Then he ran along behind the mounds , and met the man at the other end of them . ` Where are you going , my little boy ? ' said the man , who did not notice that it was the same one he had met before . ' I am going about seeking for service ? ' said the boy . ` Will you serve me ? ' asked the man . ` Oh , yes ; just as readily you as anyone else , ' said the boy . ` But can you read ? ' said the man . ` No , I do n't know a single letter , ' said the boy . The man then took him into his service , and all the work he had to do was to dust his master 's books . But as he did this he had plenty of time to read them as well , and he read away at them until at last he was just as wise as his master -- who was a great wizard -- and could perform all kinds of magic . Among other feats , he could change himself into the shape of any animal , or any other thing that he pleased . When he had learned all this he did not think it worth while staying there any longer , so he ran away home to his parents again . Soon after this there was a market in the next village , and the boy told his mother that he had learned how to change himself into the shape of any animal he chose . ` Now , ' said he , ' I shall change myself to a horse , and father can take me to market and sell me . I shall come home again all right . ' His mother was frightened at the idea , but the boy told her that she need not be alarmed ; all would be well . So he changed himself to a horse , such a fine horse , too , that his father got a high price for it at the market ; but after the bargain was made , and the money paid , the boy changed again to his own shape , when no one was looking , and went home .
The story spread all over the country about the fine horse that had been sold and then had disappeared , and XXXXX last the news came to the ears of the wizard .
Among So after as at for of that to while