“Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how he could cross it to reach a town he saw on the opposite side of the water. As he wished he might get across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his feet.
“He jumped back in time to see the square of earth where he had been standing open outward like a door on hinges. Then a woman’s voice quavered forth: ‘Come in, come in, my son.’
“The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting by the roots of a forest tree, crooning over a pot of broth she was stirring.
“‘I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help you. What do you here all alone?’
“Then the boy told about his little dog and how he would like to find it again.
“‘His people live on the other side of the lake. He is the Wolf Chief’s Son, grandchild—he is not a common dog,’ said the woman.
“‘How can I get over there?’ asked the boy.
“‘I have a little canoe—you may use that. Here it is,’ replied the grandame as she picked up a shrivelled leaf and handed it to the astonished boy.
“‘How can I sit in this—it will not carry me?’ said he.
“‘When you reach the lake-side just shake it open and it will swell large in the water. Step in, stretch yourself out in the bottom of the canoe and wish yourself across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will come.’