Golden Bird. He met the Fox, as the eldest son had done, and it gave him the same good advice, of which he took just as little heed.
He came to the two inns, and saw his brother standing at the window of the one whence sounds of revelry proceeded. He could not withstand his brother’s calling, so he went in and gave himself up to a life of pleasure.
Again some time passed, and the King’s youngest son wanted to go out to try his luck; but his father would not let him go.
‘It is useless,’ he said. ‘He will be even less able to find the Golden Bird than his brothers, and when any ill luck overtakes him, he will not be able to help himself; he has no backbone.’
But at last, because he gave him no peace, he let him go. The Fox again sat at the edge of the wood, begged for its life, and gave its good advice. The Prince was good-natured, and said: ‘Be calm, little Fox, I will do thee no harm.’
‘You won’t repent it,’ answered the Fox; ‘and so that you may get along faster, come and mount on my tail.’
No sooner had he seated himself than the Fox began to run, and away they flew over stock and stone, at such a pace that his hair whistled in the wind.
When they reached the village, the Prince dismounted, and following the good advice of the Fox, he went straight to the mean inn without looking about him, and there he passed a peaceful night. In the morning when he went out into the fields, there sat the Fox, who said: ‘I will now tell you what you must do next. Walk straight on till you come to a castle, in front of which a whole regiment of soldiers is encamped. Don’t be afraid of them; they will all be asleep and snoring. Walk through the midst of them straight into the castle, and through all the rooms, and at last you will reach an apartment where the Golden Bird will be hanging in a common wooden cage. A golden cage stands near it for show, but beware! whatever you do, you must not take