"
When asked how she had offended, he told the King that she spoke every
morning to the horse's head that was over the gate, and that the head
replied and called her Princess. He also related how the goose-girl
sat in the sun and combed her golden hair, while she sent him chasing
for his hat.
The King bade Curdken go the next day with his flock as usual. When
morning came the King arose early and stood in the shadow of the
town-gate. He heard the goose-girl say, "O Falada, hang you there?"
and he heard the head make answer:
"'Tis Falada, Princess fair.
If she knew this, for thy sake
Thy queen-mother's heart would break."
Then the King followed on to the field, where he hid behind a bush
and watched them herd the geese. After a time the goose-girl undid
her glittering hair; and as Curdken snatched at it, the King heard her
say:
"Wind, blow gently here, I pray,
And take Curdken's hat away.
Keep him chasing o'er the wold,
While I bind my hair of gold."
The wind came at her bidding, and carried the herd-boy's hat across
the fields; while she combed the shining hair and made it fast.
The King quietly returned to the palace, and that night he sent for
the goose-girl.
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