I want you to ask for the rent for those twelve years and also to find out from him what has become of my twelve ships which sailed for his country three years ago . ' Vassili dared not disobey . He said good-bye to his young wife , who cried bitterly at parting , hung a bag of biscuits over his shoulders , and set out . I really can not tell you whether the journey was long or short . As he tramped along he suddenly heard a voice saying : ` Vassili ! where are you going ? ' Vassili looked about him , and , seeing no one , called out : ` Who spoke to me ? ' ' I did ; this old wide-spreading oak . Tell me where you are going . ' ' I am going to the Serpent King to receive twelve years ' rent from him . ' ` When the time comes , remember me and ask the king : `` Rotten to the roots , half dead but still green , stands the old oak . Is it to stand much longer on the earth ? '' ' Vassili went on further . He came to a river and got into the ferryboat . The old ferryman asked : ` Are you going far , my friend ? ' ' I am going to the Serpent King . ' ` Then think of me and say to the king : `` For thirty years the ferryman has rowed to and fro . Will the tired old man have to row much longer ? '' ' ` Very well , ' said Vassili ; ` I 'll ask him . ' And he walked on .
In time he came to a narrow strait of the sea and across it lay a great whale over whose back people XXXXX and drove as if it had been a bridge or a road .
Are Tell called came dared said saying spoke stands walked