"
The King did not know of anything that could have arrived at the
palace during his absence worth the discomfort he was experiencing;
so he very readily gave his promise, and was freed. When he had shaken
the water from his beard, he looked in the well for the ugly monster
which had held him captive, but he was nowhere to be seen. Summoning
his attendants, he at once set out for home, where he arrived in a few
days. The people along the way hailed him with delight; and when he
reached the palace, the Queen led him to the royal chamber and showed
him a beautiful son that had been born during his absence. His joy was
so great that he forgot all else; but after a time he recalled with
horror his compact with the monster of the well, and the meaning was
all plain to him. The thought of what he had promised haunted him day
and night, and the fear that something would happen to his little son
tortured him. But as days and months passed, and the little Prince
grew more beautiful all the time, the King at last forgot his fears
and became happy once more.
Years went by without anything happening to disturb his peace of mind,
and the Prince grew to be a beautiful youth, who was the joy and pride
of the King and Queen.
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