In fact there was not the smallest event going on over the earth that was hidden from him . Next the third Simon began . He stretched out his arms , once , twice , thrice , and the wonder-ship was ready . At a sign from the king it was launched , and floated proudly and safely like a bird on the waves . Instead of ropes it had wires for rigging , and musicians played on them with fiddle bows and made lovely music . As the ship swam about , the fourth Simon seized the prow with his strong hand , and in a moment it was gone -- sunk to the bottom of the sea . An hour passed , and then the ship floated again , drawn up by Simon 's left hand , while in his right he brought a gigantic fish from the depth of the ocean for the royal table . Whilst this was going on the fifth Simon had built his forge and hammered out his iron , and when the king returned from the harbour the magic cross-bow was made . His Majesty went out into an open field at once , looked up into the sky and saw , far , far away , an eagle flying up towards the sun and looking like a little speck . ` Now , ' said the king , ` if you can shoot that bird I will reward you . ' Simon only smiled ; he lifted his cross-bow , took aim , fired , and the eagle fell . As it was falling the sixth Simon ran with a dish , caught the bird before it fell to earth and brought it to the king . ` Many thanks , my brave lads , ' said the king ; ' I see that each of you is indeed a master of his trade . You shall be richly rewarded . But now rest and have your dinner . ' The six Simons bowed and went to dinner . But they had hardly begun before a messenger came to say that the king wanted to see them . They obeyed at once and found him surrounded by all his court and men of state . ` Listen , my good fellows , ' cried the king , as soon as he saw them . ` Hear what my wise counsellors have thought of .
XXXXX you , Simon the second , can see the whole world from the top of the great pillar , I want you to climb up and to see and hear .
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