A few days later the Miller came and told him that the old ass which was to be beaten three times and fed once, was dead. ‘The other two,’ he said, ‘which are to be fed three times, are not dead, but they are pining away, and won’t last long.’
The Huntsman’s heart was stirred with pity, and he told the Miller to bring them back to him.
When they came he gave them some of the other salad to eat, so that they took their human shapes again.
The beautiful Maiden fell on her knees before him, and said: ‘O my beloved, forgive me all the wrong I have done you. My mother forced me to do it. It was against my own will, for I love you dearly. Your wishing-cloak is hanging in the cupboard, and you shall have the bird’s heart back too.’
But he said: ‘Keep it; it will be all the same, as I will take you to be my own true wife.’
Their marriage was soon after celebrated, and they lived happily together till they died.
The Youth who could not Shudder
THERE was once a Father who had two sons. One was clever and sensible, and always knew how to get on. But the younger one was stupid, and could not learn anything, and he had no imagination.
When people saw him, they said: ‘His Father will have plenty of trouble with him.’