"
"Yes," said Little Freddy, "he must have the penny then--there was no
help for it; for so each beggarman would have one penny, and he would
have nothing."
"Well," said the beggarman, "since you have such a good heart that you
gave away all that you had in the world, I will give you a wish for each
penny." For you must know it was the same beggarman who had got them all
three; he had only changed his shape each time, that the lad might not
know him again.
"I have always had such a longing to hear a fiddle go, and see folk so
merry and glad that they couldn't help dancing," said the lad; "and so
if I may wish what I choose, I will wish myself such a fiddle, that
everything that has life must dance to its tune."
"That you may have," said the beggarman, "but it is a sorry wish. You
must wish something better for the other two pennies."
"I have always had such a love for hunting and shooting," said Little
Freddy; "so if I may wish what I choose, I will wish myself such a gun
that I shall hit everything I aim at, were it ever so far off."
"That you may have," said the beggarman, "but it is a sorry wish too.
You must wish better for the last penny."
"I have always had a longing to be in company with folks who were kind
and good," said Little Freddy; "and so, if I could get what I wish, I
would wish it to be so that no one can say 'Nay' to the first thing I
ask.
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