groaning to the ground.

But as soon as the youth had the beard in his hands he felt so strong
that he was fit for anything, and he perceived all sorts of things in
the castle that he had not noticed before, but, on the other hand, all
strength seemed to have gone from the little man. He whined and sobbed
out: 'Give, oh give me my beard again, and I will instruct you in all
the magic art that surrounds this castle, and will help you to carry off
the hidden treasure, which will make you rich and happy for ever.'

But the cunning flute-player replied: 'I will give you back your beard,
but you must first help me as you have promised to do. Till you have
done so, I don't let your beard out of my hands.'

Then the old man found himself obliged to fulfil his promise, though he
had had no intention of doing so, and had only desired to get his
beard back. He made the youth follow him through dark secret passages,
underground vaults, and grey rocks till at last they came to an open
field, which looked as if it belonged to a more beautiful world than
ours. Then they came to a stream of rushing water; but the little man
drew out a wand and touched the waves, whereupon the waters parted
and stood still, and the two crossed the river with dry feet. And how
beautiful everything on the other side was! lovely green paths leading
through woods and fields covered with flowers, birds with gold and
silver feathers singing on the trees, lovely butterflies and glittering
beetles fluttered and crawled about, and dear little beasts hid in the
bushes and hedges. The sky above them was not blue, but like rays of
pure gold, and the stars looked twice their usual size, and far more
brilliant than on our earth.

The youth grew more and more astonished when the little grey man led him
into a castle far bigger and more splendid than the one they had left.
Here, too, the deepest silence reigned. They wandered all through the
castle, and came at last to a room in the middle of which stood a bed
hung all round with heavy curtains. Over the bed hung a bird's cage, and
the bird inside it was singing beautiful songs into the silent space.
The little grey man lifted the curtains from the bed and beckoned the
youth to approach. On the rich silk cushions embroidered with gold
a lovely maiden lay sleeping. She was as beautiful as an angel, with
golden hair which fell in curls over her marble shoulders, and a diamond
crown sparkled on her forehead. But a sl