The king, however, had a lion which was a wondrous animal, for he knew all concealed and secret things. It came to pass that one evening he said to the king: \\u0027You think you have twelve huntsmen?\\u0027 \\u0027Yes,\\u0027 said the king,\\u0027they are twelve huntsmen.\\u0027 The lion continued: \\u0027You are mistaken, they are twelve girls.\\u0027 The king said:\\u0027That cannot be true! How will you prove that to me?\\u0027\\u0027Oh, just let some peas be strewn in the ante-chamber,\\u0027answered the lion, \\u0027and then you will soon see. Men have a firm step, and when they walk over peas none of them stir, but girls trip and skip, and drag their feet,and the peas roll about.\\u0027 The king was well pleased with the counsel, and caused the peas to be strewn.
There was, however, a servant of the king\\u0027s who favoured the huntsmen, and when he heard that they were going to be put to this test he went to them and repeated everything, and said: \\u0027The lion wants to make the king believe that you are girls.\\u0027 Then the king\\u0027s daughter thanked him, and said to her maidens: \\u0027Show some strength, and step firmly on the peas.\\u0027 So next morning when the king had the twelve huntsmen called before him, and they came into the antechamber where the peas were lying, they stepped so firmly on them, and had such a strong, sure walk, that not one of the peas either rolled or stirred. Then they went away again, and the king said to the lion: \\u0027You have lied to me, they walk just like men.\\u0027 The lion said: \\u0027They have been informed that they were going to be put to the test, and have assumed some strength.Just let twelve spinning-wheels be brought into the ante-chamber, and they will go to them and be pleased with them, and that is what no man would do.\\u0027 The king liked the advice, and had the spinning-wheels placed in the ante-chamber.