When the two elder brothers had remained at home over Yule-tide they went one day to their father, and begged for permission to go and get themselves wives. But the old man answered as before: "It is not proper that you should go looking for wives before you have further tried your luck in the world. I long to see which of you can earn the handsomest drinking-cup to set on the table on Yule-eve." On their departure the old man gave to each of them five shillings as before.

When they had left home the youngest boy went to his father, and asked for permission to go again and try his luck. The father at first refused his consent, but finally yielded to the lad's pleading, thinking to himself he would no doubt come back before the forest was in leaf. So he got his five shillings and departed.

In the same alehouse the lad found his elder brothers eating, drinking, and gambling, and was, as before, robbed by them. He then wandered forth again to the palace of his late mistress. When the toad saw him she returned a friendly answer to his greeting, and asked the reason his coming. He answered: "I am come again to offer my services, if you require them."

The toad replied: "Be welcome, I am just now in great need of a servant. If you wilt serve me well, your reward shall not be small." The toad then took forth a bundle of short threads, gave them to the youth, and said: "This shall be your task; you must tie a thread round every branch of the bush that you had to cut last year. But you must tie a thread every day the sun is in the heavens, and you must do so as well on Sunday as on Monday, as well on Yule-day as on Midsummer-day. You must not tie many threads, but only one." His treatment in the palace was then as generous as told before.

When the year was at an end, and the youth had bound the last thread round the last branch, the little toad came again hopping to him, thanked him for his faithful services, and asked what reward he wished. He answered, as before, that he had done little to deserve a reward, and would be quite content with whatever his mistress might think proper to give him. Thereupon the toad said: "I know well what reward you wish above all. Your brothers are gone to earn a drinking-cup to set on their father's table on Yule-eve; but I will give you a cup, the like of which is hardly to be found." With these words she gave the youth a drinking vessel which was of fine silver, covered with gold inside and out; thirteen masters had set their marks on it, the workmanship was, moreover, so curious and elaborate, that its like was not to be found, even if twelve kingdoms were to be searched through. The youth returned thanks for the costly gift, as it was well worth, and with great joy of heart prepared to return home.

After travelling the whole day he came late in the evening within sight of the same alehouse of which we have already spoken. He would have taken another direction, but a rapid river prevented him from going by any other road, and he required shelter for the night. On entering the alehouse he found his brothers just as when he last parted from them; and again they robbed him of his treasure.

When the three brothers had been at home till Yule was past, the two elder ones went again to their father and asked his permission to set out in search of wives. The old man readily granted their request, thinking that his sons were now grown up and well-experienced in all things. He added, "I long to see which of you brings the fairest bride to the village by Yule-eve." Each then having received his five shillings, they set out on their journey.
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