THE KING AND THE MILLER
NCE there was a wealthy miller who lived near the high-road. Above his door he had written these words: "Here lives a man who is free from sorrows and trouble." One day the king, happening to pass the house, stopped and read the inscription. "I shall give him trouble," thought he, and having ordered the miller to appear before him, he gave him three questions to be answered to the king's satisfaction within three days. If he failed to answer the questions, he must forfeit his life.
As the miller walked about in the fields pondering on this difficult problem, his shepherd asked what grieved him, since he looked so troubled. "It is of no use to tell you," answered the miller, "for you cannot help me." "Yes," said the shepherd, "if you will only tell me all about it, I am ready to help you." So the miller told him all. "Oh, is it not worse?" exclaimed the shepherd. "If I may borrow your clothes, I will answer the questions for you."
On the appointed day the king returned, and the shepherd received him in the miller's clothes.
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