The young man looked very pleased to see her , and said he thought it must be she who had secretly kept his house for so many days . And he added that he was a prince enchanted by a powerful giant , but was only allowed to take his own shape at night , for all day he was forced to appear as the lion whom she had so often helped ; and , more than this , it was the giant who had stolen the oxen and the asses and the pigs in revenge for her kindness . And the girl asked him , ` What can I do to disenchant you ? ' But he said he was afraid it was very difficult , because the only way was to get a lock of hair from the head of a king 's daughter , to spin it , and to make from it a cloak for the giant , who lived up on the top of a high mountain . ` Very well , ' answered the girl , ' I will go to the city , and knock at the door of the king 's palace , and ask the princess to take me as a servant . ' So they parted , and when she arrived at the city she walked about the streets crying , ` Who will hire me for a servant ? Who will hire me for a servant ? ' But , though many people liked her looks , for she was clean and neat , the maiden would listen to none , and still continued crying , ` Who will hire me for a servant ? Who will hire me for a servant ? ' At last there came the waiting-maid of the princess . ` What can you do ? ' she said ; and the girl was forced to confess that she could do very little . ` Then you will have to do scullion 's work , and wash up dishes , ' said she ; and they went straight back to the palace . Then the maiden dressed her hair afresh , and made herself look very neat and smart , and everyone admired and praised her , till by-and-bye it came to the ears of the princess . And she sent for the girl , and when she saw her , and how beautifully she had dressed her hair , the princess told her she was to come and comb out hers . Now the hair of the princess was very thick and long , and shone like the sun . And the girl combed it and combed it till it was brighter than ever . And the princess was pleased , and bade her come every day and comb her hair , till at length the girl took courage , and begged leave to cut off one of the long , thick locks . The princess , who was very proud of her hair , did not like the idea of parting with any of it , so she said no . But the girl could not give up hope , and each day she entreated to be allowed to cut off just one tress .
XXXXX length the princess lost patience , and exclaimed , ` You may have it , then , on condition that you shall find the handsomest prince in the world to be my bridegroom ! '
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