Their father often went to the forest to gather wild pears and apples. He filled his bag with mushrooms and carried them home. The mother was a weaver and made woolen and cotton cloth. She sold her work on the market. They made ends meet with much effort.
But the mother, tired and ill because of the hard work and the poor food, died. Her three daughters started working and sold what they managed to produce. Their father continued gathering mushrooms and wild fruit.
One day, on the way back, the father carried his heavy bag on his back. He felt tired and stopped near an old dry well. He sat on a rock and sighed. His back hurt and he could not help crying out in pain :
« Ouch ! »
At once, a terrifying head popped out of the well. The face he saw was terrible - dark eyebrows drooped in a smirk and a large mouth twisted an a grimace that showed hungry razor-like teeth.
« What is it ? Why did you call me, old man ? » asked he terrible ogre and climbed out of the well.
« I'm not calling you. I am tired of too much walking. I went deep into the forest to gather mushrooms. That's why I decided to sit here for a while and I said « ouch » because my back hurts. »
« All right. But everyone calls me Ouch and when I heard someone pronounce my name , I went out to see who called. What's your business in the forest ? »
« My wife died and left me alone with our three daughters. I'm gathering fruits because we have nothing else to eat and we are all hungry. That's why I am so tired. »
« Well, then, » said the Ogre from the well « it would be good to bring here with you one of your girls. I am rich. I will dress her up in a golden dress and will find her a good and rich husband. She will be happy all her life. »
« Sure, I can bring one with me but how shall we find you ? »
« Come tomorrow evening with your daughter, sit here, on the same place, once again and say « ouch ». I'll come out right away. »
