The Crimson Fairy Book, part 27 · page 21 2101“I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world which is beyond all worlds; for Eisenkopf is at my heels.”102“Come in and rest then, and have some food, for I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off.”103So Peter went in and warmed himself and ate and drank, till suddenly the dog began to howl.104“Quick, my son, quick, you must go,” cried the old woman.105And the lightning itself was not quicker than Peter.106“Stop a moment,” cried the old woman again, just as he was mounting his horse, “take this napkin and this cake, and put them in your bag where you can get hold of them easily.”107Peter took them and put them into his bag, and waving his thanks for her kindness, he was off like the wind.108Round and round he rode, through seven times seven countries, through forests still thicker, and rivers still wider, and mountains still more slippery than the others he had passed, till at length he reached a house where dwelt another old woman.109“Good day, mother,” said he.110“Good day, my son!111What are you seeking here at the world’s end?”112“I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world that is beyond all worlds, for Eisenkopf is at my heels.”113“Come in, my son, and have some food.114I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off; so lie on this bed and rest yourself in peace.”115Then she went to the kitchen and baked a number of cakes, more than Peter could have eaten in a whole month.116He had not finished a quarter of them, when the dog began to howl.117“Now, my son, you must go,” cried the old woman “but first put these cakes and this napkin in your bag, where you can easily get at them.”118So Peter thanked her and was off like the wind.119On he rode, through seven times seven countries, till he came to the house of a third old woman, who welcomed him as the others had done.120But when the dog howled, and Peter sprang up to go, she said, as she gave him the same gifts for his journey: “You have now three cakes and three napkins, for I know that my sisters have each given you one.121Listen to me, and do what I tell you.122Ride seven days and nights straight before you, and on the eighth morning you will see a great fire.123Strike it three times with the three napkins and it will part in two.124Then ride into the opening, and when you are in the middle of the opening, throw the three cakes behind your back with your left hand.”125Peter thanked her for her counsel, and was careful to do exactly all the old woman had told him.126On the eighth morning he reached a fire so large that he could see nothing else on either side, but when he struck it with the napkins it parted, and stood on each hand like a wall.127As he rode through the opening he threw the cakes behind him.128From each cake there sprang a huge dog, and he gave them the names of World’s-weight, Ironstrong, and Quick-ear.129They bayed with joy at the sight of him, and as Peter turned to pat them, he beheld Eisenkopf at the edge of the fire, but the opening had closed up behind Peter, and he could not get through.1 2← previousThe Crimson Fairy Book, part 26next →The Crimson Fairy Book, part 28↑ back to The Crimson Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2435/27/page/2/