There was once a King who had an illness, and no one believed that he would come out of it with his life. He had three sons who were much distressed about it, and went down into the palace-garden and wept. There they met an old man who inquired as to the cause of their grief. They told him that their father was so ill that he would most certainly die, for nothing seemed to cure him. Then the old man said, "I know of one more remedy, and that is the water of life; if he drinks of it he will become well again; but it is hard to find." The eldest said, "I will manage to find it," and went to the sick King, and begged to be allowed to go forth in search of the water of life, for that alone could save him. "No," said the King, "the danger of it is too great. I would rather die." But he begged so long that the King consented. The prince thought in his heart, "If I bring the water, then I shall be best beloved of my father, and shall inherit the kingdom." So he set out, and when he had ridden forth a little distance, a dwarf stood there in the road who called to him and said, "Whither away so fast?" - "Silly shrimp," said the prince, very haughtily, "it is nothing to do with you," and rode on. But the little dwarf had grown angry, and had wished an evil wish. Soon after this the prince entered a ravine, and the further he rode the closer the mountains drew together, and at last the road became so narrow that he could not advance a step further; it was impossible either to turn his horse or to dismount from the saddle, and he was shut in there as if in prison. The sick King waited long for him, but he came not. Then the second son said, "Father, let me go forth to seek the water," and thought to himself, "If my brother is dead, then the kingdom will fall to me." At first the King would not allow him to go either, but at last he yielded, so the prince set out on the same road that his brother had taken, and he too met the dwarf, who stopped him to ask, whither he was going in such haste? "Little shrimp," said the prince, "that is nothing to thee," and rode on without giving him another look. But the dwarf bewitched him, and he, like the other, rode into a ravine, and could neither go forwards nor backwards. So fare haughty people.
As the second son also remained away, the youngest begged to be allowed to go forth to fetch the water, and at last the King was obliged to let him go. When he met the dwarf and the latter asked him whither he was going in such haste, he stopped, gave him an explanation, and said, "I am seeking the water of life, for my father is sick unto death." - "Dost thou know, then, where that is to be found?" - "No," said the prince. "As thou hast borne thyself as is seemly, and not haughtily like thy false brothers, I will give thee the information and tell thee how thou mayst obtain the water of life. It springs from a fountain in the courtyard of an enchanted castle, but thou wilt not be able to make thy way to it, if I do not give thee an iron wand and two small loaves of bread. Strike thrice with the wand on the iron door of the castle and it will spring open: inside lie two lions with gaping jaws, but if thou throwest a loaf to each of them, they will be quieted. Then hasten to fetch some of the water of life before the clock strikes twelve, else the door will shut again, and thou wilt be imprisoned." The prince thanked him, took the wand and the bread, and set out on his way. When he arrived, everything was as the dwarf had said. The door sprang open at the third stroke of the wand, and when he had appeased the lions with the bread, he entered the castle, and came to a large and splendid hall, wherein sat some enchanted princes whose rings he drew off their fingers. A sword and a loaf of bread were lying there, which he carried away. After this, he entered a chamber, in which was a beautiful maiden who rejoiced when she saw him, kissed him, and told him that he had delivered her, and should have the whole of her kingdom, and that if he would return in a year their wedding should be celebrated; likewise she told him where the spring of the water of life was, and that he was to hasten and draw some of it before the clock struck twelve. Then he went onwards, and at last entered a room where there was a beautiful newly-made bed, and as he was very weary, he felt inclined to rest a little. So he lay down and fell asleep. When he awoke, it was striking a quarter to twelve. He sprang up in a fright, ran to the spring, drew some water in a cup which stood near, and hastened away. But just as he was passing through the iron door, the clock struck twelve, and the door fell to with such violence that it carried away a piece of his heel. He, however, rejoicing at having obtained the water of life, went homewards, and again passed the dwarf. When the latter saw the sword and the loaf, he said, "With these thou hast won great wealth; with the sword thou canst slay whole armies, and the bread will never come to an end." But the prince would not go home to his father without his brothers, and said, "Dear dwarf, canst thou not tell me where my two brothers are? They went out before I did in search of the water of life, and have not returned." - "They are imprisoned between