He felt in despair , and had quite given up all hope of getting out of this horrible place , when he heard a voice calling to him . ` Hey ! hey ! stop a minute ! ' The prince turned round and saw behind him a very tall man , running as fast as his legs would carry him . ` Wait for me , ' he panted , ` and take me into your service . If you do , you will never be sorry . ' ` Who are you ? ' asked the prince , ` and what can you do ? ' ` Long is my name , and I can lengthen my body at will . Do you see that nest up there on the top of that pine-tree ? Well , I can get it for you without taking the trouble of climbing the tree , ' and Long stretched himself up and up and up , till he was very soon as tall as the pine itself . He put the nest in his pocket , and before you could wink your eyelid he had made himself small again , and stood before the prince . ` Yes ; you know your business , ' said he , ` but birds ' nests are no use to me . I am too old for them . Now if you were only able to get me out of this wood , you would indeed be good for something . ' ` Oh , there 's no difficulty about that , ' replied Long , and he stretched himself up and up and up till he was three times as tall as the tallest tree in the forest . Then he looked all round and said , ` We must go in this direction in order to get out of the wood , ' and shortening himself again , he took the prince 's horse by the bridle , and led him along . Very soon they got clear of the forest , and saw before them a wide plain ending in a pile of high rocks , covered here and there with trees , and very much like the fortifications of a town . As they left the wood behind Long turned to the prince and said , ` My lord , here comes my comrade .
You should take him XXXXX your service too , as you will find him a great help . '
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