The good king

 Once upon the time in the Kingdom of Ireland, there was an old good king. He had three sons.  Unfortunatelly, his country wasn’t in a good condition. The crops failed year by year and people were starving. The same was with the old king. He was dying and as it is said he was on his death bed.

Knowing that he called his three sons. He knew that it was the time to decide who will be the next king. 
 

He told them that they had to travel across the poor country and the one who returns with the knowledge how to help the people and save the kingdom become the future king.

The same day the oldest son decided to go first. He took his wonderful horse, his trustful dog and the best falcon. He set off in the evening and disappeared in the dark. Months passed and he didn’t come back.

Then it was the time for the second son to go. He also took a strong horse, a good dog and a falcon but the same happened. He was lost.

Finally, the youngest son decided to go although he felt miserable because of the brothers  and was really scared. He also took a horse, a dog and a falcon.

After several days of tiring journey he saw nothing but burnt villages, dead animals and famine everywhere. He was exhausted and extremely thirsty.

Suddenly he saw the remains of the castle with the well inside. He was so happy but it turned out that the well was dry. He decided to stay there for night so he lit the bonfire. While he was falling asleep, he saw a strange figure watching him. It was the ugliest, stinky,old hag he had ever seen. She came to him and looking at his horse she said:

-I'm hungry. Can I eat it ?

The prince didn't agree but the hag insisted:

-Pleasssssse  

And what to do, he agreed.

She tore the poor horse, swallowed part by part and afterwards while she was licking her fingers, she spotted the dog and asked:

-I'm hungry. Can I eat it ?

The prince said:

-No, you can't. That's my dog. He's like a friend. But the hag repeated:

-Pleassssee

And she ate the dog greedily and again licking her dirty fingers she looked at the falcon.

The poor prince heard only: 

-Pleassssse  

And the same happened. When the hag was full, she sat next to the young prince and hissed:

-I'm cold. Can you hug me ? Pleassssse....

It was strange to himself but the prince did that despite the horrible smell.

But it didn't stop the hag. She had another request:

-I'm so lonely. Can you kiss me ? Pleasssse.......

She looked straight into the prince's eyes. It's hard to imagine how disgusting the hag was but the prince kissed her.

It was so horrible and he felt sick. He went to the dry well and believe it or not but it was full of fresh crystal water and everything around started to blossom.  

He looked at the hag but instead of her there was a beautiful woman looking at him with love and admiration.

They came back together to the castle. The old king was so happy seeing his son and the kingdom with happy people again.

However, the young prince  wasn't so sure about all of that he did.  He looked deeply into his father eyes and asked.

-Was it right to do all these things I did ?

The old king answered:

-Yes son. It's exactly how to be a good king.  

P.S. I heard the story at the Storytelling  Night in Warsaw from an extrordinary Irish storyteller whose name I don't remember. 

My students love it.