Theprincedidashewasbid，andthemareandherfoalstoodbeforehim。Thenheputthehalterroundherneck，androdeherhome，thefoalalwaystrottingbehindthem。Theoldwomanwasatthedoortoreceivethem，andgavetheprincesomefoodwhilesheledthemarebacktothestable。
’Youshouldhavegoneamongthefishes，’criedtheoldwoman，strikingtheanimalwithastick。
’Ididgoamongthefishes，’repliedthemare;’buttheyarenofriendsofmine，fortheybetrayedmeatonce。’
’Well，goamongthefoxesthistime，’saidshe，andreturnedtothehouse，notknowingthattheprincehadoverheardher。
Sowhenitbegantogrowdarktheprincemountedthemareforthesecondtimeandrodeintothemeadows，andthefoaltrottedbehinditsmother。Againhemanagedtostickontillmidnight:
thenasleepovertookhimthathecouldnotbattleagainst，andwhenhewokeuphefoundhimself，asbefore，sittingonthelog，withthehalterinhishands。Hegaveashriekofdismay，andsprangupinsearchofthewanderers。Ashewenthesuddenlyrememberedthewordsthattheoldwomanhadsaidtothemare，andhedrewoutthefoxhairandtwisteditinhisfingers。
’Whatisit，mybrother？’askedthefox，whoinstantlyappearedbeforehim。
’Theoldwitch’smarehasrunawayfromme，andIdonotknowwheretolookforher。’
’Sheiswithus，’repliedthefox，’andhaschangedherselfintoabigfox，andherfoalintoalittleone，butstrikethegroundwithahalterandsay，"Comehere，Omareofthemountainwitch！"’
Theprincedidso，andinamomentthefoxbecameamareandstoodbeforehim，withthelittlefoalatherheels。Hemountedandrodeback，andtheoldwomanplacedfoodonthetable，andledthemarebacktothestable。
’Youshouldhavegonetothefoxes，asItoldyou，’saidshe，strikingthemarewithastick。
’Ididgotothefoxes，’repliedthemare，’buttheyarenofriendsofmineandbetrayedme。’
’Well，thistimeyouhadbettergotothewolves，’saidshe，notknowingthattheprincehadheardallshehadbeensaying。
Thethirdnighttheprincemountedthemareandrodeherouttothemeadows，withthefoaltrottingafter。Hetriedhardtokeepawake，butitwasofnouse，andinthemorningtherehewasagainonthelog，graspingthehalter。Hestartedtohisfeet，andthenstopped，forherememberedwhattheoldwomanhadsaid，andpulledoutthewolf’sgreylock。
’Whatisit，mybrother？’askedthewolfasitstoodbeforehim。
’Theoldwitch’smarehasrunawayfromme，’repliedtheprince，’andIdon’tknowwheretofindher。’
’Oh，sheiswithus，’answeredthewolf，’andshehaschangedherselfintoashe—wolf，andthefoalintoacub;butstriketheearthherewiththehalter，andcry，"Cometome，Omareofthemountainwitch。"’
Theprincedidashewasbid，andasthehairtouchedhisfingersthewolfchangedbackintoamare，withthefoalbesideher。Andwhenhehadmountedandriddenherhometheoldwomanwasonthestepstoreceivethem，andshesetsomefoodbeforetheprince，butledthemarebacktoherstable。
’Youshouldhavegoneamongthewolves，’saidshe，strikingherwithastick。
’SoIdid，’repliedthemare，’buttheyarenofriendsofmineandbetrayedme。’
Theoldwomanmadenoanswer，andleftthestable，buttheprincewasatthedoorwaitingforher。
’Ihaveservedyouwell，’saidhe，’andnowformyreward。’
’WhatIpromisedthatwillIperform，’answeredshe。’Chooseoneofthesetwelvehorses;youcanhavewhichyoulike。’
’Giveme，instead，thathalf—starvedcreatureinthecorner，’
askedtheprince。’Ipreferhimtoallthosebeautifulanimals。’
’Youcan’treallymeanwhatyousay？’repliedthewoman。
