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ONE-EYE, TWO-EYES, AND THREE-EYES. 269
together by the tree a young knight came riding along. "Be quick, Little Two-eyes," cried the two sisters. "Creep under this, so that you shall not disgrace us." And they put over poor Little Two-eyes as quickly as possible an empty cask which was standing close to the tree, and they pushed the golden apples which she had broken off under with her. When the knight, who was a very handsome young man, rode up, he wondered to see the marvelous tree of gold and silver, and said to the two sisters: "Whose is this beautiful tree? Whoever will give me a twig of it shall have whatever she wants." Then Little One-eye and Little Three-eyes answered that the tree belonged to them, and that they would certainly break him off a twig. They gave themselves a great deal of trouble, but in vain; the twigs and fruit bent back every time from their hands. Then the knight said: "It is very strange that the tree should belong to you, and yet that you have not the power to break anything from it!"
But they would have that the tree was theirs; and while they were saying this little Two-eyes rolled a couple of golden apples from under the cask, so that they lay at the knight's feet, for she was angry with Little One-eye and Little Three-eyes for not speaking the truth. When the knight saw the apples he was astonished and asked where they came from. Little One-eye and Little Three-eye3 answered that they had another sister, but she could not be seen because she had only two eyes, like ordinary people. But the knight demanded to see her and called out: "Lttle Two-eyes, come forth." Then Little Two-eyes came out from under the oask quite happily, and the knight was astonished at her great beauty and said: "Little Two-eyes, I am sure you can break me off a twig from the tree." "Yes," answered Little Two-eyes, "I can, for the tree is mine." So she climbed up and broke off a small branch with its silver leaves and golden fruit without any trouble and gave it to the knigat. Then he said: "Little Two-eyes, what shall I give you for this?" "Ah," answered Little Two-eyes, "I suffer hunger and thirst, want and sorrow, from early morning till late in the evening. If you would take me with you and free me from this, I should be happy!" Then the knight lifted Little Two-eyes on his horse and took her home to |
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