I love this story! As a matter of fact, it is the story I used to open an experimental storytelling workshop I'm doing (very, very informal). The full story is published in Favorite Folktales From Around the World, edited by Jane Yolen http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394751884/qid=1008653881/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_6_1/104-6083798-5606357Amazon listing for the book here

The story is nearly over... I let Auxiris finish her version...