The Golden Goose

The youngest of three brothers was often overlooked. One morning he took a simple lunch into the forest. He hoped to find useful wood, but instead he found a hungry traveller.

The traveller asked for a little food and water. The boy shared everything willingly. They sat on a fallen log together, and even the plain bread seemed sweeter in good company.

Before leaving, the traveller pointed towards an old hollow stump. Inside it waited a goose with shining golden feathers. The bird stepped out calmly and let the boy carry her carefully.

At the village inn, three sisters admired the wonderful goose. The eldest reached for a golden feather. Her fingers stuck gently to the bird, and she could not pull them away.

The second sister tried to help, then the third. Each became stuck to the one before her. Nobody was hurt, but three surprised sisters now had to follow wherever the goose went.

The boy walked towards the castle, unaware of his growing procession. A passerby tugged at the sisters to free them and joined the chain. Another helpful neighbour found himself following too.

Every corner brought another astonished face. The procession shuffled, stumbled and steadied itself together. The boy slowed down kindly, though he still could not understand why everyone wanted to follow him.

The princess had been unhappy for many weeks. From her balcony, she saw the goose, the gentle boy and the wobbling line. A small smile grew into a great, delighted laugh.

As her laughter rang across the square, the strange sticking spell ended. Everyone stepped apart, checked their hands, and began laughing too. The boy finally turned around and saw his unusual companions.

The princess invited them all for bread and fruit. The youngest brother shared again, with the golden goose resting nearby. His first small kindness had carried happiness much farther than he expected.