THE KINGS SON AND THE PAINTED LION

A king had a dream in which he watched as his only son was killed by a lion. So
scared was the King that his dream was prediction of the future that he put him in a specially
made palace far way from all the dangers of his dream. In order to keep his son entertained,
he adorned the walls of the palace with painting of all the animals that lived safely outside the
palaces walls. Among these painting was a picture of a lion. Abandoned and alone in his
palace, he grew to despise the lion.
One day he stood in front of the picture and yelled at it, Stupid lion! If you hadnt
hunted my fathers dream Id be free instead of being stuck in this palace! He picked up a
heavy hammer and swung it at the lion. The wall collapsed, crushing the son under its weight.
When the word of his sons death reached the King, he knew he was responsible. In working
to stop one outcome he had invited another, and so with great sorrow he learned that it is
better to face ones fate with bravery than to try to escape it.


The Hole in the water
A young man who was alone in the world decided to get married. He was handsome
and rich, but it seemed that in the whole land there was not the right wife for him: either they
were too young, or too old. There remained just one lovely young maiden, whom he had met
at the well, but she seemed to be a bit mad. Not only did she say that her stepmother was a
fairy, but she also insisted that her stepmother would only allow her to marry a man who
could perform a certain very difficult task. What is that? asked the young man.
He has to make a hole in the water.
Thats impossible, exclaimed the young man. You will never find a husband.
Yes, I will find one, replied the young girl. My stepmother says that when someone
is truly in love, they can even work miracles.
The young man was truly in love, but he had no idea how to solve the problem. He
sighed and suffered for a long time but he did not give up. Then one day he found that the
well had frozen over. Suddenly he understood. Seizing a stout stick, he made a hole in the
frozen surface .. and so he was able to marry the beautiful maiden.