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before a queen bee flew against him； trailing one wing behind
her； which had been cruelly torn in two by a big bird。 Ferko
was no less willing to help her than he had been to help the wolf
and the mouse； so he poured some healing drops over the wounded
wing。 On the spot the queen bee was cured； and turning to Ferko
she said； 'I am most grateful for your kindness； and shall reward
you some day。' And with these words she flew away humming；
gaily。
Then Ferko wandered on for many a long day； and at length reached
a strange kingdom。 Here； he thought to himself； he might as well
go straight to the palace and offer his services to the King of
the country； for he had heard that the King's daughter was as
beautiful as the day。
So he went to the royal palace； and as he entered the door the
first people he saw were his two brothers who had so shamefully
ill…treated him。 They had managed to obtain places in the King's
service； and when they recognised Ferko with his eyes and legs
sound and well they were frightened to death； for they feared he
would tell the King of their conduct； and that they would be
hung。
No sooner had Ferko entered the palace than all eyes were turned
on the handsome youth； and the King's daughter herself was lost
in admiration； for she had never seen anyone so handsome in her
life before。 His brothers noticed this； and envy and jealousy
were added to their fear； so much so that they determined once
more to destroy him。 They went to the King and told him that
Ferko was a wicked magician； who had come to the palace with the
intention of carrying off the Princess。
Then the King had Ferko brought before him； and said； 'You are
accused of being a magician who wishes to rob me of my daughter；
and I condemn you to death； but if you can fulfil three tasks
which I shall set you to do your life shall be spared； on
condition you leave the country； but if you cannot perform what I
demand you shall be hung on the nearest tree。'
And turning to the two wicked brothers he said； 'Suggest
something for him to do； no matter how difficult； he must succeed
in it or die。'
They did not think long； but replied； 'Let him build your Majesty
in one day a more beautiful palace than this； and if he fails in
the attempt let him be hung。'
The King was pleased with this proposal； and commanded Ferko to
set to work on the following day。 The two brothers were
delighted； for they thought they had now got rid of Ferko for
ever。 The poor youth himself was heart…broken； and cursed the
hour he had crossed the boundary of the King's domain。 As he was
wandering disconsolately about the meadows round the palace；
wondering how he could escape being put to death； a little bee
flew past； and settling on his shoulder whispered in his ear；
'What is troubling you； my kind benefactor？ Can I be of any help
to you？ I am the bee whose wing you healed； and would like to
show my gratitude in some way。'
Ferko recognised the queen bee； and said； 'Alas！ how could you
help me？ for I have been set to do a task which no one in the
whole world could do； let him be ever such a genius！ To…morrow I
must build a palace more beautiful than the King's； and it must
be finished before evening。'
'Is that all？' answered the bee； 'then you may comfort yourself；
for before the sun goes down to…morrow night a palace shall be
built unlike any that King has dwelt in before。 Just stay here
till I come again and tell you that it is finished。' Having said
this she flew merrily away； and Ferko； reassured by her words；
lay down on the grass and slept peacefully till the next morning。
Early on the following day the whole town was on its feet； and
everyone wondered how and where the stranger would build the
wonderful palace。 The Princess alone was silent and sorrowful；
and had cried all night till her pillow was wet； so much did she
take the fate of the beautiful youth to heart。
Ferko spent the whole day in the meadows waiting the return of
the bee。 And when evening was come the queen bee flew by； and
perching on his shoulder she said； 'The wonderful palace is
ready。 Be of good cheer； and lead the King to the hill just
outside the city walls。' And humming gaily she flew away again。
Ferko went at once to the King and told him the palace was
finished。 The whole court went out to see the wonder； and their
astonishment was great at the sight which met their eyes。 A
splendid palace reared itself on the hill just outside the walls
of the city； made of the most exquisite flowers that ever grew in
mortal garden。 The roof was all of crimson roses； the windows of
lilies； the walls of white carnations； the floors of glowing
auriculas and violets； the doors of gorgeous tulips and narcissi
with sunflowers for knockers； and all round hyacinths and other
sweet…smelling flowers bloomed in masses； so that the air was
perfumed far and near and enchanted all who were present。
This splendid palace had been built by the grateful queen bee；
who had summoned all the other bees in the kingdom to help her。
The King's amazement knew no bounds； and the Princess's eyes
beamed with delight as she turned them from the wonderful
building on the delighted Ferko。 But the two brothers had grown
quite green with envy； and only declared the more that Ferko was
nothing but a wicked magician。
The King； although he had been surprised and astonished at the
way his commands had been carried out； was very vexed that the
stranger should escape with his life； and turning to the two
brothers he said； 'He has certainly accomplished the first task；
with the aid no doubt of his diabolical magic； but what shall we
give him to do now？ Let us make it as difficult as possible； and
if he fails he shall die。'
Then the eldest brother replied； 'The corn has all been cut； but
it has not yet been put into barns； let the knave collect all the
grain in the kingdom into one big heap before to…morrow night；
and if as much as a stalk of corn is left let him be put to
death。
The Princess grew white with terror when she heard these words；
but Ferko felt much more cheerful than he had done the first
time； and wandered out into the meadows again； wondering how he
was to get out of the difficulty。 But he could think of no way
of escape。 The sun sank to rest and night came on； when a little
mouse started out of the grass at Ferko's feet； and said to him；
'I'm delighted to see you； my kind benefactor； but why are you
looking so sad？ Can I be of any help to you； and thus repay your
great kindness to me？'
Then Ferko recognised the mouse whose front paws he had healed；
and replied； 'Alas I how can you help me in a matter that is
beyond any human power！ Before to…morrow night all the grain in
the kingdom has to be gathered into one big heap； and if as much
as a stalk of corn is wanting I must pay for it with my life。'
'Is that