The Golden-Horned Unicorn

Fritz, Franz and Hans, who were poor charcoal-burners, lived in a cottage deep inside a forest with their mother. Fritz and Franz were very selfish and quite rude, unlike Hans who was cheerful, friendly and helpful.
One night, when the family was having dinner, a huntsman came to their door, tired and hungry. Fritz and Franz continued to eat, refusing to share their meal; but Hans gave him his own bread and water.
The huntsman finished eating and then took the bread-crumbs and rolled them into a small round pebble. Thanking Hans for the food he said, “Look for the golden water in the forest of dead trees beyond the blue mountains. It turns everything into gold.” As the huntsman left, he whispered to Hans, “Carry this little pebble when you go!” and he gave him the ball of bread-crumbs.

Fritz went immediately to seek the golden water. In the forest, a unicorn with a golden horn suddenly charged out and asked him where he was going. Frightened, Fritz said that he was searching for the golden water.
“Why?” asked the golden-horned unicorn.
“To buy land and become a rich nobleman!” replied Fritz. The unicorn flung him into the hollow of a tree.
When Franz came to seek the golden water, the unicorn asked him the same question. Franz said, “I will buy a house and be the Mayor!” The unicorn flung him too into the hollow of the tree.
But when Hans came, he replied to the unicorn, “I came to find my brothers.” The unicorn said that he couldn’t take his brothers. So, Hans asked about the golden water. Again, the unicorn asked the same question. Hans told the unicorn that he wished to take it to buy food for his mother who was very ill.
The unicorn asked for the crystal in his pocket. But Hans had only the little pebble. When he took it out, he was amazed to see that it had turned into a little crystal ball.
The unicorn took him to the fountain of golden water and warned him that, while filling his flask, his hand must not touch the water. The top part of one of Hans’ fingers, however, got wet and immediately turned into gold.

Hans took the water. Now, the magical unicorn would serve him. So, he saved his brothers and took them also home. His mother got well in due time and they all lived in comfort happily.

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