The Tsar sent also the fool. “Well, go thou too.”
The simpleton took the very last wretched horse from the stable and followed his crafty brothers. He came to the open field and cried with a shrill voice: “Oh, blue-brown, cunning bay, stand before me as leaf before stem!” Wherever he came from, the marvellous steed was snorting, and tearing the earth with his hoof. Behold, the simpleton crept into one ear and out of the other, and became such a beauty that it was not in the power of man to recognize him. Then, wherever they came from, there stood before him two youths, and they asked, “What dost thou wish; what dost thou want?”
“I want a tent here, in the tent a bed, and at the side of the tent the golden-maned steed with golden tail.”
That minute the tent was made, in the tent a bed. The simpleton stretched himself on the bed; at the side of the tent the golden-maned steed with golden tail was walking.
The crafty sons-in-law travelled and travelled; nowhere did they see that kind of steed, and were on their way home. They drew near the tent, and saw the wonder.
“Oh, here is the place where the golden-maned steed with golden tail is walking. Let us go in,” said they; “we will give whatever they ask, and buy him to please our father-in-law.”
The simpleton asked: “Whither are ye travelling; what are ye seeking?”
“Sell us the golden-maned steed with golden tail.”
“He is not for sale; I want him myself.”
“Ask what may please thee, only sell him;” and they offered one, two, three thousand and more.