The Prince with the peasants

           WhentheKingawokeintheearlymorning,hefoundthatawetbutthoughtfulrathadcreptintotheplaceduringthenightandmadeacosybedforitselfinhisbosom.Beingdisturbednow,itscamperedaway.Theboysmiled,andsaid,"Poorfool,whysofearful?Iamasforlornasthou.’Twouldbeashaminmetohurtthehelpless,whoammyselfsohelpless.Moreover,Ioweyouthanksforagoodomen;forwhenakinghasfallensolowthattheveryratsdomakeabedofhim,itsurelymeaneththathisfortunesbeupontheturn,sinceitisplainhecannolowergo."

           Hegotupandsteppedoutofthestall,andjustthenheheardthesoundofchildren’svoices.Thebarndooropenedandacoupleoflittlegirlscamein.Assoonastheysawhimtheirtalkingandlaughingceased,andtheystoppedandstoodstill,gazingathimwithstrongcuriosity;theypresentlybegantowhispertogether,thentheyapproachednearer,andstoppedagaintogazeandwhisper.By-and-bytheygatheredcourageandbegantodiscusshimaloud.Onesaid—

           "Hehathacomelyface."

           Theotheradded—

           "Andprettyhair."

           "Butisillclothedenow."

           "Andhowstarvedhelooketh."

           Theycamestillnearer,sidlingshylyaroundandabouthim,examininghimminutelyfromallpoints,asifheweresomestrangenewkindofanimal,butwarilyandwatchfullythewhile,asiftheyhalffearedhemightbeasortofanimalthatwouldbite,uponoccasion.