So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the water, and ask it to quench the fire,” she said.
The lad went to the water. “My dear water, quench the fire, for the fire won’t burn the fir, the fir won’t crush the Finn, the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the water; “I am not going to waste myself for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the ox,” said she, “and ask him to drink up the water.”
The lad went to the ox. “My dear ox, drink up the water, for the water won’t quench the fire, the fire won’t burn the fir, the fir won’t crush the Finn, the Finn won’t shoot the bear, the bear won’t slay the wolf, the wolf won’t tear the fox, the fox won’t bite Nanny, and Nanny won’t come home in time. I am so hungry and want my supper.”
“No, I will not,” said the ox; “I am not going to burst myself for that.”
So the lad went and told his mother.
“Well, go to the yoke,” said she, “and ask it to throttle the ox.”