I wonder you are not tired of living by yourself in this lonely place . ' ` There is no reason you should wonder ! Do n't you know that there was never a bear yet who danced of his own free will ? ' ` Yes , that is true , ' replied the boy . ` But why is it you are always so sad ? Tell me your history , father . ' ` What is the use of my telling you things that would only make you sad too ? ' ` Oh , never mind that ! I should like to hear . Are you not my father , and am I not your son ? ' ` Well , if you really want to know my story , this is it : As I told you , my name is Mogarzea , and my father is an emperor . I was on my way to the Sweet Milk Lake , which lies not far from here , to marry one of the three fairies who have made the lake their home . But on the road three wicked elves fell on me , and robbed me of my soul , so that ever since I have stayed in this spot watching my sheep without wishing for anything different , without having felt one moment 's joy , or ever once being able to laugh . And the horrible elves are so ill-natured that if anyone sets one foot on their land he is instantly punished . That is why I warn you to be careful , lest you should share my fate . ' ` All right , I will take great care . Do let me go , father , ' said the boy , as they stretched themselves out to sleep . At sunrise the boy got up and led his sheep out to feed , and for some reason he did not feel tempted to cross into the grassy meadows belonging to the elves , but let his flock pick up what pasture they could on Mogarzea 's dry ground . On the third day he was sitting under the shadow of a tree , playing on his flute -- and there was nobody in the world who could play a flute better -- when one of his sheep strayed across the fence into the flowery fields of the elves , and another and another followed it . But the boy was so absorbed in his flute that he noticed nothing till half the flock were on the other side .
He jumped up , still playing on his flute , and went after the sheep , meaning to drive them back XXXXX their own side of the border , when suddenly he saw before him three beautiful maidens who stopped in front of him , and began to dance .
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