With steadfast face the boy walked by them all , to the corner , where , hemmed in by a hand of fierce crows , was the small white bird he sought . Putting her safely in his breast , he passed out , followed by the screams of the birds of Bad Faith which he left behind him . Once outside , he ran without stopping to the witch 's tower , and handed to the old woman the jar she had given him . ` Become a parrot ! ' cried she , flinging the water over him . But instead of losing his shape , as so many had done before , he only grew ten times handsomer ; for the water was enchanted for good and not ill . Then the creeping multitude around the witch hastened to roll themselves in the water , and stood up , human beings again . When the witch saw what was happening , she took a broomstick and flew away . Who can guess the delight of the sister at the sight of her brother , bearing the Bird of Truth ? But although the boy had accomplished much , something very difficult yet remained , and that was how to carry the Bird of Truth to the king without her being seized by the wicked courtiers , who would be ruined by the discovery of their plot . Soon -- no one knew how -- the news spread abroad that the Bird of Truth was hovering round the palace , and the courtiers made all sorts of preparations to hinder her reaching the king . They got ready weapons that were sharpened , and weapons that were poisoned ; they sent for eagles and falcons to hunt her down , and constructed cages and boxes in which to shut her up if they were not able to kill her . They declared that her white plumage was really put on to hide her black feathers -- in fact there was nothing they did not do in order to prevent the king from seeing the bird or from paying attention to her words if he did . As often happens in these cases , the courtiers brought about that which they feared . They talked so much about the Bird of Truth that at last the king heard of it , and expressed a wish to see her . The more difficulties that were put in his way the stronger grew his desire , and in the end the king published a proclamation that whoever found the Bird of Truth should bring her to him without delay . As soon as he saw this proclamation the boy called his sister , and they hastened to the palace . The bird was buttoned inside his tunic , but , as might have been expected , the courtiers barred the way , and told the child that he could not enter . It was in vain that the boy declared that he was only obeying the king 's commands ; the courtiers only replied that his majesty was not yet out of bed , and it was forbidden to wake him . They were still talking , when , suddenly , the bird settled the question by flying upwards through an open window into the king 's own room .
Alighting on the pillow , close to the king 's head , she bowed respectfully , and said : ` My lord , I am the Bird of Truth whom you wished to see , and I have been obliged XXXXX approach you in the manner because the boy who brought me is kept out of the palace by your courtiers . '
With around as at behind by for if to without