"We have learned that you are bound on a mission to the castle of Dede-Vsevede: alas! we had here an apple-tree which produced youth-giving fruit; one only of its apples, as soon as it was eaten, even by a person at the point of death, instantly cured and rejuvenated him. But for the last twenty years this tree has not borne either flower or fruit. Will you promise me to ask the cause of Dede-Vsevede?" "I promise you." After that, Plavacete came to a large, beautiful, but silent city. Near the gate he met an old man, who, staff in hand, was hobbling along with great difficulty. "Heaven bless you, good old man!" "Heaven bless _you_! Whither are you going, handsome traveller?" "To the castle of Dede-Vsevede, in search of three hairs from his head." "Ah! you are the very envoy I have so long been expecting. I must conduct you to my master, the King. Follow me." As soon as they arrived, the King said to him:-- "I hear that you have come on an embassy to Dede-Vsevede. We had here a well which used to fill itself, and which was so marvellous in its effects that sick people were immediately cured on drinking of its water. A few drops sprinkled upon a corpse sufficed to resuscitate it. Well, for twenty years past, this well has been dried up. If you promise to ask Dede-Vsevede how we can re-fill our well, I will reward you royally." Plavacete promised, and the King dismissed him graciously. Continuing his journey, he had to pass through a wide forest, in the midst of which he perceived a broad, grassy plain, full of beautiful flowers, in the centre of which stood a castle built of gold. [Illustration: "THE PALACE OF DEDE-VSEVEDE."] It was the palace of Dede-Vsevede, radiant with splendour, looking as if it were made of fire. Plavacete entered it without encountering a single moving creature, except an old woman, half-hidden in a corner spinning. "Welcome, Plavacete! I am glad to see you here." It was, once more, his god-mother, the same who had offered him shelter in her forest cottage when he was carrying the King's treacherous message. "Tell me what brings you here, from so far off?" "The King will not have me for his son-in-law without being paid for it; so he has sent me here to fetch for him three gold hairs from the head of Dede-Vsevede." His god-mother burst into laughter, saying:--