hardly know how to live from one day to another?'

The prince promised to inquire, and went on his way. He wandered
about for three days more, and at the end of the third day saw a
little town. It was quite late when he reached it, but he could
discover no light anywhere, and walked almost right through it
without finding a house where he could turn in. But far away at the
end of the town he saw a light in a window. He went straight to it
and in the house were three girls playing a game together. The
prince asked for a night's lodging and they took him in, gave him
some supper and got a room ready for him, where he slept.

Next morning when he was leaving they asked where he was going
and he told them his story. 'Gracious prince,' said the maidens, 'do
ask Lucky Luck how it happens that here we are over thirty years
old and no lover has come to woo us, though we are good, pretty,
and very industrious.'

The prince promised to inquire, and went on his way.

Then he came to a great forest and wandered about in it from
morning to night and from night to morning before he got near the
other end. Here he found a pretty stream which was different from
other streams as, instead of flowing, it stood still and began to talk:
'Sir prince, tell me what brings you into these wilds? I must have
been flowing here a hundred years and more and no one has ever
yet come by.'

'I will tell you,' answered the prince, 'if you will divide yourself so
that I may walk through.'