Dragon for seven long years, and how he had given them money as
plentifully as blackberries; but as they had signed their names
they were his, unless when the seven years had passed they could
guess a riddle. The old woman said, 'If you would help
yourselves, one of you must go into the wood, and there he will
come upon a tumble-down building of rocks which looks like a
little house. He must go in, and there he will find help.'

The two melancholy ones thought, 'That won't save us!' and they
remained where they were. But the third and merry one jumped up
and went into the wood till he found the rock hut. In the hut
sat a very old woman, who was the Dragon's grandmother. She
asked him how he came, and what was his business there. He told
her all that happened, and because she was pleased with him she
took compassion on him, and said she would help him.

She lifted up a large stone which lay over the cellar, saying,
'Hide yourself there; you can hear all that is spoken in this
room. Only sit still and don't stir. When the Dragon comes, I
will ask him what the riddle is, for he tells me everything; then
listen carefully what he answers.'

At midnight the Dragon flew in, and asked for his supper. His
grandmother laid the table, and brought out food and drink till
he was satisfied, and they ate and drank together. Then in the
course of the conversation she asked him what he had done in the
day, and how many souls he had conquered.

'I haven't had much luck to-day,' he said, 'but I have a tight
hold on three soldiers.'