k
leave of them and turned his way homewards. The maidens were pleased to
find that the threads were not broken, and still retained their golden
lustre, so that their mother would have no cause to reproach them when
she returned.

The prince found his ride through the wood still more pleasant. He
seemed to be surrounded with a numerous company, for the singing and
chirping of the birds sounded like articulate words to his ears. He was
greatly surprised to find how much wisdom is lost to men who do not
understand the language of birds. At first the wanderer was not able to
understand clearly what the feathered people were saying, for they were
talking of the affairs of various persons who were unknown to him; but
suddenly he saw a magpie and a thrush sitting in a tall pine-tree, who
were talking about himself.

"How great is the stupidity of men!" said the thrush. "They cannot
rightly comprehend the most trifling matter. For a whole year the
foster-child of a lame old woman has been sitting near the bridge in the
form of a water-lily, lamenting her sad fate in song, but no one has
been able to release her. A few days ago her lover was riding over the
bridge, and heard her melancholy song, but he was no wiser than anybody
else." The magpie answered, "And yet the maiden was punished by her
mother on his account. Unless he is gifted with greater wisdom that
falls to the lot of men, she must remain a flower for ever." "It would
be a trifling matter to release the maiden," said the thrush, "if the
matter were fully explained to the old magician of Finland. He could
easily deliver her from her watery prison and flowery bondage."

This conversation made the young man thoughtful, and as he rode on, he
began to consider what messenger he could send to Finland. Presently he
heard one swallow say to another over his head, "Let us go to Finland,
where we can build our nests better than here."

"Stay, friends," cried the prince in the language of the birds. "Please
to convey a thousand compliments from me to the old sorcerer of Finland,
and ask him to give me directions how to restore a maiden who has been
transformed into a water-lily to her original form." The swallows
promised to fulfil his request, and flew away.

When he came to the bank of the river, he allowed his horse to graze,
and remained standing on the bridge, to listen whether he could not hear
the song again. But all was still, and he could hear nothing but the
r