She has three golden hens in her house . Perhaps the feather belongs to one of them . ' The boy was delighted at this news , and they walked on all day together , the fox in front , and the boy behind . When evening came they lay down to sleep , and put the knapsack under their heads for a pillow . Suddenly , about midnight , the fox gave a low whine , and drew nearer to his bedfellow . ` Cousin , ' he whispered very low , ` there is someone coming who will take the knapsack away from me . Look over there ! ' And the boy , peeping through the bushes , saw a man . ` Oh , I do n't think he will rob us ! ' said the boy ; and when the man drew near , he told them his story , which so much interested the stranger that he asked leave to travel with them , as he might be of some use . So when the sun rose they set out again , the fox in front as before , the man and boy following . After some hours they reached the castle of the Sister of the Sun , who kept the golden hens among her treasures . They halted before the gate and took counsel as to which of them should go in and see the lady herself . ' I think it would be best for me to enter and steal the hens , ' said the fox ; but this did not please the boy at all . ` No , it is my business , so it is right that I should go , ' answered he . ` You will find it a very difficult matter to get hold of the hens , ' replied the fox . ` Oh , nothing is likely to happen to me , ' returned the boy . ` Well , go then , ' said the fox , ` but be careful not to make any mistake . Steal only the hen which has the feather missing from her tail , and leave the others alone . ' The man listened , but did not interfere , and the boy entered the court of the palace .
He soon spied the three hens strutting proudly about , though they were really anxiously wondering if there were not some grains lying on the ground XXXXX they might be glad to eat .
at before behind for from in over so that to