’Yes，Ido，’saidtheprince，andtheoldwomanwasforcedtolethimhavehisway。Sohetookleaveofher，andputthehalterroundhishorse’sneckandledhimintotheforest，whereherubbedhimdowntillhisskinwasshininglikegold。Thenhemounted，andtheyflewstraightthroughtheairtothedragon’spalace。Theempresshadbeenlookingforhimnightandday，andstoleouttomeethim，andheswungherontohissaddle，andthehorseflewoffagain。
Notlongafterthedragoncamehome，andwhenhefoundtheempresswasmissinghesaidtohishorse，’Whatshallwedo？
Shallweeatanddrink，orshallwefollowtherunaways？’andthehorsereplied，’Whetheryoueatordon’teat，drinkordon’tdrink，followthemorstayathome，mattersnothingnow，foryoucannever，nevercatchthem。’
Butthedragonmadenoreplytothehorse’swords，butsprangonhisbackandsetoffinchaseofthefugitives。Andwhentheysawhimcomingtheywerefrightened，andurgedtheprince’shorsefasterandfaster，tillhesaid，’Fearnothing;noharmcanhappentous，’andtheirheartsgrewcalm，fortheytrustedhiswisdom。
Soonthedragon’shorsewasheardpantingbehind，andhecriedout，’Oh，mybrother，donotgosofast！IshallsinktotheearthifItrytokeepupwithyou。’
Andtheprince’shorseanswered，’Whydoyouserveamonsterlikethat？Kickhimoff，andlethimbreakinpiecesontheground，andcomeandjoinus。’
Andthedragon’shorseplungedandreared，andthedragonfellonarock，whichbrokehiminpieces。Thentheempressmountedhishorse，androdebackwithherhusbandtoherkingdom，overwhichtheyruledformanyyears。
[VolksmarchenderSerben。]
THELUTEPLAYER
Onceuponatimetherewasakingandqueenwholivedhappilyandcomfortablytogether。Theywereveryfondofeachotherandhadnothingtoworrythem，butatlastthekinggrewrestless。Helongedtogooutintotheworld，totryhisstrengthinbattleagainstsomeenemyandtowinallkindsofhonourandglory。
Sohecalledhisarmytogetherandgaveorderstostartforadistantcountrywhereaheathenkingruledwhoill—treatedortormentedeveryonehecouldlayhishandson。Thekingthengavehispartingordersandwiseadvicetohisministers，tookatenderleaveofhiswife，andsetoffwithhisarmyacrosstheseas。
Icannotsaywhetherthevoyagewasshortorlong;butatlasthereachedthecountryoftheheathenkingandmarchedon，defeatingallwhocameinhisway。Butthisdidnotlastlong，forintimehecametoamountainpass，wherealargearmywaswaitingforhim，whoputhissoldierstoflight，andtookthekinghimselfprisoner。
Hewascarriedofftotheprisonwheretheheathenkingkepthiscaptives，andnowourpoorfriendhadaverybadtimeindeed。
Allnightlongtheprisonerswerechainedup，andinthemorningtheywereyokedtogetherlikeoxenandhadtoploughthelandtillitgrewdark。
Thisstateofthingswentonforthreeyearsbeforethekingfoundanymeansofsendingnewsofhimselftohisdearqueen，butatlasthecontrivedtosendthisletter:’Sellallourcastlesandpalaces，andputallourtreasuresinpawnandcomeanddelivermeoutofthishorribleprison。’
Thequeenreceivedtheletter，readit，andweptbitterlyasshesaidtoherself，’HowcanIdelivermydearesthusband？IfIgomyselfandtheheathenkingseesmehewilljusttakemetobeoneofhiswives。IfIweretosendoneoftheministers！——butI
hardlyknowifIcandependonthem。’
Shethought，andthought，andatlastanideacameintoherhead。
Shecutoffallherbeautifullongbrownhairanddressedherselfinboy’sclothes。Thenshetookherluteand，withoutsayinganythingtoanyone，shewentforthintothewideworld。
Shetravelledthroughmanylandsandsawmanycities，andwentthroughmanyhardshipsbeforeshegottothetownwheretheheathenkinglived。Whenshegotthereshewalkedallroundthepalaceandatthebackshesawtheprison。Thenshewentintothegreatcourtinfrontofthepalace，andtakingherluteinherhand，shebegantoplaysobeautifullythatonefeltasthoughonecouldneverhearenough。
