Two cypress trees were planted in front of our house when my twin brother and I were conceived. When he went off to find his fortune, he told me that if one of the cypresses withers, he would be in trouble.

Well, it withered, and immediately I went to find him. I followed the path that he had taken. I even slept with his wife (although I placed my sword between us.)

At last, I found him. He had turned into a stone statue that stood in front of the hut of an old witch. I went inside and ordered my dog to bite her and not release her until she told me how to bring my brother back to life.

The Cypress Brother in The Twin Brothers, Grey Fairy Book. Illustration by H.J. Ford.