Pagina 469 di 626

Dummling went and cut down the tree, and when it fell there was a

goose sitting in the roots with feathers of pure gold. He lifted

her up, and taking her with him, went to an inn where he thought

he would stay the night. Now the host had three daughters, who

saw the goose and were curious to know what such a wonderful bird

might be, and would have liked to have one of its golden

feathers.

The eldest thought: 'I shall soon find an opportunity of pulling

out a feather,' and as soon as Dummling had gone out she seized

the goose by the wing, but her finger and hand remained sticking

fast to it.

The second came soon afterwards, thinking only of how she might

get a feather for herself, but she had scarcely touched her

sister than she was held fast.