Aftershehadplayedforsometimeshebegantosing，andhervoicewassweeterthanthelark’s:
’IcomefrommyowncountryfarIntothisforeignland，OfallIownItakealoneMysweetluteinmyhand。
’Oh！whowillthankmeformysong，Rewardmysimplelay？
Likelover’ssighsitstillshallriseTogreettheedaybyday。
’IsingofbloomingflowersMadesweetbysunandrain;
Ofalltheblissoflove’sfirstkiss，Andparting’scruelpain。
’Ofthesadcaptive’slongingWithinhisprisonwall，OfheartsthatsighwhennonearenighToanswertotheircall。
’Mysongbegsforyourpity，Andgiftsfromoutyourstore，AndasIplaymygentlelayIlingernearyourdoor。
’AndifyouhearmysingingWithinyourpalace，sire，Oh！give，Ipray，thishappyday，Tomemyheart’sdesire。’
Nosoonerhadtheheathenkingheardthistouchingsongsungbysuchalovelyvoice，thanhehadthesingerbroughtbeforehim。
’Welcome，Oluteplayer，’saidhe。’Wheredoyoucomefrom？’
’Mycountry，sire，isfarawayacrossmanyseas。ForyearsI
havebeenwanderingabouttheworldandgainingmylivingbymymusic。’
’Stayherethenafewdays，andwhenyouwishtoleaveIwillgiveyouwhatyouaskforinyoursong——yourheart’sdesire。’
Sotheluteplayerstayedoninthepalaceandsangandplayedalmostalldaylongtotheking，whocouldnevertireoflisteningandalmostforgottoeatordrinkortotormentpeople。
Hecaredfornothingbutthemusic，andnoddedhisheadashedeclared，’That’ssomethinglikeplayingandsinging。Itmakesmefeelasifsomegentlehandhadliftedeverycareandsorrowfromme。’
Afterthreedaystheluteplayercametotakeleaveoftheking。
’Well，’saidtheking，’whatdoyoudesireasyourreward？’
’Sire，givemeoneofyourprisoners。Youhavesomanyinyourprison，andIshouldbegladofacompaniononmyjourneys。WhenIhearhishappyvoiceasItravelalongIshallthinkofyouandthankyou。’
’Comealongthen，’saidtheking，’choosewhomyouwill。’Andhetooktheluteplayerthroughtheprisonhimself。
Thequeenwalkedaboutamongsttheprisoners，andatlengthshepickedoutherhusbandandtookhimwithheronherjourney。
Theywerelongontheirway，butheneverfoundoutwhoshewas，andsheledhimnearerandnearertohisowncountry。
Whentheyreachedthefrontiertheprisonersaid:
’Letmegonow，kindlad;Iamnocommonprisoner，butthekingofthiscountry。Letmegofreeandaskwhatyouwillasyourreward。’
’Donotspeakofreward，’answeredtheluteplayer。’Goinpeace。’
’Thencomewithme，dearboy，andbemyguest。’
’WhenthepropertimecomesIshallbeatyourpalace，’wasthereply，andsotheyparted。
Thequeentookashortwayhome，gottherebeforethekingandchangedherdress。
Anhourlaterallthepeopleinthepalacewererunningtoandfroandcryingout:’Ourkinghascomeback！Ourkinghasreturnedtous。’
Thekinggreetedeveryoneverykindly，buthewouldnotsomuchaslookatthequeen。
Thenhecalledallhiscouncilandministerstogetherandsaidtothem:
’SeewhatsortofawifeIhave。Heresheisfallingonmyneck，butwhenIwaspininginprisonandsentherwordofitshedidnothingtohelpme。’
Andhiscouncilansweredwithonevoice，’Sire，whennewswasbroughtfromyouthequeendisappearedandnooneknewwhereshewent。Sheonlyreturnedto—day。’
Thenthekingwasveryangryandcried，’Judgemyfaithlesswife！
Neverwouldyouhaveseenyourkingagain，ifayoungluteplayerhadnotdeliveredhim。IshallrememberhimwithloveandgratitudeaslongasIlive。’
