Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/207

Rh that he would like to have as his meed for saving his son. There was much to see and to choose from, you may fancy.

"Now what will you have?" said the king; "you see there is plenty of choice; you can have what you please."

But the lad said he would think it over and ask the prince. Yes! the king was willing he should do that.

"Well," said the prince, "you have seen many grand things."

"Yes, I have, as was likely," said the lad; "but tell me, what shall I choose of all the wealth? Do tell me, for your father says I may choose what I please."

"Do not take anything of all you have seen," said the prince; "but he has a little ring on his finger, that you must ask for."

Yes! he did so, and begged for the little ring which he had on his finger.

"Why! it is the dearest thing I have," said the king; "but, after all, my son is just as dear, and so you shall have it all the same. Do you know what it is good for?"

No! he knew nothing about it.

"When you have this ring on your finger," said the king, "you can have anything you wish for."

So the lad thanked the king, and the king and the prince bade him God speed home, and told him to be sure and take care of the ring.

So he had not gone far on his way before he thought he would prove what the ring was worth, and so he wished himself a new suit of clothes, and he had scarce