be able to see into the future. We began to
talk about certain things which were happening in the palace, and of the
events of past years. "Ah," said he, "the only person who can expose the
wickedness of the ministers and show the king how wrong he has been, is
the Bird of Truth, who can speak the language of men."

'"And where can this bird be found?" I asked.

'"It is shut up in a castle guarded by a fierce giant, who only sleeps
one quarter of an hour out of the whole twenty-four," replied the
cuckoo.

'And where is this castle?' inquired the country swallow, who, like all
the rest, and the children most of all, had been listening with deep
attention.

'That is just what I don't know,' answered her friend. 'All I can tell
you is that not far from here is a tower, where dwells an old witch, and
it is she who knows the way, and she will only teach it to the person
who promises to bring her the water from the fountain of many colours,
which she uses for her enchantments. But never will she betray the place
where the Bird of Truth is hidden, for she hates him, and would kill him
if she could; knowing well, however, that this bird cannot die, as he
is immortal, she keeps him closely shut up, and guarded night and day by
the Birds of Bad Faith, who seek to gag him so that his voice should not
be heard.'

'And is there no one else who can tell the poor boy where to find the
bird, if he should ever manage to reach the tower?' asked the country
swallow.

'No one,' replied the city swallow, 'except an owl, who lives a hermit's
life in that desert, and he knows only one word of man's speech, and
that is "cross." So that even if the prince did succeed in getting
there, he could never understand what the owl said. But, look, the sun
is sinking to his nest in the depths of the sea, and I must go to mine.
Good-night, friends, good-night!'

Then the swallow flew away, and the children, who had forgotten both
hunger and weariness in the joy of this strange news, rose up and
followed in the direction of her flight. After two hours' walking, they
arrived at a large city, which they felt sure must be the capital of
their father's kingdom. Seeing a good-natured looking woman standing
at the door of a house, they asked her if she would give them a night's
lodging, and she was so pleased with their pretty faces and nice manners
that she welcomed them warmly.

It was scarcely light the next morning before the girl was sweeping out