborninthepooresthouseinthevillage。Inamedtheunluckylittlething"Vassili。"Heistheseventhson，andtheeldestisonlysevenyearsold，andtheyhardlyhaveamouthfulamongstthemall。Whocanbegottostandgodfathertosuchalittlebeggarboy？’
　　Themerchant’sheartbeatfast，andhismindwasfullofbadthoughtsaboutthatpoorlittlebaby。Hewouldbegodfatherhimself，hesaid，andheorderedafinechristeningfeast;sothechildwasbroughtandchristened，andMarkwasveryfriendlytoitsfather。AftertheceremonywasoverhetookIvanasideandsaid:
　　’Lookhere，myfriend，youareapoorman。Howcanyouaffordtobringuptheboy？GivehimtomeandI’llmakesomethingofhim，andI’llgiveyouapresentofathousandcrowns。Isthatabargain？’
　　Ivanscratchedhishead，andthought，andthought，andthenheagreed。Markcountedoutthemoney，wrappedthebabyupinafoxskin，laiditinthesledgebesidehim，anddrovebacktowardshome。Whenhehaddrivensomemileshedrewup，carriedthechildtotheedgeofasteepprecipiceandthrewitover，muttering，’There，nowtrytotakemyproperty！’
　　VerysoonafterthissomeforeignmerchantstravelledalongthatsameroadonthewaytoseeMarkandtopaythetwelvethousandcrownswhichtheyowedhim。
　　Astheywerepassingneartheprecipicetheyheardasoundofcrying，andonlookingovertheysawalittlegreenmeadowwedgedinbetweentwogreatheapsofsnow，andonthemeadowlayababyamongsttheflowers。
　　Themerchantspickedupthechild，wrappeditupcarefully，anddroveon。WhentheysawMarktheytoldhimwhatastrangethingtheyhadfound。Markguessedatoncethatthechildmustbehisgodson，askedtoseehim，andsaid:
　　’That’sanicelittlefellow;Ishouldliketokeephim。Ifyouwillmakehimovertome，Iwillletyouoffyourdebt。’
　　Themerchantswereverypleasedtomakesogoodabargain，leftthechildwithMark，anddroveoff。
　　AtnightMarktookthechild，putitinabarrel，fastenedthelidtightdown，andthrewitintothesea。Thebarrelfloatedawaytoagreatdistance，andatlastitfloatedcloseuptoamonastery。Themonkswerejustspreadingouttheirnetstodryontheshore，whentheyheardthesoundofcrying。Itseemedtocomefromthebarrelwhichwasbobbingaboutnearthewater’sedge。Theydrewittolandandopenedit，andtherewasalittlechild！Whentheabbotheardthenews，hedecidedtobringuptheboy，andnamedhim’Vassili。’
　　Theboylivedonwiththemonks，andgrewuptobeaclever，gentle，andhandsomeyoungman。Noonecouldread，write，orsingbetterthanhe，andhedideverythingsowellthattheabbotmadehimwardrobekeeper。
　　Now，ithappenedaboutthistimethatthemerchant，Mark，cametothemonasteryinthecourseofajourney。Themonkswereverypolitetohimandshowedhimtheirhouseandchurchandalltheyhad。Whenhewentintothechurchthechoirwassinging，andonevoicewassoclearandbeautiful，thatheaskedwhoitbelongedto。ThentheabbottoldhimofthewonderfulwayinwhichVassilihadcometothem，andMarksawclearlythatthismustbehisgodsonwhomhehadtwicetriedtokill。
　　Hesaidtotheabbot:’Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIenjoythatyoungman’ssinging。IfhecouldonlycometomeIwouldmakehimoverseerofallmybusiness。Asyousay，heissogoodandclever。Dosparehimtome。Iwillmakehisfortune，andwillpresentyourmonasterywithtwentythousandcrowns。’
　　Theabbothesitatedagooddeal，butheconsultedalltheothermonks，andatlasttheydecidedthattheyoughtnottostandinthewayofVassili’sgoodfortune。
