BOY: Give me a gold piece to go to the park, indeed! You must have a pocketful of gold pieces. Or you must think me more stupid than I am.
KING: Stupid! Who thinks you stupid?
BOY: Why, who would be so foolish as to give me a gold piece just for running half a mile for a book? No, no, you are joking. You couldn't make me believe that.
KING: Well, you know "seeing is believing." Look! here is the gold piece for you.
BOY: But it is in your hand. If I saw it in my own hand, that would be a different matter.
KING (laughing): You are certainly not stupid, my boy; but you may have it in your own hand. Here it is.
(Boy stands still, looking worried,)
KING: Well, why don't you go?
BOY: I only wish I could. But what would become of the geese while I am away? If they strayed into the meadow over yonder, I should have to pay trespass-money—more than the gold piece—and lose my place besides.