Opening, part 33 · page 21 2101Soon--no one knew how--the news spread abroad that the Bird of Truth was hovering round the palace, and the courtiers made all sorts of preparations to hinder her reaching the king.102They got ready weapons that were sharpened, and weapons that were poisoned; they sent for eagles and falcons to hunt her down, and constructed cages and boxes in which to shut her up if they were not able to kill her.103They declared that her white plumage was really put on to hide her black feathers--in fact there was nothing they did not do in order to prevent the king from seeing the bird or from paying attention to her words if he did.104As often happens in these cases, the courtiers brought about that which they feared.105They talked so much about the Bird of Truth that at last the king heard of it, and expressed a wish to see her.106The more difficulties that were put in his way the stronger grew his desire, and in the end the king published a proclamation that whoever found the Bird of Truth should bring her to him without delay.107As soon as he saw this proclamation the boy called his sister, and they hastened to the palace.108The bird was buttoned inside his tunic, but, as might have been expected, the courtiers barred the way, and told the child that he could not enter.109It was in vain that the boy declared that he was only obeying the king's commands; the courtiers only replied that his majesty was not yet out of bed, and it was forbidden to wake him.110They were still talking, when, suddenly, the bird settled the question by flying upwards through an open window into the king's own room.111Alighting on the pillow, close to the king's head, she bowed respectfully, and said:1 2← previousOpening, part 32next →Opening, part 34↑ back to The Orange Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3027/33/page/2/