“‘By no means,’ answered the stranger. ‘He is worth no more than a silver piece.’
“But the people only laughed. They thought the stranger was making fun of them. He went on his way, and had soon passed beyond the village. Now it chanced that the stepfather of the bright and handsome boy was in the crowd that gathered around the stranger. He thought it was very queer that a rooster should be crowing so bravely when his legs were tied together and while his head was hanging down. So he said to himself that there might be some truth in what the stranger said. He ran after the man and soon overtook him.
“‘That is a fine fowl,’ said the boy’s stepfather.
“‘It is a royal bird,’ the stranger replied.
“‘What is he worth?’ asked the boy’s stepfather.
“‘I shall be glad to get rid of him,’ said the stranger. ‘Give me a piece of silver and take him.’
“This was soon done, and the stepfather took the rooster under his arm.
“‘Remember this,’ remarked the stranger; ‘if you eat the head of that bird you will reign in this country as king.’
“‘Oh, ho!’ laughed the boy’s stepfather, ‘you are a fine joker.’
“With the fowl under his arm he went toward his home. He had gone but a little way when he turned to look at the stranger, but the man had disappeared. The country was level for a long distance in all directions, but the stranger could not be seen.