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The servant could now easily prove his innocence; and the king,

to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favour, and

promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for.

The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and

some money for travelling, as he had a mind to see the world and

go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his

way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught

in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that

fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so

miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and

put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with

delight, put out their heads, and cried to him: 'We will remember

you and repay you for saving us!'