The Golden Goose 

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Simpleton who lived with his two brothers and their parents. Simpleton was often overlooked and underestimated by his family, who favored his more clever and capable brothers. Despite his family’s lack of faith in him, Simpleton was kind-hearted and always willing to help others.

One day, the brothers were sent into the forest to chop wood. The eldest brother went first, and as he worked, he was approached by a little old man who asked for some food. The eldest brother, being greedy, refused to share and chased the old man away. Shortly after, he accidentally cut himself and had to return home.

The second brother went next, and the same old man appeared, asking for some food. Like his elder brother, the second brother refused and chased the old man away. He, too, ended up injuring himself and returned home.

Finally, it was Simpleton’s turn. As he chopped wood in the forest, the little old man approached him and asked for food. Unlike his brothers, Simpleton kindly offered the old man his meager lunch, which was all the food he had. The old man, touched by Simpleton’s generosity, revealed that he was not just an ordinary old man but had magical powers. In gratitude, he gave Simpleton a golden goose, instructing him to take good care of it.

Simpleton took the golden goose and set off on his journey. Along the way, he stopped at an inn to rest. The innkeeper’s three daughters were intrigued by the golden goose and wanted to pluck one of its feathers. However, as soon as the eldest daughter touched the goose, she found herself stuck to it. The second daughter tried to help her, but she too got stuck. Then the third daughter tried to help her sisters, and she also got stuck.

Simpleton, unaware of what had happened, continued his journey with the golden goose, and the three daughters stuck to it. Along the way, they passed through a village, and more people tried to intervene, each one becoming stuck to the others. Soon, there was a long procession of people all stuck to the golden goose, trailing behind Simpleton.

As Simpleton entered the next town, the king saw the strange procession and was intrigued. The king’s daughter, who had never been able to laugh, witnessed the ridiculous sight and burst out in uncontrollable laughter for the first time. The king, overjoyed at his daughter’s laughter, declared that Simpleton could marry the princess as a reward.

Simpleton and the princess were married, and they lived happily ever after. Simpleton’s kindness and humility had brought him good fortune, while the others’ greed and desire to take what did not belong to them led to their comical misfortune.

Insights:

1. The Dangers of Greed:

   • The story highlights how greed can lead to one's downfall. The innkeeper's daughters and others who tried to take the golden goose for their own gain ended up stuck and unable to achieve their goal. This serves as a warning that greed often backfires, leading to consequences that are both humorous and humbling.

2. Generosity and Kindness:

   • Simpleton’s kindness towards the old man is rewarded with the golden goose, illustrating the value of generosity. The story suggests that good deeds and a compassionate heart are often rewarded in unexpected ways.

3. The Power of Laughter and Joy:

   • The princess’s laughter, brought on by the ridiculous sight of people stuck to the goose, emphasizes the power of joy and laughter in breaking through sadness or difficulty. The king’s happiness at seeing his daughter laugh for the first time also underscores the importance of joy in life.

4. The Virtue of Humility:

   • Simpleton, though underestimated and seen as less capable than his brothers, proves that humility and a pure heart can lead to great success. He does not seek riches or fame but is rewarded with both because of his good nature.

5. The Consequences of Deception:

   • The old man’s magical powers and his test of Simpleton and his brothers show that deceit and selfishness do not go unnoticed. The elder brothers’ refusal to share leads to their misfortune, while Simpleton’s honesty and willingness to share bring him good fortune.

6. The Value of Contentment:

   • The story also teaches the value of being content with what one has. Simpleton does not seek out the golden goose but is content with his simple life. It is this contentment, paired with his kindness, that leads him to greater rewards.

7. Unity and Consequences:

   • The image of people stuck together, unable to separate, serves as a metaphor for how our actions and desires can entangle us in situations beyond our control. The lesson here is to be mindful of our actions and their potential consequences.

"The Golden Goose" is a rich and humorous tale that imparts important moral lessons about the dangers of greed, the rewards of kindness, and the transformative power of laughter and joy. It encourages readers to value humility, generosity, and contentment in their own lives.