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CHAPTER III.
Ivan having succeeded in plowing all but a small portion of his land, he
returned the next day to finish it. The pain in his stomach continued,
but he felt that he must go on with his work. He tried to start his
plow, but it would not move; it seemed to have struck a hard root. It
was the small devil in the ground who had wound his feet around the
plowshares and held them.
"This is strange," thought Ivan. "There were never any roots here
before, and this is surely one."
Ivan put his hand in the ground, and, feeling something soft, grasped
and pulled it out. It was like a root in appearance, but seemed
to possess life. Holding it up he saw that it was a little devil.
Disgusted, he exclaimed, "See the nasty thing," and he proceeded to
strike it a blow, intending to kill it, when the young devil cried out:
"
"
"
Do not kill me, and I will grant your every wish."
What can you do for me?"
Tell me what it is you most wish for," the little devil replied.
Ivan, peasant-fashion, scratched the back of his head as he thought, and
finally he said:
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