This time the Prince was so late that he did not try to meet his brothers at their castle , so they thought he could not be coming , and were rather glad of it , and displayed their pieces of muslin to the King proudly , feeling sure of success . And indeed the stuff was very fine , and would go through the eye of a very large needle ; but the King , who was only too glad to make a difficulty , sent for a particular needle , which was kept among the Crown jewels , and had such a small eye that everybody saw at once that it was impossible that the muslin should pass through it . The Princes were angry , and were beginning to complain that it was a trick , when suddenly the trumpets sounded and the youngest Prince came in . His father and brothers were quite astonished at his magnificence , and after he had greeted them he took the walnut from his pocket and opened it , fully expecting to find the piece of muslin , but instead there was only a hazel-nut . He cracked it , and there lay a cherry-stone . Everybody was looking on , and the King was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding the piece of muslin in a nutshell . However , the Prince cracked the cherry-stone , but everyone laughed when he saw it contained only its own kernel . He opened that and found a grain of wheat , and in that was a millet seed . Then he himself began to wonder , and muttered softly : `` White Cat , White Cat , are you making fun of me ? '' In an instant he felt a cat 's claw give his hand quite a sharp scratch , and hoping that it was meant as an encouragement he opened the millet seed , and drew out of it a piece of muslin four hundred ells long , woven with the loveliest colors and most wonderful patterns ; and when the needle was brought it went through the eye six times with the greatest ease ! The King turned pale , and the other Princes stood silent and sorrowful , for nobody could deny that this was the most marvelous piece of muslin that was to be found in the world . Presently the King turned to his sons , and said , with a deep sigh : `` Nothing could console me more in my old age than to realize your willingness to gratify my wishes . Go then once more , and whoever at the end of a year can bring back the loveliest princess shall be married to her , and shall , without further delay , receive the crown , for my successor must certainly be married . '' The Prince considered that he had earned the kingdom fairly twice over but still he was too well bred to argue about it , so he just went back to his gorgeous chariot , and , surrounded by his escort , returned to the White Cat faster than he had come . This time she was expecting him , the path was strewn with flowers , and a thousand braziers were burning scented woods which perfumed the air . Seated in a gallery from which she could see his arrival , the White Cat waited for him . `` Well , King 's son , '' she said , `` here you are once more , without a crown . '' `` Madam , '' said he , `` thanks to your generosity I have earned one twice over ; but the fact is that my father is so loth to part with it that it would be no pleasure to me to take it . '' `` Never mind , '' she answered , `` it 's just as well to try and deserve it . As you must take back a lovely princess with you next time I will be on the look-out for one for you .
XXXXX the meantime let us enjoy ourselves ; to-night I have ordered a battle between my cats and the river rats on purpose to amuse you . ''
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