Now before long Hans came to a great forest and as he rode under the spreading branches of the trees he heard a cry for help in the woods.
"What can this be?" said Hans; but the very next minute he saw two young birds lying beneath a tree, beating their wings upon the ground and crying aloud:
"Alas! Alas! Who will put us into the nest again?"
"I, the king's servant and my mother's son; I will put you into the nest again," said Hans, and he was as good as his word.
"One good turn deserves another," called the birds when they were safe in their nest once more. "You have helped us, and we will help you some day."
Hans laughed to hear them, for though it was easy for him to help them he could not think what they might do for him.
Trot, trot, and gallop, gallop he rode through the forest till he came to a stream of water beside which lay three panting fishes.
"We shall surely die unless we can get into the water," they cried.
Their breath was almost gone and their voices were no louder than the faintest whisper, but Hans understood every word that they said; and he jumped from his horse and threw them into the stream.
"One good turn deserves another," they cried as they swam merrily away. "You have helped us, and we will help you some day."