` Come and help us , ' said their king to Jesper , ` or we shall be completely defeated . I may help you some day in return . ' Now Jesper had always heard the ants spoken of as clever and industrious little creatures , while he never heard anyone say a good word for the beetles , so he agreed to give the wished-for help . At the first charge he made , the ranks of the beetles broke and fled in dismay , and those escaped best that were nearest a hole , and could get into it before Jesper 's boots came down upon them . In a few minutes the ants had the field all to themselves ; and their king made quite an eloquent speech to Jesper , thanking him for the service he had done them , and promising to assist him in any difficulty . ` Just call on me when you want me , ' he said , ` where-ever you are . I 'm never far away from anywhere , and if I can possibly help you , I shall not fail to do it . ' Jesper was inclined to laugh at this , but he kept a grave face , said he would remember the offer , and walked on . At a turn of the road he suddenly came upon the old woman . ` Good morning , ' said she ; ` what have YOU got in your basket ? ' ` Pearls , ' said Jesper ; ` I 'm going to the palace to win the princess with them . ' And in case she might not believe him , he lifted the cover and let her see them . ` Beautiful , ' said the old woman ; ` very beautiful indeed ; but they will go a very little way towards winning the princess , unless you can also perform the tasks that are set you . However , ' she said , ' I see you have brought something with you to eat . Wo n't you give that to me : you are sure to get a good dinner at the palace . ' ` Yes , of course , ' said Jesper , ' I had n't thought of that ' ; and he handed over the whole of his lunch to the old woman . He had already taken a few steps on the way again , when the old woman called him back . ` Here , ' she said ; ` take this whistle in return for your lunch . It is n't much to look at , but if you blow it , anything that you have lost or that has been taken from you will find its way back to you in a moment . ' Jesper thanked her for the whistle , though he did not see of what use it was to be to him just then , and held on his way to the palace .
When Jesper presented his pearls to the king there were exclamations of wonder and delight XXXXX everyone who saw them .
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