The Golden Goose

A man has three sons. His eldest, considered clever, ventures into the forest with food and drink. He encounters an old man but refuses to share, growing drunk and foolish. Lost and defeated, he never returns. The second son, also proud, meets the same old man with the same result. The youngest, deemed simple and foolish by his family, goes into the forest with only coarse bread and sour beer. He meets the old man—an enchanted being—who asks to share his meager meal. The boy, despite his poverty, willingly divides his food. The old man, pleased by his kindness and good humor despite hardship, reveals a tree with a golden goose nested in its roots. The boy carries the golden goose home. Its feathers are pure gold. Everyone becomes greedy and foolish trying to pull feathers for themselves, until their hands stick fast to the bird. A long chain of people—the innkeeper's daughter, servants, villagers—end up attached to the goose, waddling behind the boy like a procession. A sad princess, who never laughs, finally bursts into laughter at the ridiculous sight. The king, joyful at his daughter's first laugh, grants the boy her hand in marriage. Through his simple good humor, his ability to find joy in meager circumstances, and his kindness to a stranger, the boy wins everything. Eutrapelia—virtuous playfulness and humor—proves more valuable than cleverness or ambition.