The blind king was greatly rejoiced at his son 's resolve , fitted him out in the best way he could , and let him go . When the prince had ridden some distance he came to an inn , in which there were many guests , all of whom were merry , and drank and sang and played at dice . This joyous life pleased the prince so well that he stayed in the inn , took part in the playing and drinking , and forgot both his blind father and the bird Grip . Meanwhile the king waited with both hope and anxiety for his son 's return , but as time went on and nothing was heard of him , the second prince asked leave to go in search of his brother , as well as to bring the bird Grip . The king granted his request , and fitted him out in the finest fashion . But when the prince came to the inn and found his brother among his merry companions , he also remained there and forgot both the bird Grip and his blind father . When the king noticed that neither of his sons returned , although a long time had passed since the second one set out , he was greatly distressed , for not only had he lost all hope of getting back his sight , but he had also lost his two eldest sons . The youngest now came to him , and offered to go in search of his brothers and to bring the bird Grip ; he was quite certain that he would succeed in this . The king was unwilling to risk his third son on such an errand , but he begged so long that his father had at last to consent . This prince also was fitted out in the finest manner , like his brothers , and so rode away . He also turned into the same inn as his brothers , and when these saw him they assailed him with many entreaties to remain with them and share their merry life . But he answered that now , when he had found them , his next task was to get the bird Grip , for which his blind father was longing , and so he had not a single hour to spare with them in the inn . He then said farewell to his brothers , and rode on to find another inn in which to pass the night . When he had ridden a long way , and it began to grow dark , he came to a house which lay deep in the forest . Here he was received in a very friendly manner by the host , who put his horse into the stable , and led the prince himself into the guest-chamber , where he ordered a maid-servant to lay the cloth and set down the supper . It was now dark , and while the girl was laying the cloth and setting down the dishes , and the prince had begun to appease his hunger , he heard the most piteous shrieks and cries from the next room . He sprang up from the table and asked the girl what those cries were , and whether he had fallen into a den of robbers . The girl answered that these shrieks were heard every night , but it was no living being who uttered them ; it was a dead man , who life the host had taken because he could not pay for the meals he had had in the inn . The host further refused to bury the dead man , as he had left nothing to pay the expenses of the funeral , and every night he went and scourged the dead body of his victim . When she had said this she lifted the cover off one of the dishes , and the prince saw that there lay on it a knife and an axe .
He understood then that the host meant to ask him by this what kind of death he preferred to die , unless he was willing XXXXX ransom his life with his money .
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