the farmer was glad, put his two horses in his cart, and fetched from the smith a staff so large and thick, that the two horses could only just bring it away. the youth laid it across his knees, and snap! he broke it in two in the middle like a bean-stalk, and threw it away. the father then harnessed four horses, and brought a bar which was so long and thick, that the four horses could only just drag it. the son snapped this also in twain against his knees, threw it away, and said, "father, this can be of no use to me, you must harness more horses, and bring a stronger staff." so the father harnessed eight horses, and brought one which was so long and thick, that the eight horses could only just carry it. when the son took it in his hand, he broke off a bit from the top of it also, and said, "father, i see that you will not be able to procure me any such staff as i want, i will remain no longer with you."