` And why do you wish to go there ? ' ' I am seeking the water of life , the talking bird , and a branch of the tree of beauty . ' ` Many have passed by seeking those treasures , but none have ever come back ; and you will never come back either , unless you mark my words . Follow this path , and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones . Do not stop to look at them , but keep on your way . As you go you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you ; it will be the stones that mock . Do not heed them ; above all , do not turn round . If you do you will become as one of them . Walk straight on till you get to the top , and then take all you wish for . ' The young man thanked him for his counsel , and walked , and walked , and walked , till he reached the mountain . And as he climbed he heard behind him scoffs and jeers , but he kept his ears steadily closed to them . At last the noise grew so loud that he lost patience , and he stooped to pick up a stone to hurl into the midst of the clamour , when suddenly his arm seemed to stiffen , and the next moment he was a stone himself ! That day his sister , who thought her brother 's steps were long in returning , took out the knife and found the blade was red as blood . Then she cried out to her brothers that something terrible had come to pass . ' I will go and find him , ' said the second . And he went . And he walked , and he walked , and he walked , till he met the giant , and asked him if he had seen a young man travelling towards the mountain . And the giant answered , ` Yes , I have seen him pass , but I have not seen him come back . The spell must have worked upon him . ' ` Then what can I do to disenchant him , and find the water of life , the talking bird , and a branch of the tree of beauty ? '
` Follow this path , and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered XXXXX stones .
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