One morning he went to the goose market to buy some nice fat geese, such as he knew the duke would relish. He purchased a cage of three geese, but he noticed that one of the geese did not quack and gabble like the others.
“The poor thing must be sick,” he said; “I will make haste to kill her.”
To his great astonishment, the goose made answer:—
“Stop my breath,
And I will cause your early death.”
Then he knew that the goose was some enchanted being, and he resolved to spare her life.
“You have not always had feathers on you, as now?” said the dwarf.
“No; I am Mimi, daughter of Waterbrook the Great.”
“Prithee be calm; I will be your friend; I know how to pity you. I was once a squirrel myself.”
Now the duke made a great feast, and invited the prince. The prince was highly pleased with the ducal dishes, and praised the cook.
“But there is one dish that you have not provided,” said the prince.