As soon as the wooer took the object, it sprang open, and a frog, or a hornet, or bat flew into his hair or face, and in his fright he forgot to say, "J'y pense!" And then he was shaved on the spot, and away with him.
This went on for years, and in all kings' houses princes wore wigs. It happened at last that a foreign prince saw Huldigunde, and found her fair, and saw through the trick.
A friendly fairy had given him an apple, which he was to smell once a year, when a prudent idea should occur to him.
Just at the time when he first saw Huldigunde, it was time to smell the apple; he smelt, and it occurred to him that if he would win the game through give and take, he must neither give himself nor take anything from her.
He caused his hands to be bound to his girdle, went with his marshal to court, and declared his wish to eat almonds.
Huldigunde liked this Prince, and commanded almonds to be handed him. Then his marshal took them and put them in his mouth.
The Princess inquired why he carried his hands in his girdle.
He replied that the etiquette of his court was still more severe than at hers; it was not permitted him to take anything with his hands, only with his feet or head.
"In that way," cried Huldigunde, "we shall never settle the game."
Prince Otto only shrugged his shoulder, and replied, "Only when you graciously condescend to take something from my boots."