The next that came was the South Wind, but he knew no more of it than his brother, and neither did the West Wind for the matter of that.
Last of all came the North Wind, and dear, dear, what a hubbub he made outside of the door, stamping the dust off of his feet before he came into the house.
“And do you know where the Fountain of Life is, and the country that lies east of the Sun and west of the Moon?” said the old woman.
Oh, yes, the North Wind knew where it was. He had been there once upon a time, but it was a long, long distance away.
“So; good! then perhaps you will give this lad a lift over there to-morrow,” said the old woman.
At this the North Wind grumbled and shook his head; but at last he said “yes,” for he is a good-hearted fellow at bottom, is the North Wind, though his ways are a trifle rough perhaps.
So the next morning he took the faithful servant on his back, and away he flew till the man’s hair whistled behind him. On they went and on they went and on they went, until at last they came to the country that lay east of the Sun and west of the Moon; and they were none too soon getting there either, I can tell you, for when the North Wind tumbled the faithful servant off his back he was so weak that he could not have lifted a feather.
“Thank you,” said the faithful servant, and then he was for starting away to find what he came for.
“Stop a bit,” says the North Wind, “you will be wanting to come away again after a while. I cannot wait here, for I have other business to look after. But here is a feather; when you want me, cast it into the air, and I will not be long in coming.”
Then away he bustled, for he had caught his breath again, and time was none too long for him.