the apples were beginning to ripen , and lit up the whole palace with their brightness . At the same moment nine golden pea-hens flew swiftly through the air , and while eight alighted upon the boughs laden with fruit , the ninth fluttered to the ground where the prince lay , and instantly was changed into a beautiful maiden , more beautiful far than any lady in the emperor 's court . The prince at once fell in love with her , and they talked together for some time , till the maiden said her sisters had finished plucking the apples , and now they must all go home again . The prince , however , begged her so hard to leave him a little of the fruit that the maiden gave him two apples , one for himself and one for his father . Then she changed herself back into a pea-hen , and the whole nine flew away . As soon as the sun rose the prince entered the palace , and held out the apple to his father , who was rejoiced to see it , and praised his youngest son heartily for his cleverness . That evening the prince returned to the apple tree , and everything passed as before , and so it happened for several nights . At length the other brothers grew angry at seeing that he never came back without bringing two golden apples with him , and they went to consult an old witch , who promised to spy after him , and discover how he managed to get the apples . So , when the evening came , the old woman hid herself under the tree and waited for the prince . Before long he arrived and laid down on his bed , and was soon fast asleep . Towards midnight there was a rush of wings , and the eight pea-hens settled on the tree , while the ninth became a maiden , and ran to greet the prince . Then the witch stretched out her hand , and cut off a lock of the maiden 's hair , and in an instant the girl sprang up , a pea-hen once more , spread her wings and flew away , while her sisters , who were busily stripping the boughs , flew after her . When he had recovered from his surprise at the unexpected disappearance of the maiden , the prince exclaimed , ` What can be the matter ? ' and , looking about him , discovered the old witch hidden under the bed . He dragged her out , and in his fury called his guards , and ordered them to put her to death as fast as possible . But that did no good as far as the pea-hens went . They never came back any more , though the prince returned to the tree every night , and wept his heart out for his lost love . This went on for some time , till the prince could bear it no longer , and made up his mind he would search the world through for her . In vain his father tried to persuade him that his task was hopeless , and that other girls were to be found as beautiful as this one . The prince would listen to nothing , and , accompanied by only one servant , set out on his quest .
After travelling for many days , he XXXXX at length before a large gate , and through the bars he could see the streets of a town , and even the palace .
arrived fell flew held lay leave said spread stretched waited