others; and for that reason they
often teased him, saying: "You are not as tall as we. You cannot run
as fast. See! we can jump farther and swing higher than you." If ever
they wrestled together, the youngest was the first to be thrown to the
ground; and no matter what he tried to do, the others always laughed,
and called out: "Oh! you are so stupid. That is not the way. Let me
show you how, you dunny!" So after a while they called him nothing but
Dunny.

One day a traveler, with a wonderful pony, stopped at the door of the
cottage. His little animal not only could perform all manner of
curious tricks, but he was the most gentle little beast in the whole
world and, withal, as sleek and pretty a creature as one could wish to
see.

The three brothers were wild with delight at the pony's antics, and
gave their father no peace until at last he consented to buy the little
animal. At first they were very happy with their new play-fellow, but
soon they quarreled.

"He is my pony!" said the eldest.

"He is not!" said Dunny.

"Father bought him for me,", said the second brother, "and neither of
you shall play with him at all!"

"It is not so! He is all mine!" said the first, as he caught the
little beast by the rein and tried to drag him away.

But his brother snatched the bridle also. "You shall not have him!" he
cried.

"Boys! boys! What does this mean?" said their father. "Why are you
quarreling? The pony belongs to all three."

But the boys would not have it so; and, at last, the father said: "He
shall be given to the one of you who will bring this basket to me
filled full with the water of yonder pond." Now the basket was very
old and full of holes, but the three brothers eagerly consented to the
plan.

"You shall be the first to try your luck," said the father, placing the
basket in the hands of his eldest son. As the boy walked quickly
toward the pond, a little bird hopped along the path in front of him,
and in a sweet voice sang:--

"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,[*]
And carry a basketful away."

[*]From an old folk tale.

The boy did not know what the bird was saying. "Out of my path, you
stupid creature!" he cried, flinging a stone at it. But the little
bird flew away into the forest, where he was quite safe. When at last
the boy reached the pond, there sat a great green frog who croaked in a
great hoarse voice:--

"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And c