The Crystal Castle

A prince and a princess were very much in love, and had already exchanged betrothal rings, when a jealous magician kidnapped the girl. For many years, the desperate young man wandered about the land in search of his beloved. Finally, he found that she was being kept prisoner in a castle with high crystal walls that were so smooth that even a fly could not climb them.

No matter how hard he tried, the prince could not think of a way in. Then one day, in the woods nearby, he heard some cries for help. There he found three hideous old witches who had wandered into a swamp.

'Good riddance,' thought the prince, but then, because the cries were so pitiful, he relented, and rescued them from the swamp. In gratitude, the witches gave him three gifts; a sick which could open any door, a horse that could fly, and a cloak which would make the wearer invisible. With these gifts, the prince was at last able to release the princess was at last able to release the princess from the crystal castle. Invisible in the cloak, he flew on the horse to the topmost tower, and with the stick opened the door to her prison. And soon after, they were married and the three witches were welcome guests at the feast.