A king, childless and burdened by his sins, lies at a crossroads, hoping for forgiveness and a son. A Fakir encounters him and offers to grant his wish in exchange for one of the two sons he will have. The king agrees and, after a year, has two sons. However, he hides them away in an underground room. When the Fakir returns, the king presents him with two slave-girls' sons instead. The Fakir, discerning the deception through a conversation between ants, insists on seeing the true sons. The Fakir takes the elder son, who, after a series of events, ends up defeating the Fakir and freeing various imprisoned creatures. The king's son embarks on a journey with these creatures, eventually encountering a bald man. They engage in a fight, and the king's son wins, making the bald man his slave. He leaves his creatures under the bald man's watch and ventures into a city. While bathing, the king's daughter sees the royal marks on him and decides she will marry him. The king announces a gathering for her to choose a husband. Disguised as a Fakir, the king's son attends. The princess recognizes him and insists on marrying him, leading to their union despite the king's initial discontent. Later, the new prince organizes a hunting expedition, showcasing his prowess by bringing in a significant catch, unlike the other princes. He reveals his true identity to the king, who is overjoyed and embraces him, ultimately offering him the kingdom. The story concludes with the prince's rise to power and fulfillment of his destiny.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1893 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure