upon the wooden horse began to prance and show
his paces.
The White Cat on her ape went up trees in quest of
eagle nests; but the Prince had rare sport on his
wooden horse, and never enjoyed a hunt more in
all his life.
After a while the whole party returned to the
castle, and the Prince and the White Cat supped
together as on the previous evening. When it
was over, the cat offered him some ruby wine in a
crystal goblet. Directly he had tasted it, he forgot
his home, forgot that he was looking for a little
dog, forgot everything, except his happiness in the
society of the White Cat.
So the time passed, in every kind of amusement,
until the year was nearly gone. The Prince had
forgotten all about meeting his brothers, and
appearing before his father, but the White Cat
knew when he was bound to return, and said to
him one day—
‘Are you aware, my good friend, that you have
only three days left in which to find a little dog for
your father? Already your brothers have provided
themselves with beautiful little dogs.’
Then all at once the Prince recollected everything,
and cried out—
“What can have affected my memory that I should
forget a matter of such supreme importance! My
whole future depends on it. Even supposing
that I were to find a little dog worthy to win mea
kingdom, where should I find a horse swift enough
to convey me home within the three days ?’
The White Cat, seeing he was sore troubled, said
to him—
‘King’s son, be not anxious and distressed. Iam
your friend, and will assist you to the uttermost of
my power. You can continue here a day, as the
wooden horse will convey you the entire distance
to your father’s realm in twelve hours.’

213

THE
WHITE
CAT