Whilstthekingwassittingwithhiscouncil，thequeenfoundtimetodisguiseherself。Shetookherlute，andslippingintothecourtinfrontofthepalaceshesang，clearandsweet:
’Isingthecaptive’slongingWithinhisprisonwall，OfheartsthatsighwhennonearenighToanswertotheircall。
’Mysongbegsforyourpity，Andgiftsfromoutyourstore，AndasIplaymygentlelayIlingernearyourdoor。
’AndifyouhearmysingingWithinyourpalace，sire，Oh！give，Ipray，thishappyday，Tomemyheart’sdesire。’
Assoonasthekingheardthissongheranouttomeettheluteplayer，tookhimbythehandandledhimintothepalace。
’Here，’hecried，’istheboywhoreleasedmefrommyprison。
Andnow，mytruefriend，Iwillindeedgiveyouyourheart’sdesire。’
’Iamsureyouwillnotbelessgenerousthantheheathenkingwas，sire。IaskofyouwhatIaskedandobtainedfromhim。ButthistimeIdon’tmeantogiveupwhatIget。IwantYOU——yourself！’
Andasshespokeshethrewoffherlongcloakandeveryonesawitwasthequeen。
Whocantellhowhappythekingwas？Inthejoyofhishearthegaveagreatfeasttothewholeworld，andthewholeworldcameandrejoicedwithhimforawholeweek。
Iwastheretoo，andateanddrankmanygoodthings。Isha’n’tforgetthatfeastaslongasIlive。
[FromtheRussian。]
THEGRATEFULPRINCE
OnceuponatimethekingoftheGoldlandlosthimselfinaforest，andtryashewouldhecouldnotfindthewayout。Ashewaswanderingdownonepathwhichhadlookedatfirstmorehopefulthantheresthesawamancomingtowardshim。
’Whatareyoudoinghere，friend？’askedthestranger;’darknessisfallingfast，andsoonthewildbeastswillcomefromtheirlairstoseekforfood。’
’Ihavelostmyself，’answeredtheking，’andamtryingtogethome。’
’Thenpromisemethatyouwillgivemethefirstthingthatcomesoutofyourhouse，andIwillshowyoutheway，’saidthestranger。
Thekingdidnotanswerdirectly，butafterawhilehespoke:
’WhyshouldIgiveawaymyBESTsportingdog。Icansurelyfindmywayoutoftheforestaswellasthisman。’
Sothestrangerlefthim，butthekingfollowedpathafterpathforthreewholedays，withnobettersuccessthanbefore。Hewasalmostindespair，whenthestrangersuddenlyappeared，blockinguphisway。
’Promiseyouwillgivemethefirstthingthatcomesoutofyourhousetomeetyou？’
Butstillthekingwasstiff—neckedandwouldpromisenothing。
Forsomedayslongerhewanderedupanddowntheforest，tryingfirstonepath，thenanother，buthiscourageatlastgaveway，andhesankwearilyonthegroundunderatree，feelingsurehislasthourhadcome。Thenforthethirdtimethestrangerstoodbeforetheking，andsaid:
’Whyareyousuchafool？Whatcanadogbetoyou，thatyoushouldgiveyourlifeforhimlikethis？JustpromisemetherewardIwant，andIwillguideyououtoftheforest。’
’Well，mylifeisworthmorethanathousanddogs，’answeredtheking，’thewelfareofmykingdomdependsonme。Iacceptyourterms，sotakemetomypalace。’Scarcelyhadheutteredthewordsthanhefoundhimselfattheedgeofthewood，withthepalaceinthedimdistance。Hemadeallthehastehecould，andjustashereachedthegreatgatesoutcamethenursewiththeroyalbaby，whostretchedouthisarmstohisfather。Thekingshrankback，andorderedthenursetotakethebabyawayatonce。
Thenhisgreatboarhoundboundeduptohim，buthiscaresseswereonlyansweredbyaviolentpush。
