The King had promised his daughter to wife to any one who dared do it, and she was the prettiest maiden the sun had ever shone on.
There were also great treasures hidden in the castle, watched over by evil spirits, enough to make any poor man rich who could break the spell.
Already many had gone in, but none had ever come out.
Next morning the Youth went to the King, and said: ‘By your leave, I should like to pass three nights in the enchanted castle.’
The King looked at him, and, as he took a fancy to him, he said: ‘You may ask three things to take into the castle with you, but they must be lifeless things.’
He answered: ‘Then I ask for a fire, a turning-lathe, and a cooper’s bench with the knife.’
The King had all three carried into the castle for him.
When night fell, the Youth went up to the castle and made a bright fire in one of the rooms. He put the cooper’s bench with the knife near the fire, and seated himself on the turning-lathe.
‘Oh, if only I could shudder,’ he said; ‘but I shan’t learn it here either.’
Towards midnight he wanted to make up the fire, and, as he was blowing it up, something in one corner began to shriek: ‘Miau, miau, how cold we are!’