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N a certain country, the king's son, the prime minister's son, the chief merchant's son and the highest police officer's son were very intimate friends. They passed most of their time together in merry conversation and sport, without any pursuits befitting their position. Their fathers were very much dissatisfied with them, and resolved to treat them in such a way that they should, in disgust, be forced to do something that might retrieve their position in their respective families. So their mothers were instructed by their husbands one day to put ashes on their dinner plates instead of food, that being the highest indignity that could be offered. The prime minister's wife, and the wives of the merchant and the police superintendent, did as they were bidden, but the queen, unable to be so cruel to her son, served him with all the usual delicacies, putting only a pinch-full of ashes on the plate, thereby partially obeying her husband. The prince noticed the ashes, and asked his mother to account for them. She made some excuse, which, however, did not satisfy his curiosity. Having satisfied his hunger he went out and met his friends, whom he asked how they had fared that day; and they, with tears in their eyes, told him that only ashes had been given them for food. He informed them of what his mother had done; and keenly feeling the insult, the four young men left the kingdom to try their fortunes in the world without.

After many days they at length reached the borders of an extensive forest. Here were four roads, leading in four