Many years ago there lived a king who was always sad. He used to go to a mountain and climb the highest tree that was growing there. One day when he was in the top of the tree, he saw on another high mountain a beautiful princess, Do?a Maria. When he returned home to his palace, he sent a proclamation all over his kingdom, saying that the one who could take Do?a Maria from her mountain and bring her before him should have one-half of his kingdom.

 

Juan was a beggar; and it was his custom, whenever he saw a beggar like himself, to share with that beggar the alms which had been given him. One day he saw a wretched² old woman, and out of pity for her he gave her all the food he had begged that day. Then the old woman, who knew of the proclamation of the king, said to Juan, “You must tell the king, my boy, that you will fetch Do?a Maria for him.” Juan did not want to, because he said that he did not know where and how he might get Do?a Maria; but the old woman at last persuaded Juan to go by telling him that she would accompany him, and promising³ her help. After Juan had visited the palace and told the king that he would bring the princess Do?a Maria to him, the poor boy and the old woman set out on their journey to the distant mountain. When they reached the gates of the city, the old woman said to Juan, “Juan, I am very tired, and I cannot go any farther, but I will give you this handkerchief. When you come to the first mountain, you must spread the handkerchief on the ground, and many fat horses will approach you; but I advise you not to choose any of them. You must choose the very last one, which will be lean and weak-looking. That is the horse which can endure hardships, and which will be able to carry you to the princess’s palace.”

 

Juan followed the advice of the old woman, when the time [320]came, and chose the thin horse. He mounted⁴ on its back, and rode on towards the mountain of Do?a Maria. When he had ridden very far, he saw before him a hill full of ants. He was afraid to try to pass over this hill, lest the ants should devour⁵ him and his animal. The horse said to him, “You must ask the handkerchief for food, and we will feed the ants.” Juan spread out the handkerchief, and asked it to bring him much food. After he had

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