So the king offered rewards, and sent out messengers in every direction, but the magician was not to be found.  At last, one day he met a blind beggar, who said to him, “Three nights ago I dreamed that I went by the narrowest of seven roads to seek what you are looking for, and was successful.”

When the king returned home, he asked his courtiers, “Where are there seven roads lying near to each other, some broad, and some narrow?” And one of them replied, “Twenty-one miles to the west of the palace is a four-cross road, where three field-paths also diverge.”

To this place the king made his way, and taking the narrowest of the field-paths, went on and on till it led him straight into a cave, where an old woman sat over a fire.

“Does a magician live here?” asked the king.

“No one lives here but myself,” said the old woman.  “But as I am a wise woman I may be able to help you if you need it.”

The king then told her of his perplexities, and how he was desirous of finding the magician, to persuade him to recall his gift.

“He could not recall the other gifts,” said the wise woman.  “Therefore it is better that the prince should be taught to use his power prudently and to control his temper.  And since all the persons capable of guiding him have disappeared, I will return with you and take charge of him myself.  Over me he will have no power.”

To this the king consented, and they returned together to the palace, where the wise woman became guardian to the prince, and she fulfilled her duties so well that he became much more discreet and self-controlled.  Only at times his violent temper got the better of him, and led him to wish what he afterwards vainly regretted.

Thus all went well till the prince became a man, when, though he had great affection for her, he felt ashamed of having an old woman for his counsellor, and he said, “I certainly wish that I had a faithful and discreet adviser of my own age and sex.”

On that very day a young nobleman offered himself as companion to the prince, and as he was a young man of great ability, he was accepted:  whereupon the old woman took her departure, and was never seen again.

The young nobleman performed his part so well that the prince became deeply attached to him, and submitted in every way to his counsels.  But at last a day came when, being in a rage, the advice of his friend irritated him, and he cried hastily, “Will you drive me mad with your long sermons?  I wish you would hold your tongue for ever.”  On which the young nobleman became dumb, and so remained.  For he was not, as the wise woman had been, independent of the prince’s power.

The prince’s grief and remorse knew no bounds.  “Am I not under a curse?” said he.  “Truly I ought to be cast out from human society, and sent to live with wild beasts in a wilderness.  I only bring evil upon those I love best—­indeed, there is no hope for me unless I can find my godfather, and make him recall this fatal gift.”