“Whatever you like,” said the King of Ireland’s Son.
“If I win you must give me anything I ask, and if you win I shall give you anything you ask. Will you agree to that?”
“If it is agreeable to you it is agreeable to me,” said the King of Ireland’s Son.
They played, and the King of Ireland’s Son won the game. “Now what do you desire me to give, King’s Son?” said the gray old fellow.
“I shan’t ask you for anything,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “for I think you haven’t much to give.”
“Never mind that,” said the gray old fellow. “I mustn’t break my promise, and so you must ask me for something.”
“Very well,” said the King’s Son. “Then there’s a field at the back of my father’s Castle and I want to see it filled with cattle to-morrow morning. Can you do that for me?”
“I can,” said the gray old fellow.
“Then I want fifty cows, each one white with a red ear, and a white calf going beside each cow.”
“The cattle shall be as you wish.”