DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
mare," said Hans's mother, and thus they satisfied themselves.
Hans had, indeed, run after his little mare. In town he succeeded in finding out that the man who had bought her had gone with her to a place a hundred miles away. He was thought to be a rich and a great man, and presumably he belonged somewhere at the king's palace. Hans at once started on his long journey, and finally had all the hundred miles behind him. He went straight to the king's palace, and applied for a place as groom. This was granted him, but the mare was not to be found in the king's stables.
One day Hans found a small carriage out in the court-yard, and what should be attached to it but his own dear little mare: He was of course delighted to find her again, and patted and talked kindly to her. It so happened that at the same moment the king's youngest daughter—as yet a mere child—came running past; when she saw Hans standing by the little mare she came up to him and said: "Such a little pet I would like to have; I could use it both for riding and driving. Don't you think so, Hans?" Yes, Hans was quite certain; he told her that he knew the animal to be the swiftest and most pleasant in existence. The little princess skipped up to her father and asked him to buy the mare for her. "That ugly little beast!" said the king; "no, there are enough pretty horses in my stable, and you may select for your-
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