two mountains," said the dwarf. "I have condemned them to stay there, because they were so haughty." Then the prince begged until the dwarf released them; but he warned him, however, and said, "Beware of them, for they have bad hearts." When his brothers came, he rejoiced, and told them how things had gone with him, that he had found the water of life and had brought a cupful away with him, and had rescued a beautiful princess, who was willing to wait a year for him, and then their wedding was to be celebrated and he would obtain a great kingdom. After that they rode on together, and chanced upon a land where war and famine reigned, and the King already thought he must perish, for the scarcity was so great. Then the prince went to him and gave him the loaf, wherewith he fed and satisfied the whole of his kingdom, and then the prince gave him the sword also wherewith he slew the hosts of his enemies, and could now live in rest and peace. The prince then took back his loaf and his sword, and the three brothers rode on. But after this they entered two more countries where war and famine reigned and each time the prince gave his loaf and his sword to the Kings, and had now delivered three kingdoms, and after that they went on board a ship and sailed over the sea. During the passage, the two eldest conversed apart and said, "The youngest has found the water of life and not we, for that our father will give him the kingdom the kingdom which belongs to us, and he will rob us of all our fortune." They then began to seek revenge, and plotted with each other to destroy him. They waited until they found him fast asleep, then they poured the water of life out of the cup, and took it for themselves, but into the cup they poured salt sea-water. Now therefore, when they arrived home, the youngest took his cup to the sick King in order that he might drink out of it, and be cured. But scarcely had he drunk a very little of the salt sea-water than he became still worse than before. And as he was lamenting over this, the two eldest brothers came, and accused the youngest of having intended to poison him, and said that they had brought him the true water of life, and handed it to him. He had scarcely tasted it, when he felt his sickness departing, and became strong and healthy as in the days of his youth. After that they both went to the youngest, mocked him, and said, "You certainly found the water of life, but you have had the pain, and we the gain; you should have been sharper, and should have kept your eyes open. We took it from you whilst you were asleep at sea, and when a year is over, one of us will go and fetch the beautiful princess. But beware that you do not disclose aught of this to our father; indeed he does not trust you, and if you say a single word, you shall lose your life into the bargain, but if you keep silent, you shall have it as a gift."
As the second son also remained away, the youngest begged to be allowed to go forth to fetch the water, and at last the King was obliged to let him go. When he met the dwarf and the latter asked him whither he was going in such haste, he stopped, gave him an explanation, and said, "I am seeking the water of life, for my father is sick unto death." - "Dost thou know, then, where that is to be found?" - "No," said the prince. "As thou hast borne thyself as is seemly, and not haughtily like thy false brothers, I will give thee the information and tell thee how thou mayst obtain the water of life. It springs from a fountain in the courtyard of an enchanted castle, but thou wilt not be able to make thy way to it, if I do not give thee an iron wand and two small loaves of bread. Strike thrice with the wand on the iron door of the castle and it will spring open: inside lie two lions with gaping jaws, but if thou throwest a loaf to each of them, they will be quieted. Then hasten to fetch some of the water of life before the clock strikes twelve, else the door will shut again, and thou wilt be imprisoned." The prince thanked him, took the wand and the bread, and set out on his way. When he arrived, everything was as the dwarf had said. The door sprang open at the third stroke of the wand, and when he had appeased the lions with the bread, he entered the castle, and came to a large and splendid hall, wherein sat some enchanted princes whose rings he drew off their fingers. A sword and a loaf of bread were lying there, which he carried away. After this, he entered a chamber, in which was a beautiful maiden who rejoiced when she saw him, kissed him, and told him that he had delivered her, and should have the whole of her kingdom, and that if he would return in a year their wedding should be celebrated; likewise she told him where the spring of the water of life was, and that he was to hasten and draw some of it before the clock struck twelve. Then he went onwards, and at last entered a room where there was a beautiful newly-made bed, and as he was very weary, he felt inclined to rest a little. So he lay down and fell asleep. When he awoke, it was striking a quarter to twelve. He sprang up in a fright, ran to the spring, drew some water in a cup which stood near, and hastened away. But just as he was passing through the iron door, the clock struck