This flattering speech pleased the dragons , and the eldest of them said , ` Well , you may come with me , and I will take you to the Mother Dragon . ' They entered the castle and walked through twelve splendid halls , all made of gold and diamonds . In the twelfth room they found the Mother Dragon seated on a diamond throne . She was the ugliest woman under the sun , and , added to it all , she had three heads . Her appearance was a great shock to the Prince , and so was her voice , which was like the croaking of many ravens . She asked him , ` Why have you come here ? ' The Prince answered at once , ' I have heard so much of your beauty and kindness , that I would very much like to enter your service . ' ` Very well , ' said the Mother Dragon ; ` but if you wish to enter my service , you must first lead my mare out to the meadow and look after her for three days ; but if you do n't bring her home safely every evening , we will eat you up . ' The Prince undertook the task and led the mare out to the meadow . But no sooner had they reached the grass than she vanished . The Prince sought for her in vain , and at last in despair sat down on a big stone and contemplated his sad fate . As he sat thus lost in thought , he noticed an eagle flying over his head . Then he suddenly bethought him of his little bell , and taking it out of his pocket he rang it once . In a moment he heard a rustling sound in the air beside him , and the King of the Eagles sank at his feet . ' I know what you want of me , ' the bird said . ` You are looking for the Mother Dragon 's mare who is galloping about among the clouds . I will summon all the eagles of the air together , and order them to catch the mare and bring her to you . ' And with these words the King of the Eagles flew away . Towards evening the Prince heard a mighty rushing sound in the air , and when he looked up he saw thousands of eagles driving the mare before them . They sank at his feet on to the ground and gave the mare over to him .
Then the Prince rode home to the old Mother Dragon , who was full XXXXX wonder when she saw him , and said , ` You have succeeded to-day in looking after my mare , and as a reward you shall come to my ball to-night . '
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