The poor man and his three sons

(based on a Hungarian folk tale)

Once upon a time, in a small, distant village lived an old man, with his sons. They were so poor that they used to eat dry bread on a daily basis. In addition, their home was so tiny as a mouse hole.

Once his biggest son had a fascinating idea. He asserted that he wanted to find a job. Although this was a sparkling idea, the problem was that he was quite reluctant to work.  So, at dawn the next day he began his adventure.

After some time, he met an old lady.

“Oh, my dear, may you help me a little bit? My necklace fell into this well, and I am not able to reach it.” asked the women.

“Of course I’m going to help you,” claimed the boy.

So, he climbed down into the well and brought back the jewel. When the oldest son came back to the surface, the long-in-the-tooth woman turned into a witch, and said that, for he had helped her, she would turn him into a wealthy king with a vast fortune! As she said this, the boy found himself in a marvelous castle, full of gold.

But the sudden wealth took his common sense, and he forgot about his family.

The middle child possessed a wide range of fascinating skills, he had a marvelous talent for wood carving, and he required to benefit from this ability. Unfortunately, he was conceited. When he started his journey to find a job, he also met the witch. She willed to do her trick again, to see if this young man was righteous or not. 

‘I will not help you, ma’am, you look so repulsive!” said the boy in an offended tone.

“I see that your heart is not clear, my child, now you will suffer for this!”

She transformed him into a frog and threw him into the well.

The youngest child had no skills, but he also wanted to help his father. When he met with the witch, he instantly helped her.

“For you are a kind soul, I am going to transform you into a wealthy king!” said the sorceress. But the young boy said:

“I don’t want to be a rich king, for riches bring out the worst part of man, I just want enough money to live with my father in peace until the end of my life.”

Exactly this happened, the boy lived without any problems with his father, numerous years later he found a wife and he lived happily until he died.

Orbán Laczó Iván   X. H