A little farther on in the woods Prince Charming came suddenly on two old women who were quarreling about a young goat. They stopped when they saw the Prince approach and one of them said, “O Prince, the kid is mine, and I must have it.”
“Nay, good Prince,” said the other, “the kid is mine and I need it much.”
The Prince turned to the old woman who had spoken first and said:
“Prove to me that the kid is thine.”
“I live in yonder cottage,” said the old woman, “with a pig and a cow and a brood of little chicks. This kid gives me milk and it is mine.”
“Now,” said the Prince to the other old woman, “how canst thou prove the kid is thine?”
“Alas!” said the poor old woman, “I can only say that it is mine. I live in the cottage beside this dame. I have neither pig nor cow, but a little garden and this good kid. It feeds from my hand and comes to me when I call its name.”
“I shall buy the kid and carry it far away with me,” said the Prince. “How much will you ask for it?”
“O,” said the first old woman, rubbing her hands, “I will sell it to thee for a piece of gold.”
“How much do you ask for it?” said Prince Charming to the second old woman.