A hunter was shooting game in the forest. Whilst waiting in his hidden spot. He heard a rustling of the bush. And took aim with his bow and arrow.
But then nothing happened. Suddenly the bush was rustling again. And he retook his aim. Another time it disappeared.
“The next time I’ll shoot”, he said to himself. When the bush moved a third time. His last arrow was on his chin, When out popped… a beautiful maiden.
She danced around on bare feet. Towards a little quiet wooden hut. Unaware of being watched. By the enchanted hunter.
But he was also not aware. That she was actually a Princess. Who would come to her forest cabin. To escape her duties at the court.
She would keep inside. A little green plant. That she was watering. And really loved dearly.
Then suddenly a pack of six wolves appeared And surrounded her little hut. Scratching at her door, wanting to eat her alive. The hunter saw, but only had one arrow.
But he understood the forest well. And knew of a powerful wizard. Who lived in a house. Up on the hilltop.
The hunter went and asked him for help. The wizard said: “I can give you what you need. But there’s a price. I will have to take your sight.”
The hunter said: “So be it.” And with one stroke of the wand. The hunter turned blind. And received his magic arrow.
He stumbled his way back to the hut. And followed the howling sounds. Of the wolves circling the little cabin. With the Princess still trapped inside.
The hunter perched on his hidden spot. Put the magic arrow on the bow. There was no hesitation, no doubts. And with a single shot, all six wolves were killed.
The Princess came out. Saw all the wolves were dead. Didn’t wait for a single second. And ran back with her plant to the castle.
The next morning she told her father the King. What had happened that night in the forest. About that great Marksman that saved her life. But whom she never saw.
“Tomorrow I will arrange an archery challenge”, said the King. ”And whomever to win it. Deserves the hand of my daughter. For only he could be the man that slaughtered those six wolves.”
“Ohh, and by the way. If there would be anyone showing up. And fail to deliver such a miracle shot again. I will immediately… chop off his head.”
After hearing this terrifying plan of her father. The Princess disguised herself in grey robes. Escaped the castle for the day. And went to an inn, just outside of town.
The hunter at this time was still in the forest. And hitching a ride back to the city. For he couldn’t see the path anymore. A monk on a carriage picked him up.
He dropped the hunter off at an inn just outside the forest. And said: “Rest the night here my friend. and tomorrow come to the city. For they say the Princess is getting married.”