Go , dare your fate , and return to me safe and sound . ' So the prince embraced his father , mounted his horse , and set forth to seek his bride . He rode on gaily for several hours , till he found himself in a wood where he had never been before , and soon lost his way among its winding paths and deep valleys . He tried in vain to see where he was : the thick trees shut out the sun , and he could not tell which was north and which was south , so that he might know what direction to make for . He felt in despair , and had quite given up all hope of getting out of this horrible place , when he heard a voice calling to him . ` Hey ! hey ! stop a minute ! ' The prince turned round and saw behind him a very tall man , running as fast as his legs would carry him . ` Wait for me , ' he panted , ` and take me into your service . If you do , you will never be sorry . ' ` Who are you ? ' asked the prince , ` and what can you do ? ' ` Long is my name , and I can lengthen my body at will . Do you see that nest up there on the top of that pine-tree ? Well , I can get it for you without taking the trouble of climbing the tree , ' and Long stretched himself up and up and up , till he was very soon as tall as the pine itself . He put the nest in his pocket , and before you could wink your eyelid he had made himself small again , and stood before the prince . ` Yes ; you know your business , ' said he , ` but birds ' nests are no use to me . I am too old for them . Now if you were only able to get me out of this wood , you would indeed be good for something . '
` Oh , there 's no difficulty about that , ' replied Long , and he stretched himself up and up and up till he was three times as tall as the tallest XXXXX in the forest .
direction eyelid fate father horse place prince return tree trouble