Once, while traveling through his territories, he came
to a well that was filled to the brim with clear cold water; and being
very thirsty, he stopped to drink. On the top of the water floated a
golden vessel, which the King attempted to seize; but just as his hand
touched it, away it floated to the other side of the well. He went
around to where the vessel rested and tried again, with the same
result. Every time the King touched the basin it glided from his
grasp. At last, losing patience, he gave up trying to seize the
vessel, and bending over the well, he began to drink. His long beard
had fallen into the water, and when he had slaked his thirst and
attempted to rise, he found himself held fast by it. After vainly
pulling and jerking for some time, he looked down into the water and
saw a hideous face grinning at him. Its eyes were green and shining,
its teeth showed from ear to ear, and it held him by the beard with
two bony claws. In horror, the king tried to extricate himself, but a
terrible voice came from the depths of the well:
"You cannot get away, King Kojata, so do not make me pull your beard
too hard. There is something at the palace of which you do not know;
promise to give it to me, and I will release you.
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