19
The time of the prince passed so delightfully that he had almost forgotten that he had yet to procure a little dog for the king his father.
"Alas!" said he to the white cat, "how it will afflict me to leave you! Either make yourself a lady, or let me become a cat. She smiled at the prince's wish, but made him no reply.
At length the twelve months were nearly expired. The white cat, who knew the very day on which the prince was to reach his father's palace, reminded him that he had but three days longer to look for a perfect little dog.
The prince began to lament how he had so neglected his duty. But the white cat told him not to afflict himself, since she would not only provide him with a little dog, but also with a horse, which should safely convey him in less than twelve hours.
"Look at this," said she, showing him an acorn, "this contains what you desire."
The young prince arrived first at the place which had been agreed upon by him and his two brothers: they followed soon afterwards.
The next morning they went together to the royal palace. The dogs of the two elder princes were lying on cushions, and were carefully wrapped in embroidered quilts, that the greatest care might be taken of them.
The king having examined the two little dogs of the elder princes, declared he thought they were so equally beautiful that he knew not to which he could with justice give the preference. They accordingly began to dispute, when the youngest prince taking the acorn from his pocket, soon terminated their contentions: for a little dog appeared which could with ease go through the ring of a lady's finger, and was, moreover, a miracle of beauty.
The king could not possibly hesitate in declaring his satisfaction with them all; though he was obliged to own the superiority of the youngest prince's offering.
He begged, however, that they would take another year to procure him a piece of linen, so exquisitely fine, that it might be drawn through a small ring.
The youngest son remounted his horse and soon arrived at the palace of his favourite white cat, who received him with extreme joy.
"Make yourself perfectly easy, dear prince," she said "I have in my palace some cats that are extremely ingenious in manufacturing such linen, as the king requires.
The second period soon glided away, but the white cat took care to remind him of his duty in proper time.
She then presented him with a nut. "You will find in it."
