But the turtle , who had talked so much of him to the princess that she had expressed a wish to see him , went at once to make known his arrival . And directly the princess beheld him her heart was set on him , and she begged him to stay with her , and in return promised that he should never grow old , neither should his beauty fade . ` Is not that reward enough ? ' she asked , smiling , looking all the while as fair as the sun itself . And Uraschimataro said ` Yes , ' and so he stayed there . For how long ? That he only knew later . His life passed by , and each hour seemed happier than the last , when one day there rushed over him a terrible longing to see his parents . He fought against it hard , knowing how it would grieve the princess , but it grew on him stronger and stronger , till at length he became so sad that the princess inquired what was wrong . Then he told her of the longing he had to visit his old home , and that he must see his parents once more . The princess was almost frozen with horror , and implored him to stay with her , or something dreadful would be sure to happen . ` You will never come back , and we shall meet again no more , ' she moaned bitterly . But Uraschimataro stood firm and repeated , ` Only this once will I leave you , and then will I return to your side for ever . ' Sadly the princess shook her head , but she answered slowly , ` One way there is to bring you safely back , but I fear you will never agree to the conditions of the bargain . ' ' I will do anything that will bring me back to you , ' exclaimed Uraschimataro , looking at her tenderly , but the princess was silent : she knew too well that when he left her she would see his face no more . Then she took from a shelf a tiny golden box , and gave it to Uraschimataro , praying him to keep it carefully , and above all things never to open it . ` If you can do this , ' she said as she bade him farewell , ` your friend the turtle will meet you at the shore , and will carry you back to me . ' Uraschimataro thanked her from his heart , and swore solemnly to do her bidding . He hid the box safely in his garments , seated himself on the back of the turtle , and vanished in the ocean path , waving his hand to the princess . Three days and three nights they swam through the sea , and at length Uraschimataro arrived at the beach which lay before his old home .
The turtle bade him farewell , and was gone XXXXX a moment .
If against by for from in on than that through