　　ThenMarkwrotealettertohiswifeandgaveittoVassilitotaketoher，andthiswaswhatwasintheletter:’Whenthebearerofthisarrives，takehimintothesoapfactory，andwhenyoupassnearthegreatboiler，pushhimin。Ifyoudon’tobeymyordersIshallbeveryangry，forthisyoungmanisabadfellowwhoissuretoruinusallifhelives。’
　　Vassilihadagoodvoyage，andonlandingsetoffonfootforMark’shome。Onthewayhemetthreebeggars，whoaskedhim:
　　’Whereareyougoing，Vassili？’
　　’IamgoingtothehouseofMarktheMerchant，andhavealetterforhiswife，’repliedVassili。
　　’Showustheletter。’
　　Vassilihandedthemtheletter。Theyblewonitandgaveitbacktohim，saying:’NowgoandgivethelettertoMark’swife。Youwillnotbeforsaken。’
　　Vassilireachedthehouseandgavetheletter。Whenthemistressreaditshecouldhardlybelievehereyesandcalledforherdaughter。Intheletterwaswritten，quiteplainly:’Whenyoureceivethisletter，getreadyforawedding，andletthebearerbemarriednextdaytomydaughter，Anastasia。Ifyoudon’tobeymyordersIshallbeveryangry。’
　　Anastasiasawthebeareroftheletterandhepleasedherverymuch。TheydressedVassiliinfineclothesandnextdayhewasmarriedtoAnastasia。
　　Induetime，Markreturnedfromhistravels。Hiswife，daughter，andson—in—lawallwentouttomeethim。WhenMarksawVassiliheflewintoaterribleragewithhiswife。’Howdaredyoumarrymydaughterwithoutmyconsent？’heasked。
　　’Ionlycarriedoutyourorders，’saidshe。’Hereisyourletter。’
　　Markreadit。Itcertainlywashishandwriting，butbynomeanshiswishes。
　　’Well，’thoughthe，’you’veescapedmethreetimes，butIthinkI
　　shallgetthebetterofyounow。’Andhewaitedamonthandwasverykindandpleasanttohisdaughterandherhusband。
　　AttheendofthattimehesaidtoVassilioneday，’IwantyoutogoformetomyfriendtheSerpentKing，inhisbeautifulcountryattheworld’send。Twelveyearsagohebuiltacastleonsomelandofmine。Iwantyoutoaskfortherentforthosetwelveyearsandalsotofindoutfromhimwhathasbecomeofmytwelveshipswhichsailedforhiscountrythreeyearsago。’
　　Vassilidarednotdisobey。Hesaidgood—byetohisyoungwife，whocriedbitterlyatparting，hungabagofbiscuitsoverhisshoulders，andsetout。
　　Ireallycannottellyouwhetherthejourneywaslongorshort。
　　Ashetrampedalonghesuddenlyheardavoicesaying:’Vassili！
　　whereareyougoing？’
　　Vassililookedabouthim，and，seeingnoone，calledout:’Whospoketome？’
　　’Idid;thisoldwide—spreadingoak。Tellmewhereyouaregoing。’
　　’IamgoingtotheSerpentKingtoreceivetwelveyears’rentfromhim。’
　　’Whenthetimecomes，remembermeandasktheking:"Rottentotheroots，halfdeadbutstillgreen，standstheoldoak。Isittostandmuchlongerontheearth？"’
　　Vassiliwentonfurther。Hecametoariverandgotintotheferryboat。Theoldferrymanasked:’Areyougoingfar，myfriend？’
　　’IamgoingtotheSerpentKing。’
　　’Thenthinkofmeandsaytotheking:"Forthirtyyearstheferrymanhasrowedtoandfro。Willthetiredoldmanhavetorowmuchlonger？"’
　　’Verywell，’saidVassili;’I’llaskhim。’
　　Andhewalkedon。Intimehecametoanarrowstraitoftheseaandacrossitlayagreatwhaleoverwhosebackpeoplewalkedanddroveasifithadbeenabridgeoraroad。Ashesteppedonitthewhalesaid，’Dotellmewhereyouaregoing。’
　　’IamgoingtotheSerpentKing。’
　　Andthewhalebegged:’Thinkofmeandsaytotheking:"Thepoorwhalehasbeenlyingthreeyearsacrossthestrait，andmenandhorseshavenearlytrampledhisbackintohisribs。Ishetolietheremuchlonger？"’
　　’Iwillremember，’saidVassili，andhewenton。
