e did so, and she shook her wings, and off and away with her over hills and over glens, over sea and over mountains, until she came to earth as the sun was going under. Then she said to him, “Do you see that great house yonder? That is my father’s house. Farewell. Any time that you are in danger I shall be at your side.” Then she went from him.
The King’s son went to the house and went in, and who should he see sitting in a golden chair but the grey old man who had played the cards and the ball with him.
“King’s son,” said he, “I see that you have found me out before the day and the year. How long since you left home?”
“This morning, when I was rising out of my bed, I saw a rainbow. I gave a leap, spread my two legs on it, and slid as far as this.”
“By my hand, it was a great feat you performed,” said the old King.
“I could do a more wonderful thing than that if I chose,” said the King’s son.
“I have three things for you to do,” says the old King, “and if you are able to do them, you shall have the choice of my three daughters for wife, and unless you are able to do them, you shall lose your head, as a good many other young men have lost it before you.”
“Then,” he said, “there be’s neither eating nor drinking in my house except once in the week, and we had it this morning.”
“It’s all one to me,” said the King’s son. “I could fast for a month if I were on a pinch.”
“No doubt you can go without sleep also,” says the old King.