He filled a bottle with the healing water , and then continued his journey in the best of spirits . He had not gone far before he met a wolf , who was limping disconsolately along on three legs , and who on perceiving Ferko began to howl dismally . ` My good friend , ' said the youth , ` be of good cheer , for I can soon heal your leg , ' and with these words he poured some of the precious water over the wolf 's paw , and in a minute the animal was springing about sound and well on all fours . The grateful creature thanked his benefactor warmly , and promised Ferko to do him a good turn if he should ever need it . Ferko continued his way till he came to a ploughed field . Here he noticed a little mouse creeping wearily along on its hind paws , for its front paws had both been broken in a trap . Ferko felt so sorry for the little beast that he spoke to it in the most friendly manner , and washed its small paws with the healing water . In a moment the mouse was sound and whole , and after thanking the kind physician it scampered away over the ploughed furrows . Ferko again proceeded on his journey , but he had n't gone far before a queen bee flew against him , trailing one wing behind her , which had been cruelly torn in two by a big bird . Ferko was no less willing to help her than he had been to help the wolf and the mouse , so he poured some healing drops over the wounded wing . On the spot the queen bee was cured , and turning to Ferko she said , ' I am most grateful for your kindness , and shall reward you some day . ' And with these words she flew away humming , gaily . Then Ferko wandered on for many a long day , and at length reached a strange kingdom . Here , he thought to himself , he might as well go straight to the palace and offer his services to the King of the country , for he had heard that the King 's daughter was as beautiful as the day . So he went to the royal palace , and as he entered the door the first people he saw were his two brothers who had so shamefully ill-treated him . They had managed to obtain places in the King 's service , and when they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs sound and well they were frightened to death , for they feared he would tell the King of their conduct , and that they would be hung . No sooner had Ferko entered the palace than all eyes were turned on the handsome youth , and the King 's daughter herself was lost in admiration , for she had never seen anyone so handsome in her life before . His brothers noticed this , and envy and jealousy were added to their fear , so much so that they determined once more to destroy him . They went to the King and told him that Ferko was a wicked magician , who had come to the palace with the intention of carrying off the Princess . Then the King had Ferko brought before him , and said , ` You are accused of being a magician who wishes to rob me of my daughter , and I condemn you to death ; but if you can fulfil three tasks which I shall set you to do your life shall be spared , on condition you leave the country ; but if you can not perform what I demand you shall be hung on the nearest tree . '
And turning XXXXX the two wicked brothers he said , ` Suggest something for him to do ; no matter how difficult , he must succeed in it or die . '
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