my father loved, and for that reason my father sent me to seek the Bird of Light and to take it to him."
"Oh, thou brave youth, Iván Tsarévich!" Tsar Dolmát cried. "I would certainly have given you the bird, but what did you do? If you had come to me, I should have given you the Bird of Light as an honour; but, now, would it be well, were I to send you into all kingdoms to proclaim how you came into my realm and dealt dishonourably? Now listen, Iván Tsarévich. If you will do me this service, if you will go across thrice nine kingdoms into the thrice-tenth realm, and will there obtain me from Tsar Afrón the golden-maned horse, I will forgive your sin, and I will give you the Bird of Light, and will do you great honour."
And Iván Tsarévich became very sorrowful, and left Tsar Dolmát, found the grey Wolf, and told him of everything.
"Hail to thee, warrior, doughty of might!" the grey Wolf said to him. "Why did you not listen to my words? Why did you take the golden cage?"
"I am guilty," Iván Tsarévich said to the Wolf.
"Well, so be it," said the grey Wolf. "Sit on me—on the grey Wolf. I will take you wherever you wish."
Iván Tsarévich sat on the grey Wolf's back, and the Wolf chased as fast as a dart and ran may-be far, may-be near, and at last he reached the kingdom of Tsar Afrón at night-time; and when he had come to the white-stoned stables of the Tsar, the grey Wolf said to Iván Tsarévich: "Get down, Iván, go into the white-stoned stables, and take the golden-maned horse; only there hangs a golden bridle on the wall which you are not to touch, or it will go ill with you."
Iván Tsarévich went into the white-stoned stables, took the horse, and went back. But he saw the golden bridle on the wall, and when his glance fell on it he took it from the hook. And as soon as he touched it there was
