Peter Christen Asbjørnsen

“ Nay, the king's son would be sure not to touch it, he said; but when he had got the bird on his fist, he thought he just would have a twig of the linden; that was past praying against, it was so bright and lovely. So he took one, just one very tiny little one. But in a trice out came the Troll.
"Who is it that steals my linden and my bird?" he roared; and was so angry, that sparks of fire flashed from him.
"Thieves think every man a thief," said the king's son; "but none are hanged but those who don't steal right." ”

“ Then the fox swam out into the lake as fast as he could, and got hold of the cask and drew it on shore. Then he began to gnaw at the hoops; and when he had got them off the cask, he called out to the king's son, "Kick and stamp!"
So the king's son struck out and stamped and kicked, till every stave burst asunder, and out he jumped from the cask. Then they went together to the king's palace, and when they got there, the maiden grew lovely and began to speak; the horse got so fat and sleek that every hair beamed; the bird shone and sang; the linden began to bloom and glitter with its leaves ”

“ So when the king's son had eaten and rested awhile he set off on his way again. After a long, long time he came to a great town, and in that town there was an inn, where there was always mirth and never sorrow; there he thought it would be good to be, and so he turned in there. But there was so much dancing and drinking, and fun and jollity, that he forgot the bird and its feathers, and his father, and his quest, and the whole kingdom. ”