They were so near that he could almost seize their tails , yet each time he felt sure he could catch them his fingers closed on the empty air . At length he could run no more , and stopped to breathe , while the cock and hen went on as before . Then he remembered the cows , and , somewhat frightened , turned back to seek them . Luckily they had not strayed far , and were quietly feeding on the thick green grass . Ardan son of Gorla was sitting under a tree , when he beheld a staff of gold and a staff of silver doubling themselves in strange ways on the meadow in front of him , and starting up he hastened towards them . He followed them till he was tired , but he could not catch them , though they seemed ever within his reach . When at last he gave up the quest his knees trembled beneath him for very weariness , and glad was he to see a tree growing close by lade with fruits of different sorts , of which he ate greedily . The sun was by now low in the heavens , and the cows left off feeding , and turned their faces home again , followed by Ardan son of Gorla . At the door of their stable the maiden stood awaiting them , and saying nought to their herd , she sat down and began to milk . But it was not milk that flowed into her pail ; instead it was filled with a thin stream of water , and as she rose up from the last cow the old man appeared outside . ` Faithless one , you have betrayed your trust ! ' he said to Ardan son of Gorla . ` Not even for one day could you keep true ! Well , you shall have your reward at once , that others may take warning from you . ' And waving his wand he touched with it the chest of the youth , who became a pillar of stone . Now Gorla of the Flocks and his wife were full of grief that they had lost a son as well as a daughter , for no tidings had come to them of Ardan their eldest born . At length , when two years and two days had passed since the maiden had led her kids to feed on the mountain and had been seen no more , Ruais , second son of Gorla , rose up one morning , and said : ` Time is long without my sister and Ardan my brother . So I have vowed to seek them wherever they may be . ' And his father answered : ` Better it had been if you had first asked my consent and that of your mother ; but as you have vowed so must you do . ' Then he bade his wife make a cake , but instead she made two , and offered Ruais his choice , as she had done to Ardan .
Like Ardan , Ruais chose the large , unblessed cake , and set forth on his way , doing always , though he knew it not , that which Ardan had done ; so , needless is it XXXXX tell what befell him till he too stood , a pillar of stone , on the hill behind the cottage , so that all men might see the fate that awaited those who broke their faith .
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