Then the simpleton had to tell his story . ' I will give you the golden apple , ' said the owner of the garden , ` if you will bring me in exchange a horse which can go round the world in four-and-twenty hours . ' And the young man departed , and went to find the fox . This time the fox was really angry , and no wonder . ` If you had listened to me , you would have been home with your father by this time . However I am willing to help you once more . Go into the forest , and you will find the horse with two halters round his neck . One is of gold , the other of hemp . Lead him by the hempen halter , or else the horse will begin to neigh , and will waken the guards . Then all is over with you . ' So Master Simpleton searched till he found the horse , and was struck dumb at its beauty . ` What ! ' he said to himself , ` put the hempen halter on an animal like that ? Not I , indeed ! ' Then the horse neighed loudly ; the guards seized our young friend and conducted him before their master . ' I will give you the golden horse , ' said he , ` if you will bring me in exchange a golden maiden who has never yet seen either sun or moon . ' ` But if I am to bring you the golden maiden you must lend me first the golden steed with which to seek for her . ' ` Ah , ' replied the owner of the golden horse , ` but who will undertake that you will ever come back ? ' ' I swear on the head of my father , ' answered the young man , ` that I will bring back either the maiden or the horse . ' And he went away to consult the fox .
Now , the fox who was always patient and charitable to other people 's faults , led him XXXXX the entrance of a deep grotto , where stood a maiden all of gold , and beautiful as the day .
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