IV. THE WHITE CAT HAS HER HEAD CUT OFF
The three brothers set off again on their travels, and the youngest rode straight to the palace of the White Cat. He could not bear to speak or think of his errand. He was so happy, however, with the White Cat that he quite forgot everything for another year. At the end of that time, the “White Cat herself reminded him what he had to do.
“You must now go back to your father, but you shall take with you a beautiful princess. Cut off my head and my tail, and throw them into the fire.”
“I!” said the Prince. “I cut off your head and tail! How can I, when I love you so?”
“You must. That is the way to prove your love. If you love me, do as I bid you.”
The Prince looked at the White Cat. Her eyes said the same thing to him. He took his sword, and did as she bade him. No sooner had he done this than the White Cat was gone, and a beautiful princess stood before him. At the same moment the room was full of maids and gentlemen. All the cats were gone. The Prince was astonished. The beautiful princess sent away all the people, and then told the story of her life to the Prince.