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as a stalk of corn is wanting I must pay for it with my life。'
'Is that all？' answered the mouse； 'that needn't distress you
much。 Just trust in me； and before the sun sets again you shall
hear that your task is done。' And with these words the little
creature scampered away into the fields。
Ferko； who never doubted that the mouse would be as good as its
word； lay down comforted on the soft grass and slept soundly till
next morning。 The day passed slowly； and with the evening came
the little mouse and said； 'Now there is not a single stalk of
corn left in any field； they are all collected in one big heap on
the hill out there。'
Then Ferko went joyfully to the King and told him that all he
demanded had been done。 And the whole Court went out to see the
wonder； and were no less astonished than they had been the first
time。 For in a heap higher than the King's palace lay all the
grain of the country； and not a single stalk of corn had been
left behind in any of the fields。 And how had all this been
done？ The little mouse had summoned every other mouse in the
land to its help； and together they had collected all the grain
in the kingdom。
The King could not hide his amazement； but at the same time his
wrath increased； and he was more ready than ever to believe the
two brothers； who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more
nor less than a wicked magician。 Only the beautiful Princess
rejoiced over Ferko's success； and looked on him with friendly
glances； which the youth returned。
The more the cruel King gazed on the wonder before him； the more
angry he became； for he could not； in the face of his promise；
put the stranger to death。 He turned once more to the two
brothers and said； 'His diabolical magic has helped him again；
but now what third task shall we set him to do？ No matter how
impossible it is； he must do it or die。'
The eldest answered quickly； 'Let him drive all the wolves of the
kingdom on to this hill before to…morrow night。 If he does this
he may go free； if not he shall be hung as you have said。'
At these words the Princess burst into tears； and when the King
saw this he ordered her to be shut up in a high tower and
carefully guarded till the dangerous magician should either have
left the kingdom or been hung on the nearest tree。
Ferko wandered out into the fields again； and sat down on the
stump of a tree wondering what he should do next。 Suddenly a big
wolf ran up to him； and standing still said； 'I'm very glad to
see you again； my kind benefactor。 What are you thinking about
all alone by yourself？ If I can help you in any way only say the
word； for I would like to give you a proof of my gratitude。'
Ferko at once recognised the wolf whose broken leg he had healed；
and told him what he had to do the following day if he wished to
escape with his life。 'But how in the world；' he added； 'am I to
collect all the wolves of the kingdom on to that hill over
there？'
'If that's all you want done；' answered the wolf； 'you needn't
worry yourself。 I'll undertake the task； and you'll hear from me
again before sunset to…morrow。 Keep your spirits up。' And with
these words he trotted quickly away。
Then the youth rejoiced greatly； for now he felt that his life
was safe； but he grew very sad when he thought of the beautiful
Princess； and that he would never see her again if he left the
country。 He lay down once more on the grass and soon fell fast
asleep。
All the next day he spent wandering about the fields； and toward
evening the wolf came running to him in a great hurry and said；
'I have collected together all the wolves in the kingdom； and
they are waiting for you in the wood。 Go quickly to the King；
and tell him to go to the hill that he may see the wonder you
have done with his own eyes。 Then return at once to me and get
on my back； and I will help you to drive all the wolves
together。'
Then Ferko went straight to the palace and told the King that he
was ready to perform the third task if he would come to the hill
and see it done。 Ferko himself returned to the fields； and
mounting on the wolf's back he rode to the wood close by。
Quick as lightning the wolf flew round the wood； and in a minute
many hundred wolves rose up before him； increasing in number
every moment； till they could be counted by thousands。 He drove
them all before him on to the hill； where the King and his whole
Court and Ferko's two brothers were standing。 Only the lovely
Princess was not present； for she was shut up in her tower
weeping bitterly。
The wicked brothers stamped and foamed with rage when they saw
the failure of their wicked designs。 But the King was overcome
by a sudden terror when he saw the enormous pack of wolves
approaching nearer and nearer； and calling out to Ferko he said；
'Enough； enough； we don't want any more。'
But the wolf on whose back Ferko sat； said to its rider； 'Go on！
go on！' and at the same moment many more wolves ran up the hill；
howling horribly and showing their white teeth。
The King in his terror called out； 'Stop a moment； I will give
you half my kingdom if you will drive all the wolves away。' But
Ferko pretended not to hear； and drove some more thousands before
him； so that everyone quaked with horror and fear。
Then the King raised his voice again and called out； 'Stop！ you
shall have my whole kingdom； if you will only drive these wolves
back to the places they came from。'
But the wolf kept on encouraging Ferko； and said； 'Go on！ go
on！' So he led the wolves on； till at last they fell on the King
and on the wicked brothers； and ate them and the whole Court up
in a moment。
Then Ferko went straight to the palace and set the Princess free；
and on the same day he married her and was crowned King of the
country。 And the wolves all went peacefully back to their own
homes； and Ferko and his bride lived for many years in peace and
happiness together； and were much beloved by great and small in
the land。