nd, seeing
that the youth hesitated, she took the little creature out of his arms,
and disappeared with it into the pond.

The weeks and months passed, till one day the mother said she would like
to see how the dogs had been trained by her future daughters-in-law. The
two eldest sons departed, and returned shortly, leading with them two
great mastiffs, who growled so fiercely, and looked so savage, that the
mere sight of them made the mother tremble with fear.

The youngest son, as was his custom, went to the pond, and called on the
frog to come to his rescue.

In a minute she was at his side, bringing with her the most lovely
little dog, which she put into his arms. It sat up and begged with its
paws, and went through the prettiest tricks, and was almost human in the
way it understood and did what it was told.

In high spirits the youth carried it off to his mother. As soon as she
saw it, she exclaimed: 'This is the most beautiful little dog I have
ever seen. You are indeed fortunate, my son; you have won a pearl of a
wife.'

Then, turning to the others, she said: 'Here are three shirts; take
them to your chosen wives. Whoever sews the best will be my favourite
daughter-in-law.'

So the young men set out once more; and again, this time, the work of
the frog was much the best and the neatest.

This time the mother said: 'Now that I am content with the tests I gave,
I want you to go and fetch home your brides, and I will prepare the
wedding-feast.'

You may imagine what the youngest brother felt on hearing these words.
Whence was he to fetch a bride? Would the frog be able to help him in
this new difficulty? With bowed head, and feeling very sad, he sat down
on the edge of the pond.

Flop! and once more the faithful frog was beside him.

'What is troubling you so much?' she asked him, and then the youth told
her everything.

'Will you take me for a wife?' she asked.

'What should I do with you as a wife,' he replied, wondering at her
strange proposal.

'Once more, will you have me or will you not?' she said.

'I will neither have you, nor will I refuse you,' said he.

At this the frog disappeared; and the next minute the youth beheld a
lovely little chariot, drawn by two tiny ponies, standing on the road.
The frog was holding the carriage door open for him to step in.

'Come with me,' she said. And he got up and followed her into the
chariot.

As they drove along the road they met three witches; th