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that one could hardly see what he was like at all。 When
they reached the palace everyone crowded round to welcome
them as they went into the King's great hall； and
when the two brothers presented their little dogs nobody
could decide which was the prettier。 They were already
arranging between themselves to share the kingdom
equally； when the youngest stepped forward； drawing
from his pocket the acorn the White Cat had given him。
He opened it quickly； and there upon a white cushion
they saw a dog so small that it could easily have been put
through a ring。 The Prince laid it upon the ground； and
it got up at once and began to dance。 The King did not
know what to say； for it was impossible that anything
could be prettier than this little creature。 Nevertheless； as
he was in no hurry to part with his crown； he told his sons
that； as they had been so successful the first time； he
would ask them to go once again； and seek by land and sea
for a piece of muslin so fine that it could be drawn through
the eye of a needle。 The brothers were not very willing to
set out again； but the two eldest consented because it gave
them another chance； and they started as before。 The
youngest again mounted the wooden horse； and rode back
at full speed to his beloved White Cat。 Every door of the
castle stood wide open； and every window and turret was
illuminated； so it looked more wonderful than before。
The hands hastened to meet him； and led the wooden
horse off to the stable； while he hurried in to find the
White Cat。 She was asleep in a little basket on a white
satin cushion； but she very soon started up when she
heard the Prince； and was overjoyed at seeing him once
more。
〃How could I hope that you would come back to me
King's son？〃 she said。 And then he stroked and petted
her； and told her of his successful journey； and how he had
come back to ask her help； as he believed that it was
impossible to find what the King demanded。 The White
Cat looked serious； and said she must think what was to
be done； but that； luckily； there were some cats in the
castle who could spin very well； and if anybody could
manage it they could； and she would set them the task
herself。
And then the hands appeared carrying torches； and
conducted the Prince and the White Cat to a long gallery
which overlooked the river； from the windows of which
they saw a magnificent display of fireworks of all sorts；
after which they had supper； which the Prince liked even
better than the fireworks； for it was very late； and he was
hungry after his long ride。 And so the days passed quickly
as before； it was impossible to feel dull with the White
Cat； and she had quite a talent for inventing new amusements
indeed； she was cleverer than a cat has any right
to be。 But when the Prince asked her how it was that she
was so wise； she only said：
〃King's son； do not ask me； guess what you please。 I
may not tell you anything。〃
The Prince was so happy that he did not trouble himself
at all about the time； but presently the White Cat
told him that the year was gone； and that he need not be
at all anxious about the piece of muslin； as they had made
it very well。
〃This time；〃 she added； 〃I can give you a suitable
escort〃； and on looking out into the courtyard the Prince
saw a superb chariot of burnished gold； enameled in flame
color with a thousand different devices。 It was drawn by
twelve snow…white horses； harnessed four abreast； their
trappings were flame…colored velvet； embroidered with
diamonds。 A hundred chariots followed； each drawn by
eight horses； and filled with officers in splendid uniforms；
and a thousand guards surrounded the procession。 〃Go！〃
said the White Cat； 〃and when you appear before the
King in such state he surely will not refuse you the crown
which you deserve。 Take this walnut； but do not open
it until you are before him； then you will find in it the
piece of stuff you asked me for。〃
〃Lovely Blanchette；〃 said the Prince； 〃how can I
thank you properly for all your kindness to me？ Only tell
me that you wish it； and I will give up for ever all thought
of being king； and will stay here with you always。〃
〃King's son；〃 she replied； 〃it shows the goodness of
your heart that you should care so much for a little white
cat； who is good for nothing but to catch mice； but you
must not stay。〃
So the Prince kissed her little paw and set out。 You can
imagine how fast he traveled when I tell you that they
reached the King's palace in just half the time it had
taken the wooden horse to get there。 This time the
Prince was so late that he did not try to meet his brothers
at their castle； so they thought he could not be coming；
and were rather glad of it； and displayed their pieces of
muslin to the King proudly； feeling sure of success。 And
indeed the stuff was very fine； and would go through the
eye of a very large needle； but the King； who was only too
glad to make a difficulty； sent for a particular needle；
which was kept among the Crown jewels； and had such a
small eye that everybody saw at once that it was impossible
that the muslin should pass through it。 The Princes
were angry； and were beginning to complain that it was
a trick； when suddenly the trumpets sounded and the
youngest Prince came in。 His father and brothers were
quite astonished at his magnificence； and after he had
greeted them he took the walnut from his pocket and
opened it； fully expecting to find the piece of muslin； but
instead there was only a hazel…nut。 He cracked it； and
there lay a cherry…stone。 Everybody was looking on； and
the King was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding
the piece of muslin in a nutshell。
However； the Prince cracked the cherry…stone； but
everyone laughed when he saw it contained only its own
kernel。 He opened that and found a grain of wheat； and
in that was a millet seed。 Then he himself began to
wonder； and muttered softly：
〃White Cat； White Cat； are you making fun of me？〃
In an instant he felt a cat's claw give his hand quite a
sharp scratch； and hoping that it was meant as an
encouragement he opened the millet seed； and drew out of
it a piece of muslin four hundred ells long； woven with the
loveliest colors and most wonderful patterns； and when
the needle was brought it went through the eye six times
with the greatest ease！ The King turned pale； and the
other Princes stood silent and sorrowful； for nobody could
deny that this was the most marvelous piece of muslin
that was to be found in the world
Presently the King turned to his sons； and said； with a
deep sigh：
〃Nothing could console me more in my old age than to
realize your willingness to gratify my wishes。 Go then
once more； and whoever at the end of a year can bring
back the loveliest princess shall be married to her； and
shall； without further delay； receive the crown； for my
successor must certainly be m