King Fernando of Berbania had three sons, Pedro, Diego and Juan of whom the last was the favorite.
He so loved Juan that when one night he dreamed that his two children conspired against their youngest brother, the king became so frightened that he fell sick with a malady, which none of the physicians of the kingdom were able to cure.
Persons were not lacking, however, who would advise him that bird Adarna was the one living being in the world which could restore to him his lost health and tranquility.
Acting on this advice, he sent out his oldest son Pedro to look for this coveted animal.
After days of wandering through the dense forests and extensive thickets, he came to a tree of diamond, at the foot of which he fell down tired and thirsty.
He never suspected that it was this very tree in which the famous bird was accustomed to pass the night; and when the night was setting and the Adarna flung into the air the first of its seven songs, his melody was so softly sweet that Pedro was lulled into a profound sleep.
After emitting its seventh melody for the night, the bird defecated on the sleeping prince who was thereby converted into a stone.
When Pedro had not returned after the lapse of one year, the now weakening king asked
his second son Diego also to launch out in search of the same bird.
Diego underwent the same vicissitudes and hardships and came to exactly the same fate as Pedro - converted into a stone at the foot of the enchanted tree.
At last Juan, the youngest and most favored son was sent forth, after his elder brothers in search of the treacherous bird.
Juan, however, had the fortune to meet on his way an old hermit who was impressed by the virtues and good manners of the young prince, and knowing the mission on which he embarked, put him on guard against the treacheries, intrigues and cunning of the famous bird.
First, he provided him with a knife and a lemon, warning him that if he wanted to free himself from the irresistible drowsiness induced by the seven melodies of the Adarna, he had to open on his body seven wounds and distil into them the juice of the lemon.
The pain caused by this might prevent him from sleeping.
Next, the hermit warned him to avoid any defecation that might fall from the bird after it sung its seven songs, so that he would not suffer the fate of his brothers.
Lastly, he told him that after finishing his seventh song the famous bird would fall sleep and that the prince should take advantage of this occasion to take him prisoner.
The hermit gave him a golden cord to tie the bird when caught and two pails of water to pour over his two petrified brothers which would bring them back to life.
Juan did as was bidden and soon found himself in possession of the desired bird and on his way back to his home country with his two brothers,Pedro and Diego.
