"Down there in the hollow," said the recipient of the paper, "there is a stream. Go toward it, and walk straight on, but do not look at the water."
The youth did as he was bidden, and shortly found himself on the opposite bank of the stream.
He journeyed up the creek, and as evening fell he came upon a place where the river widened to a lake. Skirting its shores, he suddenly found himself face to face with the Snake. Only then did he remember the words of the old woman, who had warned him that in the evening the Snake would overtake him. So he turned himself into a little fish with red fins, lazily moving in the lake.
The Snake's Quest
The Snake, high on the bank, saw the little creature, and cried: "Little Fish! have you seen the person I am looking for? If a bird had flown over the lake you must have seen it, the water is so still, and surely you have seen the man I am seeking?"
"Not so," replied the Little Fish, "I have seen no one. But if he passes this way I will tell you."
So the Snake continued down-stream, and as he went there was a little grey toad right in his path.
"Little Toad," said he, "have you seen him for whom I am seeking? Even if only a shadow were here you must have seen it."
"Yes," said the Little Toad, "I have seen him, but I cannot tell you which way he has gone."