The Birch and the Three Falcons

A soldier completed his term of service, received his discharge and set off for home. As he walked along the road, he met the Evil One.

“Stop, soldier! Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“What’s there for you at home? You have neither kith nor kin. Come and work for me instead. I’ll pay you well.”

“What is the work?”

“The easiest work there is. I have to go beyond the blue seas to my daughter’s wedding, and I have three falcons. Guard them until I return.”

The soldier agreed. “Life’s hard without money,” he thought. “Even working for the devil, I’ll earn something!” The Evil One took him to his mansion and went away beyond the blue seas.

The soldier wandered from room to room. He grew bored and decided to go into the garden. There he saw a birch tree, which spoke to him in a human voice:

“Soldier! Go to a certain village and tell the priest there to give you the very thing he saw in his dream today.”

The soldier went where he was told. The priest immediately took out a book. “Here, take it!” The soldier took it and went back.

“Thank you, good man!” said the birch. “Now stand here and read.”

He began to read the book. He read for one night, and a maiden of indescribable beauty emerged from the birch as far as her chest. He read for a second night, and she emerged to her waist. He read for a third night, and she came out completely. She kissed him and said:

“I am a king’s daughter. The Evil One abducted me and turned me into a birch. The three falcons are my own brothers. They tried to rescue me, but were caught themselves!”

No sooner had the princess said this than the three falcons flew up, struck the damp earth and turned into fine young men. They all set off together to their father and mother, taking the soldier with them. The king and queen rejoiced, rewarded the soldier generously, married the princess to him and kept them there to live with them.