"Make ready," said the bird, "a double box. Fill one half of it with
every kind of game, and in the other half put water, so as to have
something with which to nourish me."
The Tsarevich did all that was asked. The bird took the box on her
back, and the Tsarevich sat in the middle. She flew up; and whether it
was long or short, she bore him to this upper world, took farewell of
him, and flew home.
Ivan Tsarevich went to his father; but the old Tsar did not like him
by reason of the lies which his brothers had told, and sent him into
exile. For three whole years Ivan wandered from place to place. When
three years had passed, the beautiful maiden sailed in a ship to the
capital town of Ivan Tsarevich's father. She sent a letter to the
Tsar, demanding the man who had stolen the water, and if he refused
she would burn and destroy his kingdom utterly.
The Tsar sent his eldest son; he went to the ship. Two little boys,
grandsons of the Tsar, saw him, and asked their mother: "Is that our
father?"
"No, that is your uncle."
"How shall we meet him?"
"Take each one a whip and flog him back home."
The eldest Tsarevich returned, looking as if he had eaten something
unsalted.
The maiden continued her threats, demanded the guilty man. The Tsar
sent his second son, and the same thing happened to him as to the
eldest. Now the Tsar gave command to find the youngest Tsarevich.
When the Tsarevich was found, his father wished him to go on the ship
to the maiden. But he said: "I will go when a crystal bridge is built
to the ship, and on the bridge there shall be many kinds of food and
wine set out."
There was no help for it; they built the bridge, prepared the food,
brought wines and meat.
The Tsarevich collected his comrades. "Come with me, attend me," said
he; "eat ye and drink, spare nothing."
While he was walking on the bridge the little boys cried out: "Mother,
who is that?"
"That is your father."
"How shall we meet him?"
"Take him by the hands and lead him to me."
They did so; there was kissing and embracing. After that they went to
the Tsar, told him all just as it had been. The Tsar drove his eldest
sons from the castle, and lived with Ivan,--lived on and gained
wealth.