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Updated: June 8, 2025
In another moment he was away over the mountain, with Eisenkopf running fast behind him. On they went through thick forests where the sun never shone, over rivers so wide that it took a whole day to sail across them, up hills whose sides were all of glass; on they went through seven times seven countries till Peter reined in his horse before the house of an old woman.
Eisenkopf, however, had seen him go, and followed so closely at his heels that Peter had barely time to clamber up a tall tree, where Eisenkopf could not reach him. 'Come down at once, you gallows bird, he cried. 'Have you forgotten your promise that you never would marry? 'Oh, I know it is all up with me, answered Peter, 'but let me call out three times.
He lifted her up and carried her to her bed, where she soon revived, but she did not tell Peter about Eisenkopf, who had been almost crushed to death under the hearth-stone by the body of World's-weight. The next morning Peter locked up his dogs and went out into the forest alone.
When they reached the foot of the tree Peter just said: 'At him! And in a few minutes there was nothing left of Eisenkopf. As soon as his enemy was dead Peter got down and returned to the house, where he bade farewell to the old woman and her daughter, who gave him a beautiful ring, all set with diamonds. It was really a magic ring, but neither Peter nor the maiden knew that.
'Good day, mother, said he, jumping down and opening the door. 'Good day, my son, answered she, 'and what are you doing here, at the world's end? 'I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world which is beyond all worlds; for Eisenkopf is at my heels. 'Come in and rest then, and have some food, for I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off.
But who could ever guess what came out of that nut? Why, horses and oxen and sheep stepped out in such numbers that they seemed as if they would stretch to the world's end! The sight gave Peter such a shock that he wrung his hands in dismay. What was he to do with all these creatures, where was he to put them? He stood and gazed in terror, and at this moment Eisenkopf came by.
'I am flying for my life, mother, flying to the world that is beyond all worlds, for Eisenkopf is at my heels. 'Come in, my son, and have some food. I have a little dog who will begin to howl when Eisenkopf is still seven miles off; so lie on this bed and rest yourself in peace. Then she went to the kitchen and baked a number of cakes, more than Peter could have eaten in a whole month.
'What is the matter, young man? asked he. 'Oh, my friend, there is plenty the matter, answered Peter. 'I have gained a nut as my wages, and when I cracked it this crowd of beasts came out, and I don't know what to do with them all! 'Listen to me, my son, said Eisenkopf. 'If you will promise never to marry I will drive them all back into the nut again.
In his trouble Peter would have promised far harder things than this, so he gladly gave the promise Eisenkopf asked for; and at a whistle from the stranger the animals all began crowding into the nut again, nearly tumbling over each other in their haste. When the last foot had got inside, the two halves of the shell shut close. Then Peter put it in his pocket and went on to the house.
'Oh, one promises here and promises there, but no one ever thinks of keeping such promises. If Eisenkopf does not like your marrying, he will have to put up with it all the same! Besides, there stands in the stable a grey horse which is saddled night and day; and if Eisenkopf should show his face, you have only got to jump on the horse's back and ride away, and nobody on earth can catch you.
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