　　Hewalked，andwalked，andwalked，tillhecametoagreatgreenmeadow。Inthemeadowstoodalargeandsplendidcastle。Itswhitemarblewallssparkledinthelight，theroofwascoveredwithmothero’pearl，whichshonelikearainbow，andthesunglowedlikefireonthecrystalwindows。Vassiliwalkedin，andwentfromoneroomtoanotherastonishedatallthesplendourhesaw。
　　Whenhereachedthelastroomofall，hefoundabeautifulgirlsittingonabed。
　　Assoonasshesawhimshesaid:’Oh，Vassili，whatbringsyoutothisaccursedplace？’
　　Vassilitoldherwhyhehadcome，andallhehadseenandheardontheway。
　　Thegirlsaid:’Youhavenotbeensentheretocollectrents，butforyourowndestruction，andthattheserpentmaydevouryou。’
　　Shehadnottimetosaymore，whenthewholecastleshook，andarustling，hissing，groaningsoundwasheard。ThegirlquicklypushedVassiliintoachestunderthebed，lockeditandwhispered:’ListentowhattheserpentandItalkabout。’
　　ThensheroseuptoreceivetheSerpentKing。
　　Themonsterrushedintotheroom，andthrewitselfpantingonthebed，crying:’I’veflownhalfovertheworld。I’mtired，VERY
　　tired，andwanttosleep——scratchmyhead。’
　　Thebeautifulgirlsatdownnearhim，strokinghishideoushead，andsaidinasweetcoaxingvoice:’Youknoweverythingintheworld。Afteryouleft，Ihadsuchawonderfuldream。Willyoutellmewhatitmeans？’
　　’Outwithitthen，quick！Whatwasit？’
　　’IdreamtIwaswalkingonawideroad，andanoaktreesaidtome:"Askthekingthis:Rottenattheroots，halfdead，andyetgreenstandstheoldoak。Isittostandmuchlongerontheearth？"’
　　’Itmuststandtillsomeonecomesandpushesitdownwithhisfoot。Thenitwillfall，andunderitsrootswillbefoundmoregoldandsilverthanevenMarktheRichhasgot。’
　　’ThenIdreamtIcametoariver，andtheoldferrymansaidtome:"Forthirtyyear’stheferrymanhasrowedtoandfro。Willthetiredoldmanhavetorowmuchlonger？"’
　　’Thatdependsonhimself。Ifsomeonegetsintotheboattobeferriedacross，theoldmanhasonlytopushtheboatoff，andgohiswaywithoutlookingback。Themanintheboatwillthenhavetotakehisplace。’
　　’AndatlastIdreamtthatIwaswalkingoverabridgemadeofawhale’sback，andthelivingbridgespoketomeandsaid:"HerehaveIbeenstretchedoutthesethreeyears，andmenandhorseshavetrampledmybackdownintomyribs。MustIlieheremuchlonger？"’
　　’HewillhavetolietheretillhehasthrownupthetwelveshipsofMarktheRichwhichheswallowed。Thenhemayplungebackintotheseaandhealhisback。’
　　AndtheSerpentKingclosedhiseyes，turnedroundonhisotherside，andbegantosnoresoloudthatthewindowsrattled。
　　InallhastethelovelygirlhelpedVassilioutofthechest，andshowedhimpartofhiswayback。Hethankedherverypolitely，andhurriedoff。
　　Whenhereachedthestraitthewhaleasked:’Haveyouthoughtofme？’
　　’Yes，assoonasIamontheothersideIwilltellyouwhatyouwanttoknow。’
　　WhenhewasontheothersideVassilisaidtothewhale:’ThrowupthosetwelveshipsofMark’swhichyouswallowedthreeyearsago。’
　　Thegreatfishheaveditselfupandthrewupallthetwelveshipsandtheircrews。Thenheshookhimselfforjoy，andplungedintothesea。
　　Vassiliwentonfurthertillhereachedtheferry，wheretheoldmanasked:’Didyouthinkofme？’
　　’Yes，andassoonasyouhaveferriedmeacrossIwilltellyouwhatyouwanttoknow。’
　　Whentheyhadcrossedover，Vassilisaid:’Letthenextmanwhocomesstayintheboat，butdoyousteponshore，pushtheboatoff，andyouwillbefree，andtheothermanmusttakeyourplace。
