'So be it,' said the king.

And the first thing the young man did when his beard was grown
was to take the road to the dragon's house and on the way he met
a beggar, whom he persuaded to change clothes with him, and in
the beggar's garments he went fearlessly forth to the dragon.

He found his enemy before his house, very busy making a box, and
addressed him politely, 'Good morning, your worship. Have you a
morsel of bread?'

'You must wait,' replied the dragon, 'till I have finished my
box, and then I will see if I can find one.'

'What will you do with the box when it is made?' inquired the
beggar.

'It is for the young man who killed my wife, and stole my flying
horse and my bed covering,' said the dragon.


'He deserves nothing better,' answered the beggar, 'for it was an
ill deed. Still that box is too small for him, for he is a big
man.'

'You are wrong,' said the dragon. 'The box is large enough even
for me.'

'Well, the rogue is nearly as tall as you,' replied the beggar,
'and, of course, if you can get in, he can. But I am sure you