asked the peasant. "oh, i have not got the money," replied the woman; "he had happened to forget his money-belt, but he will soon bring it, and he left good security behind him." "what kind of security?" asked the man. "one of the three cows, which he shall not have until he has paid for the other two. i have managed very cunningly, for i have kept the smallest, which eats the least." the man was enraged and lifted up his stick, and was just going to give her the beating he had promised her. suddenly he let the stick fail and said, "you are the stupidest goose that ever waddled on god’s earth, but i am sorry for you. i will go out into the highways and wait for three days to see if i find anyone who is still stupider than you. if i succeed in doing so, you shall go scot-free, but if i do not find him, you shall receive your well-deserved reward without any discount."