bee; `some time or other I'll do you a good turn.'

So he didn't disturb it, but went on. Presently there met him
a lioness with her cub.

`Anyhow, I'll eat this lion cub,' says he; `I'm so hungry I feel
quite unwell!'

`Please let us alone, Prince Ivan!' begs the lioness; `some
time or other I'll do you a good turn.'

`Very well; have it your own way,' says he.

Hungry and faint he wandered on, walked farther and farther,
and at last came to where stood the house of the Baba Yaga.
Round the house were set twelve poles in a circle, and on each of
eleven of these poles was stuck a human head; the twelfth alone
remained unoccupied.

`Hail, granny!'

`Hail, Prince Ivan! wherefore have yon come? Is it of your
own accord, or on compulsion?'

`I have come to earn from you an heroic steed.'

`So be it, Prince! You won't have to serve a year with me, but
just three days. If you take good care of my mares, I'll give you
an heroic steed. But if you don't--why, then you mustn't be annoyed
at finding your head stuck on top of the last pole up there.'