“So they shall,” said the fish.
Then she thought of the axe, and how blunt it was.
“I would wish that whatever I strike shall break right off,” she said.
“So it shall,” said the fish.
And then she remembered that the stuff she was weaving was not long enough.
“I would wish that whatever I pull shall become long,” she said.
“That it shall,” said the fish. “And now, let me down into the well again.”
Yes, that she would, and all at once the pails began to shamble up the hill.
“Dear me, did you ever see anything like it?” The old woman became so glad and pleased that she slapped herself across the knees.
Crack, crack! it sounded; and then both her legs fell off, and she was left sitting on the top of the lid over the well.