"well said!" continued the snake. "do you see yonder mountain? at the bottom of that mountain there is a sacred spring. if you will come with me and dive into that spring, we shall both reach my father's country. oh! how glad he will be to see you! he will wish to reward you, too. but how can he do that? however, you may be pleased to accept something at his hand. if he asks you what you would like, you would, perhaps, do well to reply, 'the ring on your right hand, and the famous pot and spoon which you possess.' with these in your possession, you would never need anything, for the ring is such that a man has only to speak to it, and immediately a beautiful furnished mansion will be provided for him, while the pot and the spoon will supply him with all manner of the rarest and most delicious foods."