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will throw down a wand from the tree； and if you strike them on the
back with it； they will do me no harm。 Then she threw him a small
wand； and he struck them with it； and instantly they lay still and
were turned into stone。 And when the witch was safe from the
animals； she leapt down and touched him also with a wand； and changed
him to stone。 Thereupon she laughed； and dragged him and the animals
into a vault； where many more such stones already lay。
As the young king did not come back at all； the queen's anguish and
care grew constantly greater。 And it so happened that at this very
time the other brother who had turned to the east when they
separated； came into the kingdom。 He had sought a situation； and had
found none； and had then traveled about here and there； and had made
his animals dance。 Then it came into his mind that he would just go
and look at the knife that they had thrust in the trunk of a tree at
their parting； that he might learn how his brother was。 When he got
there his brother's side of the knife was half rusted； and half
bright。 Then he was alarmed and thought； a great misfortune must
have befallen my brother； but perhaps I can still save him； for half
the knife is still bright。 He and his animals traveled towards the
west； and when he entered the gate of the town； the guard came to
meet him； and asked if he was to announce him to his consort the
young queen； who had for a couple of days been in the greatest sorrow
about his staying away； and was afraid he had been killed in the
enchanted forest。
The sentries； indeed； thought no otherwise than that he was the young
king himself； for he looked so like him； and had wild animals running
behind him。 Then he saw that they were speaking of his brother； and
thought； it will be better if I pass myself off for him； and then I
can rescue him more easily。 So he allowed himself to be escorted
into the castle by the guard； and was received with the greatest joy。
The young queen indeed thought that he was her husband； and asked him
why he had stayed away so long。 He answered； I had lost myself in a
forest； and could not find my way out again any sooner。 At night he
was taken to the royal bed； but he laid a two…edged sword between him
and the young queen； she did not know what that could mean； but did
not venture to ask。
He remained in the palace a couple of days； and in the meantime
inquired into everything which related to the enchanted forest； and
at last he said； I must hunt there once more。 The king and the young
queen wanted to persuade him not to do it； but he stood out against
them； and went forth with a larger following。 When he had got into
the forest； it fared with him as with his brother； he saw a white
hind and said to his men； stay here； and wait until I return； I want
to chase the lovely wild beast； and then he rode into the forest and
his animals ran after him。 But he could not overtake the hind； and
got so deep into the forest that he was forced to pass the night
there。 And when he had lighted a fire； he heard someone wailing
above him； oh； oh； oh； how cold I am。
Then he looked up； and the self…same witch was sitting in the tree。
Said he； if you are cold； come down； little old mother； and warm
yourself。 She answered； no； your animals will bite me。 But he said；
they will not hurt you。 Then she cried； I will throw down a wand to
you； and if you smite them with it they will do me no harm。 When the
huntsman heard that； he had no confidence in the old woman； and said；
I will not strike my animals。 Come down； or I will fetch you。 Then
she cried； what do you want。 You shall not touch me。 But he
replied； if you do not come； I will shoot you。 Said she； shoot away；
I do not fear your bullets。
Then he aimed； and fired at her； but the witch was proof against all
leaden bullets； and laughed shrilly and cried； you shall not hit me。
The huntsman knew what to do； tore three silver buttons off his coat；
and loaded his gun with them； for against them her arts were useless；
and when he fired she fell down at once with a scream。 Then he set
his foot on her and said； old witch； if you do not instantly confess
where my brother is； I will seize you with both my hands and throw
you into the fire。 She was in a great fright； begged for mercy and
said； he and his animals lie in a vault； turned to stone。 Then he
compelled her to go thither with him； threatened her； and said； old
sea…cat； now you shall make my brother and all the human beings lying
here； alive again； or you shall go into the fire。 She took a wand
and touched the stones； and then his brother with his animals came to
life again； and many others； merchants； artisans； and shepherds；
arose； thanked him for their deliverance； and went to their homes。
But when the twin brothers saw each other again； they kissed each
other and rejoiced with all their hearts。 Then they seized the
witch； bound her and laid her on the fire； and when she was burnt the
forest opened of its own accord； and was light and clear； and the
king's palace could be seen at about the distance of a three hours；
walk。
Thereupon the two brothers went home together； and on the way told
each other their histories。 And when the younger said that he was
ruler of the whole country in the king's stead； the other observed；
that I remarked very well； for when I came to the town； and was taken
for you； all royal honors were paid me； the young queen looked on me
as her husband； and I had to eat at her side； and sleep in your bed。
When the other heard that； he became so jealous and angry that he
drew his sword； and struck off his brother's head。 But when he saw
him lying there dead； and saw his red blood flowing； he repented most
violently； my brother delivered me； cried he； and I have killed him
for it； and he bewailed him aloud。 Then his hare came and offered to
go and bring some of the root of life； and bounded away and brought
it while yet there was time； and the dead man was brought to life
again； and knew nothing about the wound。
After this they journeyed onwards； and the younger said； you look
like me； you have royal apparel on as I have； and the animals follow
you as they do me； we will go in by opposite gates； and arrive at the
same time from the two sides in the aged king's presence。 So they
separated； and at the same time came the watchmen from the one door
and from the other； and announced that the young king and the animals
had returned from the chase。
The king said； it is not possible； the gates lie quite a mile apart。
In the meantime； however； the two brothers entered the courtyard of
the palace from opposite sides； and both mounted the steps。 Then the
king said to the daughter； say which is your husband。
Each of them looks exactly like the other； I cannot tell。 Then she
was in great distress； and could not tell； but at last she remembered
the necklace which she had given to the animals； and she sought for
and found her little golden clasp on the lion； and she cried in her
delight； he who is followed by this lion is my true husband。 Then
the young king laughed and said； yes； he is the right one； and they
sat down together to table； and ate and drank； and were merry。 At
night when the young king went to bed； his wife said； why have you
for these last nights always laid a two…edged sword in our bed。 I
thought you had a wish to kill me。 Then he knew how true his brother
had been。