` What are you doing here , friend ? ' asked the stranger ; ` darkness is falling fast , and soon the wild beasts will come from their lairs to seek for food . ' ' I have lost myself , ' answered the king , ` and am trying to get home . ' ` Then promise me that you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house , and I will show you the way , ' said the stranger . The king did not answer directly , but after awhile he spoke : ` Why should I give away my BEST sporting dog . I can surely find my way out of the forest as well as this man . ' So the stranger left him , but the king followed path after path for three whole days , with no better success than before . He was almost in despair , when the stranger suddenly appeared , blocking up his way . ` Promise you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house to meet you ? ' But still the king was stiff-necked and would promise nothing . For some days longer he wandered up and down the forest , trying first one path , then another , but his courage at last gave way , and he sank wearily on the ground under a tree , feeling sure his last hour had come . Then for the third time the stranger stood before the king , and said : ` Why are you such a fool ? What can a dog be to you , that you should give your life for him like this ? Just promise me the reward I want , and I will guide you out of the forest . ' ` Well , my life is worth more than a thousand dogs , ' answered the king , ` the welfare of my kingdom depends on me . I accept your terms , so take me to my palace . ' Scarcely had he uttered the words than he found himself at the edge of the wood , with the palace in the dim distance . He made all the haste he could , and just as he reached the great gates out came the nurse with the royal baby , who stretched out his arms to his father . The king shrank back , and ordered the nurse to take the baby away at once . Then his great boarhound bounded up to him , but his caresses were only answered by a violent push .
When the king 's anger was spent , and he was able to think what was best to be done , he exchanged his baby , a beautiful boy , XXXXX the daughter of a peasant , and the prince lived roughly as the son of poor people , while the little girl slept in a golden cradle , under silken sheets .
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