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tightly into the flask of water； took its place。
When his excitement had somewhat calmed down； he cried to the
boy； 'Whether you are really my son matters nothing to me； tell
me； how can I repay you for what you have done for me？'
'By showing me where the Milk Lake is； and how I can get one of
the three fairies who lives there to wife； and by letting me
remain your son for ever。'
The night was passed by Mogarzea and his son in songs and
feasting； for both were too happy to sleep； and when day dawned
they set out together to free the elves from the tree。 When they
reached the place of their imprisonment； Mogarzea took the cherry
tree and all the elves with it on his back； and carried them off
to his father's kingdom； where everyone rejoiced to see him home
again。 But all he did was to point to the boy who had saved him；
and had followed him with his flock。
For three days the boy stayed in the palace； receiving the thanks
and praises of the whole court。 Then he said to Mogarzea：
'The time has come for me to go hence； but tell me； I pray you；
how to find the Sweet Milk Lake； and I will return； and will
bring my wife back with me。'
Mogarzea tried in vain to make him stay； but； finding it was
useless； he told him all he knew； for he himself had never seen
the lake。
For three summer days the boy and his flute journeyed on； till
one evening he reached the lake； which lay in the kingdom of a
powerful fairy。 The next morning had scarcely dawned when the
youth went down to the shore； and began to play on his flute； and
the first notes had hardly sounded when he saw a beautiful fairy
standing before him； with hair and robes that shone like gold。
He gazed at her in wonder； when suddenly she began to dance。 Her
movements were so graceful that he forgot to play； and as soon as
the notes of his flute ceased she vanished from his sight。 The
next day the same thing happened； but on the third he took
courage； and drew a little nearer； playing on his flute all the
while。 Suddenly he sprang forward； seized her in his arms and
kissed her； and plucked a rose from her hair。
The fairy gave a cry； and begged him to give her back her rose；
but he would not。 He only stuck the rose in his hat； and turned
a deaf ear to all her prayers。
At last she saw that her entreaties were vain； and agreed to
marry him； as he wished。 And they went together to the palace；
where Mogarzea was still waiting for him； and the marriage was
celebrated by the emperor himself。 But every May they returned
to the Milk Lake； they and their children； and bathed in its
waters。
＇Olumanische Marchen。＇
End