`` By George ! I have a plan . If I could get to the place where they keep the Stupidity , I could carry away enough of it to flatten out the Earthquaker . '' Then he remembered how , in an old Italian poem , he had read about all the strange lumber-room of odd things which is kept in the moon . That is the advantage of reading : Knowledge is Power ; and you mostly get knowledge that is really worth having out of good old books which people do not usually read . `` If the Stupidity is kept in stock , up in the moon , and comes from there , falling naturally down on the earth in small quantities , I might obtain enough for my purpose , '' thought King Prigio . `` But -- how to get to the moon ? There are difficulties about that . '' But difficulties only sharpened the ingenuity of this admirable king . `` The other fellow had a Flying Horse , '' said he . By `` the other fellow '' King Prigio meant an Italian knight , Astolfo , who , in old times , visited the moon , and there found and brought back the common sense of his friend , Orlando , as you may read in the poem of Ariosto . `` Now , '' reasoned King Prigio , `` if there is a Flying Horse at all , he is in the stables of the King of Delhi . I must look into this . '' Taking the magic spy-glass , the king surveyed the world from China to Peru , and , sure enough , there was the famous Flying Horse in the king 's stable at Delhi . Hastily the king thrust his feet into the Shoes of Swiftness -- so hastily , indeed , that , as the poet says , he `` madly crammed a left-hand foot into a right-hand shoe . '' But this , many people think , is a sign of good luck ; so he put the shoes on the proper feet , and in a few minutes was in the presence of the Great Mogul . The monarch received him with some surprise , but with stately kindness , and listened to Prigio while he explained what he wanted . `` I am only too happy to assist so adventurous a prince , '' remarked the Great Mogul . `` This is like old times ! Every horse in my stable is at your service , but , as you say , only the Flying Horse is of any use to you in this expedition . ''
He clapped his hands , the Grand Vizier appeared , and the king gave orders to have the Flying Horse saddled XXXXX once .
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