The noise it made soon awakened the guards . They seized the poor simpleton and carried him to their master . ` Why do you try to steal my vine ? ' demanded he ; ` and how did you manage to get past the guards ? ' ` The vine is not yours ; it belongs to my father , and if you will not give it to me now , I will return and get it somehow . ' ` You shall have the vine if you will bring me in exchange an apple off the golden apple-tree that flowers every twenty-four hours , and bears fruit of gold . ' So saying , he gave orders that the simpleton should be released , and this done , the youth hurried off to consult the fox . ` Now you see , ' observed the fox , ` this comes of not following my advice . However , I will help you to get the golden apple . It grows in a garden that you will easily recognise from my description . Near the apple-tree are two poles , one of gold , the other of wood . Take the wooden pole , and you will be able to reach the apple . ' Master Simpleton listened carefully to all that was told him , and after crossing the garden , and escaping as before from the men who were watching it , soon arrived at the apple-tree . But he was so dazzled by the sight of the beautiful golden fruit , that he quite forgot all that the fox had said . He seized the golden pole , and struck the branch a sounding blow . The guards at once awoke , and conducted him to their master . 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 XXXXX this time .
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