And the first raven said to the second raven, “Yonder, below, sits a fellow in blindness, because he held that mercy was better than greed.” And the second raven said to the first, “Yes, that is so, but he might have his sight again if he only knew enough to spread his handkerchief upon the grass, and bathe his eyes in the dew which falls upon it from the gallows above.” And the first raven said to the second, “That is as true as that one and one make two; but there is more to tell yet, for in his pocket he carries a little black stone with which he may open every door that he touches. Back of the oak-tree yonder is a little door; if he would but enter thereat he would find something below well worth the having.” [Illustration: The poor man touches the door with y^e stone.] That was what the two ravens said, and then they flapped their wings and flew away. As for the younger brother, you can guess how his heart danced at what he heard. He spread his handkerchief on the grass, and by and by, when night came, the dew fell upon it until it was as wet as clothes on the line. He wiped his eyes with it, and when the dew touched the lids they were cured, and he could see as well and better than ever. By and by the day broke, and he lost no time in finding the door back of the oak-tree. He touched the lock with the little black stone, and the door opened as smoothly as though the hinges were greased. There he found a flight of steps that led down into a pit as dark as a beer vault. Down the steps he went, and on and on until, at last, he came to a great room, the like of which his eyes had never seen before. In the centre of the room was a statue as black as ink; in one hand it held a crystal globe which shone with a clear white light, so that it dazzled one’s eyes to look upon it; in the other hand it held a great diamond as big as a hen’s egg. Upon the breast of the statue were written these words in letters of gold: “WHAT THOU DESERVEST THAT THOU SHALT HAVE.” On three sides of the room sat three statues, and at the feet of each statue stood a heavy chest: The first statue was of gold, and over its head were written these words: “WHO CHOOSES HERE TAKES THE BEST THAT THE EARTH HAS TO GIVE.” The second statue was of silver, and over its head was written these words: “WHO CHOOSES HERE TAKES WHAT THE RICH MAN LOVES.” The third statue was of dull lead, and over its head was written: “WHO CHOOSES HERE TAKES WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE.” The man touched the chest at the feet of the golden statue with the little black stone. And—click! clack!—up flew the lid, and the chest was full of all kinds of precious stones. “Pugh!” says the younger brother; “and if this is the best that the world has to give, it is poor enough.” And he shut down the lid again.