The old dame again importuned him not to go, but as he insisted she said:
“Well, as you are resolved to go, let me advise you. On the other side of yonder mountain is the den of the Fairy Lioness, which is at this moment very much troubled by a pustule on her paw, and you will find her at the entrance of her den, holding her pustulous paw above her head and roaring. Now, you must approach her cleverly without being noticed by her, and taking aim with your bow and arrow, shoot into the pustule, which, being wounded, will at first cause her great pain and make her roar. But soon the pain being past, she will feel comfortable and give you whatever you demand of her.”
The lad went, and found the Fairy Lioness, as foretold by the old dame, standing at the entrance of her cave, and roaring on account of her pain. The lad at once taking aim, shot and wounded the pustule. The pain of the Lioness increasing she exclaimed:
“Oh! who was it that shot this arrow? I would I could find him and devour him. Oh! Oh! Oh!”
But soon, the matter of the wound coming out, she felt comfortable, and said:
“Who was it that shot this arrow? By Heaven, I would give him whatever he demanded.”
The lad at once jumping out from his concealment stood before the Lioness, who seeing him exclaimed:
“Was it you, young hero, that healed me of my pain which was troubling me so long?”
“Yes, it was I,” answered the lad.
“Demand of me whatever you please,” said the Lioness, “I am ready to give to such a hero as you anything that you may ask.”