The youth told him everything precisely.
“Poor creature that I am! There isn’t a single girl who will marry me. Well, as I went along I became exceedingly wretched, and in my misery I said: ‘If the devil offered me a bride, I’d take even her!’”
The old man laughed and said:
“Follow me, I’ll let you choose a lovely bride for yourself.”
By-and-by they reached a lake.
“Turn your back to the lake and walk backwards,” said the old man. Scarcely had the youth had time to turn round and take a couple of steps, when he found himself under the water and in a white-stone palace—all its rooms splendidly furnished, cunningly decorated. The old man gave him to eat and to drink. Afterwards he introduced twelve maidens, each one more beautiful than the other.
“Choose whichever you like! whichever you choose, her will I bestow upon you.”
“That’s a puzzling job!” said the youth; “give me till to-morrow morning to think about it, grandfather!”
“Well, think away!” said the old man, and led his guest to a private chamber. The youth lay down to sleep and thought:
“Which one shall I choose?”