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The king had a son of eight years, who was once playing in the

courtyard, and while he was playing, his golden ball fell into

the cage. The boy ran thither and said: 'Give me my ball out.'

'Not till you have opened the door for me,' answered the man.

'No,' said the boy, 'I will not do that; the king has forbidden

it,' and ran away. The next day he again went and asked for his

ball; the wild man said: 'Open my door,' but the boy would not.

On the third day the king had ridden out hunting, and the boy

went once more and said: 'I cannot open the door even if I

wished, for I have not the key.' Then the wild man said: 'It lies

under your mother's pillow, you can get it there.' The boy, who

wanted to have his ball back, cast all thought to the winds, and

brought the key. The door opened with difficulty, and the boy

pinched his fingers. When it was open the wild man stepped out,

gave him the golden ball, and hurried away.