Then something happened which was quite unexpected by everyone . ' I wo n't marry that ugly old wall , which is as old as my grandfather , ' sobbed the girl , who had not uttered one word all this time . ' I would have married the sun , or the cloud , or the wind , because it was my duty , although I love the handsome young rat , and him only . But that horrid old wall -- I would sooner die ! ' And the wall , rather hurt in his feelings , declared that he had no claim to be the husband of so beautiful a girl . ` It is quite true , ' he said , ` that I can stop the wind who can part the clouds who can cover the sun ; but there is someone who can do more than all these , and that is the rat . It is the rat who passes through me , and can reduce me to powder , simply with his teeth . If , therefore , you want a son-in-law who is greater than the whole world , seek him among the rats . ' ` Ah , what did I tell you ? ' cried the father . And his wife , though for the moment angry at being beaten , soon thought that a rat son-in-law was what she had always desired . So all three returned happily home , and the wedding was celebrated three days after . -LSB- Contes Populaires . -RSB- The Mermaid and the Boy Long , long ago , there lived a king who ruled over a country by the sea . When he had been married about a year , some of his subjects , inhabiting a distant group of islands , revolted against his laws , and it became needful for him to leave his wife and go in person to settle their disputes . The queen feared that some ill would come of it , and implored him to stay at home , but he told her that nobody could do his work for him , and the next morning the sails were spread , and the king started on his voyage . The vessel had not gone very far when she ran upon a rock , and stuck so fast in a cleft that the strength of the whole crew could not get her off again . To make matters worse , the wind was rising too , and it was quite plain that in a few hours the ship would be dashed to pieces and everybody would be drowned , when suddenly the form of a mermaid was seen dancing on the waves which threatened every moment to overwhelm them . ` There is only one way to free yourselves , ' she said to the king , bobbing up and down in the water as she spoke , ` and that is to give me your solemn word that you will deliver to me the first child that is born to you . ' The king hesitated at this proposal .
He hoped that some day he might have children in his home , and the thought that he must yield up the heir to his crown was very bitter to him ; but just then a huge wave broke with great force on the ship 's side , and his men fell on their knees and entreated him XXXXX save them .
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