‘Well, this is he.’
The king commanded that sumptuous garments be made for him as quickly as possible. In these clothes he presented a very comely appearance. The king is well pleased; the wedding comes off; and they live happily, with the help of the good God.
Some time after, another king declared war against this one: ‘Since thou hast not given thy daughter in marriage to my son, I will make war against thee.’ But this king, the fool’s father-in-law, had two sons. The fool also made preparations, and went to the war. His two brothers-in-law went in advance; the fool set out after them. He took a short cut, and, having placed himself on their line of march [[160]]he sat down on the edge of a pond, and amused himself hunting frogs. These two wise brothers-in-law came up.
‘Just look at him, see what he is doing; he is not thinking of the war, but only amusing himself hunting frogs.’
These two brothers went on, and this fool mounted his horse, and went to his bush; he struck it thrice, and the fairy appeared before him.
‘What demandest thou?’
‘I demand a magnificent horse and a sabre with which I may be able to exterminate the entire army, and some of the most beautiful clothes.’
He speedily dressed himself; he girded on this sabre; he mounted his horse, and set forth with the help of God. Having overtaken these two brothers-in-law by the way, he asked them, ‘Whither are you bound?’
‘We are going to the war.’
‘So am I; let us all three go together.’