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So the father sent one of his sons in haste to the spring to get

some water, but the other six ran with him. Each wanted to be

first at drawing the water, and so they were in such a hurry that

all let their pitchers fall into the well, and they stood very

foolishly looking at one another, and did not know what to do,

for none dared go home. In the meantime the father was uneasy,

and could not tell what made the young men stay so long.

'Surely,' said he, 'the whole seven must have forgotten

themselves over some game of play'; and when he had waited still

longer and they yet did not come, he flew into a rage and wished

them all turned into ravens. Scarcely had he spoken these words

when he heard a croaking over his head, and looked up and saw

seven ravens as black as coal flying round and round.