f pure gold. When the bride saw it she wanted to have it, but
the maid would only give it her on condition that she should sleep for
the third time by the Prince's door. But the Prince took care not to
drink the sleeping-draught. When she began to weep and to say,
'Dearest sweetheart, I freed you in the horrible wild wood, and from
an iron stove,' he jumped up and said, 'You are right. You are mine,
and I am thine.' Though it was still night, he got into a carriage
with her, and they took the false bride's clothes away, so that she
could not follow them. When they came to the great lake they rowed
across, and when they reached the three sharp swords they sat on the
plough-wheel, and on the glassy mountain they stuck the three needles
in. So they arrived at last at the little old house, but when they
stepped inside it turned into a large castle. The toads were all
freed, and were beautiful King's children, running about for joy.
There they were married, and they remained in the castle, which was
much larger than that of the Princess's father's. But because the old
man did not like being left alone, they went and fetched him. So they
had two kingdoms and lived in great wealth.

A mouse has run,
My story's done.

_THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER_

There was once a great war, and the King had a great many soldiers,
but he gave them so little pay that they could not live upon it. Then
three of them took counsel together and determined to desert.

One of them said to the others, 'If we are caught, we shall be hanged
on the gallows; how shall we set about it?' The other said, 'Do you
see that large cornfield there? If we were to hide ourselves in that,
no one could find us. The army cannot come into it, and to-morrow it
is to march on.'

They crept into the corn, but the army did not march on, but remained
encamped close around them. They sat for two days and two nights in
the corn, and grew so hungry that they nearly died; but if they were
to venture out, it was certain death.

They said at last, 'What use was it our deserting? We must perish here
miserably.'

Whilst they were speaking a fiery dragon came flying through the air.
It hovered near them, and asked why they were hidden there. They
answered, 'We are three soldiers, and have deserted because our pay
was so small. Now if we remain here we shall die of hunger, and if we
move out we shall be strung up on the gallows.' 'If you will serve me
fo