The wand sprang from the fool’s hand with the speed of lightning and struck the paladin three times in the face. He immediately fled, but the wand was after him, hitting him all the time, and crying out:
“Mere promises are children’s play,
So do not throw your breath away,
But think of something true to say,
You rogue, when next you come our way.”
Defeated and filled with consternation, the paladin returned to the king and told him about the wand, and how badly he had been beaten. When the king heard that the fool possessed a wand that struck of itself, he wanted it so much that for a time he forgot all about the tablecloth, and sent some of his soldiers with orders to bring him back the wand.
When they entered the cottage, the fool, as usual, was lying on the stove.
“Deliver up the wand to us instantly,” said they; “the king is willing to pay any price you ask, but if you refuse he will take it from you by force.”
Instead of replying the fool unwound the waistband, saying to it as he did so:
“O marvellous, wonderful, lake-forming Band,