CRACK! A mighty thunder echoed and lightning split the night sky, illuminating a small basket floating gently down a shimmering river. Inside was a tiny baby boy, destined for greatness! An old, wise woman peered into his sleepy face and declared, “This boy will marry the king’s daughter!”
Nearby, the king, who had been eavesdropping, turned pale. “A peasant’s son? Never!” he yelled in fury. “Throw that baby into the river!” But destiny had other plans. The baby drifted safely until a kind-hearted old miller found him and raised him like his own son.
Years later, the brave boy grew strong and kind. One day, the angry king discovered he was still alive. “Bring me three golden hairs from the Devil!” he bellowed. “If you fail, you will never return!” With a determined smile, the boy set off on an adventure.
Along his journey, he came across a town with a dry well. “Help us!” the villagers cried. “I will find water!” he promised. Next, he met a group of sad folks around a dying apple tree. “Our tree needs life!” they pleaded. “I will help!” he vowed. Finally, he encountered a ferryman trapped on the river. “I can’t get free!” the ferryman lamented. “I’ll solve this!” the boy declared.
At the edge of the world, he found the Devil’s lair. With a trembling heart, he entered and was hidden by the Devil’s grandmother. As the Devil snored, she secretly plucked his golden hairs, revealing answers. The first hair told of a clogging toad, the second mentioned a sneaky snake, and the third shared how to help the ferryman.
Rushing home, the boy shared the secrets. With a SPLASH, water burst from the well! The apple tree bloomed again with a CRACK! The ferryman was freed and showered the boy with gold.
When the boy returned to the palace, he shared all he had accomplished, winning the heart of the beautiful princess. Meanwhile, the greedy king, chasing after the ferryman’s oar, found himself stuck on the river he had once ruled, forever rowing back and forth.