A few minutes later they arrived at the castle , and the fox , who had often been there before , slipped in without difficulty . There were several giants , both young and old , in the hall , and they were all dancing round the princess . As soon as they saw the fox they cried out : ` Come and dance too , old fox ; it is a long time since we have seen you . ' So the fox stood up , and did his steps with the best of them ; but after a while he stopped and said : ' I know a charming new dance that I should like to show you ; but it can only be done by two people . If the princess will honour me for a few minutes , you will soon see how it is done . ' ` Ah , that is delightful ; we want something new , ' answered they , and placed the princess between the outstretched arms of the fox . In one instant he had knocked over the great stand of lights that lighted the hall , and in the darkness had borne the princess to the gate . His comrades seized hold of her , as they had been bidden , and the fox was back again in the hall before anyone had missed him . He found the giants busy trying to kindle a fire and get some light ; but after a bit someone cried out : ` Where is the princess ? ' ` Here , in my arms , ' replied the fox . ` Do n't be afraid ; she is quite safe . ' And he waited until he thought that his comrades had gained a good start , and put at least five or six mountains between themselves and the giants . Then he sprang through the door , calling , as he went : ` The maiden is here ; take her if you can ! ' At these words the giants understood that their prize had escaped , and they ran after the fox as fast as their great legs could carry them , thinking that they should soon come up with the fox , who they supposed had the princess on his back . The fox , on his side , was far too clever to choose the same path that his friends had taken , but would in and out of the forest , till at last even HE was tired out , and fell fast asleep under a tree . Indeed , he was so exhausted with his day 's work that he never heard the approach of the giants , and their hands were already stretched out to seize his tail when his eyes opened , and with a tremendous bound he was once more beyond their reach . All the rest of the night the fox ran and ran ; but when bright red spread over the east , he stopped and waited till the giants were close upon him . Then he turned , and said quietly : ` Look , there is the Sister of the Sun ! ' The giants raised their eyes all at once , and were instantly turned into pillars of stone . The fox then made each pillar a low bow , and set off to join his friends .
He knew a great many short cuts across the hills , so it was not long before he came up with them , and all four travelled night and day till they reached the castle XXXXX the Sister of the Sun .
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