Whentheking’sangerwasspent，andhewasabletothinkwhatwasbesttobedone，heexchangedhisbaby，abeautifulboy，forthedaughterofapeasant，andtheprincelivedroughlyasthesonofpoorpeople，whilethelittlegirlsleptinagoldencradle，undersilkensheets。Attheendofayear，thestrangerarrivedtoclaimhisproperty，andtookawaythelittlegirl，believinghertobethetruechildoftheking。Thekingwassodelightedwiththesuccessofhisplanthatheorderedagreatfeasttobegotready，andgavesplendidpresentstothefosterparentsofhisson，sothathemightlacknothing。Buthedidnotdaretobringbackthebaby，lestthetrickshouldbefoundout。Thepeasantswerequitecontentedwiththisarrangement，whichgavethemfoodandmoneyinabundance。
By—and—bytheboygrewbigandtall，andseemedtoleadahappylifeinthehouseofhisfosterparents。Butashadowhungoverhimwhichreallypoisonedmostofhispleasure，andthatwasthethoughtofthepoorinnocentgirlwhohadsufferedinhisstead，forhisfosterfatherhadtoldhiminsecret，thathewastheking’sson。Andtheprincedeterminedthatwhenhegrewoldenoughhewouldtravelallovertheworld，andneverresttillhehadsetherfree。Tobecomekingatthecostofamaiden’slifewastooheavyapricetopay。Soonedayheputonthedressofafarmservant，threwasackofpeasonhisback，andmarchedstraightintotheforestwhereeighteenyearsbeforehisfatherhadlosthimself。Afterhehadwalkedsomewayhebegantocryloudly:’Oh，howunluckyIam！WherecanIbe？Istherenoonetoshowmethewayoutofthewood？’
Thenappearedastrangemanwithalonggreybeard，withaleatherbaghangingfromhisgirdle。Henoddedcheerfullytotheprince，andsaid:’Iknowthisplacewell，andcanleadyououtofit，ifyouwillpromisemeagoodreward。’
’WhatcanabeggarsuchasIpromiseyou？’answeredtheprince。
’Ihavenothingtogiveyousavemylife;eventhecoatonmybackbelongstomymaster，whomIserveformykeepandmyclothes。’
Thestrangerlookedatthesackofpeas，andsaid，’Butyoumustpossesssomething;youarecarryingthissack，whichseemstobeveryheavy。’
’Itisfullofpeas，’wasthereply。’Myoldauntdiedlastnight，withoutleavingmoneyenoughtobuypeastogivethewatchers，asisthecustomthroughoutthecountry。Ihaveborrowedthesepeasfrommymaster，andthoughttotakeashortcutacrosstheforest;butIhavelostmyself，asyousee。’
’Thenyouareanorphan？’askedthestranger。’Whyshouldyounotentermyservice？Iwantasharpfellowinthehouse，andyoupleaseme。’
’Whynot，indeed，ifwecanstrikeabargain？’saidtheother。
’Iwasbornapeasant，andstrangebreadisalwaysbitter，soitisthesametomewhomIserve！Whatwageswillyougiveme？’
’Everydayfreshfood，meattwiceaweek，butterandvegetables，yoursummerandwinterclothes，andaportionoflandforyourownuse。’
’Ishallbesatisfiedwiththat，’saidtheyouth。’Somebodyelsewillhavetoburymyaunt。Iwillgowithyou！’
Nowthisbargainseemedtopleasetheoldfellowsomuchthathespunroundlikeatop，andsangsoloudthatthewholewoodrangwithhisvoice。Thenhesetoutwithhiscompanion，andchatteredsofastthathenevernoticedthathisnewservantkeptdroppingpeasoutofthesack。Atnighttheysleptunderafigtree，andwhenthesunrosestartedontheirway。Aboutnoontheycametoalargestone，andheretheoldfellowstopped，lookedcarefullyround，gaveasharpwhistle，andstampedthreetimesonthegroundwithhisleftfoot。Suddenlythereappearedunderthestoneasecretdoor，whichledtowhatlookedlikethemouthofacave。Theoldfellowseizedtheyouthbythearm，andsaidroughly，’Followme！’
