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 of his diabolical magic ; but what shall we give him to do now ? Let us make it as difficult as possible , and if he fails he shall die . ' Then the eldest brother replied , ` The corn has all been cut , but it has not yet been put into barns ; let the knave collect all the grain in the kingdom into one big heap before to-morrow night , and if as much as a stalk of corn is left let him be put to death . The Princess grew white with terror when she heard these words ; but Ferko felt much more cheerful than he had done the first time , and wandered out into the meadows again , wondering how he was to get out of the difficulty . But he could think of no way of escape . The sun sank to rest and night came on , when a little mouse started out of the grass at Ferko 's feet , and said to him , ` I 'm delighted to see you , my kind benefactor ; but why are you looking so sad ? Can I be of any help to you , and thus repay your great kindness to me ? ' Then Ferko recognised the mouse whose front paws he had healed , and replied , ` Alas I how can you help me in a matter that is beyond any human power ! Before to-morrow night all the grain in the kingdom has to be gathered into one big heap , and if as much as a stalk of corn is wanting I must pay for it with my life . ' ` Is that all ? ' answered the mouse ; ` that need n't distress you much . Just trust in me , and before the sun sets again you shall hear that your task is done . ' And with these words the little creature scampered away into the fields .
Ferko , who never doubted XXXXX the mouse would be as good as its word , lay down comforted on the soft grass and slept soundly till next morning .
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