He had not wandered far from the shores of the lake, when he noticed a stork standing on one leg, and again he raised his bow and prepared to take aim.
“Do not shoot, I pray you, noble prince,” cried the stork; “I have two little sons at home; they will die of hunger if I am not there to bring them food.”
Again the prince was filled with pity, and this time also he did not shoot.
“Oh, prince, I will repay your deed of mercy,” cried the stork.
“You poor stork! how can you repay me?” asked the prince.
“You have forgotten,” answered the stork, “the proverb that runs, ‘mountain and mountain can never meet, but one living creature can always come across another.’”
The boy laughed at hearing these words again, and walked slowly on. He had not gone far, when he fell in with two discharged soldiers.
“Where are you going, little brother?” asked one.
“I am seeking work,” answered the prince.
“So are we,” replied the soldier. “We can all go together.”