"Even now thou art not out of danger," said the fox, "for thy brothers
were not certain of thy death, and have set spies to watch for thee in
the forest, who will certainly kill thee if they see thee."
There was an old man sitting by the wayside with whom the young Prince
changed clothes, and, thus disguised, he reached the court of the
King.
No one recognized him, but the golden bird began to sing, and the
golden horse commenced to eat, and the lovely maiden ceased to weep.
The King was astonished and asked: "What does this all mean?"
Then said the maiden: "I know not, but I was so sad, and now I feel
light-hearted; it is as if my true husband had returned."
Then she told him all that had happened, although the other brothers
had threatened to kill her if she betrayed them.
The King then summoned all the people in the castle before him: and
there came with them the young Prince dressed as a beggar in his rags,
but the maiden recognized him instantly and fell upon his neck.
So the wicked brothers were seized and executed, but the young Prince
married the lovely Princess and was made his father's heir.
But what became of the poor fox?
Long afterwards the young Prince went again into the forest, and there
he met once more with the fox, who said:
"Thou hast now everything in the world thou canst desire, but to
my misfortunes there can be no end, although it is in thy power to
release me from them.
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