Petru next went to Costan , but did not succeed any better with him . ` Well , well , as everyone else is afraid , I suppose I must do it myself , ' observed Petru at length . No sooner said than done ; the boy went straight to his father and put his question . ` May you go blind ! ' exclaimed the emperor in wrath ; ` what business is it of yours ? ' and boxed Petru 's ears soundly . Petru returned to his brothers , and told them what had befallen him ; but not long after it struck him that his father 's left eye seemed to weep less , and the right to laugh more . ' I wonder if it has anything to do with my question , ' thought he . ` I 'll try again ! After all , what do two boxes on the ear matter ? ' So he put his question for the second time , and had the same answer ; but the left eye only wept now and then , while the right eye looked ten years younger . ` It really MUST be true , ' thought Petru . ` Now I know what I have to do . I shall have to go on putting that question , and getting boxes on the ear , till both eyes laugh together . ' No sooner said than done . Petru never , never forswore himself . ` Petru , my dear boy , ' cried the emperor , both his eyes laughing together , ' I see you have got this on the brain . Well , I will let you into the secret . My right eye laughs when I look at my three sons , and see how strong and handsome you all are , and the other eye weeps because I fear that after I die you will not be able to keep the empire together , and to protect it from its enemies . But if you can bring me water from the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn , to bathe my eyes , then they will laugh for evermore ; for I shall know that my sons are brave enough to overcome any foe . '
Thus spoke the emperor , and Petru picked up his hat and went XXXXX find his brothers .
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