“I am listening to what is just going on in the world, for nothing escapes my ears; I even hear the grass growing.”

“Tell me,” said the prince, “what thou hearest at the court of the old Queen who has the beautiful daughter.”

Then he answered, “I hear the whizzing of the sword that is striking off a wooer’s head.”

The King’s son said, “I can make use of thee, come with me.” They went onwards, and then saw a pair of feet lying and part of a pair of legs, but could not see the rest of the body. When they had walked on for a great distance, they came to the body, and at last to the head also. “Why,” said the prince, “what a tall rascal thou art!”

“Oh,” replied the Tall One, “that is nothing at all yet; when I really stretch out my limbs, I am three thousand times as tall, and taller than the highest mountain on earth. I will gladly enter your service, if you will take me.”