Thickdarknesssurroundedthem，yetitseemedtotheprinceasiftheirpathledintostilldeeperdepths。Afteralongwhilehethoughthesawaglimmeroflight，butthelightwasneitherthatofthesunnorofthemoon。Helookedeagerlyatit，butfounditwasonlyakindofpalecloud，whichwasallthelightthisstrangeunderworldcouldboast。Earthandwater，treesandplants，birdsandbeasts，eachwasdifferentfromthosehehadseenbefore;butwhatmoststruckterrorintohisheartwastheabsolutestillnessthatreignedeverywhere。Notarustleorasoundcouldbeheard。Hereandtherehenoticedabirdsittingonabranch，withheaderectandswellingthroat，buthisearcaughtnothing。Thedogsopenedtheirmouthsasiftobark，thetoilingoxenseemedabouttobellow，butneitherbarknorbellowreachedtheprince。Thewaterflowednoiselesslyoverthepebbles，thewindbowedthetopsofthetrees，fliesandchafersdartedabout，withoutbreakingthesilence。Theoldgreybeardutterednoword，andwhenhiscompaniontriedtoaskhimthemeaningofitallhefeltthathisvoicediedinhisthroat。
HowlongthisfearfulstillnesslastedIdonotknow，buttheprincegraduallyfelthisheartturningtoice，hishairstooduplikebristles，andacoldchillwascreepingdownhisspine，whenatlast——oh，ecstasy！——afaintnoisebrokeonhisstrainingears，andthislifeofshadowssuddenlybecamereal。Itsoundedasifatroopofhorseswereploughingtheirwayoveramoor。
Thenthegreybeardopenedhismouth，andsaid:’Thekettleisboiling;weareexpectedathome。’
Theywalkedonalittlefurther，tilltheprincethoughtheheardthegrindingofasaw—mill，asifdozensofsawswereworkingtogether，buthisguideobserved，’Thegrandmotherissleepingsoundly;listenhowshesnores。’
Whentheyhadclimbedahillwhichlaybeforethemtheprincesawinthedistancethehouseofhismaster，butitwassosurroundedwithbuildingsofallkindsthattheplacelookedmorelikeavillageorevenasmalltown。Theyreacheditatlast，andfoundanemptykennelstandinginfrontofthegate。’Creepinsidethis，’saidthemaster，’andwaitwhileIgoinandseemygrandmother。Likeallveryoldpeople，sheisveryobstinate，andcannotbearfreshfacesabouther。’
Theprincecrepttremblinglyintothekennel，andbegantoregretthedaringwhichhadbroughthimintothisscrape。
By—and—bythemastercameback，andcalledhimfromhishiding—place。Somethinghadputouthistemper，forwithafrownhesaid，’Watchcarefullyourwaysinthehouse，andbewareofmakinganymistake，oritwillgoillwithyou。Keepyoureyesandearsopen，andyourmouthshut，obeywithoutquestions。Begratefulifyouwill，butneverspeakunlessyouarespokento。’
Whentheprincesteppedoverthethresholdhecaughtsightofamaidenofwonderfulbeauty，withbrowneyesandfaircurlyhair。
’Well！’theyoungmansaidtohimself，’iftheoldfellowhasmanydaughterslikethatIshouldnotmindbeinghisson—in—law。
ThisoneisjustwhatIadmire’;andhewatchedherlaythetable，bringinthefood，andtakeherseatbythefireasifshehadnevernoticedthatastrangemanwaspresent。Thenshetookoutaneedleandthread，andbegantodarnherstockings。Themastersatattablealone，andinvitedneitherhisnewservantnorthemaidtoeatwithhim。Neitherwastheoldgrandmotheranywheretobeseen。Hisappetitewastremendous:hesoonclearedallthedishes，andateenoughtosatisfyadozenmen。
Whenatlasthecouldeatnomorehesaidtothegirl，’Nowyoucanpickupthepieces，andtakewhatisleftintheironpotforyourowndinner，butgivethebonestothedog。’
Theprincedidnotatallliketheideaofdiningoffscraps，whichhehelpedthegirltopickup，but，afterall，hefoundthattherewasplentytoeat，andthatthefoodwasverygood。
Duringthemealhestolemanyglancesatthemaiden，andwouldevenhavespokentoher，butshegavehimnoencouragement。
Everytimeheopenedhismouthforthepurposeshelookedathimsternly，asiftosay，’Silence，’sohecouldonlylethiseyesspeakforhim。Besides，themasterwasstretchedonabenchbytheovenafterhishugemeal，andwouldhaveheardeverything。
