It was not pleasant , however , to discover that Jesper was a mere fisher-lad ; that was n't the kind of son-in-law that the king had expected , and he said so to the queen . ` Never mind , ' said she , ` you can easily set him such tasks as he will never be able to perform : we shall soon get rid of him . ' ` Yes , of course , ' said the king ; ` really I forget things nowadays , with all the bustle we have had of late . ' That day Jesper dined with the king and queen and their nobles , and at night was put into a bedroom grander than anything of the kind he had ever seen . It was all so new to him that he could not sleep a wink , especially as he was always wondering what kind of tasks would be set him to do , and whether he would be able to perform them . In spite of the softness of the bed , he was very glad when morning came at last . After breakfast was over , the king said to Jesper , ` Just come with me , and I 'll show you what you must do first . ' He led him out to the barn , and there in the middle of the floor was a large pile of grain . ` Here , ' said the king , ` you have a mixed heap of wheat , barley , oats , and rye , a sackful of each . By an hour before sunset you must have these sorted out into four heaps , and if a single grain is found to be in a wrong heap you have no further chance of marrying my daughter . I shall lock the door , so that no one can get in to assist you , and I shall return at the appointed time to see how you have succeeded . ' The king walked off , and Jesper looked in despair at the task before him . Then he sat down and tried what he could do at it , but it was soon very clear that single-handed he could never hope to accomplish it in the time . Assistance was out of the question -- unless , he suddenly thought -- unless the King of the Ants could help . On him he began to call , and before many minutes had passed that royal personage made his appearance . Jesper explained the trouble he was in . ` Is that all ? ' said the ant ; ` we shall soon put that to rights . ' He gave the royal signal , and in a minute or two a stream of ants came pouring into the barn , who under the king 's orders set to work to separate the grain into the proper heaps . Jesper watched them for a while , but through the continual movement of the little creatures , and his not having slept during the previous night , he soon fell sound asleep .
When he woke again , the king had just come into the barn , and was amazed to find that not only was the task accomplished , but that XXXXX had found time to take a nap as well .
Jesper King first fisher-lad hour minute minutes morning night sackful