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 . In 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 . '' So this year slipped away even more pleasantly than the preceding ones . Sometimes the Prince could not help asking the White Cat how it was she could talk . `` Perhaps you are a fairy , '' he said . `` Or has some enchanter changed you into a cat ? '' But she only gave him answers that told him nothing .
Days go by so quickly when one is very happy XXXXX it is certain the Prince would never have thought of its being time to go back , when one evening as they sat together the White Cat said to him that if he wanted to take a lovely princess home with him the next day he must be prepared to do what she told him .
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