Then in despair he left their villages , and went out into the country , and , seating himself on the bank of a pond began to cry bitterly . Suddenly there was a noise close beside him , and a frog jumped out of the water on to the bank and asked him why he was crying . The youth told her of his trouble , and how his brothers would bring home linen spun for them by their promised wives , but that no one would spin his thread . Then the frog answered : ` Do not weep on that account ; give me the thread , and I will spin it for you . ' And , having said this , she took it out of his hand , and flopped back into the water , and the youth went back , not knowing what would happen next . In a short time the two elder brothers came home , and their mother asked to see the linen which had been woven out of the skeins of flax she had given them . They all three left the room ; and in a few minutes the two eldest returned , bringing with them the linen that had been spun by their chosen wives . But the youngest brother was greatly troubled , for he had nothing to show for the skein of flax that had been given to him . Sadly he betook himself to the pond , and sitting down on the bank , began to weep . Flop ! and the frog appeared out of the water close beside him . ` Take this , ' she said ; ` here is the linen that I have spun for you . ' You may imagine how delighted the youth was . She put the linen into his hands , and he took it straight back to his mother , who was so pleased with it that she declared she had never seen linen so beautifully spun , and that it was far finer and whiter than the webs that the two elder brothers had brought home . Then she turned to her sons and said : ` But this is not enough , my sons , I must have another proof as to what sort of wives you have chosen . In the house there are three puppies . Each of you take one , and give it to the woman whom you mean to bring home as your wife . She must train it and bring it up . Whichever dog turns out the best , its mistress will be my favourite daughter-in-law . ' So the young men set out on their different ways , each taking a puppy with him .
The youngest , not knowing where to go , returned XXXXX the pond , sat down once more on the bank , and began to weep .
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