When the Devil returned for the young maiden after 3 weeks, she had not bathed or washed her clothing as promised.  The devil smiled, and got close, and was ready to take her, when she started to cry into her hands.

The tears that she cried started to wash her hands clean, and again, the devil was unable to get near her.  Again, he was flung away from her.  He became so furious that various trees in the forest started to light on fire by his rage.

He screamed to the miller, that him, his wife, and everyone in the town would die, and everything would be decimated as far as the eye can see, unless he would cut off the hands of the young maiden.

That is the only way he would be able to take her.  Horriffied, the miller and his wife cried.  The daughter was terrified.  The father begged her forgiveness in advance, and she said that she would do what she must do....