I have a basket of lovely figs for the king , ' he said to the servant who opened it , ` if his majesty will be graciously pleased to accept them with my humble duty . ' The king loved figs , and ordered Peppe to be admitted to his presence , and a silver dish to be brought on which to put the figs . When Peppe uncovered his basket sure enough a layer of beautiful purple figs met the king 's eyes , but underneath there was nothing but dirt . ` How dare you play me such a trick ? ' shrieked the king in a rage . ` Take him away , and give him fifty lashes . ' This was done , and Peppe returned home , sore and angry , but determined to say nothing about his adventure . And when his brothers asked him what had happened he only answered , ` When we have all three been I will tell you . ' A few days after this more figs were ready for plucking , and Alfin in his turn set out for the palace . He had not gone far down the road before he met the old man , who asked him what he had in his basket . ` Horns , ' answered Alfin , shortly . ` Good , ' replied the old man ; ` horns you have said , and horns let it be . ' When Alfin reached the castle he knocked at the door and said to the servant : ` Here is a basket of lovely figs , if his majesty will be good enough to accept them with my humble duty . ' The king commanded that Alfin should be admitted to his presence , and a silver dish to be brought on which to lay the figs . When the basket was uncovered some beautiful purple figs lay on the top , but underneath there was nothing but horns . Then the king was beside himself with passion , and screamed out , ` Is this a plot to mock me ? Take him away , and give him a hundred and fifty lashes ! ' So Alfin went sadly home , but would not tell anything about his adventures , only saying grimly , ` Now it is Ciccu 's turn . ' Ciccu had to wait a little before he gathered the last figs on the tree , and these were not nearly so good as the first set . However , he plucked them , as they had agreed , and set out for the king 's palace .
The old man was still on the road , and he came up and said to Ciccu , ` What have you got XXXXX that basket ? '
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