So there were three brothers who had also heard about the Princess, and as they were rather badly off at home, they thought they would try their luck and see if they could win the Princess and half the kingdom. They were good friends, and so they agreed to set out together.
When they had got a bit on the way Ashiepattle found a dead magpie.
“I have found something! I have found something!” cried he.
“What have you found?” asked the brothers.
“I have found a dead magpie,” said he.
“Faugh! throw it away; what can you do with that?” said the other two, who always believed they were the wisest.
“Oh, I’ve nothing else to do. I can easily carry it,” said Ashiepattle.
When they had gone on a bit farther Ashiepattle found an old willow twig, which he picked up.
“I have found something! I have found something!” he cried.
“What have you found now?” said the brothers.