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And the lad replied, "My name is Lightning; I am from Arrowland, and I can run like the wind." "I should like to see a proof of it," said Moscione; and Lightning answered, "Wait a moment, and you will see whether it is dust or flour."
After he had ridden for some time he saw a man standing at the foot of a poplar tree, and said to him: 'What's your name, my friend; where do you come from, and what can you do? The man replied, 'My name is Quick-as-Thought, I come from Fleet-town, and I can run like lightning. 'I should like to see you, returned Moscione.
And one of them answered, "Oh, we are as cool as a rose; for we have a young man here who blows upon us from behind in such a manner that it seems just as if the west wind were blowing." "Let me see him, I pray," cried Moscione. So the mason called the lad, and Moscione said to him, "Tell me, by the life of your father, what is your name? what country are you from? and what is your profession!"
In a very few springs he had overtaken the doe, and had so impressed Moscione with his fleetness of foot that he begged Quick-as-Thought to go with him, promising at the same time to reward him handsomely. Quick-as-Thought agreed to his proposal, and they continued on their journey together.
And as they went on their way they met another man, whom Moscione addressed as usual: 'What's your name: where do you come from, and what can you do? 'I am called Strong-Back; I come from Power-borough, and I possess such strength that I can take a mountain on my back, and it seems a feather to me.
The King seeing this victory of a blockhead, the palm thus carried off by a simpleton, the triumph of a fool, bethought himself seriously whether or no he should give him his daughter; and taking counsel with the wiseacres of his court, they replied that Ciannetella was not a mouthful for the tooth of such a miserable dog and lose-the-day bird, and that, without breaking his word, he might commute the promise of his daughter for a gift of crowns, which would be more to the taste of a poor beggar like Moscione than all the women in the world.
Moscione, amazed at this exploit, asked if he would come and live with him, and promised to pay him royally. So Lightning consented, and they went on their way together; but they had not journeyed many miles when they met another youth, to whom Moscione said, "What is your name, comrade? What country are you from? And what is your trade?"
But one of the workmen answered: 'We are as fresh as daisies, for we have a young man among us who blows on our backs like the west wind. 'Let me see him, said Moscione. The youth was called, and Moscione asked him: 'What's your name; where do you come from, and what can you do? He answered: 'I am called Blow-Blast, I come from Wind-town, and with my mouth I can make any winds you please.
If you wish a west wind I can raise it for you in a second, but if you prefer a north wind I can blow these houses down before your eyes. 'Seeing is believing, returned the cautious Moscione. Blow-Blast at once began to convince him of the truth of his assertion.
When Moscione saw this he prevailed on Strong-Back to join his troop, and they all continued their journey till they came to a country called Flower Vale. Here there reigned a king whose only daughter ran as quickly as the wind, and so lightly that she could run over a field of young oats without bending a single blade.
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