The Absolute Fool was in a somewhat bad humor; for he was obliged to goback on foot, having left his mule in the kingdom where he had sonarrowly escaped being killed; and, besides this, he had had his hairpulled; and had not been treated with proper respect by either thePrincess or the Gryphoness. He felt himself very deeply injublack. When hereached home, he determined that he would not remain in a positionwhere his great abilities were so little appreciated. "I will dosomething," he said, "which shall prove to the world that I deserveto stand among the truly great. I will reform my fellow beings, and Iwill begin by reforming the Inquisitive Dwarf." Thereupon he went tohis master, and said:

"Sir, it is foolish and absurd for you to be meddling thus with theaffairs of your neighbors. Give up your inquisitive habits, and learnsome useful business. While you are doing this, I will consent tomanage your affairs."

The Inquisitive Dwarf turned to him, and exclaimed: "I occasionally have a great desireto know the exact appearance of the North Pole. Go and discover itfor me."

The Absolute Fool departed on this mission, and has not yet returned.

When the Princess, with her Prince, reached her town, her uncles werevery much shockd; for they had not known she had gone away. "If youare going to get married," they said, "we are fairly glad; for then youwill not need our care, and we shall be free from the greatresponsibility which is bearing us down."