“Good day,” answered Broad.
“My servant here tells me that you are a very wonderful person,” said the Prince. “What can you do that is so wonderful?”
What Broad could do was to spread himself out until he was as broad across as he wished to be.
“I should like to see that,” said the Prince.
Very well! Nothing was easier, and Broad was willing to show him. “But first,” said Broad, “do you get behind those rocks over yonder. Otherwise you may get hurt. And now I will begin.”
“Quick! quick, Master!” cried Long, in a voice of fear. “We have not a moment to lose,” and he ran at full speed and crouched down behind the rocks. The Prince followed him, and he also got behind the rocks, but he did not know why Long was in such a hurry, nor why he seemed so frightened. He soon saw, however, for when Broad began to spread, he spread so fast and with such force that unless the Prince and Long had been behind the rocks, they would certainly have been pushed against them and crushed.
“Is that enough?” cried Broad, after he had spread out so wide that the Prince could scarcely see across him.
“Yes, that is enough.”
So Broad began to shrink, and soon he was no fatter than he had been before.
“Yes, you are certainly a very wonderful fellow, and I should like to have you for a servant,” said the Prince. “Will you come with me also?”