Far in another empire under the emperor's city is a
lake, in that lake is a dragon, and in that dragon a boar, and in the
boar a pigeon, and in that is my strength." The next morning when the
dragon went away from the mill, the prince came to the old woman, and
the old woman told him all that she had heard from the dragon. Then he
left his home, and disguised himself; he put shepherd's boots to his
feet, took a shepherd's staff in his hand, and went into the world. As
he went on thus from village to village, and from town to town, at last
he came into another empire and into the imperial city, in a lake under
which the dragon was. On going into the town he began to inquire who
wanted a shepherd. The citizens told him that the emperor did. Then he
went straight to the emperor. After he announced himself, the emperor
admitted him into his presence, and asked him: "Do you wish to keep
sheep?" He replied: "I do, illustrious crown!" Then the emperor engaged
him, and began to inform and instruct him: "There is here a lake, and
alongside of the lake very beautiful pasture, and when you call the
sheep out, they go thither at once, and spread themselves round the
lake; but whatever shepherd goes off there, that shepherd returns back
no more. Therefore, my son, I tell you, don't let the sheep have their
own way and go where _they_ will, but keep them where _you_ will.
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