This nobleman, after that having summoned the eldest son, asked, “What is the science that thou knowest?”
“I know [how] to tell sooth,” he said.
To look at this one’s knowledge, the nobleman, having seen that a female crow had laid eggs in a tree, said, “Should you tell me the sooth that I ask, you are [really] an astrologer.” Having given his son betel he asked it [mentally].
After he asked it, this one says, “Father, you have asked me if a female crow has laid eggs in a tree. Is it not so?” he asked.
Thereupon, the nobleman said to the one who was able to shoot, “Come here. Without the female crow’s knowing it, and without breaking the egg, shoot thou so that it may become marked [only],—an egg out of the eggs that are in that nest,” he said. The nobleman’s son having said, “It is good,” shot in the manner he told him.
Then this nobleman, having summoned the thief, says, “Go thou, and without the crow’s knowing, bring thou only the egg which this one shot.” Having said, “It is good,” he brought that very egg.
Then the nobleman said, “Go again, and place thou it [back in the nest].” He said, “It is good,” and went and put it [back].
Thereupon, [having called the eldest son again], what sooth did the nobleman ask? Thinking it in his mind [only], he asked, “How are now the happiness and health of the Princess whom you at first summoned [in marriage]?”
After he asked, this one having looked at the sooth, says, “The Princess having now died, they have taken her to bury,” he said.
Thereupon, the nobleman said to the one who is able to go on rapid journeys, “Go, and do not allow them to bury her”; he went accordingly.