Read on line
Listen on line
Main > Sweden folktales > Fairy tale "The King's Choice"

The King's Choice

Meanwhile, the boat nearly tipped over and the voices on board shrieked.

At once, the King, a strong swimmer, dove into the river and swam toward the boat. Jumping on board, he took the oars from the rowers and managed to steer the craft safely to shore.

The soaked councilors, nearly giddy with relief, stepped off the boat. They clapped the woodcutter on the shoulder, thanking him again and again for saving their lives, and asked him to name his reward.

Remembering the Fairy's words and his new common status, the King bowed before them and said, "In three days I plan to host a feast in my cottage for my friends. It would do me great honor if such noble guests as yourselves you would attend."

"Is that all?" said one of the councilors (the one that's too concerned with money, noticed the King).

"To have noblemen such as yourselves in my home would do me a great honor," repeated the King.

Later that night, restored to his kingly form, King Gustav was settling down to bed when a mist again formed before him and took the shape of a woman.

"Your Highness," said the Fairy in her soft voice, "invite your councilors to a royal banquet at the palace in three days to mark your departure and to announce which councilor you have selected to rule while you're away."

"I haven't yet decided which one is to rule," said that King. "Besides, they cannot come - they already committed themselves to attending the woodcutter's dinner."

"Indeed," said the Fairy. She vanished.

Next morning, the King summoned his six councilors.

"I have been giving great thought to which one of you is best suited to assume command of the land while I'm away," said he. Each of the councilors stood up a little taller, and one of them (the one too concerned with his hair) quickly ran a comb through his hair.

Also read
Read
The Royal Book of Oz
Category: Frank Baum
Read times: 14
Read
A Kidnapped Santa Claus
Category: Frank Baum
Read times: 13
Read
Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad
Category: Frank Baum
Read times: 2