This went on for a week, and then she was so worn out that she sat down by the wayside and burst into tears. Some kindly villagers asked her what was the matter, and if she knew what her husband was?
“He is a swineherd,” she answered, “and has just gone to market with some of his pigs.”
“Come with us, and we will show you where he is,” they said; and they took her away over the hill to the king’s palace, and there in the hall stood her husband surrounded by courtiers, and so richly dressed that she did not know him, till he fell upon her neck, saying:
“We have borne much for each other, now let us be happy.”
Then there was great rejoicing, and the marriage-feast was celebrated, and all I can say is, that I wish we had been there to share the merrymaking.
The Hare and the Fox
A hare and a Fox were traveling together. It was winter time. Not a blade of grass was to be seen, not a bird or mouse stirred in the fields.
“It’s hungry weather,” said the Fox to the Hare. “I feel as hollow as an egg-shell.”
“And so do I,” replied the Hare. “I’m hungry enough to eat my own ears, if only I could reach them.”
When they had gone a little way they spied a peasant girl coming toward them. She carried a basket, and out of the basket came a very pleasant smell—the smell of hot rolls.