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Tale Summary

There was once a shepherd who every now and again would hear beautiful singing as he worked, but had no idea where it came from. One day, he met a beautiful woman near the top of the mountain, and she told him that she wanted him to come back the next day to pick her out from among the snakes in the grotto. She also told him that he must give her a kiss and take a key out of her mouth, and not to be afraid even if she jumped in the air. She suggested that he bring three other men with him, as there would be plenty of treasure for all four. The next day the shepherd went to the grotto alone because he wanted everything for himself, and found the snake with the key in her mouth. She leapt for joy, but he became frightened, and after three tries he could not take the key out of her mouth. He went home discouraged, and the next day he heard a woman weeping high on the mountain. She told him that his greed prevented his success and that now she will continue to suffer. She told him that seeds will be sown in the forest, and someone will cut boards from the tree that would grow, and make a crib from it. She disappeared after saying that only the first child who slept in that crib would be able to lift her curse.

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