When the dragon had finished , Stan began to look about him , and , choosing the biggest of the trees , he climbed up it , and , breaking off a long rope of wild vine , bound the top of the tree to the one next it . And so he did to a whole line of trees . ` What are you doing there ? ' asked the dragon . ` You can see for yourself , ' answered Stan , going quietly on with his work . ` Why are you tying the trees together ? ' ` Not to give myself unnecessary work ; when I pull up one , all the others will come up too . ' ` But how will you carry them home ? ' ` Dear me ! do n't you understand that I am going to take the whole forest back with me ? ' said Stan , tying two other trees as he spoke . ` I 'll tell you what , ' cried the dragon , trembling with fear at the thought of such a thing ; ` let me carry the wood for you , and you shall have seven times seven sacks full of ducats . ' ` You are a good fellow , and I agree to your proposal , ' answered Stan , and the dragon carried the wood . Now the three days ' service which were to be reckoned as a year were over , and the only thing that disturbed Stan was , how to get all those ducats back to his home ! In the evening the dragon and his mother had a long talk , but Stan heard every word through a crack in the ceiling . ` Woe be to us , mother , ' said the dragon ; ` this man will soon get us into his power . Give him his money , and let us be rid of him . ' But the old mother was fond of money , and did not like this . ` Listen to me , ' said she ; ` you must murder him this very night . ' ' I am afraid , ' answered he .
` There is nothing to fear , ' replied the old XXXXX .
crack dragon fellow mother others power proposal rope thing work