The Crane that Crossed the River

One day a famous hunter who lived in a remote part of the North went for hunting. He had a wife and two sons. The two sons were still too young to follow their father in the hunt, and they were in the habit of diverting themselves within reach of the lodge. One day the eldest son told his mother: “Who is this tall young man that comes here so often during our father's absence?” His mother said that he should keep silence and never speak about it with his father.  She said: "I will kill you," she said, "if you speak of it." In fear they for a time held their peace, but still taking note that the stranger came so often and by stealth to the lodge, they resolved at last to speak with their father. Accordingly one day, when they were out in the woods, learning to follow the chase, they told him all that they had seen… What happened next?