While they stood by the tree, the Prince came riding near on a fine
horse.
“Quick, Little Two Eyes,” said her sisters, “creep under this cask; we
are ashamed of you.” And they threw an empty cask over her, and pushed
the golden apples under it.
The Prince rode up and gazed at the splendid tree. “Is this splendid
tree yours?” he asked of the sisters. “If you will give me a branch from
it, I will give you anything you wish.” Then Little One Eye and Little
Three Eyes said the tree was theirs, and they would break off a branch
for him. They put out their hands, but again the branches sprang back.
Then the Prince said:--
“This is very strange. The tree is yours, and yet you cannot pluck the
fruit.”
They kept on saying that the tree was theirs, but while they were saying
this, Little Two Eyes rolled a few of the apples out from under the
cask. The Prince saw them, and asked:--
“Why! where did these golden apples come from? Who is under the cask?”
Little One Eye and Little Three Eyes told the Prince that they had a
sister.
“But she does not show herself,” they said. “She is just like other
people. She has two eyes.” Then the Prince called:--
“Little Two Eyes! come out!” So Little Two Eyes was very glad and crept
out from under the cask.
“Can you get me a branch from the tree?”
“Yes,” said Little Two Eyes, “I can, for the tree is mine.” Then she
climbed the tree and broke off a branch. It had silver leaves and golden
fruit, and she gave it to the Prince. Then the Prince said:--
“Little Two Eyes, what shall I give you for it?”
“Oh,” said Little Two Eyes, “I suffer hunger and thirst all day long. If
you would take me with you, I should be happy.”
So the Prince lifted Little Two Eyes upon his horse, and they rode away.
He took her to his father’s house and made her Princess, and she had
plenty to eat and drink and good clothes to wear. Best of all, the
Prince loved her, and she had no more hard knocks and cross words.