then the malee's wife said, "this country and this palace belong to a great enchanter; he is all powerful, and if any one displeases him, he can turn them into stones and trees. all the rocks and trees you see here were living people once, and the magician turned them to what they now are. some time ago a raja's son came here, and shortly afterwards came his six brothers, and they were all turned into stones and trees; and these are not the only unfortunate ones, for up in that tower lives a beautiful princess, whom the magician has kept prisoner there for twelve years, because she hates him and will not marry him."