Jose did as he was told , and being in a great hurry to get away , asked no questions , but swung himself into the saddle . They rode far without meeting any adventures , but at length they came to an ant-hill , and the horse stopped . ` Crumble those three loaves for the ants , ' he said . But Jose hesitated . ` Why , we may want them ourselves ! ' answered he . ` Never mind that ; give them to the ants all the same . Do not lose a chance of helping others . ' And when the loaves lay in crumbs on the road , the horse galloped on . By-and-by they entered a rocky pass between two mountains , and here they saw an eagle which had been caught in a hunter 's net . ` Get down and cut the meshes of the net , and set the poor bird free , ' said the horse . ` But it will take so long , ' objected Jose , ` and we may miss the princess . ' ` Never mind that ; do not lose a chance of helping others , ' answered the horse . And when the meshes were cut , and the eagle was free , the horse galloped on . The had ridden many miles , and at last they came to a river , where they beheld a little fish lying gasping on the sand , and the horse said : ` Do you see that little fish ? It will die if you do not put it back in the water . ' ` But , really , we shall never find the Princess Bella-Flor if we waste our time like this ! ' cried Jose . ` We never waste time when we are helping others , ' answered the horse . And soon the little fish was swimming happily away .
A little while after they reached a castle , which was built in the middle of a very thick wood , and right in front was the Princess XXXXX feeding her hens .
Bella-Flor Jose bird crumbs eagle fish horse meshes net questions