ere."

The old woman went to another village, visited every house
from one end to the other, but there wasn't an atom of good to
be got out of it. Wherever she thrusts herself, they always
refuse. With what she left home, with that she returned
home.

"No," she says, "no one wants to become related to us
poor beggars."

"If that's the case," answers the old man, "there's no use
in wearing out your legs. Jump up on to the _polati_."[472]

The son was sorely afflicted, and began to entreat his parents,
saying:

"My born father and my born mother! give me your blessing.
I will go and seek my fate myself."

"But where will you go?"

"Where my eyes lead me."

So they gave him their blessing, and let him go whithersoever
it pleased him.[473]

Well, the youth went out upon the highway, began to weep
very bitterly, and said to himself as he walked:

"Was I born into the world worse than all other men, that
not a single girl is willing to marry me? Methinks if the devil
himself would give me a bride, I'd take even her!"

Suddenly, as if rising from the earth, there appeared before
him a very old man.

"Good-day, good youth!"

"Good-day, old man!"

"What was that you were saying just now?"

The youth was frightened and did not know what reply to
make.

"Don't be afraid of me! I sha'n't do you any harm, and
moreover, perhaps I may get you out of your trouble. Speak
boldly!"

The youth told him everything precisely.

"Poor creature that I am! There isn't a single girl who
will marry me. Well, as I went along I became exceedingly
wretched, and in my misery I said: 'If the devil offered me a
bride, I'd take even her!'"

The old man laughed and said:

"Follow me, I'll let you choose a lovely bride for yourself."

By-and-by they reached a lake.

"Turn your back to the lake and walk backwards," said the
old man. Scarcely had the youth had time to turn round and
take a couple of steps, when he found himself under the water
and in a white-stone palace--all its rooms splendidly furnished,
cunningly decorated. The old man gave him to eat and to
drink. Afterwards he introduced twelve maidens, each one
more beautiful than the other.

"Choose whichever you like! whichever you choose, her
will I bestow upon you."

"That's a puzzling job!" said the youth; "give me till to-morrow
morning to think about it, gr