There was once upon a time an old king who was ill and thought tohimself I am lying on what must be my deathbed.Then said he tellfaithful John to come to me. Faithful John was his favorite servant,and was so called, because he had for his whole lifelong been sotrue to him. When therefore he came beside the bed, the king said tohim most faithful John, I feel my end approaching, and have noanxiety except about my son. He is still of tender age, and cannotalways know how to guide himself. If you do not promise me to teachhim everything that he ought to know, and to be his fosterfather, Icannot close my eyes in peace. Then answered faithful John I willnot forsake him, and will serve him with fidelity, even if it shouldcost me my life. At this, the old king said now I die in comfortand peace. Then he added after my death, you shall show him thewhole castle all the chambers, halls, and vaults, and all thetreasures which lie therein, but the last chamber in the longgallery, in which is the picture of the princess of the goldendwelling, shall you not show. If he sees that picture, he will fallviolently in love with her, and will drop down in a swoon, and gothrough great danger for her sake, therefore you must protect himfrom that. And when faithful John had once more given his promise tothe old king about this, the king said no more, but laid his head onhis pillow,