You must come with me and be my wife . We have gone through many troubles together , and now we will share our joys . The maiden resisted his words for some time , but at last she went with him . In the forest they met a woodcutter , who told them that in the palace , as well as in all the land , there had been great sorrow over the loss of the prince , and many years had now passed away during which they had found no traces of him . So , by the help of the magic ball , the maiden managed that he should put on the same clothes that he had been wearing at the time he had vanished , so that his father might know him more quickly . She herself stayed behind in a peasant 's hut , so that father and son might meet alone . But the father was no longer there , for the loss of his son had killed him ; and on his deathbed he confessed to his people how he had contrived that the old wizard should carry away a peasant 's child instead of the prince , wherefore this punishment had fallen upon him . The prince wept bitterly when he heard this news , for he had loved his father well , and for three days he ate and drank nothing . But on the fourth day he stood in the presence of his people as their new king , and , calling his councillors , he told them all the strange things that had befallen him , and how the maiden had borne him safe through all . And the councillors cried with one voice , ` Let her be your wife , and our liege lady . ' And that is the end of the story . -LRB- Ehstnische Marchen . -RRB- THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG Once upon a time there lived a queen whose heart was sore because she had no children . She was sad enough when her husband was at home with her , but when he was away she would see nobody , but sat and wept all day long . Now it happened that a war broke out with the king of a neighbouring country , and the queen was left in the palace alone . She was so unhappy that she felt as if the walls would stifle her , so she wandered out into the garden , and threw herself down on a grassy bank , under the shade of a lime tree . She had been there for some time , when a rustle among the leaves caused her to look up , and she saw an old woman limping on her crutches towards the stream that flowed through the grounds . When she had quenched her thirst , she came straight up to the queen , and said to her : ` Do not take it evil , noble lady , that I dare to speak to you , and do not be afraid of me , for it may be that I shall bring you good luck . ' The queen looked at her doubtfully , and answered : ` You do not seem as if you had been very lucky yourself , or to have much good fortune to spare for anyone else . ' ` Under rough bark lies smooth wood and sweet kernel , ' replied the old woman .
` Let me XXXXX your hand , that I may read the future . '
cried found killed limping meet quenched said saw see stifle