Ivan went away a little from the old man, and thought, "Why have I
offended the old man? Old people know much."
He returned, caught up with the old man, fell down before him, and
said: "Grandfather, forgive me! I offended thee through grief. This is
what I am crying about: three years have I travelled through the open
country among many herds; nowhere can I find a horse to suit me."
The old man said: "Go to such a village; there in the stable of a poor
peasant is a mare; that mare has a mangy colt; take the colt and feed
him,--he will be strong enough for thee."
Ivan bowed down to the old man, and went to the village; went straight
to the peasant's stable; saw the mare with the mangy colt, on which he
put his hands. The colt did not quiver in the least. Ivan took him
from the peasant, fed him some time, came to the Tsar, and said that
he had a horse. Then he began to make ready to visit the serpent.