As he went towards one of the porticos, he noticed a beggar seated near it on a stone and laughing.
"You are laughing at me, old fellow," said the young wayfarer; "but I give you back your laugh; for you must be a fool to remain in rags at the door of a palace where you have only to wish for a new coat to be dressed like a prince. Perhaps you don't know how to read?"
"Oh, yes!—I know how to read—even writing in rubies," replied the old man.
"Well, then, have you nothing to desire, that you do not enter this palace?"
"Truly, yes. I desire more things than one; but not any such as they give away here."
The old man had such an air of cunning as he said this, that the young man mistrusted him.
"He is laying some kind of trap for me," he thought, and was about passing on his way.
"Don't be afraid; no harm will come to you in this palace," the old man went on. "Troubles exist there only for those who ask for them: take my word for it, you may go in fearlessly."
"Yes; but may I come out again?"