head. "O Sun Giant, you
are so wonderful and so powerful that I love you as I never before
have loved a suitor who sang beneath my palace window," said she, "but
I love my mother, too. I cannot go away with you and leave my own dear
mother. It would break my heart."

The Sun Giant told the Spring Princess again and again of his great
love for her, of his magnificent palace which would be her new home,
of the happy life which awaited her as queen of the palace. At length
she listened to his pleadings and decided that she could leave home
and live with him for nine months of the year. For three months of
every year, however, she would have to return to the wonderful palace
of mother-of-pearl where the Great River runs into the sea and spend
the time with her mother, the Giantess of the Great River.

The Sun Giant at last sorrowfully consented to this arrangement and
the wedding feast was held. It lasted for seven days and seven nights.
Then the Spring Princess went away with the Sun Giant to his own home.

Every year the Spring Princess went to visit her mother for three
months according to the agreement. For three months of every year she
lived in the palace of mother-of-pearl where the Great River runs into
the sea. For three months of every year the rivers sang once more as
they rushed along their way. For three months the lakes sparkled in
the bright sunlight as their hearts once more were brimful of joy.

When at last the little son of the Spring Princess was born she wanted
to take him with her when she went to visit her mother. The Sun Giant,
however, did not approve of such a plan. He firmly refused to allow
the child to leave home. After much pleading, all in vain, the Spring
Princess set out upon her journey alone, with sorrow in her heart. She
left her baby son with the best nurses she could procure.

Now it happened that the Giantess of the Great River had not expected
that her daughter would be able to visit her that year. She had
thought that all the rivers and lakes, the palace of mother-of-pearl,
and her own mother heart would have to get along as best they could
without a visit from the Spring Princess. The Giantess of the Great
River had gone away to water the earth. One of the land giants had
taken her prisoner and would not let her escape.

When the Spring Princess arrived at the beautiful palace of
mother-of-pearl and gold and silver and precious stones, where the
Great River runs into the sea,