Rubezahl would not be the tool of an unjust man , and so he told his master , who thereupon ordered him to be thrown in prison . Of course that did not trouble the gnome at all , he simply got out through the keyhole , and went away down to his underground palace , very much disappointed by his first experience of mankind . But , as time went on , he forgot the disagreeable things that had happened to him , and thought he would take another look at the upper world . So he stole into the valley , keeping himself carefully hidden in copse or hedgerow , and very soon met with an adventure ; for , peeping through a screen of leaves , he saw before him a green lawn where stood a charming maiden , fresh as the spring , and beautiful to look upon . Around her upon the grass lay her young companions , as if they had thrown themselves down to rest after some merry game . Beyond them flowed a little brook , into which a waterfall leapt from a high rock , filling the air with its pleasant sound , and making a coolness even in the sultry noontide . The sight of the maiden so pleased the gnome that , for the first time , he wished himself a mortal ; and , longing for a better view of the gay company , he changed himself into a raven and perched upon an oaktree which overhung the brook . But he soon found that this was not at all a good plan . He could only see with a raven 's eyes , and feel as a raven feels ; and a nest of field-mice at the foot of the tree interested him far more than the sport of the maidens . When he understood this he flew down again in a great hurry into the thicket , and took the form of a handsome young man -- that was the best way -- and he fell in love with the girl then and there . The fair maiden was the daughter of the king of the country , and she often wandered in the forest with her play fellows gathering the wild flowers and fruits , till the midday heat drove the merry band to the shady lawn by the brook to rest , or to bathe in the cool waters . On this particular morning the fancy took them to wander off again into the wood . This was Master Rubezahl 's opportunity . Stepping out of his hiding-place he stood in the midst of the little lawn , weaving his magic spells , till slowly all about him changed , and when the maidens returned at noon to their favourite resting-place they stood lost in amazement , and almost fancied that they must be dreaming . The red rocks had become white marble and alabaster ; the stream that murmured and struggled before in its rocky bed , flowed in silence now in its smooth channel , from which a clear fountain leapt , to fall again in showers of diamond drops , now on this side now on that , as the wandering breeze scattered it . Daisies and forget-me-nots fringed its brink , while tall hedges of roses and jasmine ringed it round , making the sweetest and daintiest bower imaginable . To the right and left of the waterfall opened out a wonderful grotto , its walls and arches glittering with many-coloured rock-crystals , while in every niche were spread out strange fruits and sweetmeats , the very sight of which made the princess long to taste them . She hesitated a while , however , scarcely able to believe her eyes , and not knowing if she should enter the enchanted spot or fly from it . But at length curiosity prevailed , and she and her companions explored to their heart 's content , and tasted and examined everything , running hither and thither in high glee , and calling merrily to each other . At last , when they were quite weary , the princess cried out suddenly that nothing would content her but to bathe in the marble pool , which certainly did look very inviting ; and they all went gaily to this new amusement .
The princess was ready first , but scarcely had she slipped over the rim of the pool when down -- down -- down she sank , and vanished XXXXX its depths before her frightened playmates could seize her by so much as a lock of her floating golden hair !
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