out the apple to his father, who was rejoiced to see it, and
praised his youngest son heartily for his cleverness. That
evening the prince returned to the apple tree, and everything
passed as before, and so it happened for several nights. At
length the other brothers grew angry at seeing that he never came
back without bringing two golden apples with him, and they went
to consult an old witch, who promised to spy after him, and
discover how he managed to get the apples. So, when the evening
came, the old woman hid herself under the tree and waited for the
prince. Before long he arrived and laid down on his bed, and was
soon fast asleep. Towards midnight there was a rush of wings,
and the eight pea-hens settled on the tree, while the ninth
became a maiden, and ran to greet the prince. Then the witch
stretched out her hand, and cut off a lock of the maiden's hair,
and in an instant the girl sprang up, a pea-hen once more, spread
her wings and flew away, while her sisters, who were busily
stripping the boughs, flew after her.

When he had recovered from his surprise at the unexpected
disappearance of the maiden, the prince exclaimed, 'What can be
the matter?' and, looking about him, discovered the old witch
hidden under the bed. He dragged her out, and in his fury called
his guards, and ordered them to put her to death as fast as
possible. But that did no good as far as the pea-hens went.
They never came back any more, though the prince returned to the
tree every night, and wept his heart out for his lost love. This
went on for some time, till the prince could bear it no longer,
and made up his mind he would search the world through for her.
In vain his father tried to persuade him that his task was
hopeless, and that other girls were to be found as beautiful as