ready for me? Have you pretty clothes ready for me?
“No, lovely creature, I haven’t! I haven’t!”
The maiden clapped her hands thrice, bowed before him, and disappeared.
Now there was only one citron left. The prince took it in his hand, looked at it, and said: “I won’t cut you open until I’m safe at home in my father’s house.”
He took up his journey again and on the third day he came to his native town and his father’s castle. He had been gone a long time and how he ever got back he didn’t know himself.
Tears of joy rained down the old king’s cheeks.
“Welcome home, my son, welcome a hundred times!” he cried, falling on the prince’s neck.
The prince related the adventures of his journey and they at home told him how anxiously they had awaited his return.
On the next day a great feast was prepared. All the nobles in the land were invited. The tables were spread with food and drink the most expensive in the world and many rich dresses embroidered in gold and studded with pearls were laid out.
The guests assembled, seated themselves at the
