So he gave the animal in charge to the old man , and went home with his two thousand dollars . Kirsten , of course , was delighted at this new piece of good fortune , and insisted that the new house should be built and land bought . This time Peder consented , and soon they had quite a fine farm . Meanwhile the old man rode off on his new purchase , and when he came to a smithy he asked the smith to forge shoes for the horse . The smith proposed that they should first have a drink together , and the horse was tied up by the spring whilst they went indoors . The day was hot , and both men were thirsty , and , besides , they had much to say ; and so the hours slipped by and found them still talking . Then the servant girl came out to fetch a pail of water , and , being a kind-hearted lass , she gave some to the horse to drink . What was her surprise when the animal said to her : ` Take off my bridle and you will save my life . ' ' I dare not , ' said she ; ` your master will be so angry . ' ` He can not hurt you , ' answered the horse , ` and you will save my life . ' At that she took off the bridle ; but nearly fainted with astonishment when the horse turned into a dove and flew away just as the old man came out of the house . Directly he saw what had happened he changed himself into a hawk and flew after the dove . Over the woods and fields they went , and at length they reached a king 's palace surrounded by beautiful gardens . The princess was walking with her attendants in the rose garden when the dove turned itself into a gold ring and fell at her feet . ` Why , here is a ring ! ' she cried , ` where could it have come from ? ' And picking it up she put it on her finger . As she did so the hill-man lost his power over Hans -- for of course you understand that it was he who had been the dog , the cow , the horse and the dove . ` Well , that is really strange , ' said the princess . ` It fits me as though it had been made for me ! '
Just at that moment up came the XXXXX .
animal course cow farm finger gardens king land life time