Her appearance was a great shock to the Prince , and so was her voice , which was like the croaking of many ravens . She asked him , ` Why have you come here ? ' The Prince answered at once , ' I have heard so much of your beauty and kindness , that I would very much like to enter your service . ' ` Very well , ' said the Mother Dragon ; ` but if you wish to enter my service , you must first lead my mare out to the meadow and look after her for three days ; but if you do n't bring her home safely every evening , we will eat you up . ' The Prince undertook the task and led the mare out to the meadow . But no sooner had they reached the grass than she vanished . The Prince sought for her in vain , and at last in despair sat down on a big stone and contemplated his sad fate . As he sat thus lost in thought , he noticed an eagle flying over his head . Then he suddenly bethought him of his little bell , and taking it out of his pocket he rang it once . In a moment he heard a rustling sound in the air beside him , and the King of the Eagles sank at his feet . ' I know what you want of me , ' the bird said . ` You are looking for the Mother Dragon 's mare who is galloping about among the clouds . I will summon all the eagles of the air together , and order them to catch the mare and bring her to you . ' And with these words the King of the Eagles flew away . Towards evening the Prince heard a mighty rushing sound in the air , and when he looked up he saw thousands of eagles driving the mare before them . They sank at his feet on to the ground and gave the mare over to him . Then the Prince rode home to the old Mother Dragon , who was full of wonder when she saw him , and said , ` You have succeeded to-day in looking after my mare , and as a reward you shall come to my ball to-night . ' She gave him at the same time a cloak made of copper , and led him to a big room where several young he-dragons and she-dragons were dancing together . Here , too , was the Flower Queen 's beautiful daughter . Her dress was woven out of the most lovely flowers in the world , and her complexion was like lilies and roses .
As the XXXXX was dancing with her he managed to whisper in her ear , ' I have come to set you free ! '
Eagles King Mother Prince Queen days first ravens she-dragons to-night