` Leave us alone , and we will go quietly , ' said the princes , and stepped backwards , weeping silently at the harsh words . They had almost reached the gates when a servant ran up to them . ` The emperor commands you to return , ' panted he : ` the empress wishes to see you . ' The princes thought a moment : then they went back the way they had come , and walked straight up to the emperor , their caps still on their heads . He sat at the top of a long table covered with flowers and filled with guests . And beside him sat the empress , supported by twelve cushions . When the princes entered one of the cushions fell down , and there remained only eleven . ` Take off your caps , ' said one of the courtiers . ' A covered head is among men a sign of honour . We wish to seem what we are . ' ` Never mind , ' said the emperor , whose anger had dropped before the silvery tones of the boy 's voice . ` Stay as you are , but tell me WHO you are ! Where do you come from , and what do you want ? ' ` We are twins , two shoots from one stem , which has been broken , and half lies in the ground and half sits at the head of this table . We have travelled a long way , we have spoken in the rustle of the wind , have whispered in the wood , we have sung in the waters , but now we wish to tell you a story which you know without knowing it , in the speech of men . ' And a second cushion fell down . ` Let them take their silliness home , ' said the empress . ` Oh , no , let them go on , ' said the emperor . ` You wished to see them , but I wish to hear them . Go on , boys , sing me the story . '
The XXXXX was silent , but the princes began to sing the story of their lives .
anger cushion empress gates ground heads second shoots silliness wood