Section 1
The young brother held his little sister's hand in his and said, we haven't had any joy after our mother died. Every day, our stepmother beats and kicks us every time we go near her. Our food is just crusty, stiff bread. The small dog under the table is more fortunate than us since she throws some tasty bits of food. God help us, if only our Mom knew. Let’s go, let’s travel around the wide world together.
They crossed meadows, fields, and harsh terrain as they traveled all day. When it started to rain, the younger sister said, Heaven and our hearts are both crying. They arrived in a big forest in the evening, and because of their sadness, hunger, and long journey, they fell asleep under a hollow tree.
When they woke up the next morning, the sun had already risen, and it was shining brightly and warming the tree. His brother then said, I’m thirsty, if only I knew where the stream is, I would go and drink from it. I believe I heard a sound of a stream. Then the brother stood up and took his little sister’s hand as they left to search the stream. However, the evil stepmother was a witch who noticed that the two kids had gone and had secretly followed them like witches do while bewitching every creek in the forest.
When they came across a little stream flowing clearly over the stones, the brother wanted to drink from it, but the sister heard a voice whispering, those who drink from me will become a tiger. The sister then sobbed, please, dear brother, don't drink, otherwise, you'll turn into a vicious creature and rip me to pieces. Even though he was extremely thirsty, the brother responded, I will wait until we see the next stream.
When they found the next stream, the sister heard these voices again saying, those who drink from me will turn into a wolf. Those who drink from me will become a wolf. The sister then yelled, my dear brother, don't take a sip, or you will turn into a wolf and swallow me. Again, the brother resisted drinking, saying, I'll wait until we reach the next stream, but then I'll have to drink no matter what. Because I’m too thirsty. And when they reach the third stream, the sister again overheard it saying, those who drink from will become roe deer. Oh, I beg you, my brother, please refrain from drinking because if you do, you'll turn into a roe deer and leave me behind. But his brother had already knelt down by the creek and drank some of the water, and as soon as the first drops reached his lips, he lay down in the shape of a young deer.
Her sister sobbed over her poor, bewitched brother, the little roe started to cry as well. Yet she finally said, be at ease, my darling roe, I will never ever abandon you.
She then opened her golden garter, wrapped it around the roe's neck, and began gathering and weaving soft rushes into a strand. She attached this to the small roe and led it farther and deeper into the woods.
