Strona 533 z 626

The next morning when he awoke he lifted up his pillow, and there

lay the piece of gold glittering underneath; the same happened

next day, and indeed every day when he arose. He heaped up a

great deal of gold, and at last thought to himself, 'Of what use

is this gold to me whilst I am at home? I will go out into the

world and look about me.'

Then he took leave of his friends, and hung his bag and bow about

his neck, and went his way. It so happened that his road one day

led through a thick wood, at the end of which was a large castle

in a green meadow, and at one of the windows stood an old woman

with a very beautiful young lady by her side looking about them.

Now the old woman was a witch, and said to the young lady, 'There

is a young man coming out of the wood who carries a wonderful

prize; we must get it away from him, my dear child, for it is

more fit for us than for him. He has a bird's heart that brings a

piece of gold under his pillow every morning.' Meantime the

huntsman came nearer and looked at the lady, and said to himself,

'I have been travelling so long that I should like to go into

this castle and rest myself, for I have money enough to pay for

anything I want'; but the real reason was, that he wanted to see

more of the beautiful lady.