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 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 XXXXX believe the two brothers , who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more nor less than a wicked magician .
Before although as beyond if into that till to with