on the third day, the boy sat by the well, and did not stir his finger, however much it hurt him. but the time was long to him, and he looked at the reflection of his face on the surface of the water. and as he still bent down more and more while he was doing so, and trying to look straight into the eyes, his long hair fell down from his shoulders into the water. he raised himself up quickly, but the whole of the hair of his head was already golden and shone like the sun. you may imagine how terrified the poor boy was! he took his pocket-handkerchief and tied it round his head, in order that the man might not see it. when he came he already knew everything, and said, "take the handkerchief off." then the golden hair streamed forth, and let the boy excuse himself as he might, it was of no use. "thou hast not stood the trial, and canst stay here no longer. go forth into the world, there thou wilt learn what poverty is. but as thou hast not a bad heart, and as i mean well by thee, there is one thing i will grant thee; if thou fallest into any difficulty, come to the forest and cry, ‘iron john,’ and then i will come and help thee. my power is great, greater than thou thinkest, and i have gold and silver in abundance."