Ulrich was obliged to share the jester's sleeping-room, and as Pellicanus shrank from getting out of bed, while suffering from night-sweats, and often needed something, he roused Ulrich from his sleep, and the latter was always ready to assist him.

This happened more frequently as they continued their journey, and the poor little man's illness increased.
The count had furnished Ulrich with a spirited young horse, that shortened the road for him by its tricks and capers.

But the jester, who became more and more attached to the boy, also did his utmost to keep the feeling of happiness alive in his heart.

On warm days he nestled in the rack before the tilt with the driver, and when Ulrich rode beside him, opened his eyes to everything that passed before him.
The jester had a great deal to tell about the country and people, and he embellished the smallest trifle with tales invented by himself, or devised by others.
While passing a grove of birches, he asked the lad if he knew why the trunks of these trees were white, and then explained the cause, as follows: "When Orpheus played so exquisitely on his lute, all the trees rushed forward to dance.

The birches wanted to come too, but being vain, stopped to put on white dresses, to outdo the others.