As he reached the plain a traveller met him.
‘Oh, you have some of that grass,’ said he. ‘I was just going up the mountain to get some. If you will give it me, and save my journey, I will give you a prancing horse, all covered with gold trappings studded with precious stones.’
But this time the youth began to pay more attention to the injunctions laid upon him, and he shook his head, and walked on.
‘Give it me,’ continued the stranger, ‘and I will give you in return for it a casino of your own in the Campagna, where you may live all your life.’
But the youth shook his head, and continued his way, without so much as answering him.
‘Give it me,’ said the stranger the third time, ‘and I will give you gold enough to make you rich all your days.’
But the youth stood out the third temptation as well as the other two, and then the stranger disappeared.
Without further hindrance he arrived at the chicory-hole, let himself down, and gave the grass to all the people to eat, who were half dead with waiting so long for him; and as they ate, the spell ceased. Only as he had cut the grass in an indolent sort of way, he had not brought so large a quantity as he ought, and there was one poor maiden left for whose deliverance the provision sufficed not.
Meantime the whole face of the country was changed. The plain was covered with flourishing cities; over the chicory-hole was a splendid palace, where the maiden, who had under the spell looked like an old hag, took up her abode, and where the old man had promised that he should live with her for his reward.
This reward he now came to claim.