Once upon a time, there was a king who had three sons. They were called the Star Prince, the Moon Prince, and the Sun Prince. The king had his two eldest sons with his first wife, and his youngest son with his second wife. When his youngest son was born, he promised to give his second queen everything she desired.
Many years later, when the three princes had grown up, the second queen asked the king for a gift. She wanted him to give the throne to her son.
“I cannot do that, my dear,” protested the king. “It is customary for the eldest son to inherit the kingdom. Is there nothing else you desire?”
The queen became furious, and the king feared that she might try to harm the two older princes. So he sent them into the forest to live until it was safe for them to return home.
The youngest son chose to leave with his brothers. Shortly after, they came to a pond that belonged to a water nymph. The water nymph enchanted anyone who drank from the water if they could not answer its question.
The Sun Prince went down to fetch some water. When the water nymph saw him, it asked:
“How are the good fairies?”
“They are like the sun and the moon,” answered the Sun Prince.
“No!” cried the water nymph and took the prince into its cave.
When the youngest prince did not return, the Moon Prince went out to look for him.
“Good prince, how are the good fairies?” asked the water nymph.
“They are like the sky above us,” answered the Moon Prince.
“No!” howled the water nymph and took him into its cave.
When the eldest brother came down to look for his brothers, the water nymph asked him the same question.
“If I answer correctly, you must release my brothers,” demanded the Star Prince.
“Good fairies are pure at heart and kind in words and actions.”
The water nymph was so pleased with the prince’s answer that it set his brothers free.
The brothers lived happily together in the forest. When the queen passed away, they returned to the city, and the Star Prince became a wise and kind king.
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