Parker Hoysted Fillmore

“ So, whether he wanted them or not, the prince had to put some leaden dumplings into his pocket. Then he took his leave of Yezibaba and her son and traveled on.
He went on and on for three days and three nights. The farther he went, the more inhospitable became the country. Before him stretched a waste of mountains, behind him a waste of mountains with no living creature in sight.
Wearied with his long journey, he threw himself on the ground. His silver sword clanked sharply and at Its sound twenty-four ravens circled above him, cawed in fright, and flew away. ”

“ The mountains rumbled and the castle trembled and Yezibaba’s son came home.
“Phew! Phew! I smell human meat! I’ll eat it!” he roared. He stood in the doorway and pounded the ground with his golden club until the whole castle shook.
“No, no, my son,” said Yezibaba, “don’t talk that way! A pretty little fellow has come bringing you greetings from your brother of the Silver Castle. If you won’t harm him, I’ll call him out.”
“Well, if my brother didn’t do anything to him, I won’t either.”
So the prince crawled out from under the table and stood before the giant. ”

“ In front of the castle stood an old woman, bent with age, and leaning on a long silver staff. This was the second Yezibaba.
“Yi, yi, my boy!” she cried. “How did you get here? Why, not even a little bird or a tiny butterfly comes here, much less a human being. You’d better escape if life is dear to you, or my son, when he comes home, will eat you!”
“No, no, old mother, he won’t eat me. I bring greetings from his brother of the Leaden Castle.”
“Well, if you bring greetings from the Leaden Castle you are safe enough. ”