oes we will divide it
faithfully between us.' So the best figs were carefully packed in a
basket, and Peppe set out with it to the castle.

On the road he met a little old man who stopped and said to him, 'What
have you got there, my fine fellow?'

'What is that to you?' was the answer; 'mind your own business.' But
the old man only repeated his question, and Peppe, to get rid of him,
exclaimed in anger, 'Dirt.'

'Good,' replied the old man; 'dirt you have said, and dirt let it be.'

Peppe only tossed his head and went on his way till he got to the
castle, where he knocked at the door. 'I have a basket of lovely figs
for the king,' he said to the servant who opened it, 'if his majesty
will be graciously pleased to accept them with my humble duty.'

The king loved figs, and ordered Peppe to be admitted to his presence,
and a silver dish to be brought on which to put the figs. When Peppe
uncovered his basket sure enough a layer of beautiful purple figs met
the king's eyes, but underneath there was nothing but dirt. 'How dare
you play me such a trick?' shrieked the king in a rage. 'Take him away,
and give him fifty lashes.' This was done, and Peppe returned home, sore
and angry, but determined to say nothing about his adventure. And when
his brothers asked him what had happened he only answered, 'When we have
all three been I will tell you.'

A few days after this more figs were ready for plucking, and Alfin
in his turn set out for the palace. He had not gone far down the road
before he met the old man, who asked him what he had in his basket.

'Horns,' answered Alfin, shortly.

'Good,' replied the old man; 'horns you have said, and horns let it be.'

When Alfin reached the castle he knocked at the door and said to the
servant: 'Here is a basket of lovely figs, if his majesty will be good
enough to accept them with my humble duty.'

The king commanded that Alfin should be admitted to his presence, and a
silver dish to be brought on which to lay the figs. When the basket
was uncovered some beautiful purple figs lay on the top, but underneath
there was nothing but horns. Then the king was beside himself with
passion, and screamed out, 'Is this a plot to mock me? Take him away,
and give him a hundred and fifty lashes!' So Alfin went sadly home, but
would not tell anything about his adventures, only saying grimly, 'Now
it is Ciccu's turn.'

Ciccu had to wait a little before he gathered the last figs on the tree,
a