said he , ` you 'll get us into trouble . ' ' I have n't helped you enough yet , ' replied the boy . ` To-morrow there will come a great fat cow , as big as the house . Take it to the king 's palace and you 'll get as much as a thousand dollars for it . Only you must unfasten the halter you lead it with and bring it back , and do n't return by the high road , but through the forest . ' The next day , when the couple rose , they saw an enormous head looking in at their bedroom window , and behind it was a cow which was nearly as big as their hut . Kirsten was wild with joy to think of the money the cow would bring them . ` But how are you going to put the rope over her head ? ' asked she . ` Wait and you 'll see , mother , ' answered her husband . Then Peder took the ladder that led up to the hayloft and set it against the cow 's neck , and he climbed up and slipped the rope over her head . When he had made sure that the noose was fast they started for the palace , and met the king himself walking in his grounds . ' I heard that the princess was going to be married , ' said Peder , ` so I 've brought your majesty a cow which is bigger than any cow that was ever seen . Will your majesty deign to buy it ? ' The king had , in truth , never seen so large a beast , and he willingly paid the thousand dollars , which was the price demanded ; but Peder remembered to take off the halter before he left . After he was gone the king sent for the butcher and told him to kill the animal for the wedding feast . The butcher got ready his pole-axe ; but just as he was going to strike , the cow changed itself into a dove and flew away , and the butcher stood staring after it as if he were turned to stone . However , as the dove could not be found , he was obliged to tell the king what had happened , and the king in his turn despatched messengers to capture the old man and bring him back . But Peder was safe in the woods , and could not be found . When at last he felt the danger was over , and he might go home , Kirsten nearly fainted with joy at the sight of all the money he brought with him .
` Now XXXXX we are rich people we must build a bigger house , ' cried she ; and was vexed to find that Peder only shook his head and said : ` No ; if they did that people would talk , and say they had got their wealth by ill-doing . '
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