But was anybody ever so old as she ! I do not know why Petru devoured her so with his eyes , unless it was to count the wrinkles on her face ; but if so he would have had to live seven lives , and each life seven times the length of an ordinary one , before he could have reckoned them up . But Venus was joyful in her heart when she saw Petru 's eyes fixed upon her . ` Nothing was that is , and the world was not a world when I was born , ' said she . ` When I grew up and the world came into being , everyone thought I was the most beautiful girl that ever was seen , though many hated me for it . But every hundred years there came a wrinkle on my face . And now I am old . ' Then she went on to tell Petru that she was the daughter of an emperor , and their nearest neighbour was the Fairy of the Dawn , with whom she had a violent quarrel , and with that she broke out into loud abuse of her . Petru did not know what to do . He listened in silence for the most part , but now and then he would say , ` Yes , yes , you must have been badly treated , ' just for politeness ' sake ; what more could he do ? ' I will give you a task to perform , for you are brave , and will carry it through , ' continued Venus , when she had talked a long time , and both of them were getting sleepy . ` Close to the Fairy 's house is a well , and whoever drinks from it will blossom again like a rose . Bring me a flagon of it , and I will do anything to prove my gratitude . It is not easy ! no one knows that better than I do ! The kingdom is guarded on every side by wild beasts and horrible dragons ; but I will tell you more about that , and I also have something to give you . ' Then she rose and lifted the lid of an iron-bound chest , and took out of it a very tiny flute . ` Do you see this ? ' she asked . ` An old man gave it to me when I was young : whoever listens to this flute goes to sleep , and nothing can wake him .
Take it and play XXXXX it as long as you remain in the kingdom of the Fairy of the Dawn , and you will be safe .
about as before for from into on though through to