But Ciccu uncovered the basket , and there lay a pile of beautiful ripe figs . And the king was delighted , and emptied them himself on the silver dish , and gave five florins to Ciccu , and offered besides to take him into his service . Ciccu accepted gratefully , but said he must first return home and give the five florins to his brothers . When he got home Peppe spoke : ` Now we will see what we each have got from the king . I myself received from him fifty lashes . ' ` And I a hundred and fifty , ' added Alfin . ` And I five florins and some sweets , which you can divide between you , for the king has taken me into his service . ' Then Ciccu went back to the Court and served the king , and the king loved him . The other two brothers heard that Ciccu had become quite an important person , and they grew envious , and thought how they could put him to shame . At last they came to the king and said to him , ' O king ! your palace is beautiful indeed , but to be worthy of you it lacks one thing -- the sword of the Man-eater . ' ` How can I get it ? ' asked the king . ` Oh , Ciccu can get it for you ; ask him . ' So the king sent for Ciccu and said to him , ` Ciccu , you must at any price manage to get the sword of the Man-eater . ' Ciccu was very much surprised at this sudden command , and he walked thoughtfully away to the stables and began to stroke his favourite horse , saying to himself , ` Ah , my pet , we must bid each other good-bye , for the king has sent me away to get the sword of the Maneater . ' Now this horse was not like other horses , for it was a talking horse , and knew a great deal about many things , so it answered , ` Fear nothing , and do as I tell you . Beg the king to give you fifty gold pieces and leave to ride me , and the rest will be easy . ' Ciccu believed what the horse said , and prayed the king to grant him what he asked . Then the two friends set out , but the horse chose what roads he pleased , and directed Ciccu in everything .
It took them many days ' hard riding before they reached the country where the Man-eater lived , and then the horse told XXXXX to stop a group of old women who were coming chattering through the wood , and offer them each a shilling if they would collect a number of mosquitos and tie them up in a bag .
Alfin Ciccu Man-eater Maneater Peppe figs first florins horse roads