The sun;Or, the three golden hairs of the old man Vsévède

If you will promise to ask Dède-Vsévède when I shall be released from my toil I will row you across.”

Plavacek promised, and was rowed to the opposite bank. He continued his journey on foot until he came in sight of a large town half in ruins, near which was passing a funeral procession. The king of that country was following his father’s coffin, and with the tears running down his cheeks.

“May God comfort you in your distress,” said Plavacek.

“Thank you, good traveller. Where are you going?”

“To the house of Dède-Vsévède in quest of three of his golden hairs.”

“To the house of Dède-Vsévède? indeed! What a pity you did not come sooner, we have long been expecting such a messenger as you. Come and see me by and bye.”

When Plavacek presented himself at court the king said to him:

“We understand you are on your way to the house of Dède-Vsévède? Now we have an apple-tree here that bears the fruit of everlasting youth. One of these apples eaten by a man, even though he be dying, will cure him and make him young again. For the last twenty years neither fruit nor flower has been found on this tree. Will you ask Dède-Vsévède the cause of it?”

“That I will, with pleasure.”

Then Plavacek continued his journey, and as he went he came to a large and beautiful city where all was sad and silent. Near the gate was an old man who leant on a stick and walked with difficulty.

“May God bless you, good old man.”

“And you, too, my handsome young traveller. Where are you going?”

“To Dède-Vsévède’s palace in search of three of his golden hairs.”

“Ah, you are the very messenger I have so long waited for. Allow me to take you to my master the king.”

On their arrival at the palace, the king said, “I hear you are an ambassador to Dède-Vsévède. We have here a well, the water of which renews itself. So wonderful are its effects that invalids are immediately cured on drinking it, while a few drops sprinkled on a corpse will bring it to life again. For the past twenty years this well has remained dry: if you will ask old Dède-Vsévède how the flow of water may be restored I will reward you royally.