The Golden Goose

 

Once upon a time, there lived a young man named Simpleton, the youngest of three brothers. His elder brothers were clever and sharp, but Simpleton was often ridiculed for being foolish and clumsy. Despite their teasing, Simpleton was kind and good-hearted.

One day, their father asked the eldest son to go into the forest to cut wood. Before leaving, the boy’s mother gave him a delicious cake and a bottle of wine to take with him. As the eldest son worked, he came across a little old man with a long white beard.

“Please, young man,” the old man said, “I am hungry and thirsty. Could you spare a little food and drink?”

The eldest son scoffed. “Why should I share my fine cake and wine with you? Be gone!” He turned away and ignored the old man.

But as the eldest son worked, he struck his axe into a tree, and it slipped, injuring his hand. He had to return home empty-handed.

The next day, the second brother went into the forest. His mother gave him a large cake and a jug of wine. When the old man appeared again, begging for food and drink, the second brother was just as selfish as the first. “Go away, old beggar!” he said.

But like his brother, the second son’s axe slipped and injured him. He, too, returned home empty-handed.

Finally, it was Simpleton’s turn to try. His mother, thinking him foolish, gave him only a small dry cake and a bottle of sour beer. When Simpleton entered the forest and met the old man, he greeted him kindly.

“I don’t have much,” said Simpleton, “but you’re welcome to share what I have.”

The old man smiled warmly and said, “Because of your kindness, you shall be rewarded. Cut down that tree over there, and you will find your fortune.”

Simpleton followed the old man’s advice and felled the tree. To his amazement, inside was a golden goose, its feathers gleaming like sunlight.

Simpleton picked up the goose and decided to take it to the nearby village. He stopped at an inn to rest for the night. The innkeeper had three daughters who were captivated by the golden goose. Each of them secretly decided to pluck one of its feathers while Simpleton slept.

As the eldest daughter reached for the goose, her hand became stuck to its golden feathers. When the second daughter tried to help her sister, she, too, became stuck. The youngest daughter joined in, and now all three were firmly attached to the goose.

The next morning, Simpleton woke up, saw the strange scene, and began walking with the golden goose under his arm. The innkeeper’s daughters had no choice but to follow him, clinging to the goose in a comical line.

As Simpleton traveled through the village, people stared in amazement. One by one, curious townsfolk tried to free the girls, but each person who touched the goose became stuck as well. Soon, there was a long procession of people trailing after Simpleton and his golden goose.

Eventually, Simpleton reached a kingdom where the king’s daughter was always sad and never laughed. Hearing of the strange procession, the king summoned Simpleton to the palace. The sight of Simpleton leading a line of people hopelessly stuck to the goose was so ridiculous that the princess burst into laughter for the first time in her life.

The king was overjoyed and told Simpleton, “You have brought happiness to my daughter. As a reward, you may marry her.”

And so, Simpleton married the princess, and they lived happily ever after. As for the golden goose, it remained a cherished treasure in the palace, a symbol of Simpleton’s kindness and good fortune.

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This tale teaches the importance of generosity, humility, and the unexpected rewards of being kind-hearted.