twelve, and the door fell to with such violence that it carried away a piece of his heel. He, however, rejoicing at having obtained the water of life, went homewards, and again passed the dwarf. When the latter saw the sword and the loaf, he said, "With these thou hast won great wealth; with the sword thou canst slay whole armies, and the bread will never come to an end." But the prince would not go home to his father without his brothers, and said, "Dear dwarf, canst thou not tell me where my two brothers are? They went out before I did in search of the water of life, and have not returned." - "They are imprisoned between two mountains," said the dwarf. "I have condemned them to stay there, because they were so haughty." Then the prince begged until the dwarf released them; but he warned him, however, and said, "Beware of them, for they have bad hearts." When his brothers came, he rejoiced, and told them how things had gone with him, that he had found the water of life and had brought a cupful away with him, and had rescued a beautiful princess, who was willing to wait a year for him, and then their wedding was to be celebrated and he would obtain a great kingdom. After that they rode on together, and chanced upon a land where war and famine reigned, and the King already thought he must perish, for the scarcity was so great. Then the prince went to him and gave him the loaf, wherewith he fed and satisfied the whole of his kingdom, and then the prince gave him the sword also wherewith he slew the hosts of his enemies, and could now live in rest and peace. The prince then took back his loaf and his sword, and the three brothers rode on. But after this they entered two more countries where war and famine reigned and each time the prince gave his loaf and his sword to the Kings, and had now delivered three kingdoms, and after that they went on board a ship and sailed over the sea. During the passage, the two eldest conversed apart and said, "The youngest has found the water of life and not we, for that our father will give him the kingdom the kingdom which belongs to us, and he will rob us of all our fortune." They then began to seek revenge, and plotted with each other to destroy him. They waited until they found him fast asleep, then they poured the water of life out of the cup, and took it for themselves, but into the cup they poured salt sea-water. Now therefore, when they arrived home, the youngest took his cup to the sick King in order that he might drink out of it, and be cured. But scarcely had he drunk a very little of the salt sea-water than he became still worse than before. And as he was lamenting over this, the two eldest brothers came, and accused the youngest of having intended to poison him, and said that they had brought him the true water of life, and handed it to him. He had scarcely tasted it, when he felt his sickness departing, and became strong and healthy as in the days of his youth. After that they both went to the youngest, mocked him, and said, "You certainly found the water of life, but you have had the pain, and we the gain; you should have been sharper, and should have kept your eyes open. We took it from you whilst you were asleep at sea, and when a year is over, one of us will go and fetch the beautiful princess. But beware that you do not disclose aught of this to our father; indeed he does not trust you, and if you say a single word, you shall lose your life into the bargain, but if you keep silent, you shall have it as a gift."
The old King was angry with his youngest son, and thought he had plotted against his life. So he summoned the court together and had sentence pronounced upon his son, that he should be secretly shot. And once when the prince was riding forth to the chase, suspecting no evil, the King's huntsman had to go with him, and when they were quite alone in the forest, the huntsman looked so sorrowful that the prince said to him, "Dear huntsman, what ails you?" The huntsman said, "I cannot tell you, and yet I ought." Then the prince said, "Say openly what it is, I will pardon you." - "Alas!" said the huntsman, "I am to shoot you dead, the King has ordered me to do it." Then the prince was shocked, and said, "Dear huntsman, let me live; there, I give you my royal garments; give me your common ones in their stead." The huntsman said, "I will willingly do that, indeed I should not have been able to shoot you." Then they exchanged clothes, and the huntsman returned home; the prince, however, went further into the forest. After a time three waggons of gold and precious stones came to the King for his youngest son, which were sent by the three Kings who had slain their enemies with the prince's sword, and maintained their people with his bread, and who wished to show their gratitude for it. The old King then thought, "Can my son have been innocent?" and said to his people, "Would that he were still alive, how it grieves me that I have suffered him to be killed!" - "He still lives," said the huntsman, "I could not find it in my heart to carry out your command," and told the King how it had happened. Then a stone fell from the King's heart, and he had it proclaimed in every country that his son might return and be taken into favour again.
