Prince Charming knocked on the door and the cruel master appeared.
“I want a boy,” said the Prince. “Dost thou know of one to travel with me?”
“No, Prince,” was the answer. “I have one, but he is lazy and does not earn his bread and butter.”
“Then I will take him,” said the Prince. “If he were a help I would not rob thee of his good service, but as he is lazy I will take him off thy hands.”
The cruel master began to stammer and stutter.
“Alas! Prince, I beg you to forgive me. He is a most worthy boy and helps me very much. You would not take him away from me?”
“Thou art a cruel master,” said the Prince, “and thou hast spoken an untruth of the boy.”
The master trembled when he saw the Prince angry and he begged for mercy.
“This much mercy I will have for thee,” said the Prince, “from this day thou shalt treat the boy with all kindness. I will leave him here and he will help thee fairly, but on my return I will come and if thou hast been cruel or neglectful I will put thee in my great prison.”
The Prince then continued his journey and was soon in the heart of the forest. When night came he spread his cloak on the ground and slept under a great oak, and the fairies watched over him because he was good and they loved him. The next morning he was awakened by the joyous singing of the birds. He took some bread and cheese from his wallet, and when he had eaten, he arose to go on his way. Suddenly there appeared before him a beautiful fairy. The Prince made a low courtesy to the fairy, who smiled at him and held three small boxes in her hand.