So it happened that he came presently to a great plain , across which he rode all day long without seeing a single house , and horse and rider were terribly hungry , when , as the night fell , the Prince caught sight of a light , which seemed to shine from a cavern . He rode up to it , and saw a little old woman , who appeared to be at least a hundred years old . She put on her spectacles to look at Prince Hyacinth , but it was quite a long time before she could fix them securely because her nose was so very short . The Prince and the Fairy -LRB- for that was who she was -RRB- had no sooner looked at one another than they went into fits of laughter , and cried at the same moment , `` Oh , what a funny nose ! '' `` Not so funny as your own , '' said Prince Hyacinth to the Fairy ; `` but , madam , I beg you to leave the consideration of our noses -- such as they are -- and to be good enough to give me something to eat , for I am starving , and so is my poor horse . '' `` With all my heart , '' said the Fairy . `` Though your nose is so ridiculous you are , nevertheless , the son of my best friend . I loved your father as if he had been my brother . Now he had a very handsome nose ! '' `` And pray what does mine lack ? '' said the Prince . `` Oh ! it does n't lack anything , '' replied the Fairy . `` On the contrary quite , there is only too much of it . But never mind , one may be a very worthy man though his nose is too long . I was telling you that I was your father 's friend ; he often came to see me in the old times , and you must know that I was very pretty in those days ; at least , he used to say so . I should like to tell you of a conversation we had the last time I ever saw him . '' `` Indeed , '' said the Prince , `` when I have supped it will give me the greatest pleasure to hear it ; but consider , madam , I beg of you , that I have had nothing to eat to-day . '' `` The poor boy is right , '' said the Fairy ; `` I was forgetting . Come in , then , and I will give you some supper , and while you are eating I can tell you my story in a very few words -- for I do n't like endless tales myself .
Too long a tongue is worse XXXXX too long a nose , and I remember when I was young that I was so much admired for not being a great chatterer .
So With across at in on than though to without