Now after that did Owlglass come into the land of Thuringia, into the village of Nugenstädten, and there he entered and besought the inn-folk that he should receive a night’s lodging. Thereat came the hostess unto him, and asked him, saying: “What manner of trade followest thou?”

And Owlglass answered and said unto her: “Truly am I of no trade, but do in all things accustom myself to speak the truth.” Then said the hostess: “Such do I most gladly receive into my house, and truth-speakers are welcome.” And Owlglass looked round him, and he perceived that the hostess did squint; therefore he said: “Squint-wife, squint-wife, where doth it please ye that I shall sit, and where would ye have me to lay my staff and wallet?” Thereat waxed the hostess very wroth, and said unto him: “May nought good ever happen unto thee; in all my life did no one ever say unto me that I squinted!” But Owlglass answered and said unto her: “Dear hostess, be not angry with me, for an if I do speak the truth, then must I do it at all times, and in all things.” And thereat was her wrath turned away, and she, being merry, laughed and was content.

Now after that Owlglass had abode that night in her inn, they conferred together, and he told her that he could wash old furs so that they became new again. Thereat rejoiced the hostess greatly, and begged that he would do this, and she would tell all her neighbours that they should also bring their furs to be washed. And Owlglass said: “Yea, verily, that would he do.” Then all the women in the village brought unto Owlglass their furs, that they might be washed. And Owlglass said unto them: “Ye must have milk.” And all the women desired greatly to have new furs, and they each gat them home, and brought unto Owlglass all the milk that they had there. And Owlglass set two cauldrons upon the fire, and he poured the milk into them, and then put the furs into the milk, and they were boiled therein.

And it came to pass, that when he thought that they had boiled enough, he said unto the women: “Now must ye bring me young white elm twigs, and peel ye them, and when that ye come again unto me, I will take out the furs, for then will they be boiled enough, and I will wring them; yet must I have wood to do this.” And the women departed right joyfully to fetch the wood, and the children ran with them, and sang and danced, and said: “O beautiful new fur cloaks! O beautiful new fur cloaks!” Then stood Owlglass and laughed, and said: “Wait ye yet a while, the furs be not right yet.” And while they were gone for the twigs, Owlglass piled more wood on the fire, and left the furs boiling, and departed out of the village. And yet hath he not returned to wash the furs. When that the women folk came back, they began to quarrel, and strive one with the other, for each would have her fur first forth from the cauldron; but when that they looked how they were proceeding, lo! they were all boiled to rags and fell to pieces. And Owlglass rejoiced that he had so happily gone forth.