The prince protested his innocence. “Perhaps others, jealous of the favors you have shown me, did this,?he argued.?Now the king was a good judge of character. He knew that he had been impressed by the young cook’s work in the past. So the king chose not to punish the boy, for there was no clear evidence as to how the meal was poisoned.? Instead he sent the prince to work in the royal stables, where the youth became a groom.

The sprite fulfills his pledge

Some days later, the groom who was really a prince led some of the horses to water.? As he stood by the river’s edge, he was approached by the old wood sprite he had freed so many months before. “All hail to you, royal son,?said the sprite.? “Come and have supper with me.?o:p>

“I cannot leave my horses,?said the prince. “They will wander away and be lost.?o:p>

“Do not fear for them,?the sprite replied.?“I command the animals, and they will not leave this place.?o:p>

So the prince accompanied the sprite to his home.? There the sprite introduced his three daughters.? “This king’s son released me from my prison. ?/span>What will you give him for his service to me??the sprite demanded of them.

Each daughter gave the prince a special gift.?The first gave him a magic tablecloth. Whenever he opened the cloth over the ground or a table, whatever he wished to eat and drink would magically appear. The second gave him a magic mirror that would show him whatever he wished to know.?And the third gave him a magic flute that would summon musicians and entertainments to him whenever he blew it.? So now, even though he was merely a servant in the royal household, the prince began to lead as rich and enjoyable a life as any monarch.

He was also a successful groom.?The king’s horses were never better prepared or cared for.?