“This was an easy task for the ministers and they took the decision and ordered its implementation.
The guards were removed and quickly the news spread all over the country that now the good old times had come back.

“Hosts of people came, young and old, to enjoy the milk, and the calves received the milk of the cows again.

“In a hurry the ministers drew up the first letter to the wealthy king, and dispatched it through two highly reliable, resourceful messengers.
The two envoys of the prince wanted to stay until the project was finished; and the ministers had no objection.

“When the queen in her chambers heard of the events, tears of joy ran down her cheeks; she had always felt that her child was well; often it also had seemed to her, as if she was talking to her beloved son, and as if he was telling her about his journeys.
Only once, through a secret courier, the father had told her from his hermitage in the forest that he had now taken the boy for education, and she would hear of him again in due time.

“Now the time had come, and she longed for the day when she could embrace her beloved child again.
Thus she always stood at the big window of her room and waited for his arrival.

“One day the prince was summoned to his father-in-law, and he was very surprised when he was shown the message.
And he felt like at the time when he was ordered to sort out the corn and to fetch the ring from the well. He sat down at the window, and as he looked out on the forest he began to think.

“He remembered - like in an old and deep dream - the man with the golden beard, and his words of farewell returned dew-fresh to the prince's mind, ”If you are in need, go to the wood and call ”Man with the golden beard!” Then I will come and help you. My power is great - greater than you think - and gold, silver and precious stones I have in abundance.”

“The prince left the house and went over paved and unpaved ways deep into the forest. There he called, ”Man with the golden beard!”
And indeed the man stood before him; he had not changed at all.

“Now my son, I will help you,” said the golden-bearded man after the king's son had reported everything. ”I will give you what you are looking for; know that I am the king of the animals.
So come and take from my flock of golden sheep whatever you need.”

“The king's son chose twelve golden rams, twelve golden ewes and twelve golden lambs, thanked the man sincerely and gladly drove them home.
When he arrived at home, they sent everything to the realm of the prince.

“As soon as the introductory dowry had arrived there, immediately the twelve golden rams began to bounce about like mad - first in the palace garden and then in the whole realm - as if they played catching, and wherever their hooves touched the ground the people found lodes of gold and silver and precious stones.

“Instantly the ministers sent the second letter, and again the king's son went to the woods.
“What takes you here this time?” asked the golden-bearded man. ”I am looking for twelve golden bulls, twelve golden cows, and twelve golden calves; this is what the ministers of my country are now asking for dowry.”

“Now, I will give it to you too,” said the golden-bearded man, ”come choose from my flock whatever you need.”