When they had got a bit on the way they met a goose.
"Good day, my good people, and thanks for your kindness last time we met," said the Goose. "Where are you off to?"
"Good day, and thanks to you," said the Ram. "We had it altogether too comfortable at our place, so we are off to the woods to live by ourselves. In your own house you are your own master, you know," said he.
"Well, I'm very comfortable where I am," said the Goose; "but why shouldn't I join you? Good company makes the day shorter," said she.
"But neither hut nor house can be built by gabbling and quacking," said the Pig. "What do you think you can do?"
"Good counsel and skill may do as much as a giant's will," said the Goose. "I can pluck moss and stuff it into the crevices, so that the house will be warm and comfortable."
Well, she might come with them, thought the Pig, for he liked the place to be warm and cozy.
When they had gone a bit on the way—the Goose was not getting along very fast—they met a hare, who came scampering out of the wood.
"Good day, my good people, and thanks for your kindness the last time we met," said the Hare. "How far are you going to-day?" said he.
"Good day, and thanks to you," said the Ram; "we had it altogether too comfortable at our place, so we are off to the woods to build a house and live by ourselves. When you have tried both East and West, you'll find that a home of your own is, after all, the best," said he.