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226 in vain; so he returned to his parents and told them all he had gone through.

This time the parents were at an utter loss what they should do. Iváshko Zapéchnik could not have any better luck! But still Iváshko asked his parents' leave to go to the dragon, and after some reluctance he obtained it.

Iváshko met the three-headed dragon, who asked him: "Where are you going, sturdy youth?"

"My brothers set out to marry, but they could find no brides. It is now my turn."

"Come with me; perhaps you may win a bride."

So the dragon and Iváshko went up to the stone, and the dragon commanded him to lift the stone up, and Iváshko thrust the stone, and it flew up from its bed like a feather, as though it were not there, and revealed an aperture in the earth, with a rope ladder.

"Iváshko," said the dragon, "go down that ladder; and I will let you down into the three kingdoms, and in each of them you will see a fair maiden."

So Iváshko went down, deeper and deeper, right down to the realm of copper, where he met a maiden who was very fair. "God greet you, strange guest! Sit down where you may find room, and say whence you come."

"Oh, fair maiden, you have given me nothing to eat and drink, and you ask me for my news!"

So the maiden gave him all manner of meat and drink and set them on the table.

Iváshko had a drink, and then said: "I am seeking a bride; will you marry me?"

"No, fair youth! go farther on into the silver kingdom. There there is a maiden who is much fairer than I." Thereupon she gave him a silver ring.

So the young boy thanked her for her kindness, said farewell; and he went farther until he reached the silver kingdom. There he saw a maiden who was fairer