“Not that one!” the old frog said, “unless you want your brothers to laugh at you.”
Thereupon she herself picked out the ring that had the biggest diamond of them all, wrapped it up carefully in paper, and handed it to Kubik.
“Now hurry home,” she said, “for your brothers are already there and your father is waiting for you.”
As soon as Kubik reached home the farmer called his three sons together and demanded to be shown their betrothal gifts.
All the eldest son had was a common brass ring.
“Um,” the farmer said, shaking his head. “Well, put it away for a keepsake.”
The second son showed a silver ring that was worth a few cents more.
“A little better,” the old man mumbled, “but not good enough for a farmer. Put it away for a keepsake. And now,” he said, turning to his youngest son, “let us see what Kubik has brought from his promised bride.”
They all looked at Kubik, and Kubik blushed as he felt in his pocket for the little package.
“Ho, ho!” his brothers laughed. “Kubik has such a fine ring that he has to keep it wrapped up.”