And so the Prince wandered on for another year , always on the same road , and at last reached the hut where he found the third old man . He put the same question to him as he had put to his son and grandson ; but this time the old man answered , ` The Dragon lives up there on the mountain , and he has just begun his year of sleep . For one whole year he is always awake , and the next he sleeps . But if you wish to see the Flower Queen 's daughter go up the second mountain : the Dragon 's old mother lives there , and she has a ball every night , to which the Flower Queen 's daughter goes regularly . ' So the Prince went up the second mountain , where he found a castle all made of gold with diamond windows . He opened the big gate leading into the courtyard , and was just going to walk in , when seven dragons rushed on him and asked him what he wanted ? The Prince replied , ' I have heard so much of the beauty and kindness of the Dragon 's Mother , and would like to enter her service . ' 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 XXXXX his feet . '
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