h a high tower. He showed the ogre
the silver dumplings as proof that he had been at the Silver Castle.

"Well, well, well, my little June bug," shouted the monstrous fellow,
"tell me what it is you want! I'll advise you if I can! Don't be
afraid!"

So the prince told him the purpose of his journey and asked him how to
get to the Glass Hill and pluck the Three Citrons.

"Do you see that blackish lump over yonder?" the ogre said, pointing
with his golden club. "That is the Glass Hill. On that hill stands a
tree. From that tree hang the Three Citrons which send out fragrance
for seven miles around. You will climb the Glass Hill, kneel beneath
the tree, and reach up your hands. If the citrons are destined for you
they will fall into your hands of their own accord. If they are not
destined for you, you will not be able to pluck them no matter what
you do. As you return, if you are hungry or thirsty, cut open one of
the citrons and you will have food and drink in plenty. Go now with
God's blessing. But wait! I can't let you go away hungry! Hi, mother,
bring out the dumplings!"

Yezibaba set a large golden dish on the table.

"Eat!" her son shouted. "Or, if you are not hungry just now, put some
in your pocket and eat them on the way."

The prince said that he was not hungry but that he would be glad to
take some of the golden dumplings with him and eat them later. Then he
thanked the ogre most courteously for his hospitality and advice and
took his leave.

He trudged quickly on from hill to dale, from dale to hill again, and
never stopped until he reached the Glass Hill itself. Then he stood
still as if turned into stone. The hill was high and steep and smooth
with not so much as a scratch on its surface. Over its top spread out
the branches of the magic tree upon which hung the Three Citrons.
Their fragrance was so powerful that the prince almost fainted.

"Let it be as God wills!" he thought to himself. "But however the
adventure is to come out, now that I'm here I must at least make the
attempt."

So he began to claw his way up the smooth glass, but he hadn't gone
many yards before his foot slipped and down he went so hard that he
didn't know where he was or what had happened to him until he found
himself sitting on the ground.

In his vexation he began to throw away the dumplings, thinking that
perhaps their weight had dragged him down. He took one and threw it
straight at the hill. Imagine his surprise to se