If you had all the men in the world to help you , you could not clear off this one little hay-rick in a week . The instant you have thrown down the hay at the top , it will take root again from below . But listen to what I say . You must steal out at daybreak to-morrow and bring out the white horse and some good strong ropes . Then get on the hay-stack , put the ropes round it , and harness the horse to the ropes . When you are ready , climb up the hay-stack and begin to count one , two , three . The horse will ask you what you are counting , and you must be sure to answer what I whisper to you . ' So the maiden whispered something in his ear , and left the room . And the prince knew nothing better to do than to get into bed . He slept soundly , and it was still almost dark when he got up and proceeded to carry out the instructions given him by the girl . First he chose some stout ropes , and then he led the horse out of the stable and rode it to the hay-stack , which was made up of fifty cartloads , so that it could hardly be called ' a little one . ' The prince did all that the maiden had told him , and when at last he was seated on top of the rick , and had counted up to twenty , he heard the horse ask in amazement : ` What are you counting up there , my son ? ' ` Oh , nothing , ' said he , ' I was just amusing myself with counting the packs of wolves in the forest , but there are really so many of them that I do n't think I should ever be done . ' The word ` wolf ' was hardly out of his mouth than the white horse was off like the wind , so that in the twinkling of an eye it had reached the shed , dragging the hay-stack behind it . The master was dumb with surprise as he came in after breakfast and found his man 's day 's work quite done . ` Was it really you who were so clever ? ' asked he . ` Or did some one give you good advice ? ' ` Oh , I have only myself to take counsel with , ' said the prince , and the old man went away , shaking his head . Late in the evening the prince went to his master to learn what he was to do next day .
` To-morrow , ' said the old man , ` you must bring the white-headed calf XXXXX the meadow , and , as you value your life , take care it does not escape from you . '
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