when he found a little baby lying in a meadow, left there by some
wicked person, who thought it was too much trouble to look after
it. The shepherd was fond of children, so he took the baby home
with him and gave it plenty of milk, and by the time the boy was
fourteen he could tear up oaks as if they were weeds. Then Paul, as
the shepherd had called him, grew tired of living at home, and went
out into the world to try his luck.

He walked on for many miles, seeing nothing that surprised him,
but in an open space of the wood he was astonished at finding a
man combing trees as another man would comb flax.

'Good morning, friend,' said Paul; 'upon my word, you must be a
strong man!'

The man stopped his work and laughed. 'I am Tree Comber,' he
answered proudly; 'and the greatest wish of my life is to wrestle
with Shepherd Paul.'

'May all your wishes be fulfilled as easily, for I am Shepherd Paul,
and can wrestle with you at once,' replied the lad; and he seized
Tree Comber and flung him with such force to the ground that he
sank up to his knees in the earth. However, in a moment he was up
again, and catching hold of Paul, threw him so that he sank up to
his waist; but then it was Paul's turn again, and this time the man
was buried up to his neck. 'That is enough,' cried he; 'I see you are
a smart fellow, let us become friends.'

'Very good,' answered Paul, and they continued their journey
together.