cried the young man in dismay . ` You leave everything to me , ' answered the fox ; ` have I not managed well so far ? ' And up at the palace preparations were made for a grand wedding , and the youth was married to the princess . After a week of feasting , the fox said to the king : ` My master wishes to take his young bride home to his own castle . ' ` Very well , I will accompany them , ' replied the king ; and he ordered his courtiers and attendants to get ready , and the best horses in his stable to be brought out for himself , Count Piro and the princess . So they all set out , and rode across the plain , the little fox running before them . He stopped at the sight of a great flock of sheep , which was feeding peacefully on the rich grass . ` To whom do these sheep belong ? ' asked he of the shepherd . ` To an ogre , ' replied the shepherd . ` Hush , ' said the fox in a mysterious manner . ` Do you see that crowd of armed men riding along ? If you were to tell them that those sheep belonged to an ogre , they would kill them , and then the ogre would kill you ! If they ask , just say the sheep belong to Count Piro ; it will be better for everybody . ' And the fox ran hastily on , as he did not wish to be seen talking to the shepherd . Very soon the king came up . ` What beautiful sheep ! ' he said , drawing up his horse . ' I have none so fine in my pastures . Whose are they ? '
` Count XXXXX 's , ' answered the shepherd , who did not know the king .
Piro crowd horse king men ogre pastures plain shepherd week