He was almost in despair , when the stranger suddenly appeared , blocking up his way . ` Promise you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house to meet you ? ' But still the king was stiff-necked and would promise nothing . For some days longer he wandered up and down the forest , trying first one path , then another , but his courage at last gave way , and he sank wearily on the ground under a tree , feeling sure his last hour had come . Then for the third time the stranger stood before the king , and said : ` Why are you such a fool ? What can a dog be to you , that you should give your life for him like this ? Just promise me the reward I want , and I will guide you out of the forest . ' ` Well , my life is worth more than a thousand dogs , ' answered the king , ` the welfare of my kingdom depends on me . I accept your terms , so take me to my palace . ' Scarcely had he uttered the words than he found himself at the edge of the wood , with the palace in the dim distance . He made all the haste he could , and just as he reached the great gates out came the nurse with the royal baby , who stretched out his arms to his father . The king shrank back , and ordered the nurse to take the baby away at once . Then his great boarhound bounded up to him , but his caresses were only answered by a violent push . When the king 's anger was spent , and he was able to think what was best to be done , he exchanged his baby , a beautiful boy , for the daughter of a peasant , and the prince lived roughly as the son of poor people , while the little girl slept in a golden cradle , under silken sheets . At the end of a year , the stranger arrived to claim his property , and took away the little girl , believing her to be the true child of the king . The king was so delighted with the success of his plan that he ordered a great feast to be got ready , and gave splendid presents to the foster parents of his son , so that he might lack nothing . But he did not dare to bring back the baby , lest the trick should be found out . The peasants were quite contented with this arrangement , which gave them food and money in abundance . By-and-by the boy grew big and tall , and seemed to lead a happy life in the house of his foster parents . But a shadow hung over him which really poisoned most of his pleasure , and that was the thought of the poor innocent girl who had suffered in his stead , for his foster father had told him in secret , that he was the king 's son .
And the XXXXX determined that when he grew old enough he would travel all over the world , and never rest till he had set her free .
cradle dog haste nothing plan presents prince thought time wood