THE MASTERMAID

Once on a time there was a king who had several sons--I don't know
how many there were--but the youngest had no rest at home, for
nothing else would please him but to go out into the world and try
his luck, and after a long time the king was forced to give him leave
to go. Now, after he had travelled some days, he came one night to a
Giant's house, and there he got a place in the Giant's service. In
the morning the Giant went off to herd his goats, and as he left the
yard, he told the Prince to clean out the stable; 'and after you have
done that, you needn't do anything else to-day; for you must know it
is an easy master you have come to. But what is set you to do you
must do well, and you mustn't think of going into any of the rooms
which are beyond that in which you slept, for if you do, I'll take
your life.'

'Sure enough, it is an easy master I have got', said the Prince to
himself, as he walked up and down the room, and carolled and sang,
for he thought there was plenty of time to clean out the stable.

'But still it would be good fun just to peep into his other rooms,
for there must be something in them which he is afraid lest I should
see, since he won't give me leave to go in.'

So he went into the first room, and there was a pot boiling on a hook
by the wall, but the Prince saw no fire underneath it. I wonder what
is inside it, he thought; and then he dipped a lock of his hair into