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 Nothing can tempt my waning appetite but a suckling from the Earth Sow.”

“Then, my mother, you shall have a suckling from the Earth Sow!” Vitazko cried, and instantly he rushed out in quest of the Earth Sow and her litter.

With his beech-tree in his hand he ranged back and forth through the forest hunting the Earth Sow. He came at last to a tower in which an old wise woman lived. Her name was Nedyelka and because she was good as well as wise people called her St. Nedyelka.

“Where are you going, Vitazko?” she said, when she saw the young hero.

“I’m hunting for the Earth Sow,” he told her. “My mother is sick and nothing will tempt her but a suckling from the Earth Sow’s litter.”

Nedyelka looked at the young man kindly.

“That, my son, is a difficult task you have set yourself. However, I will help you provided you do exactly as I say.”

Vitazko promised and the old woman gave him a long pointed spit.

“Take this,” she said. “Now go to my stable. There you will find my horse, Tatosh. Mount him and he will carry you on the wind to where the Earth