ferdinand the faithful went into the stable to his white horse, and complained and lamented, "oh, what an unhappy man i am!" then someone behind him cried, "ferdinand the faithful, why weepest thou?" he looked round but saw no one, and went on lamenting; "oh, my dear little white horse, now must i leave thee; now must i die." then some one cried once more, "ferdinand the faithful, why weepest thou?" then for the first time he was aware that it was his little white horse who was putting that question. "dost thou speak, my little white horse; canst thou do that?" and again, he said, "i am to go to this place and to that, and am to bring the bride; canst thou tell me how i am to set about it?"