Marya Morevna listened to all this, and repeated it to Prince Ivan, and she carried off the handkerchief and gave it to him. So he managed to get across the fiery river, and then went on to the Baba Yaga’s. Long went he on without getting anything either to eat or to drink. At last he came across an outlandish[103] bird and its young ones. Says Prince Ivan:
“I’ll eat one of these chickens.”
“Don’t eat it, Prince Ivan!” begs the outlandish bird; “some time or other I’ll do you a good turn.”
He went on farther and saw a hive of bees in the forest.
“I’ll get a bit of honeycomb,” says he.
“Don’t disturb my honey, Prince Ivan!” exclaims the queen bee; “some time or other I’ll do you a good turn.”
So he didn’t disturb it, but went on. Presently there met him a lioness with her cub.
“Anyhow I’ll eat this lion cub,” says he; “I’m so hungry, I feel quite unwell!”
“Please let us alone, Prince Ivan” begs the lioness; “some time or other I’ll do you a good turn.”
“Very well; have it your own way,” says he.