East of the Sun and West of the Moon (13)

East of the Sun and West of the Moon (13)

After a very long time she came to a great mountain, where an aged woman was sitting, spinning at a golden spinning-wheel.

Of this woman, too, she enquired if she knew the way to the Prince, and where to find the castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon.

But it was only the same thing once again.

" Maybe it was you who should have had the Prince, " said the Old woman.

" Yes, indeed, I should have been the one, " said the girl.

But this old crone knew the way no better than the others ー　it was east east of the sun and west of the moon, she knew that, " and you will be a long time in getting to it, if ever you get to it at all, " she said ; " but you may have the loan of my horse, and I thnik you had better ride to the East Wind, and ask him : perhaps he may know where the castle is, and will blow you thither. But when you have got to him you must just strike the horse beneath the left ear, and he will come home again. "

And the she gave her the golden spinning-wheel, saying: " Perhaps you may find that you have ause for it. "

The girl had to ride for a great many days, and for a long and wearsome time, before she got there : but at last she did arrive. 

(13/23)