They went on and on and saw a mill with seven millstones grinding corn. And one man ate all and was not satisfied, but grumbled and said, "O little father, I die of hunger." "That is a brave fellow," said the youth. "Seven millstones grind for him and yet he has not enough, but cries, 'I die of hunger.'" "I am no brave fellow. He who pierced a steel shield with a steel spear is a brave fellow," said the hungry man. "I am he. Let us be brothers," said the youth and the four journeyed on together. They went on and on and saw a man who had loaded the whole world on his back and even wished to lift it up. "That is a brave fellow. He has loaded himself with the whole world and wishes to lift it up," said the youth. "I am no brave fellow. He who has pierced a steel shield with a steel spear is a brave fellow," said the burdened man. "I am he. Let us be brothers." The five journeyed on together. They went on and on and saw a man lying in a brook and he sipped up all its waters and yet cried, "O little father, I am parched with thirst." "That is a brave fellow. He drinks up the whole brook and still says he is thirsty," said the youth. "I am no brave fellow. He who has pierced a steel shield with a steel spear is a brave fellow," said the thirsty man. "I am he. Let us be brothers." The six journeyed on together. They went on and on and saw a shepherd who was playing the pipes, and mountains and valleys, fields and forests, men and animals, danced to the music. "That seems to me to be a brave fellow. He makes mountains and valleys dance," said the youth. "I am no brave fellow. He who has pierced a steel shield with a steel spear is a brave fellow," said the musical man. "I am he. Let us be brothers," said the youth. The seven journeyed on together. "Brother who hast pierced a steel shield with a steel spear, whither is God leading us?" "We are going to get the daughter of the King of the West," said the youth. "Only you can marry her," said they all. They went on till they came to the King's castle, but when they asked for the daughter the King would not let her go, but called his people together and said: "They have come after the bride. They are not very hungry, perhaps they will eat only a bite or two. Let one-and-twenty ovens be filled with bread and make one-and-twenty kettles of soup. If they eat all this I will give them my daughter; otherwise, I will not." The seven brothers were in a distant room. He who listened with his ear to the ground heard what the King commanded, and said: "Brother who hast pierced a steel shield with a steel spear, do you understand what the King said?" "Rascal! how can I know what he says when I am not in the same room with him? What did he say?" "He has commanded them to bake bread in one-and-twenty ovens and to make one-and-twenty kettles of soup. If we eat it all, we can take his daughter; otherwise, not."