the young man and the snake reached their destination in safety; and information of their arrival was sent to the raja. his highness commanded his son and the stranger to appear before him. but the snake refused, saying that it could not go to its father till it was released from this stranger, who had saved it from a most terrible death, and whose slave it therefore was. then the raja went and embraced his son, and saluting the stranger welcomed him to his dominions. the young man stayed there a few days, during which he received the raja's right-hand ring, and the pot and spoon, in recognition of his highness's gratitude to him for having delivered his son. he then returned. on reaching the top of the spring he found his friends, the dog and the cat, waiting for him. they told one another all they had experienced since they had last seen each other, and were all very glad. afterwards they walked together to the river side, where it was decided to try the powers of the charmed ring and pot and spoon.