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 that the mouse would be as good as its word , lay down comforted on the soft grass and slept soundly till next morning . The day passed slowly , and with the evening came the little mouse and said , ` Now there is not a single stalk of corn left in any field ; they are all collected in one big heap on the hill out there . ' Then Ferko went joyfully to the King and told him that all he demanded had been done . And the whole Court went out to see the wonder , and were no less astonished than they had been the first time . For in a heap higher than the King 's palace lay all the grain of the country , and not a single stalk of corn had been left behind in any of the fields . And how had all this been done ? The little mouse had summoned every other mouse in the land to its help , and together they had collected all the grain in the kingdom . The King could not hide his amazement , but at the same time his wrath increased , and he was more ready than ever to believe the two brothers , who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more nor less than a wicked magician . Only the beautiful Princess rejoiced over Ferko 's success , and looked on him with friendly glances , which the youth returned . The more the cruel King gazed on the wonder before him , the more angry he became , for he could not , in the face of his promise , put the stranger to death . He turned once more to the two brothers and said , ` His diabolical magic has helped him again , but now what third task shall we set him to do ? No matter how impossible it is , he must do it or die . ' The eldest answered quickly , ` Let him drive all the wolves of the kingdom on to this hill before to-morrow night . If he does this he may go free ; if not he shall be hung as you have said . '
At these words the Princess burst into tears , and when the King saw this he ordered her to be shut up XXXXX a high tower and carefully guarded till the dangerous magician should either have left the kingdom or been hung on the nearest tree .
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