when he reached home and entered his house, the first who met him was no other than his youngest and dearest daughter, who came running up, kissed and embraced him, and when she saw that he had brought with him a singing, soaring lark, she was beside herself with joy. the father, however, could not rejoice, but began to weep, and said, "my dearest child, i have bought the little bird dear. in return for it, i have been obliged to promise thee to a savage lion, and when he has thee he will tear thee in pieces and devour thee," and he told her all, just as it had happened, and begged her not to go there, come what might. but she consoled him and said, "dearest father, indeed your promise must be fulfilled. i will go thither and soften the lion, so that i may return to thee safely." next morning she had the road pointed out to her, took leave, and went fearlessly out into the forest. the lion, however, was an enchanted prince and was by day a lion, and all his people were lions with him, but in the night they resumed their natural human shapes. on her arrival she was kindly received and led into the castle.