Before he went to bed , the eldest made a cake of magic herbs , which she gave him to eat . In the night he dreamed that he was living in the forest and could understand all that the birds said to each other . Next morning he told this to the maidens , and they said that the charmed cake had caused it , and advised him to listen well to the birds , and see what they could tell him , and when he had recovered his bride they begged him to return and deliver them from their wretched bondage . Having promised this , he joyfully returned home , and as he was riding through the forest he could perfectly understand all that the birds said . He heard a thrush say to a magpie : `` How stupid men are ! they can not understand the simplest thing . It is now quite a year since the maiden was transformed into a water-lily , and , though she sings so sadly that anyone going over the bridge must hear her , yet no one comes to her aid . Her former bridegroom rode over it a few days ago and heard her singing , but was no wiser than the rest . '' `` And he is to blame for all her misfortunes , '' added the magpie . `` If he heeds only the words of men she will remain a flower for ever . She were soon delivered were the matter only laid before the old wizard of Finland . '' After hearing this , the Prince wondered how he could get a message conveyed to Finland . He heard one swallow say to another : `` Come , let us fly to Finland ; we can build better nests there . '' `` Stop , kind friends ! '' cried the Prince . `` Will you do something for me ? '' The birds consented , and he said : `` Take a thousand greetings from me to the wizard of Finland , and ask him how I may restore a maiden transformed into a flower to her own form . '' The swallows flew away , and the Prince rode on to the bridge . There he waited , hoping to hear the song . But he heard nothing but the rushing of the water and the moaning of the wind , and , disappointed , rode home .
Shortly after , he was sitting XXXXX the garden , thinking that the swallows must have forgotten his message , when he saw an eagle flying above him .
After before for from in over since that through to