"'Why not?' asked the wood sprite.
"'Because you've got green eyes.'
"The stranger's eyes, in truth, gleamed like two green beetles.
"'Then Heaven be with you!' said the stranger; by which the little prince knew he was no evil spirit, else he dared not name the holy place.
"'I'm going!' returned the little king's son; 'and I will find the better land without you. I have often heard which way to take.'
"The little prince had often heard tell that far off, among the rocks, lived a fierce, bloodthirsty tiger, who had despatched many a huntsman and goatherd to the other world. He would take him along too.
"So he went on till he came to the wild beast's den. He knew it by the many human bones strewn about on the ground. The tiger was in his den; his growling could be heard without.
"Now, you obstreperous little man, would you have dared to go into his den?"
"Not even if my ball had fallen in!"
"Well, then, the king's son was more courageous. He shouted into the den, 'Heh! you tiger, come out! I am the king's son! Bear me at once across to the better land!'