three of his golden
hairs."

"Oho! I have long been hunting for just such a messenger as you! For
twenty years I have been ferrying people across this black sea and
nobody has come to relieve me. If you promise to ask Grandfather
Knowitall when my work will end, I'll ferry you over."

Plavachek promised and the boatman took him across.

Plavachek traveled on until he came to a great city that was in a
state of decay. Before the city he met an old man who had a staff in
his hand, but even with the staff he could scarcely crawl along.

"God bless you, old grandfather!" Plavachek said.

"May God grant that prayer, handsome youth! Where are you going?"

"I am going to old Grandfather Knowitall to get three of his golden
hairs."

"Indeed! We have been waiting a long time for just such a messenger as
you! I must lead you at once to the king."

So he took him to the king and the king said: "Ah, so you are going on
an errand to Grandfather Knowitall! We have an apple-tree here that
used to bear apples of youth. If any one ate one of those apples, no
matter how aged he was, he'd become young again. But, alas, for twenty
years now our tree has borne no fruit. If you promise to ask
Grandfather Knowitall if there is any help for us, I will reward you
handsomely."

Plavachek gave the king his promise and the king bid him godspeed.

Plavachek traveled on until he reached another great city that was
half in ruins. Not far from the city a man was burying his father, and
tears as big as peas were rolling down his cheek.

"God bless you, mournful grave-digger!" Plavachek said.

"May God grant that prayer, kind traveler! Where are you going?"

"I'm going to old Grandfather Knowitall to get three of his golden
hairs."

"To Grandfather Knowitall! What a pity you didn't come sooner! Our
king has long been waiting for just such a messenger as you! I must
lead you to him."

So he took Plavachek to the king and the king said to him: "So you're
going on an errand to Grandfather Knowitall. We have a well here that
used to flow with the water of life. If any one drank of it, no matter
how sick he was, he would get well. Nay, if he were already dead, this
water, sprinkled upon him, would bring him back to life. But, alas,
for twenty years now the well has gone dry. If you promise to ask
Grandfather Knowitall if there is help for us, I will reward you
handsomely."

Plavachek gave the king his promise and the king bid him godspee