Then they told her that they had become the servants of the Dragon for seven long years , and how he had given them money as plentifully as blackberries ; but as they had signed their names they were his , unless when the seven years had passed they could guess a riddle . The old woman said , ` If you would help yourselves , one of you must go into the wood , and there he will come upon a tumble-down building of rocks which looks like a little house . He must go in , and there he will find help . ' The two melancholy ones thought , ` That wo n't save us ! ' and they remained where they were . But the third and merry one jumped up and went into the wood till he found the rock hut . In the hut sat a very old woman , who was the Dragon 's grandmother . She asked him how he came , and what was his business there . He told her all that happened , and because she was pleased with him she took compassion on him , and said she would help him . She lifted up a large stone which lay over the cellar , saying , ` Hide yourself there ; you can hear all that is spoken in this room . Only sit still and do n't stir . When the Dragon comes , I will ask him what the riddle is , for he tells me everything ; then listen carefully what he answers . ' At midnight the Dragon flew in , and asked for his supper . His grandmother laid the table , and brought out food and drink till he was satisfied , and they ate and drank together . Then in the course of the conversation she asked him what he had done in the day , and how many souls he had conquered . ' I have n't had much luck to-day , ' he said , ` but I have a tight hold on three soldiers . ' ` Indeed ! three soldiers ! ' said she . ` Who can not escape you ? '
` They are mine , ' answered the Dragon scornfully , ` for I shall only give them one XXXXX which they will never be able to guess . '
Dragon business cellar conversation hut names riddle supper table woman