" The youngest brother also met a man who spoke to him, and inquired what his intentions were.
So she went home, but she spoke more than three words, and instantly the iron stove disappeared, and was taken far away over glass mountains and piercing swords, but the king's son was set free, and no longer shut up in it.
He had a fresh and joyous heart, and as he was going thither, whistling upon a leaf, an ugly old crone came up, who spoke to him and said, "Good-day, dear huntsman, truly you are merry and contented, but I am suffering from hunger and thirst, do give me an alms.
She spoke to him and said, "Ah, if you could but deliver me from the evil spell which is thrown over me.
" Then she spoke so kindly to him and begged him just to try, that he came and ate something.
The shoemaker spoke never a word, the bread weighed so heavily on his back that the sweat streamed down his cross and gloomy face.
The bride, however, sat opposite to him in her black dress, and never raised her eyes, nor spoke a word.
They spoke together for a long time after this, but at last they agreed that the son, as he did not belong to the enemy of mankind, nor yet to his father, should seat himself in a small boat, which should lie on water which was flowing away from them, and that the father should push it off with his own foot, and then the son should remain given up to the water.
The aged king commanded him to drive his block out again next day, and as soon as morning came, he placed himself behind the dark gateway, and heard how the maiden spoke to the head of Falada, and then he too went into the country, and hid himself in the thicket in the meadow.
And as he spoke, he slapped the patches on his trousers, but in that district small pieces of land were called patches also.
Hans stood still and looked at him, at last he spoke to him and said, all's well with you, as you are so merry with your grinding.
Then the huntsman spoke further and said, father, will you see the maiden who brought me up so tenderly and who was afterwards to murder me, but did not do it, though her own life depended on it.
Then he spoke to his councillors, I will marry my daughter, for she is the counterpart of my late wife, otherwise I can find no bride who resembles her.
Then spoke the old man joyfully, you talk like brave huntsmen, that which you desire has been my wish.
Then spoke the eldest, now I have found the good luck I wished for, and I desire nothing more.
Then she was satisfied, for she knew that the looking-glass spoke the truth.
The king, however, had a wicked mother who was dissatisfied with this marriage and spoke ill of the young queen.
And while she thus spoke, she became quite happy in her mind, and felt just as if that were going to happen.
Thus spoke the man, for he did not know how wisely God apportions riches and poverty.
They stood still listening, and thumbling spoke again, and said, take me with you, and I'll help you.