his way to the farm, to ask for a drink of cider, and he inquired
the name of the beautiful lady that kept the sheep. At this everyone
began to laugh, for they said that the shepherdess was one of the
ugliest and dirtiest creatures under the sun.

The Prince thought some witchcraft must be at work, and he hastened away
before the return of the shepherdess, who became that evening the butt
of everybody's jests.

But the King's son thought often of the lovely maiden whom he had only
seen for a moment, though she seemed to him much more fascinating than
any lady of the Court. At last he dreamed of nothing else, and grew
thinner day by day till his parents inquired what was the matter,
promising to do all they could to make him as happy as he once was. He
dared not tell them the truth, lest they should laugh at him, so he only
said that he should like some bread baked by the kitchen girl in the
distant farm.

Although the wish appeared rather odd, they hastened to fulfil it, and
the farmer was told the request of the King's son. The maiden showed no
surprise at receiving such an order, but merely asked for some flour,
salt, and water, and also that she might be left alone in a little room
adjoining the oven, where the kneading-trough stood. Before beginning
her work she washed herself carefully, and even put on her rings; but,
while she was baking, one of her rings slid into the dough. When she had
finished she dirtied herself again, and let the lumps of the dough stick
to her fingers, so that she became as ugly as before.

The loaf, which was a very little one, was brought to the King's son,
who ate it with pleasure. But in cutting it he found the ring of the
Princess, and declared to his parents that he would marry the girl whom
that ring fitted.

So the King made a proclamation through his whole kingdom and ladies
came from afar to lay claim to the honour. But the ring was so tiny that
even those who had the smallest hands could only get it on their little
fingers. In a short time all the maidens of the kingdom, including the
peasant girls, had tried on the ring, and the King was just about to
announce that their efforts had been in vain, when the Prince observed
that he had not yet seen the shepherdess.

They sent to fetch her, and she arrived covered with rags, but with her
hands cleaner than usual, so that she could easily slip on the ring.
The King's son declared that he would fulfil his promise, and when his