r, to pass through a dense forest which was so extensive
that it grew dark before he left it. He thought: "If the robbers find me
here they will take away my ring, and then I should be a ruined man. I
would rather climb a tree and spend the night there." So he climbed a
tree, tied himself fast with his belt, and soon fell asleep. Before
long, thirteen robbers came and sat down under the tree, and talked so
loud that the shepherd awoke. The captain of the robbers said: "Let each
relate what he has accomplished to-day;" and each exhibited what he had
taken. The thirteenth, however, pulled out a tablecloth, a purse, and a
whistle, and said: "I have gained to-day the greatest treasures, for
these three things I have taken from a monk, and each of them has a
particular virtue. If any one spreads out the tablecloth and says: 'My
little tablecloth, give me macaroni, or roast meat,' or whatever one
will, he will find everything there immediately. Likewise the purse will
give all the money one wants; and whoever hears the whistle must dance
whether he will or no." The robbers at once put the power of the
tablecloth to the test, and then went to sleep, the captain laying the
precious articles near himself. When they were all snoring hard the
shepherd descended, took the three articles, and crept away.

The next day he came to the city where the king lived, and went straight
to the palace. "Announce me to the king," said he to the servants; "I
will try to make the king's daughter laugh." The servants tried to
dissuade him, but he insisted on being led before the king, who took him
into a large room, in which was the king's daughter, sitting on a
splendid throne and surrounded by the whole court. "If I am to make the
princess laugh," said the shepherd to the king, "you must first do me
the kindness to put this ring on the ring-finger of your right hand."
The king had scarcely done so when he began to sneeze violently, and
could not stop, but ran up and down the room, sneezing all the time. The
entire court began to laugh, and the king's daughter could not stay
sober, but had to run away laughing. Then the shepherd went up to the
king, took off the ring, and said: "Your Majesty, I have made the
princess laugh; to me belongs the reward." "What! you worthless
shepherd!" cried the king. "You have not only made me the laughing-stock
of the whole court, but now you want my daughter for your wife! Quick!
take the ring from him, and throw h