ed Fierce-lion who lived near came on horseback with
his son into that wood to hunt. The son's name was Strong-lion. And the
father saw the footprints of the queen and the princess, and he said to
his son: "My son, these footprints are clean-cut and ladylike. Let us
follow them. And if we find two women, you shall marry one of them,
whichever you choose."

And the son Strong-lion said: "Father, the one who has the little feet
in this line of footprints, seems to be the wife for me. The one with
the bigger feet must be older. She is the wife for you."

But Fierce-lion said: "My son, what do you mean? Your mother went to
heaven before your eyes. When so good a wife is gone, how could I think
of another?"

But his son said: "Not so, Father. A householder's house is an empty
place without a wife. Besides, you have surely heard what the poet says:

What fool would go into a house?
Tis a prisoner's abode,
Unless a buxom wife is there,
Looking down the road.'

So, Father, I beg you on my life to marry the second one, whom I have
chosen for you."

Then Fierce-lion said "Very well," and went on slowly with his son,
following the footprints. And when he came to the pond, he saw Queen
Moonlight, radiant with beauty and charm. And with his son he eagerly
approached her. But when she saw him, she rose in terror, fearing that
he was a robber.

But her sensible daughter said: "There is no reason to fear. These two
men are not robbers. They are two well-dressed gentlemen, who probably
came here to hunt." Still the queen swung in doubt.

Then Fierce-lion dismounted and stood before her. And he said:
"Beautiful lady, do not be frightened. We came here to hunt. Pluck up
heart and tell me without fear who you are. Why have you come into this
lonely wood? For your appearance is that of ladies who wear gems and
sit on pleasant balconies. And why should feet fit to saunter in a
court, press this thorny ground? It is a strange sight. For the
wind-blown dust settles on your faces and robs them of beauty. It hurts
us to see the fierce rays of the sun fall upon such figures. Tell us
your story. For our hearts are sadly grieved to see you in such a
plight. And we cannot see how you could live in a forest filled with
wild beasts."

Then the queen sighed, and between shame and grief she stammered out
her story. And Fierce-lion saw that she had no husband to care for her.
So he comforted her and soothed he