The princess, however, had a road made up to her palace which was quite bright and golden, and told her people that whosoever came riding straight along it to her, would be the right wooer and was to be admitted, and whoever rode by the side of it, was not the right one, and was not to be admitted. As the time was now close at hand, the eldest thought he would hasten to go to the King's daughter, and give himself out as her deliverer, and thus win her for his bride, and the kingdom to boot. Therefore he rode forth, and when he arrived in front of the palace, and saw the splendid golden road, he thought, it would be a sin and a shame if he were to ride over that, and turned aside, and rode on the right side of it. But when he came to the door, the servants told him that he was not the right man, and was to go away again. Soon after this the second prince set out, and when he came to the golden road, and his horse had put one foot on it, he thought, it would be a sin and a shame to tread a piece of it off, and he turned aside and rode on the left side of it, and when he reached the door, the attendants told him he was not the right one, and he was to go away again. When at last the year had entirely expired, the third son likewise wished to ride out of the forest to his beloved, and with her forget his sorrows. So he set out and thought of her so incessantly, and wished to be with her so much, that he never noticed the golden road at all. So his horse rode onwards up the middle of it, and when he came to the door, it was opened and the princess received him with joy, and said he was her deliverer, and lord of the kingdom, and their wedding was celebrated with great rejoicing. When it was over she told him that his father invited him to come to him, and had forgiven him. So he rode thither, and told him everything; how his brothers had betrayed him, and how he had nevertheless kept silence. The old King wished to punish them, but they had put to sea, and never came back as long as they lived.
Es war einmal ein König, der war krank, und niemand glaubte, daß er mit dem Leben davonkäme. Er hatte aber drei Söhne, die waren darüber betrübt, gingen hinunter in den Schloßgarten und weinten. Da begegnete ihnen ein alter Mann, der fragte sie nach ihrem Kummer. Sie sagten ihm, ihr Vater wäre so krank, daß er wohl sterben würde, denn es wollte ihm nichts helfen. Da sprach der Alte 'ich weiß ein Mittel, das ist das Wasser des Lebens, wenn er davon trinkt, so wird er wieder gesund: es ist aber schwer zu finden.' Der älteste sagte 'ich will es schon finden,' ging zum kranken König und bat ihn, er möchte ihm erlauben auszuziehen, um das Wasser des Lebens zu suchen, denn das könnte ihn allein heilen. 'Nein,' sprach der König, 'die Gefahr dabei ist zu groß, lieber will ich sterben.' Er bat aber so lange, bis der König einwilligte. Der Prinz dachte in seinem Herzen 'bringe ich das Wasser, so bin ich meinem Vater der liebste und erbe das Reich.'
Also machte er sich auf, und als er eine Zeitlang fortgeritten war, stand da ein Zwerg auf dem Wege, der rief ihn an und sprach 'wo hinaus so geschwind?, 'Dummer Knirps,' sagte der Prinz ganz stolz, 'das brauchst du nicht zu wissen,' und ritt weiter. Das kleine Männchen aber war zornig geworden und hatte einen bösen Wunsch getan. Der Prinz geriet bald hernach in eine Bergschlucht, und je weiter er ritt, je enger taten sich die Berge zusammen, und endlich ward der Weg so eng, daß er keinen Schritt weiter konnte; es war nicht möglich, das Pferd zu wenden oder aus dem Sattel zu steigen, und er saß da wie eingesperrt. Der kranke König wartete lange Zeit auf ihn, aber er kam nicht. Da sagte der zweite Sohn 'Vater, laßt mich ausziehen und das Wasser suchen,' und dachte bei sich 'ist mein Bruder tot, so fällt das Reich mir zu.' Der König wollt ihn anfangs auch nicht ziehen lassen, endlich gab er nach. Der Prinz zog also auf demselben Weg fort, den sein Bruder eingeschlagen hatte, und begegnete auch dem Zwerg, der ihn anhielt und fragte, wohin er so eilig wollte. 'Kleiner Knirps,' sagte der Prinz, 'das brauchst du nicht zu wissen,' und ritt fort, ohne sich weiter umzusehen. Aber der Zwerg verwünschte ihn, und er geriet wie der andere in eine Bergschlucht und konnte nicht vorwärts und rückwärts. So gehts aber den Hochmütigen.
