I have come , of your charity , to ask your help ! ' ` It is my mistress , the Moon , you seek . I will tell her of your prayer . ' So the Moon came out , and when she saw the maiden she knew her again , for she had watched her sleeping both in the cottage and in the palace . And she spake to her and said : ` Do you , rich as you are , need help ? ' Then the girl told her the whole story , and the Moon listened , and was sorry for her ; and though she could not tell her where to find her husband , she gave her an almond , and told her to crack it when she was in great need . So the damsel thanked her , and departed , and walked and walked and walked till she came to another castle . And she knocked at the door , and said : ` All hail ! I have come to ask if , of your charity , you will help me in my need . ' ` It is my lord , the Wind , that you want , ' answered the old woman who opened it . ' I will tell him of your prayer . ' And the Wind looked on her and knew her again , for he had seen her in the cottage and in the palace , and he spake to her and said : ` Do you , rich as you are , want help ? ' And she told him the whole story . And the Wind listened , and was sorry for her , and he gave her a walnut that she was to eat in time of need . But the girl did not go as the Wind expected . She was tired and sad , and knew not where to turn , so she began to weep bitterly . The Wind wept too for company , and said : ` Do n't be frightened ; I will go and see if I can find out something . ' And the Wind departed with a great noise and fuss , and in the twinkling of an eye he was back again , beaming with delight . ` From what one person and another have let fall , ' he exclaimed , ' I have contrived to learn that he is in the palace of the king , who keeps him hidden lest anyone should see him ; and that to-morrow he is to marry the princess , who , ugly creature that she is , has not been able to find any man to wed her . ' Who can tell the despair which seized the poor maiden when she heard this news !
As soon as she could speak she implored the Wind to do all he could to get the wedding put off for two or three days , for it would take her all that time XXXXX reach the palace of the king .
From as at for in of so that till to