The world of this tale is fantastic in virtually every detail. The narrator says that on certain April days, when near sounds seem distant and distant sounds near and when smoke goes down instead of up, one may find a way to the enchanted forest. However, it was "once upon a time" that Clode was king there. Most of the tale takes place in Clode's castle, which contains an unusual group of retainers, but few women. Clode's kingdom is a hunter's paradise, except that periodically the king and his sons deplete the game and must wait about three years before they can hunt again. During this period, the kingdom is like a waste land, going through a long winter. The hunt for the white deer takes place during one of these periods, and the tale ends with spring's return and the promise of new richness. Another aspect of...