At last she heard the bleating of a sheep , and said to herself : `` No doubt there are shepherds here with their flocks ; they will show me the way to some village where I can live disguised as a peasant girl . Alas ! it is not always kings and princes who are the happiest people in the world . Who could have believed that I should ever be obliged to run away and hide because the King , for no reason at all , wishes to kill me ? '' So saying she advanced toward the place where she heard the bleating , but what was her surprise when , in a lovely little glade quite surrounded by trees , she saw a large sheep ; its wool was as white as snow , and its horns shone like gold ; it had a garland of flowers round its neck , and strings of great pearls about its legs , and a collar of diamonds ; it lay upon a bank of orange-flowers , under a canopy of cloth of gold which protected it from the heat of the sun . Nearly a hundred other sheep were scattered about , not eating the grass , but some drinking coffee , lemonade , or sherbet , others eating ices , strawberries and cream , or sweetmeats , while others , again , were playing games . Many of them wore golden collars with jewels , flowers , and ribbons . Miranda stopped short in amazement at this unexpected sight , and was looking in all directions for the shepherd of this surprising flock , when the beautiful sheep came bounding toward her . `` Approach , lovely Princess , '' he cried ; `` have no fear of such gentle and peaceable animals as we are . '' `` What a marvel ! '' cried the Princess , starting back a little . `` Here is a sheep that can talk . '' `` Your monkey and your dog could talk , madam , '' said he ; `` are you more astonished at us than at them ? '' `` A fairy gave them the power to speak , '' replied Miranda . `` So I was used to them . '' `` Perhaps the same thing has happened to us , '' he said , smiling sheepishly . `` But , Princess , what can have led you here ? '' `` A thousand misfortunes , Sir Sheep , '' she answered . `` I am the unhappiest princess in the world , and I am seeking a shelter against my father 's anger . '' `` Come with me , madam , '' said the Sheep ; `` I offer you a hiding-place which you only will know of , and where you will be mistress of everything you see . ''
`` I really can not follow you , '' said Miranda , `` for I XXXXX too tired to walk another step . ''
am answered eating heard lay led playing replied smiling talk