And she asked the birds in the trees; they said, “He is too sad.”
And she asked the high trees; they said, “He is too humble.”
And she asked the clever serpents, but they said, “He is too stupid.”
Then she went away weeping. And in the wood she met a young and beautiful princess surrounded by her court.
And because she saw the mother weeping she descended from her horse and took her to the castle, which was all built of gold and precious stones.
There she asked, “Tell me why you weep?” And the mother told the princess of her grief that she could not procure her son a soul nor joy and youth.
Then said the princess, “I cannot see anybody weep; I will tell you something—I will give him my soul.”
Then the mother fell down before her and kissed her hands.
“But,” said the princess, “I will not do it for nothing; he must ask me for it.” Then the mother went to her son, but Dame Care had laid her gray veil over his head, so that he was blind and could not see the princess.
And the mother pleaded, “Dear Dame Care, set him free.”