said the donkey, and he placed himself by her side, ate and drank, and knew how to behave himself daintily and cleanly. when the noble beast had stayed a long time at the king’s court, he thought, "what good does all this do me, i shall still have to go home again?" let his head hang sadly, and went to the king and asked for his dismissal. but the king had grown fond of him, and said, "little ass, what ails thee? thou lookest as sour as a jug of vinegar, i will give thee what thou wantest. dost thou want gold?" "no," said the donkey, and shook his head. "dost thou want jewels and rich dress?" "no." "dost thou wish for half my kingdom?" "indeed, no." then said the king, "if i did but know what would make thee content. wilt thou have my pretty daughter to wife?" "ah, yes," said the ass, "i should indeed like her," and all at once he became quite merry and full of happiness, for that was exactly what he was wishing for. so a great and splendid wedding was held. in the evening, when the bride and bridegroom were led into their bed-room, the king wanted to know if the ass would behave well, and ordered a servant to hide himself there. when they were both within, the bridegroom bolted the door, looked around, and as he believed that they were quite alone, he suddenly threw off his ass’s skin, and stood there in the form of a handsome royal youth. "now," said he, "thou seest who i am, and seest also that i am not unworthy of thee." then the bride was glad, and kissed him, and loved him dearly. when morning came, he jumped up, put his animal’s skin on again, and no one could have guessed what kind of a form was hidden beneath it. soon came the old king, "ah," cried he, "is the little ass merry? but surely thou art sad?" said he to his daughter, "that thou hast not got a proper man for thy husband?" "oh, no, dear father, i love him as well as if he were the handsomest in the world, and i will keep him as long as i live."