Als auch der zweite Sohn ausblieb, so erbot sich der jüngste, auszuziehen und das Wasser zu holen, und der König mußte ihn endlich ziehen lassen. Als er dem Zwerg begegnete und dieser fragte, wohin er so eilig wolle, so hielt er an, gab ihm Rede und Antwort und sagte 'ich suche das Wasser des Lebens, denn mein Vater ist sterbenskrank.' 'Weißt du auch, wo das zu finden ist?, 'Nein,' sagte der Prinz. 'Weil du dich betragen hast, wie sichs geziemt, nicht übermütig wie deine falschen Brüder, so will ich dir Auskunft geben und dir sagen, wie du zu dem Wasser des Lebens gelangst. Es quillt aus einem Brunnen in dem Hofe eines verwünschten Schlosses, aber du dringst nicht hinein, wenn ich dir nicht eine eiserne Rute gebe und zwei Laiberchen Brot. Mit der Rute schlag dreimal an das eiserne Tor des Schlosses, so wird es aufspringen: inwendig liegen zwei Löwen, die den Rachen aufsperren, wenn du aber jedem ein Brot hineinwirfst, so werden sie still, und dann eile dich und hol von dem Wasser des Lebens, bevor es zwölf schlägt, sonst schlägt das Tor wieder zu und du bist eingesperrt.' Der Prinz dankte ihm, nahm die Rute und das Brot, und machte sich auf den Weg. Und als er anlangte, war alles so, wie der Zwerg gesagt hatte. Das Tor sprang beim dritten Rutenschlag auf, und als er die Löwen mit dem Brot gesänftigt hatte, trat er in das Schloß und kam in einen großen schönen Saal: darin saßen verwünschte Prinzen, denen zog er die Ringe vom Finger, dann lag da ein Schwert und ein Brot, das nahm er weg. Und weiter kam er in ein Zimmer, darin stand eine schöne Jungfrau, die freute sich, als sie ihn sah, küßte ihn und sagte, er hätte sie erlöst und sollte ihr ganzes Reich haben, und wenn er in einem Jahre wiederkäme, so sollte ihre Hochzeit gefeiert werden. Dann sagte sie ihm auch, wo der Brunnen wäre mit dem Lebenswasser, er müßte sich aber eilen und daraus schöpfen, eh es zwö lf schlüge. Da ging er weiter und kam endlich in ein Zimmer, wo ein schönes frischgedecktes Bett stand, und weil er müde war, wollt er erst ein wenig ausruhen. Also legte er sich und schlief ein: als er erwachte, schlug es dreiviertel auf zwölf. Da sprang er ganz erschrocken auf, lief zu dem Brunnen und schöpfte daraus mit einem Becher, der daneben stand, und eilte, daß er fortkam. Wie er eben zum eisernen Tor hinausging, da schlugs zwölf, und das Tor schlug so heftig zu, daß es ihm noch ein Stück von der Ferse wegnahm.
