if he
should ever need it.

Ferko continued his way till he came to a ploughed field. Here he
noticed a little mouse creeping wearily along on its hind paws, for
its front paws had both been broken in a trap.

Ferko felt so sorry for the little beast that he spoke to it in the
most friendly manner, and washed its small paws with the healing
water. In a moment the mouse was sound and whole, and after thanking
the kind physician it scampered away over the ploughed furrows.

Ferko again proceeded on his journey, but he hadn't gone far before a
queen bee flew against him, trailing one wing behind her, which had
been cruelly torn in two by a big bird. Ferko was no less willing to
help her than he had been to help the wolf and the mouse, so he poured
some healing drops over the wounded wing. On the spot the queen bee
was cured, and turning to Ferko she said, 'I am most grateful for your
kindness, and shall reward you some day.' And with these words she
flew away humming gaily.

[Illustration: Ferko Healed by Magic Waters]

Then Ferko wandered on for many a long day, and at length reached a
strange kingdom. Here, he thought to himself, he might as well go
straight to the palace and offer his services to the King of the
country, for he had heard that the King's daughter was as beautiful as
the day.

So he went to the royal palace, and as he entered the door the first
people he saw were his two brothers who had so shamefully ill-treated
him. They had managed to obtain places in the King's service, and when
they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were
frightened to death, for they feared he would tell the King of their
conduct, and that they would be hung.

[Illustration: Ferko Before the King]

No sooner had Ferko entered the palace than all eyes were turned on
the handsome youth, and the King's daughter herself was lost in
admiration, for she had never seen anyone so handsome in her life
before. His brothers noticed this, and envy and jealousy were added to
their fear, so much so that they determined once more to destroy him.
They went to the King and told him that Ferko was a wicked magician,
who had come to the palace with the intention of carrying off the
Princess.

Then the King had Ferko brought before him, and said, 'You are accused
of being a magician who wishes to rob me of my daughter, and I condemn
you to death; but if you can fulfil three tasks which I shall set you
to do your li