“Thou art late, sister!”
The eagle flew through the air. “Look, merchant, good hero, what is behind us and what before?”
“Behind, a fire is in sight; before us flowers are blooming.”
“That is the copper kingdom in flames, and the flowers are blooming in the silver kingdom of my second sister. When we are her guests, and she offers gifts, take nothing, but ask for the silver casket.” The eagle came, struck the damp earth, and become a good hero.
“Oh, my own brother,” said his sister, “whence hast come; where wert thou lost; why hast thou been so long without visiting me; with what can I serve thee?”
“Entreat me not, entertain me not, my dear sister, I am at home with thee; but entreat and entertain this good hero, who gave me meat and drink for three years, and did not let me die of hunger.”
She seated them at the oaken tables at spread cloths, entertained and feasted them, then led them to treasure-chambers. “Here are gold and silver and precious stones; take, merchant, what thy soul desires.”
“I want neither gold, silver, nor precious stones. Give me only the silver casket.”
“No, good hero, thy desire is not for the right morsel; thou mightest choke thyself.”
The eagle brother was angry, caught up the merchant, and flew away.