When the great ruler got the ring, he said to the Princess, “Now that I have your ring, will you become my wife?”

“I will be your wife,” replied the Princess, “if you will find the earring I lost in the forest as I was journeying with Benito.”

Instantly Benito was called, and was ordered to find the lost jewel.  He was very weary from his former journey; but, mindful of his duty, he started for the forest, reaching it before the day was over.  He searched for the earring faithfully, following the road which he and the Princess had taken; but all in vain.  He was much discouraged, and sat down under a tree to rest.  To his surprise a mouse of monstrous size appeared before him.  It was the King of the Mice.

“Why are you so sad?” asked the Mouse.

“I am searching for an earring which the Princess lost as we passed through the forest, but am unable to find it.”

“I will find it for you,” said the King-Mouse.

Benito’s face brightened at hearing this.  The King-Mouse called all his followers, and all but one little mouse responded.  Then the King of the Mice ordered some of his subjects to find the absent one.  They found him in a small hole among the bamboo-trees.  He said he could not go because he was so satisfied (sated).  So the others pulled him along to their master; and he, finding that there was something hard within the little mouse, ordered him to be cut open.  It was done; and there was the very earring for which the tired servant was looking.  Benito took it, thanked the King of the Mice, and brought the earring to his own King.

When the monarch received it, he immediately restored it to its owner and asked, “Will you now become my wife?”

“Oh, dear King!” responded the Princess, “I have only one more thing to ask of you; and if you will grant it, I will be your wife forever.”

The King, pleased with his former successes, said, “Tell me what it is, and it shall be granted.”

“If you will get some water from heaven,” said the Princess, “and some water from the nether-world, I will become your wife.  That is my last wish.”

The King called Benito, and commanded him to get water from these two places.  “I will, my King,” said Benito; and he took some provisions and started.  He came to the forest; but there he became confused, for he did not know in which direction to go to reach either of the places.  Suddenly he recalled the promise of the bird he had helped the first time he entered the wood.  He called the bird, and it soon appeared.  He told it what he wanted, and it said, “I will get it for you.”

He made two cups of bamboo, and tied one to each of the bird’s legs.  They were very light, and did not hinder the bearer at all.  Away the bird flew, going very fast.  Before the day was ended, it came back with each cup full of water, and told Benito that the one tied to its right leg contained water from heaven, and the one tied to its left leg contained water from the nether-world.