Petru returned to his brothers , and told them what had befallen him ; but not long after it struck him that his father 's left eye seemed to weep less , and the right to laugh more . ' I wonder if it has anything to do with my question , ' thought he . ` I 'll try again ! After all , what do two boxes on the ear matter ? ' So he put his question for the second time , and had the same answer ; but the left eye only wept now and then , while the right eye looked ten years younger . ` It really MUST be true , ' thought Petru . ` Now I know what I have to do . I shall have to go on putting that question , and getting boxes on the ear , till both eyes laugh together . ' No sooner said than done . Petru never , never forswore himself . ` Petru , my dear boy , ' cried the emperor , both his eyes laughing together , ' I see you have got this on the brain . Well , I will let you into the secret . My right eye laughs when I look at my three sons , and see how strong and handsome you all are , and the other eye weeps because I fear that after I die you will not be able to keep the empire together , and to protect it from its enemies . But if you can bring me water from the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn , to bathe my eyes , then they will laugh for evermore ; for I shall know that my sons are brave enough to overcome any foe . ' Thus spoke the emperor , and Petru picked up his hat and went to find his brothers . The three young men took counsel together , and talked the subject well over , as brothers should do . And the end of it was that Florea , as the eldest , went to the stables , chose the best and handsomest horse they contained , saddled him , and took leave of the court . ' I am starting at once , ' said he to his brothers , ` and if after a year , a month , a week , and a day I have not returned with the water from the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn , you , Costan , had better come after me . ' So saying he disappeared round a corner of the palace . For three days and three nights he never drew rein .
Like a spirit the horse flew over mountains and valleys till he came to the borders XXXXX the empire .
So after as at from if of that to with