t something strange was the matter. He would
gladly have turned the Pig's thoughts in another direction, as he did
not wish to give him the Princess for a wife; but when he heard that the
Court and the whole street were full of all the pigs in the world he saw
that there was no escape, and that he must give his consent. The Pig was
not satisfied with mere promises, but insisted that the wedding should
take place within a week, and would not go away till the King had sworn
a royal oath upon it.

The King then sent for his daughter, and advised her to submit to fate,
as there was nothing else to be done. And he added:

'My child, the words and whole behaviour of this Pig are quite unlike
those of other pigs. I do not myself believe that he always was a pig.
Depend upon it some magic or witchcraft has been at work. Obey him, and
do everything that he wishes, and I feel sure that Heaven will shortly
send you release.'

'If you wish me to do this, dear father, I will do it,' replied the
girl.

In the meantime the wedding-day drew near. After the marriage, the Pig
and his bride set out for his home in one of the royal carriages. On the
way they passed a great bog, and the Pig ordered the carriage to stop,
and got out and rolled about in the mire till he was covered with mud
from head to foot; then he got back into the carriage and told his wife
to kiss him. What was the poor girl to do? She bethought herself of her
father's words, and, pulling out her pocket handkerchief, she gently
wiped the Pig's snout and kissed it.

By the time they reached the Pig's dwelling, which stood in a thick
wood, it was quite dark. They sat down quietly for a little, as they
were tired after their drive; then they had supper together, and lay
down to rest. During the night the Princess noticed that the Pig had
changed into a man. She was not a little surprised, but remembering her
father's words, she took courage, determined to wait and see what would
happen.

And now she noticed that every night the Pig became a man, and every
morning he was changed into a Pig before she awoke. This happened
several nights running, and the Princess could not understand it at all.
Clearly her husband must be bewitched. In time she grew quite fond of
him, he was so kind and gentle.

One fine day as she was sitting alone she saw an old witch go past. She
felt quite excited, as it was so long since she had seen a human being,
and she called out to the old w