3 Golden gifts

Chapter 3 Golden gifts When Asta awoke the next morning, both the prince and the castle had gone.

She was lying in a forest clearing, with nothing but the clothes she came in. "I'll head north," Asta decided, "because that is where the trolls dwell." Asta walked for many days and many nights, until her feet were sore and her legs were weary.

She thought of her last journey on the white bear's back- the feel of his thick, soft fur and the speed at which he bounded along. "I'll never find him," she wept.

"You shouldn't give up so easily," croaked a voice. Asta looked up to see an old woman standing beside a horse. "Can you help me?" Asta asked, eagerly. "I'm looking for my prince. He's in the castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon."

"Aha!" said the old woman. "So you're the girl. I've heard tales of you and your search." I will help you.

"I'll give you my horse and three golden gifts," she went on, handing. Asta a comb, an apple and a pear. "Where shall I go?" asked Asta. "To find the castle, ride until you meet the East Wind," the old woman said. "That is all I know."