"Return," said the mother, "and say to your father to lift up the beam
which is on the hearth." The prince went to his father. "My mother bids you
take up the beam which is above the hearth." The King raised it and found a
treasure.
"If you are the son of the King," he added, "bring me someone a foot high
whose beard measures two feet." The prince began to weep.
"Why do you weep," asked his wife, "you whom destiny has given me?"
The prince answered her, "My father said to me, 'Bring me someone a foot
high whose beard measures two feet."
"Return to your father," she replied, "and ask him for the book of the
grandfather of your grandfather."
His father gave him the book and the prince brought it to his wife.
"Take it to him again and let him put it in the assembly place, and call a
public meeting." A man a foot high appeared, took up the book, went around
the city, and ate up all the inhabitants.
* * * * *