Prince Radiance did so, and saw that it was divided within into two compartments.
“This is a magic pouch,” the Wise One instructed him. “Whatever you place in it will never fail of its supply. It will help you out of many a danger, out of many a difficulty.”
The Prince thought deeply. “What shall I place within it that will have such power?” he asked at last.
The Wise One smiled. “That is easy enough to choose,” he answered. “In the one side place a burning coal; put in the other a handful of ash. Nothing else could possibly be so unfailingly useful wherever you may go.”
Surprised at such an answer, Prince Radiance gazed at him without obeying.
“It is as I have told you,” the ancient one assured him. “You will find it so.”
Then the Prince stooped to the fire that was burning on the hearth, and filled the Pouch as he had been directed, and fastened it to his side, the Wise One watching him meanwhile with a kindly smile.
When Prince Radiance would have thanked him for the fairy gifts, he dismissed him with a wave of the hand. “Go,” he said, “and all good fortune attend you. If you but do your part, the magic of the Veil will be potent to break the Earth Fairy’s spell, and restore the Princess White Flame to her fairy form.”