But finding it quite impossible , he went back for the third time to the forest . While he was absent the boy woke up and dressed himself . Then he came downstairs and began to talk to the housekeeper . The girl had heard how he had saved her master 's life , so she said nothing more about his running away , but instead told him that if the magician offered him the choice of a reward , he was to ask for the horse which stood in the third stall of the stable . By-and-by the old man came back and they all sat down to dinner . When they had finished the magician said : ` Now , my son , tell me what you will have as the reward of your courage ? ' ` Give me the horse that stands in the third stall of your stable , ' answered the youth . ` For I have a long way to go before I get home , and my feet will not carry me so far . ' ` Ah ! my son , ' replied the magician , ` it is the best horse in my stable that you want ! Will not anything else please you as well ? ' But the youth declared that it was the horse , and the horse only , that he desired , and in the end the old man gave way . And besides the horse , the magician gave him a zither , a fiddle , and a flute , saying : ` If you are in danger , touch the zither ; and if no one comes to your aid , then play on the fiddle ; but if that brings no help , blow on the flute . ' The youth thanked the magician , and fastening his treasures about him mounted the horse and rode off . He had already gone some miles when , to his great surprise , the horse spoke , and said : ` It is no use your returning home just now , your father will only beat you . Let us visit a few towns first , and something lucky will be sure to happen to us . ' This advice pleased the boy , for he felt himself almost a man by this time , and thought it was high time he saw the world . When they entered the capital of the country everyone stopped to admire the beauty of the horse . Even the king heard of it , and came to see the splendid creature with his own eyes . Indeed , he wanted directly to buy it , and told the youth he would give any price he liked .
The young man hesitated for a moment , but before he could speak , the horse contrived to whisper to him : ` Do not sell me , but XXXXX the king to take me to his stable , and feed me there ; then his other horses will become just as beautiful as I. ' The king was delighted when he was told what the horse had said , and took the animal at once to the stables , and placed it in his own particular stall .
ask brings came declared dressed finished heard running saw stall