One time his eldest son said to him, ‘Father, I am going to watch the golden apple-tree, and if I do not catch the thief you shall kill me.’
‘Very well; go, then.’
He went to stand guard, but in the night-time a golden bird came and stole a golden apple from the tree.
Next day the king arose, and asked of his son, ‘Have you caught the thief?’ The king counted the apples on the tree: one of them was missing. ‘Well,’ said he to his son, ‘you shall be put to death.’
The notables of the kingdom, and everybody, prayed that he would pardon him. The king pardoned him.
Then the other brother said to the king, ‘Father, I also will go and keep watch; it may be that I shall seize the thief.’
‘Very well; then go.’
He made his preparations, and went on guard. The golden bird came once more and stole an apple from the tree.
Next day the king arose and asked of his son, ‘Have you caught the thief?’
‘No, father, I have not caught him, for he has escaped me.’