go. I valued
it more than all my other jewels, and nothing but its recovery can
persuade me to your suit."

Charming could urge no more, but offered an embroidered scarf and his
little dog Frisk as tokens of devotion. These were declined, so bowing
low, he reluctantly took leave of the Princess. He believed that she
had but used this means to put him off, and his disappointment was so
great that he could not sleep.

In the morning he and Frisk were walking by the riverside when the dog
ran to the water's edge, barking furiously. Joining the little animal,
he saw that his excitement was caused by a golden carp which came
swimming swiftly toward them. In its mouth was a beautiful ring which
it laid in Charming's hand.

"You saved my life by the willow-tree," said the carp, "and I now
repay you by giving to you the Princess's ring."

Charming lost no time in presenting it to the Princess and claiming
his reward.

"What fairy aids you?" asked the Princess.

"Only my wish to serve you," Charming replied.

"Alas!" said the Princess, "I cannot marry until Galifron, the giant,
is dead. Because I would not take him for my husband, he persecutes my
subjects and lays waste my land."

"Princess, I will bring back the giant's head to you or die in your
defense," bravely declared Charming.

The Princess and all the people tried to dissuade him, but he mounted
his horse and rode off, accompanied only by his little dog, Frisk. He
traveled straight to the giant's castle. All about it were strewn the
bones of Galifron's victims. Inside the castle the giant was singing
in a terrible voice:

"Little children I love to eat;
Their bones are tender, their flesh is sweet.
I do not care, I eat so many,
If their hair be straight, or if they haven't any."

Charming called out loudly in reply:

"Be not so boastful, Galifron,
Till you've met a knight, who
May be good to feed upon,
But is here to fight you."

The giant appeared at the door, club in hand. When he saw Charming
fearlessly awaiting him, he came toward him in a terrible rage. But
before he could wield his club, a raven lit on his head and pecked at
his eyes, so that he dropped his weapon and was at Charming's mercy.
When the valiant knight had killed the giant, the raven croaked from a
tree near by:

"You saved me from the eagle, and I in turn have saved you from the
giant."

Charming cut off the head of the giant, and carried it back with him
to