In this way the Dragon was able to feed upon both men and beasts without the least trouble to itself , as it needed not to move from the spot where it was lying . All the neighbouring kings had offered rich rewards to anyone who should be able to destroy the monster , either by force or enchantment , and many had tried their luck , but all had miserably failed . Once a great forest in which the Dragon lay had been set on fire ; the forest was burnt down , but the fire did not do the monster the least harm . However , there was a tradition amongst the wise men of the country that the Dragon might be overcome by one who possessed King Solomon 's signet-ring , upon which a secret writing was engraved . This inscription would enable anyone who was wise enough to interpret it to find out how the Dragon could be destroyed . Only no one knew where the ring was hidden , nor was there any sorcerer or learned man to be found who would be able to explain the inscription . At last a young man , with a good heart and plenty of courage , set out to search for the ring . He took his way towards the sunrising , because he knew that all the wisdom of old time comes from the East . After some years he met with a famous Eastern magician , and asked for his advice in the matter . The magician answered : ` Mortal men have but little wisdom , and can give you no help , but the birds of the air would be better guides to you if you could learn their language . I can help you to understand it if you will stay with me a few days . ' The youth thankfully accepted the magician 's offer , and said , ' I can not now offer you any reward for your kindness , but should my undertaking succeed your trouble shall be richly repaid . ' Then the magician brewed a powerful potion out of nine sorts of herbs which he had gathered himself all alone by moonlight , and he gave the youth nine spoonfuls of it daily for three days , which made him able to understand the language of birds . At parting the magician said to him . ` If you ever find Solomon 's ring and get possession of it , then come back to me , that I may explain the inscription on the ring to you , for there is no one else in the world who can do this . ' From that time the youth never felt lonely as he walked along ; he always had company , because he understood the language of birds ; and in this way he learned many things which mere human knowledge could never have taught him . But time went on , and he heard nothing about the ring . It happened one evening , when he was hot and tired with walking , and had sat down under a tree in a forest to eat his supper , that he saw two gaily-plumaged birds , that were strange to him , sitting at the top of the tree talking to one another about him . The first bird said : ' I know that wandering fool under the tree there , who has come so far without finding what he seeks . He is trying to find King Solomon 's lost ring . '
The other bird answered , ` He will have to seek XXXXX from the Witch-maiden , -LRB- 3 -RRB- who will doubtless be able to put him on the right track .
birds company harm heart help parting possession reward tradition way