you will lose your head. Now, listen; out
there on the ground, there lies a thick log, which measures more than
two fathoms; if you can cleave it in two with one stroke of your sword,
I will give you my daughter to wife. If you fail, then it will cost you
your head.'

Then the stranger withdrew, and returned to the house of the old woman
sore distressed, for he could believe nothing but that next day he must
atone to the king with his head. And so full was he of the idea of how
to set about cleaving the log that he forgot even his zither.

In the evening came the princess to the window to listen to his playing,
and behold all was still. Then she called to him: 'Why are you so cast
down this evening, that you do not play on your zither?'

And he told her his trouble.

But she laughed at it, and called to him: 'And you grieve over that?
Bring quickly your zither, and play something for my amusement, and
early to-morrow come to me.'

Then the stranger took his zither and played the whole evening for the
amusement of the princess.

Next morning she took a hair from her locks and gave it to him, saying:
'Take this hair, and wind it round your sword, then you will be able to
cleave the log in two.'

Then the stranger went forth, and with one blow cleft the log in two.

But the king said: 'I will impose another task upon you, before you can
wed my daughter.'

'Speak on,' said the stranger.

'Listen, then,' answered the king; 'you must mount a horse and ride
three miles at full gallop, holding in each hand a goblet full of water.
If you spill no drop then I shall give you my daughter to wife, but
should you not succeed then I will take your life.'

Then the stranger returned to the house of the old woman, and again he
was so troubled as to forget his zither.

In the evening the princess came to the window as before to listen to
the music, but again all was still; and she called to him: 'What is the
matter that you do not play on your zither?'

Then he related all that the king had ordered him to do, and the
princess answered: 'Do not let yourself be disturbed, only play now, and
come to me to-morrow morning.'

Then next morning he went to her, and she gave him her ring, saying:
'Throw this ring into the water and it will immediately freeze, so that
you will not spill any.'

The stranger did as the princess bade him, and carried the water all the
way.

Then the king said: 'Now I will give you a third task,