　　ThenVassiliwentonfurtherstill，andsooncametotheoldoaktree，pusheditwithhisfoot，anditfellover。There，attheroots，wasmoregoldandsilverthanevenMarktheRichhad。
　　Andnowthetwelveshipswhichthewhalehadthrownupcamesailingalongandanchoredcloseby。OnthedeckofthefirstshipstoodthethreebeggarswhomVassilihadmetformerly，andtheysaid:’Heavenhasblessedyou，Vassili。’Thentheyvanishedawayandheneversawthemagain。
　　Thesailorscarriedallthegoldandsilverintotheship，andthentheysetsailforhomewithVassilionboard。
　　Markwasmorefuriousthanever。HehadhishorsesharnessedanddroveoffhimselftoseetheSerpentKingandtocomplainofthewayinwhichhehadbeenbetrayed。Whenhereachedtheriverhesprangintotheferryboat。Theferryman，however，didnotgetinbutpushedtheboatoff……
　　Vassililedagoodandhappylifewithhisdearwife，andhiskindmother—in—lawlivedwiththem。HehelpedthepoorandfedandclothedthehungryandnakedandallMark’srichesbecamehis。
　　FormanyyearsMarkhasbeenferryingpeopleacrosstheriver。
　　Hisfaceiswrinkled，hishairandbeardaresnowwhite，andhiseyesaredim;butstillherowson。
　　[FromtheSerbian。]
　　SCHIPPEITARO
　　ItwasthecustominoldtimesthatassoonasaJapaneseboyreachedmanhoodheshouldleavehishomeandroamthroughthelandinsearchofadventures。Sometimeshewouldmeetwithayoungmanbentonthesamebusinessashimself，andthentheywouldfightinafriendlymanner，merelytoprovewhichwasthestronger，butonotheroccasionstheenemywouldturnouttobearobber，whohadbecometheterroroftheneighbourhood，andthenthebattlewasindeadlyearnest。
　　Onedayayouthstartedofffromhisnativevillage，resolvednevertocomebacktillhehaddonesomegreatdeedthatwouldmakehisnamefamous。Butadventuresdidnotseemveryplentifuljustthen，andhewanderedaboutforalongtimewithoutmeetingeitherwithfiercegiantsordistresseddamsels。Atlasthesawinthedistanceawildmountain，halfcoveredwithadenseforest，andthinkingthatthispromisedwellatoncetooktheroadthatledtoit。Thedifficultieshemetwith——hugerockstobeclimbed，deepriverstobecrossed，andthornytractstobeavoided——onlyservedtomakehisheartbeatquicker，forhewasreallybraveallthrough，andnotmerelywhenhecouldnothelphimself，likeagreatmanypeople。Butinspiteofallhiseffortshecouldnotfindhiswayoutoftheforest，andhebegantothinkheshouldhavetopassthenightthere。Oncemorehestrainedhiseyestoseeiftherewasnoplaceinwhichhecouldtakeshelter，andthistimehecaughtsightofasmallchapelinalittleclearing。Hehastenedquicklytowardsit，andcurlinghimselfupinawarmcornersoonfellasleep。
　　Notasoundwasheardthroughthewholeforestforsomehours，butatmidnighttheresuddenlyarosesuchaclamourthattheyoungman，tiredashewas，startedbroadawakeinaninstant。
　　Peepingcautiouslybetweenthewoodenpillarsofthechapel，hesawatroopofhideouscats，dancingfuriously，makingthenighthorriblewiththeiryells。Thefullmoonlighteduptheweirdscene，andtheyoungwarriorgazedwithastonishment，takinggreatcaretokeepstill，lestheshouldbediscovered。Aftersometimehethoughtthatinthemidstofalltheirshriekshecouldmakeoutthewords，’DonottellSchippeitaro！Keepithiddenandsecret！DonottellSchippeitaro！’Then，themidnighthourhavingpassed，theyallvanished，andtheyouthwasleftalone。Exhaustedbyallthathadbeengoingonroundhim，heflunghimselfonthegroundandslepttillthesunrose。
