Part 3 of 4!

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Yes, the East Wind had often heard of it, the Prince and the castle, but he couldn't tell her the way, for he had never blown so far.

"But, if you are willing, I'll go with you to my brother the West Wind. Maybe he knows because he's much stronger. So, if you will get on my back, I'll carry you there."

Yes, she got on his back, and they moved swiftly along.

So when they got there, they went into the West Wind's house, and the East Wind said the girl he had brought was the one who knew the Prince living in the castle east of the sun and west of the moon. She was looking for him and would be glad to know if the West Wind knew how to get to the castle.

"No," said the West Wind, "I've never blown so far, but if you're willing, I'll go with you to our brother the South Wind, for he's much stronger than either of us, and he has flapped his wings far and wide. Maybe he'll tell you. You can get on my back, and I'll carry you to him."

Yes! she got on his back, and they traveled to the South Wind. It didn't take long to reach him.

When they got there, the West Wind asked him if he could tell her the way to the castle that lay east of the sun and west of the moon because the girl was looking for the Prince.

"That's her?" said the South Wind.

"Well, I have blustered about in most places in my time, but I haven't blown that far. However, if you will, I'll take you to my brother the North Wind. He is the oldest and strongest of all of us. If he doesn't know where it is, you'll never find anyone in the world who does. You can get on my back, and I'll carry you there."

Yes! She got on his back, and away they went. And this time, too, it didn't take long.

When they got to the North Wind's house, he was so wild and stormy that cold puffs came from him a long way off.

"BLAST YOU BOTH, WHAT DO YOU WANT?" he roared out to them from far off so that it struck them with an icy shiver.

"Well," said the South Wind, "you don't need to be so rude. It's me, your brother, the South Wind, and here is the girl looking for the Prince who lives in the castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon. She wants to ask you if you have been there and can tell her the way. She would be so happy to find him again."

"YES, I KNOW WHERE IT IS," said the North Wind, "once in my life, I blew a tree leaf there, but I was so tired I couldn't blow a puff for many days after. But if you truly wish to go there and aren't afraid to come along with me, I'll take you on my back and see if I can blow you there."

Yes! With all her heart, she must and would get there if it were possible in any way. And as for fear, however recklessly he went, she wouldn't at all be afraid.

"Very well, then," said the North Wind, "but you must sleep here tonight because we need the whole day if we're going to get there at all."

Early the next morning, the North Wind woke her, and puffed himself up, and blew himself out, and made himself so stout and big, it was frightening to look at him. So off they went high up through the air as if they would never stop until they got to the end of the world.

Down below, there was such a storm, and it blew down trees and many houses. When the North Wind swept over the great sea, ships sank under the waves.

So they tore on and on—no one would believe how far they went—and all the while they still went over the sea, and the North Wind got more tired, and so out of breath he could hardly bring out a puff, and his wings drooped and drooped until at last, he sank so low that the crests of the waves crashed over his feet.

"Are you afraid?" said the North Wind.

"No!" she wasn't.

But they weren't very far from land, and the North Wind had just enough strength left in him that he managed to throw her up onto the shore under the windows of the castle east of the sun and west of the moon. But then he was so weak and worn out. He had to stay there and rest many days before he could return home again.