There were plenty who tried to fulfil the terms which the king proposed . Rich merchants and foreign princes presented themselves one after the other , so that some days the number of them was quite annoying ; but , though they could all produce magnificent pearls , not one of them could perform even the simplest of the tasks set them . Some turned up , too , who were mere adventurers , and tried to deceive the old king with imitation pearls ; but he was not to be taken in so easily , and they were soon sent about their business . At the end of several weeks the stream of suitors began to fall off , and still there was no prospect of a suitable son-in-law . Now it so happened that in a little corner of the king 's dominions , beside the sea , there lived a poor fisher , who had three sons , and their names were Peter , Paul , and Jesper . Peter and Paul were grown men , while Jesper was just coming to manhood . The two elder brothers were much bigger and stronger than the youngest , but Jesper was far the cleverest of the three , though neither Peter nor Paul would admit this . It was a fact , however , as we shall see in the course of our story . One day the fisherman went out fishing , and among his catch for the day he brought home three dozen oysters . When these were opened , every shell was found to contain a large and beautiful pearl . Hereupon the three brothers , at one and the same moment , fell upon the idea of offering themselves as suitors for the princess . After some discussion , it was agreed that the pearls should be divided by lot , and that each should have his chance in the order of his age : of course , if the oldest was successful the other two would be saved the trouble of trying . Next morning Peter put his pearls in a little basket , and set off for the king 's palace . He had not gone far on his way when he came upon the King of the Ants and the King of the Beetles , who , with their armies behind them , were facing each other and preparing for battle . ` Come and help me , ' said the King of the Ants ; ` the beetles are too big for us . I may help you some day in return . ' ' I have no time to waste on other people 's affairs , ' said Peter ; ` just fight away as best you can ; ' and with that he walked off and left them . A little further on the way he met an old woman . ` Good morning , young man , ' said she ; ` you are early astir . What have you got in your basket ? '
` Cinders , ' said Peter promptly , and walked on , adding XXXXX himself , ` Take that for being so inquisitive . '
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