Meanwhile the swallows had spoken again . ` That was indeed good fortune ! ' cried they . ` And when the children are grown up they can return to their father and set their mother free . ' ` It will not be so easy as you think , ' answered the city swallow , shaking her head ; ` for they will have to prove that they are the king 's children , and also that their mother never went mad at all . In fact , it is so difficult that there is only one way of proving it to the king . ' ` And what is that ? ' cried all the swallows at once . ` And how do you know it ? ' ' I know it , ' answered the city swallow , ` because , one day , when I was passing through the palace garden , I met a cuckoo , who , as I need not tell you , always pretends to be able to see into the future . We began to talk about certain things which were happening in the palace , and of the events of past years . `` Ah , '' said he , `` the only person who can expose the wickedness of the ministers and show the king how wrong he has been , is the Bird of Truth , who can speak the language of men . '' ' `` And where can this bird be found ? '' I asked . ' `` It is shut up in a castle guarded by a fierce giant , who only sleeps one quarter of an hour out of the whole twenty-four , '' replied the cuckoo . ` And where is this castle ? ' inquired the country swallow , who , like all the rest , and the children most of all , had been listening with deep attention . ` That is just what I do n't know , ' answered her friend . ` All I can tell you is that not far from here is a tower , where dwells an old witch , and it is she who knows the way , and she will only teach it to the person who promises to bring her the water from the fountain of many colours , which she uses for her enchantments . But never will she betray the place where the Bird of Truth is hidden , for she hates him , and would kill him if she could ; knowing well , however , that this bird can not die , as he is immortal , she keeps him closely shut up , and guarded night and day by the Birds of Bad Faith , who seek to gag him so that his voice should not be heard . '
` And is there no one else who can tell the poor boy where XXXXX find the bird , if he should ever manage to reach the tower ? '
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