This made the young men start afresh on the search , but they were no more successful than before , and returned sorrowfully to their homes . Now there dwelt , not far from the palace , an old man who had three sons . The two eldest were allowed by their parents to do just as they liked , but the youngest was always obliged to give way to his brothers . When they were all grown up , the eldest told his father that he was tired of leading such a quiet life , and that he meant to go away and see the world . The old people were very unhappy at the thought that they must part with him , but they said nothing , and began to collect all that he would want for his travels , and were careful to add a pair of new boots . When everything was ready , he bade them farewell , and started merrily on his way . For some miles his road lay through a wood , and when he left it he suddenly came out on a bare hillside . Here he sat down to rest , and pulling out his wallet prepared to eat his dinner . He had only eaten a few mouthfuls when an old man badly dressed passed by , and seeing the food , asked if the young man could not spare him a little . ` Not I , indeed ! ' answered he ; ` why I have scarcely enough for myself . If you want food you must earn it . ' And the beggar went on . After the young man had finished his dinner he rose and walked on for several hours , till he reached a second hill , where he threw himself down on the grass , and took some bread and milk from his wallet . While he was eating and drinking , there came by an old man , yet more wretched than the first , and begged for a few mouthfuls . But instead of food he only got hard words , and limped sadly away . Towards evening the young man reached an open space in the wood , and by this time he thought he would like some supper . The birds saw the food , and flew round his head in numbers hoping for some crumbs , but he threw stones at them , and frightened them off . Then he began to wonder where he should sleep . Not in the open space he was in , for that was bare and cold , and though he had walked a long way that day , and was tired , he dragged himself up , and went on seeking for a shelter .
At length he saw a deep sort of hole or cave under a great rock , and as it seemed quite empty , he went XXXXX , and lay down in a corner .
Towards as at for in of than though through with