The young man, whose hunger was very great, helped himself to all that was in the pot. He felt ashamed to think that he had done so, but before he could speak the old man said:
"Eat, my grandchild; eat, eat!" and soon after he again said—"Help yourself from the pot."
Maidwa was surprised, on dipping in his ladle, to see that the pot was full; and although he emptied it a second time, it was still again filled and refilled till his hunger was entirely satisfied. The old man then observed, without raising his voice:
"The pot will return to its corner," and the pot took itself off to its accustomed place in an out-of-the-way corner of the lodge.
Maidwa observed that the old man was about to address him, and took an attitude which showed that he was prepared to listen.
"Keep on, my grandchild," said the old man; "you will surely gain that which you seek. To tell you more I am not permitted; but go on as you have begun and you will not be disappointed. To-morrow you will again reach one of my fellow old men, but it is the one you will see after him who will tell you all, and the manner in which you must proceed to accomplish your journey. Often has this Red Swan passed, and those who have followed it have never returned; but you must be firm in your resolution, and be prepared for all that may happen."
"So will it be," answered Maidwa; and they both lay down to sleep.
Early in the morning the old man ordered his magic kettle to prepare breakfast, so that his guest might eat before leaving. As Maidwa passed out, the old man gave him a blessing with his parting advice.
Maidwa set forth in better spirits than at any time since he had started; and night again found him in company with another old man who also had a frisky little kettle which hurried up to the fire before it was spoken to, bustled about and set supper briskly before Maidwa, and then frisked away again, without waiting for orders. This old man entertained him kindly and also carefully directed him on his way in the morning.
He traveled with a light heart, as he now expected to meet the one who was to give him directions how to proceed to get the Red Swan.