cried all the swallows at once . ` And how do you know it ? ' ' I know it , ' answered the city swallow , ` because , one day , when I was passing through the palace garden , I met a cuckoo , who , as I need not tell you , always pretends to be able to see into the future . We began to talk about certain things which were happening in the palace , and of the events of past years . `` Ah , '' said he , `` the only person who can expose the wickedness of the ministers and show the king how wrong he has been , is the Bird of Truth , who can speak the language of men . '' ' `` And where can this bird be found ? '' I asked . ' `` It is shut up in a castle guarded by a fierce giant , who only sleeps one quarter of an hour out of the whole twenty-four , '' replied the cuckoo . ` And where is this castle ? ' inquired the country swallow , who , like all the rest , and the children most of all , had been listening with deep attention . ` That is just what I do n't know , ' answered her friend . ` All I can tell you is that not far from here is a tower , where dwells an old witch , and it is she who knows the way , and she will only teach it to the person who promises to bring her the water from the fountain of many colours , which she uses for her enchantments . But never will she betray the place where the Bird of Truth is hidden , for she hates him , and would kill him if she could ; knowing well , however , that this bird can not die , as he is immortal , she keeps him closely shut up , and guarded night and day by the Birds of Bad Faith , who seek to gag him so that his voice should not be heard . ' ` And is there no one else who can tell the poor boy where to find the bird , if he should ever manage to reach the tower ? ' asked the country swallow . ` No one , ' replied the city swallow , ` except an owl , who lives a hermit 's life in that desert , and he knows only one word of man 's speech , and that is `` cross . '' So that even if the prince did succeed in getting there , he could never understand what the owl said . But , look , the sun is sinking to his nest in the depths of the sea , and I must go to mine . Good-night , friends , good-night ! ' Then the swallow flew away , and the children , who had forgotten both hunger and weariness in the joy of this strange news , rose up and followed in the direction of her flight .
After two hours ' walking , they arrived XXXXX a large city , which they felt sure must be the capital of their father 's kingdom .
So as at by except if in that to with