I am so empty that if I did not tighten my belt I should die of
hunger."
"You are the man for me!" said Johnny. "Follow me, and I will give you
a meal that will satisfy even your hunger."
He led the man into the courtyard of the King's palace, where all
the meal in the kingdom had been collected together and mixed into an
enormous mountain of bread.
The man from the wood placed himself in front of it and began to eat,
and before the day was over the mountain of bread had vanished.
A third time the Simpleton demanded his bride, but again the King
found an excuse.
"First bring me a ship that can sail both on land and sea, and then
you shall wed the Princess," he said.
Johnny went straightway to the wood, where he met the little gray man
with whom he had once shared his food.
"Good day," he said, nodding his wise little head. "So you've come to
visit me again, eh? It was I, you know, who drank the wine and ate the
bread for you, and now I will finish by giving you the wonderful ship
which is to sail on either land or sea. All this I do for you because
you were kind and good to me."
Then he gave him the ship, and when the King saw it he could find no
further excuse.
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