After that they flew on and on again, until, at last, the Swan Maiden said, “What do you see now, king’s son?”
“I see the grey sky above me and the dark earth below me, but nothing else,” said he.
So once more they flew on until the Swan Maiden said, for the third time, “And what do you see by now, king’s son?”
But this time the prince said, “I see the grey sky above me and the dark earth below me, and over yonder is a glass hill, and on the hill is a house that shines like fire.”
“That is where the witch with three eyes lives,” said the Swan Maiden; “and now listen: when she asks you what it is that you came for, ask her to give you the one who draws the water and builds the fire; for that is myself.”
So, when they had come to the top of the hill of glass, the king’s son stepped down to the ground, and the swan flew over the roof.
Rap! tap! tap! he knocked at the door, and the old witch herself came and opened it.
“And what do you want here?” said she.
“I want the one who draws the water and builds the fire,” said the prince.