` And what may that be ? ' ' A pitcher of the water of life , a branch of the tree the smell of whose flowers gives eternal beauty , and the talking bird . ' ` And where am I to find all those ? ' ` Go to the mountain that is far off yonder , and you will find what you seek . ' After the old man had bowed politely and taken farewell of them the eldest brother said to the rest , ' I will go in search of the water of life , and the talking bird , and the tree of beauty . ' ` But suppose some evil thing befalls you ? ' asked his sister . ` How shall we know ? ' ` You are right , ' he replied ; ' I had not thought of that ! ' Then they followed the old man , and said to him , ` My eldest brother wishes to seek for the water of life , and the tree of beauty , and the talking bird , that you tell him are needful to make our palace perfect . But how shall we know if any evil thing befall him ? ' So the old man took them a knife , and gave it to them , saying , ` Keep this carefully , and as long as the blade is bright all is well ; but if the blade is bloody , then know that evil has befallen him . ' The brothers thanked him , and departed , and went straight to the palace , where they found the young man making ready to set out for the mountain where the treasures he longed for lay hid . And he walked , and he walked , and he walked , till he had gone a great way , and there he met a giant . ` Can you tell me how much further I have still to go before I reach that mountain yonder ? ' ` And why do you wish to go there ? ' ' I am seeking the water of life , the talking bird , and a branch of the tree of beauty . ' ` Many have passed by seeking those treasures , but none have ever come back ; and you will never come back either , unless you mark my words . Follow this path , and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones . Do not stop to look at them , but keep on your way .
As you XXXXX you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you ; it will be the stones that mock .
Do Follow asked befallen bowed go longed met set tell