He went away from her, and said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me have, in the middle of this island, a finer castle than the king’s, and let a crystal bridge lead from my castle to the royal palace, and let there be people of all conditions in the court.”
The words were scarcely spoken than there appeared a splendid castle with a crystal bridge. The fool went with the princess into the castle, and saw that the apartments were all magnificently furnished, and that there were many people there, such as footmen, and all kinds of officers, who waited for the fool’s commands. When he saw that all these men were like men, and that he alone was ugly and stupid, he wished to be better, so he said—
“At the pike’s command, and at my request, let me become such a youth that I shall have no equal, and let me be extremely wise.”
He had scarcely spoken the words before he became so handsome and so wise that all were amazed.
Emelyan then sent one of his servants to the king to invite him and all his ministers to the castle. The servant went along the bridge which the fool had made, and when he came to the court the ministers brought him before the king, and Emelyan’s messenger said—
“Please your majesty, I am sent by my master to ask you to dinner.”
The king asked him who his master was, but he answered—
“Please your majesty, I can tell you nothing about my master, but if you come to dine with him he will inform you himself.”
The king, who was curious to know who it was who had sent to invite him, told the messenger that he would come without fail.