Earth and water , trees and plants , birds and beasts , each was different from those he had seen before ; but what most struck terror into his heart was the absolute stillness that reigned everywhere . Not a rustle or a sound could be heard . Here and there he noticed a bird sitting on a branch , with head erect and swelling throat , but his ear caught nothing . The dogs opened their mouths as if to bark , the toiling oxen seemed about to bellow , but neither bark nor bellow reached the prince . The water flowed noiselessly over the pebbles , the wind bowed the tops of the trees , flies and chafers darted about , without breaking the silence . The old greybeard uttered no word , and when his companion tried to ask him the meaning of it all he felt that his voice died in his throat . How long this fearful stillness lasted I do not know , but the prince gradually felt his heart turning to ice , his hair stood up like bristles , and a cold chill was creeping down his spine , when at last -- oh , ecstasy ! -- a faint noise broke on his straining ears , and this life of shadows suddenly became real . It sounded as if a troop of horses were ploughing their way over a moor . Then the greybeard opened his mouth , and said : ` The kettle is boiling ; we are expected at home . ' They walked on a little further , till the prince thought he heard the grinding of a saw-mill , as if dozens of saws were working together , but his guide observed , ` The grandmother is sleeping soundly ; listen how she snores . ' When they had climbed a hill which lay before them the prince saw in the distance the house of his master , but it was so surrounded with buildings of all kinds that the place looked more like a village or even a small town . They reached it at last , and found an empty kennel standing in front of the gate . ` Creep inside this , ' said the master , ` and wait while I go in and see my grandmother . Like all very old people , she is very obstinate , and can not bear fresh faces about her . ' The prince crept tremblingly into the kennel , and began to regret the daring which had brought him into this scrape . By-and-by the master came back , and called him from his hiding-place . Something had put out his temper , for with a frown he said , ` Watch carefully our ways in the house , and beware of making any mistake , or it will go ill with you . Keep your eyes and ears open , and your mouth shut , obey without questions . Be grateful if you will , but never speak unless you are spoken to . '
When the prince stepped over the threshold he caught sight XXXXX a maiden of wonderful beauty , with brown eyes and fair curly hair .
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