falls into the water I pick it up out of the greatest depths, and if it is
in a dark forest I can find it even at midnight.'

The king was much pleased with the trades and talk of the six
brothers, and said: 'Thank you, good people; your father did well
to teach you all these things. Now follow me to the town, as I want
to see what you can do. I need such people as you about me; but
when harvest time comes I will send you home with royal presents.'

The brothers bowed and said: 'As the king wills.' Suddenly the king
remembered that he had not questioned the seventh Simon, so he
turned to him and said: 'Why are you silent? What is your
handicraft?'

And the seventh Simon answered: 'I have no handicraft, O king; I
have learnt nothing. I could not manage it. And if I do know how
to do anything it is not what might properly be called a real trade--it
is rather a sort of performance; but it is one which no one--not the
king himself--must watch me doing, and I doubt whether this
performance of mine would please your Majesty.'

'Come, come,' cried the king; 'I will have no excuses, what is this
trade?'

'First, sire, give me your royal word that you will not kill me when I
have told you. Then you shall hear.'

'So be it, then; I give you my royal word.'

Then the seventh Simon stepped back a little, cleared his throat,