boy! Suddenly from every side little carpenters and masons came running up to her, and at her command set to work, first to measure, then to build; and very soon the bridge was ready, ornamented with jewels and precious stones.
Early in the morning Melania the Clever woke the young prince.
"Get up, my prince!" she said; "the bridge is ready. My father will be up soon to look at it."
The prince got up, took a broom, and, going to the bridge, began to sweep here and there, so that the king should think he was giving the finishing touches.
The King of the Sea was delighted, and began flattering the young prince.
"I am very glad," he said, "that you have obeyed my order; now I will give you something else to do. I want you to make me a large and beautiful garden, with every possible kind of singing bird in it, with all the most lovely flowers imaginable growing on all the trees, and with plenty of pears, apples and all sorts of delicious ripe fruits hanging in all directions!"
The prince again left the king's presence, crying as before.
"What are you weeping about now, my prince?" asked Melania the Clever, opening her window.
"How can I help it? Your father has ordered me to make the most extraordinary garden I ever heard of, all in one night, with all the most beautiful things I can think of in it."
"Never mind; don't trouble yourself about it, but go to bed and to sleep; the morning is wiser than the evening."
