they lived very happily together, and the queen bore a fine boy. eight years had already gone by, when the king bethought him of his father; his heart was moved, and he wished to visit him. the queen, however, would not let him go away, and said, "i know beforehand that it will cause my unhappiness;" but he suffered her to have no rest until she consented. at their parting she gave him a wishing-ring, and said, "take this ring and put it on thy finger, and then thou wilt immediately be transported whithersoever thou wouldst be, only thou must promise me not to use it in wishing me away from this place and with thy father." that he promised her, put the ring on his finger, and wished himself at home, just outside the town where his father lived.