"I want to know everything."
As she grew up she had masters and mistresses to teach her, and learnt every language and every science; but still she said, "It is not enough; I want to know more."
In a deep cave underground there lived an old Wizard who was so wise that his face was well-nigh black with wrinkles, and his long white beard flowed to his feet. He knew all sorts of magic, and every day and night sat poring over his books till now there seemed to be nothing left for him to learn.
One night after every one was asleep, Princess Fernanda rose and slipped softly down the stairs and out of the palace unheard by any one, and stole away to the Wizard's cave.
The old man was sitting on his low stool reading out of an immense book by a dim green light, but he raised his eyes as the Princess entered at the low doorway, and looked at her. She wore a blue and silver robe, but her bright hair was unbound, and fell in ripples to her waist.
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" he asked shortly.
"I am the Princess Fernanda," she said, "and I wish to be your pupil. Teach me all you know."
"Why do you wish for that?" said the Wizard: "you will not be better or happier for it."
"I am not happy now," said the Princess sighing wearily. "Teach me and you shall find me an apt pupil, and I will pay you with gold."
"I will not have your gold," said the Wizard, "but come to me every night at this hour, and in three years you shall know all I do."