The brother had walked a little distance when he saw an old man standing in the middle of the road.
“Where are you going?” The old man studied the boy.
“I am in search of the fountain of Silver Water. My sister wants it and bringing it home will make her very happy.”
The old man suddenly frowned. “There is great danger in getting this water. However, I can guide you and if you follow the instructions you will be able to be successful.”
The brother was very happy and nodded eagerly at the old man.
“The fountain that you are searching for will be guarded by a lion. However, if the lion's eyes are closed, he can see you. But if the lion's eyes are wide open, that means the lion is fast asleep.” The old man warned the boy. “Wait until you are sure that the lion's eyes are open and then fill your jar with water. And after that, run away from there as fast as you can.”
The boy went in the direction that the old man had pointed and he found a huge lion near the fountain.
However, the lion's eyes were closed.
The boy however, remembered the old man's words and waited.
Finally, the lion's eyes were wide open and the boy then went to the fountain, which was behind the lion and he filled his water jar.
After that, he ran as fast as he could towards his home.
He came back and Mariquita, and the father both rejoiced, when the boy emptied the jar of water in their courtyard.
At once, it changed into a lovely little fountain of silver water.
Mariquita clapped her hands with great joy and she was very happy again.
The next day, the brother and the father were out of the house and the old woman came again.
This time, Mariquita happily showed the fountain to the old woman.
The old woman nodded approvingly. “This is a great improvement to your courtyard. However, now you should have a little tree with leaves of silver and nuts of gold near the fountain.”
“Where can I get one?” Mariquita asked eagerly. “I have never even heard of a tree which has silver leaves and nuts of gold.
The old woman told Mariquita nothing more.
However, when the father and brother came back at night, Mariquita was unhappy again and she told them of the Visit of the woman.
This time too the brother decided to oblige Mariquita, and he decided to start his journey to find the tree with leaves of silver and nuts of gold.
Adapted from Spanish folk tales
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