` How careless of me , ' gasped she , beginning to sob . ' I have lost my favourite ring ; DO stop for a moment and look if you can see it . ' But Jose answered : ` You will find plenty of rings where you are going . ' And the horse galloped on . At last they entered the palace gates , and the king 's heart bounded with joy at beholding his beloved Princess Bella-Flor . But the princess brushed him aside as if he had been a fly , and locked herself into the nearest room , which she would not open for all his entreaties . ` Bring me the three things I lost on the way , and perhaps I may think about it , ' was all she would say . And , in despair , the king was driven to take counsel of Jose . ` There is no remedy that I can see , ' said his majesty , ` but that you , who know where they are , should go and bring them back . And if you return without them I will have you drowned . ' Poor Jose was much troubled at these words . He thought that he had done all that was required of him , and that his life was safe . However , he bowed low , and went out to consult his friend the horse . ` Do not vex yourself , ' said the horse , when he had heard the story ; ` jump up , and we will go and look for the things . ' And Jose mounted at once . They rode on till they came to the ant-hill , and then the horse asked : ` Would you like to have the bran ? ' ` What is the use of liking ? ' answered Jose . ` Well , call the ants , and tell them to fetch it for you ; and , if some of it has been scattered by the wind , to bring in its stead the grains that were in the cakes you gave them . ' Jose listened in surprise .
He did not much believe XXXXX the horse 's plan ; but he could not think of anything better , so he called to the ants , and bade them collect the bran as fast as they could .
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