tree, instantly fell backwards flat on the ground, closed his eyes,
and went to sleep.

A little time went by, and it seemed to the Fool as he slept that
somebody was jogging his elbow. He woke up and opened his eyes. His
hatchet, worn out, lay beside him. The big tree was gone, and in its
place there stood a little ship, ready and finished. The Fool did not
stop to think. He jumped into the ship, seized the tiller, and sat
down. Instantly the ship leapt up into the air, and sailed away over
the tops of the trees.

The little ship answered the tiller as readily as if she were sailing
in water, and the Fool steered for the highroad, and sailed along
above it, for he was afraid of losing his way if he tried to steer a
course across the open country.

He flew on and on, and looked down, and saw a man lying in the road
below him with his ear on the damp ground.

"Good-day to you, uncle," cried the Fool.

"Good-day to you, Sky-fellow," cried the man.

"What are you doing down there?" says the Fool.

"I am listening to all that is being done in the world."

"Take your place in the ship with me."

The man was willing enough, and sat down in the ship with the Fool,