I may not let you out , ' replied the boy , ` for if I do my stepfather says that I shall have to die a horrible death when he returns from the war . My arrow can be of no use to you , so give it to me . ' The man handed the arrow through the bars , but when he had done so he begged harder than ever that the prince would open the door and set him free . Indeed , he prayed so earnestly that the prince 's heart was touched , for he was a tender-hearted boy who pitied the sorrows of other people . So he shot back the bolt , and the gold-bearded man stepped out into the world . ' I will repay you a thousand fold for that good deed . ' said the man , and then he vanished . The prince began to think what he should say to the king when he came back ; then he wondered whether it would be wise to wait for his stepfather 's return and run the risk of the dreadful death which had been promised him . ` No , ' he said to himself , ' I am afraid to stay . Perhaps the world will be kinder to me than he has been . ' Unseen he stole out when twilight fell , and for many days he wandered over mountains and through forests and valleys without knowing where he was going or what he should do . He had only the berries for food , when , one morning , he saw a wood-pigeon sitting on a bough . In an instant he had fitted an arrow to his bow , and was taking aim at the bird , thinking what a good meal he would make off him , when his weapon fell to the ground at the sound of the pigeon 's voice : ` Do not shoot , I implore you , noble prince ! I have two little sons at home , and they will die of hunger if I am not there to bring them food . ' And the young prince had pity , and unstrung his bow . ` Oh , prince , I will repay your deed of mercy , said the grateful wood-pigeon . ` Poor thing ! how can you repay me ? ' asked the prince . ` You have forgotten , ' answered the wood-pigeon , ` the proverb that runs , `` mountain and mountain can never meet , but one living creature can always come across another . '' '
The boy laughed XXXXX this speech and went his way .
So across at into of on than that through to