But a maiden bluebottle, who was distantly related to his family, nursed his wing for him, and so pretty soon he was as gay as ever. Then he said:
“Very well, if I can’t have the princess, I’ll have the next best thing.”
And so he flew into the king’s stable and sat himself down right on the back of the princess’s favorite mare.
“Zum, zum, zoo,
I want to marry you!”
he hummed.
But the mare took not the least notice of his song. She only shifted her feet irritably, for the Bluebottle tickled her.
“Zum, zum, zoo,
I want to marry you!”
repeated the Bluebottle, quite boldly.