how could you help me ? for I have been set to do a task which no one in the whole world could do , let him be ever such a genius ! To-morrow I must build a palace more beautiful than the King 's , and it must be finished before evening . ' ` Is that all ? ' answered the bee , ` then you may comfort yourself ; for before the sun goes down to-morrow night a palace shall be built unlike any that King has dwelt in before . Just stay here till I come again and tell you that it is finished . ' Having said this she flew merrily away , and Ferko , reassured by her words , lay down on the grass and slept peacefully till the next morning . Early on the following day the whole town was on its feet , and everyone wondered how and where the stranger would build the wonderful palace . The Princess alone was silent and sorrowful , and had cried all night till her pillow was wet , so much did she take the fate of the beautiful youth to heart . Ferko spent the whole day in the meadows waiting the return of the bee . And when evening was come the queen bee flew by , and perching on his shoulder she said , ` The wonderful palace is ready . Be of good cheer , and lead the King to the hill just outside the city walls . ' And humming gaily she flew away again . Ferko went at once to the King and told him the palace was finished . The whole court went out to see the wonder , and their astonishment was great at the sight which met their eyes . A splendid palace reared itself on the hill just outside the walls of the city , made of the most exquisite flowers that ever grew in mortal garden . The roof was all of crimson roses , the windows of lilies , the walls of white carnations , the floors of glowing auriculas and violets , the doors of gorgeous tulips and narcissi with sunflowers for knockers , and all round hyacinths and other sweet-smelling flowers bloomed in masses , so that the air was perfumed far and near and enchanted all who were present . This splendid palace had been built by the grateful queen bee , who had summoned all the other bees in the kingdom to help her . The King 's amazement knew no bounds , and the Princess 's eyes beamed with delight as she turned them from the wonderful building on the delighted Ferko . But the two brothers had grown quite green with envy , and only declared the more that Ferko was nothing but a wicked magician .
The King , although he had been surprised and astonished at the way his commands had been carried out , was very vexed that the stranger should escape with his life , and turning to the two brothers he said , ` He has certainly accomplished the first task , with the aid no doubt XXXXX his diabolical magic ; but what shall we give him to do now ?
at by for in of on than that till with