` That is just what I do n't know , ' answered her friend . ` All I can tell you is that not far from here is a tower , where dwells an old witch , and it is she who knows the way , and she will only teach it to the person who promises to bring her the water from the fountain of many colours , which she uses for her enchantments . But never will she betray the place where the Bird of Truth is hidden , for she hates him , and would kill him if she could ; knowing well , however , that this bird can not die , as he is immortal , she keeps him closely shut up , and guarded night and day by the Birds of Bad Faith , who seek to gag him so that his voice should not be heard . ' ` And is there no one else who can tell the poor boy where to find the bird , if he should ever manage to reach the tower ? ' asked the country swallow . ` No one , ' replied the city swallow , ` except an owl , who lives a hermit 's life in that desert , and he knows only one word of man 's speech , and that is `` cross . '' So that even if the prince did succeed in getting there , he could never understand what the owl said . But , look , the sun is sinking to his nest in the depths of the sea , and I must go to mine . Good-night , friends , good-night ! ' Then the swallow flew away , and the children , who had forgotten both hunger and weariness in the joy of this strange news , rose up and followed in the direction of her flight . After two hours ' walking , they arrived at a large city , which they felt sure must be the capital of their father 's kingdom . Seeing a good-natured looking woman standing at the door of a house , they asked her if she would give them a night 's lodging , and she was so pleased with their pretty faces and nice manners that she welcomed them warmly . It was scarcely light the next morning before the girl was sweeping out the rooms , and the boy watering the garden , so that by the time the good woman came downstairs there was nothing left for her to do . This so delighted her that she begged the children to stay with her altogether , and the boy answered that he would leave his sisters with her gladly , but that he himself had serious business on hand and must not linger in pursuit of it . So he bade them farewell and set out . For three days he wandered by the most out-of-the-way paths , but no signs of a tower were to be seen anywhere . On the fourth morning it was just the same , and , filled with despair , he flung himself on the ground under a tree and hid his face in his hands . In a little while he heard a rustling over his head , and looking up , he saw a turtle dove watching him with her bright eyes . ` Oh dove ! ' cried the boy , addressing the bird in her own language , ` Oh dove !
tell me , I pray you , where is the castle XXXXX Come-and-never-go ? '
So before by in of on that to while with