ling very much ashamed of his ill-humor.

They had an excellent day's sport. The White Cat, who rode a monkey,
proved herself a clever huntress, climbing the tallest trees with the
greatest ease, and without once falling from her steed.

Never was there a pleasanter hunting party, and day after day the time
passed so happily away that the Prince forgot all about the little dog
he was searching for, and even forgot his own home and his father's
promise.

At length the White Cat reminded him that in three days he must appear
at court, and the Prince was terribly upset to think that he had now
no chance of winning his father's kingdom. But the White Cat told him
that all would be well, and giving him an acorn, bade him mount the
wooden horse and ride away.

The Prince thought she must be mocking him, but when she held the
acorn to his ear, he heard quite plainly a little dog's bark.

"Inside this acorn," she said, "is the prettiest little dog in the
world. But be sure you do not open the fruit until you are in the
King's presence."

The Prince thanked her, and having bidden her a sorrowful farewell,
mounted his wooden steed and rode away.

Before he reached the castle, he met his two brothers, who made fine
fun of the wooden horse, and also of the big ugly dog which trotted by
his side.

They imagined this to be the one their brother had brought back from
his travels, hoping that it would gain the prize.

When they reached the palace, everyone was loud in praise of the two
lovely little dogs the elder brothers had brought back with them, but
when the youngest opened his acorn and showed a tiny dog, lying upon a
white satin cushion, they knew that this must be the prettiest little
dog in the world.

However, the King did not feel inclined to give up his throne just
yet, so he told the brothers that there was one more task they must
first perform: they must bring him a piece of muslin so fine that it
would pass through the eye of a needle.

So once more the brothers set out upon their travels. As for the
youngest, he mounted his wooden horse and rode straight back to his
dear White Cat.

She was delighted to welcome him, and when the Prince told her that
the King had now ordered him to find a piece of muslin fine enough to
go through the eye of a needle, she smiled at him very sweetly, and
told him to be of good cheer.

"In my palace I have some very clever spinners," she said; "and I will
set them to wor