The boy told him his history, and added that his name was Yanechek.
"Very good, Yanechek," said the old man, "I will take you into my service, and first of all drive the goats into the meadow to graze; but do not drive them to yonder hill in the forest, as there the jezinky[1] would come to you, make you sleep, and then tear out your eyes as they have done mine."
"Do not be afraid of it at all, master," answered Yanechek; "jezinky shall not tear out my eyes."
Then he let the goats out of the stable and drove them into the meadow. The first and second day he watched them near the forest; but on the third day he said to himself, "Why should I be afraid of the jezinky? I shall drive the goats there where the grass is better." Then he cut off three green pieces of brier, put them inside his hat, and drove the goats directly to the top of the hill in the forest. There the goats scattered about and began to graze, and Yanechek sat down in the shade on a stone. He had not sat there long, when suddenly, he could not tell whence, there appeared before him a beautiful girl, dressed all in white, with hair as black as a raven, nicely combed and falling down her shoulders, and black eyes.
- ↑ Wicked wood-fays.
