` Cross ! cross ! ' answered a voice . The boy leapt for joy as he recognised the note of the owl of which the swallow had spoken , and he said softly in the bird 's language : ` Oh , wise owl , I pray you to protect and guide me , for I have come in search of the Bird of Truth . And first I must fill this far with the many-coloured water in the courtyard of the castle . ' ` Do not do that , ' answered the owl , ` but fill the jar from the spring which bubbles close by the fountain with the many-coloured water . Afterwards , go into the aviary opposite the great door , but be careful not to touch any of the bright-plumaged birds contained in it , which will cry to you , each one , that he is the Bird of Truth . Choose only a small white bird that is hidden in a corner , which the others try incessantly to kill , not knowing that it can not die . And , be quick ! -- for at this very moment the giant has fallen asleep , and you have only a quarter of an hour to do everything . ' The boy ran as fast as he could and entered the courtyard , where he saw the two spring close together . He passed by the many-coloured water without casting a glance at it , and filled the jar from the fountain whose water was clear and pure . He next hastened to the aviary , and was almost deafened by the clamour that rose as he shut the door behind him . Voices of peacocks , voices of ravens , voices of magpies , each claiming to be the Bird of Truth . With steadfast face the boy walked by them all , to the corner , where , hemmed in by a hand of fierce crows , was the small white bird he sought . Putting her safely in his breast , he passed out , followed by the screams of the birds of Bad Faith which he left behind him . Once outside , he ran without stopping to the witch 's tower , and handed to the old woman the jar she had given him . ` Become a parrot ! ' cried she , flinging the water over him . But instead of losing his shape , as so many had done before , he only grew ten times handsomer ; for the water was enchanted for good and not ill .
Then the creeping multitude around the witch hastened to roll themselves XXXXX the water , and stood up , human beings again .
With as at by for from in into of over