Er aber war froh, daß er das Wasser des Lebens erlangt hatte, ging heimwärts und kam wieder an dem Zwerg vorbei. Als dieser das Schwert und das Brot sah, sprach er 'damit hast du großes Gut gewonnen, mit dem Schwert kannst du ganze Heere schlagen, das Brot aber wird niemals all.' Der Prinz wollte ohne seine Brüder nicht zu dem Vater nach Haus kommen und sprach 'lieber Zwerg, kannst du mir nicht sagen, wo meine zwei Brüder sind? sie sind früher als ich nach dem Wasser des Lebens ausgezogen und sind nicht wiedergekommen.' 'Zwischen zwei Bergen stecken sie eingeschlossen,' sprach der Zwerg, 'dahin habe ich sie verwünscht, weil sie so übermütig waren.' Da bat der Prinz so lange, bis der Zwerg sie wieder losließ, aber er warnte ihn und sprach 'hüte dich vor ihnen, sie haben ein böses Herz.'
Als seine Brüder kamen, freute er sich und erzählte ihnen, wie es ihm ergangen wäre, daß er das Wasser des Lebens gefunden und einen Becher voll mitgenommen und eine schöne Prinzessin erlöst hätte, die wollte ein Jahr lang auf ihn warten, dann sollte Hochzeit gehalten werden, und er bekäme ein großes Reich. Danach ritten sie zusammen fort und gerieten in ein Land, wo Hunger und Krieg war, und der König glaubte schon, er müßte verderben, so groß war die Not. Da ging der Prinz zu ihm und gab ihm das Brot, womit er sein ganzes Reich speiste und sättigte: und dann gab ihm der Prinz auch das Schwert, damit schlug er die Heere seiner Feinde und konnte nun in Ruhe und Frieden leben. Da nahm der Prinz sein Brot und Schwert wieder zurück, und die drei Brüder ritten weiter. Sie kamen aber noch in zwei Länder, wo Hunger und Krieg herrschten, und da gab der Prinz den Königen jedesmal sein Brot und Schwert, und hatte nun drei Reiche gerettet. Und danach setzten sie sich auf ein Schiff und fuhren übers Meer. Während der Fahrt, da sprachen die beiden ältesten unter sich 'der jüngste hat das Wasser des Lebens gefunden und wir nicht, dafür wird ihm unser Vater das Reich geben, das uns gebührt, und er wird unser Glück wegnehmen.' Da wurden sie rachsüchtig und verabredeten miteinander, daß sie ihn verderben wollten. Sie warteten, bis er einmal fest eingeschlafen war, da gossen sie das Wasser des Lebens aus dem Becher und nahmen es für sich, ihm aber gossen sie bitteres Meerwasser hinein.
Als sie nun daheim ankamen, brachte der jüngste dem kranken König seinen Becher, damit er daraus trinken und gesund werden sollte. Kaum aber hatte er ein wenig von dem bittern Meerwasser getrunken, so ward er noch kränker als zuvor. Und wie er darüber jammerte, kamen die beiden ältesten Söhne und klagten den jüngsten an, er hätte ihn vergiften wollen, sie brächten ihm das rechte Wasser des Lebens und reichten es ihm. Kaum hatte er davon getrunken, so fühlte er seine Krankheit verschwinden, und war stark und gesund wie in seinen jungen Tagen. Danach gingen die beiden zu dem jüngsten, verspotteten ihn und sagten 'du hast zwar das Wasser des Lebens gefunden, aber du hast die Mühe gehabt und wir den Lohn; du hättest klüger sein und die Augen aufbehalten sollen, wir haben dirs genommen, während du auf dem Meere eingeschlafen warst, und übers Jahr, da holt sich einer von uns die schöne Königstochter. Aber hüte dich, daß du nichts davon verrätst, der Vater glaubt dir doch nicht, und wenn du ein einziges Wort sagst, so sollst du noch obendrein dein Leben verlieren, schweigst du aber, so soll dirs geschenkt sein.'
