The next morning he took the toolbox and set off for the king's forest, humming a song. On Three Beech Trees Hill he met an old woman hobbling along, bent in two, with one hand on her hip. She looked like one of the women who gather deadwood in the forest.

"Good day, journeyman carpenter," she greeted him.
"And to you, good lady."
"Where are you off to work?"
"My brother sent me to the king's forest. He wants me to see if I can build this boat the king's asking for. I don't know quite what I'll do, but sometimes ideas come when you try."
"A good thought, journeyman. Why shouldn't you succeed? Just get to work."
"Oh, don't worry, I will."
"And when you've built it, go up and show it to the king. On the way you'll meet six men-at-arms. Have them board your boat one after the other. The time will come when you'll need them."

The younger brother tipped his hat to her and took careful note of what she'd said. Then he thanked her and said good-bye.

Folktales

Text copyright©1989 Random House, from the Pantheon book French Folktales