Theseus went on until he came to a wild country, and wandered through the woods until he reached a castle, and being very tired he asked the lord of the castle if he might have a bed for the night.
The lord was named Procrustes, and gladly invited Theseus in and took him to the guest room where there were already two other travelers waiting. “This is the guest bed,” said Procrustes. “I hope it will fit you, for it is law of the castle that guests must be made to fit the bed.”
Thereupon the lord made his servants seize one of the travelers and stretch him over the bed. But the traveler was too long for the bed, so they chopped off his feet to make him fit. Then they seized the other traveler and stretched him over the bed, but he was too short, so they brought ropes and pulleys and pulled him out until he was the right length.
“Now for you,” said Procrustes to Theseus. “You may fit exactly, but if not you must be made to fit. Come, get ready for bed.”
Theseus was in no humor for retiring at that moment, so he drew his sword, and made at the king. “I have a mind that you are a whole head too long for your own bed, so I am going to shorten you by that much,” said he, and before the king could escape he cut off his head and made the servants stretch him on the bed, and he fitted exactly.
But after that travelers to that castle slept peacefully whether they were long or short.
KRIS AND THE BEAR
One should be ready to help another—especially should a boy help a girl.