` Oh , nothing ! ' replied he . ` Just weaving a chin strap to bind your jaws together , in case you might wish to eat any more ! ' The white horse sighed deeply when it heard this , and made up its mind to be content with what it had eaten . The youth next began to clean out the stall , and the horse knew it had found a master ; and by mid-day there was still fodder in the manger , and the place was as clean as a new pin . He had barely finished when in walked the old man , who stood astonished at the door . ` Is it really you who have been clever enough to do that ? ' he asked . ` Or has some one else given you a hint ? ' ` Oh , I have had no help , ' replied the prince , ` except what my poor weak head could give me . ' The old man frowned , and went away , and the prince rejoiced that everything had turned out so well . In the evening his master said , ` To-morrow I have no special task to set you , but as the girl has a great deal to do in the house you must milk the black cow for her . But take care you milk her dry , or it may be the worse for you . ' ` Well , ' thought the prince as he went away , ` unless there is some trick behind , this does not sound very hard . I have never milked a cow before , but I have good strong fingers . ' He was very sleepy , and was just going toward his room , when the maiden came to him and asked : ` What is your task to-morrow ? ' ' I am to help you , ' he answered , ` and have nothing to do all day , except to milk the black cow dry . ' ` Oh , you are unlucky , ' cried she . ` If you were to try from morning till night you could n't do it . There is only one way of escaping the danger , and that is , when you go to milk her , take with you a pan of burning coals and a pair of tongs .
Place the pan on the floor XXXXX the stall , and the tongs on the fire , and blow with all your might , till the coals burn brightly .
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