` And if thou forgettest thy promise , I will remember it . ' Light of heart the king 's son went on his road , till he came to the green valley near his father 's palace . Slowly he unloosed the bundle , fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags . But no ! all was as it had been before , and as he opened the castle door there stood within the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen . ` Enter , king 's son , ' said she , ` all is ready , and we will be married at once , ' and so they were . The maiden proved a good wife , and the king 's son , now himself a king , was so happy that he forgot all about the giant . Seven years and a day had gone by , when one morning , while standing on the ramparts , he beheld the giant striding towards the castle . Then he remembered his promise , and remembered , too , that he had told the queen nothing about it . Now he must tell her , and perhaps she might help him in his trouble . The queen listened in silence to his tale , and after he had finished , she only said : ` Leave thou the matter between me and the giant , ' and as she spoke , the giant entered the hall and stood before them . ` Bring out your son , ' cried he to the king , ` as you promised me seven years and a day since . ' The king glanced at his wife , who nodded , so he answered : ` Let his mother first put him in order , ' and the queen left the hall , and took the cook 's son and dressed him in the prince 's clothes , and led him up to the giant , who held his hand , and together they went out along the road . They had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched out a stick to the boy . ` If your father had that stick , what would he do with it ? ' asked he . ` If my father had that stick , he would beat the dogs and cats that steal the king 's meat , ' replied the boy . ` Thou art the cook 's son ! ' cried the giant . ` Go home to thy mother ' ; and turning his back he strode straight to the castle .
` XXXXX you seek to trick me this time , the highest stone will soon be the lowest , ' said he , and the king and queen trembled , but they could not bear to give up their boy .
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