And so full was he of the idea of how to set about cleaving the log that he forgot even his zither . In the evening came the princess to the window to listen to his playing , and behold all was still . Then she called to him : ` Why are you so cast down this evening , that you do not play on your zither ? ' And he told her his trouble . But she laughed at it , and called to him : ` And you grieve over that ? Bring quickly your zither , and play something for my amusement , and early to-morrow come to me . ' Then the stranger took his zither and played the whole evening for the amusement of the princess . Next morning she took a hair from her locks and gave it to him , saying : ` Take this hair , and wind it round your sword , then you will be able to cleave the log in two . ' Then the stranger went forth , and with one blow cleft the log in two . But the king said : ' I will impose another task upon you , before you can wed my daughter . ' ` Speak on , ' said the stranger . ` Listen , then , ' answered the king ; ` you must mount a horse and ride three miles at full gallop , holding in each hand a goblet full of water . If you spill no drop then I shall give you my daughter to wife , but should you not succeed then I will take your life . ' Then the stranger returned to the house of the old woman , and again he was so troubled as to forget his zither . In the evening the princess came to the window as before to listen to the music , but again all was still ; and she called to him : ` What is the matter that you do not play on your zither ? ' Then he related all that the king had ordered him to do , and the princess answered : ` Do not let yourself be disturbed , only play now , and come to me to-morrow morning . ' Then next morning he went to her , and she gave him her ring , saying : ` Throw this ring into the water and it will immediately freeze , so that you will not spill any . ' The stranger did as the princess bade him , and carried the water all the way . Then the king said : ` Now I will give you a third task , and this shall be the last . I have a negro who will fight with you to-morrow , and if you are the conqueror you shall wed my daughter . '
The stranger returned , full of joy , to the house of the old woman , and XXXXX evening was so merry that the princess called to him : ` You seem very cheerful this evening ; what has my father told you that makes you so glad ? '
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