Now, another long discussion followed; and this time, too, the dragon could only persuade Stan by promising him seven sacks of ducats.
On the third day, that is the last one, the she-dragon sent them into the forest for wood.
Before one could count three, the dragon tore up more trees than Stan had ever seen before in his whole life, and piled them up together. But Stan began to examine the trees, chose the very finest, climbed up into one and tied its top with a wild grape-vine to the next. So, without saying a word, he continued to fasten one splendid tree to another.
"What are you doing there?" asked the dragon.
"You see what I am doing," replied Stan, working quietly on.
"Why are you tying the trees together?"
"Why, to save myself unnecessary work in pulling them up one by one," said Stan.
"But how are you going to carry them home?"
"I shall take the whole forest, you goose! Can't you understand that?" said Stan, continuing to fasten them together.
The dragon now felt as if he wanted to take to his heels, and never stop until he reached home.