The King consented , and as soon as evening drew on Szabo climbed up on to one of the trees , determined to protect the fruit even if it cost him his life . So he kept watch half the night ; but a little after midnight he was overcome by an irresistible drowsiness , and fell fast asleep . He did not awake till it was bright daylight , and all the fruit on the trees had vanished . The following year Warza , the second brother , tried his luck , but with the same result . Then it came to the turn of the third and youngest son . Iwanich was not the least discouraged by the failure of his elder brothers , though they were both much older and stronger than he was , and when night came climbed up the tree as they had done , The moon had risen , and with her soft light lit up the whole neighbourhood , so that the observant Prince could distinguish the smallest object distinctly . At midnight a gentle west wind shook the tree , and at the same moment a snow-white swan-like bird sank down gently on his breast . The Prince hastily seized the bird 's wings in his hands , when , lo ! to his astonishment he found he was holding in his arms not a bird but the most beautiful girl he had ever seen . ` You need not fear Militza , ' said the beautiful girl , looking at the Prince with friendly eyes . ` An evil magician has not robbed you of your fruit , but he stole the seed from my mother , and thereby caused her death . When she was dying she bade me take the fruit , which you have no right to possess , from the trees every year as soon as it was ripe . This I would have done to-night too , if you had not seized me with such force , and so broken the spell I was under . ' Iwanich , who had been prepared to meet a terrible magician and not a lovely girl , fell desperately in love with her . They spent the rest of the night in pleasant conversation , and when Militza wished to go away he begged her not to leave him . ' I would gladly stay with you longer , ' said Militza , ` but a wicked witch once cut off a lock of my hair when I was asleep , which has put me in her power , and if morning were still to find me here she would do me some harm , and you , too , perhaps . ' Having said these words , she drew a sparkling diamond ring from her finger , which she handed to the Prince , saying : ` Keep this ring in memory of Militza , and think of her sometimes if you never see her again . But if your love is really true , come and find me in my own kingdom . I may not show you the way there , but this ring will guide you . ` If you have love and courage enough to undertake this journey , whenever you come to a cross-road always look at this diamond before you settle which way you are going to take .
If it sparkles as brightly as ever go straight on , but XXXXX its lustre is dimmed choose another path . '
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