“That is good,” said the giant. So he laid himself down and drank and drank and drank, until he drank so much that he burst with a great noise, and there was an end of him!
The king was so pleased with the Sword of Light that it seemed as though he could not look at it and talk about it enough. As for Peterkin, he got the princess for his wife, and that pleased him also, you may be sure. The princess was pleased too, for Peterkin was a good, smart, tight bit of a lad, and that is what the girls like. So it was that everybody was pleased except the two elder brothers, who looked as sour as green gooseberries. But now Peterkin was an apple that hung too high for them to reach, and so they had to let him alone.
The next day after the wedding, whom should Peterkin come across but the Little Grey Hare.
“See, Peterkin,” it said, “I have done much for you; will you do a little for me?”
“Yes, indeed, that I will,” said Peterkin.
“Then take the Sword of Light and cut off my head and feet,” said the Little Grey Hare.
No, no; Peterkin could never do such a thing as that; that would be a pretty way to treat a good friend.
But the Little Grey Hare begged and begged and begged, until at last Peterkin did as he asked; he cut off his head and his feet. Then who should stand before him but a handsome young prince, with yellow hair and blue eyes. That was what the Little Grey Hare had been all the time, only the giant had bewitched him.
As for Peterkin—well, this is the way of it; the youngest will step ahead of the others sometimes.
