King Matthias And The Shepherd ( Hungarian Folktale)

                                                              image source-en.wikipedia.org
One fine day the king of Prussia along with his daughter visited his good friend king Matthias, the Hungarian king. King matthias warmly welcomed them. 
''Is that right that you have a sheep which has fleece of gold?'' Prussian king asked king Matthias .

''Yes my friend,that's true. I have a sheep with fleece of gold, and let me tell you one more interesting thing that the shepherd who takes care of  that sheep never tells a lie''Said Matthias.  
"What if I make your shepherd lie ?''Prussian king asked with a smile on his face.                                                                 

                                                                image source-clipartbest.com
''Oh! I  see..then I will give you the half of my country, I know that the my shepherd will never lie.'' said king Matthias to his friend. 

''If I will not succeed in making him lie , I will give you the half of Prussia.'', said the king of Prussia. Both the king agreed on that.

Next day the Prussian king went to the Shepherd and said to him, '' I will give you six horses if you give the sheep with fleece of gold to me.''

                                          image source-Pixabay.com                                                                                                                           

''Sorry I can't give it to you it is the property of my king.'', answered the young shepherd.                                 

''Will you give it to me in return of ten horses?'', The king of  Prussia tried again. 
''Sorry, no question of that.'' , said the honest man.
   Disappointed king went back to his home and told his daughter about the shepherd. ''Don't worry father I will do this for you.'', the princess said to the king.
 She went to the shepherd and said t "Will you exchange the sheep with fleece of gold with a bag full of gold ?"No I will not do that'', said the young man. The princess insisted again and again.                         

image source-openclipart.com

The shepherd said ''I will give it to you if you promise to be my wife.''
 ''Alright, but I need only the fleece not the sheep.'' Princess agreed.
She took the fleece and went back to her father and told him everything. King became very happy and hugged his daughter. ''I am sure now the shepherd will lie to Matthias about the fleece of gold.'' He said .
 But he was wrong, next day the young shepherd went to the king Matthias and told him the truth in the presence of Prussian king and his daughter. 
''Hmmm ... so you didn't lie to me '' , said king Matthias , "You proved me right in front of my friend''. King Matthias told him about the bet between him and his friend.
''I am very happy with you and I am giving you my half of Prussia'' said king Matthias.
''And my daughter is your's now , you are such a good and honest man and I am sure you will keep her happy.''The Prussian king gave his daughter's hand into young man's hand.  Everyone was so happy. The young shepherd was now the king of Prussia.
                                          Hungarian folktale retold by -Aunt Mary