gave their father no peace until at last he consented to buy the little
animal. At first they were very happy with their new play-fellow, but
soon they quarreled.

"He is my pony!" said the eldest.

"He is not!" said Dunny.

"Father bought him for me,", said the second brother, "and neither of
you shall play with him at all!"

"It is not so! He is all mine!" said the first, as he caught the
little beast by the rein and tried to drag him away.

But his brother snatched the bridle also. "You shall not have him!" he
cried.

"Boys! boys! What does this mean?" said their father. "Why are you
quarreling? The pony belongs to all three."

But the boys would not have it so; and, at last, the father said: "He
shall be given to the one of you who will bring this basket to me
filled full with the water of yonder pond." Now the basket was very
old and full of holes, but the three brothers eagerly consented to the
plan.

"You shall be the first to try your luck," said the father, placing the
basket in the hands of his eldest son. As the boy walked quickly
toward the pond, a little bird hopped along the path in front of him,
and in a sweet voice sang:--