Prevod

Once upon a time there was a king who had a daughter so sharp-tongued and contrary that no one could silence her. So he proclaimed that whoever could do so should have the princess for his wife, and half the kingdom besides. Three brothers who had heard of this decided to try their luck. The two eldest went first, for they thought themselves the cleverest; but they got nowhere with her, and were punished into the bargain. Then Askepot set off. When he had gone a little way, he found a willow hoop;

this he picked up. When he had gone a little farther, he found a piece of a broken bowl, and picked that up too. A little farther on he found a dead magpie, and not far from it a crooked goat’s horn. Soon afterwards he found another to match it, and just as he was crossing the fields by the royal palace, where manure had been spread, he found a worn-out shoe sole. He took all these things with him to the palace, and was shown in to the princess. “Good day,” he said. “Good day,” she said, squirming in her seat. “May I have my magpie roasted?” he asked. “I’m afraid it will burst,” answered the princess.

“Oh, there’s no fear of that. I’ll fasten this willow hoop round it,” said the lad, bringing it out. “The fat will run off it!” said the princess. “I’ll hold this underneath,” said the lad, showing her the piece of broken bowl. “What a crooked way you have with words,” said the princess. “No, I’m not crooked; but this is,” he said, taking out one of the horns. “Well, I’ve never seen its match!” cried the princess. “Here’s its match,” said the lad, bringing out the other goat’s horn. “So you’ve set out to silence me, have you?” said the princess.

“No, I’m not out, but this is worn out,” answered the lad, bringing out the shoe sole. To this the princess could think of nothing to say. “Now you’re mine,” said the lad, and so he won the princess and half the land and kingdom.