There were four cottages on the street. A witch lived in each of the first three. The fourth was covered with ivy. There lived Princess Clarissa in it. She was guarded by the three witches. One day, Prince Oliver came to that place, tired and hungry. He asked the first witch for a drink of water and she gave it to him. He asked for bread, so she sent him to the next cottage, where the witch gave him a loaf. “Could I have a little hot stew to eat with this, please?” he asked. She sent him to the next witch, who gave him stew. Prince Oliver ate sitting on a bench outside. He fell asleep in a comfortable armchair. When he awoke, the witch said, “Take this sword and cut the ivy and kill the snake that guards your princess.” Prince Oliver killed the evil snake and married Princess Clarissa.
The Cottage Beyond
