We read last week that the Poor Boy earned the horse by successfully keeping the witch’s drove for three nights with the help of the creatures he had saved. He then was not sure which horse to choose, but picked a tired-looking one that his kind heart took pity on. The witch tried to get him to pick another but he stuck with it so soon after he left she began to chase after him as it was the right horse. The horse helped him to put obstacles in her path and they escaped. Once off the witch’s land the horse changed into a steed with wings and they flew to the other world where the giants lived. When they arrived there the horse changed into a prince and thanked the Poor Boy for saving him. He revealed that he was an emperor’s son in search of his sister who had been taken by the giants, but he had been turned into a horse by the Wood Witch. The Poor Boy shared his bran-loaf with the prince and they agreed to be brothers and continue their mission together. The story continues…
Finally, far off, just at the end of the coastline, rose shining buildings, which must be the giants’ palaces. The country here was so beautiful, that one would have gladly travelled through it forever, it was so radiant with light, so green, so rich in flowers, birds of beautiful plumage, and tame, sportive animals. And in this country men never grew old, but remained exactly the same age as when they entered it, for here there were no days, the sun neither rose nor set, but the light came of itself, as if from a clear sky. The giants, however, were nowhere to be seen, and the two brothers for life continued their way. After they had walked as far as a three-days’ march, they reached the beautiful palaces and paused before them, because they were so marvelously lovely, with high towers, and walls built of stones as soft as velvet, covered with plates of snow that had been dried in the sun. But they seemed empty and deserted.
The Poor Boy and the prince entered, went through all the rooms filled with costly ornaments, and, seeing no one, thought that the giant must surely have gone hunting and determined to wait for him. But they were surprised that they did not find their sisters here. Each stretched himself on one of the beautiful divans and was going to rest, when suddenly both started up, amazed by what they heard.