　　Themomenthewokehefeltveryhungry，andbegantothinkhowhecouldgetsomethingtoeat。Sohegotupandwalkedon，andbeforehehadgoneveryfarwasluckyenoughtofindalittleside—path，wherehecouldtracemen’sfootsteps。Hefollowedthetrack，andby—and—bycameonsomescatteredhuts，beyondwhichlayavillage。Delightedatthisdiscovery，hewasabouttohastentothevillagewhenheheardawoman’svoiceweepingandlamenting，andcallingonthementotakepityonherandhelpher。Thesoundofherdistressmadehimforgethewashungry，andhestrodeintothehuttofindoutforhimselfwhatwaswrong。Butthemenwhomheaskedonlyshooktheirheadsandtoldhimitwasnotamatterinwhichhecouldgiveanyhelp，forallthissorrowwascausedbytheSpiritoftheMountain，towhomeveryyeartheywereboundtofurnishamaidenforhimtoeat。
　　’To—morrownight，’saidthey，’thehorriblecreaturewillcomeforhisdinner，andthecriesyouhaveheardwereutteredbythegirlbeforeyou，uponwhomthelothasfallen。’
　　Andwhentheyoungmanaskedifthegirlwascarriedoffstraightfromherhome，theyansweredno，butthatalargecaskwassetintheforestchapel，andintothisshewasfastened。
　　Ashelistenedtothisstory，theyoungmanwasfilledwithagreatlongingtorescuethemaidenfromherdreadfulfate。Thementionofthechapelsethimthinkingofthesceneofthepreviousnight，andhewentoverallthedetailsagaininhismind。’WhoisSchippeitaro？’hesuddenlyasked;’cananyofyoutellme？’
　　’Schippeitaroisthegreatdogthatbelongstotheoverseerofourprince，’saidthey;’andhelivesnotfaraway。’Andtheybegantolaughatthequestion，whichseemedtothemsooddanduseless。
　　Theyoungmandidnotlaughwiththem，butinsteadleftthehutandwentstraighttotheownerofthedog，whomhebeggedtolendhimtheanimaljustforonenight。Schippeitaro’smasterwasnotatallwillingtogivehiminchargetoamanofwhomheknewnothing，butintheendheconsented，andtheyouthledthedogaway，promisingfaithfullytoreturnhimnextdaytohismaster。
　　Henexthurriedtothehutwherethemaidenlived，andentreatedherparentstoshutherupsafelyinacloset，afterwhichhetookSchippeitarotothecask，andfastenedhimintoit。Intheeveningheknewthatthecaskwouldbeplacedinthechapel，sohehidhimselfthereandwaited。
　　Atmidnight，whenthefullmoonappearedabovethetopofthemountain，thecatsagainfilledthechapelandshriekedandyelledanddancedasbefore。Butthistimetheyhadintheirmidstahugeblackcatwhoseemedtobetheirking，andwhomtheyoungmanguessedtobetheSpiritoftheMountain。Themonsterlookedeagerlyabouthim，andhiseyessparkledwithjoywhenhesawthecask。Heboundedhighintotheairwithdelightandutteredcriesofpleasure;thenhedrewnearandundidthebolts。
　　Butinsteadoffasteninghisteethintheneckofabeautifulmaiden，Schippeitaro’steethwerefastenedinHIM，andtheyouthranupandcutoffhisheadwithhissword。Theothercatsweresoastonishedattheturnthingshadtakenthattheyforgottorunaway，andtheyoungmanandSchippeitarobetweenthemkilledseveralmorebeforetheythoughtofescaping。
　　Atsunrisethebravedogwastakenbacktohismaster，andfromthattimethemountaingirlsweresafe，andeveryyearafeastwasheldinmemoryoftheyoungwarriorandthedogSchippeitaro。
　　[JapanischeMarchen。]
　　THETHREEPRINCESANDTHEIRBEASTS（LITHUANIANFAIRYTALE）
　　Onceonatimetherewerethreeprinces，whohadastep—sister。