Der alte König war zornig über seinen jüngsten Sohn und glaubte, er hätte ihm nach dem Leben getrachtet. Also ließ er den Hof versammeln und das Urteil über ihn sprechen, daß er heimlich sollte erschossen werden. Als der Prinz nun einmal auf die Jagd ritt und nichts Böses vermutete, mußte des Königs Jäger mitgehen. Draußen, als sie ganz allein im Wald waren, und der Jäger so traurig aussah, sagte der Prinz zu ihm 'lieber Jäger, was fehlt dir?' Der Jäger sprach 'ich kanns nicht sagen und soll es doch.' Da sprach der Prinz 'sage heraus, was es ist, ich will dirs verzeihen.' 'Ach', sagte der Jäger, 'ich soll Euch totschießen, der König hat mirs befohlen.' Da erschrak der Prinz und sprach 'lieber Jäger, laß mich leben, da geb ich dir mein königliches Kleid, gib mir dafür dein schlechtes.' Der Jäger sagte 'das will ich gerne tun, ich hätte doch nicht nach Euch schießen können.' Da tauschten sie die Kleider, und der Jäger ging heim, der Prinz aber ging weiter in den Wald hinein.
Über eine Zeit, da kamen zu dem alten König drei Wagen mit Gold und Edelsteinen für seinen jüngsten Sohn: sie waren aber von den drei Königen geschickt, die mit des Prinzen Schwert die Feinde geschlagen und mit seinem Brot ihr Land ernährt hatten, und die sich dankbar bezeigen wollten. Da dachte der alte König 'sollte mein Sohn unschuldig gewesen sein?, und sprach zu seinen Leuten 'wäre er noch am Leben, wie tut mirs so leid, daß ich ihn habe töten lassen.' 'Er lebt noch', sprach der Jäger, 'ich konnte es nicht übers Herz bringen, Euern Befehl auszuführen,' und sagte dem König, wie es zugegangen war. Da fiel dem König ein Stein von dem Herzen, und er ließ in allen Reichen verkündigen, sein Sohn dürfte wiederkommen und sollte in Gnaden aufgenommen werden.
Die Königstochter aber ließ eine Straße vor ihrem Schloß machen, die war ganz golden und glänzend, und sagte ihren Leuten, wer darauf geradeswegs zu ihr geritten käme, das wäre der rechte, und den sollten sie einlassen, wer aber daneben käme, der wäre der rechte nicht, und den sollten sie auch nicht einlassen. Als nun die Zeit bald herum war, dachte der älteste, er wollte sich eilen, zur Königstochter gehen und sich für ihren Erlöser ausgeben, da bekäme er sie zur Gemahlin und das Reich daneben. Also ritt er fort, und als er vor das Schloß kam und die schöne goldene Straße sah, dachte er 'das wäre jammerschade, wenn du darauf rittest,' lenkte ab und ritt rechts nebenher. Wie er aber vor das Tor kam, sagten die Leute zu ihm, er wäre der rechte nicht, er sollte wieder fortgehen. Bald darauf machte sich der zweite Prinz auf, und wie der zur goldenen Straße kam und das Pferd den einen Fuß daraufgesetzt hatte, dachte er 'es wäre jammerschade, das könnte etwas abtreten,' lenkte ab und ritt links nebenher. Wie er aber vor das Tor kam, sagten die Leute, er wäre der rechte nicht, er sollte wieder fortgehen. Als nun das Jahr ganz herum war, wollte der dritte aus dem Wald fort zu seiner Liebsten reiten und bei ihr sein Leid vergessen. Also machte er sich auf, und dachte immer an sie und wäre gerne schon bei ihr gewesen, und sah die goldene Straße gar nicht. Da ritt sein Pferd mitten darüber hin, und als er vor das Tor kam, ward es aufgetan, und die Königstochter empfing ihn mit Freuden und sagte, er wär ihr Erlöser und der Herr des Königreichs, und ward die Hochzeit gehalten mit großer Glückseligkeit. Und als sie vorbei war, erzählte sie ihm, daß sein Vater ihn zu sich entboten und ihm verziehen hätte. Da ritt er hin und sagte ihm alles, wie seine Brüder ihn betrogen und er doch dazu geschwiegen hätte. Der alte König woll te sie strafen, aber sie hatten sich aufs Meer gesetzt und waren fortgeschifft und kamen ihr Lebtag nicht wieder.