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that it might have been his own portrait！ The White
Cat sighed as he looked at it； and seemed sadder than
ever； and the Prince dared not ask any questions for fear
of displeasing her； so he began to talk about other things；
and found that she was interested in all the subjects he
cared for himself； and seemed to know quite well what
was going on in the world。 After supper they went into
another room； which was fitted up as a theatre； and the
cats acted and danced for their amusement； and then the
White Cat said good…night to him； and the hands conducted
him into a room he had not seen before； hung with
tapestry worked with butterflies' wings of every color；
there were mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the
floor； and a little white bed with curtains of gauze tied up
with ribbons。 The Prince went to bed in silence； as he did
not quite know how to begin a conversation with the
hands that waited on him； and in the morning he was
awakened by a noise and confusion outside of his window；
and the hands came and quickly dressed him in hunting
costume。 When he looked out all the cats were assembled
in the courtyard； some leading greyhounds； some blowing
horns； for the White Cat was going out hunting。 The
hands led a wooden horse up to the Prince； and seemed
to expect him to mount it； at which he was very indignant；
but it was no use for him to object； for he speedily
found himself upon its back； and it pranced gaily off with
him。
The White Cat herself was riding a monkey； which
climbed even up to the eagles' nests when she had a fancy
for the young eaglets。 Never was there a pleasanter hunting
party； and when they returned to the castle the Prince
and the White Cat supped together as before； but when
they had finished she offered him a crystal goblet； which
must have contained a magic draught； for； as soon as he
had swallowed its contents； he forgot everything； even the
little dog that he was seeking for the King； and only
thought how happy he was to be with the White Cat！
And so the days passed； in every kind of amusement； until
the year was nearly gone。 The Prince had forgotten all
about meeting his brothers： he did not even know what
country he belonged to； but the White Cat knew when he
ought to go back； and one day she said to him：
〃Do you know that you have only three days left to
look for the little dog for your father； and your brothers
have found lovely ones？〃
Then the Prince suddenly recovered his memory； and
cried：
〃What can have made me forget such an important
thing？ My whole fortune depends upon it； and even if I
could in such a short time find a dog pretty enough to
gain me a kingdom； where should I find a horse who would
carry me all that way in three days？〃 And he began to
be very vexed。 But the White Cat said to him： 〃King's
son； do not trouble yourself； I am your friend； and will
make everything easy for you。 You can still stay here for
a day； as the good wooden horse can take you to your
country in twelve hours。〃
〃I thank you； beautiful Cat；〃 said the Prince； 〃but
what good will it do me to get back if I have not a dog to
take to my father？〃
〃See here；〃 answered the White Cat； holding up an
acorn； 〃there is a prettier one in this than in the Dogstar！〃
〃Oh！ White Cat dear；〃 said the Prince； 〃how unkind
you are to laugh at me now！〃
〃Only listen；〃 she said； holding the acorn to his ear。
And inside it he distinctly heard a tiny voice say：
〃Bow…wow！〃
The Prince was delighted； for a dog that can be shut up
in an acorn must be very small indeed。 He wanted to
take it out and look at it； but the White Cat said it would
be better not to open the acorn till he was before the
King； in case the tiny dog should be cold on the journey。
He thanked her a thousand times； and said good…by quite
sadly when the time came for him to set out。
〃The days have passed so quickly with you；〃 he said；
〃I only wish I could take you with me now。〃
But the White Cat shook her head and sighed deeply
in answer。
After all the Prince was the first to arrive at the castle
where he had agreed to meet his brothers； but they came
soon after； and stared in amazement when they saw the
wooden horse in the courtyard jumping like a hunter。
The Prince met them joyfully； and they began to tell
him all their adventures； but he managed to hide from
them what he had been doing； and even led them to think
that a turnspit dog which he had with him was the one he
was bringing for the King。 Fond as they all were of one
another； the two eldest could not help being glad to think
that their dogs certainly had a better chance。 The next
morning they started in the same chariot。 The elder
brothers carried in baskets two such tiny； fragile dogs
that they hardly dared to touch them。 As for the turnspit；
he ran after the chariot； and got so covered with mud
that one could hardly see what he was like at all。 When
they reached the palace everyone crowded round to welcome
them as they went into the King's great hall； and
when the two brothers presented their little dogs nobody
could decide which was the prettier。 They were already
arranging between themselves to share the kingdom
equally； when the youngest stepped forward； drawing
from his pocket the acorn the White Cat had given him。
He opened it quickly； and there upon a white cushion
they saw a dog so small that it could easily have been put
through a ring。 The Prince laid it upon the ground； and
it got up at once and began to dance。 The King did not
know what to say； for it was impossible that anything
could be prettier than this little creature。 Nevertheless； as
he was in no hurry to part with his crown； he told his sons
that； as they had been so successful the first time； he
would ask them to go once again； and seek by land and sea
for a piece of muslin so fine that it could be drawn through
the eye of a needle。 The brothers were not very willing to
set out again； but the two eldest consented because it gave
them another chance； and they started as before。 The
youngest again mounted the wooden horse； and rode back
at full speed to his beloved White Cat。 Every door of the
castle stood wide open； and every window and turret was
illuminated； so it looked more wonderful than before。
The hands hastened to meet him； and led the wooden
horse off to the stable； while he hurried in to find the
White Cat。 She was asleep in a little basket on a white
satin cushion； but she very soon started up when she
heard the Prince； and was overjoyed at seeing him once
more。
〃How could I hope that you would come back to me
King's son？〃 she said。 And then he stroked and petted
her； and told her of his successful journey； and how he had
come back to ask her help； as he believed that it was
impossible to find what the King demanded。 The White
Cat looked serious； and said she must think what was to
be done； but that； luckily； there were some cats in the
castle who could spin very well； and if anybody could
manage it they could； and she would set them the task
herself。
And then the hands appeared carrying torches； and
conducted the Prince and the White Cat to a long gallery
which overlooked the river； from the windows of which
they saw a magnificent display of fireworks of all sorts；
after which they had supper； which the Prince liked even
better than the fireworks； for it was very late； and he was
hungry after his long ride。 And so the days passed quickly
as before； it was impossible to feel dull with the White
Cat； and she had quite a talent for inventing new amusements
indeed； she was cleverer than a cat has any right
to be。 But when the Prince asked her how it was that she
was so wise； she only said：
〃King's son； do not ask me； guess what you please。 I
may not tell you anything。〃
The Prince was so happy that he did not trouble himself
at all about the time； but presently the White Cat
told him that the year was gone； and that he need not be
at all anxious about the piece of muslin； as they had made
it very well。
〃This time；〃 she added； 〃I can give you a suitable
escort〃； and on looking out into the courtyard the Prince
saw a superb chariot of burnished gold； enameled in flame
color with a thousand different devices。 It was drawn by
twelve snow…white horses； harnessed four abreast； their
trappings were flame…colored velvet； embroidered with
diamonds。 A hundred chariots followed； each drawn by
eight horses； and filled with officers in splendid uniforms；
and a thousand guards surrounded the procession。 〃Go！〃
said the White Cat； 〃and when you appear before the
King in such state he surely will not refuse you the crown
which you deserve。 Take this walnut； but do not open
it until you are before him； then you will find in it the
piece of stuff you asked me for。〃
〃Lovely Blanchette；〃 said the