Note 4 — The Enchanted Ring.

Martin the widow’s son thanked the Tsar and took the ring, and returned by the same way through which he had reached the underground realm. He returned to his native place, sought out his old widowed mother, and lived and dwelt with her without either want or care. Yet for all the good life he led, Martin seemed sorrowful; and why should he not? for Martin wanted to marry, and the bride of his choice was not his like in birth, for she was a king’s daughter. So he consulted his mother, and sent her away as his matchmaker, and said to her, “Go to the King himself, and woo for me the thrice-lovely Princess.”—“Alas! my dear son,” said his old mother, “’twould be far better for thee if thou wert to chop thine own wood.4 But what art thou thinking of? How can I go to the King and ask him for his daughter for thee? ’Twould be as much as thy head and my head were worth.”—“Fear not, dear mother! If I send thee, thou mayest go boldly. And mind thou dost not come back from the King without an answer.”