Aftersupperthatnight，theoldmansaidtotheprince，’Fortwodaysyoumayrestfromthefatiguesofthejourney，andlookaboutthehouse。Butthedayafterto—morrowyoumustcomewithme，andIwillpointouttheworkyouhavetodo。Themaidwillshowyouwhereyouaretosleep。’
Theprincethought，fromthis，hehadleavetospeak，buthismasterturnedonhimwithafaceofthunderandexclaimed:
’Youdogofaservant！Ifyoudisobeythelawsofthehouseyouwillsoonfindyourselfaheadshorter！Holdyourtongue，andleavemeinpeace。’
Thegirlmadeasigntohimtofollowher，and，throwingopenadoor，noddedtohimtogoin。Hewouldhavelingeredamoment，forhethoughtshelookedsad，butdarednotdoso，forfearoftheoldman’sanger。
’Itisimpossiblethatshecanbehisdaughter！’hesaidtohimself，’forshehasakindheart。Iamquitesureshemustbethesamegirlwhowasbroughthereinsteadofme，soIamboundtoriskmyheadinthismadadventure。’Hegotintobed，butitwaslongbeforehefellasleep，andeventhenhisdreamsgavehimnorest。Heseemedtobesurroundedbydangers，anditwasonlythepowerofthemaidenwhohelpedhimthroughitall。
Whenhewokehisfirstthoughtswereforthegirl，whomhefoundhardatwork。Hedrewwaterfromthewellandcarriedittothehouseforher，kindledthefireundertheironpot，and，infact，dideverythingthatcameintohisheadthatcouldbeofanyusetoher。Intheafternoonhewentout，inordertolearnsomethingofhisnewhome，andwonderedgreatlynottocomeacrosstheoldgrandmother。Inhisrambleshecametothefarmyard，whereabeautifulwhitehorsehadastalltoitself;inanotherwasablackcowwithtwowhite—facedcalves，whilethecluckingofgeese，ducks，andhensreachedhimfromadistance。
Breakfast，dinner，andsupperwereassavouryasbefore，andtheprincewouldhavebeenquitecontentwithhisquartershaditnotbeenforthedifficultyofkeepingsilenceinthepresenceofthemaiden。Ontheeveningoftheseconddayhewent，ashehadbeentold，toreceivehisordersforthefollowingmorning。
’Iamgoingtosetyousomethingveryeasytodoto—morrow，’
saidtheoldmanwhenhisservantentered。’Takethisscytheandcutasmuchgrassasthewhitehorsewillwantforitsday’sfeed，andcleanoutitsstall。IfIcomebackandfindthemangeremptyitwillgoillwithyou。Sobeware！’
Theprincelefttheroom，rejoicinginhisheart，andsayingtohimself，’Well，Ishallsoongetthroughthat！IfIhaveneveryethandledeithertheploughorthescythe，atleastIhaveoftenwatchedthecountrypeopleworkthem，andknowhoweasyitis。’
Hewasjustgoingtoopenhisdoor，whenthemaidenglidedsoftlypastandwhisperedinhisear:’Whattaskhashesetyou？’
’Forto—morrow，’answeredtheprince，’itisreallynothingatall！Justtocuthayforthehorse，andtocleanouthisstall！’
’Oh，lucklessbeing！’sighedthegirl;’howwillyouevergetthroughwithit。Thewhitehorse，whoisourmaster’sgrandmother，isalwayshungry:ittakestwentymenalwaysmowingtokeepitinfoodforoneday，andanothertwentytocleanoutitsstall。How，then，doyouexpecttodoitallbyyourself？
Butlistentome，anddowhatItellyou。Itisyouronlychance。Whenyouhavefilledthemangerasfullasitwillholdyoumustweaveastrongplaitoftherusheswhichgrowamongthemeadowhay，andcutathickpegofstoutwood，andbesurethatthehorseseeswhatyouaredoing。Thenitwillaskyouwhatitisfor，andyouwillsay，’WiththisplaitIintendtobindupyourmouthsothatyoucannoteatanymore，andwiththispegI
amgoingtokeepyoustillinonespot，sothatyoucannotscatteryourcornandwaterallovertheplace！’Afterthesewordsthemaidenwentawayassoftlyasshehadcome。