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The people agreed that the great light had been solely for the emperor's eye-sight. Nobody in the world saw except the emperor, nobody perceived the annoyances of the darkness except the emperor, and nobody was more unhappy than the emperor. So he advised and commanded his sons, Florea and Costan, to set out and free the world from darkness.
"I will go," he said to his brothers; "and if, at the end of a year, a month, a week, and a day, I have not returned with the water, you can follow me, Costan." With these words he departed. For three days and three nights Florea did not stop; his horse flew like a ghost over the mountains and valleys till it reached the frontiers of the empire.
When morning dawned after a year, a month, a week, and a day, Costan mounted his horse, took leave of his youngest brother, and saying to him, "Come, if I am lost too," rode off as Florea had done. The dragon at the bridge was now still more terrible, his heads were more frightful and the hero fled still faster. Nothing more was heard of the two brothers; Petru remained alone.
Costan was very different, short, strongly built, with a muscular arm and a stout fist. The third and youngest prince was named Petru a tall, slender fellow, more like a girl than a boy. Petru did not talk much, he laughed and sang, sang and laughed, from morning till night.
"Yes, indeed," said Costan, "Florea speaks sensibly." Petru shook his head once or twice, and then told his brothers about his charmed handkerchief. They now perceived that there was only one way to kill the hero, so Florea began to talk to Petru over Costan's shoulders. About three stones'-throws off was a well of clear, cold water. "Aren't you thirsty, Costan?" asked Florea, winking at Costan.
And the moment the year, the month, the week, and the day were over Costan mounted his horse and took leave of his youngest brother. 'If I fail, then you come, said he, and followed the path that Florea had taken. The dragon on the bridge was more fearful and his three heads more terrible than before, and the young hero rode away still faster than his brother had done.
The dragon on the bridge was yet more dreadful than the one Florea and Costan had seen, for this one had seven heads instead of only three. Petru stopped for a moment when he caught sight of this terrible creature. Then he found his voice. 'Get out of the way! cried he. 'Get out of the way! he repeated again, as the dragon did not move.
He had barely pulled it out and not wholly opened it, when the voice inside said: "The Fairy Aurora is angry because you took the water away. Holy Friday is angry because she has broken her jug, your brothers Florea and Costan are angry because you have wrested the empire from them." Petru began to laugh when he heard of so much anger. He did not exactly know what else to ask.
And both brothers understood there was only one way in which they could kill him. At a stone's throw from where they stood ran a rushing stream, with clear deep pools. 'Don't you feel thirsty, Costan? asked Florea, winking at him. 'Yes, replied Costan, understanding directly what was wanted. 'Come, Petru, let us drink now we have the chance, and then we will set out on our way home.
When Petru saw his dear brothers, he leaped from the bay's back and rushed into their arms. Dear me! how could he help it? How long it was since he had seen a human face or heard one word of human speech! The conversation flowed as it flows among brothers. Petru was gay and happy; Florea and Costan were full of sweet words, there was honey on their lips.
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