So the next morning , the two rats , having spent hours in making themselves smart , set out to see the sun , leading their daughter between them . The journey took some time , but at length they came to the golden palace where the sun lived . ` Noble king , ' began the mother , ` behold our daughter ! She is so beautiful that she is above everything in the whole world . Naturally , we wish for a son-in-law who , on his side , is greater than all . Therefore we have come to you . ' ' I feel very much flattered , ' replied the sun , who was so busy that he had not the least wish to marry anybody . ` You do me great honour by your proposal . Only , in one point you are mistaken , and it would be wrong of me to take advantage of your ignorance . There is something greater than I am , and that is the cloud . Look ! ' And as he spoke a cloud spread itself over the sun 's face , blotting out his rays . ` Oh , well , we will speak to the cloud , ' said the mother . And turning to the cloud she repeated her proposal . ` Indeed I am unworthy of anything so charming , ' answered the cloud ; ` but you make a mistake again in what you say . There is one thing that is even more powerful than I , and that is the wind . Ah , here he comes , you can see for yourself . ' And she DID see , for catching up the cloud as he passed , he threw it on the other side of the sky . Then , tumbling father , mother and daughter down to the earth again , he paused for a moment beside them , his foot on an old wall . When she had recovered her breath , the mother began her little speech once more .
` The wall is the proper husband for your daughter , ' answered the wind , whose home consisted XXXXX a cave , which he only visited when he was not rushing about elsewhere ; ` you can see for yourself that he is greater than I , for he has power to stop me in my flight . '
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