In a land perpetually shrouded in darkness, a king possesses a remarkable horse adorned with a flaming sun on its forehead, providing light to his impoverished subjects. When the horse mysteriously vanishes, despair engulfs the kingdom, prompting the king to seek help. He consults a seer who offers to retrieve the horse without reward, advising the king to return home and leave a servant with him. The seer embarks on a journey, crossing multiple kingdoms until he reaches one ruled by three brothers, each married to a daughter of a witch. Disguised as a bird, the seer learns that the youngest brother possesses the stolen horse. He cleverly navigates the palace, evading the witch's attempts to capture him. The seer devises a plan to confront the kings as they return home. He hides under a bridge, ambushing the eldest king first, killing him in a duel. He repeats this with the second king, binding their bodies to their horses. When the youngest king arrives, a fierce battle ensues, culminating in a contest of transformation where they become wheels and flames. The seer ultimately prevails by tricking a beggar into extinguishing the king's flame. With the horse secured, the seer and his servant journey back, but they encounter traps set by the witch, disguised as an apple tree, a spring, and a rosebush, each representing her daughters. The seer skillfully avoids these dangers, revealing their true nature by spilling blood instead of succumbing to temptation. Upon returning to the dark kingdom, the horse's light restores life and joy to the land. The king, grateful for the seer's assistance, offers him half of his kingdom, but the seer declines, preferring to return to his peaceful life in solitude. The story concludes with the kingdom flourishing under the king's rule, illuminated by the horse's radiant sun.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure