“Let us go home, sisters!” cried the Prince. Scarcely had they entered the palace, when the thunder crashed, the roof burst into a blaze, the ceiling split in twain, and in flew an eagle. The Eagle smote upon the ground and became a brave youth.
“Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I have come as a wooer!”
And he asked for the hand of the Princess Olga. Prince Ivan replied:
“If you find favor in the eyes of the Princess Olga, then let her marry you. I will not interfere with her liberty of choice.”
The Princess Olga gave her consent and married the Eagle. The Eagle took her and carried her off to his own kingdom.
Another year went by. Prince Ivan said to his youngest sister:
“Let us go out and stroll in the garden green!”
They strolled about for a time. Again there arose a stormcloud, with whirlwind and lightning.
“Let us return home, sister!” said he.
They returned home, but they hadn’t had time to sit down when the thunder[102] crashed, the ceiling split open, and in flew a raven. The Raven smote upon the floor and became a brave youth. The former youths had been handsome, but this one was handsomer still.