　　Onedaytheyallsetouthuntingtogether。Whentheyhadgonesomewaythroughathickwoodtheycameonagreatgreywolfwiththreecubs。Justastheyweregoingtoshoot，thewolfspokeandsaid，’Donotshootme，andIwillgiveeachofyouoneofmyyoungones。Itwillbeafaithfulfriendtoyou。’
　　Sotheprinceswentontheirway，andalittlewolffollowedeachofthem。
　　Soonaftertheycameonalionesswiththreecubs。Andshetoobeggedthemnottoshoother，andshewouldgiveeachofthemacub。Andsoithappenedwithafox，ahare，aboar，andabear，tilleachprincehadquiteafollowingofyoungbeastspaddingalongbehindhim。
　　Towardseveningtheycametoaclearinginthewood，wherethreebirchesgrewatthecrossingofthreeroads。Theeldestprincetookanarrow，andshotitintothetrunkofoneofthebirchtrees。Turningtohisbrothershesaid:
　　’Leteachofusmarkoneofthesetreesbeforewepartondifferentways。Whenanyoneofuscomesbacktothisplace，hemustwalkroundthetreesoftheothertwo，andifheseesbloodflowingfromthemarkinthetreehewillknowthatthatbrotherisdead，butifmilkflowshewillknowthathisbrotherisalive。’
　　Soeachoftheprincesdidastheeldestbrotherhadsaid，andwhenthethreebirchesweremarkedbytheirarrowstheyturnedtotheirstep—sisterandaskedherwithwhichofthemshemeanttolive。
　　’Withtheeldest，’sheanswered。Thenthebrothersseparatedfromeachother，andeachofthemsetoutdownadifferentroad，followedbytheirbeasts。Andthestep—sisterwentwiththeeldestprince。
　　Aftertheyhadgonealittlewayalongtheroadtheycameintoaforest，andinoneofthedeepestgladestheysuddenlyfoundthemselvesoppositeacastleinwhichtherelivedabandofrobbers。Theprincewalkeduptothedoorandknocked。Themomentitwasopenedthebeastsrushedin，andeachseizedonarobber，killedhim，anddraggedthebodydowntothecellar。
　　Now，oneoftherobberswasnotreallykilled，onlybadlywounded，buthelayquitestillandpretendedtobedeadliketheothers。Thentheprinceandhisstep—sisterenteredthecastleandtookuptheirabodeinit。
　　Thenextmorningtheprincewentouthunting。Beforeleavinghetoldhisstep—sisterthatshemightgointoeveryroominthehouseexceptintothecavewherethedeadrobberslay。Butassoonashisbackwasturnedsheforgotwhathehadsaid，andhavingwanderedthroughalltheotherroomsshewentdowntothecellarandopenedthedoor。Assoonasshelookedintherobberwhohadonlypretendedtobedeadsatupandsaidtoher:
　　’Don’tbeafraid。DowhatItellyou，andIwillbeyourfriend。
　　Ifyoumarrymeyouwillbemuchhappierwithmethanwithyourbrother。Butyoumustfirstgointothesitting—roomandlookinthecupboard。Thereyouwillfindthreebottles。Inoneofthemthereisahealingointmentwhichyoumustputonmychintohealthewound;thenifIdrinkthecontentsofthesecondbottleitwillmakemewell，andthethirdbottlewillmakemestrongerthanIeverwasbefore。Then，whenyourbrothercomesbackfromthewoodwithhisbeastsyoumustgotohimandsay，"Brother，youareverystrong。IfIweretofastenyourthumbsbehindyourbackwithastoutsilkcord，couldyouwrenchyourselffree？"
　　Andwhenyouseethathecannotdoit，callme。’
　　Whenthebrothercamehome，thestep—sisterdidastherobberhadtoldher，andfastenedherbrother’sthumbsbehindhisback。Butwithonewrenchhesethimselffree，andsaidtoher，’Sister，thatcordisnotstrongenoughforme。’
　　Thenextdayhewentbacktothewoodwithhisbeasts，andtherobbertoldherthatshemusttakeamuchstoutercordtobindhisthumbswith。Butagainhefreedhimself，thoughnotsoeasilyasthefirsttime，andhesaidtohissister:
　　’Eventhatcordisnotstrongenough。’