as soon as his eyes were shut, she turned a wishing-ring and said, "rise, water. fishes, come out." instantly the water rose on high like a white mist, and moved away with the other clouds, and the fishes sprang on the shore and laid themselves side by side each according to his size and kind. when the drummer awoke, he saw with amazement that all was done. but the maiden said, "one of the fish is not lying with those of its own kind, but quite alone; when the old woman comes to-night and sees that all she demanded has been done, she will ask thee, ‘what is this fish lying alone for?’ then throw the fish in her face, and say, ‘this one shall be for thee, old witch.’" in the evening the witch came, and when she had put this question, he threw the fish in her face. she behaved as if she did not remark it, and said nothing, but looked at him with malicious eyes. next morning she said, "yesterday it was too easy for thee, i must give thee harder work.